Harry was working with Ginny and Daphne on accessing their Hybrid forms. Daphne being an Animagi longer than Ginny was of course taking to it much faster than she was. A fact that was truly annoying the redhead. Harry had explained that Daphne and Hellcat were in tune with each other. He clarified for her that it is crucial to mastering the form. They had to be in perfect sync with the other. Ginny still was struggling with Fury for domination. Daphne suggested that maybe Shadow just needed to put Animagus in a good mood. The proposal had the poor girl beet red in two seconds. Now that she had time to think about it, doing it in their Animagi forms might not be such a bad idea after all.

That was not to say that Ginny hadn't made considerable progress with Fury. She ran her Animagi every night either through the Forbidden Forest or on patrol within the halls of Hogwarts. She was always in the company of either Shadow or Hellcat. The practice had helped her unlock Fury's other powers quite nicely.

Her transformation was now a snap and she barely felt a strain on her magic like the first time she became Fury. The lightning bolt that she shot out of her mouth took less out of her, but she could only produce three before she was too drained to maintain her Animagus form. It also took time to power up and it left her vulnerable to attack. She decided to save it as her Coupe-De-Grace move.

That wasn't the only gift that Fury had at her disposal. She had speed that would make a cheetah bow its head in shame. She called it her Quicksilver, because Daphne said that was what she looked like when she sprinted full out. Fury and Shadow had raced several times now, her using Quicksilver mode and Harry using his Shadowpath mode. Shadow's experience always won out in the end, but each time she shortened the gap between them. In time she was sure she would surpass him.

Fury could also channel electricity threw her paws. A simple pounce was all that was required to drop a prey twice her size when she hunted. Just one paw in the water and she could knock anything with in a fifty feet out cold. If she used her claws when attacking it would often cauterized the wound of her prey and was almost always lethal.

That wasn't saying that Daphne wasn't coming into her own as well. She was still borderline obsessed that there was something going on between her mum and Professor Black. Harry had flat out asked his godfather about Gabriella. Sirius was evasive and his answers were cryptic at best. That alone told Harry that she meant a lot to him. One of Sasha's daughters told her that he would often call her Gaby in the heat of passion. That was all Harry needed to know. He chose to drop it. Harry owed Sirius a lot, and he didn't want to have to lie to Daphne. When he did talk to her all Harry said was that Sirius's feeling have not changed for Gabriella. Technically, that was true in a roundabout way. Daphne sensed there was more too it, so she kept a keen eye on her DADA Professor. As of yet he had not done anything to raise suspicion.

At the beginning of term Daphne could safely say that she had only one true friend and that was Tracey Davis. A month later her social network had grown significantly. She now had friends in every House at Hogwarts. She could debate politics with Susan Bones for hours at a time. Parvati's endless gossip always made her laugh, and Luna's blunt honesty and insightfulness was surprisingly refreshing, and always entertaining. Lavender gave her a few pointers that would keep the guys panting like love sick puppies.

If anyone would have told her that she would ever flirt with Seamus Finnegan Daphne would have laughed in their face. Truth be told, the little Leprechaun kind of grew on her, and to be truly honest with herself. His Irish accent was really sexy when he talked intelligently, even more when he flirted, which was a lot. She had a distinct feeling Harry was helping him in that department.

Of course there was also a certain red haired prankster that snaked a kiss from her that night he and the others were at the Lair. To say that it made her toes curl would not be entirely accurate. Things on her curled that she didn't even know could curl. Even now she couldn't help but blush whenever she thought about it. Hogsmeade weekend was coming up and she was definitely going to pay him a visit.

Harry was of course off limits and she was fine with that, but that didn't stop an occasional fantasy from popping into her head in inappropriate moments. All of which seemed to happen whenever Emma was close at hand. What made it worse was that the girl always looked at Daphne like she knew exactly what she was thinking. What the hell was that all about? After calling it a night Daphne decided to take a stroll around the grounds as Hellcat. It always helped her to clear her mind and organize her thoughts.

