Even though it was early August, there was enough chill in the air to warrant a good fire, and Viviane lay propped in the corner of her sofa, both reading and defending the corners of her book from the depredations of Malhereuse’s hooked beak. She finally put down her copy of Warring With Wands: Doing the Most Damage with Least Effort and stared into the flames, her lips curved into the slightest of lascivious smiles.

It has been an enjoyable summer, after all, she thought, recalling the progress of her affair with Severus. He’s not much to look at – even I’m not besotted enough to imagine that – but his Slytherin ambition certainly extends to the bedroom. Her smile turned into a grin as she remembered their late-night conversations, when his insomnia took hold, and the relish with which the Potions master listened to the more unsavory tales of her past. He’s got a sense of humor as black as mine, and is easily equipped to handle a bloodstained Scheherazade.

She slid further into the sofa and ran one hand lightly down her neck. He’s far more adventurous than I ever dreamed when I first seduced him. She couldn’t remember who had suggested the creation of a talisman, but Severus had produced the golden pendant, and the encounter where they had charged it with erotic images and feelings was so strong that even now her skin began go flush at the memory and her breathing became more rapid.

I wonder what Severus is doing with it now, she thought, a wicked gleam stealing into her eyes. She began to chuckle at the many, inappropriate hands into which the object had fallen since it had been made, and reached out to stroke her pet falcon. "You returned it to him safely, did you not, Malhereuse?" she praised the raptor. The look on Minerva’s face when she had accidentally handled it was priceless, Viviane thought, but an object capable of both revealing she and Severus’ private practices as well as inciting others to such actions did require far more careful handling.

She was just finishing the thought when her door flew open with an emphatic bang. Professor Severus Snape entered with a scowl, which did not diminish as he strode to her sofa and looked down at her, fury in his glance. Without waiting for her inquiry, he began to rant about the Talisman’s latest misadventures, for which he blamed her entirely.

Viviane eyed her lover in sullen silence as she listened to his icy tirade.

"I can't believe I let my baser instincts triumph over my sense by getting you involved in creating an object of this sort. I must have been mad, to get involved with you in any capacity. Damn you and your insufferable Devereaux arrogance. This isn't a toy created for your amusement, and neither am I." Severus stalked from the room, talisman in hand, and closed the door with silent precision.

Getting up from her sofa, she walked to her desk, then turned to stare at the door. I'll give you a few days to calm down. You need some time for research anyway. Damn my arrogance, indeed. It is only exceeded by your own, Professor, and I believe you privately revel in the fact you're bedding a Devereaux.

She pulled out some parchment, intending to work on syllabi for the upcoming term, but found herself unable to concentrate, and the silence of the room unnerved her. He shouldn't be able to upset me this much. Time for a workout.

After dressing herself in her practice smock and fastening her braid tightly around her head, she buckled on her sword. Viviane climbed out of her ground-floor rooms. Striding across the back lawn of the school, she breathed deeply and swung her arms to loosen up her shoulders. I need to hone my skills for the coming battles, she thought, as she reached the clearing she habitually used for practice.

Her weapon drawn, she ran through her regular routine, giving it a little more energy than usual. In the middle of a sweeping arc of her sword, her braid came loose and interrupted her concentration. "Damnation," she muttered, and as she looked around for the clip, she noticed Sirius Black leaning against a tree and grinning at her. "Lose something?"

"Just how long is it going to take before you catch up to the rest of the world? As in mental age?" She snatched at the clip he tossed to her and repinned her hair.

For once, Sirius ignored Viviane's taunts and walked over to her, arms crossed, staring down at her sword with a covetous gleam in his eye. "All those years in Azkaban, I never dreamed of possessing anything like this. What is it like, to have vengeance within a hand's reach? Does it feel as good as I imagine it does?" He looked back up at her, his eyes glowing with the most emotion she'd ever seen in them.

"I won't lie to you - I have found it…useful. And deeply satisfying," she replied, with a touch of reluctance in her voice.

"May I?" Sirius asked, reaching out for the weapon.

Viviane pulled it back. "No, I don't think so-"

"I see. I'm not good enough to handle the weapon of the mighty house of - who are you, again?" He laughed bitterly. "The depth of your hypocrisy is never fully plumbed. Remus has mentioned what you did for a living back in the day. No noble causes there, far as I can tell."

Will this bunch ever get over my damned family tree? she thought. "I have no opinion of your worthiness. But I'm responsible for this weapon, and it isn't an object to be used lightly." Just as she began to sheath her sword, Sirius, moving faster than she thought possible, grabbed the hand she was using to hold it. "Let me," he whispered. She sighed and relaxed her arm, allowing him to heft the weapon with his hand over hers. He held the object up to the light and moved it slightly so that the setting sun reflected off the blade. "Beautiful," he said, and released it.

Viviane quickly sheathed the weapon and clicked the safety latch. "Enough of that," she said. "Don't get any ideas, Dogboy. Turning away, she walked quickly back across the lawns to her rooms, where she lay awake much longer than she wanted or intended to, waiting for a man she knew wasn't going to stop by.

The next day, Viviane returned to her rooms after spending several hours pacing the corridors and empty classrooms of the castle. Well, Severus, you must be really angry. No sign of you in the halls, on the terrace. You aren't even at meals. The wolfsbane research must truly have you in its grip, Viviane mused. She eyed the wine she was longing to drink, but Minerva was in a meeting with Albus, Remus was out with Sirius, and she didn't feel like drinking it alone. All right, Severus, I'll give you this round, she thought as she unbound her hair, tossed a pinch of Floo powder into the fireplace and stepped in.

She stumbled out into Severus' office, and halted, a concerned frown on her face as she walked around his desk, which was covered in dust. She knew he'd banned the house-elves from his office after they'd broken some vials of precious hart's blood, but he always kept this room well dusted on his own. She bent down to look at some papers that had drifted onto the floor, and blew gently on the surface. More dust rose. He hasn't been here in a few days, and made no arrangements to have his room cleaned in his absence. That's odd, considering his fanaticism about maintaining the integrity of his ingredients…has Albus sent him off to the Death Eaters again, on very short notice? Surely Severus would have told me - but perhaps not after our argument, and probably not after my stunt at the Malfoys'. Still, this isn’t right. Viviane circled the desk a few more times, then walked out into the hall and crossed to the Headmaster's staircase.

"Pepperpot Popsicles," she said, and as the staircase drew her towards Dumbledore's office, she tried to figure out exactly what to say. Severus and I had a lovers' quarrel, - could you help us mend it? I'm looking for my drinking partner, who seems to have gone missing? Oh by the way, did you send Severus back over to the Death Eaters? Just wanting to know. She pressed her palms to her forehead to clear her thoughts, but it didn't much help.

"Viviane! What a pleasant surprise!" Dumbledore got up and pulled a chair over to the fire, where he and Professor McGonagall had been deep in discussion. Viviane sat down gingerly on the edge of the chair, and glanced at Dumbedore for a moment before looking back down at her hands.

