Visions of Deception

Visions of Deception

Chapter One:

Liliann Nightshade walked toward platforms nine and ten and looked around. She was a thin woman with shoulder length curly hair that was an unnatural shade of reddish black. She had hazel eyes and a short nose that made everyone think of her as cute. She was told that there would be someone waiting for her here to remind her how to get onto Platform nine and three quarters. She was being summoned to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Looking around in a panic she wondered, was she late? Had they forgotten about her? She was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. About to give up she turned to leave when a tall man with shoulder length brown hair and brilliant brown eyes tapped her on the shoulder.

"Are you Liliann?" he asked her. She smiled and nodded.

This must be her escort to Hogwarts. "Call my Lily," she said. He extended a hand and she shook it briefly. "Remus Lupin." He said. He led her toward the wall between platforms nine and ten.

"Now make a run for it, straight at the wall," he said pointing, "I'll be right behind you." she did as instructed but rather than run head first into a wall as she expected to do she found herself on an exquisite platform with a brilliant red train in front of her. She was awestruck. She looked all around excitedly trying to take everything in but there was no time. Remus guided her to the train and they boarded it. They found a small compartment toward the front of the train and they sat down to talk.

"Are you nervous?" Remus asked her. She nodded. "Don't be, I mean, just because you're a muggle doesn't mean you're not safe with us," he smiled.

"But I'm not a muggle." She told him. He blinked and looked at her with surprise. "I asked for an escort because I was afraid I'd manage to get myself lost and I haven't been on a broom in quite some time."

"Oh, I am sorry," Remus apologized. "I assumed that since you're from America and you needed an escort that you were a muggle."

"Good, then my plan worked." She said. He looked at her with confusion and curiosity.

"I moved to the states after someone I cared for very dearly died and I wanted to live a quiet and happy life. I kept in touch with Dumbledore but other than that, everyone else thinks I died with him." She explained. Remus found himself studying her now, trying to remember her but to no avail. She noticed this and sat back, waiting for him to ask the most obvious question and within minutes he did.

"Who was he?" he asked.

"No one of importance really," she said, "He was killed because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, or so I'm told. The stories have changed so much over the years all I do know is that I wasn't there. I don't know what happened. I was supposed to start teaching at Hogwarts but decided I'd rather move away and never see this place again. But a lot has changed and so I've decided to give it another try,"

He has no idea who I am. He doesn't remember me. She thought to herself.

"I see." Remus said. "Did you live as a muggle?" he asked unable to believe that anyone with magical abilities would want to live as a muggle.

"Absolutely. I still use my wand for little things but I mostly just do things the muggle way. It's a lot harder than the magic way." She grimaced. "Especially when one manages to get hurt."

Remus nodded and leaned back. "Why are you coming to Hogwarts?" he asked her.

"Dumbledore tells me they need a new divinations professor. I've been obsessed with astrology ever since I was a kid and..." she trailed off without finishing. Remus waited for her to continue but she did not.

"And?" he asked. She looked at him and blinked. He realized she was trying not to cry. "You don't have to tell me." He told her. "I'm just too curious sometimes, I'm sorry." She shook her head.

"It's not your fault. It's just been a long time since I've talked to anyone in the magical world."

Remus switched seats so that rather than sitting across from her he was sitting beside her. He gave her a quick hug, releasing her when she flinched. He realized that she was very distant and shut off from the world. Going from the safety of her muggle world where no one believed in magic and she felt safe back to the magical world was a scary transition for her.

"You don't have to tell anyone anything." He told her looking her in the eyes. Her eyes are so cold. He found himself thinking. "It seems to me that you left our world to escape the pain, and that's okay. You've shut yourself out for so long that you have almost no emotion." She backed away from him with fear in her eyes.

"How do you know that?" she gasped. She was frightened. She had spent so much time building defense mechanisms and shutting people and the world out that whenever anyone got close to her she ran, afraid they might find out how to get to her. She couldn't handle that.

"A very wise friend of mine told me that a cold heart is a dead heart. I don't think you're heart is cold, but the rest of you is. We need to find a way to remind you that the world isn't all that bad." Remus said. Liliann just looked at him.

He knows me so well. She thought.

"It's been so long, I don't know if I have any emotion left," she found herself telling him. "I'm just afraid I'm not going to be what Dumbledore wants...I don't want to disappoint anyone. I've been a disappointment for too long,"

"Sure you do, or you wouldn't be afraid of someone figuring it out." Remus said with a smile. "Just promise me you'll at least try to be friends with all of us at Hogwarts. I can promise that nothing will happen to you if I can help it." she laughed and nodded in agreement. "And you won't disappoint anyone." He added.

"It's a deal, I'll try," she said. She lay back with her head against the window and closed her eyes. She had only been on the train for about half an hour and already she felt strained and tired. Remus reclaimed his seat across from her and put his feet up. Leaning back he too closed his eyes and within minutes they were both asleep.

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Chapter Two:

The hours flew by and things were quiet. The students didn't wander anywhere near Remus and Liliann's compartment. The sun shone brilliantly into the window and onto Remus' face, waking him. He sat up and looked over at Liliann who was still asleep. Remus looked at the door in time for a familiar face to turn his way. Before he could make a motion for him to be quiet, Sirius Black entered the compartment.

"Remus how are you?" he asked. Liliann awoke with a start and screamed, her face a mask of fright. Remus jumped up and was at her side.

"It's okay," he said looking at her. "It's just another of the Hogwarts crew." She looked at Remus with wide eyes and then to Sirius. I know him. She thought to herself. Composing herself she smiled.

"Liliann Nightshade," she said to him. "But please call me Lily."

"Sirius Black," he said smiling at her. "I didn't mean to startle you, I honestly didn't see you there."

She smiled again and both Remus and Sirius sat down opposite her. She pulled her legs up close to her, grasping them at the knees and looked out the window anxiously.

"How much longer?" Liliann inquired.

"Not much longer now, we're almost there." Sirius answered. He looked at her and then at Remus. He noticed that Remus was watching Liliann's every move and that Liliann was very tense.

"Are you nervous?" he asked. He heard that a young lady from America had been hired as the new Divinations Professor, and he assumed that she was a muggle.

She nodded in response to his question. "I haven't been to Hogwarts since I graduated." She informed him.

He looked shocked for a moment and then said, "You've been to Hogwarts?"

Again she nodded and then she smiled. " You thought I was a muggle didn't you?" she asked with a laugh.

"Well...Yes, I must say I did." Sirius said turning slightly pink. "I mean you had an escort and..."

