The Green Flame Torch

Chapter 10: Exposure

"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Nigel as Hermione reentered the Gryffindor common room.

"Yes," answered Hermione with a reluctant smile.

"Okay." Sighed Nigel, "Well, I best be off. It's getting late."

He headed to the portrait hole and turned back.

"It's a bit odd, you know."said Nigel, "The potion was from a school book."

"So?" shrugged Ron.

"If Lilah did it," interjected Hermione softly, " She would of had to get into the restricted section for the upper classmen books."

Everyone looked at Hermione a little taken aback.

"Exactly," said Nigel, "We don't get love spells until sixth or seventh year."

Nigel thought for a moment, shrugged, and left.

"What do you mean if?" asked Ron.

"Exactly that, Ron. If." Sighed Hermione.

Ron shook his head.

"I'm so lost." Said Harry, "She did it. She's a Snape. Of all people, I never thought you would be taken in by Nigel's naive ideals, Hermione. He thinks everyone deep down is a good person. He probably thinks You-Know-Who is just misunderstood and wasn't hugged enough as a child."

Hermione smiled slightly as Harry and Ron still stared, confused.

"Well, I'm going to bed." Said Ron.

"Me too." Added Harry.

They bid Hermione goodnight and headed up the stairs to the boy's dorms. Hermione sat alone in the Gryffindor common room, brooding.

Lilah couldn't even pick out ingredients to make a potion. How the hell could she make?

The thought kept spinning in her head. This whole time Hermione was convinced it was an act. That Lilah was faking that she didn't understand, to gain sympathy from her uncle, or the boys, or both. Just another one of her manipulative tricks. The fact that Lilah really could be the victim now, was torturing Hermione. She tried to block this thought out of her head. She wanted Lilah to be the enemy. She couldn't be wrong about that. She just couldn't.

From the moment they met, Hermione was convinced Lilah was not a person to trust. First Malfoy introduced her, that was a bad sign enough. But, when Lilah entered, and Harry wanted her to leave, she gave the boys this sultry pouty look. And, of course Ron, the hormonal lughead, fell for it. To top it off he stumbled all over Hermione approaching Lilah. Hermione couldn't help but laugh and the git thought she tripped him! After that, Lilah said she was a Snape. It was too much! Things just did not start out well for Hermione to like Lilah.

So Lilah made her way into Hermione's world. Under any other circumstances Hermione might of liked her. But, Harry and mostly Ron were throwing themselves at her. If it was one thing Hermione couldn't stand, it was a girl who used her looks to get what she wanted. And that was exactly what Lilah was doing. Hermione tried to talk to the boys, but they said she was just over reacting. She knew the boys were determined to except Lilah. So, she decided to leave the situation if Lilah was around. Just so that she didn't get in a tiff with her.

But, did that help? No. She heard Lavender and Parvati, speculating that she was jealous of Lilah. And always wanted to be away from her. Why didn't they just stop and see things from her side? Why only Lilah's? The boys were never there to see the other side of Lilah. The unflattering true Slytherin she was. The one who acted like it was Hermione's fault that she didn't know anything about potions. The one who acted like it was Hermione's duty to teach her! Damn Professor Snape! He knew Hermione had far too many classes and no extra time to tutor anyone, no matter who they were. But, Hermione did it and what thanks did she get? A laugh in the face when Malfoy called her a mudblood.

Hermione was pacing around the common room and sneered under her breath, "Jealous."

Of course she wasn't jealous of Lilah. Sure the girl had this exotic skin tone and was very pretty but, there wasn't anything else behind her good looks. The outside was all that Ron saw.

"That is all he ever sees," sighed Hermione as she slouched down onto the sofa.

Not that I care, thought Hermione, I'm pretty. I just don't spend hours in front of the mirror grooming just to catch the boys eyes. What nonsense.

Hermione sat up. It wasn't like she was seeing things from Lilah's side either. A new girl, paired up with Malfoy, having an uncle like Snape. And she seemed more keen on hanging with the Gryffindor's then the Slytherin's before the whole spell issue.

Things were being scrambled together in Hermione's mind. She didn't know who the enemy was anymore. But, she was sure of one thing, Lilah was being sabotaged.