"Viv? What's wrong?" Professor McGonagall placed a hand on the younger woman's arm, and tried to catch her eye. "Something’s amiss, I can tell."

"Er, well, it's something that I can't place, exactly. I'm not sure why I think-" Just blurt it out, you idiot. "Have either of you seen Severus? I haven't, not for three days, and his office appears to have been uninhabited for at least that long. Albus, I was just wondering if perhaps you've sent him-"

The Headmaster gave her an amused look. "Missing Severus, are you, Viviane?" he teased. "No, I haven't sent him anywhere, but he may well have gone after some ingredients he needs for the Wolfsbane potion, or to find some other werewolves to try it out on. I wouldn't worry my dear, although I must say, it's rather refreshing to see you worrying about anything at all."

A noise that sounded suspiciously like a choked-back hoot of laughter came from Professor McGonagall's direction, and Viviane shot her a nasty look before answering the Headmaster.

"But, Albus, his room isn't dusted and he-"

Dumbledore rose and taking Viviane's hand, gently pulled her from her seat. "You've had a difficult summer, I know. We're all nervous. But I absolutely forbid you to go off on a quest after Severus. He has plenty of reasons to be away, and he isn't required to give anyone an itinerary. So you will stay put. I'm trying to make this as clear as I can - you will stay on the castle grounds, or Hogsmeade, at the farthest. And I prefer Remus go with you to Hogsmeade, if you go. Give me your word, Viviane."

"But, Albus-"

"Give me your word."

Viviane sighed, and saw no way out. "I give you my word that I'll heed your request."

Dumbledore smiled at her. "Thank you, my dear. You've taken a weight off my mind. Now, I must get back to my conference with Minerva."

Dismissed, Viviane headed back down the staircase. I'm still not convinced. And Albus didn't need to treat me like an errant child in front of Minerva.

Her irritation grew with the walk back to her rooms, and by the time she got there she was too upset to return to her work. I can't go anywhere, except Hogsmeade, and what good would that do? Remus isn't here to escort me….although Albus did say 'prefer.' That leaves me some room to maneuver. Viviane smiled grimly as she threw on her cloak. She was about to buckle on her sword, but paused to weigh it thoughtfully in her hands. She ended by returning it to its guarded case, concealed in the wall of her office. I'll feel awfully vulnerable, but it would be a sure giveaway and this is a mission better performed incognito. She set off for Hogsmeade.

"Rosmerta," Viviane whispered, trying to blend into the corner of the wall and the bar. "Rosmerta!"

"What would you like my dear? Are you new in Hogsmeade? I - Viviane? Is that you?" Rosmerta peered under the deep hood shielding Viviane's face.

"Yes of course. Rosmerta, I don't need a drink, but I do need some information-"

"My goodness, I wouldn't have guessed it was you. I suppose I've never seen you with your hair down! What is it you need to know?"

"Er, have you seen Professor Snape around, lately?"

Rosmerta's pretty face twisted with revulsion as she said, "Huh. If you were lucky enough to lose him, why bother to try and find him? Yes, he was in here a few days ago, and got completely sotted. Then Remus and Sirius came in -- I've been allowing them to drink in the back room, with people who know about Sirius -- and he nearly got into a fistfight with them. Then, the impossible man stalked out, insulting me about the 'quality of prisoners I let drink in my establishment.' Said he was going to 'drink with people who may be evil but unsanctimonious.' A piece of work, he is."

Viviane leaned against the bar, considering Severus' words. Drink with people…evil and unsanctimonious. Merlin and all the gods help us. I know where he went, but he can't still be there…so where is he now? Oh Severus, what a fool you can be in spite of that brain you carry in your head. Motioning Rosmerta over to her again, Viviane said, "Ros, if Dumbledore or Remus happens to ask, I wasn't here."

"My dear, you know I can't do that. If Albus asks, I must-"

"Rosmerta, I'm a Professor, not a Weasley."

"Still - I can't risk his confidence in any way. I'm sorry, Viv."

"Oh, all right. Later, Ros. And I may need a very strong drink, hopefully shortly."

Rosmerta frowned at her. "Viv, what are you up to-" but before she could finish Viviane had disappeared from the room.

~~~~~~~

Viviane Apparated outside the Cleft Skull and pulled her hood more firmly over her face. Well, this should be interesting, she thought. Stepping through the door, she found a seat at the bar but her mouth fell open in surprise and she didn't respond to the bartender's request for her drink preference as her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she could see what was going on.

Over the years, she'd been in many Death Eater hangouts on her long and deadly quest for the people she was hunting, but this…

"Gin and tonic," Viviane muttered to the bartender as her eyes roved over the room, taking in the couples in various stages of undress writhing around on tables, on chairs, even on the floor. She took a sip of her drink but spat it back when she recognized Lobelia Buckley bouncing about on a table, being serviced by a wizard showing admirable enthusiam for his task. At least she's enjoying herself, Viviane thought, and took another long sip to hide a grin. What on earth is happening here?

There wasn't much conversation beyond the occasional panted suggestion from one of the orgy participants, so Viviane started when she heard snippets of conversation from a table behind her. "Glossop…fool, but I don't blame him…kept in his hunting lodge in Derbyshire…now at the meeting in London…left him behind, to think about his treachery, I'm sure." The man emitted an evil laugh. She snuck a look over her shoulder and saw a large wizard with more than a passing resemblance to Mr. Goyle, sitting with another man. Finishing her drink, she motioned the bartender for another and had to rather forcefully withdraw her hand from his, as he grabbed it to try and kiss her wrist.

Roderick Glossop, still causing trouble, even while his wife is sitting in Azkaban. Damn it, Severus, give me something to work with. Were you here, and when? Or are you still? She scanned the room, trying to pick out long, oily hair or a pair of dark, sardonic eyes among the witches and wizards scattered about. This certainly isn't his type of place, or nor are these his type of people. Thank goodness this lot aren't intelligent enough to use their energies in creating-

Viviane bolted her drink and jumped up from her chair. Talisman. Talisman. Severus, I forgive you for all past and your next two infuriating remarks. Where did you hide the Talisman? You must have met trouble, because you wouldn't have parted with it unless you knew you'd be searched. So what happened to you, my dear?

A shiver of horror ran through her. Her knees trembled and she sank back onto her barstool as she realized what the men behind her must have been talking about. Glossop. Roderick Glossop somehow captured Severus, and has him at a lodge in Derbyshire. She dropped her head into her hands. Thank Merlin for the abundance of big dumb wizards, but what to do? Get Dumbledore involved? He still might not believe me. By this time, he probably knows I'm gone and he may not let me back in Hogwarts. Well, Severus, I guess it's up to me - don't be too appalled. She lifted her head, and shook it slightly at the sight of Lobelia dissolving into a loud and very active orgasm.

Viviane turned around and tried casually to scrutinize the area around the entrance, but could not see a glint of metal anywhere. She began to walk slowly around the room, ignoring the protests from couples as her robes swept over them, interrupting rhythms and complex configurations. "Sorry," she muttered, as she stepped over one kneeling wizard gleefully pounding away against the ass of another. "Quite all right dear, do you want to be next? I'm very flexible, and most accommodating!" the man offered.

"No thanks," said Viviane. It will be impossible to find the Talisman under these conditions. Severus must have had time to put a Dimming spell on it, to greatly reduce the energy it gives off. I can still sense it, now that I know it's here, but can't pinpoint the location. These people obviously have been affected, but don't know it. She was about to head to the bar for another drink and to think up another plan, when a door, nearly hidden in the back of the room, caught her eye.

Viviane did a very convincing and not entirely faked drunken stumble to that corner of the room, and fell, desperately sweeping the floor with her hands. Her left hand caught something warm and metallic, and as her fingers closed over it. Even in its shielded state, the Talisman’s erotic images filled her mind. Viviane's fingers tightened on the object and she closed her eyes for a second. Sev, you'd better be alive and well. You had better be, she thought.

