Andromeda

The Great Hall had been aired out by the time dinner rolled around. We had some good eats. Throughout the dinner I felt a pair of eyes on me from time to time, but I ignored them and engaged in a discussion with my kin about the latest attack and the preliminaries we were going to take to avoid another.

When Dumbledore stood and announced what had happened last night I didn't look up. The fact that I killed the bad guys didn't ease the tension, but instilled more fear. I stared at my plate. My potatoes were funny looking and I started to count the number of peas I had on my plate. I had 42 ½. I ignored the stares and concentrated on what was to come: the Slytherin prank.

A series of pops brought my attention up from my half a pea to the Gryffindor table. One by one the population at the table's hair became half green and half silver. Laughter from the Slytherins brought a smile to my face and only when Dumbledore muttered something about how nice it was to see house togetherness did I laugh. Draco and I grinned madly at each other. I felt like a kid again, so unlike my 27 years.

Hermione's hair was the first to change back, via magic. A long line formed behind her waiting their turn for her to change their hair. She could have made a decent amount of money if she had charged. The Slytherins were still laughing even as the last person's hair was back to normal.

After the dinner was over and the Great Hall was just down to giggles everyone left for bed. Draco stayed behind and when we were all alone we hung on each other sharing one last laugh. Tears flowed and we did nothing to stop them from trailing down our faces. They were victory trails. God, I felt good.

"If they do something in retaliation warn me so I can avoid it," Draco said between breaths.

"Of course Draco. See you tomorrow."

We broke away and I wiped my tears on my cotton tee.

"Bravo," came a deep unrecognizable drawl from a shadow to my right. I had my sword before you could say Watch out and was on the ground before you could say Dumb ass. All three of my healing injuries stung with spasms as I hit the floor. My leg didn't like the sudden pressure I had put on it and I fell to the ground dropping the sword because my shoulder and arm refused to hold it. My abs already hurting from laughing clenched tight and I doubled over. My wings drooped with me and they spread out around me. Madame Pomfrey had told me to take it easy, but instinct never did listen.

I closed my eyes and I concentrated on anything, but the pain. It hurt worse than calling my wings out in a hurry. Breathe, Andy, breathe. In. Out. In. Out.

"Are you alright?" the voice said going from the drawl to the concerned voice of Professor Snape.

"Of course I am." I felt his hands come to rest on my shoulders, but I shrugged them off. I grabbed my fallen katana with my left hand, my good arm, and used it as a cane to pull myself up. I stood on my good leg trying not to do anything that would require abs.

I opened my eyes and saw Professor Snape looking at me concerned. Damn him for scaring me. I swayed and he reached for me, but I jerked away. Stupid move Andy. Spasms broke out and I fell to the floor releasing my sword again and trying to take some of the fall on my arms, but my right wouldn't cooperate. My head hit the cool stone floor and the world swam before my eyes.

Three Professor Snapes leaned over me. They swayed to their own music, coming together to form one professor, but immediately splitting up after. They all spoke at once, but with one voice.

"Can you sit up Shade?"

I shook my head, but the world swam and my dinner threatened to make a second appearance. I quickly shut my eyes.

"Can you sit up?" he asked again

I swallowed and said, "No."

"You need to go to the hospital wing," he said laying a cool hand on my forehead.

I wanted to say "No shit Sherlock," but what came out was, "Help me." Pathetic I was, really.

"Put you wings back in, Shade. I'll carry you."

I didn't question him; I wanted the pain to go away and everything to stand still for more than a second. I called my wings back in slowly because I had a hard time concentrating. After they were in I heard the metal swoosh of my blade being picked up off the ground with the tip dragging across the floor and felt my scabbard move. When the sword gave its click signaling it was in and secure I felt myself being sat up oh so gently. The blood in my head pounded against my skull from the new angle and I groaned in pain. My head was placed on his chest and I felt an arm behind my back and one under my knees. My body left the ground and soon I was falling asleep to his quick, smooth strides.

***

I woke up in a dark room with my hand and arm being stroked. Before moving I tried to think of where I was. Once I remembered my next question was not its usual, how long was I out, but who the hell was petting me?

