Strain and Discord

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Strain and Discord

~Spring 1997~

When Hermione arrived for her detention, Snape was brewing a potion at his worktable. "The potions are on my desk, Miss Granger, please drink them," he said, not even looking up as he meticulously measured his next ingredient. Hermione drank the silvery Mind-Clarity Potion, watching his movements with a sense of awe, then poured herself tea, adding in four drops of the Calming Ascetic Potion and carried the cup over to his worktable as she sipped it.

"I suppose I'll have to give you something to do so that you stop staring at me. You can clean the muddaubers and extract their secretions," he suggested, indicating the bowl next to him on the worktable. "Do you need me to show you how?"

"No, I've done this in Slughorn's class," she replied, setting down her empty cup.

He nodded and turned his attention to his potion, stirring with even, controlled strokes.

Hermione picked up the first thirteen-centimeter, grub-like creature with the forceps lying next to the bowl, stabbed it just below the two antennae, and sliced it from its mouth downward, about five centimeters, making the green sac protrude out of the cut. Snape passed her a large, wide-mouthed vial, silently, and then returned to cutting up his roots. She held the muddauber over the vial and nicked the sac, using the blade of her knife to extract the liquid mucus. Considering the size of the creature, it produced a surprisingly large amount of the visceral green stuff. Once done, she carefully slit the grub down the center, and extracted out the organs.

The second grub-like creature was slightly smaller than the first. It squirmed a little when she picked it up, and she was extra careful to avoid the mouth or antennae as she cut the creature, knowing that one bite would cause a severe reaction of searing blisters. The creature's tail end curled as she worked, and she was nearly stung by the antennae as she cut down the center of the body. The next two were lifeless and no trouble at all. The last one was larger than the others. She had just picked up the last grub, sliced the skin along its side when the muddauber turned in the forceps, nearly biting her fingers, and the antennae stung her. Hermione cried out in alarm as her knife slipped, slicing the sac, and the liquid mucus squirted all over her front.

"Get your blouse off," Snape barked, jumping up and coming quickly around his worktable.

Hermione didn't need to be told, as she was already struggling to remove the soiled garment before the visceral liquid could soak through to her skin. Nevertheless, she could already feel the wetness of the acidic gel, and her skin began to burn.

Snape swished his wand, shredded the blouse at the seams and pulled the garment off her. "Let me see," he snapped, concern in his eyes. Red patches were already beginning to burn on her chest, shoulder and stomach.

"Do not put any water on it," he snapped sharply as he ran quickly to his storeroom.

The red rash was rapidly spreading by the time he returned with a jar of green gel, which smelled like cinnamon and celery. "Take off your bra."

"It hurts," she said, waving her hands to try to cool the burning sensation and patting the places it burned.

"I know. Stop that, you'll make it worse! Hold still," he said as he turned her roughly by the arm. He cut the bra strap, and turned her around to face him as he quickly yanked her bra off. "Here, this will prevent your skin from breaking out in pustules," he said, dabbing the green gel on the spreading rash. The cooling effect was immediate, and as he continued to wipe the gel over her chest and stomach, the gentle sweeps of his fingers elicited shivers down her spine as well. She watched him, his brows furrowed in concentration and his dark eyes showing his concern as he meticulously covered every part of her that had been touched by the mucus, creating a growing sense of desire within her. "What happened?" he asked as he smeared the gel on her neck and shoulders.

"It almost bit me," she said breathlessly. "It stung my finger."

"Show me," he said, grabbing her hand. She didn't need to. Her index finger where the muddauber had stung her was already starting to turn blue and swell. He jammed her finger into his jar.

Instantly her finger felt better. "I didn't know some of them would still be alive. I'm sorry. I know better," she said as he checked her finger. "But the ones I've cleaned before weren't, so I didn't expect... I should have known." Idly, she scratched at an irritated spot on her stomach.

"Don't do that," he snapped, pushing her hand away. "They shouldn't have been alive. I prefer them freshly caught and just expired," he said, then his eyes narrowed. "Did you bother to check them before starting to cut them?"

"No, I assumed..." She'd closed her eyes, listening to his voice, fantasies of his touch and kisses swirling in her mind. "Severus, I don't think your potion is working," she said, slowly opening her eyes, her gaze meeting his.

"No?" he asked. "Where does it hurt?"