Harry and Ginny returned to his trunk seeing as she spent most of her night there anyway. Harry keyed her into the wards protecting his trunk so Winky could pop her in regardless what House he was in. Now added to Harry's flat were pictures that Colin was becoming very fond of taking of them. Harry paid him for them and even suggested backing him if he ever decided to open a studio after he graduated from Hogwarts. They had made their way to the room where Harry's unique Pensieve was stored. He went over to warded cabinet that he kept all his memories locked in.

Harry was looking for a memory that would help Ginny with her Hybrid. She took notice once again of all the memories in the distinctive vials that Sasha had given him. She had been avoiding that particular conversation for awhile now. Mostly because they were in what Hermione called their honeymoon phase of their relationship. If she was going to truly understand Harry then she needed to understand his relationship to her.

"You have a lot of memories from her," Ginny said testing the waters.

"You know most of them I've never seen. She asked me to keep them safe for her."

"Why?"

"Haven't got a freakin clue. She told me that I would know what to do with them when the times come." Harry told her with a shrug.

"Are we ever going to talk about her?" Ginny asked quickly before she lost her nerve. Harry stiffened for a second before relaxing. He took a deep breath before looking back at her.

"What do you want to know?" He asked in a calm but guarded voice.

"Whatever you're comfortable with I suppose." Ginny answered a little nervously. She didn't want this to be an issue, and knew that Sasha had a strong influence on Harry. She needed to understand that connection.

"Gin, I'm the Succubi Clan Desory's Champion. That is not a distinction that they have given to a Wizard in over 500 years. It is not a Title and Honor that they or I take lightly. There are some secrets that I can not and will not share with another human. I have made a vow that only the Matriarch herself can release me from."

"An Unbreakable Vow?" Ginny gasped in total disarray. She couldn't believe that he would do something so reckless.

"No, but my vow is no less binding."

"I know you are a Man of Honor Harry, and you would never go back on your word. I would expect nothing less from you. I understand that you will tell me what you can. So I guess I should start with the most important," Ginny said and then took a long breath to center herself and for what she would soon discover. "Do you love her?"

"Yes" He told her with a look that said he was surprised she had to ask. The hurt look on her face told him that she took it the wrong way. Harry slowly walked over to her as he spoke. "Let me make this perfectly clear. I would die for her, kill for her, and if the worst was to happen. I would break into Hell itself to avenge her." Harry stopped right in front of her and lifted her chin until she met his eyes. "But I'm not in love with her."

"Well played Mr. Potter." Ginny answered after what felt like forever to Harry. "The last thing I want to do is become one of those kinds of girlfriends it's just…I need to understand what you mean to each other. I'm not an idiot Harry. I know it was more than just sex between you two." Harry could tell she wasn't going to let this one go without a fight. Maybe it was time that they got this out in the open.

"She was my teacher, friend, counsel, and yes lover. She ignited something in me. I don't know if I can explain this properly." Harry told her shaking his head side to side.

"Like you're going through your whole life blind and suddenly waking up with the ability to see, every sensation is delightfully more intense." Ginny suggested with a knowing smile that told him what he was to her. He let out a small laugh. She understood him a lot better than he thought. It brought a smile to his lips.

"Have I told you today how much I love you?"

"Yes…but a girl never tires of hearing the man she loves tell her that." Ginny informed him with a flirtatious grin. Harry pulled her to him, bent down sucked her lobe in his mouth briefly before whispered in her right ear, "I love you." Then he moved to her left side and kissed a very sensitive spot of her neck before repeating. "I love you." Harry's lips softly trailed up her throat, over her chin and sensually caressed her lips before he finished with another. "I love you."

Ginny pulled him to her and claimed his mouth as her tongue sought out his. They met and danced somewhere in the middle. Hunger hands explored the others body as a teasing kiss turned passionate in a heartbeat. It took all Ginny's willpower to break from him, they weren't finished yet. She rested her forehead against his as she took in a few breathes to calm herself.

"You're entirely too good at that." Ginny managed between labored breathes.

"Well Tease you not without game yourself." Harry managed between his own heavy breathing. One of his hands traveled up her back to the base of her head, while the other teased her bum.

