Reminisce In the Twilight

Reminisce In the Twilight

Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat, do NOT own J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter Series” or their characters. As much as I would like to own it and make thousands of dollars, I don’t. But I do own the Original Characters in this fictional story, in other words, you steal them and I sue! Mwa ha ha ha ha! Ahem, sorry. I got carried away. But as I was saying, in short: Harry Potter = Not mine = Don’t sue. Thank You and enjoy.

Genre: Romance, Angst, Humor

Rating: Rated PG13 for now, and R/NC-17 later for sexual innuendo, adult situations, rape, sex, language, violence and death in later chapters.

Summery: It’s Harry Potter’s Seventh Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But like every other year at Hogwarts, it’s never normal. This time, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named has hired a hit man by the name of Twilight Viper, and has sent him to kill Harry! Meanwhile, Professor Snape is not getting along with the new Muggles History and Literature teacher, who despises him for a reason beyond his knowledge, yet she claims he is responsible for one of her worst memories that has scarred her for life! Literally! Will either of them survive this year?


Chapter Four: Infiltration

Snape leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, glaring at the Gryffindor Students that crowded the Seventh Year Boys’ Dorm. The foolish little brats all wanted a gander at the carved signature in Mr. Potter’s headboard. When in reality they were only getting in the way of the Headmaster. Snape inclined his head to the side to see both the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and the Deputy Headmistress, and Head of Gryffindor, Minerva McGonagall, examining the scene before them. It was well into middmiddle of dinner by now. Just minutes ago one of the First Year Gryffindors came running into the Great Hall just when Albus, Minerva and himself were about to sit down, howling about something “urgent” they needed to see. Snape was surprised, but didn’t show it, when he too was dragged into the bloody Gryffindor tower as well. It was just as he imagined. So much like his House, but the serpent sculptures were replaced by lions and what was green was red and what was silver was gold, and where young Slytherins usually worked and socially interacted was replaced with bloody Gryffindors straining their brains with simple problems and wasting each others’ time with foolish gossip. Once they arrived at the scene, the insufferable know-it-all Miss Granger had informed them of what was discovered. He as well as his boss and fellow Head of House were alarmed to find a signature brutally scratched into the headboard of Mr. Potter’s sleeping arrangements. Albus immediately sent one of the miscreants to go fetch something and make haste about it.

Whatever it was Severus did not know nor cared what it was. This whole situation was, as Severus assumed, another one of Potter’s cries for attention that Potter always thought he deserved. From day one, Snape always knew Potter had an everlasting taste for the lime light, and this rouse didn’t fool him one bit. But what if this was not just another one of Potter’s selfish ascends to the spotlight? The boy HAD always seemed to attract life threatening trouble as much as he did attention. Snape let out a sigh of annoyance. That thought was quickly swept away from his mind. Potter was no more thn atn attention seeking little brat and wouldn’t think twice about using what was on the front page of today’s Daily Prophet to his advantage so he could once more be the center of attention.

Snape’s eyes then drifted towards the Golden Trio themselves. Mr. Potter sat disgruntled and paranoid between a deeply worried Miss Granger and an equally paranoid Mr. Weasley who were comforting him without words. Obviously those two were in on it. If Potter looked anymore distressed, Severus would swear storm clouds would form above the boy’s head and rain down upon him and put a further ‘damper’ in the boy’s mood. Snape’s train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice.

“Excuse us. Sorry! Pardon me. Coming through...”

Severus’s eyes darted to the door that led to the Gryffindor Common Room. Up the stairs came a man in slightly tattered robes and messy light brown hair streaked grey from stress, and a woman in white robes with burgundy cuffs and long chestnut hair. Snape recognized them immediately as Professor Remus Lupin and Professor Nyaru Infinity. Snape pushed himself off the wall and quickly stood in their path once they reached the end of the crowd of gawking students.

