Weft of Power, Warp of Blood: A Tapestry of Desire

Chapter Eleven
Hagrid, Hermione and Harry Potter

A month later, after the dream had been long forgotten by Jasmine, Hagrid sent an owl down from Hogwarts.

Jasmine,
Wondered if I could bring the fourth years to see the clabberts? One group Thursday another on Friday, Both in the afternoon.
Hagrid

The note was brief, as usual. Hagrid didn’t write often or well, but he was one of the dearest souls she knew. Jasmine and Arielle were both thrilled to see him when he could make it over. Hagrid had always been a kind of honorary uncle to both of them, just as he’d been an odd brother-sort for her mother. Hagrid was the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, as well as the teacher for the Magical Creatures class, even though he was a failed wizard and half giant. That little bit of news had been made public by one of the nasty articles by the acid tongued “journalist” Rita Skeeter. The fact that Hagrid was twice the size of normal human men only meant that there was more for Jasmine and Arielle to love.

Thursday morning, Sirius trailed behind Jasmine and Arielle as they walked to school. He was deep in thought about the coming third of Harry’s Tri-Wizard Champion tasks and still guilty about having touched Jasmine. He was sending daily notes to Harry, reminding him of different hexes and spells, warning him to take care, be safe and get enough rest. Harry had just written saying that his class was going to be visiting “a Miss Swan in Hogsmeade, to see some clabberts” on Friday; Sirius would try to get a little time with him then. Sirius mentally chanted along with Jasmine and Arielle as they sang number songs in Latin, French and Gaelic on the way to school, drilling Arielle for a math and languages test.

When Sirius and Jasmine got home, she cleaned the barn then took Buckbeak from his stall and tethered him outside in the paddock. The rope was long so that he could move around, but not be able to reach the clabbert’s trees. Jasmine didn’t want any more accidents with Hogwarts students and this hippogriff. She placed three random black dots with her wand on Buckbeak’s furry coat, to throw Hagrid off, just in case he recognized him.

After lunch, four horseless coaches rumbled up to the walkway. Hagrid got out of one of them, students emerged from the others. Sirius rushed the gate but backed off, seeing the crowd of students with Hagrid. Jasmine froze the Hecate’s Hawthorn and the student’s approached, chattering, but politely curious. Jasmine greeted the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, then led them around to the clabbert’s trees. Sirius went back to the shade of the barn.

Before Hagrid took over the class, she murmured to him, “When you’re done, wait a bit, I’ll introduce you to the hippogriff,” and went inside. She worked through lunch, then picked up Arielle. Since Hagrid was still teaching, in his – Jasmine looked out the window to see Hagrid with a clabbert on his head - interesting way to teach, they stayed in, working on Ari’s homework.

Meanwhile, Sirius wrote a quick letter to Harry.

Harry-
Don’t be surprised to see me tomorrow. I live at Jasmine Swan’s cottage now, so I’ll see you for your class. I’ll try to think of some way to get you away from the group, so when I give you the signal, ask Jasmine if you can take me for a walk.
Sirius

When Hagrid’s students were piled into the coaches and returned to school, he knocked on the door excitedly. Ari pounced on him and Hagrid obliged her by hefting her up to his shoulders – three feet above Jasmine’s head.

“Now where’s that hippogriff, Ari-girl?” Hargid boomed. They gallumped off to the paddock and waited for Jasmine; it took a minute to catch up. “When’s yer mum going to grow longer legs, Ari-girl? She’s so teeny, like a little fairy!” Jasmine laughed at the old joke, she had stopped growing when she was about twelve and every one of her loved ones liked to tease her about it. Jasmine ignored the gentle jibe as Hagrid set Arielle down. Together, they bowed formally to Buckbeak, and he to them.

“Oh, yer a beauty, ain’t ya?” murmured Hagrid as he fearlessly approached his old friend. Buckbeak affectionately head butted Hagrid in the chest as the man stroked his flanks. “Oh yeah, Professor Dubledore told me all about ya. Said that ya reminded him so much of our old Beaky that he named yer Buckbeak after him.” A huge tear wobbled on Hagrid’s cheek before disappearing into his beard. Jasmine felt awful for the lie, but knew that if Hagrid knew that this was indeed his Beaky, that he’d tell everyone around, accidentally endangering them all. “Oh yes, yea are a beauty, such a handsome fellow. Yea look jest like my old friend Beaky, if it weren’t for these black spots on yer hindquarters. He escaped the axe-man, he did! Don’t know how but I’m glad for it.” Hagrid paused his ramblings to blow his nose.