Am I on Snape's side? Thought Hermione.

She pushed her hair out of her face. She needed to go to bed. Maybe some sleep would clear her mind of all these good sumeritan ideals. She headed to her room.

If Snape is innocent then she lost all her friends. She was trying so hard to fit in.

"Argh!" growled Hermione.

Lilah Snape would not get out of her head. She lay down on her bed and finally pushed Lilah out of her mind enough to sleep. The next morning she headed to the library. After breakfast, Harry and Ron came in looking for her.

"Looking up grims?" asked Ron.

Hermione shook her head as she jotted down some notes from a large book next to her onto a piece of parchment covered in her writing.

"What's up?" asked Harry.

"You'll see." Said Hermione as she folded the parchment.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Next potions class, you'll see." Said Hermione, " But, right now I want you both to promise that no matter how you perceive Lilah Snape now, to promise to try to see things from my side."

"What's going on?" nagged Ron.

"I can't say right now. You wouldn't be able to keep it a secret long enough. You'll just have to wait till potions class. Now, just promise."

"I promise." Said Harry.

"Me too." Said Ron, "But, I hope you aren't planning to really hurt her this time."

"No. Someone else is." Hermione sighed and wouldn't say anymore on the subject.

***

That morning as Lilah awoke Boo flew into her room with a piece of paper. He dropped it onto her bed as she sat up rubbing her eyes.

"A bit early for mail." She yawned.

She unrolled the paper. It looked like it had been torn out from somewhere. She gasped. On the front side was a detailed drawing of a torch with a green flame emitting from it. It had a long neck made of gold and a sun made out of copper in the center near the head. She flipped to its other side and found writing. She read,

In the late 900's CE the gifted child witch genius, Helga Hufflepuff, is documented as creating the Green Flame Torch. The torch is said to have great magical powers and the ability to destroy all evil that touch the flame. Hufflepuff was one of the founders of the prestigious magical school Hogwarts. The next page has a drawing done by Salazar Slytherin, another founder of Hogwarts.

The reason for its construction is unknown. The reason for this is there is so little that has been documented about it. To make matters worse, sometime around 990-1000 CE the torch disappeared completely from all records. It is suggested that the true power possessed by the torch was so great that it frightened its young creator. It is speculated that she ordered it destroyed.

Coincidentally, around this time it is documented that Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor quarreled, which resulted in Salazar leaving the school. Whether or not this quarrel and disappearance has anything to do with the torch is uncertain. But, it is well agreed that Slytherin had delved in the dark arts and the torch being so powerful could have been a very appealing weapon to him. The torch was extremely powerful but not just in magic. It is documented that Helga Hufflepuff under great stress with dealings with the torch committed suicide by jumping out of a window in the Hogwarts castle.

As for the actual whereabouts of the torch, there are many theories. The first is that it was destroyed. The second is that Helga, being a great friend and student of Rowena Ravenclaw (another founder of Hogwarts), entrusted the torch to her. The third, and most agreed upon theory, is that Godric Gryffindor was involved in its disappearance. Around the same time as his quarrel with Slytherin he too disappeared for an amount of time. It is believed that he took the torch and hid it.

Lilah couldn't believe it. She had finally found something. And someone was finally helping her. She didn't care who. She folded up the paper, got dressed quickly, and headed for the boy's dorms. But, Draco had already went down for breakfast. She ran to the Great Hall.

"Hi." Draco mumbled, his mouth full as Lilah arrived.

Lilah sat next to him, after making Pansy move.

"Er, Lilah," mumbled Draco, "Later today I was wondering if I could have a chat with you about something."

"Why not now?" She said unfolding the paper.

"Too many people." He mumbled.

"Okay." Mused Lilah.

Draco noticed the paper. Lilah handed it to him. He looked at her curiously and read. A look of surprise spread across his face.

"Where did you get this?" he asked.

"Just appeared in my room." She whispered.

"Curious."

He handed the paper back without really reading it.

"First someone says not to look for the torch and now someone just gives you this. Something's a bit wonkey if you ask me." Mumbled Draco shoving more food into his mouth.

Lilah looked down at the paper, thinking about what Draco had said.