I turned my head and caught the glint of silver from armor. You'd think I would have noticed the wings first, but Alex's silver was always too shiny for its own good.

"Andy," he said. It took me a couple of swallows before I could wet my whistle enough for a greeting. He rested his elbow on my bed and brushed the hair off my forehead. My bare forehead?

"Where is my mask?" I asked with a little urgency. I started to get up, but he pushed me down.

"Andy it is okay. When that Snape guy brought you in Dumbledore set up a private room so only Missy, Madame Pomfrey, myself, and Dumbledore could enter. Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore are the only ones who have seen you with out your mask."

"Promise?" He nodded. Good. I didn't want Snape to see me. Now that the mask issue was dealt with... "How long was I out?"

"Well you woke up about 12 hours after you hit your head, but we fed you sleeping potions so you could rest more. So, you know, you could heal your wounds and sleep like any other Ocypete would after a head injury. Your total rest time has been about two days."

"Feels like a week," I said.

"How is your head? You hit it pretty hard and I still think you should be sleeping."

"My head's fine." I sat up and Alex didn't push me back down.

"Can I have my mask?" He just rolled his eyes. He knew when to accept defeat. My stubbornness knows no bounds. Alecto helped me put it on.

"Is it morning?" I asked staring at the beams of light slowly becoming brighter peaking trough the curtains.

"About an hour before breakfast."

"Good. I'm starved."

Madame Pomfrey walked in and smiled at my being up. She performed some tests and when I passed everyone she gave me the option of resting there another day. I shook my head and declined politely. I needed to get out and stretch.

Alex and I walked up to our room and I washed and dressed getting ready for the new day. Once I came out of the bathroom, costume on, mask on, and smelling like passion fruit I was attacked. Missy threw herself at me and we hugged. She brought her right wing around my back and I did the same to her, a Quintescease hug.

"You feeling better?"

"Much," I said.

We let go and went out of the portrait to meet Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Alex suggested that I let him take today of babysitting...I mean...protecting Harry, but I argued with him until I won. Like I said my stubbornness knows no bounds. I need to get back on schedule and thank the Professor. Missy didn't argue with me and understood my need to do something.

"Hey! Shade's back," exclaimed Ron once I stepped out from behind Alex.

"Hey Ron, Harry, Hermione. Good to see you," I said smiling.

"Where have you been?" Hermione asked. "We need to run the next prank by you."

My smiled widened. "An old injury flared up so I had to get it taken care of." I brushed a silver lock out of my face and shrugged. "Tell me the prank after breakfast because I'm famished."

"Lead the way," Alex ordered. They did.

Once in the Great Hall I did nothing until I had satisfied my stomach. I didn't shove my face into the food, although I wanted to, but ate slowly and moderately like a lady. Gorging one's self is only to be done in the comfort of one's solitude. You don't really want to offend the people around you with your Hoover capabilities.

Once I was done, which was when breakfast was over, I made my way over to the trio and followed them ignoring the whispers I caused with my presence. Hermione briefly told me about the prank that was to go down tonight at dinner when I caught a loud whisper about me being back from the grave. How cute. We rounded a corner and the Professor's room came into sight. Draco Malfoy was leaning by the door, arms crossed, and with his smirk playing across his lips. The trio walked in paying no attention to him, but I stopped right in front of him.

"Haven't seen you down here in a while," he said. "Monochrome usually is down here."

"Well, I needed to talk to the Professor Snape so I took her place today."

"Here is your chance," he said looking behind me. I suddenly became frightened. Draco just smirked at me and said, "Glad you're better," before turning to go into the classroom.

I heard the swishing of cloth and a small whispered voice.

It said, "I'll be out in a sec."

Professor Snape walked past me into the classroom and I just caught the sight of billowing black robes before the door closed. In a second the Professor was going to come back out.

Why was I here? Oh, yes, to thank him. Okay Andy, say thanks then run. Thanks then run, thanks then run.

The door opened once again then was quickly closed. I stopped my pacing and stared at the Professor. He stood there watching me with his arms crossed, waiting. My heart started to beat faster.

Forget the thanks, Andy, just run. I tried, but my feet were glued to the stone floor. Damn my conscience.