"And America plus escort equals muggle." She finished. "It's okay, I am happy to hear it." Sirius looked perplexed but after looking at Remus decided not to pry. Liliann realized that he was searching his mind for her and decided to change the subject.

"Tell me about some of the other instructors," she requested. Good idea, change the subject. She thought to herself. She noticed that Sirius was still searching his mind for her, and it frightened her. He recognizes me, oh god no, he'd hate me for sure. She thought looking nervously at Sirius.

"Well, most of the instructors have been around forever and a day," Sirius said with a laugh. "Except for our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," With that line spoken he looked at Remus and winked. "Remus here is our Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor,"

"Oh, and will you be staying long?" Liliann said feigning seriousness.

Remus nodded. "I'll be just fine, the only person I have to worry about is Snape," Remus said with a grin, "not that he'd dare try anything."

"Snape?" she said wrinkling her nose in distasted of the name. "Who's Snape?"

"Ah Professor Severus Snape," Sirius said sitting back in his seat, "Our dear Potions master. Bit of a grouch...wait, scratch that, a completely emotionless bastard is what he is. Spends way too much time in the dungeons if you ask me," he said with a hint of anger in his voice. He wanted to add. I know you, but from where? But didn't get a chance.

"Then there's Madam Hooch, the flying instructor," Remus continued, "and Madam Pomfrey our nurse,"

"And I'm sure you know Professor Dumbledore, he's the headmaster, and Professor McGonagall does Transfigurations," Sirius added. "Hagrid's around, he's the Grounds Keeper,"

"And Professor Flitwick the charms professor, and Professor Sprout, the Herbology professor," Remus finished. He got the feeling that Liliann wasn't listening. He snapped his fingers in front of her face and she flinched.

"Earth to Space Cadet?" he said quietly.

"Sorry, just pondering over one of the names," she said turning to look out the window again. She then reached for her neck and produced a small silver butterfly pendant. The butterfly contained a single purple stone in the center of it. She twisted the chain so that the clasp was at the back of her neck. Both Remus and Sirius saw the pendant and Sirius instantly remembered it.

I remember that necklace; I helped Peter pick it out for his girlfriend before he... Sirius thought to himself. Now he knew who she was.

"So, Liliann, how's Peter doing?" Sirius said. She looked over at him, stunned. "Or maybe I should say Aryana." Sirius said. "You are Aryana Toscani are you not?"

She inched back against the seat until she could move no more and pulled her knees protectively up to her chest. Tears formed in her eyes and she could not find her voice. Remus looked at her in shock.

"Aryana Toscani, as in Peter Petigrew's fiancée?" Remus said in surprise. She nodded numbly. "But they said you were dead,"

"I was hoping no one would remember me," she said softly. "I didn't do anything to anyone, I didn't know he was a killer," she buried her head in her knees and began to cry. "I am so sorry for all the trouble he caused, I...I didn't know...Had I known I would ha...have helped in some way to catch him...that's why...why I turned down my job...they told me he was dea...dead and I thought tha...that he really cared and that...he wa...was a good person, I didn't know," she said between sobs. "I didn't know what he really was until later. I...I found out the hard way,"

The hard look on Sirius' face softened and he moved to comfort her. She flinched and braced herself for pain so he backed away.

"It's okay," Remus said looking to Sirius.

"I'm not angry with you," Sirius said, " You didn't do anything. We all thought he had killed you,"

She looked up at him with a tear-streaked face and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "He tried to, that's when I disappeared. I was packing to leave. They told me so many different things...I didn't know what to believe. I decided the safest place for me would be anyplace but here. I was packing and he showed up. He gave me an ultimatum. Death Eater or death. I chose death. Lucky for me, my cat got in the way, it gave me just enough time to stupefy him and run. Dumbledore is the only person who knows who I really am. He helped me get away. Had I known he would frame you for all this I would have come back sooner." She said looking at Sirius. He smiled at her acknowledging that she was not responsible for Peter's actions.

She looked back out the window now, and noticed the familiar silhouette of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "I was supposed to be the Potions Mistress," she said with a sigh, "but Divinations was my second best subject," she shrugged.

"You went to school with us," Remus remembered. "You were the quiet girl who always sat alone," he reminisced. "But you weren't in our year,"

She shook her head, "I was but a year ahead," she told him. "Please, don't tell anyone who I am, Aryana is dead. Let her rest in peace. She lost so much, life just got too hard for her." Remus and Sirius agreed and they all three stood as the train came to a stop.

"Well, Miss Liliann Nightshade," Sirius said acknowledging her request, "May we escort you to the building?"

She nodded and, drying her tears replied, "You may," Sirius took her left arm and Remus her right and they all walked off toward Hogwarts.

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Chapter Three:

Liliann entered the school and a wave of memories came flooding back to her. She remembered everything that had happened her final year there as if it were yesterday. Professor Dumbledore was waiting for her at the entrance to the Great Hall. He hugged her briefly.

"The students are on their way across the lake, let me walk you to your quarters," he said leading her away. They walked in silence down the hallway and past the stairway that lead down to the dungeons. He stopped in front of a great stone dragon.

"Sleeping Kitten," Dumbledore said and the dragon rose upward. He stepped inside and she quickly followed. They walked down a narrow hallway and there was her office. It was a small room but cozy. It had a fireplace, a desk, and two tall bookshelves. Upon further inspection she noticed a comfortable looking armchair sitting beside a table in which a single lily had been placed in an iridescent vase. Above the vase was a candleholder. Dumbledore went over and pulled down on the candle. The wall tilted in to reveal another hallway. This hallway led to a door.

"Here is your key Lily," he said to her, handing her a large silver skeleton key. She unlocked the door to reveal her living quarters. It was comprised of a living room, small kitchenette that had a table and two chairs, and a bedchamber. A large antique canopy bed occupied most of the far wall and there was a large maple wardrobe and dresser along the wall opposite the bed. Beside the bed there were tables on both sides and the final wall opposite the door contained two large doors that led to a balcony. She instantly fell in love with her bedchamber. The wall closest to the door also contained a tall bookshelf in which all of her personal books had already been placed and just beyond that was a spacious bathroom.

"Thank you Professor," she said looking at Dumbledore, "it's beautiful." He nodded.

"I thought you'd like this room." he said a twinkle in his eyes, "it's private and out of the way. Hardly anyone knows it's here," he said. "I know how afraid you must be right now."

She looked at him and smiled. "Remus and Sirius figured out who I am," she said quietly.