"No, not this one, the other one," she replied, finding herself lost in his dark eyes. He continued to spread the green gel on her body, and her skin tingled as he did, but she wanted so much more contact than just his fingertips. "I, um, I don't know how to say this... I want you to kiss me." His hand froze on her breast as he stared at her. She bowed her head, ashamed at her presumptuousness. "I shouldn't have said that," she added demurely. "I'm sorry."

His hands reached out and cupped her face as his lips gently brushed hers. "Don't be." Hermione closed her eyes and savored the soft feel of his mouth on hers. "I've got to stop taking advantage of you," he murmured against her lips.

"And if I don't want you to?" she asked, her hands clasping the edges of his robes.

He drew his head back to look at her. "I'd have to stop."

She moaned from the loss of his contact. "That's not what I meant." She stood up on her toes to try to kiss him. He laughed and leaned down to kiss her, sensually teasing her lips while still keeping her body from rubbing against his. She groaned in frustration, trying to get closer to him and undo his frockcoat. "What if I don't want you to stop?"

"This is madness you know. You are only reacting to me because of that blasted tower," he said as Hermione tried to resume their kiss. "Hermione, we cannot do this; I cannot touch your rash," he said, backing up as she pressed forward. "Circe, girl, stop that," he hissed at her, grabbing her wrist. "If I irritate your skin right now, it will become inflamed and blisters will spread..."

"Why not? You were touching me before," she said. "I want you."

He growled in response, his kiss deepening as he slowly backed her across the room toward his desk. He pushed her against the desk. "Sit," he ordered softly. She pushed herself up onto his desk as he loomed over her. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she replied in breathless anticipation. He flicked his wand at her and her palms stuck to the desk. "Hey!"

"Then do as I say." He continued to spread the gel on her until the cool tingling seemed to cover her entire front. "Why in Merlin's name do you think you are behaving the way you are?" he asked.

Hermione stared at him, speechless, not sure what to say.

"Yes, that is my point," he stated with a subtle sneer.

"No, it's just that I really do feel attracted to you. I've always admired and respected you, even though you've never liked me," she replied earnestly, and he scoffed at her. "This is the first time you've let your guard down since I've known you. Usually you just brush me off or say some scathing remark, but lately we've actually talked, sort of. And I like the real you, the one behind the gruff mask you always wear. The more I'm around you, the more I find I really like being around you."

"That is simply the effects of the spells," he said, although a flicker of a smug smile flashed on his face before he schooled his expression into his usual mask of indifference. "Don't put on your bra or your blouse. They'll have to be destroyed, I'm afraid. I'll Disillusion you and get you to the hospital wing," he said, releasing her hands.

She jumped down off his desk. "What about your potion?"

"I set a Stasis Charm right after I noticed that you showered yourself with the muddauber's secretions," he said, fastening up the buttons she'd managed to undo. "Come on, I need to get you up to see Madam Pomfrey."

~Spring 1977~

Severus had been up in the stands, watching his team play Gryffindor. Mulciber had been flying really well today, focusing entirely on Potter throughout the game, nearly knocking Potter off his broom three times during the course of the game, forcing Potter to make some sharp turns and dives. The reason was because Severus had bet Mulciber a cauldron of Polyjuice Potion that he couldn't knock Potter off his broom. Never had Severus wanted to lose a bet so much. The score had been close with Slytherin only thirty points in the lead as both Regulas Black and Burnaby soared after the Snitch. Mulciber had managed to get one more good swing at the Bludger, which had forced the iron ball to swerve and hit Potter's shoulder. The impact caused him to lose his balance and slip, so he dangled precariously on the handle of his broom, forcing him to drop the Quaffle to the waiting Slytherin chaser below him, just as Regulus's fingers had closed around the Snitch. Severus watched with satisfaction as Potter struggled to land while he dangled from his broom with one hand and his other arm flailed limply at his side.

"Did you see that last one, Severus?" Mulciber said, running up to him after the game, grinning excitedly. "I got him! Knocked him right off his broom! So it's mine. When will it be done?"

"Tonight," Severus answered, hiding his grin carefully. He saw Lily as she exited the stands with her friends.

"Broke his shoulder probably!" Avery said. "So we win the bet! We get the potion."