My voice cracked and wavered as I spoke. "I...uh...just wanted to...to thank you for carrying me, and saving my life and all Professor Snape." I looked anywhere, but at him.

"Severus," he said.

I looked up. That was not a, you're welcome. "Huh?"

"My name is Severus."

"Oh. Um, thank you...Severus." That name did not roll off my tongue. Nor did Professor Snape, but I would much rather call him that. It held a certain feeling of professionalism.

"You are welcome."

Great he knows I'm thankful...now run! "And I guess I also wanted...to apologize for anything and everything."

Why am I saying this? This was not part of the plan. Thank him then run, remember? Damn conscience.

He said nothing, only stared. I wanted to look at him, but I dared not. Turn and leave, Andy. Turn and leave!

I cleared my throat. "What did you want to talk to me about in the hallway before I went all...psycho?" What are you doing, Andy? This is not leaving!

He uncrossed his arms. "I just wanted to congratulate you on befriending Mr. Malfoy. He doesn't usually take a liking to just anyone. I also wanted to know why the hell you decided to fight the most powerful dark wizard." His words came out with a little heat on them.

Forget running now Andy, you're stuck. "I was doing my job," I said plainly and flatly.

"Your job is not to go gallivanting with dark wizards." Draco's words. Interesting. So he practiced this little speech.

Who the hell does he think he is telling me what my job is or isn't. "My job," I spoke clearly and loudly, "is to protect Harry Potter. This Voldemort character was going to hurt my job so I stepped in."

He took a step forward and I backed myself into the wall. Damn it, not again. He took another step forward and placed his hands on either side of my head next to my wings. He leaned in and I avoided his eyes.

"If you go up against the Dark Lord you will not win," he hissed.

"I almost did the last time," I retorted.

He pushed off the wall and paced yelling at me. "Fool! He was testing you! Next time will be your last!"

I came from the wall only to be pushed back against it with a furious Professor. Someone needed a nap.

"Why are you telling me this," I whispered keeping my voice free from emotions.

He grabbed my arms and shook me lightly. I placed my hands on his chest to push away when his long fingers that encircled my whole arm loosened. I felt his heart beating under my hand and I looked up into his eyes. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. I saw too many emotions flicker across his face to capture just one.

"I'm telling you this because I like you and don't want you to get killed," he said, voice lowering with every word. "I want you to come to dinner with me so you can get to know the real me and I won't have you getting yourself killed before you do."

Sincerity and honesty rode his face more than the other emotions. Boldness showed in his eyes and I was scared.

"Please come to dinner with me," he said as he took the last step and pressed our bodies together. Waaaaay too much boldness, but I didn't stop him. My hands still rested on his chest and I felt his heart beat faster. One of his hands came of my arm to tilt my face up. I looked into his eyes speechless. He brought his face down to mine, lips brushing mine, and I silently gasped.

"Please," he said against my lips before kissing me lightly. He paused then kissed me again a little harder. His hands under my chin stroked my cheek and my hands involuntarily grasped his clothing on his chest. He leaned back waiting for my answer.

I swallowed hard and nodded, whispering, "Okay." He smiled and kissed me one last time before pulling away. My hands fell from his chest and I hugged myself.

"Meet me in my room tomorrow at 5:30."

I nodded not trusting my voice. He walked into the classroom and I sank to the floor. My wings fell at odd angles so I wrapped them around my huddled body and didn't care if my feathers got ruffled. What in the name of hell just happened? I touched my lips and could not believe it. What ever happened to the thank him then run plan? I just sat there in my cocoon and tried not to think about tomorrow night at 5:30.

Twenty minutes later the door opened. I didn't care whom it was or if they saw me this vulnerable. I wasn't coming out until I figured out stuff and the world made sense again.

"Shade?"

"Huh?"

"You okay?"

"I don't know, Draco."

"What's wrong?"

"Caring, Draco?"

"Never. I just don't want to be held responsible when you suffocate yourself."

I poked my head out and breathed in the fresh air. "Funny."

"Class is letting out soon and it's best that they don't see you like this?"

"Like a ball?"

"No, like the big bad Quintescease falling apart."