"Was there a problem?" Dumbledore asked her, concern in his voice. She shook her head. "Good!" he said. "Shall we proceed to the Great Hall, the students should be stepping off the boats about now," Liliann nodded and she and Dumbledore headed back to the Great Hall.

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Liliann sat at her place anxiously awaiting the feast. Remus Lupin filled the spot to her right. He smiled at her when she sat down.

He leaned close to her. "Are you all settled in?" he asked. She nodded. Movement on her left made her turn her head just in time to see a pale man dressed in robes of solid black sit down beside her. He had long black hair and cold dark eyes. She turned back to Remus.

"Snape?" she mouthed silently. Remus confirmed this with a silent nod. She turned to face forward as Professor McGonagall led the first year students into the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony. She scanned the tables looking at all the returning students. Her eyes stopped when they fell upon a thin boy with dark hair and glasses. She turned to Remus.

"Who's that boy?" she questioned. "The one with the dark hair and glasses, at the Gryffindor table?"

Remus looked up and scanned the table. "That's Harry Potter." He said.

"That's Harry Potter? The one that Peter..." she trailed off. Remus looked at her with a solemn face.

"Yes, the one Peter...betray," he said trying to find the right word. Looking at her he realized that she was about to cry again. "Hey," he said, "You didn't do it. It's not your fault. He doesn't know anything about you. No one here blames you," he told her. She looked up in time to see Sirius Black walk into the room and he waved. She and Remus both waved back. Severus made a noise.

"Wonder what he's doing here," she heard him mutter.

"Is it safe to assume that he," she whispered nodding toward Severus, "doesn't like Sirius?"

"You remember what they were like when they went to school?" Remus questioned. Liliann shook her head. "Well they're ten times worse now...and it doesn't help that they have to work together."

Liliann just shook her head. Men...they never grow up. She thought to herself.

The sorting ceremony and the feast went well. Liliann was physically exhausted by the end of the evening. She broke away from the feast and planned to retreat to her living quarters shortly after Dumbledore introduced her. She was about half way down the hallway when she realized that she was being followed.

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Chapter Four:

She whirled around to find Severus Snape walking toward her. Deciding that she had no desire to speak to him she turned around and continued toward the stone dragon guarding her living quarters.

"Excuse me, Miss Nightshade?" he called down the hallway.

She took a deep breath. "Yes?" she said turning toward him.

"When you got up you dropped this," he said holding her butterfly pendant by the chain so she could see it. Her hand instantly flew to her neck.

"Oh..." she said reaching for the necklace. "Thank you Professor..."

"Snape." He finished for her. "Severus Snape, Potions Master." He said.

"Nice to meet you Professor Snape," she said glancing down at her feet. "I'm Liliann Nightshade,"

"As Professor Dumbledore mentioned," Severus said sarcastically. There was a moment of awkward silence.

"Well, Good Night," she said turning away.

"Good Night," he said as she muttered her password and stepped quickly into the safety of her little hallway. She held the necklace in her hand and she quickly went from her office to her living quarters. Throwing the pendant onto the dresser she prepared herself for bed. She reached for the necklace and then decided that she knew what she had to do.

"The only way for me to get over any of this is to get rid of the memory," she told herself. On top of the dresser was a small jewelry box. She opened it and produced a small diamond ring. Her engagement ring from Peter. She took both the necklace and the ring and threw them into the fireplace.

"Burn in hell you evil bastard," she heard herself say. She was angry with Peter for everything that had happened. For everything he put her through. But more than that she was angry for all the pain he caused everyone else.

Satisfied with her actions she returned to her jewelry box and retrieved an old white gold necklace that her father had given her. Dangling from the chain was a small compass. Her father had told her that if she wore that necklace she'd never be lost. She placed it around her neck and wrapped her hand around it.

This necklace will not leave my neck again, she told herself. She climbed into bed, closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.

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A few hours later Liliann awoke. Realizing that she just had a lot of pent up energy she decided to take a walk around the grounds. She pulled a flowing maroon silk bathrobe and black sandals on and grabbed her key. Do you want to grab your wand? She asked herself. Shaking her head no she headed outside.

It was a warm night. The air was light and cool and felt good on Liliann's face. She began to walk in the direction of the lake. She loved to sit along the bank and look at the stars. How was she going to teach a bunch of kids Divinations? She shook her head, the same way you taught astrology 101, you know not everyone can do it, just teach them the technique. If it's in them, they'll find it. She nodded to herself and continued her walk. The flowers in the gardens were lovely. She stopped to take in the sight when she felt dizzy.

"Oh no, not now," she said to herself trying to fight it. She sank to her knees and put her hands over her face. Squeezing her eyes shut she muttered "not now, not now," but she knew she had no control over them. She closed her eyes and sank to the ground as the vision flooded her mind.

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Chapter Five:

Severus Snape could not sleep. He was thinking about the new witch that Dumbledore had chosen to teach Divinations. He felt as if he should know her but he could not place her. Shaking his head he decided that he would take a quick stroll around the grounds to help wear him out. Throwing on some robes he left the dungeons and ventured outside.

The moon was just about half and Severus looked up at it in appreciation. He loved the moon so he rarely ventured out during the day. He decided to cut through the garden when he heard a faint moan. Scanning the garden he noticed a maroon lump on the ground. As he approached it he realized it was the new Professor. Alarmed he rolled her over and looked at her. She was very pale.

"Miss Nightshade?" he said quietly. She did not stir. He instantly felt for a pulse, and found it after some effort. He gently shook her and still she did not stir. Sliding his arms under her he picked her up without difficulty. He turned toward the building deciding to take her to the infirmary. He walked slowly and deliberately. Upon entering the castle Severus ran into Professor McGonagall.

"Oh my goodness Severus what happened to her?" She asked.

"I do not know," Severus said. "I decided to take a walk and I found her outside like this."

McGonagall looked at her with concern. "Do you know where her quarters are?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I only know where her office is,"

McGonagall looked at Severus and said, "When you go inside her office you must pull the candle on the wall to reach her quarters. I'll fetch Dumbledore,"

"Why am I not taking her to the infirmary?" he questioned.

"This young lady suffers from visions but they usually render her unconscious. We do not need the children finding out if we can help it. She'll be fine by morning." McGonagall told him. He nodded and headed toward the great stone dragon.

He uttered a password and the dragon rose. He stepped inside her office and balancing her on his knee he pulled down on the candlestick. Jumping back to avoid being hit by the wall he peered down the hallway, which to his relief was very well lit. He walked down this hall only to find himself facing a locked door. Hoisting Liliann on his knee once more he removed his wand.

