The Man of the Moment

Chapter Twenty-Five: Summer of '77

Once they returned to Hogwarts, Harry found himself being checked over vigorously by Madam Pomfrey, who was wearing a look of utter consternation on her face.

"Well, at least you look relatively unharmed, Mr. Potter- those two look simply dreadful!" she exclaimed, jerking her head towards the two occupied beds in her Hospital Wing. Harry knew who were residing in them. Persephone was one of the patients, having practically been forced to get some rest. She had refused at first, complaining that she needed to make sure her supply teacher knew the ropes, and didn't stop reiterating this point until Snape insisted that he would make sure the aforementioned supply teacher was adequately prepared, before promptly forcing a measure of the Draught of the Living Dead down her throat. She glared at him with abject fury, but fell into a deep sleep none-the-less.

The other figure was Lupin. Harry had caught a glimpse of him as Sam had eased him into the Hospital Wing. He looked as though he had gone ten rounds with a tampered Bludger, and those healing scars that spelled 'Not Me' seemed to be mocking Harry's judgement. Harry had also heard Madam Pomfrey ask him a few pertinent questions, such as 'Who's the current Minister for Magic?', 'What is your name?', 'What day is it?' and 'What house were you in at Hogwarts?' and quickly deduced that he wouldn't stand a chance of answering the 'What happened to you?' questions just yet, for he had only scored one out of four on her previous little quiz. Harry had wanted to go and see him, if only to say a few words to him and sit with him a while, but Madam Pomfrey had not been happy with the idea, and instead unceremoniously kicked him out of the Hospital Wing once he had been checked over.

"You can come back and visit this evening, when he's had some rest," she remonstrated, although Harry noticed she looked rather concerned. Harry had tried to argue his case, but it was no good, so instead he went back to his dormitory to get dressed in his uniform for the day's lessons.

"How are they doing?" Ron asked, as soon as Harry entered the dormitory. He was sleepily getting changed and didn't much seem to care who saw.

"They're resting- Madam Pomfrey won't let anybody visit Lupin at the moment, and Persephone's been forced asleep."

Ron chuckled.

"Yeah, I heard about Snape making her drink a load of potion," he replied, before yawning. "What day is it?" he asked.

"Tuesday, I think," Harry replied, as he tried to find his school robes. Succeeding, he threw them haphazardly over his head and pulled his arms into the sleeves.

"That's good enough for me," Ron replied. He dug around in his school bag, and pulled out a dog-eared piece of parchment that had his school timetable printed on it. Screwing up his eyes in concentration, he attempted to gather a few books together by virtue of what lessons he had, then stared at the small pile he had accrued for a moment. Eventually, he shrugged, kicked them under his bed and stuffed his quill and wand into his back pocket.

"Hermione'll have her school books on her, won't she?" he asked. "It's not like her to forget them."

Harry shrugged.

"I suppose so," he replied, yawning as he did so. "We ought to get down to breakfast."

Ron nodded.

"Yeah, perhaps Hermione will know if we really have got Charms first thing, or whether it's Thursday instead," Ron said, glancing down at his dog-eared timetable again.

By the time they reached the Great Hall, it was already full of students eating their breakfast. The teachers, too, were sitting at the High Table, although Harry noticed a few of them appeared to have lost their appetites. McGonagall and Snape appeared to be doing little except repositioning their breakfasts around their plates, while Alex kept glancing anxiously at her watch. There was a conspicuously empty space where Persephone usually sat, which appeared to be one of two things the students in the hall were whispering about. Feeling exhausted, Harry sat down next to Hermione- who was busy munching a piece of toast, her head in a copy of the Daily Prophet- with Ron sitting the other side of her. The Daily Prophet appeared to be the other thing the students were whispering about eagerly.

"Have we got Charms next, Hermione?" Ron asked, and Hermione nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Oh, Ron- you frightened the life out of me!" she exclaimed, placing her hand to her chest and dropping her copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Sorry, Hermione," he replied, as he grabbed a piece of toast from her plate. "Have we?"

"Yes, we have," she replied, irritably, as she reached to pick up her newspaper.

"So, it is Tuesday, right?" Ron asked, again. Hermione nodded curtly.

"Yes, Ron."

"Can I borrow your textbook in class?" he asked. Hermione slammed down her newspaper and glared at him.

"And where is your copy, Ronald Weasley?" she demanded.

"Somewhere in the dormitory," he retorted. Hermione tutted.

"I should have known... Fine, just let me read this," she replied, tersely. Ron beamed at her, and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

"You're a lifesaver, Hermione," he said, before the tips of his ears suddenly turned red, and he quickly moved his chair a little away from her. Hermione caught his eye for just a moment.

"It's not a problem, Ron," she mumbled, having quickly hidden her face behind her mane of bushy brown hair. For a moment, Harry thought her cheeks had gone quite pink, but before he could examine her more closely, she had grabbed her copy of the Daily Prophet and lifted it up to her face, apparently reading intently. Ron coughed nervously for a moment, before grabbing a few more slices of toast and jumping up out of his seat.

"Where are you going, Ron?" Harry asked.

"Just to find my books for today," he said, quickly. "I don't want to bother Hermione by nicking hers..." He turned on his heel and briskly moved away.

"It's okay, Ron," Hermione called after him, having put her newspaper down. "You can borrow them- I really don't mind."

Ron smiled nervously.

"It's no problem," he replied, rushing straight into the leg of the Gryffindor table and stumbling over himself. "I ought to find them, anyway- for future reference, you know..." He surreptitiously rubbed his knee where he had banged it, before speeding off out of the hall, dropping half of his toast in the process.

"So," Harry said, in what he hoped was a casual voice. "Anything interesting in the Daily Prophet?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows, and handed the paper over to Harry.

"Only extensive coverage of Wormtail's trial," she said, her facial muscles tugging her lips into a broad smile. "They've put Sirius' innocence as the main headline; and look here..." She turned a few pages and pointed at a tasteful two-page monochrome spread, with a photograph of Sirius posing on his flying motorbike, smiling cheerfully. "They've even pulled out the stops to fit an obituary in here."

Harry stared at the page, and couldn't believe his eyes.

Sirius Black 1959-1996:

We remember Sirius Black as a clever, happy-go-lucky student of Hogwarts during the 1970s. He excelled in his classes, was popular amongst his peers and exuded a mischievous spirit, along with his best friend, James Potter. The two had such a close friendship that Sirius Black was the Best Man at James Potter's wedding to Lily Evans, and the godfather to their child, Harry Potter- the Boy Who Lived. It seemed as though Sirius Black's life was charmed, and would continue to be so, until You-Know-Who came into play, leaving his life beset with tragedies. His noble efforts to protect his friends and their son failed when they were betrayed by Peter Pettigrew, who also framed Sirius Black for murdering thirteen Muggles with a single curse, for which crime he was erroneously sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban (see front page for details). Twelve years later, he gained the ignominious title of being the first wizard ever to break out of the impenetrable Azkaban prison, with all of his faculties intact. Nobody knows how he achieved this remarkable feat, but rumour has it that it was spurned on by his desperate desire to protect his only godson from hitherto unknown Death Eater, Peter Pettigrew (see page three for details). This same love for the Boy Who Lived saw Sirius Black evade capture by the Ministry's top Aurors, who still believed him to be guilty of murder, for over two years, until his tragic life was cut short by one of You-Know-Who's Death Eaters, during a pitched battle. He leaves behind his only godson- Harry James Potter; the Boy Who Lived, as well as many friends and admirers. He will be sorely missed; yet he remains a constant reminder as to both the dangers of You-Know-Who, and as a testament to the power of love. His courage and bravery in the face of adversity will always be remembered.

"Well, I suppose it's better late than never," he said, aware of the bitter tones in his voice. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know this isn't ideal," she said, "but look at the positive side. The Daily Prophet are being nice about him, Wormtail has been brought to justice, and check this tiny fragment out." She pointed to a small piece in the 'Comments Column', under the discussion of how unfortunate Sirius had been, and of his stalwart bravery in the face of abject danger. It appeared to be about Persephone.

...One final mention must be given to Professor Persephone Beauchamp, the current Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School for Wizardry and Witchcraft. She essentially pulled this case together and was insistent of Black's innocence. In the trial, she was calm and composed, despite the rather telling injuries she had clearly received recently. One can only assume that You-Know-Who got wind of her plans, and this Peter Pettigrew tried to silence her claims. Yet she continued to fight for justice. If there is one example of how we should react in the face of You-Know-Who's campaign of terror, then it is Professor Beauchamp's. She did not let You-Know-Who's followers bully her into silence, and neither should we. The Dark Lord thrives on fear, betrayal and division; this trial has shown that if we stick together and face this evil head-on, we may suffer, but we will not be beaten.

"Isn't that wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed. "I know it's utter balderdash, but this is just the sort of thing we need to hear! If enough people start to act like this..."

"They'll die quicker," Harry retorted, gloomily. Hermione frowned.

"Harry, come on!" she insisted. "This is a good thing. The Daily Prophet is advocating the very things that will ensure Voldemort will have difficulty in sowing discord and lies!"

At that moment, Neville sat down in the seat that Ron had previously occupied, and looked across at Harry, beaming.

"Congratulations," he said. Harry sighed.

"He's still dead, though," he replied. Neville frowned.

"I know, but at least he's not being vilified. That's got to mean something," he explained, kindly.

Suddenly, a large black eagle flew into the Great Hall, and all the students watched it.

"Wow, isn't that amazing?" Harry heard Parvati comment to Lavender, as the great creature swept forward and dropped a small letter on the High Table, next to Snape's goblet, before turning tail and swooping out of the hall again.

"What a beautiful eagle," Lavender whispered back. Neville was frowning at where the bird of prey had just flown.

"That's odd," he pointed out. "I've never seen a Post-Eagle before."

"Apparently, neither has anyone at the High Table," Hermione commented, gesturing towards where the teachers were sitting, apparently befuddled as to what had just happened. Only Snape looked wary, although Alex stared at the letter that had been left with a look of consternation.

As Harry was watching Snape's reaction, he became aware that the letter was unfolding itself, as though something was urgently trying to escape the envelope.

"It looks like Snape's got another Howler," Harry whispered to Hermione, when suddenly, a huge blast of green light burst from the envelope, hitting Snape in the chest and apparently spreading through his body, until he gripped his left arm, his expression contorted into one of agony. A high, cold voice that Harry knew all too well echoed nastily around the hall.

"You snivelling turncoat! You think you can defy me? Think again- it's only a matter of time before I exact my revenge. I will destroy them all; your tribe, your wife and your children, but I'll take my greatest pleasure in destroying you, Severus. I'll be the last thing you ever witness- you will prove a most pertinent lesson to any others who are fool enough to betray me!" it threatened, before the envelope folded in on itself and exploded with a bang. After a brief spell of absolute silence, many of the students started shrieking in terror.

"Be quiet!" Snape roared, and a timid silence swiftly ensued. Harry watched in horror as Snape exchanged a look with McGonagall, and they both simultaneously got up out of their seats. Alex grabbed Snape's arm, but he shrugged her off, and stalked out of the Great Hall without so much as turning around. McGonagall whispered something to Alex before following in hot pursuit. Whatever the words were that McGonagall had uttered, they clearly hadn't placated Alex in the slightest, who looked as though she had suddenly been put off her food.

Hermione had leapt out of her chair.

"I'd better go and find Ron," she said, anxiously. "This will be around the school in no time. He's Head Boy; people will start asking him about it... he ought to know what happened." With those words, she had run out of the Great Hall as well, leaving Harry with Neville.

"Bloody hell," he exclaimed. "I don't suppose you have any idea what that was all about?"

Harry shook his head slowly.

"I'm afraid I don't," he lied. Neville frowned.

"Whatever it was, it doesn't look good," he said, before lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "That voice; I recognise it, somehow. I think..." He faltered for a moment. "Now, don't laugh at me, Harry, but I think it might have been Voldemort."

Harry stared at him, open-mouthed. How on earth could Neville tell that was Voldemort? Had he ever come into contact with him?

"I'm sorry, Harry," Neville insisted, quickly. "It's just- there was something about it. Cold, you know? I don't know why he'd be sending threats to Snape, but... perhaps you're going to get a new Potions teacher soon," he finished, in a low mumble. Harry didn't know what to say.

"I don't know, either," Harry managed to say. Neville nodded.