“What are you doing here, Lupin?” Snape pronounced each word in a dangerous tone at the man in tattered robes and brown hair with thin streaks of grey.
“The Headmaster sent for us.” Professor Lupin told him simply.
“‘Us?’” Snape looked passed him to see the woman with icy blue eyes and long chestnut hair glaring at him, “I see. And what would the Headmaster want with a scruffy werewolf and an insufferable wench?”
The woman stepped forward, eyes blazing with disgust and hatred at the dark man before her, “You flatter us, Snape. But we have no time for your pleasant greetings.” Professor Infinity said sarcastically, “We have important work at hand that can’t be handled by incompetent Potions Masters. Now, if you’ll excuse us…”
Snape stepped in her path and snarled, “Now see here, you detestable little trollop, I don’t know why the Headmaster would ask you here. So unless you can use your ‘Muggles History and Literature’ tripe to help this investigation, you could always find a mess to clean up, help out in the kitchens, or bear someone’s child. But of course this is an investigation, and none of those skills seem to help, so let the MEN handle this.”
Infinity stared at him in horror, then swiftly changed to blind rage, “Why you sexist pric-”
“Ahh, Remus, Nyaru, glad you could make it.” The Headmaster interrupted, smiling as he walked up beside Snape.
“What can we do for you, Headmaster?” said Lupin, now standing beside Professor Infinity trying to help her calm down by placing his hands on her shoulders.
“As you may have heard, we’ve had a mysterious breech in security.” Dumbledore told them, “Some of the students believe an unexpected and unwanted visitor came in the night and left this warning on Mr. Potter’s headboard.” He gestured to the name carved into the headboard, “The origin of this signature may give us reason to or not to fear for his life. I assume you both know what needs to be done. I shall let you get to work then.”

Both Professors nodded without another word and got to work as Professor McGonagall had the students leave the room. Snape watched Infinity pulled out her wand and began to scan the beds, walls and floors with it as Lupin wandered around to room flaring his nostrils in search of an unidentified scent. Snape then turned to the Headmaster.

“Headmaster,” Snape drew Dumbledore’s attention to himself, “what could these two possibly contribute to matter at hand?”
“It should be obvious, Severus. Remus’s special senses have the abilities to help us in this situation most certainly. With his abilities, he may help us identify the culprit.” Dumbledore explained to him.
“If that is so, then what good is she?” Snape gestured to Professor Infinity with a slight tilt of his head.
“Nyaru worked as an Auror during the times of Voldemort’s rising to power, Severus. She is trained in the art of tracking, detecting and capturing Dark Wizards. She was deeply interested in putting Death Eaters to justice as she liked to put it.” Dumbledore explained.
“Then she works for the Ministry?” Snape stiffened, remembering the last time they had “hired” an employee of the Ministry, Dolores Umbridge.
“Worked, Severus, worked. She quit ten years ago to pursue knowledge of interest, and to find her passion.” Dumbledore told him, “If you put your differences aside and got to know each other as colleagues you may have gained that knowledge about her sooner.”

Snape merely sneered. It was she who started this unannounced war, not he. He turned his head to watch her. She seemed to be interested in the window that was only a few feet away from the staircase, and motioned Lupin over to have a look at it. After a few moments both she and the werewolf approached Dumbledore with what they had found.

“What have do you have to report?” Dumbledore asked.
“There seems to be a subtle scent of Sandalwood and Perspiration lurking in the air. And after examining the markings on the headboard, I’d say they were made by some sort of blade, and were made about sixteen-seventeen hours ago.” Lupin told him, “Also, Nyaru has discovered that one of the windows was unlocked and it may have been the source of entry. She also found some sort of dark material on the window sill.”
“There was definitely some sort of infiltration, Headmaster.” Infinity said grimly.
“I see.” Dumbledore nodded then thought long and hard.

The room was draped in an overwhelming silence. The slightest cough or snort would have seemed inappropriate at the time, though everyone who was now present in the room, the Headmaster and the four Professors, wanted so desperately to break the silence in some way. After a while, the silence was shattered by the Headmaster clearing his throat.

“I think now would be a good time to question Mr. Potter.” Said Dumbledore and began to lead them out of the Dormitory.

Snape took his place behind the Headmaster, followed by Lupin, then Infinity, and McGonagall in tow. The five of them became face to face with a large crowd of Gryffindors as they descended the staircase to the Common Room. Dumbledore stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to Harry who was sitting in one of the plush chairs with Hermione and Ron at his sides.