He offered me a hand and I took it. He helped me smooth my feathers down as I straightened my costume and dusted myself off.

"Your feathers are soft."

"Thank you Draco. Oh, before I forget, don't drink out of your goblet tonight at dinner."

He raised an eyebrow. "Gryffindor prank?"

I nodded and he nodded his appreciation.

The class was let out a few seconds later and the boys had Divination. We all walked to my portrait so I could switch off with Monochrome. She was the smallest and the only one able to fit through the trap door. I asked Alex to accompany Hermione to Arithmancy because I needed a nap. I guess I really wasn't completely energized as I had thought.

My bed was warm and soft. My weapons were taken off and put in a neat pile by my bag. I recapped what had happened in the dungeons and more pressing matters came to the front of my brain. Where were we going to go to eat? But most importantly what was I going to wear?

***

I woke up and sunlight was streaming in through the windows. Sunlight? I figured I would at least have been asleep a little longer at least until dinner. Unless I slept through dinner and today is actually...tomorrow! I jumped out of bed and cursed everything my wings knocked down. The clock read 10:40. Shit! Today was tomorrow. I slept through dinner and the Gryffindor prank. Today was also the day I had to meet Prof...Severus. That name was just too weird.

I still didn't know what I was going to wear. Missy, the sleepy head who was still in bed, didn't have anything I could borrow. One, she was about three sizes too small and two, I didn't do well in white. You could call me pasty.

I thought of whom I could borrow clothes from when Hermione popped into my head. She was about my size maybe an inch shorter.

I slapped on my weapons and walked out the portrait heading for the fat lady. Some little kid was walking in and I stopped the portrait from closing so I could walk in behind him. He gave a little squeak in fright and I grabbed the back of his robes before he could run off.

"Where are the girls dormitories?" I asked. He pointed and I let the little runt go.

The people in the common room stared at me and some gave undignified looks like I had invaded their privacy. Screw them. I was on a mission. I came to Hermione's year and knocked twice. A girl with brown hair and bright blue eyes answered the door and looked shocked to see me standing there.

"Where is Hermione?" I asked.

"Shade?" I voice called from behind her. I saw Hermione make her way around the brown hair girl who continued to stare. Yes I know my wings are fascinating, but get out of my way. I wanted to say that, but I held my tongue.

"I need to speak with you alone, Hermione."

"Okay. Come in."

I followed her to her bed and she motioned me to climb on. I sat on it and laid my wings down. She climbed on too and closed the hangings around us. I heard her mutter some words and saw her flick her wand. She sat down in front of me cross-legged.

"You can say anything you want. I made it so no one can see or hear us."

"Thanks Hermione," I said. I shifted my wings and decided to bring them in. My wings were not meant for this small of a space. Hermione watched fascinated as they went back into my back. She leaned forward and peered over my shoulder. I didn't mind her being so curious. She was a smart girl and I understood her need to understand or observe everything.

"Wow," she said sitting back. She shook her head and returned to the matter. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well, I came to ask a favor."

"Okay."

"I wanted to know if you'd let me borrow some clothes...perhaps a skirt..."

Hermione raised a hand and smiled. I stopped talking.

"You are welcome to borrow any of my clothes, Shade."

"Really?"

"Of course. We're the same size so I don't have to worry about you stretching them or nothing."

"Thanks, Hermione."

She held her wand up and muttered a few more words and the tip of her wand glowed white. She smiled and pulled the hangings away so we could exit.

"My room mates are gone and they won't be back until later after their dates."

I blushed and she grinned madly. "You have a date, don't you?"

What could I say? The girl was observant and not stupid. I just looked around the room trying to think of something quick to say.

"Oh my god, you do, don't you?" she squealed.

"Don't tell anyone, please," I said shoving my blush down.

"I won't if..."

"If what?" I asked.

"If you tell me who it is," she said clasping her hands together, waiting.

"Promise me that anything that happens today stays between us until our graves."

"Oo, this must be juicy. Okay, I promise."

"Pinky swear?" I asked holding my pinky out.

"Now I know it's juicy...pinky swear," she said and we hooked our pinkies and shook.