~~~~~~~

"Ugh," Viviane grunted as she pulled one of her perfectly-made dragonhide boots out of a nasty patch of mud and slid it back on her foot. Severus, the next time you go off on a bender with Death Eaters, you are on your own, regardless of consequences. She sighed and looked ahead down the barely navigable path. I hope that bartender was right. Or I played sucky-face for 30 minutes over nothing. She spat into the mud, recalling the taste of bad whisky in the man's mouth. "The things I do for that ungrateful wizard."

She started down the road, holding her robes up out of the mud, noting the absence of any living creature beyond glimpses of gnomes and deer. When they said country lodge, they meant it. I hope I'm not in the wrong place Just then, the lodge came into view, a long, low building that nonetheless managed to incorporate architectural elements of the Parthenon.

Perfectly wretched, Honoria. At least you know how to dress. So did your uncle, although I did ruin his robes when I beheaded him. Viviane walked up to the lodge, and skirting the squat pillars, peered into a window. The rooms were still, and obviously had been unused for some time. Ivory curule chairs, how judicial. I like the neoclassical chaise lounge, though. Roderick must be in London attending his meeting. Good.

Rounding the corner of the house, Viviane spotted a door that looked promising. It was set into the side of the house, and ivy had grown around the frame and crawled across the door. Pulling the vines off of the door, she checked for curses or traps, found none, and pulled out her wand to unlock it. On the other side, she found herself in a short corridor that led to a staircase. As she started downstairs, she met a house-elf who had no chance to raise an alarm before she blasted him into unconsciousness.

I'm starved. I wonder where the kitchens are. No, you can't raid the cupboards - you need to rescue your boneheaded lover. Downstairs with you.

She reached the lower level of the house, and ran her fingers thoughtfully along the chilly stone wall as she looked for any sign of a prisoner. The hall was undecorated, merely containing heavy wooden doors set flush with the walls. A few more house-elves appeared around a corner, and with an irritated sigh Viviane blasted them before they knew she was there.

All right, Severus, where are you? I'd like to call out, but I don't know how many servants the Glossops left behind. She felt for the Talisman around her neck, but it gave her no clue to where he might be held. I suppose I should just start blasting through locks. Merlin help me, please let there be no sub-basements.

Viviane started with the first door in the hall and as soon as the lock gave way stepped quickly through. Floor to ceiling wine racks stretched back to the far wall. As she walked up and down the aisles, she thought, No empty bottles, so I know Severus isn't in here. She began to stop and inspect the contents of the racks, noting the labels. Decent vineyard, off year…oh, this one is excellent… After she returned to the hallway and restored the lock, she turned, arms crossed, to stare at her handiwork. I think I may just come back here for some of this. Repayment for my time and effort. She cast several especially complex Guard Spells on the entrance.

Going to the next, she leaned her forehead against the door and took a deep breath before working on the lock. At least Glossop is in London with the rest of those unsanctimonious friends you were so eager to consort with, she thought before blowing it open. Beyond was a room full of whips, harnesses and a large collection of leather masks. Oh great, I've found Honoria's stash. I wonder if she and Narcissa host catalogue parties for this stuff.

At the third door, she repeated the blast to the lock, and the door swung inward. Seeing what lay beyond, she quickly stepped in, restoring the lock with a wave of her wand. Viviane sank to her knees next to an unconscious Severus Snape.

For several seconds, she could only grasp the side of the rusted iron cot, on which rested the thinnest of mattresses and the unresponsive wizard. Then, she reached out one tentative hand to turn his face towards hers. "Severus? Oh, Severus, what have they done?" she whispered. His eyes, normally brilliant as they were dark, were dull and lifeless, and his face was nearly unrecognizable through total lack of expression. The clanking of a chain alerted her to the iron collar fastened around his neck, linked to a ring in the wall. "Chained up like a beast." There were livid bruises and scratches on his neck from the chafing of the rough iron. "And what sort of Spell are you under?" Viviane grasped her wand in a shaking hand.

"Reverso."

Nothing.

"Ennervate!"

Nothing.

She placed her hands on either side of his face and searched his eyes for a sign of life or response. There was none, nor a clue as to what held him in suspended animation. Viviane began to shiver uncontrollably, spooked by the absence of any inner life. She let go and backed away from Severus until her knees gave way and she fell into a heap on the floor. Dark Arts, indeed. Oh Remus, I need your help with this one. I need to get Severus back to Hogwarts, and fast. But I can't get him out of here without breaking this spell. I must, because I don't know if it is set to kill him if he leaves this room. I can't leave him. I could use- but no, I could not. I cannot. But I have to.

Viviane crawled over to the cot and knelt, her face buried in her hands. "Forgive me, Ishaqi, for using your gift in a way that is forbidden. Oh, my love, forgive me." She lifted her head to stare at Severus. "And you. You'll never forgive me for invading your mind, the one source of pride left in you. Sooner forgive Glossop for chaining your body, no doubt. But I don't have any better ideas."

She stood up, and tapped the collar circling the Potions master's neck. "Secedo," she whispered, and the iron crumbled into dust. Carefully, she climbed onto the cot, one knee placed on either side of Severus' chest. She paused for a moment and traced a finger along her lover's face, going from the jaw up to the sharp cheekbone that flowed to the high bridge of his nose. This may be the last time I'll be allowed to do that, she thought. Losing all in one, even if I don't kill him outright.

Viviane closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, then opened them and slid her hands up the man's face, her fingers gliding through his hair until her palms rested against his temples. Her breathing deepened and slowed as her concentration intensified, and she began to sense the coils of Severus Snape's complex mind. He fought her at first, his mind throwing up frantic defenses, and Viviane began to despair of getting past them without doing harm.

Suddenly, through fatigue or voluntary surrender, he let her in. She tried to ignore everything except the clamps left by Dark magic, unlocking and destroying them one by one. As she worked, Viviane sensed intriguing pathways, flashes of brilliant intuition, and dark places so terrible that they nearly broke her concentration. She was nearly spent by the time she'd located and destroyed the last of whatever spell had imprisoned Severus, and as soon as she gently released him, Viviane collapsed, exhausted, on the cot.

