Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way shape or form. I do not claim to own him or anything else that may in fact be the thought of the lovely writer Jo Rowling is, please don't sue me. I do however own all original characters in whole or in part that appear in this story. This story is not HBP compliant, though quite a few things are taken from that book; again I own nothing except for the plot and original characters. Thank you for reading! –Gypsy Jade

Summary: Not fully HBP compliant. Harry starts having strange dreams and they all end the same, with unearthly silver eyes haunting him. Something is going on and for the first time in the last 10 years if not the history of Hogwarts two new teachers grace Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Chapter 20

Keeping the Façade

Author's Note: This chapter kicked my arse…I'm not sure I like it….

When Harry awoke the next morning, he was alone in the hospital bed. He reached for his glasses slowly, trying to remember when he had taken them off, as images from the night before flooded his drowsy mind. It took several minutes before he sat up, looking around for hide or hair of the young Professor who haunted his being so, knowing he would not find her. He did however find that he had awoken before Malfoy, who slept soundly in the bed next to his.

Harry sat in the quiet for some time, gathering his thoughts and feelings. He and Malfoy would have to go back to their arguing; Yamelé had asked them to, at least until after the Christmas holiday. It really wouldn't be too hard, as usually the two attempted to ignore each other, though Yamelé had provided a cover story for their seeming falling out. As the sun shown into the hospital wing, Harry smirked almost coldly, by breakfast the rumor would be spread.

"Time for the charade to begin Potter, sure you can pull this off?" Malfoy's voice startled him only slightly as Harry had the suspicious inkling that the blond had been awake.

"Positive Malfoy…if I don't get another chance to say it…you might have been right about your cousin, but a blast ended skrewt couldn't get me away from her now…" Harry half grinned at the blond as they both dressed back in their uniforms not another word said.

It took until the middle of breakfast for the rumor to really pick up speed and that was easily aided by the appearance of both Harry and Malfoy all bandaged up and bruised. They shared somewhat similar stories with their friends, allowing it to be overheard by just a few people. If there was nothing truer at Hogwarts, it was if you wanted a secret to spread like wildfire, attempt to keep it hidden in whispers. Disdainful glares and muttered words help further the animosity between the Slytherin and Gryffindor, aided with the sudden absence of their Defense teacher.

By noon the rumor had spread that at some point during the ball Malfoy and Potter had a row over Professor Van Houten. Theories over what could have possibly set off the fight ranged from Malfoy finding Potter snogging his cousin in the garden, to Potter's demands that Professor Van Houten break ties with her cousin for being the son of a Death Eater.

Both Harry and Draco refused to say anything when someone was bold enough to ask, which of course only fueled the ridiculous rumors. His friends tried to keep him from dwelling on Yamelé, but soon he had much more on his plate and they didn't need to help. The night after she had gone Harry had a sinking feeling at dinner, he realized that the teachers at the head table seemed a bit more serious than usual, and he noticed Professor O'Riley looked as ill as he felt. Even the Headmaster seemed more withdrawn, as he watched Professor McGonagall shoot him worried glances.

They had settled into a somewhat tense and normal routine, and it had been two days since Yamelé had left. Harry's worry had begun to eat at him, he knew something was not right, and during one of his Occlumency lessons it showed.

"You have to close your mind Potter, wearing your emotions so close to the surface will get not just you but everyone you care about killed by the Dark Lord. He will know what makes you tick, what matters most to you, and how to destroy it and by extension you. Block your mind!" Snape lectured him and Harry couldn't take it anymore, the last thing he could do was clear his mind and it didn't take long for Snape to invade it. Harry tried to fight back and what he saw alarmed him.

He found himself in a memory, one not his own, it was Hogwarts but it wasn't his Hogwarts, and there under a tree was a lanky looking teen with sallow skin and greasy looking hair.

Harry watched horrified as a younger James Potter trotted up to the teen under the tree with his friends, the Marauders, and started picking on him something savagely. He suddenly saw why Snape always said James was an arrogant prat, strutting around the school as if he owned the place. Harry caught a glimpse of his mother, the red haired Lily yelling at James and the Marauders before being pushed back out unceremoniously.

"I'm sorry Professor…" Harry had landed on his rear, the stool where he had sat lay overturned on the floor. Snape however wanted to hear nothing of his apologies and only looked even more furious.

"GET OUT!" It didn't take Harry to be told twice and he ran out of Snape's office heading back towards Gryffindor tower. Stumbling through the portrait hole he was both relieved and slightly annoyed to find his friends sitting on the couch waiting for him. Hermione, Ron and Ginny all turned to him as he came into the Common Room, he hadn't quite made up his mind over whether he wanted to talk to them or not.