The pinky swear was the all time promise. Its value is higher than a hand on a holy object because if broken the consequences could be fatal. Okay, maybe not fatal. At least on the holy object your consequence is dealt with a fair spirit. On the pinky swear you are at the mercy of the one you made the promise to and who knows the sick vengeance he or she could think of? Hell or the unknown, hell or the unknown? It is your funeral either way.

I sucked in air and let it out in one gigantic sigh. "Professor Snape," I said.

"I knew it."

"Wha...but how?"

"First off...when you came to potions the very first time Professor Snape kept looking at you and all through dinner. Then when you let us play with your swords he didn't take any points off because you were there. Then when you escorted Harry to detention Harry told me that Professor Snape took you outside and he said something happened between you two because when you came back in he was pissy and you looked beat. Every day that Monochrome showed up instead of you seemed to make the Professor angry yet kinda...sad or worried. What did you two talk about?" She said this all in one quick breath.

"Well, nothing at first then it turned bad and he yelled at me for letting Ron and Harry play with my swords and indirectly said that I wasn't welcome at Hogwarts."

Hermione's mouth Hung open. "You serious?"

I nodded. "That's why I didn't go back to his class. I didn't feel welcomed."

"Tell me again why you are going on a date with the Professor."

"I'll tell you when you finish telling me how you knew," I said.

"Secondly, when you saved Malfoy at the Quidditch game he brushed Malfoy off and just stared at you and at dinner that night. Thirdly, when you fought Voldemort he paled."

"What do you mean?"

"Well you pushed us into his room before you went to fight the Dark Lord, didn't you? We banged on his private room door and he came out looking pissed. He demanded to know why we were in his room this late at night and when we managed to tell him you and Voldemort were outside his door he paled and ran outside. He opened the door just as you got hit with the white magic and you came skidding to his feet."

"The shoes were his?"

"Who do you think they belonged to?"

"Dumbledore," I said.

"What was the white magic?" Hermione asked.

"My magic."

"You sent your magic to come back to you?"

"No it ricocheted off a spell of Voldemort's."

"What about how you were bleeding. You didn't send your knives back to you, did you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "No, I didn't. Voldemort magicked them to himself then threw them at me. Hurt by my own weapons, my own protection. Tisk."

"Well, anyways," Hermione said laughing, "it was real dramatic when you passed out all covered in blood so he sent us to run to Dumbledore while he brought you up to the infirmary. Come morning he was paler than pale when we saw him walking from the Great Hall. He missed the stink bombs, which was disappointing. At dinner when you showed up and laughed when our hair turned green and silver he stared at you. Did you have anything to do with the prank?" she asked.

"Perhaps," I said taking interest in the seam of my sleeve.

"I knew it," she said. "Why didn't you warn us? Or at least me?"

"Next time I will, but you can't let Ron or Harry know."

She smiled an evil smile and said, "Okay."

"What happened after dinner that night, Shade? Come morning you were in the infirmary...again."

"Well, Professor Snape scared me and instinct kicked in. My injuries made my muscles give out and my head hit the floor. He carried me to Madame Pomfrey and when I woke up I went to thank him."

"He saved you twice in less than twenty four hours. How romantic. Was that yesterday?" I nodded. "I heard raised voices yesterday outside the classroom."

"He was yelling at me for fighting Voldemort. He said that the Dark Lord could have killed me and he wouldn't allow it until I went to dinner with him and got to see the real him."

"That is romantic...in a strange way."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Aw, look you're blushing."

I covered my cheeks where the mask didn't cover and Hermione laughed.

"So you're looking for a skirt."

"Yeah," I said. "I'm going to leave my wings out and I don't want to ruin one of your shirts so all that's left is a skirt."

"You leaving your mask on?" she asked as she pushed clothing aside in her wardrobe.

"Yeah," I said.

"Here we go," she said pulling a skirt out.

The skirt was black with a lot of material so it would fold and swoosh when you walked. It hit me just below the knee.

"Try it on," she said.

I took off my boots, my one handed swords, and my katana just to access my jeans. I took them off and put the skirt on. It was really pretty and I liked the draft it provided.

"Are you going to wear your vest?"

"Should I?"