"We're getting distracted again." She warned although it sounded more like a whine.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Harry countered as he tilted her head to the side for better access to her neck. Ginny's body so much wanted to surrender to his will, and later she probably would. Right now they had things to discuss, so she pushed herself from his grasp.

"Harry" Ginny pleaded and he groaned out his displeasure, but did as she wished.

"Okay, but some of this will be hard for you to take." Harry warned her.

"Can't be any worse than what I've already imagined." Ginny enlighten him with a little more honestly than she intended. It hit Harry right in the gut like a bludger. He knew that his own imagination was often 100 times worse than reality. If their roles were reversed he would haven't lasted nearly this long.

"All right, but don't say that I didn't warn you. It all started shortly after Tonks crushed my heart under her boot. I was sulking around in my room and avoiding everyone. Mum was respecting my space, but Padfoot finally had enough of it and barged into my room to give me a peep talk. It consisted mostly of a lot of cliché's that translated into suck it up and get my ass back on the broom."

"That sounds like him alright," Ginny said with a laugh as she imagined how that talk went.

"Sirius then told me he had a brilliant idea, and that we were taking a road trip. Now that I think about it we were never on the road."

"Why do I get the feeling when Sirius Black says he got a brilliant idea, you end up asking yourself how are you still alive when it's over."

"Darlin you have no idea how accurate that is. And not the waking up tied naked to a bed with seven pissed off ex-girlfriends in the room how am I still alive? OUCH! That was an example!"

"It better have been you cheeky git."

"Where was I?"

"On thin ice."

"Anyway, The Desory Clan had made a secret Alliance with the House of Black a couple hundred years ago. Sirius as Lord Black was honor bound to come to their aid when called."

"Yeah I 'm sure it was a real chore to go help a bunch of half naked Succubi. Bet he had to drag you kicking and screaming," Ginny said sarcastically while rolling her eyes.

"What you think they lounge around all day waiting to have an orgy! They're a tight knit community that has to rely on themselves for survival. They have Healers, Solders, and Magic Weavers. Who do you think made and interlaced magic in Sirius and my trench coats? Who do you think are helping those slaves we rescued regain their free will? Contrary to what many think in the Wizarding World they are not a collection of whores!" Harry snapped.

"I was only joking Harry. I wasn't implying anything," Ginny said trying to remove her foot from her mouth and defusing the situation.

"Sorry, I'm a bit protective of them." Harry told her realizing he overreacted.

"So I've noticed. Look, I know they are important to you, and I want to understand the bond you share with them. For the simple fact that you Harry James Potter are very important to me, so now they are too." She answered and squeezed his hand to let him know they were okay. Harry gave her a weak smile and continued.

"Okay, well we got there to find that something was stealing they younglings. It was taking them down into a cave. It didn't take us long to figure out that it was a Basilisk. So I went to work brewing a Mandrake Draught, while Padfoot went to investigate the cave. Grandpa Horace and I had this longstanding debate on if you took the Mandrake Draught it could protect you from becoming petrified. He thought anyone that wanted to try that experiment had to be barking mad, but we tweaked the formula just the same. It's amazing what I could talk him into by playing the academic curiosity card."

"Boys will be boys, even when they're old enough to know better." Ginny laughed as she shook her head again.

"It's part of our charm. Not buying that huh? Oh well, shortly after I finished brewing it one of Sasha's scouts brought back Padfoot. He was petrified Ginny. The scout said she found him by a cave entrance. They all knew that their last chance of getting their younglings back was lost. Sasha who until that point was a pillar of strength to her people completely broke down. Gin…" Harry had to stop himself and regain his composure. Ginny guessed this one of those memories that always haunts you. "No mother should ever have to cry like that. It cut me to my core. I was still wearing glasses back then, so a wild idea popped into my head. I looked at the Draught and then to Sasha. I made my choice, downed a goblet full, grabbed my broom, and picked up where Sirius left off."

"Sweet Merlin Harry, why didn't just use the draught to unpetrify Sirius?"