"Are you okay?" Ginny stood to help him off the floor where he had landed unceremoniously.

"Yeah…I don't think I'll be taking anymore lessons with Professor Snape…" Harry sat heavily on the couch and sighed running his hand through his already messy hair.

"Something happen mate?" Ron patted him on the shoulder shifting so Hermione could sit on the armrest.

"I'm not sure…but…I'm starting to think Snape was right about my dad being an arrogant prat when they were in school." Tentatively and after swearing them to secrecy, Harry detailed what he had seen in Professor Snape's memory. His friends listened attentively and shared in his shock, but sharing what he had seen didn't make Harry feel better, his mind still drifted off to Yamelé. After they realized that he couldn't focus, Hermione and Ginny suggested that he go to bed, as they were both sure the Headmaster would want to talk to him in the morning, especially if Snape refused to teach him anymore.

Harry didn't have the energy to argue with them as he agreed, slowly making his way up to his dorm, Ron right behind him. He had a fitful night's sleep, his dreams mixed with the memories he had seen, Voldemort, and failed attempts at being able to find Yamelé.

Harry woke up groggy and in a foul mood, he had just enough will power to keep his mouth shut as he made his way to the showers to clean up and start his day. He was lucky in that he had finished getting ready before his friends and decided to take his time heading down to the Great Hall.

The castle corridors were mostly empty, as it was early enough that most of the students were still in their respective dorms. The quiet allowed Harry to try and sort his thoughts, though they all seemed to go back to Yamelé, he had a sinking feeling that something was wrong every time he thought of her.

'Yamelé hasn't come back; she left to go back to the Vampire council and try to join them with the rogues against Voldemort's attempts to gain their alliance. She was injured when she left, so maybe it's just taking her longer to be able to make the trip, maybe something has happened to her…Snape is probably ready to kill me for seeing that memory of my dad being a right git to him…Merlin…I wish I knew what to do with all of this, the Headmaster will probably be disappointed that I've done so horribly with these Occlumency lessons. I wish I could explain it, I can try to push away some of my feelings but I can't help but feel them in the end…Maybe I should try sending Remus an owl…'

He made it down to the Great Hall without much effort and slowly made his way over to the Gryffindor table, sitting heavily and leaning his head in his hands.

"Problem lad, you're up awfully early on a Friday no less…" Harry looked up and gave Professor O'Riley a halfhearted smile. He vaguely noted she still looked rather ill, her skin paler than normal, her freckles standing out more and dark circles forming under her eyes.

"I wasn't sleepy, figured I might as well get in a shower and get down here for breakfast. I guess I just needed a bit of quiet time…how are you Professor? You look a bit ill if you don't mind me pointing out…" Harry watched her as she gave him an almost sad smile before sitting next to him, letting out a soft sigh.

"I think I've caught a bit of a chest cold that is insisting on hanging on. How're you though lad? I imagine you're under quite a bit of stress…" She tilted her head and Harry knew she meant Yamelé, though whether she knew of the entire situation or not he couldn't be sure. He wasn't sure if the two young Professors were back on speaking terms or not.

"Nothing overly unusual I suppose, just trying to get everything on a routine…" Harry made sure to keep his voice as nonchalant as possible, not wanting to let on how worried he was.

"I see, well I'm sure everything will sort itself out…and you always have the weekend to look forward to…" Professor O'Riley excused herself as a coughing fit started and Harry watched her curiously as she walked out of the Great Hall.

The rest of his Friday was relatively mundane, with the exception of Harry's renewed vigor in Quidditch practice. By the time dinner came around, Harry, Ron, Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team was sore though happy with their progress. They all sat down for dinner eagerly, freshly scrubbed after their practice and still discussing where they could improve. After the main course was served a tinkling noise brought the attention of the students to the staff table where the Headmaster stood to address them.

"I do regret having to interrupt this filling meal so well prepared by our house elves. However, some changes have taken place and it is my duty to inform you in the timeliest manner possible. First of all, I am to some degree, regretful in having to inform all of you, that there will be a few changes in our staff. Starting Monday first through fourth year Potions will be taught by Professor O'Riley, while fifth through seventh years will be taught by Professor Horace Slughorn." Dumbledore introduced the man who would be taking over the Potions classes, much to the confusion of the entire school. Students were unsure if they should be happy to hear that Professor Snape wouldn't be teaching Potions, or worried to hear what subject he WOULD be teaching.

