Both Sides of a Secret

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Harry Potter, but I do own this original character.

Title: Both Sides of a Secret
Pairing: Draco/OC
Rating: R-NC17
Warnings: NO spoilers for Deathly Hallows. Contains: An intersex character (Aine), SLASH, masturbation, possible sexual intercourse, crossdressing, language. All warnings may not apply to this chapter, but they can and will be present in future chapters.
Setting: 7th year of Hogwarts School of Magic. Voldermort is gone, no one is dead. Hurray.
Summary: A look into Aine's past. And is she even getting better?
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It was a beautiful day, one which was taken advantage of by two people sitting on a black blanket, eating quietly in the peaceful surroundings. Curious emerald eyes looked around, munching on her sandwich. Her eyes fell upon a well designed tombstone, covered with green moss. She then looked to the tombstone to her right, seeing it clean and undamaged by time, unlike all the thousands of others in the vast cemetery.

The older male with black, shoulder length hair and long nose sat across from her, reading a book and merely enjoying the quiet on their trip to the Green Isle.

Neither found it odd to have a picnic in a graveyard at all.

"Daddy?" Aine looked to her father, wondering how he could wear all those layers on such a sunny day. She herself was clad in black, but only a button down long sleeved shirt and pleated skirt. Snape's attention was taken away from the book non-too happily. "Tell me more about mother."

Snape bookmarked his page and snapped it shut, not even startling the teen. "Aren't you even the slightest bit bored of reminiscing?" Aine simply grinned at him, knowing that he was merely teasing her. She was one of the few who wouldn't really take him seriously. "Very well..." He watched as Aine got comfortable, laying back and looking at the sky. Deep, onyx eyes gave a distant look as he delved into his memories.

****
A younger Snape traveled through a colorful town in Ireland, set on gathering rare ingredients for his potions and to advance his studies. Many avoided the male, not only because of his brooding exterior, but also because he was vastly different from the other locals. He caught sight of an elaborate building with high steeples and an old fashioned architecture that he could appreciate. It was as if a bit of London could be found right in front of him.

As he traveled nearer, he realized that there was a vast sea of green, so lush that it even made him secretly want to walk through it barefoot. Perhaps he would indulge himself one time...

He soon realized that the hustle and bustle of the vivid town began to die out as he neared the beautiful building, giving him even more appreciation of this marvel. He looked around, not wanted to be spotted, before heading around back toward the inviting grass. He found the place relatively deserted and placed his bag onto a small flat rock and took off his shoes and stepped away and into the lush grass, sighing in bliss at the beautiful nature.

Although there was a vast space of green, it was preoccupied by a few large oak trees in the distance. They stood tall and proud, and gave a nice amount of shade. Snape looked at the oak tree, noticing its bark was red instead of the usual brown, and recognized that such bark is highly useful for curing internal bruises. He made a motion to go forward before he heard soft giggling nearby. Almost as if right by his ear. He immediately withdrew his wand and turned around, encountering no one, and also finding his belongings missing. A sneer crept onto his features before hearing the giggling once again, turning around and seeing long, dark hair running towards the trees, clad in white. He made chase after the mysterious thief, sans shoes.

As the oak trees loomed ahead, he now realized just how grand they were. They were stories high, and completely blanket the area it blossomed in with darkness, although a few patches of light filtered through. Snape kept his guard up, ready to poise a spell if necessary. The soft giggling echoed all around him, onyx black eyes narrowing in annoyance. "Come out, you thief!"

"Don't you know manners at all?" The feminine voice with a light Irish accent sounded amused at the other's frustration. Snape followed the voice as it continued to talk. "I would figure a bright lad as yourself would know he isn't in any place to demand."

Severus rolled his eyes and complied. He did not feel up to dilly dallying with some nut just to get his belongings back. He had more important business to attend to, like getting bark from these trees. "Can you return my belongings...please?"

"Ah, that's much better." Her voice was as clear as fine crystal, making the male look up and seeing a dark skinned woman perched on a sturdy branch. He was mesmerized at her beauty. Her intense green eyes and long, curly reddish-brown hair fell around her as she held one of his books in her hand, opened from reading it. Her mischievous smile captivated his mind before clearing it.

