Chapter 58

Severus waited out in the courtyard, standing in a sheltered corner out of the wind. The darkening sky above nearly guaranteed that the grounds would be clearing out, which suited his misanthropic soul down to the bone. Thanks to his extracurricular training, he knew the land exceedingly well. He was so familiar with the paths that Severus was sure that he could recognise where he was by the feel of the ground through the thin soles of his shoes.

By most magical standards, this wasn't anything to be proud of, as illumination was just a wave of the wand away, but part of him never forgot that there were times where magic couldn't help anyone. His time away from school drilled this lesson into Severus' skin; his father confiscated his wand, leaving only his wits to protect him.

His mother used magic rarely, less as the years passed. She seemed to be fading, as though she were a photograph exposed to sunlight for far too long. The reality of her marriage-enforced mundanity distanced her from her magical identity, and therefore unused, her power atrophied. Happiness in marriage was a fairytale, and he held no delusions about his chances at a 'happy ending.' Bloody unlikely, innit?

Why would any woman take an interest in him? There wasn't anything attractive about his body, of that he was dead sure. He'd heard often enough of how he perpetually was too dirty or greasy, and to compound it all, his work in the potions labs often left him smelling downright vile. He'd tried smiling at a girl a few months ago, and she flinched as though he'd attacked her. She was a quiet sort of Hufflepuff, who'd shared his bench in Herbology class a few times. Hopeless.

What did witches want?

Sirius Black was born fit, and he could pull adoring witches out of thin air, fooling them with insincere smiles and compliments. Fucking James Potter had no trouble getting most girl's attention and smiles. The single exception was Lily Evans and he pursued her relentlessly. Potter went to such lengths to gain her attention that by the time he'd managed it, she'd hex him for his effort. She had a lot of practice.

It gave Severus no small amount of satisfaction knowing that he'd taught her some of those hexes and jinxes, even if she no longer wanted anything to do with him.

He'd no reason to worry about Deirdre changing her mind about the Gryffindors, but it was a comfort to have them all out of the castle for a week on disciplinary. That brought a smile to his lips. Oh yes, revenge was very sweet indeed. Infinitely more so, when the prats did it to themselves.

There were six more days before they would return, and he intended to enjoy every moment. Dee liked him back if he could be trusted to read her signals aright (she did kiss him!). Her behaviour this afternoon in the library was odd, but he'd decided to see if she'd talk to him properly tonight. He liked a bit of a scrap now and again. Just maybe, if he was fortunate, she might enjoy an intense debate as well.

Now, he only had not to bollocks it up.

Deirdre's mind was unsettled as she readied herself to meet Severus. What has gotten into me?

She'd done well with her lesson with Professor Dumbledore, but her confidence was flagging in its wake. The boggart confused her. Who was that woman? And why was she collecting severed arms of all the disgusting things?! Was that the person who'd attacked her? Who cursed her arm?

She was standing in her room, looking into a hand-mirror borrowed from Pandy. She'd not spent a lot of time pondering her reflection, and even now her face seemed to be that of a stranger's. Her brown eyes weren't the colour of chocolate or mahogany. They were a sturdy, comfortable brown, that of a wool homespun jacket. Come to think about it; her mane had the curly look of a wild sheep from a certain point of view. The resemblance was lessening as her hair grew out, its weight pulling her curls downwards, past her shoulders. Would it always grow this fast?

Had it always done so?

A sigh escaped her lips as she turned away from the stranger in the mirror. She couldn't remember herself, and while defeating her boggart should have told her something about herself, the questions only multiplied like Puffskeins.

Deirdra Ward saw in the mirror a hollow construction, calling down into the well of her own mind, waiting for an answer. A clue. Anything.

She felt as though she was watching her life as though it were a programme on the telly, waiting for a dramatic build-up to what should be a fantastic revelation. Except, she was not particularly beautiful, and she'd no reason to believe she was someone special, like lost royalty or the hidden daughter of a fantastic witch who would reveal her destiny to her at any moment.

"Eeertra!" The magpie perched on the canopy over Pandy's bed. He'd not yet mastered the D sound, so it took to repetition. "Eeedtra!" There it was.

Setting the mirror down, she crooned, "There you go. Good job, Dolas. Can you say your name?"

"Olas." The bird fluttered his wings and tried once more. "Dooooolas!"