She lay partially draped across Severus’ body for several minutes, gasping and trying to gather her drained strength. When her breathing returned to normal, she rolled over to look into Severus' eyes. Viviane let out a small sob as she recognized the man she knew looking back out of them. "Severus. We need to get you out of here, fast," she whispered. "I'm going to use the Mobilicorpus Spell on you."

She got up, rather shakily, and took a few deep breaths before attempting to maneuver the barely aware Severus into the hallway. His head lolled to one side, exposing the wounds on his neck that were left from the crude iron manacle. The sight of them sent potent rage shooting through Viviane, and setting Severus down against a wall, she turned back to the room. Spreading out her arms, she expended more energy than she thought possible and cast a spell that would obliterate in seconds the next person to open the door. You should be happy I won't have time to deal with you in person, Roderick. Your death would be slower, and far more painful.

Turning back to Severus, she lifted him gently into the air, through the hallways and out onto the lawn. She set him down next to the house and held him up by his shoulders, shaking him slightly.

"Severus! Severus, I need you to help me. I can't Apparate both of us at once - you need to use whatever energy you have left to back me up. This could be the most painful splinch in wizarding history, otherwise. Do you understand me?" She held his face and stared into his eyes, looking for a reaction. "Do you understand?"

She was rewarded with a slight flash from the dark orbs, and she leaned her head on his chest with relief. "OK. Here we go, back to the gates of Hogwarts. Hold on, my dear, and we'll be soon be home."

Viviane and Severus landed in a heap just outside of the school. "Severus? Sev, are you still with me?" She grabbed his chin to turn his face to hers, and he blinked at her angrily. "Oh dear, I suppose you are." She lay there for a few moments, gathering the strength for the trek to the infirmary door.

She stumbled to her feet and cast the Mobilicorpus Spell on Severus one more time. He floated smoothly across the lawn until she stubbed her toe on a projecting tree root and lost her concentration, dumping Severus unceremoniously to earth. He groaned irritably. "Sorry," Viviane muttered. I hope he's less aware than he seems, she thought as she recast the spell.

They were only yards away from the door that lead to the infirmary when Remus ran up to Viviane at full speed and nearly knocked her over by the force of his hug. "Viviane! Viviane, you had me nearly frantic! And I've never seen Dumbledore so angry." She struggled out of his embrace and indicated Severus, whom she'd dropped again in surprise at Remus' appearance. "We need to get him to Poppy. I'll tell you all about it later."

"Viv, what happened to his neck?" Remus couldn't help exclaiming as he drifted the Potion master through the door and along the hall. She was saved from answering by the appearance of Madam Pomfrey who began to fire off orders to her staff. Before Viviane could sort anything out, Remus had been steered out of the infirmary, Severus was being treated in bed, and she was firmly ensconced in a chair. She closed her eyes and her body went limp. I got him back. We're back. Oh, how I want my bed. She was prevented from dropping off to sleep then and there by Dumbledore chafing her hand. "Viviane, wake up. You must tell me where you found him. Come, my dear, open your eyes and look at me."

She did this reluctantly, sighing out, "Glossop. He was chained in Glossop's basement."

The hand on hers tightened and his voice was grim. "Thank you. I'll save my apologies to you until you're awake enough to fully understand them. Now let me help you to your room-"

"I want to see Severus before I go."

"He is in good-"

Madam Pomfrey came out from behind the curtain circling Severus' bed and patted Viviane's shoulder. "Severus will be fine, with a few days of Healing Potions and bed rest here, where I can keep an eye on him. If you want to see him, go on in, but he'll be unable to speak to you - I just gave him a sleeping draught."

Viviane looked up at her. "Thank you Poppy, for everything." She got up and went around the curtain, lowering herself into a chair by the edge of the bed.

Severus was lying perfectly still, and Viviane noticed that the wounds on his neck were already beginning to heal under Madam Pomfrey's careful ministrations. Feeling slightly more awake, Viviane rested her elbows on the edge of the bed. She took Severus' hand between both of hers, first sliding one of her palms against his and noting yet again how elegantly proportioned his fingers were. She gave them a quick caress before enfolding them with her other hand, and leaning her forehead on the handclasp, closed her eyes. "Severus, I hope you'll forgive me for the invasion of your mind, some day. I know I've ruined your trust in me. It was the only way I knew…." Her voice trailed off as reaction finally set in and she began to weep silently.

A hoarse whisper startled her. "I do forgive you for what you did to me. But there are conditions attached to that forgiveness." She looked up, wide-eyed, to see Severus staring at her, awake and intent on her expression. He pulled his hand out of her grasp and began to brush the tears off of her cheeks. "Please, don't, Viviane-"

"Severus," she whispered back. "I thought you were asleep."

"It takes something a little stronger to knock me out that fast. Come closer." He recaptured her hand and tugged her towards him. She scooted her chair closer. "What is it? You should really sleep."

"Not yet. I must thank you for saving my life." A corner of his mouth curled upward in an approximation of a smile. "In your usual, inimitable fashion. But you owe me some explanations-" He broke off and swallowed, then blinked rapidly.

"I think Poppy's sleeping potion has got the better of you, Severus. I'd rather explain all of this to you while you're fully awake, although perhaps this is a good time…Severus?" She was answered by a slight snore.

Just like him, to fall asleep so conveniently. But I need sleep too, and oh, to do so in my warm, comfortable bed.

She got up and tried to extract her hand from Severus' grasp, but he held it firmly. Viviane sat back down and was about to pry his fingers from hers, but took a long look at the sleeping wizard. Severus. Perhaps, my dear, I owe you at least this much, she thought, and laying her head down on his bed, fell asleep.

She was awakened by someone prodding her shoulder and when she lifted her head, she found Severus propped up on his pillows, jabbing her with a finger. Viviane glared at him blearily. "Why are you up, and how long have I been asleep?" She stretched. "I'm sore all over - somebody should have woken me up so I could have gone back to my rooms instead of sleeping in this bloody chair."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I don't sleep for long stretches at a time, as you very well know, and you've been asleep for about six hours. I finally decided to wake you up before you fossilized in that bloody chair."

"Oh. Oh, I-" Viviane stopped in confusion as the events of the last several days came racing back into her mind.

"Oh yes, indeed. Come here." Severus grabbed both of her hands and with surprising strength, hauled her up and onto the bed. "I think you need to stretch out -" He froze for a second, as the sleeve of his nightshirt fell back to reveal his Dark Mark, but relaxed as Viviane fell uncaring into the curve of that arm. She kicked off her boots and huddled down next to him on the bed, reaching across his body with one arm and laying her head on his chest. "Mmm. Much better than the chair. But what if somebody sees us like this?"

"You think Malfoy's going to burst in? The entire Hogwarts faculty has guessed by now, but since you're experiencing what must be your first attack of modesty…" He waved his wand and the curtains around the bed flew shut.

"Mmmm. Thanks." Viviane tightened her grip on him for a second and slid her head up to his shoulder.