Jasmine went inside to make dinner, Hagrid would be staying for the meal and to help get the animals settled for the night. She baked two chickens, knowing Hagrid would eat one and Sirius would eat everything that she and Ari didn’t off of the other, which was most of it. Eight heads of broccoli were steamed and nine large potatoes were baked. Two liters of milk, two pints of honey mead and a heaping plate of brownies would round out the meal. Jasmine knew that between Hagrid and Sirius, there would be nothing left. Arielle and Hagrid chatted all through dinner about Buckbeak, Sirius and the rabbits in the meadow.

After dinner, they all tromped out watch as Hagrid happily cleaned out the barn, curried Joe and cleaned out his hooves, examined Florentine for mites and pinfeathers and then doing the same for all of the chickens and Buckbeak, then curry combing and cleaning his hooves, too. Arielle happily chased Sirius around the yard, tugging his tail whenever he let her catch him. Hagrid gleefully smithed new shoes for Joe and applied them to the long- suffering old horse. Buckbeak even tolerated shoes on his hind feet, which surprised Jasmine. Skeevers got a quick checkup, as did Faust and Berri. Albert, the ghoul in the attic, did not get a checkup and the gnomes were tossed into the meadow. Hagrid poked the flobberworms to make sure they were still alive. Soon, Arielle was tucked into bed while Hagrid still played in the fading summer evening’s light.

Jasmine fed all of the animals with Hagrid’s help. The dog was the last and Jasmine had to call him out of the barn to eat. They talked about Sirius while he ate his own dinner.

“So this is yer hero, eh? Nice looking dog,” pronounced Hagrid.

“This is him, though for some time he was my shadow. Now though, he’s spending all of his time in the barn. I just don’t know why,” said Jasmine, still sad that she had lost her friend and not knowing why.

“Well, maybe he’s just off his feed a bit. I’m sure he’ll perk back up in a day or two, lemme have a look at him though,” Hagrid tapped his knee and Sirius, who was finished eating, approached him. Hagrid ran his hands over Sirius’s head, looked into his eyes, giving a running commentary on what he saw.

“The eyes are clear…necks good and strong, no bumps and he ain’ta flinching away.” Hagrid opened the dog’s mouth to inspect his teeth. “The nose is good and damp, these teeth are clean, and gums are nice and pink, well done, Jasmine, if they stay looking this good, he may not lose ‘em at all, not like most dogs do when they get older.” Sirius was glad to hear that assessment. He ran his hands gently over Sirius’ back and sides, checking for tender spots. “Nope, nothing here, but he feels good and healthy. Ye’ve been feedin’ him well, good job.”

“He wouldn’t stop eating for the first week or so that we had him, but seems to have slowed down to two big meals each day,” she said.

“Oh, that’s fine fer a big dog like this one, why Fang eats that much, too, and I think he’s smaller than this big bruiser. D’ya know what he is?” asked Hagrid.

Jasmine shook her head.

“ ‘e’s shaped like a big Newfoundland and his colorin’s the same, but he’s about twice the size,” said Hagrid. He stood up and picked Sirius up around the ribcage, setting him down quickly. “Ayup, about two hundren - two hundred fifty pounds, that’s a big dog. Maybe he’s gotten into some Skele-Grow or gotten in the way of an engorgement charm.”

Jasmine mused, “I wonder if a Finite would show if he’s been charmed?”

Sirius held his breath. A Finite Incantatum spell might be able force him show to that he was an animagus. He’d never tried it, but it sounded like a bad idea.

“Well now, lemme check out his hips here, that’ll decide.” Hagrid carefully probed Sirius’s back hips, searching for signs of displaysia. Sirius, who, as a dog, had never received a checkup like this, stood still. “Nah, ‘e’s fine, don’t need to do anything about his size,” Hagrid pronounced. Sirius was relieved.

Hagrid tapped the ground and told Sirius to lie down for a tummy rub. Once he was on his back, Hagrid listened to his heart and gently probed his ribs and stomach. Then he checked Sirius’s penis and testicles for signs of fleas or lumps. Sirius was stunned. Hagrid also checked under his tail. Sirius felt violated and scrambled up with a sharp bark of displeasure.