"It is slimming, but leather is not going to be your theme on this date so I'd say take it off," Hermione said.

I undid the buttons across the shoulders and the zipper down the right side. Hermione took the vest from me and laid it on her bed. I was left in my black long sleeved cotton tee.

"Do you think the tee shirt makes me look dumpy?" I asked holding out my arms to show her.

"Not at all," she said turning to her wardrobe again. "Hold on a sec."

I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered what Prof...Severus would think. Would he think I looked like a schoolgirl? Would he think I looked better in costume? I thought of a million other what if situations by the time Hermione turned back to me.

"Although you have your silver hair and eyes I think this would accent your clothing best."

She held out a necklace. There was a small diamond shaped like a heart hanging off a delicate silver chain. She put it around my neck and did the clasp. It dropped just below the neckline of my tee shirt. She stepped away and critiqued.

"What are you wearing for shoes?"

"My boots?"

"Not with out hose," she said turning to her wardrobe again and fishing out black pantyhose. "Put them on and we'll see."

I put them on and they were a pain to get on. I laced up my boots afterward and stood back.

"You look pretty yet comfy and delicate yet strong...I think it's the boots."

"Boots are good or bad?" I asked.

"Good because they retain your protector status, you know?"

"Okay, so I look good..."

I twirled around for her and she nodded smiling.

"Yes, now what are you going to talk about?"

I hadn't thought about that. I didn't want this date to be like the others where I was winging it.

"I...don't know."

"You don't want uncomfortable silence so lets pick a few topics," she said.

"Teaching?"

"Good, good," Hermione said. "Ask him about his job and he'll probably ask about yours so that will last a short while."

"What else?" I asked.

"Compliments. Make him compliment you."

"How?"

"Ask why he picked you. Say great things about Monochrome and he'll disagree and he'll give you compliments."

"Smart thinking, Hermione."

"I've thought about it...a lot."

"Do you have anybody you like?" I asked elbowing her suggestively.

She shook her head. "No time. I have tons of homework and pranks to pull."

"Speaking of which what is the next one going to be?"

"I will wait until Slytherin makes their move before thinking about it. Warn me when they retaliate."

"I will," I said.

"So when are you going to meet the Professor?"

"5:30."

"You have plenty of time to get ready. Why don't you go take a shower and I'll do your hair and nails when you come out."

"Sounds good," I said.

"Take one in our bathroom so no one sees you leaving and coming back. A towel should be on the towel rack in there."

I walked behind the door she pointed at and showered myself off. I had already put my wings back in so I wasted no time in taking everything off. I was very careful with everything especially the hose, don't want a run in them before the date starts. Date. This was a date. Geez.

Once I was dried I wrapped the towel around me and stepped out for Hermione to do my hair. She dried my hair with a nifty spell and also curled the ends. My fake silver hair felt soft and I wished I had my natural black out.

I put the clothes back on and the necklace on again with Hermione's help. We argued about my weapons and ended up with a compromise of both wrist knives and my throwing knives. They were hidden under my clothes so no one would see them. Since Hermione wouldn't let me have at least one one-handed sword I wouldn't let her do my nails in any color. I liked clear so we settled on a spell to make the clear nail polish extra shiny. We cleaned my boots and I slipped in a dagger when she was turned around.

5 o'clock came faster than expected and I was getting jittery. You'd think I was getting married or something the way I was acting. I did my make up with a less than steady hand and she tried to get me to wear lipstick. I was definitely a Chap Stick kind of girl.

When I was ready I looked unlike Shade. I looked like Andromeda, but with silver hair and eyes and my mask on. As the final touch I pulled my wings out and smiled as Hermione watched. She was a woman of knowledge.

***

At exactly 5:30 I stood outside the Professor's door. I just stood there. My feet wouldn't move. I stared at the door, looking, deciding. I saw a blonde haired boy walking toward me out of the corner of my eye. I didn't watch Draco Malfoy approach me because I was to busy staring at the door. He came to stand beside me and looked at what I was staring at. He took a step forward and reached the handle, twisting it, pushing the door open. He went behind me and pushed between the spot where either wing connected. My feet started to move. Once I was in he whispered, "You look nice," then left, closing the door behind him.