"You're not getting off that easily, Viviane. Look at me." He took her by the shoulders and raised her so that she was facing him. "What did you do to me in that room? How did you-" he took a long breath, "enter my mind like that? I've heard of similar types of magic, but nothing approaching the…the depths to which you went. Tell me everything - how you acquired this talent, how it works, what it does..." His hands gripped her shoulders almost painfully.

Viviane blinked at him a few times, trying to remember exactly how it had all come about, and how to explain it to this man who was looking at her so accusingly. "It…er, it is a type of magic I learned while living in Constantinople. I…I went there because I'd heard they needed good sword fighters in their battle against the Tatars. I was tired of smuggling potions ingredients for a living and needed a change. Well, I did join their army and…and the leader of my battalion was a man by the name of Ishaqi. He taught me how to wage war, how to train correctly-"

"You've been to the East? As a mercenary soldier? Why am I not surprised. So he taught you this? What was it used for, to rally troops? Read the mind of captives?"

"No. Not at all. It wasn't used for warfare. But I was bored as a common soldier, so I hired Ishaqi as my tutor." Warming to her tale, Viviane wriggled her shoulders out of his grip and settled down, chin propped on her hands clasped over his chest. "You see, he was from a ruling family - don't snort at me - and was as knowledgeable in literature as he was in war." She paused to run one finger down the underside of Severus' jaw. "So he taught me to read and write in his language-"

"All those Arabic scrolls in your bookshelves aren't for show?"

"Would you like me to read them to you someday? I have some very interesting bedtime stories."

"I believe we were talking about Ishaqi?"

"-and about how he taught me this technique I used on you."

"Ah. So this is used as a learning tool. Mind to mind, instead of using the traditional tools of book and parchment? Interesting, most interesting, but dangerous," Severus murmured.

"No…no, not exactly. It wasn't used for teaching."

Severus made an exasperated noise. "Well what for then? Why did this warrior/tutor teach such a thing to you, an outsider?"

Viviane leaned in closer, until her lips brushed his ear. "Because he was my lover," she whispered. Severus went rigid, and roughly grabbed her arms to push her away before, with an effort, regaining control of himself. "Really," he drawled, letting her go. "An affair with his student - how unprofessional."

She laughed. "I hired him, remember. He didn't want to take money for his lessons, but I insisted. We were the same age, of the same background. Duty, honor, family. I understood him, and he was the first person to truly understand me since, er, since I'd left France."

She dropped her gaze to the edge of the blanket, began picking at it, and spoke in an uncharacteristically quiet tone. "This kind of magic is only used between the closest of lovers, to reflect back the pleasure that their partner has given them. Thus you create a circle, pleasure upon pleasure, as you receive through your mind what you have given the other. But it takes the strongest confidence, the greatest trust, to open yourself to such emotional vulnerability, and to bear to see yourself as you really are. Through a lover's experience. I've committed a form of blasphemy in using it as I did, on you."

He was silent, and did not attempt to catch her eye. Then she heard his voice, even and studiously neutral. "I see. You loved this man?"

"Very much. So much." Her lips quivered.

"Then why are you here, Viviane?"

She began to pick at the blanket again, but he captured her fingers and tilted his head to look into her eyes. "Why?"

"I…I was young, and at that age you think you can always find love if you want it. You don't realize how rare it is." Her eyes darkened. "And then I had unfinished business with Alastor Moody and a few Death Eaters. I could not let that damned Auror exile me from Britain forever. And Ishaqi needed a wife who could fulfill the duties required of a Turkish princess. I'd run away from that sort of life, and could not run back into it. We both knew that someday I would return to Europe, and then to Britain."

A question hung in the air, one that she knew Severus would never voice. But which one is it? she thought. She made a guess. "We don't correspond. It was less painful to make a total break and end it forever."

He continued to look at her steadily, but his lips, which had been pressed together, softened at her comment.

I guessed correctly. One less complication, thought Viviane, and dropped her head onto his chest in relief.

The tableau held for a goodly while; Severus was apparently content not to question her further, and Viviane was certainly content not to answer. They stayed as they were, his arm about her as she sought the comfort of his closeness.

When at length her lover spoke, it was not to question. "There is a rather interesting side effect of the method you learned from Ishaqi," he mused sardonically.

Viviane tensed slightly. "What is it? Is anything wrong?"

"Oh, nothing's wrong, my dear -- but it seems that I suddenly find myself able to reach across the astral with an ease I never dreamed possible." His eyes grew slightly dreamy and unfocused. "In fact, I can recognize and contact certain persons, even those whom I have never seen."

"What are you talking about, Severus?"

Severus vouchsafed her a thin smile. "You'll soon see. Ah, here he is now!"

Her heart pounding, Viviane sat up, staring wildly at her lover.

Severus could not have been said to be physically transforming; his body remained the same, save that his habitual tall-man's slouch was gone, and that his face suddenly assumed a posture of openness and seeming guilelessness that she had seen on only one other man.

"My Frankish rose, my soaring falcon, do you not know me?" he asked, a broad yet subtle smile on his face.

"Ishaqi," Viviane whispered.

Ishaqi-in-Severus carefully inspected the body in which he found himself, making several dissatisfied grunts all the while. "He seems to hate himself even more than you hate yourself, my lovely one," he said. "He has a noble frame, yet starves himself. You need to fatten him up, Rose of Frankistan."

Ah, Ishaqi, Viviane thought, you haven't changed a hair.

"If you can find the man -- or woman -- who can command Severus Snape, you are worth your weight in bezants, my darling," Viviane replied, in a voice cold with shock.

Ishaqi-in-Severus smiled. "Oh, you have more power over him than you realize, Fire of Beauty. That is why he fears you so much."

"Fears me?" Viviane snorted angrily. "He's not even begun to fear me."

She looked through Snape's eyes to the man she remembered so well, tears gathering in hers. "Can you forgive me, love? Believe me, Ishaqi, this may be my fault, but it is not my choice - I would never have called you to me like this. I never even knew it was possible."

"Calm yourself, my love. This one has done me no harm. I was curious, I admit, but I would not have let myself be called had I realized you would be hurt by my coming."

"You could never hurt me, love. Are you well?"

Ishaqi-in-Severus smiled, illuminating Snape's harsh features with a light warmer than she had ever seen. "Very well, my rose. But don't worry, I won't come again. We were right, you know, to part as we did."

"Yes, I know. Be well, Ishaqi - I will always think of you." Viviane released his hand and turned away from Snape so as not to witness his body shifting to its customary angled rigidity.

Viviane suddenly felt a desire to flee, to run as far away from the arrogant, meddling, trust-breaching bastard she had so very recently risked her life to save.

Sliding abruptly off of the bed, she stalked over to the door.

If I stay here, I'll kill him, she thought, the ice settling around her heart. And I can't do that -- not yet, not so soon after pulling his worthless dung-eating carcass out of Roderick Glossop's dungeon. Albus wouldn't like it.

A rustling of sheets behind her told her that her departure was not going unnoticed. "May I ask where you are going?"