“Sorry ol’ man, I jest had to make sure yea were healthy. I won’ do it again, I promise,” Hagrid muttered under his breath, “til next year’s check up.” Sirius looked disgruntled. “Well, Jasmine, it looks like ya have a big, healthy dog here. I’m sure he’ll snap out of his funk soon. If he don’, yea let me know, I’ll come down again.” Jasmine nodded her thanks but Hagrid added in a quiet tone, “the one thing yea might think about doin’ is getting ‘im fixed. I’ve found that it’s a lot healthier for the animal, if yea don’ plan on breedin’ him.”

“I had considered that. I do think it’s a good idea. Can you do it or should I call the doctor?”

“Nah, I’ll take care o’ it, but not until the third task is done. There’s still a lot to do fer it. In fact, I have to be goin’, I have some hedges to do before bed tonight. I’ll see yea again tomorrow then, with the other class.”

Jasmine thanked him for all of his help and walked out to the coach, Sirius followed. “Oh yeah, tomorrow, yea can meet Harry Potter and his friends, they’ll be in the class. Could you do me a favor and talk to one of the girls in the class? She’s bein’ harassed something fierce by that Rita Skeeter woman and is feeling a bit low.” Hagrid asked and Jasmine nodded. With that, Hagrid clambered into the coach and set off back to Hogwarts.

Sirius hated that Jasmine was sad that he’d stopped following her around. To be truthful, he wasn’t happy either, he missed being near her. He followed her into the house and sat nearby while she knitted before bed, but stayed in the living room overnight. He was still guilt ridden for touching her without her consent. He had broken a vow to Professor Dumbledore to protect her. It was essentially oral rape. Maybe he should think about getting fixed?

The next day, Hagrid again showed up with students who needed to be let through the hawthorns. Jasmine recognized some of them. Harry Potter looked just like his photographs and bore an uncanny resemblance to his father. There was definitely a Malfoy and a Weasley in the bunch and a Crabbe, and a Goyle, though she couldn’t remember which was which. Several of the others looked familiar, as well, though she couldn’t place them. As the students were walking to the clabbert trees, Sirius joined them. Harry, Ron and Hermione stopped walking.

“Snuffles!” exclaimed Harry, happy to see his godfather. Sirius wagged his tail.

“He’s looking better than when we last saw him,” murmured Hermione.

“Hey, Snuffles,” called Ron, looking at Jasmine with a sheepish grin, petting Sirius’s back.

“I take it that you know my dog?” questioned Jasmine.

The three chimed in with versions of yes, the small cacophony of voices ended with Hermione saying, “and he was a stray you see, so we named him Snuffles and whenever we’re in Hogsmeade, we visit.” She sounded breathless. Jasmine just smiled. They all introduced themselves.

“I see,” she said. “We’ve named him Sirius…”

The Weasley boy exploded into a fit of coughing, Harry Potter looked as though he were about to say something but decided better of it.

Hermione, being the most practical of the bunch, said swiftly, “After the Dog Star, what a good name.”

Jasmine said mildly, “yes, I thought so, too, though my daughter named him. You may keep Sirius with you in class, if you all wish. When you get a break though, Miss Granger, I would like a quick word with you, if you don’t mind.”

Looking slightly worried, Hermione and the other joined the rest of the class under the trees. One of the clabberts, small green beasts that looked like a strange cross between a tree frog and a monkey, with webbed fingers, sharp teeth, and a red light on its forehead, had just pooped on Hagrid’s shoulder. Jasmine shook her head and went to work, picked up Arielle and did homework again.

There was a soft rap on the side door, Ari hopped up to get it. Standing bravely on the porch were Ron and Hermione. “Come in, please, both of you. Where is young Mr. Potter? I heard you were a trio? Arielle, please finish your homework.”

“Thank you, Miss, he’s… playing with your dog,” invented Hermione as she came in. Ron followed.

“Would you care for tea?” asked Jasmine. They both politely accepted and sat down opposite from Arielle. “And you’re wondering why a perfect stranger would ask to speak with you, aren’t you, Miss Granger?” Jasmine asked with a gentle smile.