“Harry, I would like a word with you in my office. Please go on ahead and meet me there.” Dumbledore told the dark haired boy and handed him a piece of paper.

Harry complied with a nod. He stood up and squeezed his way through the crowd and exited through the portrait hole without another word. Dumbledore then turned to his small hand full of staff that was now lined up behind him.

“Minerva, could you please escort your house to dinner? I’m sure after all this excitement they’d want to finally fill their empty tummies.” Said Dumbledore.
“Of course, Headmaster.” McGonagall replied, and then turned to her House, “Come along now, children. Let us head to the Great Hall.”

The four of them watched as McGonagall ushered the crowd of Gryffindors out of the Tower and disappeared after them through the portrait hole. Dumbledore then turned to those who remained with him, completely abandoning the twinkle that usually resided in his eyes.

“Severus, I would like you to set up some wards through out the tower to prevent anymore unwanted entries.” He said in a serious tone, “And you two,” He turned to Lupin and Infinity, “please, continue your investigation of the Dormitory and the rest of the Tower. If there was a break in, and Mr. Potter’s life has been threatened, I would like to know as much as I can about what had occurred.” Dumbledore told them.

The three of them nodded and headed back up the stairs to the Boys’ Dormitory.
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Harry arrived in front of the Gargoyle that hid the doorway to the Headmaster’s office. Harry pulled out the folded piece of paper Dumbledore had handed to him and opened it to find that it contained the password to his office. Harry walked up to the Gargoyle and announced the password.

“Peppermint Toads.” Harry said to the Gargoyle.

The Gargoyle moved aside to reveal the spiral staircase to Dumbledore’s office. Harry ascended the vertically curling stairs to an exquisite round office. Harry had been in this office many times before in his past years at Hogwarts. This time the many portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses were chatting with one another pleasantly, but then noticed Harry’s presence and quickly closed their eyes and began to let out false, exaggerated snores. Harry shook his head at their horrible acting job and returned to tracing the room with his eyes. The shelves were packed with many ancient tomes with their spines engraved with runes, symbols or in other languages. The tattered Sorting Hat sat amongst the books mumbling to itself. Harry guessed it was trying to come up with a new song for next year. Beside the Sorting Hat was a grand silver sword with sparkling rubies engraved into its handle and the name GODRIC GRYFFINDOR engraved on the blade. Harry’s eyes drifted towards the wooden desk in the middle of the room with a large plush chair behind it facing four leather cushioned chairs. Harry crossed the room and took a seat in one of the leather bound chairs and waited. Once again his eyes drifted around the room taking in the scenery. He spotted a brightly colored bird of red, yellow, orange and some blue tinted feathers. Its wings spread vast like an ocean of color. The sight of this glorious bird was enough to take Harry’s breath away. Although Harry had seen Fawkes many times before, this extravagant phoenix never seemed to be less intriguing. Harry stood from his chair and went to stroke Fawkes’s head feathers. Fawkes nuzzled against his hand affectionately in response. Harry liked Fawkes very much. The thoughts that he had been close to being murdered left his mind, and were now focused on the calming cooing from the beautiful phoenix. Suddenly, Harry’s ears perked to the sound of the Gargoyle moving to reveal the stair case and quickly rushed back and plopped down in the leather bound chair. Dumbledore’s soft footsteps echoed through the office until he had taken his seat behind the desk and faced Harry with a serious face.

“Harry, I believe you know why I called you here, yes?” Dumbledore inquired, lifting a snowy white brow in question.
“I assume you want to ask me some questions about the signature scratched into my headboard.” Harry told him.
“Indeed.” Dumbledore leaned back a bit and folded his hands on his desk, “Before we embark on this interrogation, may I offer you some candy? A Sherbet Lemon perhaps?” he offered, gesturing with an open hand to the candy dish filled with Sherbet Lemon drops.
“No thank, Headmaster.” Harry replied.
“As you wish.” Dumbledore smiled, popping one of the candies into his mouth and discarded the wrapper, “Now, let us get started.”

Harry stiffened. Suddenly, remembering the realization, that he experienced earlier, that he had almost been murdered washed over him like an ocean tide. Harry once again became overwhelmingly paranoid. Truthfully, when it came to the fact that he might have to explain the nightmare he had to Dumbledore, he felt a bit embarrassed.