"Due to personal reasons, Professor Yamelé Van Houten has for the time being resigned her post as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and will be replaced with our own Professor Snape. However, the silver lining is that Professor Van Houten has agreed to return and head the Dueling Club with Professors Flitwick and Vector. The Dueling Club will be opened to all students in second year and higher, though fifth through seventh years will have to prove their worth before being admitted. The clubs will meet every other week and will hold formal duels every two months. More information can be found with your respective Heads." Harry didn't hear anything past Yamelé's resignation, his mind running through all the possibilities that could lead to her resignation.

He had zoned out to the rest of the speech but the sudden silence in the Great Hall caught his attention. Looking up he realized everyone's attention was on the Great Hall doors as they opened slowly, and for a moment he forgot how to breathe.

"Sorry I'm late Headmaster…" There stood a slightly fatigued looking Yamelé Van Houten though she gave most of the students a very small smile. Harry wanted to run to her and check her over himself, feeling once again as if it were all a dream, but he simply couldn't. Instead he watched as she started towards the head table, halfway there she was met with her cousin. Harry watched jealous that Draco could do what he could not.

Draco wrapped his arms around Yamelé tightly clearly relieved that his cousin was back, they had gone into French at some point and Harry tried hard to hide his dejection at the sight. Harry clenched his fists tight under the table and shifted his gaze down to his half eaten dinner, glaring at the potatoes as if it were entirely their fault. He looked up as she passed by his table, and for a moment his eyes met hers and though he saw the fatigue he also saw that she seemed relieved to see him. In that moment he made up his mind as he watched her make her way up to the staff table where he watched Professor O'Riley almost break down in tears as the two hugged.

Harry could be found in the common room of Gryffindor tower after they had been dismissed. He and Ron had started a game of exploding snap when Hermione and Ginny made their way over.

"She looked a bit haggard; I wonder how it all went." Ginny plopped down on the seat next to Harry and watched the game closely as she wanted to play next. Harry shrugged but kept his mouth shut, while he knew he could trust his friends, they were in the Common Room and he still had to keep up the façade. They played until Harry lost; letting Ginny take over his place he slipped back into his room. He sat on his bed for a few minutes waiting to see if anyone would come after him. Not hearing anyone, he opened his trunk and rummaged around for his invisibility cloak, finding it he turned around startled at hearing the door to his dorm room open.

"I thought you might go see her…just please be careful Harry…" Hermione's voice was gentle as she spoke and she offered him a small smile, a thought crossed Harry's mind suddenly.

"Hermione…did you figure out what Yamelé is?" Harry had noted that Hermione's attitude toward their teacher had altered slightly. She had always liked her, but it seemed that now Hermione saw Yamelé as more than just their teacher.

"Yes, a witch, now get going Harry before someone else comes up here…" Hermione gave him a slight smile and helped him set his bed so it looked like he had gone to sleep.

Hermione stayed until he wrapped the invisibility cloak around himself and aided him in getting out of the common room, under the pretense of checking the 7th floor corridor to make sure no Gryffindors would get caught so close to curfew.

Harry made his way down to the stairs carefully avoiding anyone on the Marauders map. He sought out Yamelé's dot and found her on her way to her rooms seemingly from her office, unfortunately he also noticed Professor Snape's dot between his current position and hers. To get to her he would have to take a few detours to avoid the Prefects and especially Professor Snape. It took about 20 minutes to get down to Yamelé's quarters.

As he came upon the familiar portrait he breathed a soft sigh at its sight, before he had a chance to knock the portrait swung forward. He startled a moment and stepped back as he saw Yamelé look out of the entrance as if searching for something or someone. For a moment it seemed she was looking straight at him but before he could speak up he heard another voice.

"Professor Van Houten…is something the matter?" Harry's heart raced in his chest as he looked to his right to see Snape approaching them. Though he was out of sight under his cloak it was no less dangerous.

"Not at all Professor Snape, I'm just looking for Casper my cat he had been following me earlier but must have gotten distracted… What brings you down my corridor?" Harry watched as Yamelé stepped out of the entrance to her rooms, leaving the portrait open as she spoke to Snape. He was sure he could slip inside unnoticed; he would just have to do so quietly while they spoke, careful of not catching the cloak on the entrance.

"I thought I saw something moving this way and came to check that it was not a lost student out of bed so near curfew." Snape's voice was much colder than it had been the last time Harry had seen the older man in Yamelé's presence, and for a moment he glared in his direction.

"I highly doubt any student would wander down this part of the castle for any reason Professor perhaps you simply caught glimpse of Casper?" Yamelé's voice carried a bit of an edge that caught Harry's attention, causing him to stop right before the portrait entrance.