"What's wrong?' he asked.

"It's just that, well now that I have this, now what am I supposed to do? I mean," Lilah lowered her voice, "What does the lion want me to do with it?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders.

"You'll just have to ask him about that tonight." He suggested.

Lilah felt her stomach clench. She suddenly felt scared of the lion. What did he want? She never thought about that before. She looked over at the Gryffindor table. What she wouldn't give to have Harry as a friend right then. Someone so brave. Lilah watched them. Hermione was not there but Harry and Ron were talking animatedly with each other while eating. The banner of their mascot hung high and red above their table.

"Oh my god." Gasped Lilah.

"What?" asked Draco.

"The Gryffindor mascot, is a lion." She said.

"So," said Draco, "Don't tell me you just noticed."

"Look, the torch was supposedly taken by Godric, right?"

"Yes."

"Then who else but Godric would want it found."

"But, he should know where it is." Said Draco, "Godric hid it."

"That is only speculated. Maybe he lost it."

Draco thought for a moment then turned to Lilah with a smirk on his face.

"You think the lion is Godric Gryffindor?" asked Draco looking very interested.

"Why not?"

Draco grimaced, "It makes sense to me. A lot."

***

Around 4pm, Lilah and Pansy were sitting in the Slytherin common room looking through Teen Witch and drooling over the ten page spread of their favorite boys band, The Vampire Boys. Draco was seated by the fireplace reading a book for Divinations. He occasionally looked over at Lilah. She could feel his eyes on her every time and she would look up and he would look away. They played tag with their eyes like this for awhile. Then Draco closed his book and approached the girls.

"Lily?" he asked, "Want to go for a walk."

"The sun is setting and it's too cold." Said Pansy.

"I'll pass," said Lilah, "I don't want to freeze."

"I just want to get out of here." He mumbled.

Lilah stared at Draco who was looking intensely at her.

"We could wander around the castle." Suggested Pansy.

Draco took a deep breath and said again, "Lily, you want to go for a walk? Maybe for a chat."

"Oh, right. Sure." She said wondering why he didn't just say that in the first place.

"But. . ." began Pansy.

"I'll be back." Snapped Draco.

They left the common room.

"So," said Lilah, "What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, I. . . was wondering, I mean. . ."Draco stammered.

Lilah stopped walking and stood patiently. She was a little nervous from Draco's lack of poise.

He took a deep breath and said, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Lilah's stomach jumped. He finally asked her.

"Sure." She said.

Draco's face lit up.

"Cool." He said.

"Er, yeah."

Lilah laughed nervously and looked around. What was she supposed to do next? She never had a boyfriend before. Were they supposed to hug or kiss or skip off into the sunset? She had no idea. Draco reached for her hand. Apparently he knew what to do. So, Lilah tried to follow his example. Then, Lilah felt a shiver go up her spine.

"Should we go back inside?" she asked still holding his hand.

"Why?" asked Draco.

"Because I'm freezing."

"Oh."

Draco hesitantly put his arm around her waist. Then pulled her against his thin body. Lilah felt a pang of fear and excitement as he body warmth mingled with her's. But she had to get a grip. It wasn't like she was the only girl to ever be held like that. Draco pulled his cloak around her as well.

When Draco had first met Lilah the top of his head was up to her nose. But, since then he had grown quite a bit. And now their eyes met up with each other. Their noses were practically touching. Lilah put her arms around Draco. Realizing that if she squeezed hard enough she might end up hugging herself. Yes he had grown taller but not bulkier. She smiled at this thought and didn't even notice that Draco's eyes were closed and that his face was leaning towards hers.

"Draco?" called Pansy.

Draco jumped away from Lilah. Then collected himself.

"What do you want?' he sneered as Pansy came around the corner.

"Just wanted to see what you two were up to." Chirped Pansy.

Lilah crossed her arms in a huff and looked at the setting sun.

I bet you were, Lilah thought.

***

The news spread quickly that Draco and Lilah were a couple. Among the Slytherin's that is. She didn't want to know what would happen if Nigel found out. She would break the poor boy's heart. Oddly enough that exact predicament was a bit of an ego boost for her. As the night approached Lilah and Draco were seen sitting on the sofa talking, his arm around her shoulders. No matter what though they weren't left alone. Pansy would not got to sleep. So, Lilah went to bed, her first night with a boyfriend without so much as a kiss.