"I don't appreciate pesky, inquisitive thieves rifling through my belongings." Although his tone was lacking amusement of any kind, it seems to not be taken noticed by the female, who simply kept her grin before jumping down quite gracefully, despite a two story drop. Up close, he felt his mind cloud again at the stunning beauty. Not only that, but her eyes reminded him of someone he treasured, but was inevitably lost.

"Of course you wouldn't. But I must say, you are quite the intelligent mind. These notes are well written." A dazzling smile was sent his way, trying to melt away the other's displeasure. A little flattery could go a long way.

"Obviously." He continued to peer at the other, seeing her tilt her head to the side in contemplation. "Are you going to return my belongings or not?" His lip was in a thin line, signaling his shortening patience.

"Don't you know how to smile?" Green eyes looked at the other curiously, ignoring his inquisitive request. Whether on purpose or not, the male wasn't sure.

Severus was taken back by the odd, out-of-the-blue question. "Excuse me?"

"You're quite the smart lad, aren't ya?" Her smile returned, amused at his apparent confusion. "Don't you know what a smile is? Deciphering these potions are a breeze to ya, aye? I bet you would look more dashing with one, than this frumpy old frown."

He really didn't know how to react to this. No one has caught him off guard mentally like this before, and he was curious as to why this young woman was so good at it. "Perhaps..." Severus studied the other's features, seeing the red tint in the brown hair glow softly in the speckled sunlight, and how it accented her features. A smirk soon replaced his thin frown, growing as the other blinked in surprise.

"That's not a smile either." Severus rolled his eyes once again before speaking.

"Perhaps you can help me find what this...smile is. It seems that you are superior in this field." He gently took his belongings from her hands, seeing her amusement and a perplexed on her dark face. "It seems to be a rather perplexing enigma."

The woman nodded softly, accepting the challenge and smiled. "I won't teach a nameless pupil."

"And I won't concede to a nameless instructor." The smirk displayed on his face had never been given so much use in one moment. "Severus."

"Brynhildr." She gave a low bow while fanning her white, off the shoulder dress embroidered with green leaves. She stood upright again, mirth dancing in her features. "I won't go easy on you."

He returned her bow with one of his own, black hair falling forward in the process. At his full height, he regarded the other in determination and wonder. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
****
An older Snape looked to Aine, seeing her eyes closed after he finished. He knew she wasn't asleep, just picturing his story in her mind.

"Isn't Brynhildr a shieldmaiden and Valkyrie?" Aine asked, opening green eyes and turning them to her father.

Snape nodded and looked to the grave marker of his late wife. "And a fine one at that."

Aine turned over and looked to the grave marker as well in wonder. "But, that is a Norse legend. Mother was Irish..."

"Yes, but your mother could have been her reincarnation. She was quite adept at fighting, although she really didn't need to. Being a witch had it's vantage points, you see. Fighting without wands is so crude..."

"I'd rather know how to defend myself with and without a wand, Daddy. It's best to be over prepared than under prepared." Snape couldn't help let a small smile form on his face, making his child grin. "You know how to smile! Great Merlin!"

"Hush. You're more like you're mother each day..." The potions master returned to his book, uninterrupted for the remainder of their outing until dusk, when they decided to continue on with their journey.
.*`*.
Aine opened her weary eyes, finding herself in her own dimly lit room after being release from the medical ward. Her head throbbed, and her stomach did full twists as she lay prone on her bed. 'Why am I thinking about the past now?' She tried to move, but found the motion sickening. 'Maybe I'm delirious...'

When the three males stepped back inside the room, her father ordered the two students to carry on to class, or else serve detention with her. They reluctantly, yet quickly said their goodbyes and left, leaving her father to stay with her until she could be released. Madame Pomfrey gave her some revitalizing potions for her to drink, and was ordered to take the rest of the day off from classes and to get a good rest.

'There's going to be so much homework to catch up on. How can I possibly rest knowing that?' Sighing, she tried once more to turn over onto her back, successful, albeit more nauseous. There was a soft knock, making the room occupant groan at not wanting tog et up. "Come in!"

Aine watched as the door swung open, and then shut itself, but no one came through. Her curiosity peaked and she reluctantly sat up and looked around the seemingly empty room, narrowing emerald eyes. "Kitten?" She heard a soft chuckle before her intruder revealed himself.

Similar green eyes held mischief in them as he gave her a sheepish smile. "Must you call me that?" Harry stuffed his cloak into his pocket and sat next to Aine, who was clad in black sweatpants and a white sleeveless shirt. "Your father will already have a field day now that he knows this little nickname."