He would have given it to them anyway since Avery and Hardger had stolen the ingredients for him, although they didn't know he'd already been brewing the potion for nearly a month. But this way was so much more rewarding. "Yeah. You win," he said, schooling his expression into one of regret. "I'll give you the potion."

"Cool, see you down in the dungeons." Mulciber grinned mischievously, taking off to find his girlfriend, Madelia, with Avery running after him.

"Bet? What bet?" Lily asked, walking up to him.

Sirius Black was making his way from the crowd right behind her. "Yeah, what bet? You bet Mulciber that he couldn't get James, didn't you? You had him single James out so he'd get hurt!"

"He wouldn't do that!" Lily exclaimed.

"And what if I did?" Severus asked defensively. "It's not like that isn't a risk of playing the game."

Black looked outraged; Lily looked aghast. "He targeted for James the whole game; he wasn't trying to get anyone else."

"Potter was simply unlucky – always in the line of fire," Severus said smugly.

"What did you promise them?" Lily asked, perturbed. She didn't look all that happy about his bet with Mulciber, intended as revenge on Potter.

"A potion, wasn't it?" Black asked. "What potion are you giving them?"

"None of your business, Black," Severus stated.

"I've made it my business. What potion did Mulciber want in order to kill James?" Black asked with a snarl.

Lily looked at Black, then at Severus, and back to Black, gobsmacked. "Kill him! Sev?" she asked, her gaze landing on him again.

"I made a bet that he couldn't knock him off his broom, that's all. Besides that's what Beaters do – knock players off their brooms. Or don't you know the rules of the game, Black?" Severus asked, watching Black's eyes narrow. "You might want to catch up to your friend and see if he's all right, though."

Lily's mouth dropped open. "How could you? He got hurt, Sev, bad."

"It's a broken arm, Lily, nothing more," Severus tried to explain. "Madam Pomfrey will have him right in no time." By the look in her eyes, she wasn't appeased by his rationale.

"Just a broken arm. Maybe you'd like to have one as well?" Black snarled.

Black drew his wand only a second before Severus drew his. "Stop this! Stop!" Lily cried out, drawing the attention of other students and Professor McGonagall, although neither guy was listening to her. "The professors, everyone is watching!"

"Bracchium Fractum," Black said as Severus growled, "Expelliarmus," sending Black flying forcefully back against the stands, but not before Severus felt the bones in his arm splinter.

"How dare you? How could you?" Lily shouted at both of them as Professor McGonagall came walking up with a scowl.

~Spring 1997~

As chance would have it, Hermione saw the Grey Lady floating down the corridor as she made her way to the common room. "Please, wait," she called after the ghost.

The Grey Lady turned and waited for Hermione to approach. "What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you about the spells on the tower," Hermione asked hopefully.

"I told you what I remember. That was a long time ago," she replied in a compunctious manner. "You're already under the influence of the spells on the tower room. Can't you tell what they are by their effects?"

"But I've read about the spells you mentioned, as well as similar spells, and according to the spells books, those spells don't last forever. They terminate when the caster dies." She covered her mouth hoping that the Grey Lady wasn't as sensitive about her death as Nearly Headless Nick was. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you..." Hermione apologized quickly, but the Grey Lady looked offended. "No, what I mean is, well, if you cast them when you were alive, why are they still in effect?"

"I don't know." The ghost looked away as if trying to remember. "I suppose they were very strong," she said, although Hermione heard a sense of wistfulness in her voice. "I tied my magic to his in hope that I could interfere with his spells so that others, such as yourself, would turn back from seeking entrance to the room above and not become ensnared. I wanted to boost the will of the unwary so they could resist. Most students that find the room never push past the barrier. I think you didn't want to resist the pull of the tower room or you wouldn't have kept going up there to see Professor Snape."

"I didn't go up there to see him," she protested, but the moment she said it, she knew it wasn't true. She had been as drawn to Snape as strongly as to the room itself, like a moth to a flame.

At that moment, Harry passed them in the corridor, running flat out, and Hermione stared down the corridor after him, curious.

The Grey Lady sighed, pulling Hermione's attention away from Harry's odd behavior. "He's the one you should be with. Not Professor Snape."

"But I don't fancy Harry that way. We're only friends," Hermione insisted.

"No, I suppose not. Apparently, you fancy Professor Snape. I cannot help you. Maybe you should seek out the Baron," she said, floating away.