Lilah sat in her bed. The wind was blowing loudly. The girls were asleep. She was frightened. Partially because the wind was so violent and partially because a lion was next to her. But, Lilah then remembered she indeed had nothing to fear from this lion.

"What have you found?" he asked.

"A page torn from a book." she answered.

"Does it say where it is?"

"Not really. It says many places."

The lion jumped up on her bed.

"You have to tell Harry." He said.

"Why?"

"Dumbledore will let him know when he is ready."

Lilah reached out to the lion, trying to touch its mane.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The lion sighed, "You have your own idea, don't you?"

"Are you him? Why don't you show yourself as human?"

"It would of only confused you." Said the lion resting his head down on the bed.

"But I figured it out."

"Fine. I'll be what you want." Sighed the lion.

His body slowly thinned out into a man's form. Lilah watched in awe as his golden main became dark messy hair. His muzzle became a thin white face with light eyes. It was evident that when Harry grew older he would look like this man in the red robe sitting on her bed. He looked younger then she thought he would. He could have been no more then twenty-five.

"Er, Godric? Can I call you that?" asked Lilah.

"If you wish." Shrugged the man.

She inched closer to him and noticed he was wearing glasses. She shook her head and they disappeared. She must of wanted him to look as much like Harry as possible.

"Well, Godric, why do you want me to find the torch?"

"It is very complicated. But, Harry needs to find it before Voldemort does."

"But, where is it?" asked Lilah urgently.

"That is what I want you to find out." Said a faint scratchy whisper.

Godric jumped up and a sword appeared in his hands.

"Lilah wake up." Urged Godric.

"I'm sleeping?" she gasped.

Godric ran to her and grabbed her shoulders.

"You're dreaming." He said and shook her.

"What are you doing?" she screamed.

"Wake up!" he shouted.

Lilah opened her eyes and looked around her room. The sun was rising outside. She sat up and rubbed her eyes and wondered when she would finally have a normal dream.

***

That morning Lilah and Draco walked hand in hand to potions class. They took their usual seats and chatted. Across the room Hermione was seated next to Ron and Harry. Her heart sank when she saw Lilah happily holding Draco's hand and second guessed what she was about to do. But, the truth must be known. Ron and Harry were both on the edge of their seats. They had been waiting to find out what Hermione was up to for a whole day.

"So, will you tell us what is going on now?" pleaded Ron.

"Patience." She whispered.

"We've been patient." Whined Harry.

"Just a little longer." Assured Hermione.

She dug into her bag and pulled out her or rather Lilah's potion book. The paper she had been writing on and one more thing, She Wore a Purple Crown. Ron looked perplexed when she set the scroll on the desk. Snape began class shortly after and soon the boys were paying more attention to him then Hermione. She sat patiently waiting for her moment.

She finally found it when Snape assigned them to make potions with partners. She got up and walked over to Lavender. She knew Snape hated it when students chose their own partners.

"Granger, what are you doing?" he sneered.

"Going to work with Lavender."

"Did I say you could?"

"No." she said crestfallen.

He had taken the bait. She hoped he would do what she wanted next. And he did.

"You can work with Snape." He said.

Hermione was expressionless and sat next to Lilah, causing Draco to sulk and have to move.

"She's mad." Whispered Ron to Harry, "She knows he hates that."

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

Everyone else was paired up and the potion making commenced. Hermione sat back and did nothing. Lilah sat struggling trying to figure out how to cut up the tulip petals with out damaging their shape.

"You could help." Lilah sneered.

Hermione shook her head, no.

"What do you mean no?" exaserbated Lilah.

"I am observing you." Said Hermione.

"What am I an animal in the zoo?"

"No, but you don't know what you're doing." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

Lilah scowled at Hermione. And shot her arm up.

"What is it Snape?' asked Professor Snape.

"Granger isn't working." complained Lilah.

Snape scowled at Hermione.

"Do we have a problem Granger?"