Clapping in delight, Deirdre startled the magpie into flying back across the room in fright.

"Witch!" The tone of the bird's voice was tough to discern, but Deirdre was reasonably sure it wasn't meant as an endearment.

She dug in her pocket and pulled out a bit of bread she'd brought back with her from dinner she offered it up to him. "I'm sorry. You did well, Dolas. Repeat my name, and you can have the whole chunk for yourself, alright?"

The magpie fluttered down and perched on her shoulder, working his beak open and shut as he uttered what she imagined were a string of foul invectives. She was always surprised by his weight, more than she expected of a bird of his size. The strength of his claws pricking through her jumper brought her attention back to Dolas' vocalisations. "Deeeeetra?"

Deirdre had to suppress a giggle. The bird was deeply invested in anything that would get him more food. "There's a brilliant bird." She opened her palm and held the bread balanced, allowing him to pluck up the chunk with precision.

That gnawing feeling of uncertainty waned as she stroked Dolas' plumed crest, which he accepted with a chirrup of avian delight.

The sky outside was growing dark. If she didn't get moving, Deirdre was going to be late.

The courtyard was much colder than it had been that morning as the mantle of night fell heavily over Hogwarts. Deidre pulled her wool cloak more closely about her shoulders as she peered into the shadows, looking for Severus. Not wishing to draw attention to herself more than she'd already done, she strained her senses as she picked her way down the stairs. While she could not see him, she instinctively knew Severus was nearby.

Taking this as a challenge, she quickly raised her hands, silently activating her spell for clear vision. Through her portal, the darkness fell away from her eyes. Heedless of what she must look like she slowly rotated about the yard, peering into the deep shadow cast by the covered walkways that flanked the open courtyard. Her breath caught with a soft huff, for she'd found more than she'd expected. A couple fetched up on a bench in the corner, their disillusioned forms leaving the impression of their entwined bodies as shimmering distortions as they undulated around one another.

She felt Severus' breath on her ear before she heard him, a low chuckle. "See something of interest?"

"Shit!" Deidre dropped her hands and spun, her hands blindly pushing at the disillusioned git who'd nearly made her wet her pants. Gasping, she stepped back, grabbing her chest where her heart beat wildly, pressing on it as though that might stop it from bursting free.

Severus must have felt the shift in her mood for he smothered his laughter, shifting his expression to a neutral mask. It was a sign of his intelligence that he recognised the danger an angry Deirdre posed to his survival, or more pointedly, his bollocks. He hastily pointed to the pair who'd gone as still as frightened rabbits, saying, "I didn't want to disturb the idiots over there."

"Don't ever do that again! I should hex you!" Deidre made sure he saw her slipping her wand back into her sleeve.

"I am just as glad you haven't," Severus said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Before speaking again, he tilted his head towards the grounds. "Let's go. I'd rather not stick around long enough for Wilkes to come up for air."

Still unsettled, Deidre quietly fell into step beside the wizard who set a leisurely pace as they followed a path that led around the side of the castle.

"So, how did the lesson with Dumbledore go?" Severus was close enough that his arm brushed against hers. He wasn't wearing a cloak as she was, but he seemed comfortable enough.

A bitter chuckle escaped her lips before she could rein it in. "There was a boggart holed up in the map…"

The wizard came to a stop, "He didn't." The light of the moon made it quite easy to see the furrowing of his brow.

Anger welled up in Deidre, simmering close to the surface already as a result of his little prank earlier. "He did." She turned her face away, failing to conceal the depth of her annoyance.

"Deirdre…"

Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her arms around herself. "Don't. I am not a delicate flower, and I won't back down. You might as well get used to the idea. The Headmaster has scheduled another lesson tomorrow, and he's requested I secure your attendance as well."

When he didn't answer her immediately, she turned slightly, looking for a response. He pulled his mouth tight, holding in a plethora of improper language, and met her eyes steadily. "Are you certain, Deirdre? I discussed this with Professor Nott, and while you are improving, he says your magic is still…" He hesitated, searching for words that wouldn't offend her.

Shocked that he'd already spoken to his mentor as he promised, Deirdre was both curious and wary of what the DADA Professor might have said. "Still what?"