My eyes refocused and I found that I was looking at someone's chest. My gaze traveled up to their neck, chin, mouth, and nose, to stop at their eyes. I just stared and they just stared.

"You look nice," Professor Snape said, startling me.

He was wearing his usual black robes, but they were tailored better and cleaner. They weren't the ones he wore as a teacher.

I looked away. "Why?" I whispered.

"Why do you look nice?" he asked.

I shook my head. Ever since Hermione mentioned me to ask him why he chose me it became a secret obsession. I could care less about the compliments. I wanted to know why me. So I asked it. "Why me?"

He got what I was asking. "Your eyes," he said.

"They are not my natural color," I said returning my gaze to his eyes.

"I didn't mean the color."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Your eyes show that you've seen the world at its best and worst and that you understand the concept of life. Though you hate endings you don't stop or fight what is meant to be. You take life by the horns and hope for the best."

His gaze was so intense I looked away. I didn't like that he was right. "Why not Monochrome? She is like me."

"She dwells in her own world and doesn't see the magnitude of death. She is too young."

"Very profound of you," I said.

"Yeah, well, that and white is not my favorite color."

"You should see her room back home. I am surprised she hasn't permanently changed her hair color to white."

He smirked and stepped aside. I saw a table where his desk used to be and noticed for the first time the room was bare. No desks, no cauldrons, no nothing except for the candle lit table.

"I thought it best if we got to know each other in...semi-familiar territory."

I nodded and walked with him over to the table. My nerves were a wreck again. Calm down, Andy, you were doing just fine two seconds before. Breathe.

Professor Snape helped me into my chair like a gentleman. When he was walking to his seat I held my wings a little away from my body so the feathers underneath my chair weren't bent at such extreme angles.

When he sat down our dinner appeared before us and I suddenly lost my appetite. I took my fork up when he did and forced myself to eat the chicken. Uncomfortable silence fell. I felt him watching me eat and I wanted to do something, say anything.

"How about them Yankees?" is what came out. I mentally slapped, punched, and kicked myself about a thousand times.

He put down his fork, "Why are you so nervous?"

"Because the last guy who asked me to dinner got ambushed when we left the restaurant and died," I squeaked out. I had at last found my source for my nerves. I felt a little calmer.

Once upon a time I was dating a very handsome Ocypete by the name of Taylor Wes. He had beautiful natural violet eyes and his shiny black hair was long enough to pull in a ponytail. He was sweet, gentle, and an amazingly good kisser. He worked as an ambassador to the Celaenos. At that time our kind was planning to put prejudices aside and welcome the Celaenos back into the community. We were Quintesceases after all. A lot of people objected to the reunion.

Taylor asked me to dinner one night at the new place down town and I accepted the invitation. I dressed in my newest black dress, the one he had never seen me wear yet, and wore the necklace he gave me for Christmas. He said I looked stunning when he picked me up.

After we ate Taylor helped me up from my chair and offered me his arm. I took it and we walked out smiling. That was when it all turned wrong. Something hit us from behind and we went crashing to the ground. Taylor maneuvered us so it was he who took all the impact. I landed on top of him staring into his wide eyes. He pushed me to the side as he called out his creamy wings in a hurry to defend himself, but he was too late. An axe pushed through the semi developed wings and took off his head. I was hit in the head by something and I remembered no more.

I woke up on the street naked behind some dumpster and I pulled out my wings. I cried all the way home and Alex held me until I couldn't cry any more. After that I swore to myself I would never cry because it was pointless. It didn't bring him back. That is when I turned up my training to full time. I worked hard and Alex liked the new me.

"That's not going to happen," Severus said.

"I know...but I can't helped but feel jinxed."

"Longbottom is jinxed, you are not."

"Name sounds familiar," I said finding it much easier to eat.

He picked up his fork again. "He was the one with the orange potion the first time you escorted Potter."

"Mousy brown hair?"

He nodded.

"How do you deal with that?" I asked. The dinner was starting to taste better now that I was on a roll. No silence here.

"I don't know...at least I don't see him everyday."