"Yes." Said Hermione knowing very well she was walking into the lion's den, "I don't think it is fair to pair me up with Snape. She doesn't know what she is doing and as you know I am not the best of teachers."

Snape scowled at Hermione.

"Just do your work." He hissed.

Hermione held her breath and mustered all her strength and spoke again.

"But do you agree that Snape can't do potions very well?" asked Hermione.

Lilah threw the petals down extremely upset.

"What is with your impertinence?" Professor Snape sneered, "5 points from Gryffindor."

Hermione's stomach clenched. Harry and Ron were watching in horror.

Is this really worth it? Hermione thought.

"Professor?" she said her heart beating fast.

"Not another word!" he yelled.

"But, if she can't do this simple potion how could she have made that love potion!" yelled Hermione.

Snape's eyes were wide and he was speechless.

"The spell was too advanced, for her. You know that." Hermione continued.

"What are you jabbering on about?" asked Professor Snape.

"Just that Lilah didn't make that potion. Even the other day you asked her to find Ashwinder eggs and she didn't know what they were. Isn't that odd that she didn't know? Considering they were ingredients in that love potion." Said Hermione.

"You would know." Drawled Draco.

"No, you would!" yelled Hermione, "You made it!"

Draco's eyes grew wide.

"What?" he laughed, "You're mad."

Lilah looked quickly between Hermione and Draco.

"Professor," insisted Hermione, "Malfoy did that potion to your niece."

Snape glared at Draco. The whole class was watching in silent awe.

"What?" gasped Lilah.

"W-why would I?" stammered Draco.

"I don't know." Sneered Hermione, "Maybe to frame me and have her stop being friends with the Gryffindors. You knew they would take my side over her's."

"That's so stupid!" shouted Draco.

"Is it!" yelled Hermione, "You know very well that Snape and I switched books accidentally. Why would you want to frame her?"

"You are just trying to make yourself look good Granger! There is no proof that I did this!" shouted Draco to Professor Snape who himself didn't know what to think.

"Yes there is." said Hermione running in the direction of Ron and Harry.

She grabbed the scroll and said, "In here it says that Corona gave Malfoy a love potion as a joke awhile back. And he couldn't of gotten it any other way. Love potions are taught in sixth and seventh year. Corona was a seventh year."

Hermione handed the scroll to Professor Snape.

"And" continued Hermione, " Malfoy who had the most contact with Lilah Snape this whole time was not at all affected by the love potion. I think that is a bit interesting."

Hermione turned to Draco who was clenching his fists.

"Also," she added, " You were there that day when Lilah and I had that fight in the library. Right after that Lilah found the potion on her. When Pince called us in her office is probably when you put the potion in my book."

"You were the one who pointed us out to Madame Pince." gasped Lilah looking at Draco, her eyes glassy.

"But, I didn't make it!" Draco pleaded.

"Enough!" yelled Professor Snape, "Granger, Malfoy, and Snape stay after class."

***

It seemed like dejavu. The same group of students tried to make their way to class but were blocked off by a clump of children listening in on the door. Everyone was tense. Harry and Ron stood in the back hoping Hermione would come out soon, relatively unharmed.

The door opened and everyone backed away. This time Draco was lead out by Snape. Both looked extremely pale.

"Class will continue." Snape announced to his next class, "Professor Lupin will be here in a moment. Everyone take your seats as usual."

He nudged Draco forward and hurried down the hall with him. Lilah came out, her face tear stained followed behind by Hermione. Harry and Ron went to her.

"So what happened?" asked Ron.

Hermione put her finger to her mouth and headed down the hall. Once they were a good distance away she began to talk.

"Malfoy confessed." She said.

"Really?" gasped Harry.

"He said he only did it because he thought the potion would make Lilah fancy him. He said he didn't know that all the other boys would fancy her, too." Hermione mocked Draco's drawl.

'That's a stupid reason." Said Ron.

"I don't believe it." Said Hermione, "The result of the potion is on the formula. He knew very well what was going to happen."

"So how did he do it?" asked Harry.

"He said he distracted Lilah while Crabbe poured it into her tea at breakfast." Said Hermione somberly.

