Her Frozen Heart

Chapter 5

"Miss Granger, are you all right?" Hermione was sitting in the History of Magic classroom her head resting in the palms of her hands.

"I...I just have a bit of headache, Professor." Hermione squinted as the pain worsened.

"If it's only a headache then I presume you are still capable of paying attention, Miss Granger. What I am discussing will be on your exam next week."

"Yes, Professor." Hermione took a deep breath and sat up straight, picking up her quill she began to take notes again.

Riley knocked again on the door to Snape's office, again there was no answer. Fuming, she turned and headed off to find him.

Turning the corner she spotted him a few feet from her. "Snape!" Her voice echoed off the stonewalls of the corridor. Snape stopped and waited for her to catch up with him.

"What do you want, Professor Riley?"

"I think the potion is starting to have some effect on Miss Granger. In class today she could hardly concentrate because of a severe headache."

Snape looked at Riley and hissed, "Now is not the time to discuss this."

Ignoring him, she continued. "I have figured out a way to keep an eye on her. I've asked her to assist me in some research for a book. Now, do you know when they plan on giving her the rest of the potion?"

"Are you deaf woman? I said I do not want to discuss this here."

"I need to know so I can make sure she is safe. I intend to not let this go any further. I do not know what your plans are. If she is given the rest of the potion then Potter will surely be in grave danger."

Suddenly Snape grabbed Riley and shoved her against the cold stonewall. Covering her mouth with his, he pressed himself up against her. Riley struggled against him and then her body went limp as she succumbed to his will. A sweet taste filled her mouth; he tasted like chocolate covered cherries. This surprised her for she never figured Snape for one to have a sweet tooth. Snape pulled away from her; his brows lifted slightly revealing his bewilderment.

"Uh...excuse me Professors." Riley turned her head and saw to her dismay that Draco Malfoy was standing only four feet from them; an evil grin distorted his face.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" he sounded very composed. "Is there something you wanted?"

"I needed to speak to you, sir. Father has just sent me an owl and there was a note inside that I am to give to you." Draco stepped forward not taking his eyes off of Riley.

Snape took the letter from Draco. "Is that all?" Draco nodded and hurried off in the direction he had just come from.

Riley's face reddened as she started to comprehend what had just happened. " I suppose you saw him coming down the corridor." There was a slight bit of embarrassment in her voice.

"Did you really think I was just overcome with lust for you?" Riley turned away from him not wanting to meet his stare. Snape gazed at her for another moment and then chuckled softly. Pulling his robes tight across his chest he turned and strode down the corridor back to his office.

"Hermione where are you going?" Harry had caught Hermione sneaking out of the common room.

"I have to meet Professor Riley in the library."

"Again? You meet her during every break you have. The two of you are practically attached at the hip." There was a bit of jealousy in his voice.

"Harry, I promised I would help her with her book. There is a lot of work involved and the other day she said she would put my name on the cover as her research assistant." Hermione smiled at Harry expecting him to be excited for her.

"Well she should, all you do is researching for her stupid book." Hermione pursed her lips and fled from the room.

"Professor Riley, sorry I'm late." Hermione sat down next to Riley who was sitting at a table that was at the farthest end of the library.

"I will not tolerate tardiness in the classroom or outside of it, Miss Granger. Now, I thought today we could work on the progress of antidotes for dark potions." The two sat there until the sun had gone down and the library was empty of all other students.

When she thought that Hermione would be safe for the rest of the night, Riley walked her back to her common room. "Good night Professor." Hermione slipped inside and Riley stood there for a moment thinking back over their conversations. Riley was quite impressed with Hermione and the way her mind worked. Quite a few times she had been tempted to tell Hermione the truth about their time together. Riley was sure that Hermione would be able to handle such news, but she was forbidden from doing so.

"Professor Riley?" Turning around she saw that Dumbledore had appeared behind her. "May I ask what you are doing just standing there?"

"Just thinking, Headmaster. That poor girl has no clue, I just... I just wish that I could tell her the truth is all." Dumbledore peered at her over the top his half-moon spectacles. "It's not that I have a soft spot for the girl, I just think it would make it easier for us to keep her safe if she knew the whole situation." Dumbledore gave her the tiniest smile, his eyes twinkling.

"I understand, Emma. You understand though, why we can not tell her the truth."

"I do, sir. Well, I best be off then." Riley walked out around Dumbledore, "Goodnight." Dumbledore remained in the same spot watching her as she headed down the corridor. When she was no longer in his sight he sighed, his shoulders slumping forward slightly. His heart was heavy with concern for her. Emma Riley was a strong woman, on the outside. Dumbledore had watched her with Hermione during their countless hours spent at the library; he could tell she was growing fond of her. If she was to fail, and Hermione was to come under their power, it would yet again be another thing she would blame herself for.

Snape stood in the entrance hall waiting impatiently for Riley to appear. It was Christmas Eve and they were to attend a Christmas party at the home of Lucius Malfoy. Riley made her way down the staircase to where Snape was waiting. "You're late."

"Really?" Riley looked at the grandfather clock in the entrance hall. "I do believe you told me to meet you here at six o'clock. Am I mistaken?" Snape grunted and headed out the main doors into the snow and sleet. Riley pulled her hood up over her head and followed him.

Malfoy Manor was decorated with fairies dressed in red and green. They flew around the entrance lighting the way of the guests. Riley gazed around in awe as she stood in the entrance of the home. A stunning tree stood near the curving marble staircase, glittering with hundreds of the same colored fairies that graced the walkway.