"That's just what my mum yelled at me too. I guess I was just too caught up in the moment. I found the cave, used a Night Vision Charm my mum taught me and flew into the cave. The cave wasn't very big so flying was a little tricky. I took my broom in because you never know when you have to make a quick exit. It took a bit but I found a huge chamber. There were Death Eaters in there Gin. The basilisk was sleeping not far off and it was freakin huge. All the younglings were caged and petrified with the exception of one, and she was putting up a pretty good fight. I wasn't all that surprised when I found out it was Sasha's daughter."

"Bloody hell, what did you do?"

"One of the Death Eaters was using magic to keep the basilisk asleep and the others were distracted by the fight Brianna was putting up. They were clueless that I was even there. So I used it to my advantage. I turned a rock into a portkey and got as close as possible. Took a deep breath and did the most insane thing I could think of."

"This should be good."

"I used a Windstorm Hex to extinguish all the candles lighting the chamber making them momentarily blind. I threw the rock at the cage and sending them back home. A Blasting Curse took out the Bootlicked keeping the Basilisk asleep and then all hell broke loose. In the chaos I swooped in and snatched up Brianna and made a break for the entrance. We were almost to the surface when I heard the snake coming up on our ass's quick fast and in a hurry. We just managed to exit the cave, but it hit my broom and we crashed. We scrambled to our feet and I pushed Brianna behind me and stared it down. Thank Merlin my theory worked."

"Why are you stopping?"

"Well this part is kind of anticlimactic."

"Don't tease me Potter, out with it!"

"Okay, it was sunrise so I just summoned a roster." Harry told her sheepishly. Ginny looked at him with an unreadable face for all of six seconds before she broke out laughing to the point she had to hold her stomach.

"That…worked…hilarious…pool…galleons…Luna." Ginny managed to get out between fits of laughter. Harry good-naturedly waited for her to get it out of her system. "Sorry about that, I can't believe that's how you killed the basilisk. There is this huge pool gong on how you killed it. You should hear some of the idea's they came up with. Knowing you, we expected this epic battle to the death with some rare secret curse you invented to take it down."

"How much and who won?" Harry asked laughing as well.

"Over 200 galleons and it was Luna." Harry was surprised by the amount, but not by who won. The girl had a way of seeing things that was just uncanny. Plus, it usually drove Hermione buggy and that was always fun to watch.

"Sasha and a few others showed up just as it dropped dead. Apparently, they saw the whole thing from the air. They didn't even know I was gone until the cage full of their younglings popped out of nowhere. We went back and I administered the Draught to everyone that was petrified. Then I took a nice long hot soak."

"Is this the part where you got your reward?"

"I didn't do it for that. Hell, it was the furthers thing from my mind. When Sasha found me she asked me why and I told her the same thing I told you. No mother should ever have to cry like that. Then she looked at me in a way that no one had ever looked at me before, like I wasn't this stupid kid with a ridicules crush. I love my mum and godfather, but they still saw me as a kid that needed their protection. She saw me as a man."

"And then she made you one," Ginny said more to herself than Harry. He pulled her in close and put his forehead against hers.

"Yeah, then she made me one. It was an awakening Gin, and I'm not just talking about sex."

"You think I don't get that? You did that for me you stupid git. I know there a part of your heart that will always belong to her, and I'm okay with that. I really am Harry. I just needed to understand that's all."

Emma's aunt often threatened to hang certain Wizards bits from the tallest tower. How ironic was it that she was hanging from it right now, by her tail to be more accurate. Her toes were curled around the base of the lighting rod, as her tail twisted around the very top of it so she was extended her new Animagus form in a perfect horizontal level. There was a time when this view would have made her want to vomit, but in the last three weeks Emma had gotten over her fear of heights. Well not so much the height mind you, just that sudden fatal stop at the end.

Dive-bomb drills will cure you of that quick fast and in a hurry. Sasha insisted that she mastered her new Animagi body control before she was going to teach her how to unlock her Succubi Magic. Emma still felt like she cheated the whole process, but Sasha was quick to remind her that having a form and controlling the form were two very different things.

That best explained why she found herself teetering over certain death if the strength of her tail were to falter. Like Tonks Sasha was a slave driver, but everything she made her do had a purpose. It didn't always make sense to her, but she had learned to accept the Desory Matriarch's wisdom. Emma took the time to reflect on what she has discovered about herself and this amazing new form.