"Alohomora," he said and the door swung open. He took her to her bedchamber and gently laid her onto her bed. He then went into her bathroom and found a washcloth. Dampening it, he returned to her side and placed it on her forehead. He looked at her, studying her, wondering why he got the feeling that he knew her from somewhere before. She turned her head and made a small noise but did not open her eyes.

"How is she?" he heard a voice from behind say. He turned to find that Dumbledore and McGonagall where now in the room.

"Just beginning to move," Severus informed them. "Perhaps I should go," he said moving toward the door.

"Nonsense," Dumbledore said. "You found her, you should stay until she awakens."

A faint noise made them all turn their attention to Liliann whose eyes were beginning to open.

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Chapter Five:

Liliann's head throbbed and the small amount of light hurt her eyes. She rolled her head to one side, squeezing them shut. She thought she heard voices but they sounded so far away. Part of her did not want to wake up but the other part knew she had to. She did not want to be found outside on the ground in the morning surrounded by wide-eyed children. She opened her eyes and realized that she had been brought back to her room. Attempting to sit up in bed she found herself face to face with Severus Snape, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall.

"Are you alright dear?" Dumbledore asked her.

"Yes, yes I'm fine," she lied. Her head hurt terribly. She wished she had something for it. Liliann closed her eyes in pain and rubbed her forehead.

"Looks to me like she's got a headache, I can brew something for that," she heard Severus say to no one in particular.

"So can I," Liliann snapped glaring at him. "I said I was fine."

"Calm down," Dumbledore said to her. Gazing into her eyes he realized that something was wrong. "Did you have a vision?" he asked.

"I did," she said calmly.

"Would you like to tell us what your vision revealed?" Dumbledore pressed.

She violently shook her head looking at Severus. "No, definitely not." She said.

Dumbledore took a deep breath and noticing her look of anger that was directed at Severus he asked her, "Did it have something to do with our Potions Master?"

Liliann nodded and reluctantly began to tell them what she saw. "I was in a small tavern that's not far from here. Its name had a number in it. I was there with..." she stopped when she realized that she was going to say that she was there with Sirius but she didn't understand why. Professor Dumbledore waited for her to continue. Taking a deep breath she did. "...With a friend, and I noticed a man sitting across the room. I walked over to him to say hello, and it was you." She said looking at Severus. He stood unmoving in the doorway.

"And this means what to me?" he said coldly.

Again she did nothing but glare and she finished her story. "I spoke to him for a few moments and then he rolled up his sleeves. When he did I realized that on his left arm was the dark mark. Your Potions Master is a death eater." She said.

"Why don't you tell them something they don't know?" Severus said in a harsh and angry tone. She looked at him stunned. Dumbledore confirmed this statement with a solemn nod.

"You knew? You knew and you let him stay here?" She said shrilly.

Dumbledore put his hand on Liliann's shoulder. "He's on our side dear."

Liliann suddenly felt tired. She slumped back onto her pillow and closed her eyes. Her head throbbed even more now and she felt as if she were suffocating. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Severus was glaring at her as if she had accused him of murder. She suddenly felt very guilty for having this vision. It was none of her business how he helped so long as he wasn't on Voldemort's side. The pounding in her head relentlessly continued and she decided the best way to get rid of it would be sleep.

"Let me show you out," she said slowly, standing up. She walked everyone to the door pulling Severus aside.

"A word please?" she said.

He acknowledged her request by stopping in front of the door and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and a bitter glare.

"Professor," she began hesitantly, "I'm sorry I accused you of being an evil person. I was only going by what the vision showed me. I should have known Dumbledore knew and that you..." she stopped and took another deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment to collect her thoughts.

"...That you are a trustworthy person. I didn't want to start out this way," she stopped now, not sure of what to say next and not sure if he would accept her apology. Her head pounded terribly and a wave of dizziness swept over her. She closed her eyes and leaned against the doorframe.

"Are you alright?" She heard a distant voice ask. She opened her eyes and shook her head yes.

"A small headache," she muttered. "Will you forgive me for being so judgmental?" she asked.

"Yes I suppose everyone's entitled to a mistake or two," he said in a monotone voice. Another wave of dizziness swept over her and Liliann felt herself falling. Severus realized just in time that the new Professor was far from okay and caught her just before she hit the ground.

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Severus guided Liliann to the floor. He felt her forehead and noticed that she was very warm. He could feel the blood pounding through her head. He quickly remembered that in his chambers he had some potion brewed that would relieve her headache and probably bring her back to the conscious world. I don't want to leave her lying on the floor, he found himself thinking. Without hesitation, he lifted her off of the ground and carried her toward his chambers.

He walked swiftly wanting to get her the potion she needed as quickly as possible. Walking down the dungeon stairs with her in his arms was difficult and he found himself wishing that his quarters were not down so many stairs. Finally after much effort he reached the bottom landing safely. Luckily for him he needed no light. Weaving in and out of the maze of tables and cauldrons as if he could see perfectly he reached the back wall.

"Velvet Cobra," he said and the back wall moved to the left revealing a dimly lit hallway. He turned slightly to be sure that she would not hit her head. Finally after what seemed like ages he reached his living quarters.

"Damn I wish I had a sofa," he found himself muttering. He had no choice but to put her in his bedchamber. He laid her gently on his bed and then walked over to a large black cupboard. Inside were potions of all sorts, one of which Severus had brewed especially for migraine headaches. He heard her begin to stir and he turned to face her, potion in hand. What if she wakes up and thinks that you were going to poison her? He thought to himself and then dismissed the notion. Severus walked over to his bed and sat on the edge. Removing the cork in the bottle he gently lifted her a bit letting her head sway backwards and as planed her mouth opened. Slowly and cautiously he poured a small amount of the blue liquid into her mouth and tilted her head toward him. He sat there for a moment with her in his arms again not wanting to let her go. You're only making sure she doesn't choke. He told himself. Satisfied that she would not he lay her back down and placed the bottle back in its spot in the cupboard.

"Now what?" he found himself saying aloud. He stood there watching her for a few minutes and decided that he would not move her. Instead he went into his dungeons to brew a new bottle of the headache remedy. He would give her a bottle of her own so this sort of thing wouldn't happen again. Shutting the door slowly so as not to wake his guest, Severus Snape strode to his dungeon to make the potion for Liliann.

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Chapter Six:

A few hours later Liliann stirred. She sat up, dazed, wondering where she was and looked around. The first thing she realized was that she was lying on an old oak bed with black silk sheets and a black and green velvet comforter. At the foot of the bed was a smaller version of the comforter.