"Unpredictable." Severus cast a glance around, and despite the evidence that they were alone, he cast Muffliatto. "He suspects it is residual effects of the curse, and maybe you are getting used to your new wand, or…"

Hugging herself, Deidre took pity on him when he hesitated and filled in the last blank quietly. "Or perhaps he thinks that I am crazier than a box of frogs?" Her anger was draining away. Instead, her shoulders slumped, and her head bowed as the toll of the past week caught up with her.

Severus' took a step toward her, reaching out in apology, "Dee?"

Her response was quiet, "He might be right, you know. I don't know anything about myself." She continued onwards, the words spilling out, heedless of her earlier resolution to not ruin her time with Severus like this. "My boggart should have told me something, but it only confused me more!"

Swallowing hard, he placed a hand on her shoulder, waiting for the rest of the story.

Sniffling, she stepped closer and placed her forehead against his chest, seeking an anchor in her distress. "The witch was clearly insane, but I don't have one of those dark marks, so why would I be most afraid of her hunting me down?" She banged her head lightly against his chest. "Why couldn't I be afraid of something normal. Like getting expelled from Hogwarts or a huge snake?"

Gingerly, Severus wrapped his arms about her, the heat of his breath warming the top of her head as he said, "Getting expelled. That's your idea of a normal Boggart?"

Half-heartedly, she poked him in the ribs. "Shut it."

Severus chuckled lowly and said, "What. A. Swot."

"So what?" She tilted her head so he could see her face again, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards as the single frustrated tear shed moments ago slipped away from her cheek.

He couldn't help but smirk, glad to see the light warming her eyes once more. "So, nothing." His arms tightened about her for a moment before he let her loose.

Deirdre reluctantly pulled away and they fell into step once more, his arm so close that he could feel her shoulder lightly brushing against him.

Severus dispensed with the teasing lilt in favour of directness and asked, "You said dark mark. You mean like a black band? A bruise?" His tone was carefully even as needed to hide his worry, for if it bled through it would colour her answer.

The witch's eyes widened, and she answered, "No! The Dark Mark. You know, the one with an evil skull vomiting up a great big snake, radiating pure malice? Everyone knows…"

She came to a halt and turned around, belatedly noticing Severus' mouth hanging open in apparent disbelief. He'd even stopped walking, utterly boggled by the revelation.

In a small voice, she spoke into the silence, "Okay. I guess not everyone." She went back to hugging herself and turned around to stare at the castle.

When she turned away, Severus came back to the moment, his mind kicking back into gear. She looked so unhappy, so much so that he'd not be surprised if she asked to call it a night. He had to do something to cheer her up.

He had an idea, one that was probably foolish. Still, he couldn't resist the opportunity to show off. "Want to see something cool?"

The glow from the castle lit her face as she glanced thoughtfully back at him, and he silently pleaded to whoever was listening that she'd give him a chance.

With a shrug she said, "Alright. What have you got?" She'd taken his lure.

A wild rush of excitement filled his heart as he grabbed her hand and started towing her farther away from the front gates.

"Where are we going?" Deirdre was stumbling along, tripping in the near-total darkness. "Shouldn't I cast a light?"

He stepped off of the path and led her between a few shrubs before picking up a new trail that followed the embankment. "Don't fret. It isn't far."

Severus found the section of outer wall he'd been looking for and came to a halt. He could hear Deidre muttering a litany of irritation that he paid no mind.

"Isn't far. I'll give you far, you sodding, inconsiderate…" She had twigs in her hair and mud splashed up her corduroy trouser leg. It was the dangerous spark of mutiny in her eyes that made him grin - which in retrospect was probably not the smartest response.

Deirdre put her hand on her hip. "You think this is funny?"

Instinct told him he had to think fast, or the evening really would turn out to be utter shite. Their first evening out was supposed to be better than two people arguing like a couple of married pensioners. "No, not in the least." He pulled her captured hand up and placed a light kiss on her knuckles.

This brought her up short, her lashes fluttering in confusion. "Oh."

"I wanted to show you what I've been working on with Professor Nott." He gestured to the wall. "Gravity Manipulation." Not waiting for her to respond, he dropped her hand and took in a centring breath. Taking a few steps back, he rubbed his hands together and then took a running leap towards the wall.

Anything she might have said was lost to him as he cast silently, coaxing the rules of physics to bend to his will. When he landed on all fours against the wall, eight feet up (for he hadn't enough momentum for more), he grinned to himself as he pulled himself upward along the rough-hewn stone. When he felt he'd gone up a sufficiently impressive distance, he shifted to turn around sideways to get a better look at the witch's reaction.