"What I don't understand is how Malfoy made it in the first place." Said Ron, "I mean it was a seventh year spell."

"It was still relatively simple." Said Hermione, "Just not for Lilah."

"So why wouldn't you tell us?" asked Harry.

"Because, "sighed Hermione, "I knew that Ron wouldn't be able to hold in a chance to humiliate Malfoy, if I told you."

Ron scowled.

Hermione ignored him and went on, " I had to have Snape, Lilah, and Malfoy all together and completely off guard. So, I kept it a secret."

A group of Slytherin girls came walking up from behind them.

"I bet you think you're really smart Granger." Hissed Pansy.

"Excuse me?" said Hermione facing Pansy who was framed by Millicent and Jezebel.

"You just got yourself off the hook and blamed poor Draco." Continued Pansy.

"Oh please." Moaned Ron.

"You even convinced Snape." Growled Pansy pointing back at Lilah.

Hermione looked in the distance and saw that Lilah was standing by herself, abandoned by the Slytherin girls and boys.

"You truly believe Malfoy is innocent?" asked Ron flabbergasted.

"What's it to you?" snapped Pansy.

"You are just going to take his side and chuck Lilah?" gasped Harry who had noticed Lilah's absence from the Slytherin's as well.

"It's her fault if she wants to be stupid." Sighed Pansy, "Come on girls."

Pansy lead the Slytherin girls away.

"I can't believe that." Said Harry, "Just like that, they chuck her."

"Believe it," moaned Ron, "We did the same thing."

Harry sighed and looked pitying at Hermione. Ron did the same.

"Oh god!" huffed Hermione, "Fine."

She walked up to Lilah.

"Oy, Snape, want to come with us?" asked Hermione avoiding Lilah's eyes.

Lilah scowled for a moment but accepted the offer.

***

That night, Lilah entered the common room. Everyone was clumped in a group consoling Draco who had been sentenced to severe detention and a letter to his parents. Lilah tried not to look at him and went to the stairs leading to the girl's dorms. Draco broke away from the group and ran after her.

"Lily?" he asked softly.

"What?' she snapped.

"Er, can I explain?" he begged.

"No! Hermione did a damn good job of that for you!"

Lilah turned and went up the stairs. Draco followed.

"Look," he snapped, his demeanor no longer sweet, " I wouldn't of had to do it you had just been faithful in the first place."

"What?" growled Lilah.

Draco scowled and held his head high.

"I warned you, didn't I?" Said Draco, "I said Slytherins don't treat the unfaithful well."

Lilah could feel the tears starting to fall and quickly wiped them away.

"You lied about your reason? Hermione was right!"

"She thinks she was right." Sneered Draco, "I was helping you. Everyone was your friend after what I did. Before that you couldn't even walk into your own house without someone saying something snotty to you. You should thank me."

"If that is your idea of helping someone, you should seriously rethink your morals!" shouted Lilah, "You only made yourself ridiculous!"

"No you did that in agreeing with Granger!" Yelled Draco.

Lilah turned to her door.

"Well since I am so unfaithful it is not me duty to keep you from looking like an idiot." Lilah grumbled, "Nothing in the world could have kept you from looking like an idiot today."

Lilah opened her door and looked at Draco, "Well, maybe God or a very large bag!"

She slammed the door in his face before he could react.

***

Nigel sat at the Hufflepuff common room being told the latest news about Hermione and Lilah, by Sally-Anne. Being a self proclaimed lover of Ronald Weasly; Sally-Anne always knew the goings on of the Gryffindor house. Justin sat in the corner playing chess, his fingers running nervously through his curly blonde hair. A smile spread across Susan's ebony face as she checked him, again.

"And, now Malfoy is, like, in so much trouble." Giggled Sally-Anne in her southern California accent while she put Hannah's curly blonde hair into pigtails.

"I would have never guessed." Said Nigel.

"I asked Ron if, like, Hermione and Lilah were friends. And he said yes. But I just think he said that to make me go away." Sighed Sally-Anne pushing her layered golden hair out of her blue eyes.

Nigel didn't want to voice his agreement with that statement. Sally-Anne was a bit annoying, though lovable. And, was Nigel's best friend.