"Where am I?" she said aloud to herself. She looked to her right to notice doors that lead to the outside. She decided to look around to try to guess where she was. She looked straight ahead to see a black wardrobe and dresser. There were two dark green dressers along the wall closest to the door and a black cupboard directly across from the bed. This room doesn't look lived in at all. She mused.

Everything in the room was either black or green she noticed with a grin. Who's room was this? She got up from the bed to find herself standing on cold concrete floors. The walls, she noticed were stone as well and there were no pictures anywhere. There was only one person she could think of that would inhabit such a room other than herself. But how did you get into Severus Snape's bedchamber? She asked herself. She decided to find out.

Venturing out of the bedchamber she walked through the living room. It had but two armchairs, a small coffee table, a chess game in the corner, and a fireplace. Again it harbored no pictures or decoration of any sort. She noticed another door and realized that was the way out. Walking down the hallway she came to a wall and it opened as she stepped close to it. In the far corner of this room she saw a bubbling cauldron and heard someone muttering under his breath. She blinked and waited for her eyes to adjust to the light.

It's now or never, this room isn't getting any brighter. She told herself. She took a cautious step forward and inched her way through the dungeons. As she neared the cauldron she saw Severus, his back to her.

"Professor?" she said quietly so as not to startle him. He whirled around and looked at her. The look in his eyes gave Liliann the chills and she instinctively took a step backward.

"Felling better?" he asked her.

"Yes, thank you." she turned not sure if she wanted to stay or leave. Turning to face him once more she said, "I'm sorry I've caused you so much trouble. I mean first they fetch you when I'm found outside and now..."

"They didn't fetch me," Severus said in an annoyed tone, "I found you."

"Oh," she said and she sat down on one of the nearby stools. "I'm sorry I've caused you so much trouble," she said quietly. She felt like a child apologizing to her mother. "This transition has been hard for me, I guess I didn't realize that it would hit me like this," she looked down at the bottom of the cauldron tracing the fire with her eyes.

"It was no trouble, you're light as a feather," he said with a sort of smile. "I'm usually up late, you just gave me an excuse this time," he told her his expression softening.

"Oh," she said again. She found herself unable to think of anything to say. She just sat there, watching him, trying to think of something to say. She realized that she was fully awake now but she didn't want to be a nuisance to Severus by staying in the dungeons. Her eyes were fully adjusted now so she allowed herself to look around. The dungeons looked the same now as they had when she attended Hogwarts. Everything was in the same spot and it made her feel comfortable.

"May I ask you a few questions Miss Nightshade?" she heard Severus ask.

"You may, but please call me Lily," she said, "Miss Nightshade sounds so...formal," she said.

"Very well." Severus said with a nod. "I think I have placed you in my memory, and it took quite some time," he began, looking at her with a strange expression on his face. "But the person I remember you to be is not the person you claim to be." He said his eyes trained on hers. "You are a Slytherin correct?"

"That is correct," Liliann said slowly.

"And did you attend school with any of the instructors here?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes, Professor Lupin and Mr. Black," she said.

"Which means you also attended school with me," he said to her. She looked up at him with surprise.

"I don't remember you," she said. "Then again I didn't talk to very many people."

"Nor did I which is why this task took much longer than anticipated." Severus said his eyes still trained on her. He was waiting for her to give away something, and she did.

"Don't you think you should stir that? If I'm correct I smell some wormwood and that will all clump together again if you don't keep at it," she asked and realized that she had given herself away completely.

"I definitely know who you are now." He said a strange twinkle in his usually dead eyes. "You were a year ahead of me and obsessed with potions. You were what I had to live up to in each and every potions class,"

Liliann knew not what to say. How is it that he remembered her just because of her love for potions? She sat numbly on the stool not sure of how to react. God I never should have come here. She said to herself. Everyone will know by the end of the week who I really am...who I was and then he'll come back to finish what he started. She thought to herself. Her eyes expressed the fear that she felt and Severus noticed it immediately.

"But you couldn't possibly be Aryana Toscani, because her fiancé Peter Petigrew killed her a long time ago," Severus said. He looked at her and she realized that he did not want to hurt her.

"Yes," she said, "Aryana is dead." She felt a great weight lift off of her. Severus rounded the cauldron, stirring it, wondering what to do next. So he knew who she really was. Obviously she had gotten away and ran to the states to hide from Peter.

"Why have you come back?" He found himself asking.

"To be honest, I missed the magical world," she said. "I loved Hogwarts. The year I moved away I was hired as the new Potions Mistress," she added not quite sure why.

"Ah, so you were the one who almost got my job," He commented. She nodded and then she stood to leave.

"Wait, don't go just yet," Severus said. "Stay awhile. It's been a long time since I've talked to someone who knows almost as much about potions as I,"

She smiled at him and returned to her seat. The room grew quiet with nothing but the sound of the brewing potion. Liliann did not know what to say to Severus.

"I'm sorry," she began with nervous laughter, "I know not what to say,"

Severus shook his head. "Nor do I." Then an idea struck him. "Tell me Professor, do you play chess?"

Liliann shook her head. "Sorry, I couldn't even win a game of checkers when I was young, I think I'll stick to my Tarot Cards and Star Charts."

"Tarot Cards?" Severus began. "Perhaps I shall have you do a reading for me sometime,"

"Perhaps," she said with a small smile. Again the room took on an awkward silence. "I think I am going to attempt to finish my walk before the students awaken," she said rising once more. "It was nice talking to you Professor," she said smiling at him. "Perhaps we will finish this conversation another time."

Severus nodded and smiled. "Perhaps."

With that Liliann left the dungeons and returned to her chamber. The sun was already beginning to peak above the horizon. She showered quickly and dressed in green robes. Grabbing her key she returned to the garden to finish her walk before breakfast.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Severus finished brewing the potion and sat on one of the stools. He looked blankly at the stool Liliann had been sitting on. So Aryana Toscani has returned to Hogwarts. He thought to himself. He remembered when her death had been reported and how sad he felt. He found himself thinking of his years at Hogwarts and how out of place she was. She had an unnatural talent in Potions class and he remembered that she spent all her free time assisting the Potions Master. She never really spoke to anyone, she could be in a room and no one would notice. She was overly observant. When she started dating Peter during her final year Severus remembered how jealous he was. Of course he had told everyone that it was a disgrace for a Slytherin to date a Gryffindor. Everything about her had changed except for her eyes.

"No wonder she is so afraid," he found himself muttering aloud.