A good twenty feet below, Deirdre stood wide-eyed with a hand clasped over her mouth and her wand in hand. The tip of the thing caught the starlight as she trembled.

"Well?" Severus sat back on his heels in a highly improbable posture, letting go of the wall to brace his hands on his thighs.

She let her hand fall down, and in open awe, she asked, "H-how are you doing that?" She pointed, "Even your hair is falling toward the wall!" Curiosity brightened her eyes as she asked, "Can you stand up and walk up the wall?"

Chuckling, Severus shook his head. "Theoretically it is possible, but Professor Nott said I shouldn't make a habit of it. He says it brings you too much attention when you are supposed to be sneaking about."

Her gaze drifted away a fraction, and he could almost hear the gears whirling. He wasn't tempted to listen, for it would be a pointless exercise. Her thoughts were practically written across her face.

"Just what is Professor Nott teaching you? He isn't turning you into some sort of … thief is he?"

A knot clutched in his gullet at her question. He had to turn her away from this line of reasoning. "He is teaching me how to manipulate natural laws so that I can help him with his consulting work for the Ministry." She did not need to know that he'd had to steal to eat sometimes, before Hogwarts.

"So… what else is he teaching you?" Deirdre narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Relieved to be back in safer territory, he answered, "Bending light and sound."

Her brow furrowed. "Just how long does that Gravity Bending charm last?"

Disturbed to discover that he'd neglected to mark the passage of time properly, he tested the wall with a push of his hand. He'd not been keeping track consciously, but it seemed to be holding. "A while yet." He'd fallen down the wall plenty in practice, so he knew what to expect.

"Get down here!" She made a scrunched up face that made him want to kiss her. "Besides, my neck's getting tired."

Severus had a good idea.

Ten minutes later, Severus was regretting this plan of action. He'd not expected Deirdre to be afraid of heights, and belatedly he'd realised that a silent witch clinging to him like a limpet was not necessarily an impressed witch or one who was having a good time. She'd cast a featherlight charm on herself at least, halfway up the tower proving she was still capable of rational thought.

A quiet whimper from the bundle on his back pulled at his heart. He'd not been this impulsive with anyone in years.

"Almost there, Deirdre. Just a little farther." He was panting as he crawled between windows that led into the stairwell for the tower. He had about 15 more feet to go.

Suddenly he slid downward, just an inch, causing Deirdre to screech into his hair and hold on even more tightly as if she wasn't already clinging with bruising force. It was a very good thing that she wasn't clinging around his throat.

Catching the edge of a block with his fingers, he closed his eyes and willed the magic to renew the gravitational shift necessary for him to make it up to the battlement.

"Shh. I don't want to draw attention to us."

Laughter drifted down to them from above. "Too late for that, laddie. Now get a move on before I am forced to rescue your sorry arse. The lady looks to be in distress."

Deirdre's fingers flexed, and he heard a barely whispered, "Sorry, Severus."

Setting his jaw against the expletives that would typically have been cast Nott's way, Severus began moving once more and at last took the hand of his mentor who was suave enough to offer a sure grip and set Severus down his feet as he cancelled the magic.

Grasping for his dignity, Severus found that he wasn't in a hurry to set Deirdre down. She weighed nothing usually, but with the featherweight charm, she was no more substantial than a jacket. He rather liked having her so close.

"Out for a stroll on the battlements, Professor Nott?" Severus dusted off his hands, wincing at the new scrapes he'd obtained. He needed to learn the stoneskin charm that Nott mentioned this week. "It's a nice night."

The old bastard was smirking at him. "I see you've been practising. Eager, aren't you, son?" Trying for a more conciliatory tone, he addressed the witch who was still clinging to Severus' back. "Are you alright, little dove?"

Deirdre nodded, making no move to let go. "M'fine, sir."

Severus felt his face heating up, the longer he stood there, the more aware he became of the charms of having a witch's legs wrapped about his waist.

Hard-swallowing, Severus ventured, "We're on solid ground, and the world is back in its proper order, Dee. Your arms are going to get tired soon, although I'll carry you." He tried to chuckle, but it came out sounding rather weak to his own ears.

This suggestion seemed to rouse Deirdre at least, and she let go one hand, which she immediately used to whack Severus on the ear. "Git!"