"I don't really like Lilah though." Added Sally-Anne glancing at Nigel, "I worry about you dude when you hang out with her."

"Sally, you don't like any girl that hangs with Nigel, unless it is you." smirked Justin.

"Not true. I like Susan. And I love Hannah." Sighed Sally-Anne as she tilted Hannah's face so that Nigel could see it.

"As do we all." Said Nigel playfully.

Hannah blushed and looked away.

There was a tap at the window and Nigel saw a barn owl outside it. He opened it and in flew Lilah's owl, Boo, with a note in its beak. Boo dropped it on Nigel's lap and flew back out.

"Who's that from?" asked Sally-Anne reaching for the note on his lap.

"Sally!" yelled Nigel who hit her hand away. It was a little too close to his crotch.

"Fine." Huffed Sally-Anne.

Nigel opened it up and began to read when the feeling that he was being watched began to irk him.

"Sally-Anne. Stop reading over my shoulder." nagged Nigel.

"Well, just tell me who it's from." She whined.

"No one." Snapped Nigel who folded the note and put it in his pocket.

"You don't love me." Pouted Sally-Anne.

Nigel rolled his eyes and went to his room to read the note in private.

***

"I'm here." Whispered Nigel, "I got the note."

He stood with his cloak wrapped around him, holding his wand that had the tip illuminated.

"Over here." Whispered a voice.

"Do you really need help this bad Lil?" asked Nigel.

"Just follow me." Said Lilah quietly, her mother's cloak wrapped around her.

Nigel followed her as quietly as he could, looking around every which way in hopes of not attracting Mrs. Norris or Filch. They walked up some stairs.

"Mind your step there." Said Nigel quickly.

Lilah looked down as she almost walked into a step that wasn't there anymore.

"Thanks." She sighed and jumped over the missing step, and noticed that where the step was supposed to be was a sign saying, "Gone on holiday. Will be back for Easter. Cheers." Lilah shook her head and proceeded up the stairs.

It was quite cold that night. They were off to the observatory to work on Astronomy. Nigel thought it a bit odd to be doing homework at that particular hour, being the middle of the night. But, Lilah had insisted in the note. And of course, Nigel being the sort of boy he was, agreed.

They walked down the hall leading to the observatory. A light could be seen coming through the cracks of one of the doors. Nigel stopped and glanced nervously at her, but Lilah continued on until she heard voices from inside. She instantly recognized them and froze.

"Severus, calm down." Sighed Lupin.

"She knows something." snapped Snape.

Nigel tried to pull Lilah onwards, but she wouldn't budge from her spot.

"I don't know how." Said Lupin.

"Well, maybe she doesn't know everything, but she has been in the library a lot and has been in the history section all the time. And I caught her going through my cabinet looking at the portrait." Hissed Snape.

"Well, she's a curious girl."

"But, what put these ideas in her head? She was never like this back at home. No one but Dumbledore, McGonagall, and you know. I know very well that they wouldn't have said anything to her. So it only leaves you."

"I haven't said anything." Said Lupin sounding tired; " I have her best interests at heart."

"Make sure you remember that." Hissed Snape.

Then there were footsteps. Snape was coming towards the door. Nigel grabbed Lilah's arm and the two ran up the tower at the end of the hall. Halfway up they stopped to see if anyone was following. But, no one was. They tried to tread quietly up the rest of the steps towards the observatory.

"Lilah, are you sure this is a good idea?" Whispered Nigel. "We could get caught at any moment."

"I know that. I'm sorry. I just didn't want anyone to know." Lilah sighed.

Nigel held in a smile, suddenly realizing he was alone, in the middle of the night, with Lilah.

"It's just," Lilah said feeling very stupid and embarrassed, " I can't use a telescope."

Nigel blinked his big brown eyes.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"Yes. Tomorrow we have a big test and I still haven't figured out how to work it."

"You know you should really ask for help earlier." Said Nigel paternally.

"Don't make me feel more of an idiot, please."

"Sorry, but it isn't anything to be embarrassed about."

"Yes it is." Exclaimed Lilah, " I am already a complete dunce in potions, you know that, and thanks to Granger it is a well known fact."

"She was helping you."