"I wonder who his wife and kids are." Neville pondered. "The last thing I would have suspected was that Snape had a wife and kids- seems odd, somehow. Then again, why wouldn't he? He's about the right age, I suppose. I doubt they go to Hogwarts, the children. Maybe they're too young?"

Harry said nothing; there was something about Neville's weary, hushed tone of voice that concerned him. The quiet respect, the innocent curiosity- he sounded as though he was speaking about a dead man.

"Gran says that when Voldemort's got his sights set on killing somebody, he's usually dead stealthy," Neville added, quietly, although he did not look at Harry as he spoke. "Except if he's killing out of revenge. Anybody who has deceived him, defied him... He'll send them a warning; tell them he's after them. It scares them, you see, and then they're easy to find- if you can get to them before they go into hiding. You know, he always finds them..." Neville trailed off, and said no more about the matter. Harry heard Neville's fork land noisily on his half-full plate, and assumed he had lost his appetite.

"I... I think I'm going to get ready for class," Neville announced, quietly, before mechanically getting up from his chair and walking off out of the Great Hall.

Harry stared after Neville, but he made no motion to call him back. He made to concentrate on finishing his breakfast, but the ghostly silence that had filled the Great Hall since Snape's bizarre Howler had seemingly penetrated his stomach, for he no longer wanted to eat. He looked around the Hall, and saw the Slytherins looked ashen-faced. Pansy Parkinson had gripped Draco's arm tightly enough to snap it, and Draco suddenly caught Harry's eye. He glowered at him, as though the whole affair was somehow his fault. Harry merely rolled his eyes, and got up out of his seat, tracing Neville's steps out of the hall. He tried to go up the usual staircase to get to Professor Flitwick's classroom, but the staircase had stubbornly refused to come down to the Ground floor, and was instead twirling around in a circle somewhere between the Ground floor and the First floor.

"Fine, I'll take the scenic route," Harry muttered to himself, slinging his satchel over his shoulder as he walked further along the corridor, and ascended the staircase near the courtyard exit, which seemed positively delighted to be getting some use.

He left the staircase at the second floor, with a hope to finding another staircase near the Charms classroom. Instead, he passed a usually abandoned classroom, and to his surprise, saw Snape and McGonagall pacing in it. Harry ducked down near the doorframe, hoping he hadn't been noticed, but it soon became clear to him that McGonagall and Snape were too busy talking to have heard his footsteps.

"As far as I can tell," Snape announced, "I have two choices. I can either flee the school, and be hunted down and killed; or, I can stay here, and be hunted down and killed." His voice was bitter, but Harry noticed it lacked Snape's usual acidity. McGonagall had knelt beside him swiftly, which surprised Harry, considering that, on occasion, she required a walking stick to move about.

"Severus, don't think like that!" she pleaded, but Snape shook off her requests.

"Why not? It's exactly what will happen. The Dark Lord knows now what I have done- it will only be a matter of time..." he trailed off. "Promise me you'll keep Persephone safe? And Alexandra?" he begged. "Neither of them are as tough as they make out..."

McGonagall grabbed his arms angrily.

"Severus, you are not leaving here!" she hissed. Snape shrugged.

"I can't see what else I can do," he sighed. "If I stay, I will simply attract Death Eaters here. How can I expose the children to that?"

McGonagall managed a smirk.

"And to think, all these years you maintained a convincing dislike of so many of your students," she said, with a smile. Snape looked at her.

"I don't like them. I can't stand most of the little cretins, and I would gleefully inflict detentions and punishments upon on them until they finally leave this establishment." He sighed once more; the sigh of a man who had finally been beaten. "However, I don't want to see them killed, or worse- believe me, the Dark Lord could, and would. It's probably best if I leave..."

"Don't be a martyr, Severus!" McGonagall sounded furious.

"I'm not," he protested. "I'm utterly terrified. I'd gladly stay here if it meant I might be spared a horrible death. But, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. The Dark Lord has ways of bypassing wards and charms to find me." He rolled up his robe sleeve and pointed unnecessarily to the Dark Mark, which was smouldering as though it had been freshly branded- what looked like a double-headed axe ran through the snake and over the skull, splitting them in two. "He has marked me out- I'm now a beacon for him."

"And you think that Harry isn't? Voldemort knows exactly where to find him for ten months of the year!" McGonagall countered, and Harry felt a shiver run down his spine at this affirmation. "But I've kept him here, and I'll keep you here, too. Dumbledore would turn in his grave if I did anything less. Besides-" she allowed herself a small chuckle. "Who could I possibly get to fill the post of Potions Master in such a short time? You are contractually obliged to stay."

Snape and McGonagall looked at one another for a moment.

"This way, you can keep Persephone and Alex safe yourself," McGonagall added, quietly. Snape smiled at her- a response so rare in Snape, that it almost distracted Harry from his words.

"Thank you," Snape replied, softly, before standing up. He put his hand to his chest, and fished a small silver ring out of his robe pocket. He held it carefully between his thumb and forefinger, as though examining it for the first time.

"I suppose it won't hurt to put this on now," he said. "Chances are they all heard, and you know what the little brats are like- it'll be round the entire school by lunchtime."

A rush of students filed through the corridor, and Harry correctly assumed it was time for the first lesson of the day. He ran off towards the Charms classroom, as a bizarre thought entered his head. His mother had been right in her diaries- Snape certainly did look a lot nicer when he smiled.

Charms went fairly well, all things considered. Harry especially enjoyed the lesson because Professor Flitwick turned a blind eye to the fact that Harry kept falling asleep every twenty seconds, so much so that eventually, Hermione gave up prodding him awake and instead shielded him from view whilst she and Ron practised Concealment Charms.

"I'll show you how to do them later," she insisted, just before Harry slumped into a heavy sleep against the nearby wall. After the lesson, Harry felt a little more awake, and suggested that they should visit Persephone and Lupin, as they were both being kept in the relative safety of the Hospital Wing in Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione- who seemed a lot more comfortable than they had at breakfast- looked pointedly at each other, before announcing to Harry that they had to see Professor McGonagall about 'Head Boy and Girl issues', and that they would meet him there as soon as they were done. He decided to save quizzing them over it until later, when he had slightly more energy.

A short while later, Harry wandered into the Hospital Wing, only to see Persephone and Lupin struggling over something at the opposite end of the room.

"Look, really, it's okay. I'll manage..."

"I'd like to see you try, Persephone- it's really long. You'll do yourself another injury trying to wash it unaided," Lupin remonstrated. Persephone did not seem at all pleased by this.

"Well, I've got to learn, haven't I?" she pointed out, her black hair hanging loosely down her back. Lupin shook his head.

"It won't take me long to wash it for you..."

"I'm not an invalid!" Persephone hissed. Lupin said nothing, and merely looked at her with vague amusement colouring his features. Persephone sighed.

"Alright, I am an invalid," she replied, sadly, as Lupin gently began to collect her hair into a ponytail. "It doesn't mean I can't wash my own hair, though- you managed yours perfectly!"

"Yes, but I don't have almost three feet of it! Either let me wash it for you, or chop it off- your choice."

Persephone's facial expression suggested she wasn't particularly thrilled with either option.

"Alright," she conceded, "you win."

"Good," Lupin said. "Now just shut up and lie down."

Persephone laughed raucously at this.

"I bet you say that to all the girls, Remus," she snorted, still laughing. Lupin sighed in mild irritation, apparently torn between amusement and irritation.

"Don't be so perverse," he mocked. Persephone was still giggling.

"No wonder you're still single," she joked. Lupin tapped her on the head.

"Considering I'm the one in charge of the water temperature, I'd show some respect if I were you," he teased.

"Am I interrupting something?" Harry asked, awkwardly. Persephone glanced across at the direction of the noise, and smiled.

"Nah, Remus is just washing my hair for me, seeing as I'm having difficulty leaning into the basin," she explained. She certainly looked better- her face was nowhere near as swollen, and she could smile without it looking like a criminally insane leer. She was still confined to that wizard wheelchair, though. Lupin at least appeared to be walking around; his movement was a little stiff, but otherwise he seemed okay. He looked at Harry, apparently confused for a moment.

"Hello, Ron... erm, Neville, erm..." He screwed his face up in concentration. "Erm..."

"Harry," Persephone prompted, as though this were a common occurrence. Lupin clicked his fingers.

"Ah, yes- Harry! How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Harry replied. Maybe Lupin wasn't so fine after all.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, eyeing Lupin curiously. He just smiled back genially.

"Of course I am, Harry. I'm just having a bit of memory trouble. Nothing to worry about," he added, breezily. "Madame Pomfrey reckons it'll right itself in a day or two. Anyway, how are you- I trust you didn't fall asleep through too many of your lessons?" he asked, as he gently rested Persephone's head in a nearby basin and conjured a flow of warm water from his wand. Harry shrugged.

"Well, Ron and Hermione covered for me in Charms, I slept through that. I've got Defence this afternoon, so I thought I'd pop up and see you two before lunch.

Lupin smiled.

"Well, that's very kind of you, Harry," he said, apparently surprised that Harry would want to come and visit him. Harry laughed.

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked. "Ron and Hermione are coming up soon, too. They've got to see McGonagall about some Head Boy and Girl thing, but they'll be up in a minute."

Persephone grinned up at Lupin, her eyes rolling back ever so slightly in her sockets in order to see his face from her position in the basin.

"See, Loup- you're loved," she said. Lupin merely nodded- though Harry could see a fleeting grin spread across his face that he smothered almost instantly. Harry watched as Lupin began running his fingers through Persephone's hair and allowing the water to soak every strand. He looked rather disconcerted as he performed this action.

"Persephone," he asked.

"Hmm?"

"I don't think your scalp is supposed to be this red..."

Persephone snorted.

"Oh, don't worry about it. Diane's little wand-scan caused it. She checked my brain for Cruciatus and Imperius damage. I got the all clear, but I think she had to repair a few swollen blood vessels and the like. She said it would heal up in a couple of days."

Lupin nodded.

"I see," he said, quietly, before he suddenly stiffened.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked. Lupin frowned and shook his head quickly, as though trying to clear it. His wand splashed gushing water all over the floor.

"Erm, what am I doing?" he asked, suddenly. Persephone looked up at him.

"You were washing my hair, Remus," she said, slowly. Lupin smiled briefly.

"Oh, yes. Right," he replied, but Harry could see he still looked confused. Slowly, Lupin reached for a bottle of something nearby, scanned the label, and opened it. Harry chanced a glimpse at the label as well. It read 'Magical All-Purpose Mess Remover. Warning: CORROSIVE- not to be used in contact with human skin'.

"Wait!" Harry shouted, grabbing Lupin's wrist sharply as he tried to pour the contents of the bottle into his hand. Lupin whirled around and glared at him.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, hotly. Harry looked back at him.

"Trying to stop you pouring a corrosive substance onto your hands!" he replied. Lupin narrowed his eyes.

"It cleans!" he said, angrily. Harry sighed.

"Yeah, but not... Here," he said quickly, "how about I do Persephone's hair for her. You look tired. You ought to rest."

Lupin shook his head again.

"Erm... okay, if you like," he said, in his usual kind tones. "Just be gentle- her scalp is quite inflamed. Try not to touch it too much..."

"Relax, Remus- I'm sure Harry has washed hair before," Persephone said, with a forced grin. "You just sit down; you need your rest more than me, I'd wager." She glanced surreptitiously at Harry, and her expression was a mixture of mild surprise and genuine anxiety at Lupin's sudden outburst. Harry shrugged, as it perfectly conveyed everything he understood about Lupin's behaviour; which was very little. Lupin flopped down on the nearest hospital bed, groaned a little, and rested his head on his hands, glancing every so often at Harry, who was struggling with Persephone's long hair.

"It's alright, Harry," Persephone whispered, apparently making sure Lupin couldn't hear a word she was saying. "He's been struggling to recall lots of things- keeps going off into odd memories and the like. We'll get it sorted, though, don't you worry."

Harry nodded as he was splashed with water from the basin. She really did have around three feet of thick black hair, and it had an irritating habit of getting caught in his fingers. Plus, every time he ran his fingers through it to help rinse out the shampoo, he got strands of it stuck to his hands.

By the time Ron and Hermione entered the Hospital Wing, Harry was busy rinsing out a coating of conditioner that flatly refused to lessen its grip on Persephone's hair. Lupin appeared to be dozing.

"How are the happy invalids?" Ron asked, cheekily. Hermione swatted him on the arm.

"Ron, don't say things like that!" she remonstrated. Persephone grinned.