"Wait, wait!' she called after the ghost, but the Grey Lady simply floated into the wall without looking back. Hermione continued to the common room lost in thought and was nearly bowled over as Harry came running back down the corridor, carelessly swinging his bag, almost knocking her over with his schoolbooks. She watched him disappear around the corner, wondering what had him in such a hurry that he hadn't even seemed to notice her. Shrugging, she turned her thoughts back to the two conversations she'd had with the Grey Lady and the contradiction regarding the longevity of the effectiveness of the spells she knew were placed on the tower.

*

Hermione, Ron and Harry had had an argument over Harry using the Slicing Spell from his Potions book on Malfoy when he'd had no idea what the spell did. In her mind it was an extremely reckless and dangerous thing to do, and she was appalled at Harry's, and for that matter Ron's, cavalier attitude. The fact that it wasn't the only spell he'd tried from the book made Hermione livid with him. So, finally tired of the cold shoulder treatment from her friends over the Half-Blood Prince and his book, she decided to retire early, choosing to review what she knew about the tower room.

Hermione had asked Nick about the longevity of spells cast by a person before they became a ghost, wondering if being a ghost had anything to do with it. But Nick had told her that dying was dying and that even though one was a ghost, their magic was tied with the corporeal body and the spells she was asking him about, hypothetically, would dissipate or terminate upon the wizard's death. Very few spells lasted beyond the life of the caster; only the strongest, most draining to cast, or blood magic might since it's magic sometimes then transferred over to another witch or wizard.

The protective spells on Hogwarts were like that, the ties between the magic and the caster passing on to the next headmaster, assuring the safety of the school. It's why the deputy headmaster had to be an extremely talented and strong witch or wizard; the magical source of the spells automatically transferred to them the moment the headmaster died.

She pulled out her parchments and charts, going over her list again, rechecking her annotations and summations, wondering what she was missing, but the words of the Grey Lady still haunted her.

*

The next morning Hermione left her common room early, fighting the urge to go to the tower room instead, forcing herself to turn for the dungeons, not sure where else to find the Bloody Baron. Within minutes of multiple turns, following random corridors, she was lost. It was only by chance that she saw a shadow in the corridor, recognizing the billowing shape of Snape's robes as he walked. Hopeful, she followed him, grateful when she finally saw him enter his office. She knocked on the door with a sense of relief.

"Enter," he called out, clearly annoyed by something.

Snape turned on her as soon as she closed the door. "Do you have any idea what your friend, Mr. Potter, did to Draco Malfoy?"

"Er, yes, Harry told me about it," she answered, intimidated under his angry expression.

He crossed his arms, looking at her sternly. "Where did Potter learn the spell he used on Malfoy?"

Hermione swallowed nervously before answering, "From a schoolbook."

"Liar," he snapped at her. "I know where he got the spell."

"You asked me where he learned it; he learned it from a book," she replied, trying not to show her fear.

"A schoolbook?" he asked firmly. "A Potions book, perhaps?"

Oh, gods, he knows. Harry said he switched books. "Harry said that he showed you all his books," she stated, telling him a deliberate half-truth. It was a lie and she knew it, and worse, she knew he knew it, too.

"He lied," Snape snarled at her. "Where is the Potions book?"

"I don't know," she said honestly.

"You are lying," he sneered at her. "Tell me the truth."

"I am most certainly not! I don't know where the bloody book is," she insisted, angry at his accusation, knowing he was partially right.

"Do not raise your voice to me," he snapped at her.

"You are raising your voice to me," she snapped back, then inhaled sharply, turning her head, and added, "sir," berating herself for losing her temper. He's going to put me in detention or, worse, detention with Filch!

"Get out of my office!" he yelled at her and turned, his robes flaring out dramatically.

She stormed from his room, fuming that he'd called her liar, tears welling in her eyes. Well, I wasn't exactly telling him the whole truth, was I? I was covering for Harry. But really! I hadn't lied outright! She ran all the way to the tower room and fell onto the windowsill, crying against the glass.

~Spring 1977~

Severus heard Potter in the corridor ahead of him and ducked into an alcove to avoid a fight. "He's a right foul git, and you know it. Admit it."