"I know." Mumbled Lilah, "But back at St. Mary's I was in the top of my class."

"Alright," sighed Nigel, "Let me just have a look."

Nigel approached the telescope. Lilah watched as Nigel did some twists to the golden knobs.

"There, try that." Said Nigel.

He moved to the side and let Lilah look in.

"What do you see?" he asked.

"Er, a star?"

"Really? I thought it was Venus." Said Nigel looking in the telescope.

"You see." Whined Lilah; "I can't even tell the difference."

Nigel went on to explain the stars, planets and the different parts of the telescope. He walked to the front of it.

"This is the front lens." Said Nigel as a wind blew in onto his back from the window, " It will . . . move in and . . . out when you . . ."

Nigel suddenly stopped talking and was breathing hard and fast.

"Something wrong?" Lilah asked.

"No," said Nigel in a small quivering voice.

He stood still his eyes wide as he panted.

"Nigel?" Lilah asked slowly as she approached him.

"Stay there." He said his voice tight.

Lilah stood still. Nigel tried to raise his foot but it was unusually heavy and he felt frozen.

"I don't like windows." He whispered.

"What?"

"I'm afraid of heights." Whimpered Nigel his body beginning to shake.

"Then why did you go by the window? You seemed fine a minute ago."

"I just realized I am afraid." He said his eyes staring forward, and not at Lilah.

"Come here." Snapped Lilah beckoning him over with her hand.

Nigel shook his head quickly.

That was it. Lilah had had enough. He was being ridiculous. She marched over to Nigel. His eyes grew wider as he saw her approaching.

"What are you doing?" he asked hysterically.

"Trying to help you." Lilah said getting more and more peeved.

She reached for his arm.

"No!" Nigel shrieked, "Don't!"

Then his eyes rolled in the back of his head and he collapsed onto the cold stone floor. Lilah stared down at him, horrorstruck.

"Nigel?" whispered Lilah.

She knelt down and tapped him. He was breathing quickly but his eyes were still shut. In the distance Lilah heard footsteps. Her heart skipped and she shook Nigel's body.

"Come one." She hissed.

"Li-Lily?" mumbled Nigel his eyes blinking open; "I'm cold."

"Well you should be. Lying on the floor and all." Said Lupin.

Lilah turned to see Professor Lupin, arms crossed, and looking rather stern.

"What are you two doing in here at this hour?" he asked his eyes narrowed.

"Well," began Lilah not sure where to start, "I was studying for a test tomorrow and I was using the telescope and Nigel, well, er . . ."

"I wanted to see the front lens better and tried to turn it and fell from the weight." Added Nigel.

"A bit late for studying." Said Lupin.

Lilah nodded.

"Gather your things." ordered Lupin, "And follow me."

Lilah and Nigel gathered their books and headed for the door. Lupin's eyes lingered on Lilah's cloak for a second and then he led them down the stairs.

"You know you will have to be punished." Said Lupin, "No matter the reason, you shouldn't be walking about at night. Especially in there."

They nodded solemnly.

"I will have to take twenty points from Hufflepuff and Slytherin," said Lupin unhappy with the prospect.

He escorted Nigel to the Hufflepuff common room and then took Lilah to Slytherin's.

"I'm sorry." Squeaked Lilah, and really meant it.

She had only wanted to figure out the stupid telescope without anyone knowing. She felt guilty about getting Nigel in trouble; the stupid dolt never thought about himself and did whatever you asked. But, more then that Lilah felt worse for letting Lupin down again. She wanted him to have a positive opinion of her more then any other teacher. More even then her uncle.

They reached the wall that led to the common room and Lupin grinned inspite of himself.

"I see you inherited the 'I. G.O. A. G.I.T.' cloak." He said.

"The what?"

"The 'I'm going out and getting in trouble" cloak. Or at least that is what Lily code-named it. Your mother was always wearing it when she was caught sneaking about the school." Lupin said with a wink.

"Well," he added scratching his head, "I guess twenty points is a bit much. I'll have to think about it. Now off to bed."

Lilah nodded, said the password and went to bed. She had a feeling of closeness with her mother and kept the cloak around her as she slept. She was beginning miss her, a lot.