She stopped at the door, her hand on the knob, and slowly turned.

"As far away as I can get," she said, coldly, calmly, and mercilessly, "from a man who would engage in such a disgusting violation of my trust, and glory in it."

She turned and was gone, not bothering to look at his astonished face.

~~~~~~

After a long afternoon in which Viviane tried to sleep but succeeded only in enlarging the holes in her carpet before the fire, she was rousted from her blue funk by Malhereuse, who began to pluck at her sleeve insistently.

"Hungry, are you?" Viviane asked, cupping a hand over the falcon's head. "All right, I'm coming."

Malhereuse flew through the open window and Viviane followed him out onto the terrace, watching him soar in lazy circles above the vast lawn. She stooped beneath her window, picking up a few of the snitch-sized stones that were piled there before taking up her customary perch on the railing. As Malhereuse dipped over her head, letting out a keening cry, she threw one stone into the grass as though she were skipping it across a lake, and then another. Ripples radiated through the grass as small creatures raced to avoid the peculiar hail and the falcon drove into a hollow, emerging with a grey rat clutched firmly in his talons, tail lashing. By the time Malhereuse returned to his mistress, the rat was dead. Viviane accepted the gift before returning it to her familiar, who ripped it open with great relish and began to eat.

I should let you hunt with Dogboy one of these days, she thought. He'd beat out all sorts of game and the two of you could even share. Early in his training, Malhereuse had been confused by Viviane's steady refusal to eat of his killing, but he had gotten used to it.

Suddenly, his feast half finished, Malhereuse took to the air once more, circling above Viviane's head and screaming. She whipped around, hand on her sword, to find the Potions master emerging from her door.

"How dare you?" she hissed, grasping the railing more firmly than before. "Get out of here, and find yourself another door."

"Viviane-"

"Get out right now!" she growled, picking up another rock as Malhereuse landed on her shoulder.

Snape backed away quietly until he reached the double doors that lead to the corridor. He took out his wand and pointed it at her, whispering a spell she couldn't hear, before disappearing through them.

What did he do? she wondered. And then she knew. The skin over her breasts began to warm and flush and her pulse quickened. The Talisman! He took the Dimming spell off of the Talisman! She grabbed the pendant, breaking the chain around her neck. Just as she was about to hurl it, too, out into the grass, Severus' voice echoed in her mind.

Don't do that, Viviane, please. . .

Viviane looked down at the Talisman lying in her palm, the images it was sending to her making her face flush and her breathing become more rapid. Damn that wizard, to remind me of why I went out of my way to find him, she thought.

The doors behind her quietly re-opened, and Severus stepped back out onto the terrace. "If you insist on throwing away . . . everything, I must ask you to let me destroy that completely, rather than letting it lie in the grass to be discovered by someone who shouldn't handle it."

She refused to turn and look at him. "You've done a stellar job of destroying this relationship on your own. Do you listen to a word I say?" To her irritation, her voice trembled, and she took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before she turned around. "I made it quite clear - or so I thought - that I'd left Ishaqi in my past, and that I had abused his gift for your sake. And yet the first thing you do is compound the abuse of that gift and reopen wounds long scarred over. Why would you do such a thing to me, Severus? I thought we were friends."

"But you loved him. I thought you'd want-"

"To see him again? To what purpose?" She walked up to him and, taking his hand, slid the Talisman onto his palm and clasped his fingers over it. "You know nothing of love," she said, blinking rapidly and shaking her head. "All I ask you for is friendship, but I'm not sure you're capable of that, either."

Severus lifted his hand holding the Talisman, shaking it slightly and making the gold links of the chain clink together. He stared at Viviane, his eyes narrowed, then turned away to stride back down the corridor.

Viviane watched his retreating back, at once so angry and so hurt that she could hardly stand to breath the same air for so much as a second. How could he not know? How could he not realize what he'd done? How could there be so much he doesn't understand? Malhereuse was soaring over the grounds again, circling above her. She waved him off and he reeled, heading toward the Forbidden Forest, and she returned to her rooms alone.

Damn! Viviane couldn't even bear to sit down. Having denied herself the opportunity to further heap abuse on Severus to his face, she still felt the need to abuse him in his absence, but as a solitary activity, this was not fulfilling. But I'm not the only person Snape's run roughshod over as of late, am I? Leaving the window open for Malhereuse to return at his leisure, Viviane headed for Remus' temporary digs in Gryffindor Tower.

Viviane tapped her customary cadence on Remus' door before letting herself in as his head popped around the corner into the sitting room.

"Viv? Nice to see you -- is everything-"

Viviane let out a large "hmpfff!" as she collapsed onto the couch and swung her feet up.

"Er, no, I suppose not. Scotch?"

"Please," she moaned.

"Right," he said, rummaging around for tumblers and choosing a bottle from the sideboard. "Here you go, then -- drink first, talk later."

Viviane accepted her glass with a nod and immediately swigged off half of it.

"More?"

She just looked at him, the glass in her outstretched hand.

Remus whistled and poured, topping up his own glass in the process.

"The last I saw you, you were returning a bedraggled Potions master to his happy home. I gather the Headmaster was sufficiently pleased; you're not here because Albus has told you to pack up your sword and your library and sod off, am I right?"

Vivine finished off her scotch. "Yes."

"So what happened?"

She glared at him, wagging her glass in his general direction.

"Take a break, Viv -- what happened?"

"Oh, let's see. Where to start. Well, let me just say that it's been borne upon me that I've just risked life, limb, and the good opinion of a great many people for the sake of the slimiest manipulative bastard to ever have graced the hallowed halls."

Remus cringed. "Voldemort went here too, you know."

"Don't remind me -- I'm on a roll." She held out her glass again and this time Remus obliged.

"Remus, I never told you, but while I was in the East, I-"

"fell in love with a man named Ishaqi."

Viviane looked at him, startled.

"Viv, you can't mention someone in every owl for three years and not raise suspicions. Besides, you sounded . . . happy for the first and only time since I've known you." He pulled her over and draped an arm around her shoulders. "My dearest girl, what's got you so spooked? It must have something to do with Severus, because nobody else I know could get to you like this. What did he do?"

"I…I used some magic I learned from Ishaqi, to free Severus from Roderick’s Dark spell. It created a link between Severus and my former lover. Remus, I told him that I'd broken with Ishaqi, permanently, and that I'd misused the magic I'd been taught, but…"

Viviane got up and began to pace. "He contacted Ishaqi, through a link forged by the magic I used! I spoke to him, for the first time in so many years, and I wasn't prepared for it, for him, for the reminder of …"

Remus spoke quietly. "I'm so sorry, Viv. I didn't realize you'd lost this, on top of everything else. And Snape isn't…hasn't…"

She sank into the corner of the couch, resting her head on the back of it. "At least Ishaqi was free. We parted of our own free will, painful as it was, but I never thought…never imagined I'd be faced with him…in the body of another. Remus, what was Severus thinking? I've never fooled myself into imagining he could love me, but oh," she hid her face in the couch. "I need his companionship. I need his skewed perspective to keep me sane in this overly earnest nest of educators. Was I completely crazy, Remus, to think I could make a relationship with Severus Snape work at any level?"