He put his head on the table for a moment; it felt cool on his face. He closed his eyes for a moment and realized that he probably didn't have much time. He stood up once more and walked over to the potion. It was just cool enough to put in a bottle. He chose a small maroon bottle from his small collection and carefully poured some of the potion into it. The cap was attached to the bottle and had a silver clasp that had to be draped over the cap and then pushed down. He did this and sat it on the table. Checking his pocket watch he discovered it was half past six in the morning. Hurrying he cleaned up the small mess he had made and decided that he would bottle the rest of the potion later. He then returned to his chamber to shower and put on fresh robes.

"I have got to stop doing this," he said to himself in the mirror. The bags under his eyes gave away his lack of sleep. He left to go to breakfast and half way up the stairs remembered the bottle of potion for Liliann. He turned around to retrieve it. Walking down the hall, bottle in hand, he decided he would attach a small note. Making a small detour into a nearby classroom, he scribbled a note on a piece of parchment and attached it to the bottle with a piece of green ribbon. Satisfied with his efforts Severus Snape waltzed into the Great Hall.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Chapter Seven:

Liliann finished her walk and was in good spirits as she headed toward the Great Hall for breakfast. As she walked she found her thoughts returning to Severus Snape and the conversation that they had. She found herself wondering if they would ever talk again.

"Hey Lily! Wait up!" she heard from behind her. She turned to see Remus Lupin sprinting toward her. She stopped and began to walk back toward him.

"Good morning Remus," she said.

"Morning sunshine," he said with a grin. "I heard you had a bit of a spell last night, you were found outside, unconscious. Are you alright?" he asked his voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine, just fine." She said smiling at him. They walked toward the great hall only to be cut off by Sirius Black.

"Hey are you okay?" he asked her his voice filled with concern. "I heard you were found outside," he said.

"I'm fine." She said. "Thanks for asking." She broke away from them and took her seat. The first thing that she noticed was there was a small red bottle with a note attached on the table at her place. She picked up the bottle and upon examination discovered it was engraved with a kitten sitting underneath a lily. She smiled and then read the note. It read:

Liliann,

This potion will help cure those terrible migraine headaches you suffer from. I found your company most enjoyable and I hope to speak to you again soon.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

She smiled and tucked the note away. Remus appeared at her side and sitting in his seat asked, "What's in the bottle?"

"A potion made especially for curing headaches." She said with a smile. "I'll have to find and thank Se...I mean Professor Snape for this," she said, sitting the bottle on the table. As if on cue Severus Snape appeared at her side.

"Good morning," he said looking at her. "Did you finish your walk?" he inquired.

"I did," she said with a smile. "Thank you for the Potion. Is this what you gave me last evening?"

He nodded. "Something I brew for myself, I'm happy to see that someone besides myself will use it."

She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I appreciate everything you've done for me." She blushed.

Severus turned a bright pink for a moment but recovered quickly. "My...my pleasure," he stuttered. Remus witnessed this with surprise and Liliann reached over and closed his mouth.

"Did I just see that?" Remus asked. He was both shocked and surprised that Severus Snape had just been kissed and that he didn't completely freak out as well. Remus looked across the room and noticed the look on Sirius' face.

Oh dear. He thought.

"See what?" Liliann said he cheeks a bright pink.

"You just kissed Severus Snape, I never thought I'd ever see that...ever." Remus said.

Liliann didn't eat very much for breakfast. Her nerves were frazzled and she was so anxious that she could barely sit still. After debating as to whether or not she should stay in the Great Hall Liliann rose to leave.

"Where are you going?" Remus asked her.

"I want to go walk around some more before my first class. It's not until nine...I have a few hours to kill," she turned to leave noticing that Sirius and Remus were right behind her. Great. She thought to herself. Now they're going to interrogate me and I'm going to have to defend myself. She walked out a side entrance and realized that she wasn't far from the path that lead to the lake. She stopped and took a deep breath and then continued toward the lake.

"Liliann!" she heard Sirius yell but pretended not to hear him. He caught up to her quite easily because she was walking slowly and deliberately.

"Liliann, what is going on?" he asked.

"Huh?" she asked. "What do you mean?"

"I saw you kiss Snape," he said, "What's going on?"

"Not a thing." She said rather annoyed. "Severus has gone out of his way to be nice to me despite the fact that I have been here for less than 24 hours."

"Like how?" Sirius snapped. Remus had finally joined them.

"Sirius, I think you need to back off," he said but Sirius paid no attention to him.

"Well, he was the one who found me unconscious in the garden," she began fire flashing in her hazel eyes. "And he's the one who helped cure my headache afterwards," she said. "And he made me that potion when he didn't have to so I won't have to go to him when I get another headache."

"Severus Snape was being nice?" Sirius questioned.

"Yes, he was being nice." Liliann said. "You know he might be nice to everyone else if you people didn't treat him like he has the black plague. Maybe you should drop your childhood grudges and act like an adult," she snapped. "Now are you finished interrogating me? Can I finish my walk Dad?" she said with annoyance and anger in her voice. When Sirius said nothing she turned to leave. Remus grabbed her shoulder and she turned to look at him.

"Yes?" she asked patiently.

"He's just trying to watch out for you, he knows your afraid and he doesn't want to see you get hurt," he said quietly. Liliann decided she had been a bit harsh.

"Sirius," she began turning around to face him, "I know you're only trying to be a good friend and to make sure I am okay because I'm frightened," he looked up at her and waited for her to continue. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"It's okay, I come on a bit strong sometimes," Sirius said and he turned to walk away.

She turned to leave and this time she made it to the lake. She sat on a large bolder that was on the edge of the lake and closed her eyes. She enjoyed the quiet but the sun hurt her eyes. Pulling a pair of violet colored sunglasses from inside her robes she hopped down off of her perch and found a shady spot underneath a large cherry blossom tree. She closed her eyes and began to doze off. Don't fall asleep; you'll miss your first class. She told herself. Sitting here by yourself is not a good idea. She said. As if her thoughts were being read Remus Lupin appeared beside her.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

She motioned for Remus to sit down and he did.

"Lily," he hesitated, "why did you defend Snape like that?" he asked quietly.

She gazed at him from behind her glasses. "Because I felt that I should," she lied. She hadn't felt obligated and she was sure that Severus Snape could take care of himself. "He's been so very dear and I don't think that Sirius has any right to question anything I do," she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Leaning back against the tree she waited for Remus to ask another question.

"You're right," Remus said quietly. "Sirius does need to stop holding grudges and he shouldn't question anyone's actions if no one is going to get hurt by them." he looked at her now, trying to look her in the eyes. "I think he did it because he likes you."

Lillian sat up and looked at Remus over the rim of her sunglasses. "You've got to be joking. I just got here. He doesn't even know me."