“Yes, actually,” said Hermione. Silently, Ron looked around the living room and kitchen. Jasmine took a newspaper from the counter and laid it in front of Hermione. On the front cover was another Rita Skeeter article about Harry and his “double-timing girlfriend” Hermione Granger. Hermione had seen the article that morning, and tensed, ready for an attack. She had been receiving terrible letters from witches all over Britain, condemning her for cheating on Harry – the boyfriend she didn’t have. Ron looked annoyed and opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by a wave of Jasmine’s hand as she sat down.

“Rita Skeeter is a mean, nasty, old hag, Miss Granger. I want to make sure you’re not getting upset by her stories,” said Jasmine in a soft voice.

Hermione deflated in thankful surprise. “Oh no, well, yes, I was at first, but now they are kind of sick. I mean, hasn’t she anything better to do than to make up stories about Harry and me?” Hermione muttered something under her breath that sounded like “I just hate that moo.”

“No, she really hasn’t anything better to do. In fact, three years ago, I was her target,” said Jasmine. She continued, “So, I do know how it feels. She actually made my business slack off some.”

“We can’t figure out how she gets her information. She knows that that she shouldn’t. I mean, she’s interviewing the Slytherins somehow, but they don’t even know most of what she’s publishing. She’s got a way of spying on us,” said Hermione.

“I don’t know where she gets it, but I do know what you mean,” said Jasmine.

“Wha..what did she say about you?” asked Hermione.

“Let’s see, she started off saying that Dumbledore had several illegitimate children and that I was one of them,” Jasmine said.

“Is it true?” asked Ron, then blushed at his own bluntness.

“No,” she paused laughing, “I am actually Dumbledore’s great-granddaughter, all quite legitimately, I’m afraid. Not even a hint of scandal there,” she said.

“Is it true, then,” Ron asked, “that you’re really Snape’s ex-wife?” He sounded disgusted.

“That’s true, too, though we’re still quite good friends,” said Jasmine mildly. “Rita Skeeter wrote that I had cheated on him and that’s why we divorced,” now Jasmine sounded disgusted. She mused, “I think that if I hadn’t made an effort to laugh it off, that he would have done something quite nasty to her.” Ron and Hermione stared. Jasmine laughed at their expressions.

In her typically blunt fashion, Hermione asked, “Why did you divorce then? Why did you even marry that man?” Jasmine looked at her calmly with one eyebrow raised and the younger girl blushed. Hermione disliked Professor Snape just as much as he disliked her.

“Every person has something good and loving inside them,” Jasmine said softly and looked at Arielle. Hermione looked to her lap, shocked at her own audacity. Ron looked mildly impressed.

“So she’s his…” Ron began. Jasmine cut him off by changing the subject back to the newspaper.

“You know the best way to get rid of Rita Skeeter is to ignore her, right?” Jasmine asked confidently to her.

Hermione nodded and added, “I’ve been doing that. It’s hard though! I’ve been getting Howlers almost every day from people I don’t know. A few weeks ago, someone sent me bubotuber pus in a letter.”

“Did you show it to Professor Dumbledore?” inquired Jasmine, outraged that someone would try to hurt a child like that.

Hermione looked confused and said, “I don’t know what happened to it, actually. I was really more worried about the boils on my hands.”

“I fed the lot of them to the fire after you left. Didn’t need to have them to deal with along with your hands and classes, too,” muttered Ron.

Arielle finished her homework. She brought her favorite book, Mary Muggle and the Monster to the table. Fearlessly, she climbed into Ron’s lap and asked politely for him to read. Ron blushed and stammered. Hermione, distracted from the memories of her swollen hands, giggled.

“It looks like you have made a friend, Mr. Weasley,” grinned Jasmine, clearly amused at her daughter’s audacity. She added, “And it looks like Arielle has good taste.” She grinned and Ron blushed even more.

Outside, Harry and Sirius sidled into the barn. Once inside, Sirius led Harry to the ladder, which Harry immediately climbed. Because the ladder was in full view of the door, Sirius trotted to stand in front of Florentine’s stall. He looked up at Harry expectantly. Harry looked down, baffled. Then it clicked and he took out his wand.

“Canis Leviosa,” he said and with a swish and flick of his wand, Sirius was rising into the air, not without flailing his legs. Harry guided him down into the hayloft. Once he was in the farthest corner of the loft, Sirius transformed.

“You’re getting good, Harry. Just a little more gentle on the landing next time, if you don’t mind,” begged Sirius with his croaky voice. They shook hands and settled to talk in low tones. “How’s it going? Any more dreams?” asked Sirius.

“No, other than the usual failing all of my classes and being maimed in the third task ones,” said Harry glumly.

Bracingly, Sirius said, “You’re not taking exams this year, so unless you’ve blown off everything else, you won’t fail.” Sirius took his duty as Harry’s godfather and guardian very seriously. As one of the better students to ever pass through Hogwarts he’d have been very disappointed if Harry had done badly in his classes. Harry reassured him that he was still working hard and studying.

“How are you liking it here? Miss Swan seems nice, at least she didn’t mind if you stayed with us,” said Harry.

“Jasmine is,” Sirius paused, “very nice,” he finished lamely. “No more rats to eat at least.”

“You look better than you did last time,” said Harry.

“I actually feel better. It’s a pretty good life here, even if I do have to be a dog all the time. I can get a shower semi-regularly, too, which is nice.” Sirius laughed his rusty chuckle.

“You don’t smell as bad as last time, either,” quipped Harry, unthinking.

Sirius took a gentle swat at him, as he would have if James Potter had said that. They both lay back in the hay and laughed quietly.

They went over some of the strategies for getting through the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament the next week. Sirius was still extremely worried about Harry. Someone had put his name into the running, knowing Harry would be put in a great deal of danger during the tasks. They discussed spells, enchantments, creatures that could be waiting for Harry in the maze. Sirius spoke urgently about the counter- measures that could be used against them.

Sirius made Harry go over all of the hexes, curses, disarming spells, counter-curses and blocks that he knew, teaching him new ones until they heard Hagrid hustling the rest of the students into the coaches. Harry rushed down the ladder just in time to see all but one of the carriages rumble away. Ron and Hermione were nowhere in sight.

Sirius, already transformed again, nudged Harry and led him to the porch. Harry knocked softly but Sirius opened the door with one huge paw. Ron sat in a rocking chair, reading to the small, black haired girl nestling in his lap. His voice was low but comfortable. Hermione sat next to Miss Swan. Both were holding knitting needles and yarn. Hermione was the first to notice them.

“Oh, hello, Harry, have you had a nice walk?” she asked.

His, “Er… yeah,” was almost unintelligible.

Ron said, “Hagrid came in and said that Dumbledore had given permission for us to stay a bit while you went for a walk with Snuffles, er, I mean Sirius. He said you were under a lot of stress and needed some fresh air.” Harry looked surprised.

“Welcome, Mr. Potter,” began Jasmine but was interrupted.

A knock sounded on the front door and Sirius growled. They all looked to see Professor Snape open the door. He looked straight at Harry.

“What are you doing here?” Snape demanded.

“What are you doing here?” asked Harry at the same time, obviously forgetting the rumors about Miss Swan and Snape. Sirius stood between them, tense, staring at Snape’s throat.

Jasmine, fearful of he forthcoming fireworks, asked, “What are you doing here?” at the same time as the other two.

Arielle, oblivious to the tension in the room, slipped off Ron’s lap and launched herself at Snape, yelling, “Daddy!” gleefully. Snape automatically swung her into his arms. He glared at Harry over Arielle’s head.

“Why are you off the grounds? Why are you in this house?” demanded Snape.

“We came with Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures class,” announced Hermione, “to study the clabberts.”

“Then why aren’t you with the rest of your class, Miss Granger? Twenty points from Gryffindor each for skipping class.”

Sirius growled and took a step toward Snape. Jasmine grabbed one of his ears.

Harry raised his voice, arguing, “You can’t do that! Dumbledore said…”

Jasmine stepped in impatiently, “They came with Hagrid for class, Severus, and stayed as my guests, WITH Professor Grandpa’s knowledge and permission. Thus, no points may be taken from Gryffindor House because of it.” Jasmine was an old Gryffindor, and even though she no longer had a vested interest in the house cup, Severus wasn’t going to take points away from the house.

She continued, “Arielle, go finish your story with Mr. Weasley. Mr. Potter, you may help read, too.” It wasn’t a request.

Arielle wiggled down, saying happily to her father, “Ron’s reading Mary Muggle to me, Daddy,” and she charged off, clambering into Ron’s lap again. Harry followed, still glaring daggers at Snape. Jasmine took Severus by the arm and led him out onto the porch. Sirius followed.