"Hmmmm." Remus pondered this a moment. The moment became two moments. Two moments became a minute.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Viviane said at length.

Remus put down his glass. "Viv, promise you won't hit me for the next five minutes, ok?"

She glared at him again. "Do I have to?"

"Remember whose bottle you're drinking from," Remus chided her gently. "Do you want my advice or not?"

Viviane crossed her arms, glass still in hand, and sank back even further into the couch.

"I'll take that as a 'yes.' Now has it crossed your mind that Severus may well have considered his action to be a gift, and one that cost him a great deal to offer, besides?"

"Some gift-"

"Now just wait a minute. Look at this from his perspective, will you? You went off to search for him contrary to direct orders to stay put, you freed him from a dastardly form of magical imprisonment we don't yet understand, and you did it by using a form of magic none of us have ever dreamed possible. All of which qualifies you for Queen for a Day, right?"

"I suppose."

"Severus isn't accustomed to having anyone do such things for him -- well, Albus, maybe, but he does that for all of us -- any sort of kindness still takes him by surprise, no?"

Viviane grunted her agreement.

"Then, when he recovers sufficiently to ask about how you did it, how you were able to delve into his mind and free him, he learns something about you he probably never even imagined. That far from living a relatively solitary life like his, which is probably what he's assumed about you, you once walked away from a love so intense that the mere mention of it makes you weep. Right?"

"Yeah," Viv replied, running a hand under one eye.

"So what does he do at that point? You were so afraid he'd reject you for saving his life-"

"That's not-"

"Might as well have been, but we'll talk about that later, ok?"

Viviane held out her glass again and Remus obliged.

"-for saving his life, that it didn't even occur to you to think how Ishaqi's story would affect him." Remus paused a moment. "Severus never thinks himself worthy of affection of any sort, as far as I can see. When you related your history in Constantinople, maybe he heard a different story than the one you meant to tell."

"And that would be. . . ?"

"That no matter how strong the growing bond between you -- don't deny that -- may have already become, it could never approach the pinnacle of what you've not only already experienced, but of what you managed to leave behind. Think about it, Viv -- he ought to have been devastated. Jealousy would be the very least of it. But rather than ranting and railing about your invasion of his head, as you expected, he did exactly the opposite. He opened his mind to another, to give you access to what he assumed you most wanted in all the world."

"But I didn't want that, Remus! That's the whole point! He should know that!"

"Just as you knew that his reaction to your delving into his mind in the first place would be anger and rejection and pain."

"Well. . . "

"He may not have meant to hurt you, Viv -- Severus will always lose the battle in his own mind between himself and anyone else you might care for. To aid the efforts of another in that battle is uncharacteristically and amazingly selfless of him, I admit, but I'd lay bets that that is what he thought he was doing. That's the gift, Viv, whether you choose to take it that way or not."

Viviane groaned and slid down on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. "You wizards. Answer me this, Remus. If one of your past lovers - make this, oh, ten years ago - suddenly channeled Sirius, how would you have felt? Like he was doing you a favor?"

Remus sat bolt upright. "Ouch, Viv," he said quietly. "I'll give Severus this, he's gotten under your skin in a big way, for you to say that to me. That was uncalled for."

She looked over at him. "Was it? You're working on a happy ending to your story, Remus, but I closed the book on Ishaqi forever. I told Severus that in the plainest language possible. And the shock of seeing . . . him . . . still has my nerves humming. I grant you, Severus may have thought he was giving me a gift, but flowers would have been enough."

Remus smiled. "You know, you two are so alike in so many ways."

"Now THAT was a low blow, Remus."

"Oh, no it wasn't." He looked her in the eye. "Viv, you keep on trying to tell yourself that he hates your guts -- or that at the very least, that he doesn't care for you and is just interested in using you." He raised a hand to forestall her objection. "But riddle me this: Can you imagine someone who hated you, or who thought of you as nothing more than a sex toy to be jealously guarded, doing what he did? Can you?"

Viviane took a very long time to answer.

"No," she finally said, so quietly that Remus could barely hear her. "Oh Remus, what a mess Severus and I both are." She tried to grin but only succeeded in yawning. "I think the adrenaline rush has finally left my body, and I'm exhausted. Do you mind if I take up most of your couch for the next several hours? I'd rather avoid my rooms for the moment."

Remus laughed. "Hiding out from Severus, are we? What are friends for, Viv? Put up your feet and relax." He moved his legs over to make room.

Before long she was fast asleep, robes twisted around her body and hair straggling across her face. Remus watched her, amused, thinking You just had to fall for one of the most difficult men ever to have walked the earth. It never is simple with you, but that's always been part of your dubious charm.

Remus had just gotten re-absorbed in the book he was reading when a sharp rap on his door made him look up. Uh oh, here comes the other one, he thought, and glanced at Viviane. She hadn't stirred.

Before answering the door, Remus took out his wand and cast a silencing spell over Viviane's sleeping form on the couch. Better she sleep right through this, he thought. I wonder if Severus knows she's here? The knock on the door sounded again, faster this time, and Remus opened the door to find almost exactly what he had expected: an obviously tired but still glowering Potions master bearing a smoking goblet.

"Ah, Severus, how nice to see you," Remus said, reaching for the goblet with one hand while using a flick of his wand to unobtrusively cover Viviane with a quilt. "Do come in."

"Nice? What's going on, Lupin?"

"What I meant to say was, it is nice to see you back in one piece. To see that Viviane-"

Severus turned on him in a flurry of robes. "Don't mention that ungrateful witch to me. I don't know what has exhausted me more, Roderick's physical torture, or her mental abuse. Good night." Severus turned to leave.

"Sit down and have a nightcap before you stomp off to bed. Laphroaig?"

Snape paused in the doorway. "A fair exchange for a goblet of Wolfsbane," Severus said, accepting the glass Remus held out to him. He sat down in a comfortably shabby armchair near the fire. "What?" he said crossly, as Remus continued to regard him with a hint of amusement.

"Well," Remus said, sinking into the chair opposite Severus, "I must say, I never thought I'd meet anybody as pigheaded as you were - Merlin's beard, but you were the most irritating person to spend time in a classroom with - but then I met Viviane. I do believe she nearly trumps you in the stubborn category. It's too bad that the thing you two most have in common is the thing that may lose you a relationship worth having."

"Starting an advice column, Lupin?" Severus snarled. "Keep it for lovelorn Gryffindors. I don't need it."

"Perhaps." Remus looked down into the drink he was busy swirling around in the glass. "But Severus, I think Viviane may, and she isn't, er,-"

"Sane? Understandable? Amenable to reason?"