"Emma, so glad you could make it." Lucius took hold of her cloak as she slid out of it. "You look striking, my dear." A red strapless dress bejeweled with tiny diamonds on the hem clung to her curves. Silk red gloves reached up past her elbows and a teardrop diamond necklace lay against her bare skin. The usual braid that she wore had been undone and her hair lay in thick curls down her back.

Snape came up from behind her and shook hands with Lucius. "Your home looks...festive." Lucius nodded and lead Snape to the drawing room leaving Riley standing in the entrance.

"Professor Riley?" Artemis Montgomery the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor stood beside her. "You look...you look... breathtaking." A rosy colour spread up her neck to her cheeks.

"You're too kind, Professor."

"Please, call me Artemis." Taking her arm and placing it through his he escorted her into the main parlor where the other guests had gathered.

Snape entered the parlor and scanned the room for Riley. He spotted her sitting in the corner beside Montgomery, engaged in conversation.

"Severus, didn't really picture you as the type to attend these sort of gatherings." Snape sat down across from the two of them and continued to work on a goblet of firewhiskey. "We were just discussing the professors who came before me. I have heard that this position is jinxed." Montgomery laughed causing a few heads to turn in his direction.

The three sat and talked for a while; well if truth be told, Riley and Snape sat and listened as Montgomery did most of the talking. They were told of his adventurous days at school and how he was trying to be the type of teacher that he had admired when he had been a student.

Lucius entered the room; Montgomery stood, smoothed out his robes and nodded to Riley. Riley sat and watched as Montgomery strutted across the room to where Lucius was standing. Their shoulders touching, Lucius and Montgomery leaned in close to one another and seemed to talking about something very pressing.

"I was unaware that they knew each other."

"I don't know how they know each other. They seem to be talking about something very important." Snape continued to watch the two men as they turned and left the room.

"He is not a death eater, is he?" Snape shook his head. "Are they related?" Again, Snape shook his head. "Quite curious."

"Professors, Happy Christmas." Draco had emerged from a group of people in the center of the room. "Professor Riley, you look nice."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Tell me, how does your father know Professor Montgomery?"

"He has hired him to do something. I'm not completely sure what." Draco grinned and walked over to where Goyle and Crabbe were waiting for him.

The night slipped away as they sat and tried to be sociable with the other guests. The only time anyone came over to them is when Lucius brought them over to introduce Riley. Her face had grown sore from forcing smiles all night.

When she thought she could stand no more, Snape stood to go. "I think it is time we leave." Bending down he whispered in her ear, "We need to go to Grimmauld Place. Lucius passed some information on to me that I need to tell the Order." Riley nodded and stood up beside him.

Lucius seemed very upset to see them leave. "Are you sure you have to go so soon? I have guest rooms if you are concerned about the weather."

"That is nice of you to offer, Lucius. I am just very tired, it's been a long day." Riley forced one more smile and the two of them turned and left.

The air was beyond crisp. Once again she regretted the cloak she had brought; she was definitely going into Hogsmeade and replacing it as soon as possible.

They arrived in front of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. After Sirius had passed they decided to keep Number 12 Grimmauld Place as headquarters. Lupin now lived there so that there was always someone from the Order available.

The windows were dark, not even a candle appeared to be lit. There was no answer when they knocked on the door, Snape glanced around and then whispered "Alohomora." The door opened and the two of them entered.

The house was eerily quiet. "I will go look upstairs and see if he is asleep." Riley headed up the staircase as Snape went to look in the dining room and kitchen.

Lupin was neither in the dining room nor in the kitchen. Taking a goblet out of the cupboard he poured some of Lupin's prized wine into the goblet and took a swig.

Standing in front of Lupin's bedroom door Riley listened to the odd grunting noises coming from inside the room. "Lupin?" The noises made Riley's heart beat faster, something was definitely wrong. "Lupin, are you all right?" her voice quivered. Reaching for the door she discovered it was locked. The sounds grew louder, it sounded as if someone was in pain. Pointing her wand, she whispered, "Alohomora." The door opened and Riley froze to the spot.

Snape dropped his goblet causing wine and glass to cover the hardwood floors. An ear-piercing scream had shattered the silence of the house.

The scream penetrated the stillness again. Above him Snape could hear someone or something thrashing about. His eyes caught the sight of a full moon shining in the sky outside the window. The little colour that was still in his face disappeared; Snape turned and ran into the entrance hall towards the stairs.

A horrific scene greeted him at the top of the stairs. The normally beige walls had been sprayed with blood; the stench made him gag. Hovering above Riley's seemingly lifeless body, his black fur tinted red from her blood, his fangs exposed, and hunger flashing in his eyes, was Lupin in full werewolf transformation. Raising his claw to slash at Riley again he turned back to her ignoring Snape. With his wand out, Snape charged them shouting "Petrificus Totalus." The beast stiffened and collapsed on top of Riley.

Snape lifted Lupin with all his strength and managed to shove him back into his bedroom closing and locking the door once again. Kneeling down beside her he started to take in the seriousness of her wounds.

Four long gashes were across the exposed part of her chest, her forearms were covered in blood seeping from her defensive wounds. The beautiful dress she had been wearing was shredded and revealed a very deep laceration on her abdomen which was oozing pints of blood.

Placing one arm under her knees and the other under her neck, Snape lifted Riley up off of the blood soaked floor. With Riley cradled gently against him he started to descend the stairs and go back into the kitchen.

Riley stirred and looked up meeting his eyes. "Emma..." his voice broke. Riley's eyes rolled back and she fainted from shock.

Stepping inside the kitchen fireplace Snape managed to grab a handful of floo powder. "Potions classroom at Hogwarts." The powder slipped through his fingers causing green flames to engulf them.