"If that were true Miss Van Houten then should we not have caught sight of your cat by now?" Harry wasn't sure what was going on but he certainly did not like the tone the slimy git was using with Yamelé. Before he could do anything stupid though another noise caught everyone's attention, as if waiting for a cue Yamelé's calico cat, Casper mewed loudly, stepping out of the shadows behind where Harry had stood moments before. Though he couldn't see it he was sure from the scowl on Snape's face that Yamelé was smirking at him. Knowing he had already pushed his luck by lingering so much at the entrance, Harry took the moment when Yamelé bent down to pick up her cat to step through the open portrait hole.

He could no longer hear their conversation but he didn't mind as he walked quickly away from the entrance and deeper into Yamelé's common room. He wasn't sure if Snape would come in with her or not, though he highly doubted she would invite him in after the cold manner they addressed each other before, but he stood near the couch still under the invisibility cloak.

A few moments later he watched Yamelé walk in holding Casper in her arms, she didn't speak as she set the cat down. Casper sat on the back of the couch looking at Harry directly and mewing gently. For her part Yamelé simply walked over and stopped in front of Harry, her hand reaching out to pull off his cloak.

Harry was sure he could hear his heartbeat in his ears, and as he opened his mouth to speak a soft finger stopped him.

Yamelé didn't say a word; she took one hand in his, entwining their fingers as she pointed to the portrait hole, Snape's steps could be heard outside, still searching for whatever it was he thought he had seen.

Harry didn't need words; he simply did what he had been denied in the Great Hall. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled Yamelé closer to him, waiting in that embrace until neither could hear Snape's footsteps.

"Harry…" Yamelé pulled back slightly and gave him a slight smile, a soft blush creeping along her cheeks. He couldn't help but smile back at the sight, Merlin he had missed her.

"Thank Merlin you're alright Yamelé…I was worried…we all were…What happened?" He watched as she sighed softly pulling him towards the couch before answering him. They sat side by side before she spoke again.

"What was expected happened; there was a lot of talking, deal making, and documents to file. I'm sorry I worried you Harry…it was not my intention, I couldn't risk sending word back both…I'm fine though, and things will work out." She gave him a smile and brought a hand up to his cheek gently.

Harry did note that she seemed to look a bit better than he had seen her when she walked into the Great Hall. She looked as if she had regained a bit of her healthy color, though the faint scars from the fight were still visible, as were dark circles under her eyes.

"How are you feeling? How are your wounds?" He could see that her lip was healing well, but he was more concerned about the knife wound she had sustained to her side.

"They're healing, Circe Harry you sound like Poppy…" Yamelé laughed lightly and she pulled her hand back, leaning on her knees slightly. In this position her shirt rode up in the back, exposing part of the small of her back. As he had seen before, small tattoo like swirls adorned her skin there.

"That was a nasty knife wound Yamelé…I'm supposed to worry about you…" Harry half smirked running his hand along her back; he was ecstatic she had allowed him to stay.

"Oh are you? And why is that Harry?" He had missed her mischievous look more than he realized and was glad to see it now.

"Oh are you not still my official unofficial girlfriend?" Yamelé's smile was met with a blush though he saw the sadness in her eyes.

"I'm worried it might be too dangerous if anyone finds out Harry…especially now that a group of rogues has denied Voldemort's offers. There was already some small amount of talk, and I don't want to put you in any more danger…" She sighed as she spoke, running a hand through her dark hair, the blonde streaks turning a slight blue.

"Yamelé look at me…I really don't think dating you is going to add to Voldemort's desire to kill me…he may hate me more, and frankly I should be worried about you. He'd go after you to get to me, not the other way around…" Harry winced slightly knowing what he said was true, but not being able to fight the desire to be with her as much as he could be.

"I'm sure neither of us is on his favorites list, I suppose we could just…take our time and figure out what to do…" Harry could hear the hesitation in her voice, but he also knew she didn't want to end everything right now.

"For now we're safe, let's just…take one day at a time…" Harry ran his hand through her hair as she turned to look at him.

"When did you get so wise Harry?" Yamelé awarded him with a smile and leaned in to kiss his cheek; Harry felt a rush to his senses and became bold once again. Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned back against the arm of the couch, lying down with her.

"Don't know about wise, sometimes things just happen…" She laughed but didn't resist him. They lay like that for a while, Harry holding her gently, his hands in her hair, slowly running through her silky locks, neither saying anything.

"Outside these walls, in the corridors, you need to train your reactions Harry…Voldemort will eventually learn who I am, but he does not need to know who I am to you, yet. We will have to be careful with how we interact…but for now…" Yamelé repositioned herself, and lay with her head on Harry's chest, ear to his heart.

"Welcome back Yamelé…" Harry's voice was soft as he laid his chin on her head, wishing for the moment to extend forever.