"How do you like teaching, Prof..." I stopped when he stopped with his fork half way up to his mouth. Great Andy, you just had to screw things up. I swallowed and looked down at my plate and added, "...Severus?"

"It gets boring sometimes," he said choosing to ignore my screw up.

"How so?" I asked trying to get back on a roll.

"Doing the same stuff year after year is mind numbing so I occupy most of my time with projects of my own."

"Really? What has been your latest project?" I grabbed my goblet and took a sip washing the food down.

"You," he said.

How I managed not to choke on my wine was a mystery and a blessing. My nervousness came back and I sat the goblet back down a little harder than I meant to. "Really?" I whispered looking down at the hands in my lap. One finger, two finger, three finger which could use a buffing, four finger...

Professor...Severus cleared his throat. "So how has protecting Potter been?"

"It has been okay."

"Tell me about the Wind Riders," he said.

"Well our group consists of Monochrome, X, Mode, and myself," I began.

"Who is Mode?"

"Our fourth person in our group. He stayed home from this little adventure to take care of the other business we might have," I said.

"Isn't it dangerous to work alone?" Severus asked.

"He's a smart boy and if he had a job he wasn't sure if he could handle on his own he'd call one of us."

"Do you guys get a lot of jobs?"

I swallowed my food and nodded. "We get a substantial amount."

"What was your last job opportunity before you came to Hogwarts?"

"A fat old man wanted his precious jewels to be protected as they were transported to a different location. The car it was moving in was already armed, but he felt he needed the Wind Riders."

"Was it one of your more boring jobs?"

I paused and took a sip of the wine. "We ended up not working for him," I said, taking another sip.

"Why?"

"He tried to kill me during our first meeting."

Severus placed his fork down and looked at me. "Excuse me?"

"When I went to shake his hand he pulled a dagger on me and I got away," I said, taking another bite of my food.

"You say that so casually."

"Because it is no big deal. I've been attacked many other times."

"It is a big deal," Severus said.

"Not really. I was kind of asking for it."

"Were you wearing a sign that said Please Kill Me?"

"No."

"Then how were you asking for it?"

"Well, I wasn't being as careful as I should have been. I had pulled my wings in when I arrived and depleted a lot of energy and I wasn't observant. I only saw the Celaeno out of the corner of my eye at the last second before I pulled away as he took out his dagger. I was not acting the part of a hired muscle."

"This happens to you a lot?" He made it into a question.

"Yes. A lot of the reasons why people hire the Wind Riders is because they know that their jewels, precious materials, or themselves are going to get hijacked during some amount of time. I guess they'd rather have someone they don't know killed then their self. A lot of important Quintesceases hire us to protect them when they are going through bad territory or in the act of passing a law the others don't like. It is just normal stuff.

"Other times we are hired for mundane things, but they are okay because we still get paid."

"And how much do you get paid?" he asked.

"Depends on how long the mission will be, how dangerous it is, and the number of other projects we have going. It is kind of funny watching customers bid for our time."

"How much is Dumbledore paying you?"

"I don't know. Mode is the accountant of the group."

A silence fell between us and it was not uncomfortable. We ate our meal and I enjoyed it.

We made plans to get together tomorrow for a quick drink as dinner was over. Severus helped me up from my seat and I thanked him.

I walked to his door and turned to look at him and noticed he was standing rather close. "I had a nice time...Severus." The name was getting easier to say. I reached for the door and looked into his eyes and stopped.

He was looking at me and took a small step closer. He placed his hands above my elbows and bent down and kissed me. Just a short chaste kiss. My hands moved to find his waist. He kissed me again and I kissed back. He smiled and brought one of his hands to the base of my head, fingers playing with my soft hair. His thumb stroked my cheek and when it brushed my mask I froze.

I pulled out of his grasp and turned toward the door. "Good night, Severus," I said and walked out. I hugged myself all the way to the Gryffindor tower. I passed the mess hall and dinner was going on so I wasn't likely to run into anybody and I didn't.

I went back into Hermione's dorm and changed back into my Shade outfit. I placed all her borrowed things in a neat pile on her pillow with a note saying that I would tell her about what happened later. I slapped on all my weapons and was glad to have them on. Even though I had them off for only a short while I was going through some withdraw.