Remus grinned. "Not exactly. And I must admit, although you aren't my favorite person, not by a long shot, I think you're good for her." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "She isn't used to this, you know. The school, the routine, the…the normalcy - well, as normal as it gets here. She's off balance at Hogwarts, and you could help her find some, if you are able to weather some of her strange behavior."

Severus' long fingers traced the carving on the arm of his chair. "She- she can go from being utterly compelling to impossible and back to compelling within the space of a moment." His dark eyes glittered fiercely. "And I can't begin to fathom the reasons why."

Remus got up. "Perhaps you should ask her." Severus watched, brows knitted perplexedly as the former Defense instructor walked out of his own room and shut the door, after twitching his wand in the direction of the couch.

"Lupin?" He glanced around the room, looking for a clue to the man's strange behavior and for the first time perceived Viviane’s quilt-covered form.

"Damn you, werewolf," he said through gritted teeth. He tried to follow Lupin out the door, but found it locked from the outside in a way that had nothing to do with a key. Fine. Leave me the dangerous job of waking her. Not that I want. . . yes, I do. Snape held his glass before his eyes in the firelight, examining the smoky liquid. Veritaserum. And a dose sufficient to ensure that I cannot even lie to myself.

He reached behind him to drag his chair over to the couch and sat back down. Viviane's hair was falling over her face and, as if in a trance, Severus began to pick up strands, smoothing it and undoing knots and tangles with his clever fingers.

Suddenly the hair was yanked from his grasp and a pair of blazing green eyes met his. "What do you think you're doing? Although, I suppose this is an improvement over being poked and prodded." She reached over and grabbed his glass of scotch, downing the last third of it. "Where's Remus?"

"Your werewolf friend has locked us in here" Severus said. "He left rather abruptly after finishing off his Wolfsbane."

Viviane sat up, shaking her head in an attempt to think clearly. "I feel really strange." She grabbed the back of a chair and struggled to her feet. "Very odd, as if…"

"As if you cannot say anything but the truth? That would feel strange to you, the consummate dissembler." He leaned against the door, arms folded and watched her as she clung to the back of the chair, thinking through what he'd just said. Her eyes widened and she looked over at him. "Veratiserum?" she whispered. "You gave me Veratiserum in that scotch?"

Severus curled his lip in a sneer. "No. Lupin gave me Veratiserum in my scotch, which you appropriated. Without asking, I might add." The sneer turned into a wicked smile. "So, my darling mistress and career murderess, you're in the same condition I am."

Viviane sank back down on the couch. "Remus did this?" She sat stunned for a moment, then began to laugh. "I forget that his mild manner conceals a remarkably devious brain."

"You find this funny?"

"Well, don't you? Kind of, I mean?"

Severus' lips twitched. "I must admit, being imprisoned in Gryffindor tower with you, both of us coursing with Veratiserum, does have its ludicrous side. Why did you seduce me if you love Ishaqi?"

"What?" Viviane blinked at him. "That was a rather sharp turn to the conversation."

"Answer me."

"Are you going to give in to Remus' little ploy? How weak of you, Severus. If my loving Ishaqi scares you, why did you bring him to me?"

"Weak? You're the one who refuses to answer my question." He walked to the couch and stood over her. "Why, if you are hopelessly in love with another, choose me as the object of your rather strenuous attentions?"

Viviane looked up at him and realized she was trapped. Catching his eyes and giving him a level stare, she said, "All right. You want to do this, fine. I love Ishaqi, but I'll never see him again. I never wanted to see him again, because it can only be painful - it was horribly painful. But last year I was tired of spending all day with a horde of children and my nights alone." She hugged her knees to her chest. "You - you're good company. Good with your hands. And when you look at me, I don't see fear or harsh judgement like I see in the eyes of most people." She paused for a moment. "Now. I know you heard my question. The answer is?"

Severus' body was taut, and took a few steps back from the couch. "I thought I was doing you a favor, you ungrateful woman. I opened my mind -- my mind -- to the man you tell me you love, but you stormed out on me, then ran to your werewolf friend to spill all our secrets. And now you sit there and calmly announce that all I am to you is a diversion, chosen because I'm the only one who'll put up with you."

Viviane looked at him bleakly. "Diversion? Don't mock diversion. Diversion, for me, is the best thing in the world." Her limbs relaxed, and suddenly she looked deathly tired. "There are too many things I'd rather not think about. Love isn't the answer, because everything I've ever loved, or ever wanted to love, gets taken away from me. You're better off not being loved by me, Severus; you of all people should know that, you've had a front-row view of the havoc I create."

"Love?" said a startled Severus. "Love," he repeated, this time more softly, tasting the word on his lips as it if some strange liquid he could not quantify. "I'm not sure what I feel for you could be readily defined by that word. To tell you the absolute truth," he said, pacing the floor, "and thanks to that damnable Lupin, I have no choice in the matter. I really don't know what I feel for you."

Viviane laughed. "So there's the truth, in all its tarnished glory. Neither of us understands what's going on between us."

"It would seem so."

"I didn't pull you out of Glossop's basement in order to start a fight, Severus."

"I know you didn't. And I didn't bring you Ishaqi to make you hate me."

"I know that, now. But where does that leave us?"

"With an unsolved problem," Severus replied.

"Problem?"

"Conundrum, if you prefer. Mystery. Enigma."

Severus pulled himself away from the locked door and began to search through the piles on Lupin's mantel.

"What are you doing?"

"Any idea where Lupin keeps his Floo powder?"

"Green jar, last time I noticed. What makes you think he left us any?"

Severus continued his search. "Well, he'll want his rooms back in time, and I'm guessing he'd rather not kick us out." He turned to Viviane, green jar in hand.

"Shall we?"

"Shall we what?"

"Well, it seems that the only reasonable course of action when presented with such a, um, tantilizing enigma is to continue the research."

"Indeed?"

"What did you say earlier? That I was 'good with my hands'?"

"Yes, I believe I did."

"That's as good a place to start as any, I imagine." He threw a pinch of Floo powder onto the fire. "Your place or mine?"

Viviane laughed, rising from the couch. "Mine, please. The less time we spend in that nasty dungeon, the better."

"It is not. . . " Severus trailed off. "No, I can't do it, the Veritaserum's still working. You're right. It is nasty, but I like it that way. But I won't inflict it on you tonight."

"Thank you," she said, taking his hand. "Shall we?"

Viviane and Severus emerged from the fireplace and stood looking at each other, slightly embarrassed. A hint of the Veratiserum and their recent revelations hung in the air between them, making them shy with one other. Finally, Viviane ran a hand down Severus' chest, ending by lightly brushing it across the material over his groin. He closed his eyes and shuddered. "It is unfair, the effect you have on me," he whispered. "All of my heralded control is subverted when we're like this."

He pulled her closer and bit lightly on her collarbone, noting the goosebumps it raised on her flesh and noting her sharp intake of breath.

"Not fair? Bollocks," she replied, gasping a little as he continued the exploration of her shoulder, easing the material of her gown away. "You've got me where you want me, and well do you know it."

He paused in his explorations to look down at her with a feral grin. "Do I?" he queried. Without waiting for an answer, the Potions master did that which he knew always rendered her speechless, then pulled her down upon the bed.