First and foremost was how it affected her natural body, if a Metamorphmagus can truly have one of those. She had come to call it her Prime form, anyway her puberty kicked into high gear right from the off. In the last three weeks her breasts went from a meager budding to an optimistic A-cup. Her skin was gaining the traits of her Animagus as well. Her tolerance to extreme heat and cold had increased tenfold. Although, her skin looked normal and soft to the touch, it was hard to cut and resistant to low level magical assault. Sasha said it would increase as she matured more. She suspected that the Succubi Matriarch could probably walk naked in a blizzard and not feel a bloody thing. It was no wonder that they were barley dressed all the time. It was more for the comfort and morality of others than themselves.

She was also now able to gain access to their heightened senses. Among them was Empathy where she could sense the basic needs, desires, and emotions of those around her. She was told it helped Succubi to be better a temptress and lovers. Add that to the pheromones she kept accidently releasing every time she raised her hand in class. Emma could see why they were considered Enchantresses. Sasha explained to her that the Succubi Scent only stimulated desires and removed inhabitations in most for her to say, she's had over 400 years to get use to it. Try living in a school full of randy students. Some of the girls reactions were worse than the boys.

Thank Merlin, Lily gave her the talk or she would have been completely at her wits end. Although, it mostly covered the emotional side of sex, where Sasha's the talk was more on the practical side. She had to admit that some of the things she suggested were intriguing and she was more than a little curious. Sasha made a point to make it exceedingly clear that only when Emma thought she was ready should she explore those options.

Emma pushed off with her legs as her tail unwound from the lighting rod. She plummeted headfirst from the highest part of the castle. She held her head back and her eyes wide so she didn't miss a thing. Oddly the speed of her decent that was whipping her hair behind her head didn't make her eyes water in the slightest. Just another gift her Animagi body gave her. Less than three feet from crashing into the roof of a tower Emma twists her body to the left slightly and opens her wings just enough to bank out the way without losing her momentum. She spiraled around the tower while keeping her body only three feet from the old stone. Emma kept to the shadows and always passed between windows just like Sasha taught her. The few exceptions where she was exposed, though highly unlikely this time of night, she utilized her Chameleon abilities thanks to Tonks's Metamorphmagus training.

Sasha had shown her all the blind spots around Hogwarts so she could train and push her flying skills to their limits. With neck breaking speed she toured the castle and grounds of Hogwarts as very few have ever been able to do before. Twice she buzzed the Womping Willow and just like all the other times it never got close to tagging her. Opening her wings wide Emma directed a hard bank and headed out to the Quiddage Pitch. Making herself as rigid as a wooden beam she closed her wings and with her speed, angle, and small size Emma threaded the needle of the highest goal. Hooking her tail as her passed through, she used her speed and the strength of her tail to perform a 180 degree turn with a spiral before opening her wings and heading to the next goal for another go. Twenty attempts later she had it perfected.

She then practiced a flying dance that Sasha taught her. Hidden in the dance were movements for Aerial Combat that was defensive as well as offensive. She was in no way proficient in it, but she had improved considerably since she was first shown it. Then as part of her regiment she headed off to the Forbidden Forest so she could make some noise without drawing the attention of those that lived in the castle.

Emma arrived at the clearing that they were using for her hand-to-hand training, or in her case claw, fang, and tail combat training. Succubi runes were carved into the tree's surrounding the area to ward off curious eyes. Sasha told her that she had to keep a promise so Emma would have to train by herself tonight.

The other day the Ministry passed a law that reclassified Succubi as Magical Creatures. Thanks to Daphne's influence Emma was sure that her absence was pure politics. She had gotten to know Sasha very well over the last few weeks, and she knew that her first duty was to her Clan. As their Matriarch she would do what was necessary to ensure their safety and survival.

How Harry and she played into that Emma wasn't quite sure of yet. She was positive that had something to do with that scene between the two of them that she unintentionally walked in on. After all the interesting conversations she has had with the Succubus, Sasha was still very guarded when it came to that particular subject.

She pushed her thoughts aside as she concentrated on the accuracy of her tail whip attack. A fallen log was taking the damage of her assault as more and more up it was witted away. She was so engrossed in her task that she about jumped out of her skin when she started to hear clapping. Spinning around she saw the last person she expected leaning against a tree.

"Sasha! You gave me a fright. I thought you were settling a debt with the Minister of Magic tonight?" Emma asked after she got over the shock. One day she was going to figure out how she could still sneak up on her even with Emma's new enhanced senses.

"I didn't take nearly as looong as I expected. He lacked Harry's imagination, as well as his…stamina." The Desory Matriarch answered with a giggle. Her hidden meaning was blatantly obvious. Emma use to be shocked by her openness. But since she started her tutelage under Sasha Emma had come to not only like it, but would openly engage her.

"Perhaps you should have told him to take some vitamins. He not a spring chicken after all, then again neither are you." Emma added with a cheeky grin that saw surprisingly identical to Harry's.

"Good luck finding a pair of breasts that are this firm after 431 years." Sasha countered as she cupped her bosom and bounced them up and down to display her firmness. Emma couldn't help but snigger at her antics.

"So I can look forward to age defying boobs, sweet. I guess I can pitch my bra's now." Emma shot back looking down at her very modest pair compared to Sasha's magnanimous duo.

"Those archaic devices you female humans insist on wearing. Ugh! I never could fathom why your kind would constrict yourselves so." Sasha scrutinized with an air of disgust.

"Because gravity may not be an issue for you but it is to us. Not that I have much to worry about at the moment," Emma said as she rolled her eyes.

"In time they will, besides you are fretting is for not. You are bigger than I was at that age." Sasha explained as she patted her on her shoulder apologetically.

"Really?" The first years asked as she looked up with hopeful eyes.

"No" Sasha answered as she flicked Emma's nose to make a point.

"Ugghhh! I hate it when you do that! Stop laughing at me!"

"You are so cute when you get indignant. If it makes you feel any better, I'm considered average among my fellow Succubi."

"Really?"

"No"

"You're so bloody evil. You know that right?"

"Oh sweet Déjà vue. You're not the first Potter to call me that."

"Knowing you, Harry was probably tied naked to a bed at the time. Right?"

"What makes you think it wasn't Lily?" Sasha asked with a cocked brow as she walked past Emma swaying her hips and tail. Emma's jaw dropped to the ground for a second before she realized that Sasha was baiting her again or was she? Her Succubi Empathy could never work on Sasha. It was one of the reasons that she could never tell when she was just messing with her head. Emma mentally told herself that Sasha was messing with her head just so she didn't have that mental picture running through her head the next time she saw her aunt.

"So what are you going to teach me tonight?" Emma asked in an obvious attempt to change the subject. Sasha was impressed that her young student recovered so quickly, as well as slightly disappointed. It was always fun to muddle up her head.

"Since you now have a good handle on the physical. I see no reason you can't venture into the magical side of being a Succubi. As you know Empathy works without conscious thought. Because we are a magical being, we can focus our magic through our bodies that many mistake for wandless, in reality it is a rare breed of magic called Psionics.

Our magic does not come from a Magical Core, but our very being. Our ancestors mistakenly taught that to a gifted Witch by the name of LeFay and they were ultimately cursed for it. I know that look, and this is not the time or place to go into that with great detail. Let us move on shall we. Succubi have a completely different collection of runes than that of the Wizarding World. Of course there is also Blood Magic that has a very bad reputation, and my personal favorite Sex Magic."

"S-sex Magic?"

"Petite, sex in its basic form is but a ritual. A very fun, exciting, and marvelously satisfying ritual, but it's a ritual all the same. It's very useful in binding magic and protection to a person, object or place. Muggles even use it unknowingly. In Medieval times wives often send their husbands off to battle with an unrealized protection from their activities from the night before. It can strengthen the bonds of marriage as well as form deeper bonds between friends. The magic around Hogwarts has lasted the test of time largely due to the Founding Four and my Clans correlation. It was a weeklong ritual if the story I was told was accurate. Plus, it can be a very useful teaching tool. Just ask Harry how he got so good at runes."

"What is with you and giving me mental pictures I don't want?"