Shaking his head to clear it of the ringing, Severus stumbled as her full weight returned. "Ow, Merlins' manky meat, witch!"

At last, she'd let go and had her feet on the ground and now had two hands free to punch whatever she could reach.

Professor Nott, being the utter bastard that he is, just walked away, laughing at him.

"Dee! Deirdre! Ow, stop! I'm sorry!" He knew he deserved this but damn he was going to bruise. "We can do whatever you want."

"What I want?! I'll show you something cool, you thoughtless prat!" She pulled back a fist and Severus was alive to the fact that this witch knew how to throw a punch.

Possessed of a healthy (if belated) sense of self-preservation Severus dodged. On instinct, he latched onto her wrist as it flew past his ear and turned her own momentum against her, knocking her into the nearby wall and pinning her in place with his off-hand.

Deirdre growled, and the sound put him in mind of a kitten, so he relaxed his grip. This close to her, he couldn't help but admire her wild curls, which made his fingers want to tangle in them, and the wrathful fire in her eyes. She was the most magnificent creature he'd ever seen.

At least until she tried to knee him in the groin, catching him on the arch of his foot on the counterstrike.

Returning to his senses, he let her go and staggered back, covertly fingering his wand. "Deirdre, I'm sorry. Please calm down. I honestly didn't know you were afraid of heights."

The witch had regained her feet and stood there with her tiny hands balled into fists. Fortunately, she appeared to be finished with the fisticuffs. "I should hex your balls to the moon."

"Deirdre, I'd never knowingly hurt you. I will never let you fall, I promise. Are you uninjured?" Inwardly he knew he couldn't say the same given his sides already ached with every deep breath.

She held up her shaking hands and flexed them experimentally. "Damn right you aren't going to let me fall, because you are never going to do that again!"

Doing his best to radiate "properly cowed wizard," he captured her hands in a gentle grip, turning them over for inspection. There was a scrape on two of her knuckles, but she was otherwise unharmed. He slowly pulled out his wand, and was gratified when she didn't shy away from him. He'd learned a few simple healing spells over his many times in the infirmary.

He let go, kneeling down on one knee to inspect a hole in her trousers. She'd retained his off-hand, and he heard her gasp. Thinking that he'd discovered the source of her pain, he applied the healing spell to her knee. Satisfied that she was otherwise unharmed, he stood up to find her staring at him; her lower lip pulled into her mouth.

Wincing as he pulled himself back up to his full height he tried and failed to reclaim his hand.

"You're hurt." Deirdre sounded upset, which confused him. Hadn't she just been walloping him?

Severus shook his head and said, "I'll be fine." Those delicate hands were quite strong. What a marvel of a witch!

"You said I could do whatever I wanted."

Freezing in place, Severus wavered with uncertainty. "I did."

"Well, then you can teach me that spell, and let me practice on you." There was a sweet earnestness to her eyes that addled his brain.

Later he'd claim it was the effect of magic drain, but all he could do was shrug. "The gravity manipulation you'd be…"

She cut him off, "No, Severus. The other one that you just used to heal me. Teach me that one."

"Oh." He shifted his weight, trying to find his equilibrium. "Wouldn't you rather do something else? Like, go to the kitchens for some tea, or visit that orange menace?"

"I haven't forgotten that I'm still angry with you, you gigantic prat." She glowered up at him. "Teach me the spell."

"Swot." It was out of his mouth before he had a chance to consider it.

She answered him with a brilliant smile, "Guilty as charged." With a flourish, she pulled out her wand. "The incantation, if you please, Mr Snape?"

Feeling out of his depth, he gestured to the nearest tower. "We should at least find a spot inside to sit. This might take a while."

Nodding in agreement, she shifted her grip on his hand and towed him toward a door in the opposite direction. "Let's go that way. It is closer to McGonagall's office."

Of course, how could he have forgotten? They were going to visit that ridiculous kitten. He did promise her, and he meant to keep his promises to Deirdre. "Lead on, then." He tried to convey how much he was suffering for her sake with a heavy sigh but only succeeded in making the witch roll her eyes.

As they settled on the top of the steps, he was secretly pleased that not only was she holding his hand, but she'd interlocked her fingers with his. He repeated the incantation for her, "Integro integumentum."

As she grasped his hand, he noticed that she was trembling. He squeezed her fingers gently and said, "Deirdre, please look at me?"