"I know, but it's not hard you know, you're a sweet person and you've got this mystery all about you. It makes one feel..." he stopped to search for the right word. "It makes one feel drawn to you...like...like a wolf to the moon," he said. She looked at him again trying to figure out what he was getting at.

"So you're telling me that people are naturally drawn to me because I keep to myself? That doesn't make any sense. If that's the case why isn't anyone drawn to Severus?" she asked challenging his theory.

"Snape's different he's...dark and brooding and cold," Remus explained, "you're...you're not...you're just afraid. Afraid to get hurt and afraid you'll hurt someone else. Your eyes express more emotion than a thousand words...they're hypnotizing."

Liliann blinked and looked away from him. Peter used to say that. She thought to herself. There they sat, looking at the lake unsure of what to say. Liliann looked at her watch and realized that it was quarter past eight. She stood up and Remus followed suit.

"My class starts soon, I need to go get ready," she said brushing past him. He stood watching her as she made her way back up the hill to Hogwarts. When she was gone from his sight he sat back down on the ground and cleared his mind. He had to get to class as well but part of him just wanted to stay outside. Deciding that classes with him would be held outside he trudged up the hill to gather his first group of students.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Chapter Eight:

Severus Snape just finished bottling the remnants of the potion he had brewed earlier that morning when his first class came stumbling into the dungeons. He turned toward them watching them with an icy glare as they filed in and took their seats. Why must my first class be the first years? He asked himself. His tolerance was short this morning and he did not wish to deal with arrogant and pathetic first year Gryffindor students. Turning to them he made his first day of class speech, scaring over half the class in the process.

While Severus Snape was scaring his first group of students Liliann was standing in the front of the room waiting for her first group to get settled in. Luckily for her the first group of students she had to deal with were the sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins. She scanned the room only to discover that Harry Potter was in her class. He sat beside a thin boy with red hair and freckles that could only be related to Bill Weasley. On Harry's other side sat a young girl with curly brown hair. Liliann did not recognize her at all. She noticed that just as before, when she attended, all of the Gryffindors sat to the right side and the Slytherin students sat on the left.

"Good Morning class," she began nervously. "My name is Professor Nightshade." At this point her mind went blank. She paused; looking at each student and an idea struck her. "Today is going to be an easy day, I just want to go around the classroom and have you tell me your house and your name and maybe your favorite class. Do I have any volunteers?" she asked hopefully. No hands went up. "Okay I'll start. My house is Slytherin and my favorite class is..." she stopped and a sly smile crossed her face. "Can anyone guess what my favorite class would be?"

A tall and thin boy with an evil smirk and slicked back blonde hair raised his hand.

"That's a stupid question to ask us you know." He said.

"Oh really and why is that?" she asked.

"Because the answer has got to be Divinations." He said. "You teach it so it must be your favorite class."

"You are absolutely incorrect," she said with a smile. "Divinations was my second favorite class. What's your name?" she asked.

"Draco Malfoy," he muttered.

"Well Mr. Malfoy here did not guess correctly of his own accord so the person to guess my favorite class correctly will earn five points." Liliann said.

Hermione Granger's hand flew into the air.

"Yes? You would like to guess?" Liliann asked her.

"Is your favorite class Defense Against the Dark Arts?" she questioned.

Liliann shook her head. "Just out of curiosity Miss..."

"Granger. Hermione."

"Miss Granger...why did you make such a guess?"

"Well I noticed you talking with Professor Lupin both last evening and at breakfast, I thought maybe you were asking him about his class." She said.

"Well it was a well thought out guess, I'll award five points to..."

"Gryffindor," Hermione interrupted.

"Five points to Gryffindor. Okay the bar is now raised to ten. Can anyone guess my favorite class?"

A tall but somewhat chubby boy who looked like he was afraid of his own shadow raised his hand. She pointed at him.

"You, the young man beside Miss Granger," she said smiling at him. "What is your name?"

For a moment he looked too stunned to speak. "Neville...Neville Longbottom..." he stuttered, "I'm in Gryffindor. I think your favorite class is Potions."

"Well done Mr. Longbottom, ten points to Gryffindor." She smiled. "How did you know?" she asked him.

"I didn't really. I just noticed that you don't look at the sunlight too much and you're wearing dark purple glasses inside. I figured that you'd prefer dungeons to this room, so I just guessed Potions." Neville said to her.

Smiling she said, "Another five points to Gryffindor for Neville's excellent observations! Now who would like to tell me a bit about his or herself?" Still no hands went up. "It's either tell me now or write me an essay due tomorrow," she said sternly and every hand in the room rose. "I thought that would change your mind. Let me make one thing clear to you all...I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. It's up to you as a class to decide which one I am." With that said she looked over at the Gryffindor side of the room. "Why don't we start with Mr. Longbottom and work our way around the room?"

Remus Lupin spent most of his class time with the third year Ravenclaws running around the lake. He had decided that not only was it too nice to be inside but it was too nice to concentrate on the Dark Arts. He sat with his back against a tree and watched his class sit around and talk or run or whatever they were doing.

"Slacker," he heard a voice from behind say. He craned his neck to see Sirius Black coming toward him. He stood and walked to meet him.

"I am not a slacker," Remus objected, "I just decided that it is way too nice outside to keep a bunch of kids cooped up inside. They hardly have enough time to breath let alone enjoy the sunshine," he said. Sirius nodded in agreement.

"How did your discussion with Lily go this morning?" he asked finally.

"It went," Remus said. "I think you're going to have to work on her yourself." Remus told him. "To be honest, I don't think either you or I are her type."

"And you think that slimy slytherin bastard Snape is?" he asked seemingly insulted.

"I didn't say that either," Remus said taking a deep breath. "And don't forget she's a slytherin too." Sirius sighed and shook his head.

"Maybe I'll get her to read my fortune on those card thingies she uses," Sirius said blankly, "maybe that will help me figure her out,"

"There's no figuring her out, she's scared and she isn't about to go trusting anyone right now. Snape got lucky. You're just going to have to earn her trust. Yelling at her won't help you." Remus told him.

Sirius nodded and looked toward the third year Ravenclaws that were seated around the lake.

"Well, I think I'll let you get back to 'work.'" Sirius said to Remus. With a wave he turned in the direction of Hagrid's hut.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

The rest of classes went smoothly for everyone. Severus Snape managed to scare over half his students, Liliann's classes were receptive to not doing real work, and Remus Lupin spent his day outside under the cherry blossom tree near the lake. When dinnertime arrived they all three entered the Great hall happy with the first day of classes behind them. Remus and Lily wore smiles while Severus looked like his usually dreary self.