"Part of it is to desensitize you and the other…well I just like to see that look you get on your face, its sweeter then honey."

"Again you're evil"

"Yes I believe you've mention that once or twice. Don't worry it will be a few years before you have to worry about Sex Magic. Now before we begin I want you to be totally sure you want to take this any further. I don't want you thinking that you have to prove anything to me or anyone else. It is and always will be your decision Petite."

"I know that. This is my choice. Succubi may now reap the benefits of being reclassified as Magical Creatures, but we both know that can change just as quickly under a different Wizagamont. I'm a member of a Noble House now. With that kind of backing I can make them understand you, but only if I'm a fully trained Succubus. That means the good and the bad. I don't want to sound arrogant here, but I could be the bridge that bring our two worlds together." Emma pleaded with her. At the end of her appeal Sasha snapped her head around with a look of shock, pride and wonderment.

"What did you just say?" Sasha asked as she looked intensely in Emma's eyes.

"W-which part?" Emma asked a little nervously.

"Did you say bridge?" Sasha asked hoping against hope.

"Yeah, I could be the bridge to connect our worlds. Why?" Sasha stepped back with her hand over her mouth. Her eyes had a faraway look to them as if she was working something out in her head. She was mumbling to herself in Succubidom, the language of her people. Emma was just learning it so she only knew a few words. The ones that she did catch were destiny blood and Champion.

"You're becoming a creature of habit." Draco said to the white owl that was perched on the ledge of the Astronomy Tower. Every few days for the last three weeks he found it sitting there when he came to watch the sunrise. At first he was weary of the owl, but over time he was becoming accustomed to its presence, so much in fact that Draco found himself missing her when not there. The owl would stay and watch the sunrise with him. Then when it was over, she would give him a hoot and fly off to parts unknown.

"I suppose I should give you a name or something." Draco said mostly to himself as he took the spot next to the owl, and unknowingly started to gently pet her. The owl looked over at him and their eyes met. Draco always felt a connection whenever she did that. For the life of him he couldn't figure out why. The snow owl gave him a head bob in encouragement.

"How about Bubbles?" Draco asked with a grin. She nipped his finger in response.

"Ouch, I take that as a no?" Draco hissed out as he pulled back his hand and rubbed the spot where she got him. He remembered that owls are proud and wise creatures, and he should have known better that to make light of something as important as a name. Another head bob told him he was right. The owl started to click its claws on the ledge and drawing Draco's attention.

"Claws?" He suggested and she fluttered her wings in a manner that conveyed dislike. He thought some more on it, then she started to click both sets of claws on the ledge.

"Talon?" Draco suggested and this time got an approving trill for his suggestion. "I'll take that as a yes," Draco said laughing, something he rarely did. He went back to petting her as the sun broke the horizon. Before he even realized it he was talking to Talon as they watched the sunrise together. Nothing major mind you, just idle talk nothing unparticular, whatever was currently on his mind. He found that it was surprisingly easy to talk to her. There were no judgments or need to be guarded in what he said. She just listened to him with her accepting blue eyes. Before Draco knew it the sun was completely over the horizon and he knew Talon would be leaving soon.

"I guess you'll be going now Talon. You know that name is a good fit for you." Draco said when the owl flew up on his shoulder and playfully nipped his ear.

"I agree Draco, Talon suits her perfectly." Lily told him as she walked out onto the Astronomy tower. Talon's and her eyes met for an instant. Lily gave her a quick wink before leaning over the edge and taking in the view. She closed her eyes and smiled as the morning breeze pushed her hair back.

Draco studied her featured as she looked at the horizon. She seemed relaxed and at peace. Her guard was down or was that what she wanted him to think? The woman defiantly had an inner Slytherin to her, and he had learned over the last few weeks to never underestimate the woman. Lily cocked her brow and spied him out of the corner of her eye.

"Still trying to figure me out Mr. Malfoy?" She asked with an amused tone in her voice. He found himself relaxing in response. Was he becoming accustomed to her? He was defiantly less guarded around her and Draco could honestly say that he didn't see that coming.