Reluctantly the witch raised her eyes, and she was back to the haunted look he'd hoped to rid her of earlier.

He opened his mouth, then stumbled over his own words, "Deirdre, I didn't mean to… oh, Merlin, I've bollocksed this all up." Sighing, he let go of her hand.

"So, you agree with me?" A corner of her mouth quirked up the slightest bit. It gave him hope.

Swallowing, he nodded slightly. "I behaved foolishly."

She whispered, "You are a boy, Severus. I knew about your handicap the moment I met you."

Startled, Severus leaned back from her, "I beg your pardon!"

"And here I am, for some reason, still sitting with you instead of enjoying tea and biscuits with my girlfriends in Ravenclaw tower."

Mind whirling, Severus grinned. "It must be my sharp wits that drew you in. Typical Ravenclaw. You just want me for my brains."

"My house values wit, that's true. Too bad, you're a dunderheaded boy." She didn't pause as he opened his mouth to protest, "Did you know that Murdoch MacCrimmon is a talented musician? His clan means to make him their bard after he graduates. He has Saturday evening jam sessions in the common room, highly recommended."

Perking up, Severus said, "Well, we could go there instead of visiting that mangy ball of fluff."

She poked him hard in the ribs, unfortunately hitting him right on one of his blossoming bruises, making him grunt.

Severus leaned away, rubbing the spot reproachfully. "I think the hat was wrong. You're as violent and moody as any Gryffindor I've ever had the displeasure to know."

A huff of annoyance from the witch told him he'd hit his mark. She countered, "If you really want to impress me, help me with that spell, Mr Snape. What was it again?"

He supplied "Integro integumentum."

She repeated after him with exaggerated pronunciation, "Integro integumentum." Deirdre held out her hand, wiggling her fingers in the universal signal for: give it here.

Noticing that she was much steadier now, Severus slipped his off-hand into hers, watching her intently as she mouthed the words a few times. He didn't need to show her the wand movements, and before he knew it, she cast the spell with confidence.

Magic, as pure and sweet as a highland stream washed over him as she healed his scraped fingers. He flexed them in a fist experimentally as she caught up his wand hand and repeated her task.

"Well, how did I do?" Gone were the shadows of worry that had plagued her earlier, as she leaned into his shoulder.

The anxiety that banded tightly about his chest loosened a fraction, and he lifted the hand experimentally. Finding the pain was gone, he fluidly pulled her into a half-hug.

Not satisfied with his response, she tilted her head up to eye him. "Well?"

He snorted. "You doubt your success?" It was self-preservation that made him brush his lips against her forehead and whispered, "You are brilliant. There, I said it aloud. Happy?"

"That will do," she said with a wan smile. The witch rested her head on his shoulder, relaxing into him, and he saw no reason to move an inch. Well, at least until his backside started to grow cold on the hard stone step.

How was it that on such a visceral level she knew what a dark mark was, but couldn't remember her past? He intended to question her more about this, but not tonight. He'd sooner cut his own throat than cause her any further distress. He'd little enough experience with girls, and his father was no help whatsoever.

As such, he suggested that they visit the kitten. He'd transfigured a bit of string he'd kept from some packages that he'd helped sort for Professor Slughorn, and used some of the catnip from the potions stock to make a mouse-like toy. When he presented her with the offering, Deirdre's eyes lit up with an expression of what he fancied was feminine appreciation, of the sort that he'd never seen directed his way before. He could be used to this.

Bemused and covered in orange fur and ripening bruises by the end of the evening, Severus thought it was all worthwhile when he'd walked her to Ravenclaw tower, and she rewarded him with a fervent kiss. Any doubts lingering in his mind over the success of their date melted away when she looked back over her shoulder at him with a sweet smile before slipping away.

He took advantage of the Marauder-free evening, letting his mind wander as he strolled back to his common room, his hands shoved into his pockets, a smile on his lips.

Severus couldn't remember a time when he was ever this content.

AN: Thanks to Q_drew for reading this over. Happy Birthday to Coromandel, who is still out there working on her advanced degree in languages! Also thanks to readers like you. Regarding this story, I've been working on my skills as a writer because this story is complex. I've reread earlier chapters (*blush*) some of which could be better, but rather than reinventing the wheel I've decided to continue onwards. I have about 1/2 of a prequel written as well, and the outline of the next book planned. So, take heart, fair readers and please be kind. LOVE!