“Severus, you need to calm down. Those children wouldn’t have been in my home if they weren’t allowed to be and you know it,” she soothed.

“He flouts rules whenever he can, Jasmine. Every since he managed to get himself made into school champion, it’s been even worse. Look how he meddled into getting off of school grounds!”

“Severus, he didn’t do it. Professor Grandpa and Hagrid did. Harry Potter had nothing to do with it,” said Jasmine gently.

“I know he had something to do with it, he’s just like his father,” said Snape roughly.

Jasmine, hating to see him this way, lay her hand against his gaunt cheek, “Severus, please let this go. It’s eating you up.” Severus lifted his hand to cover hers, his eyes closing. “You’re angry at him for things he didn’t do. You’re looking for revenge on his father, not him.”

Severus, who knew she was right, quietly growled, “Shut up, Jas.” He sounded even more irritated, but accepted that she was right – this time. Jasmine rose on her toes to kiss his cheek.

“Ease up on him. Term is almost up, then you’ll be free of him for two and a half months,” she laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Sirius, who’s patience had been tested quite enough by now, stood up and nosed himself between them, knocking Jasmine off balance and pushing Severus to the side. She laughed and petted him.

“You’re a greedy dog. Have you been ignored too long?”

Sirius wuffled.

“I don’t like that dog,” pronounced Snape darkly. Sirius grinned and leaned into Jasmine more.

“You don’t like anyone!” she teased. “Oh, I think you’re actually very similar.” They both looked at her. “Really, I mean it. You both favor black.” Severus rolled his eyes. She continued, “You both like to be the center of attention.” Snape spluttered. “Oh, yes you do, Severus. All that sweeping around, you love it!”

Again he said, though very mildly since his cheeks were pink, “Shut up, Jas.”

Sirius rumbled.

“I really don’t like that dog,” said Severus.

“Oh, get over it!” she laughed. At last, Severus grinned. He looked almost handsome.

“I’m going to kiss the girl and go back to the castle. You’re still doing the end of term celebration with Anne-Mette?” Severus asked.

“Every year, since we were eleven. Why would we stop now? You can watch Arielle that night or shall I get Siobhan to do it?” Every year, she and her oldest friend celebrated the last day of exams at Hogwarts with a staying up all-night with chocolate and girl talk celebration. Even though they had left Hogwarts some time ago, the two women traditionally got together on the last day of Hogwarts exams, though now there was usually wine in the pub involved. The celebration would be earlier this year because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament (and the lack of student exams), but even that wouldn’t interfere with their ritual. It was Jasmine’s one night a year that she could let go and relax.

“I’ll pick her up and we’ll have dinner while you’re getting pretty. That way we won’t meet in town to distract you from your revelry and the little bit won’t witness your night of sin and debauchery,” grinned Severus.

“You wretch! I’m always pretty!” she interrupted.

“Yes, you are but you’re still short!” With that, he patted her atop the head and he swept into the house, calling for Arielle.

After kissing his daughter soundly, ignoring the stares of the other children, Severus announced that he would escort them back to school, since it was getting late.

“I don’t want you three…getting lost on the way back,” he sneered.

Harry, Ron and Hermione thanked Jasmine for her hospitality and each petted Sirius. Jasmine handed Hermione the knitting needles, ball of yarn and a thin book of instructions.

“I’ve given you the basics, if you can learn how to knit and crochet over the summer holiday, next year I’ll show you how to enchant the needles to work by themselves,” promised Jasmine.

“Thank you so much, Jasmine. I promise I shall!” enthused Hermione, excited about learning the new skill, and still more excited to learn how to enchant the needles. She cradled them close.

“Mr. Weasley, it was nice meeting you. I hope we’ll meet again,” Jasmine said, smiling.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Mr. Potter, we didn’t get to talk much, perhaps we shall another time. I knew your parents, they were very nice,” she said. Harry smiled and shook her hand, still petting Sirius. “And good luck next week, Arielle and I shall be watching and cheering for you.”

“Thanks,” he said simply, still shy. He spoke to Sirius, “Glad you’ve got a good home, Sirius, I’ll be seeing you,” and patted his shoulder.

Snape set Arielle down with another kiss, ignoring the looks of shock from his students, that his open affection brought. He ushered them out, again looking like an irritated raven. Just before snapping the door shut, he said, “See you then.”