"I'll be an old man before I'll be able to do that." Draco said with a slight chuckle and turned his attention back to the horizon. His hand went back to petting the white owl on his shoulder. He didn't see Lily's smile broaden.

"Well, at least you are setting goals for yourself." She joked and Draco grinned while shaking his head.

"I think a better goal is to figure out how you keep from sneaking up on me. Even a Silencing Charm leaves a trace you can detect, and there's no way you're doing it the Muggle way with those heels you're wearing. I don't even know how you're able to walk straight with those ruddy things on." Draco commented as he motioned to her pumps.

"Trade secret's Draco…trade secrets. You have met my son and his godfather, haven't you? You have to be fast and light on your feet to keep one step ahead of those two."

"I imagine so, then again I've seen you in action. I don't think that Snape will ever cross you again."

"He wasn't fighting back. If he had the outcome may have been different."

"Death Eaters fight with cold methodical detachment. Their victims rarely fight back in hopes of being granted mercy. They rely on their numbers and fear of the past deeds of greater Death Eaters. Their arrogance is their greatest weakness and your lots best advantage."

"I'll take that under advisement Draco."

"I've never seen someone fight with as much passion as you. I was damn lucky you didn't hex my bit into oblivion. I don't think I could have stopped you if you had wanted to."

"Don't think that I wasn't tempted to young man, but I forced myself to watch that horrid memory of yours three times. I may have broken a few things after the first viewing. I still felt violated and degraded, even though I knew that wasn't me."

"The thing is-"

"Draco! Honestly, why do the young think that they invented foreplay, oral, or even rough sex. Do you honestly think that before we became mothers that we didn't, how you say got our freak-on?" Lily snapped. Draco just looked at her much like she had looked at him when he asked for her to send a message to Cissy. The only exception was that his cheeks were starting to resemble her hair. "Perhaps that was too much information. The point I'm failing to make is that what I saw was some kinky role-playing between familiar lovers. Personally I think you could do better than Ms. Parkinson, but that's me."

"You figured out it was her?"

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't?"

"Are you going to kill her?"

"Tempting, but no. For the moment the destruction she was perpetrating against my reputation is contained, but the reason for the orders still remains a mystery. So for the moment we'll leave her in play. Your month of detention is coming to a close. How are you planning of explaining any chance encounters with me outside of class that is?"

"She thinks that you're trying to convert me, and I'm playing you. I suspect your side has drawn the same conclusion?"

"They have. The question is, are they correct or not?"

"I guess we won't know till the last curse has been cast." Draco told her pointedly. Lily turned to look at him directly with a half smile.

"I guess we will at that," She said and as always gave nothing away. He was doing all this in the hopes that she was the key to finding his mother. Draco was starting to wonder if the risk he was taking was worth it if he ended up with nothing to show for his efforts.

"Are you ever going to tell me if she is alive or not?" Draco asked even though he was sure she would evade the question like always. He knew she wasn't stupid enough to play her trump card unless it was absolutely necessary. Lily studied him under a scrutinizing eye. Then she looked back over the ledge to the horizon.

"You know the wonderful thing about owls is that they can always find who you're looking for. Talon seems rather fond of you. I would wager a month's salary that she could find her if she's alive that is." Lily observed in a whimsical tone. Draco looked to the owl and then back to his Charms Professor.

"I'm not daft, I've tried that already. The letters always come back." Draco answered dejected.

"So a woman with the name Narcissa Malfoy no longer exists. If memory serves, Cissy was never too fond of that name to begin with." Lily made sure that she made eye contact when she said the name her best friend now goes by. "Look at it this way, Write down everything you ever wanted to say to her in a letter. It will be therapeutic at the very least. You don't have to sign it if you're afraid someone will find it. That's a noble creature on your shoulder. She won't let you down. If Cissy is out there she will find her." Lily said before turning to leave. Draco looked back at her retreating form and smiled. Tonight he would have another detention with her. She would make him do another tedious task that was meant to make him a better person, and in the process she would tell him a little more about the woman his mother truly was. All things considered, it was a pretty fair trade. He looked back at Talon and petted her.

"Hey girl, could you hang around for a bit. I've got a letter to write?"