"He's heavily into the Dark Arts. He knows more Dark Arts than anyone in school, even as much as that wizard, You-Know-Who, everyone's talking about," Black snarled.

Severus' ankle still hurt from having been hung upside down – again – earlier that day, and his head and shoulder still ached from Black's latest hex. If I could only figure out how to do a counter spell to my Levicorpus Charm nonverbally, that particular spell wouldn't be as much of a problem anymore. "I can't believe you'd pick him over me. Why can't you see him for what he is?" Potter asked. "He's a Dark wizard; he's not going to amount to anything good."

Severus became incensed by the accusation.

"You don't know that! Severus is a nice guy and he's wicked smart," Lily's voice carried down the corridor. "He's my friend, Potter. You leave him alone!"

Severus smiled at hearing Lily defend him. She must still care if she's standing up for me.

Potter's voice answered her, "They all call you a Mudblood, all of them, Lily. How can you be so blind?"

"Even Snivellus calls you that. We've all heard him," Black spoke up next.

"He said it once – once – last year; he's never said it since. Besides, as I recall, he was hanging upside down and being taunted and hexed by you! Both of you! You embarrassed him!" Lily said angrily. "He hadn't meant it, he told me so."

If he hadn't still been under the influence of Madam Pomfrey's potions, still feeling slightly sluggish, he'd show them.

"His friends are Avery, Mulciber and Rosier! Their families are all Death Eaters," Black pointed out angrily. "Wake up, Evans! It's just a matter of time before old Snivellus joins the ranks. I wouldn't be surprised if he already has. Then what? How long would you and your family be safe? They are attacking Muggle-borns and their families. It could be you. You're safe now in these walls, but Merlin's balls, Lily, think! Summer is coming – then what? Do you really think you're going to be able to protect your family?"

"The Ministry has set up protections on my parents' house, and I've been learning the warding spells we're shown in Defense," she stated defensively. "And Severus is not a Death Eater. I'd know if he was one."

"A lot of good that'll do, they're learning the same spells, Lily! Snivellus and his friends. You're a fool! He's no good and you'll only get hurt," Potter sneered at her.

"I can handle my own, Potter," Lily stated. Severus could just imagine her eyes narrowing in anger.

"You are a really stupid witch, you know that. You don't even see what's right in front of you," Black sneered. "Even Regulus said that all the Slytherins call you a Mudblood. All of them! He's going to end up joining them you know, the Death Eaters, and then what will you do? When your friend, Snivellus is one of them – you think he'll still be your friend then?"

"Severus would never become a Death Eater!" Lily protested.

"Merlin, you're stubborn," Black said. "Go on then, get yourself mixed up with the Slytherins and see how long you live. They hate you, all of them, and he's one of them. He's no better than they are."

"No, he's not!" Lily protested.

"He's their friend! He's going to end up just like they are, as a Death Eater, and he will only end up hurting you – again!" Black said venomously. "You mark my words. There's not a witch or wizard who's joining You-Know-Who who wasn't in Slytherin!"

"No, he's not like that!" Lily snapped back furiously.

"Why even bother defending you then, if you're just going to set yourself up as a target?" Potter snarled. "You aren't worth the effort! See if we're there for you next time, Evans. See if we come to your aid. I'm through trying to make you see reason."

Severus was stunned. Next time? What happened? Did someone attack Lily?

"Well, I don't need you!" she spat back, and Severus heard her footfalls as Lily ran down the corridor.

Severus decided he needed to know what happened and to see if Lily was all right. If it means taking on Potter and Black again to find out, so be it. He stepped from the alcove, hurried down the corridor after Lily, and suddenly came to a halt.

Lily was in Lupin's arms, his hands stroking her back as he whispered something against her hair. My Lily in the arms of that werewolf? How dare she? She had her arms around him, her head resting on his shoulder as his hand continued to stroke her. She looked up at him, and Lupin caressed her cheek, smiling at her. She is my girl, and she's hugging that werewolf!

Lily dropped her head on his chest, and her shoulders slumped as if she had sighed heavily, and she stepped back, her head bowed, wiping her cheeks on her sleeve. "Do you want to come to the library with me, then?" Lupin asked. "Or maybe you'd prefer going somewhere private to talk?"

"Private. I don't really feel like running into anyone right now. Least of all those two," she replied softly and then turned, her green eyes going wide as she met Severus' stare.