"Don't worry about it, Hermione- we're both doing fine," she said, before looking across at Lupin. "Well, some of us are doing more fine than others," she added, darkly. Hermione and Ron simultaneously rested their gaze upon Lupin.

"Is he seriously injured?" Hermione asked, tentatively. Persephone shrugged, as Harry stopped water from running out of his wand, and wrapped her hair up in a nearby towel.

"Most of it has been treated," she explained, sitting up in her magical wheelchair. "I mean, he's walking around, and I'm not. But there's something funny going on up there." She tapped her head as she said this, her expression one of consternation. "I don't think it's anything to do with the after-effects of torture, either- I'm guessing Voldemort's done something far worse to him than he did to me," she added, sighing.

"Poor Lupin," Hermione whispered, sitting down next to his sleeping frame on the hospital bed. "Will he be okay?" she asked.

"I should think so, eventually," Persephone replied, as Lupin began to stir noisily. Hermione stayed where she was as he pulled himself up into a sitting position, apparently unaware that she was even present.

"But you might want to give him a bit of space," Persephone warned. "He's been a bit tetchy..."

Lupin, however, seemed very pleased to see Hermione.

"Penny!" he exclaimed, putting an arm lazily around Hermione's waist. She looked particularly concerned about this, and tried to surreptitiously back off. Lupin, however, stood up and walked closer to her.

"I'm sorry about the other night. I wanted to see you, but... my mother was really ill; you know how it is..."

"Remus," Persephone stated, in a low voice.

"I was thinking," Lupin continued, apparently oblivious to Persephone's dangerous tone of voice, "perhaps we could meet up in Hogsmeade next Saturday?"

"Remus," Persephone repeated. Hermione stared at Lupin, utterly bewildered.

"Erm, Professor Lupin? I don't understand what you're talking about," she said, in a strained voice, her eyes darting to Harry and Ron as though she were a rabbit in danger of being caught in a trap. Lupin looked rather wounded by her words.

"Penny, I'm really sorry- I didn't want to cancel last night. I really like you," he pleaded, lifting his free hand up and stroking Hermione's face with it. Ron swiftly attempted to interject himself between Lupin and Hermione, before Persephone leapt to her feet. Or rather, she attempted to leap to her feet, and had to grab onto Harry's shoulder to stop herself from falling to the floor.

"Remus-that-is-not-Penny!" she yelled, in one breath. "It's-Hermione-Granger-you-remember-Hermione-she's-Harry's-friend-and-your-ex-pupil!" she exclaimed in another, single breath, her voice growing steadily louder with each word. Lupin stared at Hermione a moment, and then he suddenly let go of her, looking even more bewildered than Hermione.

"Oh, Hermione," he said, nervously. "I'm terribly sorry. I don't know what came over me." He backed away carefully, until he walked straight into his hospital bed.

"Sorry. I'm really, really sorry," he added, again, before he sat down and started caressing his forehead with the tips of his fingers. Persephone smiled sympathetically.

"If it's any consolation," she said, "I don't think it's you talking..."

Lupin sighed in irritation.

"I don't think Severus needs to spend too much time studying that potion sample- I think it's pretty obvious what it does- sends people nuts," he said, in an irritated voice. Harry was stunned.

"Potion sample?" he asked. Persephone nodded.

"Yeah- Sam found some vials of potion in the room those Death Eaters had Lupin restrained in. He nabbed a couple, in an attempt to get them analysed. Severus took a sample of Lupin's blood not too long ago, as well. Apparently he's been given some dodgy compound." She looked across at Lupin, who was now calmly chatting to Ron as though nothing had happened. "It doesn't take a toxicology expert to tell you that, mind. You saw it yourself; he's going completely out of his tree..." She must have spotted the horrified look on Hermione's face, for she hastily added, "I wouldn't worry too much, Hermione, I'm sure he'll be fine," in a cheerful voice that didn't match her concerned expression. Harry noticed that Hermione, although she looked across at Lupin with an expression of intense sympathy, had also kept a generous distance from him.

"Are you sure?" Harry found himself asking. Persephone bit her lip- an action Harry had never seen her perform before, and it didn't fit with her usual demeanour at all.

"He thought I was Sirius Black a while ago. He kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to risk becoming an Animagus, and if I'd done my Charms homework. Apparently I always leave it to the last minute," she said, shrugging her shoulders in resignation as she did so.

"Oh," Hermione replied, sounding quite relieved. "I wonder who Penny was."

Persephone laughed richly.

"I think I can hazard a guess," she said, loosening her hair out of the towel Harry had secured it in, and allowing it to hang down her back.

"So, who have you assigned as our temporary Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Ron asked, changing the subject. He narrowed his eyes. "At least, they'd better be a temporary replacement- you and Lupin are the best we've ever had!"

Persephone coloured up with pride for a moment.

"Ah, flattery will get you everywhere, Ron," she joked. "Anyway- I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise," she said. Ron looked terribly disappointed.

"Oh, come on, Professor!" he begged, in a manner that made Persephone laugh. "We need to be prepared- we need to know what we're up against!"

"Relax, Ron," Persephone replied. "He'll be following my lesson plans to the tee." She looked at her watch. "Anyway, it isn't as if you've got too long to wait before you find out, is it?"

Ron appeared grudgingly appeased by this information, but Harry couldn't help but notice Hermione looked a little concerned.

"What's up with you?" Ron asked, looking carefully at Hermione. Clearly, he had noticed too. Hermione shrugged.

"Nothing," she replied, a little too quickly for Harry's linking. "Nothing at all."

It took Harry until their Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson that afternoon to work out why Hermione had been so uncomfortable about Ron's questioning over Persephone's temporary replacement.

"Is Professor Beauchamp going to teach us?" Neville asked. "I noticed she wasn't at the High Table for breakfast. Is she really as bad as the Daily Prophet claims?"

"She's worse," Ron replied. "You should see her. She's still here, up in the Hospital Wing, but she's not at all well."

"She's getting better, though," Hermione soothed. "She'll probably be back teaching in a few weeks..."

"A few weeks?" Parvati exclaimed. "It must be serious if she can't work for a few weeks!"

It took Harry a few moments to adjust to this statement; owing to the relative ease at which Healers could treat most injuries and ailments, a long-term hospital stay constituted anything over a week.

"Do you think we can go and see her?" Lavender asked. Hermione shook her head.

"Not yet, I don't think- she'll need to rest. In a few days, though, I think she'll be up to it," she explained.

At that moment, Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle walked into the classroom, and Harry clenched his fists in anticipation of one of Draco's childish comments. However, to his surprise, none of the Slytherins said anything. They seemed somewhat subdued, and Harry was able to catch a little of their conversation.

"I don't understand... Why would anyone want to kill Professor Snape? I know he can be a bit short at times, but..."

"I can't believe my father didn't tell me," Draco mumbled, under his breath, but Pansy heard him.

"Draco? Do you know about this?"

Draco shrugged.

"Well, he's a Death Eater, isn't he?"

Pansy looked surprised.

"Snape? No way- you're joking!"

"Nope- worked with my father. ... Oh, come on- you knew about my father, Pansy!"

"Yeah... It's just, well, Snape didn't strike me as the type."

Harry noticed Theodore Nott was sitting to the side of them, apparently engrossed in their conversation.

"You mean, was a Death Eater- I'd imagine his services are no longer required..."

"Who asked you?" Draco sneered. Theodore merely laughed.

"Sorry- didn't mean to interrupt you two lovebirds... Wait a second, yes I did. That Howler Snape got? Sounded to me like he was on somebody's hit list..."

"Stop it," Pansy interrupted, sounding quite horrified. Nott grinned.

"I'd be amazed if he hung around here, Pansy- he's a goner. He'll probably want to try and do all the things he's never had a chance to do before the Dark Lord finishes him off."

"Why are you so gleeful about this?" Draco snapped. Nott shrugged.

"Who said I was? It's just obvious that he's not long for this world now. You know what our fathers say- it's a lifetime of service or death. I must say, I'm curious as to who his wife is- and his children. I hadn't a clue."

Draco frowned.

"Me neither- Father never mentioned it..."

"Guys, please," Pansy begged.

"I don't know- I heard something about a Muggleborn, but I didn't think that was serious... Maybe that's why the Dark Lord has got all angry..."

"Come to think of it, I wonder who our new Head of House will be." Nott wondered aloud.

"Will you two just stop it? He's not going to get killed!" Pansy shouted, loud enough for the rest of the class to hear, and stare at her for it. She turned crimson from the unwanted attention.

"I wouldn't put money on that," Ron muttered to Harry and Hermione. Unfortunately, Pansy heard him, and she did not look at all pleased.

"What is it with you lot?" she shrieked. "You're disgusting, Weasley!"

"I wasn't talking to you, Parkinson," he retorted, angrily. Pansy looked furious- she was trembling.

"Yeah? Well you might want to keep your big trap shut in future!"

"Oi, don't have a go at Ron just because Snape got a death threat- got a crush on him, have you?" Seamus taunted, acerbically. Pansy glared at him.

"I don't want him to die! I don't need to fancy somebody to think that; you make me sick!" she retorted, hotly.

"He's not the only one that's received a death threat in the past two years- not to mention the past twenty," Hermione commented. "They haven't all died..."

Pansy did not seem to appreciate Hermione words of comfort, however.

"What would you know, you stupid little Mudblood?"

The Gryffindors glared at Pansy for this reply, but Hermione didn't appear particularly bothered.

"Excuse me?" she replied. "Death Eaters attacked my home and killed my parents? I think the Daily Prophet mentioned it briefly," she pointed out, sarcastically. Harry and Ron looked at each other before looking back at the two quarrelling girls. Only he, Ron, and a few members of the Order and the Brethren knew the truth- that Hermione's parents were safely ensconced in a new life; safe from the Death Eaters, who believed them dead.

"This is different, this is our teacher!" She looked at them with wide eyes, and pointed at all the Gryffindors. "I bet you're all absolutely loving this, aren't you?"

"Pansy, how can you say that?" Parvati retorted, angrily.

"I didn't enjoy seeing Death Eaters destroy my family," Hermione said, quietly. Harry, however, could feel his blood literally boiling in his veins. All this time, the Slytherins had treated the deaths and injuries that had occurred with contempt- Harry particularly recalled the Leaving Feast in the fourth year when they were honouring Cedric's death- and now Pansy was trying to claim the moral high ground?

"Oh yeah, and I thought watching Cedric Diggory get killed was a bloody riot!" Harry yelled, angrily. "Not to mention seeing my Godfather die; oh that was fun. My parents, too- can't forget that, now, can I? And..." Harry trailed off suddenly. He was about to mention his half-sister Persephone, and Lupin, except his good sense kicked into touch and stopped him. Pansy looked as though she was about to retort, but a figure had stepped into the classroom and distracted them all.

"Is there a problem?"

"You are having a laugh!" Ron grumbled under his breath as Harry looked up into the dark eyes of Viktor Krum, who was frowning at them all. He looked as surly as usual, but Harry was sure he could detect a hint of nervousness about him. This seemed to intensify as the class turned and gawped at him. The only exception to this was Hermione, whom Harry suspected had known all along.

"Professor Beauchamp, she is not vell," he explained unnecessarily.

"We heard," Draco commented, a smirk plastered across his face that Harry wanted to wipe off. Viktor looked equally unimpressed, but chose to ignore Draco.

"So, I am here to teach her lessons until she is vell enough to return to her classes," he finished. He was clutching a sheaf of papers, which he placed on Persephone's desk. Harry assumed they were Persephone's lesson plans.

"Shall ve begin?" he asked, before turning to the board. "I suppose you should call me Professor Krum. Am I to understand that you should be covering counter-curses to invasive curses today?"

"You're the teacher," Draco muttered, at which Crabbe and Goyle sniggered.

Despite Viktor's initial anxiety, he soon settled into the role of Professor, and he actually wasn't that bad a teacher. True, Harry had been taught by better, but he followed Persephone's lesson plans, was honest if he couldn't answer a particular question and even went to the trouble to look up the answers. He also seemed confident that Persephone would be back teaching soon, which cheered Harry- he hadn't quite trusted Persephone's own opinion, for she was hardly the world's best patient.