Lillian took her seat, as did Remus. She looked around at all the faces trying to see how many names she could remember. Of course she had been correct about the red haired boy who sat beside Harry. It was Bill's younger brother Ron. She smiled to herself. Some of the children looked so much like their parents or siblings.

"How did your first day go?" Remus asked her as he sat down.

"Very well. I didn't make them do any real work, it was kind of like a free day," she said.

"Slacker." He joked. "I guess I'm not much better, I took my classes outside."

"Oh it's too bright for me out there," she said pushing the sunglasses up on her nose. She had worn them all day both inside and out. "If my classes were at night I would take them outside in a heartbeat. Luckily for me I'll be moving them to the astronomy tower soon, to teach them the constellations."

"I thought that was astronomy." Remus teased.

"It is...but if they are to know anything about the zodiac, which is where I'll start," she said with a cheerful grin, "then they have to know what's where. Besides, when I move into certain other types of Divinations and Religions then they'll need the phases of the moon."

"Religions?" he questioned.

She nodded. "Parts of the muggle world rubbed off on me I guess," she said with a shrug. "I plan on teaching them all parts to Divinations, not just looking at tea leaves or Tarot Cards,"

Remus looked at her quite amused by her decisions. "Good luck with that," he said.

She smiled at him realizing that coming back to Hogwarts was like coming home for her. She did not know what to expect or how things would turn out but for now she was content.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

The school year started off without any further incidents. Liliann had become quite attached to Sirius and Remus, spending time with them whenever she could. Usually she would sit back and listen to them talk as if she weren't even in the room. She would smile and laugh at their antics and she marveled at how close the two of them were to each other. She felt that they were trustworthy and she began to lighten up around them. Sirius was pleased by this, as was Remus.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

As she had planned, Liliann started her class out with Tarot Card readings emphasizing that almost anyone could pretend to read these cards.

"It's all in the presentation," she said cheerfully looking to Hermione. "All you really have to know is what each card means, both positive and negative. The people who have the gift of second sight are the ones who can tell you what the cards tell us about the events in your life."

Hermione decided that Divinations might not be so bad after all.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Remus Lupin began classes and promised himself that there would be no more field trips outside. Until it snows. He thought with a grin. Harry Potter was becoming very good at Defense Against the Dark Arts, more from fear than from interest. It seemed that he had a natural knack for it and Ron Weasley was not far behind him.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Severus Snape dove right into Potions but as usual he took an unnatural pleasure in frightening the students. Some of the first years would flinch every time Severus looked at them and stuttered in fear when he asked them to speak.

"Not one of you is fit to even look at the ingredients to a potion let alone brew them," he would scornfully tell his classes.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

By Mid September everyone looked forward to the arrival of the weekend by no one as much as Liliann. She was always exhausted but not from teaching. The students were pleasant and rather entertaining but her nerves were still tied in knots. The weather had been beautiful but the sky had been threatening rain for days and Liliann wished it would keep its promise. Finally feeling as if she had a chance to catch her breath after her final class before the weekend she found her thoughts returning to Severus Snape. She had seen him a few times in the past few weeks but they had not spoken since he had given her the potion. Looking at her watch she sighed and trudged off to dinner.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Chapter Nine:

She dropped into her seat and put her head on the table. Remus looked at her and said, "Tired?"

"Exhausted." She muttered, her face still on the table. She was not really hungry, she had only gone to dinner hoping to have a chance to talk to Severus again. You've got a crush. She thought to herself looking to her left. She noticed instantly that Severus had not yet joined them for dinner.

"Where's Professor Snape?" she questioned.

"Who knows, more than likely in his dungeons devising new tortures for the students." Remus said shaking his head. "I've spent the last two weeks convincing the first years that he only looks scary. He takes pleasure in torturing those kids, the man is insufferable."

Liliann blinked. "Oh." She said. "I guess you've have some trouble with my classes then as well," she said hesitantly. "I told them I could be their worst nightmare."

Remus looked at her and smiled. "Saying and doing are two different things. Snape thinks it's his right and duty to yell at the students relentlessly. You're not like him. I haven't had anyone ask about you being dangerous yet, when it comes to him they ask every day."

"Why is he like that?" she asked quietly. When Remus had no answer for her she stood up.

"The dungeons entranceway is right past that big dragon in the hallway," Remus said. If she's going to go looking for him I might as well help her. No use letting her wander aimlessly. He thought to himself.

She turned to look at him and smiled. "I don't know where I'm going, I just know that I'm not hungry," she said and she walked through the Great Hall and out into the hallway. She walked past a window and realized that storm clouds had rolled in making the sky and everything else dark and gloomy. Realizing it was going to rain, Liliann decided to go for a walk.

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Severus Snape looked at his watch and realized that he was late for dinner yet again. He had been sitting in his living room reading a book when it struck him. Shaking his head he decided he would whip something up for himself if he got hungry later. He stood and entered his bedchamber only to notice that it was about to rain. Walking over to the doors that lead to the outside he opened them to let the sound of the rain in only to find that Liliann was walking toward the lake again. They had not exchanged more than a brief hello since her first day there. He looked up at the menacing gray sky and decided to go after her.

"Miss Nightshade!" he called but she didn't seem to hear him. "Lilliann!" he called. Again he looked up at the sky. It was going to begin to rain any minute and he had no desire to get caught in it. "Lily!" he called again and this time she stopped and turned around. She waved to him and began to walk back down the hill.

"Hello Professor," she said with a smile. "What brings you out here? It's going to rain you know,"

"I know." He said in a rather aggravated tone. "Why are you wandering so far from the castle knowing it is going to rain?" he questioned.

"Because one of my favorite things to do is walk in the rain," she told him with a smile. "Rain is calming."

"I see. Well I have no desire to get soak and wet so I shall leave you to enjoy your walk." He said a hint of disappointment in his voice.

As he turned to leave the sky opened up and it began to rain. Severus was not at all amused. Liliann on the other hand, laughed in delight. He turned to snap at her and realized that watching her play in the rain was like watching a child. He sprinted back to his quarters leaving the doors open and watched her from his room. She looked positively radiant and happy. She turned toward the castle and waved. Severus looked up wondering who she was waving at. He discovered that it was a group of Hufflepuffs leaning out the window waving at her. She laughed again and looked up in the sky closing her eyes and letting the rain wash over her. He found himself smiling as he watched her. He closed the doors and watched for a few moments longer. He realized that the storm would be over soon.

128

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