"But I like it. Lions represent Gryffindor, and cats are their relatives. So you need a cute nickname." Aine shifted on the bed, stilling after a wave of nausea hit her and groaned. Harry went over and helped her get comfortable, worry laced over his features.

"Are you alright? I came to check on you, and give you the assignment from Muggle History class." He stacked some pillows behind her back and placed a hand on her shoulder lightly. "You had us worried earlier..."

"I didn't mean to worry anyone, and I especially didn't mean to choke you." She placed her own hand atop the other's, giving it a firm squeeze. "I'll try to get my father to not tease you about the nickname too much, but there is only so much I can do."

"That's all I ask for." Harry smiled at her, relieved that she was alright. They both turned at a knock on her door, both sets of green eyes looking at each other in curiosity. Aine made a motion for Harry to cover himself with his cloak, watching him disappear beneath it. She straightened out the place where he sat, getting rid of the evidence of a second person.

"Who is it?" She heard a muffled 'Draco' and allowed the other entrance. This time, she saw a person come through and smiled at the blonde, who was carrying a beautiful rainbow orchid in soft tissue paper. He walked over to her after closing the door and handed the flower to her, flashing his winning smile. "You really didn't have to..."

"I wanted to." Draco sat where Harry previously sat, watching Aine's features change to wonder and amazement at the different colors the orchid was turning. Currently, it was a beautiful indigo, contrasting her emerald eyes. "This was a rare find. I wanted you to have it."

Aine looked at him, giving the fellow Slytherin a grateful smile. "It's fantastic. I'll have to keep it away from my father though. He'll try to pluck the petals to no end." She took her wand from the night stand and conjured a small crystal vase and placed the now purple orchid into it. She turned back to the other, almost lost in soft, grey eyes. "Thanks."

Draco shook his head softly, pushing back his slightly lengthened hair behind his ear. "No need for thanks, when you should really be apologizing." His face became serious before continuing. "You really scared me back then."

"Sorry. I really didn't mean to..." Her words died off as he placed his hand over the other's, their eyes meeting.

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you're alright." His words were soft and sincere, almost competing with his touch. Aine shifted uncomfortably at the fluttering sensation before her gaze fell upon the emerald orchid in the vase. Her attention was brought back by the other clasping their hands together before giving it a gentle squeeze. "Have you eaten dinner?"

Aine made a face at the mention of food. "I'm...not very hungry." Draco frowned at the answer.

"You have to eat something. You can't just skip-"

"It's not like I can really keep anything down, anyway." Aine cut him off, giving him a soft glare, going to remove her hand from the other's grasp but it was held tight in the pureblood's grip.

"At least let me bring you something to drink? I think Sev would give me detention for not doing something to help you recover faster." Silver eyes glimmered with sincerity and worry, hoping to make the other melt at the sight. He knew he won the battle when she sighed loudly.

"Fine, fine. You know what I like." Draco nodded softly, giving her a stunning smile again. He tentatively reached up and brushed back a stray strand of hair, his fingertips brushing her cheek in the process. Aine looked at the other mesmerized and gave a shy smile.

"Iced tea with seven sugars then. I'll be back in a few moments." With one last hand squeeze, he stood and left the room in a blonde flurry. She watched the door close and Harry reappear from his cloak.

"You're quite the voyeur, aren't you?" Aine smirked and saw the other redden.

"Well, someone has to make sure you two get together. He likes you, by the way." Aine blinked at the statement and glared at the other. 'Uh oh...' He knew that gaze from anywhere. She was about to weasel something out of him.

"And what else would you know, Kitten? Or rather, what else have you told?" Green eyes flared as she stood and made her way over to the Gryffindor slowly. "The only way for you to know this, if is he told you so himself. Draco Malfoy isn't the one to kiss and tell to just anyone. And if he told you this, then it would have been simple enough to reassure him that the feelings are reciprocal." She had him cornered to a wall, barely centimeters of space left between them. "Am I correct in assuming he knows this as well, Potter?"

'I'm in trouble. She's using my surname...' He merely nodded, not trusting his voice. "Aine, I just wanted-"

"The two of us together?" Both green eyed teens looked over at the new occupant, holding a glass of iced tea. Draco looked from Harry to Aine with an indifferent look. He closed the door and walked over to them, handing Aine her drink. "We should talk..."
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