“Harry, it’s quite alright. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.” Dumbledore assured him as if reading Harry’s mind.

Harry nodded and relaxed slightly.

“Now, Harry, to my understanding, you had not noticed the carving until came back from classes for the day. Am I correct?” He asked.
“Yes, Headmaster.” Harry replied.
“So you didn’t notice it through out the day?” Dumbledore asked.
“No, sir. I never got the chance to look.” Harry told him bashfully, “I was in quite a hurry to get to breakfast and to my classes.”
“Quite understandable, Harry. We all fail to notice our surroundings when we are in a rush. Perfectly human.” Dumbledore nodded in understanding, “Do you have any idea how it got there?”
“Well, I’m not quite exactly sure, sir. But I had the strangest dream that someone had entered the room through the window, he wore black and spoke in a language that I couldn’t quite understand.” Harry told him.

Dumbledore leaned forwards in this chair, seeming deeply interested when he had mentioned the window.

“Please, continue.” Dumbledore encouraged him.
Harry nodded, “Well, he seemed to be talking to everyone in the room, and then he approached me. In his hand he was carrying an interesting looking dagger. It had many intriguing designs on the handle. He raised it into the air and…”

Harry stopped and remembered his anxiety.

“Say no more, Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore rose from his chair and began to pace.
After a while of silence, Harry ined, ed, “Sir?”

Dumbledore stopped his pacing and looked at him. The youthful twinkle that was usually there was now faded, and he actually looked his age. He looks so tired, Harry thought in his mind. He then realized Dumbledore was waiting for him to speak.

“Sir,” Harry began quickly, “do you think that my nightmare possible could have been or warning of some kind? Or…” Harry trailed off.
Dumbledore let out a sigh and walked over behind his desk, “I wish I could tell you that, Harry, but your nightmare was, indeed, perfect reality.”
Harry looked at him with shock, “Headmaster?” he questioned, urging the old man to continue.
“As it seems, everything you’ve just told me explained why the window was open, and how that name was carved into your headboard… I’m afraid my suspicions are true…” Dumbledore looked grave as his eyes looked straight into Harry’s with an utmost seriousness, “Twilight Viper has come to Hogwarts, and he is set on taking your life.”
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“Remus, have you found anything else?” Professor Infinity asked as turned towards him.
“Nothing more. But it seems his entrance was also his exit. I can’t seem to find that scent leading in any other direction besides that window you pointed out.” Professor Lupin told her.
“I see…” Infinity sighed as she plopped down on one of the four poster beds, “Poor Harry… do you really think that… that Murderer could be after him?” she inquired.
“Could be.” Lupin nodded, “The Daily Prophet did say he was spotted in a town near Hogsmeade. And from what we’ve heard and seen, it could be quite possible-”
“It’s a load of tripe.” A voice bellowed from the dormitory staircase.

Lupin and Infinity turned thheadheads to the staircase to find Professor Snape leaning against the door frame. Snape pushed himself from the frame and walked into the room with a sneer upon his face.

“Mr. Potter is probably just striving for the attention he so arrogantly thinks he deserves. Perhaps he thought being hunted down by the Dark Lord wasn’t enough to catch the full attention of the public eye and thought maybe having a deranged killer after him as well might boost his popularity.” Snape drawled with an acidic tone.
“No body asked you, Severus.” Infinity snarled as she rose from the bed, “You have no right to accuse Harry of such a thing!”
“Nyaru.” Lupin said warningly, “Just ignore him.”
“No! I’m tired of this…this… this knave! He thinks after what happened he can talk to me years later like I’m inferior!” Infinity told him.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. But as for talking to you like you are inferior, maybe if you’d stop acting like a bothersome little chit, I might, and I emphasize might, treat you with, say, a smidgen of respect.” Snape hissed.
“You, sir, are an arrogant simpleton!” Infinity growled.
“Sticks and Stones, Miss Infinity. I am un-offended by your childish and effortless name calling.” Snape smirked.
“Childish you say? What could be more childish than picking on a young boy just because you never got along with their father or his father’s friends?” Infinity glared, “Remus told me about how you treat Harry and I think it’s pretty pathetic of you.”
“Is that so?” Snape raised an eyebrow, unaffected by her attempts.
“What’s all this?” Professor McGonagall entered the room.

Her question was ignored.

“How can you hate him so much? He’s done nothing to you!” Infinity snarled, poking Snape in the chest, “He hardly needs someone like you bringing him down with two killers after him! Heck, for all we know, you could be Twilight Viper! You obviously hate him enough. Why not get him out of your sight for good? All the evidence could possibly point to you. You wear black clothing like the piece of cloth we found on the window sill, and I believe Sandalwood is the fragrance of your cologne, is it not?”
“Nyaru, I can assure you, Snape wouldn’t do something like that.” Lupin told her, “He can’t.”
“Will someone please explain what is going on?” McGonagall asked.

Both McGonagall and Lupin were ignored. Snape glared down at Infinity and slapped her hand to the side to stop her from further poking his chest.

“I for one, though admit I am not fond of the boy, have no such intentions as murder, Miss Infinity. And even if this Twilight Viper fellow was after Mr. Potter, who is to say you are not the deranged psychopath? You’ve shown a few disorderly traits as far as I have seen. Not to mention a bit aggressive for a woman.” Snape countered.
“How DARE you!” Infinity raised her hand to strike him but this was stopped as Lupin grabbed her hand before she could make contact with Snape’s face.
“Severus, I can assure you Nyaru would never do such a thing.” Lupin told the darn.
n.
“Oh? And how do we know where she was last night? Hmm?” Severus turned to Infinity once more, “You are a friend of Lupin aren’t you? Lupin does have a tendency for sneaking in… criminals.” Snape mentioned raising a dark brow.
“You and I both know that Sirius was innocent!” Lupin told him, “And if you must know, she was with me in my quarters last night.”

Everyone looked at Lupin in shock. Professor Infinity blushed immensely as her hand slowly slipped from his. She looked to see McGonagall’s jaw hung open in disbelief and Snape stared wide eyed at Lupin incredulously. Infinity suddenly realized what they were thinking and cleared her throat.

“Um, Remus, I think you might want to elaborate on that.” She told him
“Yes, I believe you should.” McGonagall demanded.
“What? Oh.” Lupin suddenly realized that they had all taken what he said the wrong way, “Yes, well, Nyaru came to my rooms last night seeking help with her lesson plans-”
“That’s how it always starts…” Severus grumbled, earning him a glare from both Infinity and McGonagall.
“We worked so late she fell asleep in one of the chairs in my quarters. I didn’t want to wake her so I let her sleep. She was there when I went to sleep and there when I woke up. She never left until the a few mis bes before classes started.” Lupin explained.
“I should hope that’s all that happened.” McGonagall chided.
“Indeed.” Snape cleared his throat and continued, “And as for your evidence I believe it can be explained rationally. First of all, the Sandalwood scent, since we ARE in a Boys’ dormitory, could be the cologne of a hormone driven Gryffindor. Secondly, as for the window, that same Gryffindor could have opened it for fresh air before going to bed. And finally, the dark cloth fou found could be from their school robes! Thus, I believe my theory is proven that this just a desperate attempt for attention.” Snape told them.
“Unfortunately, Severus, your theory is quite incorrect.”

Everyone’s eyes were once again drawn to the doorway that led to the Common Room. There, stood the Headmaster with Harry at his side.

Dumbledore spoke once more, “Mr. Potter has told me his story and it up holds the evidence towards a break in and intent of murder.”
“And how do you know he isn’t lying, Headmaster?” Snape inquired.
“I think we all know full well that Mr. Potter knows the seriousness of the situation, and I, for one, do not doubt a single word.” Dumbledore told him. “Everything he has told me supports all the evidence we’ve gathered, so I believe it to be true.”

Snape merely crossed his arms and sneered. His theory of Potter telling tall tales was indeed incorrect. But not only that, this also meant that both Lupin and Infinity were proven to be correct. And Snape did not welcome this fact with open arms.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and started on another topic, “Severus, have put up the wards?”

Snape nodded, but his expression didn’t change.

“Excellent. We’ll have a few teachers and the ghosts taking shifts patrolling the tower tonight, to insure the students get a good night’s sleep without anymore unwanted guests coming in through the windows.” Dumbledore said then turned to McGonagall, “Minerva, you may tell your students that it is now safe to sleep here tonight or if they are uncomfortable with sleeping here tonight, that the Great Hall will be available to them.”
“Yes, Headmaster.” Minerva replied with a nod and left the room in a brisk swishing of tartan.
Dumbledore turned to the other teachers, “Excellent work everyone. Remus, can I count on you to take the first shift in patrolling the tower?”
“Of course, Headmaster.” Lupin nodded.
“Good, good.” Dumbledore smiled with a brisk nod, “I shall take my leave. Good evening, Severus, Nyaru, Remus, Harry.”

With that, Dumbledore disappeared down the stairs case. Lupin gave Infinity and Harry a smile and a brisk nod and followed the Headmaster’s lead. Harry looked from Professor Infinity to Professor Snape who remained glaring at each other. Soon, Snape gave his fellow professor a look of disgust and disappeared in a billowing of robes that vanished as they fled down the stairs while Professor Infinity continued to glare after him. The only ones left in the room were Harry and his Professor, neither speaking as Infinity continued to glare at the empty stair case.

“Professor?” Harry inquired.

Professor Infinity snapped her attention to Harry and her expression softened.

“Professor, are you alright?” Harry asked.
“Yes, I’m quite alright.” Infinity nodded and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, “But more importantly, how are you feeling?”

How was he feeling? Obviously he felt distressed and terrified. He had almost been killed! But could he really tell this teacher, this woman who he had just met today how he really felt? Harry studied her expression. Her eyes held a sense of worry and comfort despite their icy hue. She apparently really did care. But how embarrassing would that be to tell her that he was scared out of his wits? He felt pretty silly at just the thought of it.

“I’m… a bit shaken, but I’ll be alright.” Harry told her.
She frowned, “A bit shaken, you say? Are you sure? If I were in your shoes I’d be more than just shaken.”
“Well, I was like that. Well, maybe I’m still a bit like that. But I’ll be okay.” Harry smiled weakly.
“Alright.” She said, returning his weak smile with one of her own, “Will you be staying in the Great Hall tonight?”
“Well, no. I think I’ll sleep in my own bed.” Harry told her, trying to sound brave.
Infinity frowned, “Are you sure you will be able to stay here tonight, with the wards and all? Do you think its enough? I mean, wards are designed to alert the caster of intrusion. They cannot insure safety.”

Harry thought for a moment. She had a point. Wards didn’t necessarily protect again intrusion.

She suddenly gave him a smirk, “Surely you don’t want Snape to be your knight in shining armor.”

Harry laughed at the thought of the greasy git trying to look regal sitting atop a white stallion in armor that would probably be impossible for the scrawny man to move around in.

“I’m sure I’ll be alright. After all, Professor Lupin will be ng ang a shift here tonight.” Harry told her.
“Yes, that’s true.” Professor Infinity’s smile returned, “Alright then.”

She withdrew her hand from his shoulder and headed towards the door. Before she approached the stairs, she turned back to him.

“Harry, if you ever need to talk about what happened or just anything at all, just stop by my office. I would be more than happy to listen.” She told him in gentle tones, “Goodnight Harry.”
“Goodnight Professor, thank you.” Harry smiled.

Before he knew it she had already disappeared down the staircase and could hear the Portrait hole close behind her. Soon the flooding of voices filled the Common Room below and Harry soon became extremely tired.
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Midnight suddenly rolled around. The cool night air was crisp and the stone walls echoed each foot step. Severus loved this time of night. There were no students in sight, and the echoing of his own shoes against the tile floor was quite relaxing. His eyes adjusted well to the darkness, which made it all more satisfying when he could sneak up on a student who was disobeying the curfew and making them jump at the sound of his baritone voice. Snape smiled smugly to himself. This had to be his favorite part of the job. The looks on their faces when they received a weeks detention with Filch and a varied amount of house points taken away, depending on how late it was or what house they were in.

Loud snoring came from the Great Hall as over half the Gryffindor house was sleeping there. If one of them at least dared get up to use the restrooms or at least even sit up, Snape would be on them faster than you could say “fifty points from Gryffindor”.

As the night continued to drag on, Severus had already taken one hundred points from Hufflepuff, catching two of them snogging on the moving staircases, ten points from Slytherin for being out after curfew, thirty four points from Ravenclaw for also being out after curfew, and two hundred and fifty points from several Gryffindors who claimed their bladders were about to explode. Severus continued down the dark corridor with an evil grin on his face. This was definitely his night after all that had occurred that day. As he continued his patrol he stopped to find a figure in a red hooded satin night robe, their back to him, walking through the halls just ahead of him with an illuminated wand in hand. Another Gryffindor? Severus thought with a smirk. They just don’t get it, being blinded with their Gryffindor pride. Severus quietly stalked after them as swiftly as he could. As soon as he was directing behind them, walking in their shadow, he grabbed them from behind, snaking his forearm through their arms causing them to drop their wand in shock. He pulled the figure to him and lit his own wand with a quick “Lumos”.

“Tsk, tsk. Out after dark? How Gryffindor. But even a Gryffindor knows better than to sneak around in the shadows with a lit wand.” Snape sneered pulling the figure closer as it began to struggle, preventing them from escaping.

The slender figure suddenly stopped struggling and began to relax against him. At this point he could recognize that this was a fully developed disobedient seventh year girl. Severus smirked as he began to think that the student finally decided to take their punishment like an adult. But the notion was soon washed away and panic raised in his mind as one of the girl’s slender hands began to stroke his thigh in a sensual caress. He stiffed and pushed the girl away from him in disgust. She stumbled forward and grabbed her wand with a hearty chuckle.

“Well that certainly got your attention.” A familiar voice chuckled from beneath the hood, “Really, Snape, if you wanted to fulfill one of your bad-boy versus vulnerable, submissive damsel fantasies, you could have just asked.”

The slender girl removed her hood and lit her wand to let the light reveal not a seventh year student, but a fellow professor! One professor he did not wish to encounter tonight.

“Though I do have my conditions. One, you’ll have to wear a bag over your head, and two, I prefer to be the dominant one.” Professor Infinity jeered with a smirk.
“Quite amusing, Infinity.” Snape drawled, keeping his disgusted look, “What in the name of Merlin are you doing at this time of night wearing THAT?”

Snape inquired to her loose red night robe revealing a shapely body in a rich red, mesh halter baby-doll with cross-dyed floral lace cups. Such casual, unmentionable wear was highly inappropriate in the sight of students.

“Off to pay a midnight visit to Lupin, I trust?” Snape sneered.
She frowned, “For your information, Snape, I was just heading back to my quarters after being relieved of watch duty in the Gryffindor Tower by Professor Flitwick. You see, I myself care that the students get a good night’s sleep.” She told him, narrowing her eyes and raising her chin in defiance. “And if I was expecting to be assaulted from behind and interrogated, I would have worn something more to the occasion.”
“Indeed. And what do you have to report from your shift?” Professor Snape asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
“Whatever I have to report, will go straight to Dumbledore, Snape. I do not take orders from you!” Professor Infinity snapped, “Now, if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than waste my time with an arrogant twit such as yourself.”

With that she gave him one last sneer and left with a turn of her heel down the darkened corridor. The light from her wand danced with the sway of her hips and finally disappeared as she turned the corner.

“Asinine little floozy.” Snape snarled to himself, “Arrogant twit indeed!”

With a quick “Nox”, he then set off through the pitch black hallways, his billowing robes camouflaged to the shadows, almost becoming the shadows themselves. And yet in some ways, he himself was much like those shadows.
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To Be Continued…

Yay! Another chapter accomplished! This one is a bit uneventful but I’m quite pleased with it. I got to add some of my sick humor into this one. :P Now that Dumbledore and the staff have pieced together that it may have indeed been Twilight Viper who broke in, but will he come back to finish the job? Will Harry sue? We? Will Snape ever find out what Infinity has against him? Or will they continue to drive each other insane? All will be revealed in the next chapter! I promise it will get better. Please Review!