The only student that appeared to be causing Viktor any trouble was, naturally, Draco, who groused at every available opportunity about having somebody whose main profession consisted solely of chasing a small gold ball around a pitch teaching them Defence against the Dark Arts- which Harry thought rather ironic coming from a boy who liked to use the fact that he spends all his spare time chasing a small golden ball around a pitch as a reason to lord it over his classmates- and how Professor Beauchamp really was a lunatic if she'd allowed it. He also took every opportunity he got to taunt Hermione about her relationship with Viktor, and tried to take up the first five minutes of the lesson by quizzing Viktor about how far he had got with Hermione, which appeared to infuriate both Viktor and Ron. Finally, after Hermione put her hand up and referred to Viktor as 'Sir', Draco made some comment under his breath that caused Crabbe and Goyle to laugh, and Ron to grit his teeth.

"That does it," Ron muttered, angrily, and as soon as he thought Viktor's back was turned, Ron fired off a hex that caused Draco's tongue to swell in size.

"Thir! Thee wthath thath morom hath done?" Draco attempted to protest, gesticulating towards his tongue, which was now too big to fit entirely in his mouth. Viktor scrutinised him.

"I did not see anything," he said, although Harry was sure that he must have caught most of Ron's reaction, judging by his position next to Hermione's desk. It took Viktor quite a while to fix Draco's tongue, too.

"I am sorry," he apologised. "But, like you haff said earlier, my profession involves chasing a small gold ball around a pitch, not teaching. You vill haff to bear vith me..."

By the time Viktor had remembered the correct counter-curse to turn Draco's tongue back to its normal size, it had flopped onto the floor and begun to stretch across to Parvati's desk. The rest of the class seemed to think that Viktor was a little rusty on some of his counter-curses, but Harry had seen that in Viktor's free hand was a piece of parchment in Persephone's handwriting, detailing the most common hexes students use against each other. The one Ron had used was definitely listed.

Once the lesson was over and they were back in the common room, Ron seemed to have warmed to Viktor Krum.

"Well, he turned a blind eye to me hexing Malfoy- I have to respect him for that," he explained to Harry, although he hadn't seemed too pleased when Hermione waited behind in the classroom to speak with Viktor.

"Well, Malfoy had been really irritating," Harry replied, as Szeto Ang wandered past him.

"He's always irritating," he commented, breezily, before Ron collared him.

"Oi, what are you doing in here?" he asked. Szeto shrugged.

"Looking for Jeremy," he replied, nonchalantly. "I wanted to make sure he was still up for meeting me and Angela tomorrow before Herbology."

Ron sighed.

"Fine- I don't know why we bother having House Common Rooms, anyway," he moaned, as Szeto found Jeremy and explained to him in great detail about the plan to meet Angela at the pumpkin patch at precisely eight o'clock in the morning. They had wandered off before Harry could hear what they were planning to get up to.

"Those three are becoming quite the little gang, aren't they?" Harry commented. Ron nodded

"Yeah- can you imagine what they'll be like when Angela starts at Hogwarts next year? I'm glad I won't be Head Boy then, I can tell you... What a day!" Ron exclaimed, slumping into the nearest chair. "I can't believe I've been up since four o'clock. You must be knackered, Harry- you've been up since Monday morning!"

"I know," Harry replied. "I was just going to go up to the dormitory, actually, to try and catch an hour or so of sleep before dinner."

"Fair play," Ron said. "I'll come and get you when it's time for dinner."

"Thanks," Harry replied, just before Ron accepted Neville's offer to play a game of chess with him. Thinking Neville must be brave or silly if he thought Ron might lose against him, Harry traipsed off upstairs and wandered into the boys' dormitory. He flopped down on his bed without so much as taking off his glasses and found he couldn't get to sleep. He removed his glasses, placed them carefully on his nearby trunk, and tried again. After a good fifteen minutes, Harry sat up on his bed, and cursed his body-clock. He was evidently so tired; his body found falling asleep a difficult process.

In an attempt to get himself to sleep, he opened up one of his school textbooks and began to read it, but as it only made him more awake while he tried to mentally answer the questions set at the end of the first chapter of his Transfiguration textbook, he gave up on that idea fairly quickly. He fished out his mother's old school diary and began to flip through that once again, hoping to find a page on her revision techniques, or a particularly dull day at school that might make his eyelids droop. Soon enough, though, he had come across an entry he had not read before.

09/06/1977

Well, today was a little hairy, I can tell you! Rumour has it we had a Death Eater attack right outside the school grounds! I didn't see it, though- but I did hear a lot of the other students screaming and running inside. We weren't allowed out for ages, until they had been driven off. It was really strange. However, that wasn't why today was so dodgy for me. For a start, I'd left Sylvia and Tessa to go to a prefects meeting just after lunch; almost the second I left the meeting, James Potter collared me. He has really been annoying me lately. He keeps following me around like some sort of faithful Labrador, except I'm sure that Labradors drool less. Well, now Severus isn't the only student in Hogwarts that has had a stalker- but at least he could escape his during lessons. Mine just had to be in the same year, didn't he?

"Hi, Lily," he said, with that silly grin plastered to his face. "Fancy bumping into you here?"

"Yeah, fancy that," I replied, walking off, but he caught up with me.

"Where are you off to?" he asked, genially. I sighed.

"The library, most likely," I replied. "I'm meeting a few friends there. Plus, I need to tidy up my Charms essay..."

"Oh, yeah, Charms essay. Good idea- Flitwick appreciates the extra attention to detail, doesn't he?"

"So do most teachers," I replied. James smiled. Was it just me, or did he seem nervous? That wasn't like him.

"Well, yeah, yeah- of course. Except for Drake, possibly. He seems to see right through all those little tricks we use to try and get extra marks... Not that I'm saying you're just trying to sneak a few extra marks. I know you're cleverer than that..."

He appeared to be stumbling over his words a little. I have to admit, much as it pains me to, that it is kind of endearing- he was almost cute... Hang on. No. I did not think, even for a moment, that James Potter was actually cute. Forget it. I'd try to scratch it out of this entry, but this diary doesn't let you- the ink just reappears spelling out exactly what you originally wrote down; it's an Inner Truth diary that Sylvia bought for me as a Christmas present from a Clairvoyant fair, or something. Grr... Anyway, I just sort of looked at him, and said, "How would you know? You've only ever spoken to me when I've had to take points off you for something horrible."

To his credit, he looked a little humble at this remark.

"Yeah- sorry about that," he replied, sheepishly. "I guess on occasion, I've been a bit of a twerp."

I nearly walked into one of the portraits- and it wasn't at all pleased. James Potter, apologising? This was just too weird.

"Anyway," he continued, apparently oblivious to the fact that a portrait was grumbling at me to look where I was going. "I was wondering if you, you know... There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up- perhaps you'd, I dunno, like to meet up, or something?"

I stared at him.

"Are you asking me out again?" I enquired. I couldn't believe it- I forgot the other reason James Potter ever spoke to me, and that was to coerce me into going out with him.

"Well, yeah," he replied, looking at the floor.

"Oh, not again!" I complained. "Haven't you got anything better to do than annoy me?"

I made to walk off, except that James grabbed me gently by the arm and made me face him.

"I've got lots of better, more important things to do," he said. "I should probably be doing homework, or practising for the next Quidditch match, or finding Sirius before he causes any trouble with that Florence girl. The thing is, I'd rather be here with you..."

"Now you're reaching," I replied. That was such a sleazy thing for him to say! Still, I couldn't help but smile. James merely shrugged.

"Yeah, well; it's the truth. I'd really like to get to know you." He looked up at me, and smiled. "At least give it some thought? Tell you what-" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a dog-eared piece of parchment which I recognised as his school time-table. "I finish lessons late today; meet me down by the lake after dinner- say around six o'clock? If you really don't want anything to do with me in any way, shape or form, tell me then, and I promise I will stop badgering you." He put his hand on his heart to emphasise his promise. "But, if you think there's even a sliver of a chance that you'd want to go out with me sometime- maybe not now, but at some point- please, tell me at six."

I couldn't help but smile- he seemed so genuine.

"Alright," I replied. "I'll think about it- but I'm not promising anything!"

He grinned at me as though I'd just offered him a place on the UK National Quidditch team.

"Great! Well, don't decide right now- have a think. I'll... I'll see you later!" He jogged off in the opposite direction, and banged straight into a suit of armour, which slapped him around the face in irritation. I watched him apologise profusely to it, before ducking out of its way and walking off. I was about to ask him who Florence was, but he had disappeared. Not that it mattered too much; I was going to find out soon, anyway.

The next bizarre occurrence happened soon after James Potter had talked me into meeting him later. I was beginning to have second thoughts now- if he so much as tries to kiss me, I'm going to hex him into next Thursday, I'll tell you that for nothing! I looked at my watch, and saw I wasn't due to meet Tessa and Sylvia for an hour yet, so I decided to pop back into the Gryffindor common room to finish off my Potions essay. I didn't need to go to the library to do that, for I had already borrowed a fair few books for that subject. In fact, I'm sure I'll be getting fined for them soon- I've had them ages. So I went upstairs to my dormitory and grabbed a couple of useful texts. I had just about started flicking through 'Poisons, Potions and Poultices' when I heard this almighty crash from downstairs in the common room. I rushed downstairs to see what the commotion was all about, only to see Remus staring angrily at a chair that apparently had offended him in some way, for its remains were strewn across the room.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, rather stupidly, I admit. Remus turned around, and appeared stunned that anybody else was even there.

"Oh, Lily," he said, before lifting up his wand and announcing, "Repairo!" The pieces of chair flew towards each other and resembled the chair it had been before Remus had lost his temper, although I did notice that the patchwork covering looked very different. Still, you can't have everything, I suppose.

"Sorry about that," he said, and he sounded rather calm, considering his apparent outburst. "I... I've not been having a very good day..."

"I don't think that chair is, either," I commented. He smiled, and sat down on the floor. I joined him.

"Really, is everything okay?" I asked. "Your aunt isn't sick again, is she?" He always seems to be leaving Hogwarts for a day or so owing to family illness- the Lupins must be one of the sickliest families I've ever heard of!

"No, it's just- I can't really say," he replied. He looked quite unhappy and a little ill tempered, but he still managed to flash me a smile. I sat closer to him.

"That's okay," I said, putting an arm around him. It suddenly struck me how painfully thin he was. Now, I know people are thin- take Severus, for instance. Now, he is skinny. The thing is, though, you can tell it's just natural. Remus on the other hand; now that just isn't normal. Just from touching his arm and his back, I could feel bones that you shouldn't be able to feel. It's really odd- I've seen him at mealtimes, and he eats perfectly well.

"I'm just having a few difficulties with a friend, that's all," Remus elaborated, slightly, resting his hand on mine. I nodded, and shuffled a little closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. He seemed to be happy with that, for he put his arms around me- and again, I could feel how painfully skinny he was- and just sat there. His breathing slowed down until it seemed as though he was quite relaxed, and I can't remember how long we sat there for. I only realised that when I'd glanced at my watch, I was late meeting up with Tessa and Sylvia.

"I've got to go," I said, getting up from Remus' embrace. "I'm supposed to be meeting Tessa and Sylvia at the library." Remus nodded.

"Sure thing- are you going to do that Transfiguration essay?"

"Charms," I replied, as I rushed up to my dormitory to grab my satchel. By the time I'd got back to the common room, Remus was trying to fix the patchwork on the chair he had dismantled earlier.

"Can you remember what colour this was?" he asked me. I shrugged.

"I don't know- I'd guess at burgundy or brown. That seems a safe option, considering the rest of the furniture," I replied. He smiled.

"Thanks, Lily," he said, as I was about to step out of the common room.

"For what?" I asked. He sighed.

"For... well, just being here, I suppose. You know how sometimes... we've all got secrets, right?"

"Sure," I replied, uncertain as to where this was going. He just looked at the floor briefly before looking back up at me.

"Well, you know sometimes, you want to share secrets, even though the sensible part of your brain knows it would be a bad idea, yet you sometimes... sometimes, you meet somebody, and you just know- or, you think you know- that they could cope with it, that it wouldn't change their opinion of you?"

I nodded, not liking where this was going one bit.

"But yet, you still don't want to risk it, although you think it might be worth it," Remus continued, pacing a little as he did so. I glanced quickly at my watch. I really wanted to hear what Remus had to say- part of me was terrified he was talking about me anyway- but I was getting steadily later for my meeting with Tessa and Sylvia. Unfortunately, Remus noticed my surreptitious glance. He laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry; you're late. Erm, forget it. It doesn't matter," he said, finally, before walking up to me, cupping my face with his hand and kissing me on the cheek.

"You're good to me, you know," he said, inexplicably, before leaving the common room, and leaving me even more bewildered than when I'd left that prefects meeting.

By the time I caught up with Tessa and Sylvia, I must have been about twenty minutes late.

"You took your time? Where have you been?" Tessa complained, as I ran towards them.

"Long story," I panted.

"We'll let you get your breath back," Sylvia assured me, as I placed my hand on my knees and took deep breaths.

"Boys are weird," I managed eventually, at which Sylvia and Tessa merely nodded.

"Yep," Tessa replied.

"It's taken you six years to come to that conclusion?" Sylvia asked. I explained to them about James, and Remus, and the general weirdness of their behaviour.

"I wouldn't worry about Remus, anyway," Sylvia pointed out. "He's just a mate, right? I don't think he fancies you or anything. Tell you the truth, I always thought he was a little bit, you know." Sylvia made an odd motion with her wrist and whistled. "Just a hunch, mind- I haven't seen anything to back it up."

"I don't think he'd thank you for sharing that particular hunch around," I replied.

Tessa didn't seem to be paying any attention to our conversation, however.

"There's someone else here," she said, whirling around.

"No there isn't," Sylvia replied, as Tessa almost jumped out of her skin.

"Did you hear something?" she asked, looking around.

"I didn't hear anything, Tessa," Sylvia replied.

"It was probably just the wind," I added, looking around to make sure. I did feel a little eerie, almost as if somebody I couldn't see was watching me. Sylvia soon distracted me from it, however.

"Ooh, what did James have to say for himself, Lily?" she asked.

"He asked me out." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Again." It seems to be a hobby of his, but he seemed so genuine this time. Tessa and Sylvia just stared at me, gobsmacked. I knew why, and braced myself for the inevitable comments.

"What did you say?" Tessa practically squealed.

"I said I'd think about it," I replied, only for Sylvia to smack me on the arm.

"You nit-wit! You told James Potter, Gryffindor Quidditch Chaser, that you'd think about it?"

"Well, he has been a lot nicer this year, but I still don't know- he's just so horrible sometimes!" I exclaimed. Tessa wrinkled her nose.

"To whom? I can only think of that weird Ravenclaw boy, Severus Snape..."

"Isn't that enough?" I asked. The last thing I wanted right now was to be reminded of Severus. That's a definite complication. We've been getting on really well recently. We go and visit Persephone together, and when we're round my parents' place, we take her out together- she likes the park a lot. I know he and James hate each other with a passion- what on earth would I tell Severus if I started dating him?

"I suppose it is a little mean," Tessa admitted, "but Lily, you know he really is scary. Diana had potions classes with him in fourth year, and she told me once, when they were dissecting their frogs' bladders, he was skinning his frogs and sneaking the skins into his bag! Come on, Lily, that isn't normal behaviour," she reasoned. Oh, don't remind me! I remember it like it was yesterday- that potion was vile! Anyway, it wasn't really that strange behaviour, if you knew the context. Not that I'd ever explain to Tessa and Sylvia the context. It was just one of those things I had to keep quiet about. Everybody has skeletons in the closet, so they say. The lock on mine just happens to be faulty- the less I say about it, the better. It would just cause a world of trouble if it came out- not just for me, but also for Severus, not to mention his aunt and uncle, and of course, Persephone. What has she done to deserve any of it? She's not even two years old!

"Well, maybe not," I agreed, "but that still doesn't make it okay to just... humiliate him. In front of all the school!"

Tessa looked at the floor.

"S'pose not," she replied.

"Severus Snape?" Sylvia asked, who looked blankly at us both. Tessa rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on, Sylvia! You must know who he is! Lanky bloke, black greasy hair, big nose, rarely blinks, was Lily's dance partner for that competition in our fourth year..."

Sylvia clicked her fingers.

"Oh, him!" she said, in realisation, before she started giggling.

"What is it?" Tessa asked.

"Do you remember a couple of years ago, when little Penny Bancroft developed a crush on him?"

"Aww, the third year Hufflepuff Seeker?"

"Yeah, well, she was in the first year then. She kept following him around in the library, sending him really bad poetry... He was so horrible to her! Here, Lily, you're complaining about what James and Sirius did to him last year. Do you know what he did to this poor little girl?"

"What?" I asked. Sylvia raised her eyebrows in a gesture of disapproval.

"He hexed her with a bubblegum charm- she was covered in this pink goo all day, and kept sticking to every surface she touched. The teachers had a terrible job getting her out of it- the poor girl was in tears. I think the little china kitten she had charmed to meow a little love poem at dinnertime had been the straw that broke the dromedary, if you get my drift. He got into dreadful trouble for it- Dumbledore was furious..."

I couldn't believe it- the little git! That Penny girl was so sweet, as well!

"Oh, so that's what he got into trouble for!" I exclaimed. Tessa and Sylvia looked bewildered.

"What do you mean?" Tessa asked.

"The dance thing. He said he was only partnering me because Dumbledore had asked him to, as he'd got into trouble... Ooh, how mean!"

"Yeah, but it was a meowing china kitten," Tessa pointed out, sagely. "I think I'm on Severus' side with this one..."

"Oh, don't say that to Lily, now she'll have another excuse to defend him- anyone would think you were the one with a crush on him," Sylvia teased.

"Don't be daft," I exclaimed. If they knew the truth, I wonder if they'd be so quick to joke about it?

"Ooh, who's got a crush on who?" Bertha Jorkins asked. Now, Bertha is possibly the biggest school gossip we have. She's certainly the biggest gossip I've ever met, and that includes my sister! The two of them would get on like a house on fire, if it weren't for the enmity that would certainly be present on my sister's side. I doubt Bertha would be so discriminating, mind. As long as there's gossip to be had, I doubt very much she cares where it comes from.

"Nobody's got a crush on anyone, Bertha," I replied. Sylvia giggled.

"We were just teasing Lily about Severus Snape. She's far too nice- you know she's still standing up for him, even after what he called her last year..."

"I think he was just angry..." I tried to protest, but apparently, everybody in Hogwarts knows Severus better than I do. At least, they all have an opinion on him.

"That's no excuse," Bertha interrupted, haughtily. "Now, if I'd have been Head Girl, I'd have sorted him out. You know, thanks to my illness last year, I thought I might get a second bite of the cherry this year; perhaps get to be Head Girl this time around instead. Oh well," she sighed. Then, her eyes gleamed and she glanced surreptitiously around the corridor. I knew that look all too well; she clearly had some juicy hearsay she wants to share. I'm sure if it weren't for us three, she'd have spontaneously combusted right there in the corridor for lack of spectators.

"Here, speaking of Severus Snape!" she gestured us to come closer to her, which they did. "You'll never guess what I just saw."

"What?" Tessa asked eagerly. Bertha smiled.

"Well, you know I don't like to repeat gossip..."

We looked at each other and burst out laughing. That was like saying Alexander the Great didn't like conquering countries, or that Elvis didn't like hamburgers.

"Like I was saying," Bertha said, forcefully, "I don't like to repeat gossip, so listen carefully. Just five minutes ago, I saw that Snape boy, and guess who he was strolling arm-in-arm with?"

Sylvia's eyes widened to almost twice the size.

"Oh, do tell!" she begged. Bertha looked around once more, and whispered, "He was with that Durmstrang girl, Florence Branimir!"

I looked at Tessa and Sylvia, hoping they'd know what Bertha was on about, but they were clearly as confused as I was.

"Florence Branimir?" Tessa asked. Bertha rolled her eyes.

"Oh, honestly! Dumbledore apparently organised for this girl's governess to show Florence around Hogwarts. What with the war and everything, apparently the woman doesn't like the idea of her darling ward studying at Durmstrang anymore- and you do know what kind of reputation that place has- Dark Arts and Death Eaters all the way! In fact, I reckon Severus would fit right in there. Well, she seemed very attentive, if you get my drift. Anyway." She looked out of the window next to Tessa's head. "If I run, I might be able to see where they've gone. I'll see you later," she said, giving them a cheery wave as she made her way along the corridor.

Tessa and Sylvia giggled loudly.

"Ooh, Severus has got a girlfriend," Sylvia said, in a lilting singsong voice.

"I hope she doesn't try and touch his hair, it's so greasy, she won't be able to turn any doorknobs until she washes her hands," Tessa sniggered, evilly.

I didn't really know what to say. I know it sounds daft, but I think I felt sort of... well, maybe not jealous, but something close to it. Who was this girl? Severus had never mentioned any girlfriends to me- I assumed he hadn't had any, but then again, he is quite a private sort of guy. Thinking about it, he wouldn't have told me if he had. He's never talked about Bellatrix to me, and I know for a fact that they're practically inseparable. I'm sure they're just friends, but who knows?

"Are you alright, Lily?" Sylvia asked, looking at me with concern.

"Yeah, I think I might just need some fresh air," I lied, at which point both Tessa and Sylvia walked me carefully to the nearest exit.

"Where do you think you three are going?" McGonagall called from behind us. She was rushing along the corridor as though our leaving the building was a matter of top security. Turns out it really was. Apparently there had been some Death Eater sightings- they're the followers of You-Know-Who. McGonagall told us we had to remain inside until further notice, so we went straight to the library instead. We managed to get our Charms essays finished, but not without Tessa scaring the life out of me. She told us about her aunt, who worked in the Ministry. Apparently there have been loads of suspicious deaths recently, of people who won't join You-Know-Who, and of Muggleborns... She soon stopped talking about that when Sylvia kicked her in the shins under the table.

"I'm sorry, Lily- I didn't mean to scare you. We're all safe here at Hogwarts; besides, I'm sure there are far more prominent people for You-Know-Who to go after than us lot."

I managed a smile at this; Tessa did have a point. It didn't stop me feeling angry, though. Why should we have to be scared of him?

Soon after that, Drake came around and told us all it was safe to go out in the grounds once again. He seemed a little preoccupied, though, and it caused Sylvia to postulate over whether he really was, or had been, a member of the Brethren of Tyr. They're kind of this terrorist organisation that take out pureblood wizards and witches that pose a threat to Muggles and Muggleborns, and they seem to give Sylvia the creeps. Personally, I must admit I kind of welcome a group like that now, given all the conflict that has been going on. Perhaps they'll take out a few Death Eaters and even things out a little. Not that I imagine Dumbledore would hire anybody from a terrorist organisation to teach a bunch of under-eighteens, but this didn't seem to convince Sylvia.

I left Tessa and Sylvia in the library and went for a walk around the grounds. I needed to clear my head, really. I didn't know what to do about James. Sylvia thinks I'm nuts for even considering turning him down, but I just don't know. I hardly know him, for a start, and what I do know of him I don't like. Then again, he has been behaving a little differently now; he seems to be growing up... Oh, I don't know! Anyway, I carried on walking, and I passed the greenhouses- where I noticed two students were there, kissing each other. Don't you just hate seeing that? You never know where to look! Then something made me look twice- the shorter one, who was clearly a girl, was not wearing Hogwarts robes. Hers were bright red, and had a furry collar. I guessed this was the transfer student Bertha had been talking about. Tart. I mean, her hair was huge; this mass of frizzy brown hair- there was no way that was natural. It must have taken her hours to charm it that size. Then the boy turned to whisper something in her ear, and I nearly lost my lunch. I'd recognise that profile anywhere- it was Severus! What in the name of all that is holy was he doing all over this Durmstrang girl? She looked a little nervous- bit late now, if you ask me- but she soon relaxed and kissed him again. I couldn't believe my eyes! Part of me wanted to throw something at his head to attract his attention long enough to demand he show a little decorum. Behind the greenhouses, indeed- doesn't he know Bertha Jorkins is bound to find out?

I decided to wait until they were finished, and hopefully collar Severus before he did anything else stupid. Well, I was waiting quite a while, I can tell you! Eventually, I heard a girl's voice stammer out, "I must go and find my governess- she will wonder where I have gone." I saw her kiss him on the lips one last time, before smiling shyly at him and scampering off. Severus watched her go for a moment, before he also wandered away from the greenhouses.

"Don't you know Bertha's on the prowl?" I asked, with my arms folded, as Severus came into view. He whirled around, but looked relieved it was only me there.

"Oh, it's you- what are you doing?" he asked. "Is Jorkins training you, or something?"

I shrugged.

"I just happened to be in the area... so, who's the girl?" I asked, knowing full well who she was- I just wanted him to tell me.

"Florence Branimir. She's visiting Hogwarts- she might be transferring here, but judging by her governess' opinions of the place, I doubt it," he replied.

"Wow- that was relatively painless, now, wasn't it?" I teased. He frowned at me.

"What are you on about?"

"Telling me something about your day," I replied. He stopped walking.

"Is this going somewhere?" he asked. "I mean, is this one of those conversations that I assume is perfectly innocent, only to be completely knocked sideways by some revelation or other?"

"Erm... I don't think so," I replied. Since when have I had any such kind of conversation like that? According to Severus, however, apparently we have one every fortnight. I don't know what he's talking about, to be honest; he confuses me a lot more than I confuse him, I'm sure.

"Anyway- I take it you like Miss Branimir, then?" I probed. Severus did not seem to appreciate my interest in his affairs.

"Why the sudden interest?" he asked, in a tone of voice that told me to back off. I've never let that worry me before, though.

"Well, it's the first time you've ever spoken about any other girls," I remarked.

"That's only because you asked," he replied, before looking at me. "If you're worried I'm harbouring some secret crush on you; relax. I don't."

"I didn't think that," I answered. "It's just, you never talk to me about these sorts of things."

"Well, that's because it's none of your business. I don't quiz you about your boyfriends."

"Sometimes, I wish you would..."

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked. For a moment, I assumed he was being his usual sarcastic self, until I felt him place a cold hand on my forehead and look at me questioningly.

"I'm fine... James asked me out," I said, before I even realised the words had come out of my mouth. Why do I keep doing this? I was going to keep it a secret! I haven't even decided what I'm going to do, anyway!

Severus merely shrugged.

"So? He asks you out every week."

"Yeah- but this time I said I'd think about it," I explained. Severus shrugged again.

"What's it got to do with me?"

"Don't you care in the slightest?" I asked, angrily.

"Well, no- not really," he replied.

"See? This is just typical of you!" I complained. "We've got a child together- we've been pretty close, in a physical sense, and I suppose in a mental sense, too. Yet, here I am telling you how I'm considering going out with a guy you hate, and you're totally apathetic? Can't you be a little annoyed? Even just a smidgen ticked off? I felt a pang of something, seeing you all over that Branimir girl like a particularly virulent rash... What is wrong with you?"

Severus looked at me, his expression pained. He then sat down on the grass under his feet, and sighed, resting his head in his hands.

"You promised me we weren't having one of those conversations!" he groaned. "I don't understand what you mean!"

I sat down next to him.

"You're supposed to be clever- you are in Ravenclaw, after all..."

"Hey, to my knowledge, the Sorting Hat has yet to describe us as possessing psychic abilities," he countered.

"Look, I just think; well, we've got an odd relationship, haven't we? I mean, we have a child together, whom we visit together on a regular basis. Yet we don't really seem to try to get to know each other."

Severus looked at me earnestly.

"I always thought we got on pretty well, though," he said.

"Yes, but we don't really know each other- take you, for instance. Bellatrix knows you better than I do!"

"Well, she's my friend."

"And I'm not?"

"I didn't say that. She's just a closer friend to me than you are."

"I'm not sure I like that," I replied. It sounded quite horrible coming from his lips. He didn't say it in a malicious fashion; it was very matter-of-fact. Perhaps that was what bothered me; the fact that he wasn't saying it to wind me up, but just that it was a simple truth.

"I don't understand why you're so bothered. You have your own life; I have mine. It happens. What I do in the company of Florence is nothing to do with you; same as what you do in the company of that Potter boy is nothing to do with me," he stated. "Go off and marry him, for all I care- it really is none of my business; and my opinion on the matter shouldn't be a concern to you. I can't stand him, but I'm not the one considering dating him."

"You're so heartless," I spat. To my surprise, he didn't get angry, or even hurt. He just looked at me and sighed.

"I'm not trying to be. I'm just being honest. We do have a past, present and future between us; Persephone. But that's the only thing we have. Face it, if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't even converse with each other, and you know it."

I thought about arguing against him, but there was no point- I knew he was right. My friends don't even know I speak to him, let alone had a baby with him, and I reckon his friends are in the dark just as much.

"You're right," I replied, finally. He seemed a little saddened by my reply.

"I know what you mean about it not feeling very nice," he said, eventually. "But that's life- generally, it isn't very nice at all."

"That's rather pessimistic," I commented. Severus shrugged.

"I have my reasons," he replied, in a tone that suggested I shouldn't ask about them. For once, I listened to him.

"So, do you think you'll stay in touch with Florence?" I asked. He shrugged again- that has to be one of the most irritating habits of teenage boys; the constant shrugging.

"I doubt it. I'd like to- she's really nice; and contrary to what you may think, she isn't a tart at all. She's actually quite clever, and rather modest."

"How come you know what I'm thinking, but you don't seem to know much about this Florence?" I asked.

"You're too easy to read," he replied, with a small chuckle. "She's got a lot of barriers up- it's a challenge. Anyway, it's not very gentlemanly, to go around reading the mind of someone you hardly know- especially since I can control it now."

"It doesn't take a Legilimency expert to tell me you think she's cute," I teased. Severus shrugged for the umpteenth time, but he did go a little pink in the cheeks.

"You know, I bet she takes ages getting her hair that big- she must spend ages playing with it, getting it to look just so," I continued. Severus looked at me.

"And Potter doesn't?" he replied, indignantly. I couldn't help but laugh...

Harry had allowed most of the words to wash over him, but suddenly, a few words penetrated his brain sharply. 'Florence', 'bushy haired'... He flicked back over the offending paragraph.

What in the name of all that is holy was he doing all over this Durmstrang girl? She looked a little nervous- bit late now, if you ask me- but she soon relaxed and kissed him again...

It hit Harry like a particularly nasty thunderbolt. Florence Branimir. Snape had been kissing Florence Branimir behind the greenhouses on the 9^th June 1977. That meant...

"Hermione!" Harry yelled as he ran down the stairs of the boys' dormitory to the Gryffindor common room as quickly as he could physically manage. Everyone who was in the common room looked curiously at him; he realised he must have looked a bit of a sight, his robes all dishevelled, calling for Hermione.

"Hermione!" he yelled again, having seen the back of her bushy brown hair. She was talking to all of the seventh year Gryffindors- they were huddled together in a small group, away from the rest of the Gryffindors, who had also noticed Harry's agitation.

"Oh, hello, Harry," Hermione said, genially. "Did you manage to get some sleep? We're meeting Ron in the Great Hall for dinner..."

"Never mind that now- I need to talk to you," Harry interrupted. Hermione looked at him, and smiled.

"Okay, go ahead," she replied, waiting for him to respond. Harry shook his head.

"Not here, in private," he reiterated. "It's important."

"Can't it wait until after dinner?" Hermione asked. Harry grabbed her arm, and began to drag her up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"It really, really can't!"

Lavender and Parvati squealed and giggled amongst themselves. Ginny looked wary. Hermione tugged herself free of Harry's grip, and brushed herself down.

"Alright, I'm coming!" she insisted, as she followed him up the stairs and into the dormitory.

"Sit down," Harry insisted, gesturing towards Ron's bed. Hermione sat down cross-legged on the bed, and absently hugged Ron's pillow in her arms.

"What's the matter, Harry?" she asked. Harry looked at her.

"I'd like to read you a little passage, if I may," he explained. "It's from my mum's diary- she made this entry on the 9^th June 1977- is that date memorable to you?"

"That's the date Faith took me back to in her Time-and-Place-Machine," Hermione replied, slowly. Harry nodded.

"Precisely," he said, before he cleared his throat and began to read. "Here we go- 'I carried on walking, and I passed the greenhouses- where I noticed two students were there, kissing each other. Don't you just hate seeing that? You never know where to look! Then something made me look twice- the shorter one, who was clearly a girl, was not wearing Hogwarts robes. Hers were bright red, and had a furry collar. I guessed this was the transfer student Bertha had been talking about.... Then the boy turned to whisper something in her ear, and I nearly lost my lunch. I'd recognise that profile anywhere- it was Severus! What in the name of all that is holy was he doing all over this Durmstrang girl? She looked a little nervous- bit late now, if you ask me- but she soon relaxed and kissed him again. I couldn't believe my eyes! Part of me wanted to throw something at his head to attract his attention long enough to demand he show a little decorum. Behind the greenhouses, indeed- doesn't he know Bertha Jorkins is bound to find out?' Ring any bells, Hermione?"

Hermione had gone a rather violent shade of crimson.

"Ah," she stated quietly into Ron's pillow. "That."

"Oh, that?" Harry asked, feeling quite insane- he wasn't sure if it was the result of his sleep depravation, or this startling revelation. "Yes, indeed. Well, care to explain?" he offered, sitting down on his own bed and folding his arms in anticipation of a reply. Hermione wrung the corners of the pillow between her hands.

"Well, Harry- now, I know it was wrong to mess about with time like that. I honestly don't know why..."

"Time?" Harry asked. "Time!" he repeated, more loudly. "Who cares about time? You kissed Snape!"

"Keep your voice down!" Hermione hissed. "If anyone hears you, can you imagine the gossip about why I do so well in Potions?"

"You kissed Snape!" Harry reiterated, a little more quietly. Hermione stared back at him.

"Twenty years ago!" she protested. "He was our age- no, he was younger! He was sixteen, Harry!"

"He was still Snape!" Harry retorted. "What in Merlin's name possessed you to kiss him? With your own lips?"

Hermione flopped onto her back and hugged Ron's pillow again, whilst staring up at the ceiling.

"Oh, I don't know," she replied. "It just sort of happened, I suppose. He was quite sweet, when you got to know him, and he made me laugh. I'd just patched up his arm from that stray hex that he saved me from. He said thank you, and complemented me on my skills. One thing led to another, I suppose..."

"Then Madam Pomfrey must have the sorest lips in Hogwarts!" Harry blustered. "You can't tell me you'd kiss someone that said you did a good job of performing a counter-curse; you'd have kissed half of our year, and all of our Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers!"

"I know!" Hermione interrupted, although she suddenly seemed distracted by something in Harry's school trunk.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing at the fragments of the two-way mirror Sirius had given him two years ago.

"A two-way mirror, except it's broken. And don't change the subject!" he demanded. Hermione sighed.

"Look, I'm not saying that kissing someone who complements me is a common occurrence. I'm just saying that's what happened in this particular situation."

"You don't..." Harry shuddered at the mere thought of what he was about to ask. "You don't fancy him now, do you?"

Hermione burst out laughing.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Harry!" she replied. "He's my teacher! He wasn't then- he was just another pupil, like me. Besides, I don't know what it was; the pressure of the situation, the amount of time I'd spent with him... I really don't know. It was just a kiss- it wasn't like we got married or anything!"

Harry could see that she was telling the truth.

"Does Ron know?" he asked. Hermione looked askance at him.

"Harry, do I look stupid?" she asked, rhetorically. Harry shook his head.

"Yeah, I know- if I were you, I wouldn't have told him... Eurgh- I keep getting this mental picture of you and Snape..."

"Please tell me he's sixteen in it," Hermione begged. Harry screwed up his face in disgust.

"He was before you said that! Eurgh- that is repulsive..."

Hermione looked almost as disgusted as Harry felt.

"Stop thinking about it," she demanded. Harry laughed.

"It's a bit difficult!" he protested.

Suddenly, Harry heard a small knocking noise, followed by the words, "It's me."

Hermione sat up.

"Ginny? Come in," she said, and the dormitory door opened. Ginny walked in, took one look at Harry, swerved her head to look at Hermione, and stated, "So, he knows, then?"

Hermione nodded.

"He knows."

Harry stared at Ginny.

"You mean; you've known about this? About Hermione and her kissing..." He trailed off, not wanting to mention the horrific sentence once again. Ginny nodded.

"Of course I know- Hermione told me last August! Why do you think I keep getting all those detentions in Snape's class- he can't say anything without the words 'but you kissed Hermione' buzzing through my head! Lupin, too- the amount of times he's been friendly with Hermione. I know he's just worried about her, but he was Hermione's teacher once... It all just gets too much; you just seem to attract them, Hermione!" she said, giggling.

"I told Persephone, too," Hermione explained, ignoring Ginny's comments. "I thought it best- just so that she knows what happened and can stop Snape from finding out."

"So, he hasn't found out?" Harry asked. Hermione looked down at herself.

"Well, I'm still alive, so I'd say no, he hasn't," she replied, tartly.

"Can you imagine the consequences?" Ginny asked. "He'd do his nut!"

"Persephone said he probably wouldn't be able to handle it," Hermione explained. "Which is fair enough, really- I think I'd find the fact that I kissed one of my pupils twenty years ago a bit odd. Plus, he'd probably be a little angry with me- I knew after all, where he didn't. He might feel like I played a joke, or something."

"A little angry?" Ginny scoffed. "He'd explode. So, it's probably safest all round if we keep our pretty little mouths shut."

Harry couldn't agree more.

Dinnertime was a rushed affair- Harry desperately felt the need for an early night, but he wanted to see Persephone and Lupin before he went to bed. So, the one thing that was up for sacrifice- besides his homework- was dinner. Hermione and Ron ate speedily in order to accompany him to the Hospital Wing, and, as they pointed out conspiratorially, they had plans for tonight. Harry had a feeling they had organised a D.A. meeting, and had said as much, but they both told him not to worry about it, and that everything was under control. Much as Harry wanted to know exactly what their plans were, he needed sleep so much more. The only reference either Harry or Hermione made to their discussion in the boys' dormitory earlier was Hermione asking if she could possibly have Harry's two-way mirror for something, seeing as it was broken. Harry agreed.

By the time they got to the Hospital Wing, Lupin appeared fast asleep, although he was muttering under his breath as he slept. Persephone was not alone; Benjamin Sampson was sitting by her side, stroking her hair in a tender fashion, and berating her for being a terrible patient.

"Have you been eating properly?"

"Yes."

"Have you been sleeping?"

"For Merlin's sake, Sam! I'm following the Healers orders like a good little girl- stop badgering me!"

"I just don't want you skiving off for any longer than is necessary," Sam replied, with a cheeky grin. Persephone flicked his nose with her fingertips, before she looked around and waved at Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"How did Viktor do?" she asked, eagerly.

"Fine," Harry replied.

"He followed your plans to the letter," Hermione added.

"Yeah, but he wasn't too hot on his counter-curses," Ron started to explain, but Persephone's grin stopped him.

"What's so funny?" he asked. Persephone sat up a little.

"He told me about that- trust me; Viktor knows his counter curses, or at least, he knows the most common ones- I reminded him of them. Thing is, he can be rather selective as to when he uses them," she said. Sam started to laugh.

"Oh, is this when he left that Malfoy kid's tongue growing?" he asked. "That was classic! I wish I'd have been there. Although, I did think teachers were supposed to rise above such petty behaviour..."

Persephone snorted.

"Pah- if the pupil is being bratty enough, I say let them have it. I'm not above pettiness."

"Like father, like daughter," Ron muttered under his breath. Much as comparisons of Persephone and Snape bothered Harry, he had to laugh about this one, for it was quite true. When it came to teaching, Persephone definitely had her moments of vindictiveness. The only difference in Harry's mind was that hers were generally deserved.

"So, how are you feeling?" Harry asked. Persephone shrugged.

"Better," she replied. "I'm just managing to walk short distances across the Hospital Wing, but that's about it..."

"Time is a great healer," Sam interjected.

"Yeah, but time isn't something we've got a great deal of. Anyway- judging by what happened at breakfast today, I'd say my time is even shorter," she retorted. Harry felt his face fall.

"So, you heard about that Howler?" he asked. Persephone nodded.

"It was an Eliminator," she explained. "Voldemort's special death brand. Severus has been marked- I saw it. There's an image of an axe smashing through his Dark Mark- it means he's a wanted man and is to be captured on sight. Voldemort will want to kill him personally, I'd wager. I suppose at least he's deemed important enough not to be flat out assassinated." She sighed. "The rest of us, though..." She trailed off, and Harry felt compelled to hold her hand.

"It'll be alright- the Order and the Brethren won't let it happen," he said. Sam nodded.

"Yeah- we're not letting you off that easily; you've still got a good few decades of useful service left," he joked, although Harry could see that he was significantly paler than usual. He briefly wondered if there was a full moon due tonight, but then he remembered passing Parvati's Almanac in the common room. It was definitely a quarter moon today- she had circled it and written something about feminine energy.

"I know you won't let it," Persephone replied. "The thing is, you might die in the process of trying to stop it. He wants revenge... You know, I wish I knew what he was on about."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked. Persephone looked at him.

"The Original Cross. I don't get it- he demanded I told him about it, and he ordered Severus to interrogate Alex about it back in the seventies. But why? I've never heard of it, and neither has Alex..."

"You shouldn't be worrying about that now," Hermione said. "You need to concentrate on getting better."

Sam looked across at Hermione and grinned.

"This one's your top student, right?" he asked. Persephone nodded.

"Hogwarts' finest," she replied. Sam nodded.

"I can tell- she knows what she's talking about. We're looking into it- I've got the guys in Intelligence on it. Get some rest!" he remonstrated. Persephone pulled a face at him behind his back.

"I am at least allowed to speak to my visitors, aren't I?" she asked. Sam looked askance at her.

"Of course- I wouldn't dare deprive you," he said, sarcastically, though he remained seated next to her.

"Is Lupin alright?" Harry asked. Persephone looked beseechingly at him.

"Oh thanks, Harry- here I am, thinking you've come to visit me, and all the time, it's just an excuse..."

"It isn't!" Harry interrupted, hurriedly. Persephone grinned.

"I know it's not, you daft sod." She laughed. "I'm just teasing- it gets so boring in here!"

"And clearly, it's affecting your humour cells," Harry joked, causing Persephone to flick him on the nose as well. He was surprised at how painful it was.

"He's sleeping at the moment- best thing for him, I'd say. We've still got no news on what he was given the other day," she replied. Ben shook his head.

"Severus is working on it- our lot are looking, too, but frankly, he stands a much better chance of finding out. For a start, he has a fair idea of Voldemort's original plans and the ingredients he is accustomed to using- that narrows things down a little. He's popped in to check the Loup over a couple of times- and she's found some excuse to disappear on each occasion," he said, pointedly. Persephone looked uncomfortable.

"I'm just not really in the mood to speak to him right now," she said, uneasily. Harry presumed the whole ordeal at Voldemort's hands had been a bit of a shock for her, especially considering that Snape used to be his servant- and she was also paying the price for his betrayal.

"Anyway- Pansy and Draco weren't exactly seeing eye-to-eye over Snape's Eliminator during Defence today," Harry said, in an attempt to change the subject. "She seemed really upset about it."

"Well, of course she would be," Persephone replied. "He's her Head of House."

"Yeah, but all the kids hate Snape," Ron pointed out, before wincing as Hermione stamped hard on his foot. Persephone didn't seem to notice.

"You don't speak much to the Slytherins, do you?" she asked. Ron shook his head.

"Only to shout at Malfoy, really," he admitted. Persephone smiled.

"Yeah, well the Slytherins are really quite fond of him," she replied.

At that moment, Viktor Krum entered the Hospital Wing, carrying a small black envelope in his hands. He caught Hermione's eye, and to Harry's surprise, Viktor looked a little uncomfortable.

"Hello, Hermy-own-ninny," he said, not quite looking at her.

"Hi, Viktor," she replied, also studying an imaginary object just to the right of his face. They smiled weakly at each other, before Viktor turned his attention to Persephone.

"This arrived for you. The owl tried to get into the Hospital Wing, I think. It let me take the message, but it kept pecking me until I brought it up here for you," he said, handing the small back envelope to Persephone. She eyed it cautiously. So did Sam.

"You don't suppose it's from Voldemort, do you?" he asked, nervously. Persephone shrugged.

"Only one way to find out, I guess," she replied, grabbing a penknife from on the bedside table near to her and slicing through the top of the envelope. Viktor looked at the bed where Lupin was sleeping.

"How is Professor Lupin?" he asked. Persephone shrugged.

"Well, he's sleeping, which is a good sign. Don't worry- he'll be okay," she soothed.

"Why is he calling him Professor?" Ron whispered.

"Lupin taught Viktor at Durmstrang in his fourth year," Hermione explained, in a hushed voice. "Persephone was at Beaubaxtons then. I know we've started to get out of the habit, but we've known him outside of that for a while."

"He kept that quiet!" Ron commented. Hermione shrugged.

"He must have worked in a lot of places," she replied. "I thought he must have had some experience of teaching when he took us for Defence; he was too good to have been a novice..."

"I must haff another look through the second year class notes for tomorrow morning; I shall come and visit you later," Viktor said, before kissing Persephone on the forehead and walking away.

"Sure- I'll see you later," Persephone called after him, whilst eyeing the envelope suspiciously.

Ron stared at Hermione.

"What's up with you two?" he demanded. Hermione sighed.

"We split up earlier," she said. Ron tried, and failed, to hide a huge grin.

"Really?" he asked. Hermione glared at him.

"There's no need to look so pleased," she retorted, hotly. "We decided that it wasn't going to work- we lived too far apart and with everything going on in our lives... We're still going to keep in touch as friends. That doesn't make it any less weird seeing him every day, though."

"I'm sorry," Harry said. Hermione smiled at him.

"It's alright, really," she said. "It's for the best- but thank you for caring." She shot a furious glance in Ron's direction.

"Oi? Who said I don't care?" he protested. Hermione was clearly about to say something in retort, but was distracted by Persephone's rather loud, and rather obscene, exclamation of disbelief. She was staring at the letter in her hands as though it was some kind of bizarre joke.

"What's the matter?" Sam asked. Persephone handed the open letter to him. He read along it for a while, before expressing the same sentiments that Persephone had just moments before.

"What is it?" Harry asked. Sam looked at Persephone. She cleared her throat.

"Harry, your godfather... Before he died, was he okay in the head?" she asked.

"Of course he was!" Harry replied, noticing the anger in his voice about two seconds too late. Persephone looked at him a moment.

"Alright, no need to bite my head off. It's just... well, see for yourself." She gestured for Sam to hand the letter in his hands over to Harry, who took it from him and scanned its contents.

To Miss Beauchamp,

Well, I'm guessing you're a Miss- if I'm wrong in assuming you to be young and single, I apologise, but then, if you're reading this, I'm dead, so excuse me if I don't feel too sorry about it.

Anyway, I have sent this for a reason. If you've got this letter in your magic little hands, then I am indebted to you. I honestly didn't expect you to go to such trouble to quash my convictions and bring me justice, especially seeing as I died before you got the chance. It isn't like you knew me at all, or owed me now I'm gone. Seems as though you really have a thing about paying your debts, and for this, I thank you. The one thing I always wanted was to be able to look after my godson, and care for him as a godfather should. I can't do that now, obviously, but at least he won't have the stigma of his last legal guardian being a convicted murderer. Thank you for believing in my innocence, and for caring enough to prove it to everyone else.

I'll stop rambling now- it seems a waste of time pouring so much into a letter you'll probably never read, so here's the deal. You went to this much trouble, I want to reward you. It's more fun this way, seeing as you didn't know I was going to do this. It kind of makes it more satisfactory to me, anyway, knowing you did this purely for my benefit, and out of honour on your part. I have to admire that- doesn't happen all that often in this day and age. As you are reading this, your bank account in Arbre D'Or has been updated; a deposit has been made to the value of...

Harry stopped reading. He was as stunned as Persephone was. He looked at the value again, and at Sirius' advice to double-check the correct amount had gone in. He was pretty sure it was the majority of the remaining Black fortune. He had assumed that during the Will Reading the other year, he had been too wrapped up in his own thought to hear how the majority of Sirius' belongings had been distributed. Clearly, he was wrong. He continued down the letter.

... Naturally, I have left my friends a substantial amount- or at least, as much as I think they would accept without being offended. My godson, well, he has possibly the most valuable asset I own in his possession, plus he really doesn't need my fortune on top of his own. He's a genius Quidditch player; I reckon he'll be off captaining some national team before he's twenty-five... sorry, I'm rambling. Can't help it- he's wonderful, he really is.

I don't really know why I'm telling you all this- I suppose I don't want you to feel guilty about accepting this gift. Somehow, I don't think you will, though; you strike me as having a real mercenary streak. Take it as a complement; you'll need it to fight Voldemort. I know what you're doing- let's just say a friend told me. I hope you continue until he is gone for good.

God Speed, and all that,

Your deceased fellow opposer of Voldemort,

Sirius Black

"Well, he was right about one thing- I'm definitely not going to feel guilty accepting this," Persephone exclaimed, happily. Sam looked cautiously at her.

"Beau," he said, "what about the tribe? I thought you couldn't accept a dead person's belongings..."

A loud raspberry blown by Persephone was her response to Sam's questioning.

"Sod the tribe- did you see how much he's left me?" she reiterated, as though Sam had gone temporarily insane.

"Harry, what do you make of all this?" Sam asked, looking at Harry with genuine concern. Persephone suddenly gasped.

"Oh, Harry- I am sorry. I didn't even think about it... your godfather was right- I am a mercenary little git. How do you...? I mean, do you mind?"

"No, it's cool," Harry replied. Truth be told, he just felt elated by the fact that Sirius had clearly been so proud of him, he was eager to share his feelings about Harry to this relative stranger. Ironic that it turned out to be a relative of Harry's.

"He must have been a bit mad, to be honest," Persephone continued. "To leave all that money to somebody he didn't know. I know he set it up so I'd only get it if I cleared his name, but honestly- that's insane! What about all his family?"

"He hated all of his family," Harry explained. "Can you blame him? Most of the surviving ones are Death Eaters. Anyway, as far as the people he cared about go, he saw them all right. Nobody was complaining, anyway."

"I don't think people generally complain when it comes to Will Readings," Persephone countered. Sam snorted.

"You haven't met my family," he said, darkly. "If I die, I'm going to leave all my possessions to a random charity, just so they can't get their stinking, money-grabbing hands on it."

Harry thought of the Dursleys, and couldn't help but laugh at this. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, looked a little uncomfortable at Sam's words, and instead poured over the letter Sirius had left.

A sudden stirring occurred on the bed next to them, and Harry could see that Lupin was waking up. He whirled around to face him, and saw that Ron and Hermione had done the same. Lupin sat up groggily, and stared at them all.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked. Lupin looked concerned.

"James?" he asked, weakly. "Look, it's okay- I understand. Sirius came here and told me what he did- stupid, stupid boy. I don't blame you at all- thanks for stopping it. You know could have happened... He hasn't told anybody, has he?"

"Erm, no- no, he hasn't," Harry replied, uncertainly. Lupin looked relieved.

"Oh, thank God for that. Did Sirius say anything to you? He seemed sorry, but I wondered what he said to you..."

"He was very sorry," Harry replied, uncertain as to what was going on in Lupin's mind.

"Oh, okay. Look, if he wants to come and see me- stop him, will you? I don't think I could cope with it right now. You'll stop him, won't you, James?"

"I will," Harry replied, sadly. There was no way Sirius could come to visit Lupin, whether he wanted to see him or not.

Lupin rubbed his eyes blearily, and turned around to face Persephone. He stared at her for a moment, and appeared suspicious.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "You don't go to Hogwarts- what are you doing here?"

Persephone sighed.

"I'm Persephone. I've been here with you all day, remember?"

Lupin had evidently got bored with her explanation, for he had fixed his attention on Hermione. He smiled at her.

"You must be Florence- Sirius has been banging on about you all day," he said, before grabbing her by the shoulder. "Between you and me, I'm glad. He deserves to be put out by somebody. I know that sounds terribly wicked... Do you think I'm wicked, Florence?" he asked, gazing up at her desperately.

"N... No, of course not," Hermione replied, her eyes darting to Harry and Ron as she spoke. Lupin smiled again.

"That's good... Still, I suppose being from Durmstrang, you have a different idea of what makes one wicked."

"Oi!" Persephone retorted, indignantly. Lupin ignored her, and instead let go of Hermione's shoulder, and stretching himself, groaning as he did so. Several bones appeared to click, judging by the snapping noise that went straight through Harry- he still couldn't stand it when Ron clicked his fingers during class.

"Oh, hello," Lupin said, in his usual calm manner. "How are you three- classes went okay, I hope?"

"Yeah, they were fine," Ron replied, uncertainly.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked. Lupin smiled.

"Not too bad. I keep falling asleep though... Speaking of sleep, shouldn't you three be catching up on some? Especially you, Harry- you've been up since Monday morning."

"I tried," Harry protested. "I tried to have a nap before dinner, but I couldn't sleep."

Lupin smiled.

"You know what'll help with that? You should drink some warm milk before bed- and go to bed a bit earlier than usual. Get a good ten hours, if you can," he said, wisely, before gingerly getting up out of bed and walking towards a small table that had a kettle sat on it.

"I'll make you some," he stated. Persephone eyed him warily, whilst slipping her letter from Sirius under her pillow.

"Are you sure that's wise?" she asked. "You've been having odd memory lapses all day."

"I've been fine for a good while, Persephone," Lupin insisted. Persephone snorted.

"Except for just three minutes ago," she replied. Lupin looked oddly at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Persephone paused, as though she was carefully choosing her words. "You... you thought Harry was James. You started talking about how it wasn't his fault, or whatever. I didn't understand, but it seemed to make perfect sense to you. It's this damn potion, I'm sure," she explained. "And you manhandled Hermione again- I'm going to have to restrain you if you keep that up," she added, in a jokey fashion that suggested she thought- or hoped- it would lessen the severity of her revelations.

Lupin blushed, and looked most uncomfortable. He looked up at Hermione

"Oh, I'm sorry- I didn't..."

"You just grabbed my shoulder," Hermione explained, kindly. "It's fine."

"But Persephone's right- you probably should stop it," Ron added. Lupin chuckled warmly.

"Thank you, Ron- I'll certainly try not to," he replied, before looking at Harry. "And I'm truly sorry I called you James. The last thing I want to do is keep reminding you of what you've lost..."

"It's fine," Harry said, putting his hand on Lupin's arm. Persephone looked a little awkward.

"I'm sorry, Remus," she said, solemnly. "I should've kept my mouth shut..."

Lupin shook his head.

"No; I need to know, Persephone," he replied, with a small smile. "At least stuck in the Hospital Wing with you means I'm privy to all manner of candour..."

"You mean," Persephone pointed out, "that my foot likes to live in my mouth."

Lupin grinned.

"That too," he replied.

"It doesn't matter, Remus," Hermione said, kindly. "You've gone through so much- we aren't going to hold a few misplaced words against you; especially when they're not your fault."

"Hermione's right- we know you're a mad head," Persephone said, cheekily. Lupin threw a nearby pillow at her head.

"Thanks for that professional diagnosis," he retorted. "Though, I do hope Severus hurries up and find out what's in that potion..."

"He's working on it," Sam replied. "I went to find out how he was getting on earlier. He snapped at me to stop distracting him and to go away- I think that's a good sign he's getting somewhere."

"I think that's just Severus," Lupin commented, absently, before rubbing his head again. He swayed on the spot for a moment, and Sam rushed to support him.

"Easy," he soothed. "Are you okay, Loup?"

"I'm fine," Lupin replied, gently brushing Sam away. "I'm fine..." He looked out of the window and sighed.

"Doesn't it look beautiful?" he asked, gesturing to the view outside. Harry saw what he was getting at; there was a striking sunset on display. The sun was peeping behind the hills, streaking the sky with dark reds and golden hues.

"Wow, it really is quite a beautiful sight," Hermione agreed. Lupin turned and smiled at Hermione. It was a smile that Harry didn't think he liked very much.

"Ah, I knew you'd like it," he said, stepping closer to Hermione. He took her hand in his, placed another on her waist and began to dance her around the room, which she didn't look too thrilled about.

"Please, stop it..."

"Hey, I know I'm not the best dancer, Penny," he said, with a cheeky grin. "I didn't think you minded. You enjoyed our last dance."

"Right," Hermione replied, slowly. Lupin chuckled.

"You're so funny, Penny. I like that about you. You're so funny, and kind, and pretty." He stopped dancing, and stroked Hermione's face. "You are very pretty, you know- I don't know why you don't see it. The boys in your year don't know what they're missing..."

"And I'm perfectly happy about that!" Hermione protested, loudly, before looking at Persephone hopefully.

"Why does he keep thinking I'm called Penny?" she asked. Persephone shrugged.

"I don't know- because he's not right in the head, I suppose," she said, attempting to get up. Sam stopped her.

"I'll do it," he insisted, as Lupin knelt in front of Hermione, who had managed to sit herself on the edge of Lupin's hospital bed. To Harry's surprise, Lupin put his hands on her waist and began sniffing her school shirt.

"You put those little lavender pouches in your wardrobe, don't you?" he enquired. "I can smell it on your blouse..." Lupin's eyelids began to droop, and he nestled his head against Hermione's lap.

"That's better," he murmured. "I can sleep here..."

"Come on, Loup," Sam cajoled. "Leave the nice girl alone, and go back to bed."

Lupin shook his head.

"I'd rather not," he said into Hermione's skirt. "I quite like it here- it's warm..."

Ron grabbed Lupin's arm, and tried to drag him away.

"Leave Hermione alone," he demanded, but this seemed to aggravate Lupin, who turned his head and glared at Ron with absolute loathing.

"Lavender smell," he said, as though it explained everything. Ron tugged on Lupin's arm again.

"Great," he said, sarcastically. "Now get off Hermione's lap..."

Lupin pushed Ron away with a sweep of his right hand, and Ron nearly went flying.

"I said, I like it here!" he retorted, angrily, before resting his head back on Hermione's lap. She smiled weakly.

"Oh, you might as well leave him," she said. "He seems calm, at least. It's not like he's doing any harm..."

"See?" Lupin said into the pleats of Hermione's skirt. "She's happy; I'm happy. I'm going to sleep here. It smells of lavender, it's warm, and I like it..."

Harry noticed that Sam looked rather wary.

"I'm not sure I like this," he whispered to Persephone.

"How come?" she asked.

"Reminds me a little of... I'm just being silly," he said, shaking his head.

By this point, Lupin had begun to get restless- he kept fidgeting in Hermione's lap, and grunting words that made absolutely no sense to Harry's ears. Eventually, he looked up at Hermione, and grabbed her hand.

"Does my head look big?" he asked, pressing Hermione's hand to the crown of his head.

"No... It looks normal to me," she replied. Lupin fidgeted a little more, and pressed Hermione's hand to the top of his head, before tracing an imaginary line from his forehead to the nape of his neck with it.

"Can you feel that?" he asked, as a few extra lights snapped on in the Hospital Wing, presumably due to the sun beginning to dip below the horizon.

"Feel what?" Hermione replied.

"That crack." Lupin explained. "There's a crack along my head. I think it's getting bigger." He took Hermione's free hand, and pressed that to his head as well. "Keep your hands just there," he ordered. "You can stop my brain from coming out. Just there- that's it. Don't move them- I can feel it trying to escape. Treacherous thing..."

Harry looked around for support from anyone else that thought Lupin had gone completely off his rocker, and saw that Sam looked really concerned.

"Now I know I don't like this," he said.

"You've seen this before?" Persephone asked.

"I've felt like this before," he explained, grimly. "At least, I've felt how he's acting, if that makes any sense. I feel like that every month; the lust, the head thing... Guys?" he whispered. Harry barely heard him; he was too busy watching Hermione as she carefully stroked Lupin's hair.

"Guys!" he shouted upon receiving no response, and the change in volume caused Lupin to moan.

"Shut up!" he roared. "Don't move your hands!" he snapped at Hermione. "I don't want to lose my brain!"

"Guys," Sam continued, at a lower level now he had got their attention. "I need you to get out of here and find Severus as quickly as your little legs will carry you. He's in his office; go there and tell him we've got an urgent situation in the Hospital Wing. Tell him I think Remus is going to transform..."

"But it's not a full moon!" Hermione exclaimed. Sam nodded.

"I know; you're going to have to trust me on this one- he's acting like he's about to turn. Just hurry!" he demanded, and Harry, Ron and Hermione made to leave. The only problem was, Lupin seemed reluctant to let Hermione go.

"My brain!" he said, grabbing Hermione's hands. Sam walked up to him, and tried to prise loose his grip.

"Come on, Remus," he urged. "She'll be back before you know it."

"No," Lupin retorted. He was shaking now, and his quivering hands clutched at Hermione's waist. "Don't. I'm scared."

Hermione looked heartbroken.

"Don't be scared," she whispered, stroking the greying hair of Lupin's sweaty face.

"Stop encouraging him!" Sam barked. "Just leave him the hell alone and get out of here!"

Lupin's face was pale as he looked up pleadingly into Hermione's eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered, before Sam pulled Lupin well away from Hermione.

"Now, get going," he ordered. "Find Severus!"

Harry, Ron and Hermione did as they were told, and scrambled out of the Hospital Wing in search of Snape's office in the dungeons, just as the sky went completely dark. As they reached the staircase to the ground floor, Harry heard Persephone grumble, "Oh, not again!" followed by an ear splitting screech that sounded like nails against a blackboard, only much, much louder.