He was furious. Sure, go off with that werewolf! Severus turned and left, running all the way to the dungeons. He could hear Lily call out to him and heard her footsteps as she followed him.

"Severus, wait!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the stone walls of the dungeons.

He stopped and turned, glaring at her angrily. "What do you want, Lily?"

"It's not what you think," she said imploringly.

"What isn't? You were hugging that werewolf!" Severus sneered at her. "If you want to be with Lupin, fine, go be with him." He turned and started walking, and Lily followed him.

"He isn't a werewolf! They wouldn't let a werewolf in the school!" she exclaimed, reaching out her hand to grasp his sleeve, trying to make him stop and talk to her.

Severus turned and faced her. "He is one, Lily, open your eyes. Maybe Potter's right, you're too blind, too naïve, to see what's going on right in front of your face. Go back to your gilded tower." He turned on his heel again and walked down a seldom-used passage, wanting to be alone.

Lily followed, catching up to him again. "How could you be so jealous of Remus? He's only a friend."

"He's friends with Potter and Black," Severus sneered. "The golden boys of Gryffindor, the big wizards on campus."

"I can't believe you!" she exclaimed. "Why can't you all just stow your wands and let things go? Why are you always fighting? At least, Potter tried to save your life last week, even though you are mortal enemies! It's ridiculous."

Severus stopped and turned on her, barely able to contain an uncontrolled burst of his magic in his anger. "Saved my life? Did you just say saved my life? That's a lie!"

"No, I heard what happened," Lily protested. "Potter tried to save you from whatever monster is down that tunnel under the Whomping Willow!"

"Lily, Black tricked me into following Lupin through that passage underneath the Whomping Willow! Potter only came to my rescue so that his friend would not be expelled. He knew that I would encounter a full-blown werewolf at the end of the passage and stopped me from going all the way through! It wasn't to save my life – it was to save Black from being expelled. That's the only reason he prevented me from going through! And Dumbledore had the audacity to say that Potter saved my life!" Severus was so furious, a tiny bit of spittle spurted at his last words. "I'm not allowed to talk about it! I'm forbidden to tell anyone what really happened! But obviously Potter is bragging about his heroics in his common room. How typical!"

"Yes, he told a few of us. But he did stop you from going through the tunnel," she said imploringly. "He did try to keep you from encountering that monster in the tunnel."

Severus stared at her in disbelief. "You believe the lies about what happened? That Potter went in there to save me?"

"Well, he did! He saved you from whatever is down there," Lily insisted.

"Black tried to get me killed – or worse – turned into a werewolf myself," Severus snarled. "He told me that's where Lupin goes each full moon!"

Lily touched his arm in supplication. "Lupin isn't a werewolf, Sev. He can't be!"

"Oh, yeah? Black, Potter and Pettigrew were all there, all three of them. So where was Lupin? Eh?" Severus spat angrily. "HE is the werewolf. He was down that tunnel!"

"If it was a werewolf down that tunnel, then Potter risked his life to save you!" Lily insisted. "You're now indebted to James Potter because of this. Dumbledore is right; it's called a life debt. I know about this. It's ancient magic..."

Severus looked at her in disgust. "I am not indebted to Potter; he was in on it! He is as much to blame..."

"You're kidding! Are you thick?" she said, stunned. "He saved your life, Sev."

"Go back, Lily," he spat back at her, disgusted by her constant defense of the maraudering golden boys of Gryffindor. "I'm sick and tired of Potter, Black and Lupin. If you like Lupin so much, fine. But it's either him or me. I'm not sharing my girlfriend with a werewolf!"

He turned heel again, starting to head toward his common room, until Lily's scared voice made him pause.

"Sev, where are we? I'm lost."

Severus looked at her, seeing fear in her green eyes, and he shoved his anger toward her down inside him. He would have to lead her out of the dungeon maze; otherwise she'd be down here for hours and could fall victim to Avery or Mulciber again. He didn't really want her running into any of his housemates after all. "Okay, back this way. You shouldn't follow me down here. You get turned around too easily."

"But I've you to show me the way out," she replied with a smile. "I just wish you'd stop fighting..."

"Give it a rest. We'll never be friends," he said, exasperated. Circe, she's going to harp me about this all the way back to the Entrance Hall.

~ T B C ~>

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Author's Notes: