Pieces of a Rather Puzzling Situation

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Chapter 40 – Pieces of a Rather Puzzling Situation

Diffused light filled the tree house, the sound of gently falling water mingling with the call of exotic and unusual birds filling the scented air.

Severus groaned.

He missed his dungeons; no one should be subjected to sunlight before two in the afternoon. It should be written down somewhere, carved in stone and followed as law. He could handle mornings, having taught early classes for the last twenty years. It was the bright light, associated with annoyingly happy and cheerful Headmasters, one in particular, which got under his skin.

"Can you turn off those damn birds before I hex them into tomorrow?" The lump next to him shifted, pulling the covers further over her head.

"Good morning. I trust you slept well?"

"Do I smell coffee?"

Severus smiled and reached for the urn that had magically appeared at their bedside. "Yes, thank you, I slept well, too."

Hermione glared at him while reaching for the coffee cup he held out to her. He'd learned quite early on that she was not a 'morning' person. She thrived on the nighttime, and only liked the early hours if she was still awake for them. A liberal application of coffee was usually needed to bring her back to human form anytime before noon. Trial and error had taught him to wait until after her first cup, usually chugged fairly quickly, to try and converse.

He watched her up end the cup, her eyes sliding shut in almost orgasmic bliss as she savoured the flavour. She sighed deeply before opening her eyes and smiling at him. "More? Great coffee; by the way, is this part of the ambiance or did you order it beforehand?"

Severus shook his head as he poured her another cup. Obviously, her mind had decided to join the conversation as she came awake. "I ordered it las..."

"Damn it, look how bright it is. What time is it?" Hermione sat upright. "There's a lecture I wanted to attend at nine, and you still have your presentation at eleven."

His hand on her arm stilled the witch's movements. "Hermione, it's early. We have plenty of time; it's not even eight yet. You mentioned Galestorm's lecture last night. I wouldn't let you sleep through it. Relax."

She smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. It's just a little overwhelming. I wanted to meet these men so I could decide on my apprenticeship. I never figured you would talk about the alterations to the Wolfsbane Potion we're doing. These people are masters. What will they think when you present an idea from a third-year grad student? Maybe you should present it as your idea? That way it will have more weight."

"They will think you are the most brilliant witch they have ever met, something I already know. Stop selling yourself short. This is your idea, not mine. I will not take credit for something that I didn't do. Especially where you are concerned. Stop and take a deep breath. Everything will be fine. Come here." His voice softened as he gauged her level of nervousness.

He shifted her around so she was sitting with her back to him. Gently, he moved her hair to the side and started to work the muscles along her shoulders and down her spine. He could feel the tension radiating out from her, and it wasn't even eight a.m. yet. What would she be like by afternoon? "Breathe, Hermione, just breathe."

The young woman shifted forward, moaning softly. "Mmm, I could stay here all day. God, you have great hands."

"Yes, I believe you mentioned that last night, too." He smirked as he felt her tense for a very different reason. They had 'stayed in' last night, ordering room service for a light meal before exploring the jungle floor of their suite. The waterfall provided them with the opportunity to practice a few altered spells, his version of Wingardium Leviosa included. They made love slowly, taking time to enjoy each new sensation in the surging water.

Hermione had surprised him, when grinning evilly, she sat him on a submerged ledge and plunged under the water. He felt a moment of panic when she remained under the water administering to his hardened member, afraid she would drown herself while offering him pleasure. Bubbles broke the surface as she continued to suck and lick his stiff shaft. He tried to pull her up but she keep pushing his hands away before finally breaking the surface again.

"I'm fine. Sit back and enjoy."

Shock registered on his face as he looked at her. She had two small gills on either side of her neck. She wasn't drowning under the water, she was breathing! The gills were nowhere the size of those Potter had sprouted his fourth year during the Triwizard Tournament, those lasting hours. He could only assume she had taken a smaller amount of gillyweed, or modified the results of the weed, more likely. Either way, the sensation of the warm water churning around his cock and balls, Hermione's eager and talented tongue and mouth doing things to his body he'd never dreamt, was almost more than he could stand. He lay back and lost himself in the moment, marvelling at the brilliant woman, brilliant in all things, attending to him.

Now, pulling the pliant witch back into his embrace, he whispered in her ear, "As much as I would love to keep you here all day, we do have to get out of this bed sometime soon if we're to make that lecture on time."

Hermione kissed him over her shoulder. "You're evil, pure evil." She smacked him on his thigh before sliding from the bed. "Let me jump in the shower first, I need a bit of extra time to charm my hair this morning. The tree house is great, but I could do without the humidity."

Severus watched her sashay toward the suite's bathroom, her lithe body enticing him with her every move. 'And she says I'm evil? his body responding to the visual stimuli of Hermione. With a sigh of his own, he moved to retrieve his notes for today's presentation. He had every intention of trying out a few of his more 'inventive' ideas on the witch tonight; that train of thought would have to wait for later, they had other, more pressing, matters to deal with at the moment.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Galestorm's lecture, "Potions and You, A History of Change," proved to be as boring as it sounded.

"I would assume, from the sheer volume of yawns I witnessed during Galestorm's presentation, that you have crossed him off your list?" he asked.

"As hard as it may be to believe, I think Professor Galestorm is more boring than Professor Binns. I never thought I would say that about anyone."

Severus had to agree with Hermione's evaluation of the man. Galestorm was one of the four masters Hermione had targeted for her apprenticeship. The man was much published in the field, bringing forth a new article almost every quarter. He was roughly the same age as Severus, teaching at a private academy in Scotland. If she apprenticed with him, she would be within easy Apparating distance of Hogwarts. Even Hogsmeade would have been a simple Floo call away.

But the man would never challenge her. He would stay true to the programme, training her in all the traditional methods of potions making, but he would never offer her the chance to expand her horizons, to push past the boundaries and explore the unknown.

They wove their way through the crowded corridor. "One down and three to go." Hermione pulled a folded scroll from her shoulder bag. "You're presenting in room 200. That should be this way."

Silently, he followed the witch. He had watched her dress this morning – studious dark blue robes, low heels, her hair pulled back in a soft chignon at the nape of her neck – and had been more than a little surprised when she had pulled a handbag from her trunk. He had half expected the ever-present book bag to make its appearance, instead. A silencing glance and a mumbled comment about appearing professional stopped any further discussion.

No amount of discussion could convince her that she was valuable on her merits alone. Severus marvelled at a brain so brilliant as to create original spells, to research and process information some of the most accredited minds were lack to do, and yet unable to think herself worthy of the masters she was pursuing. It was ludicrous, really, but it was pure Hermione.

They turned into the main corridor and located room 200. Severus moved to the lectern, his black dress robes billowing around him. Hermione took a seat in the front row, refusing his offer of sitting behind the podium, saying she would join him when the time came. Her eyes shone with pride as she watched Severus behind the lectern.

The room filled quickly with wizards and witches of every size and shape hurrying to get a seat. Room 200 was actually a double room, set with seating for at least 400. The room was packed. The chance to hear the elusive Potions master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, war hero, medal winner, Potions master extraordinaire expound on Dark potions, the Wolfsbane in particular, was too good to miss. It seemed as if everyone attending the Symposium was present.

An owl hooted, signalling the start of the current session. Every seat was taken and still there were dozens of people standing against the back wall, and still more standing in the doorway. Rancine's voice could be heard clearly in the outer corridor.

"If you would all please take your seats. We need to leave the corridors clear, please." Rancine pushed through the throng standing in the doorway. "Is there some reason you people won't sit down?"

"I believe even you should be able to discern the problem, Rancine. We seem to be short a few seats." Severus's tone was snide as he regarded the oily little man.

"You can't all be registered for this presentation? I need to see your scrolls." His voice rose with annoyance, his face turning red. When he'd agreed to help organized the presentations for the Symposium, he'd set up a strict time schedule of lectures, varying the topics to help maintain interest. This would never do.

"Oh, enough." Severus said with a sneer. A wave of his wand and the room magically enlarged, another wave and several rows of empty seats, enough to accommodate everyone, appeared. "If you don't mind?"

"This is highly irregular, Snape. You cannot..."

A chorus of 'shhs' and 'would you get out of the way' met his protest. Rancine moved to the doorway, glancing hatefully at Severus.

"Good morning, I have been asked to speak today on Dark Potions, their attributes, what creates them, Dark Magic and, more specifically, the Wolfsbane Potion." A single piece of parchment blinked into existence on the lectern in front of Severus. "I am to inform you: if you are not registered for this presentation, you must leave."

The parchment levitated several inches above the podium and burst into flames. "I believe that takes care of that."

He spent the next hour and a half holding his audience enthralled. He dragged out obscure potions that were now considered Dark by the Ministry but had at one time been in common use, only to fall into ill repute during Grindelwald's rise. The first Dark Lord had been even more deeply immersed in the Dark Arts than the second Dark Lord. Those in attendance hung on his every word as he explained what made intent 'Dark'.

He held them on the edge of their seats, using his voice to its fullest as he touched on the potions he had helped to create, finally coming to the last potion on his list, the Wolfsbane Potion. A potion almost every master had tried to brew, very few having any success.

"I could stand here and tell you of the difficulties of brewing this potion: the timing required at each stage of the process; the phases of the moon necessary to ensure each ingredient is at its full potency when added to the brew. But you are all educated wizards and witches. You have all read the recipe, attempted the potion, and know the difficulties involved. Instead, I would like to introduce you to someone, and tell you about a project we have been working on concerning a few revolutionary changes we have undertaken in creating an alteration to the traditional Wolfsbane Potion. A preliminary report of our findings will be published in the next issue of Potions Quarterly with actual trials to begin over the winter hols."

Severus nodded to Hermione, waiting until she joined him to introduce her. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Miss Hermione Granger."

A quiet ripple ran through the group. Her name was well known as a hero of the war; a friend of Harry Potter, the boy who lived to save the world; and had most recently been linked with his in Witch Weekly. Hermione smiled shyly and nodded at the crowd.

"Those of you immersed in academics would definitely appreciate the level of OWLs and NEWTs Miss Granger attained while at attendance at Hogwarts, but it is something far more extraordinary I should like to tell you about. Miss Granger has devised a way to 'alter' the Wolfsbane Potion, allowing those taking it to retain greater control of their minds than ever before. We are currently testing various combinations of materials: a silver cauldron, a pewter cauldron, and an iron cauldron combined with different stirring rods to change the principal effects of an ingredient. It has been a long series of trials to find the right combination of ingredients to create a potion that will offer the user the most benefits without adding to its side effects."

It didn't take long for the group to start questioning Hermione. Severus led the various queries for a few minutes, slowly stepping back and allowing Hermione to take charge. She forgot her nervousness as her passion for the subject at hand came forth. If the assembled had any qualms of listening to a 'third-year grad student,' they quickly forgot them as Hermione warmed to the topic, her brilliance shining through.

An owl sounded signalling the end of the session. Rancine burst through the closed doorway, once again trying to take control of the situation. "Thank you all for attending. We ask that you leave quickly and quietly. Lunch is currently being served in the main hall next to the Trade Exposition. Please move on, we would like to keep to the schedule."

The group as a whole protested the interruption. Severus smiled as the witches and wizards turned on the oily little man.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, while I can understand your enthusiasm, I really must ask you to dispurse, we would like to have this room back to normal and ready for the next presentation when lunch ends. Now, move along, please."

A middle-aged wizard shouted from the back of the group, "Miss Granger, where can you be reached? Are you currently teaching at Hogwarts with Professor Snape?"

"Uhm, no. I'm currently studying at Cambridge. Professor Snape and I have been using his lab at Hogwarts for our experiments, but I don't teach there."

Severus's hand at the small of her back steadied the young woman. "Perhaps I neglected to mention that fact. Miss Granger is a third-year grad student in the new experimental programme at Cambridge, carrying a double major of Charms and Potions. For those interested, she will be starting her apprenticeship next year."

A clamour of voices rang out as questions were thrown at the pair.

"Why aren't you apprenticing with Professor Snape?"

"You're a student?"

"How did you come up with your theories?"

"Would you be willing to do a question and answer tomorrow?"

"How can we reach you?"

Rancine continued to break up the room, trying to stop those interested in talking to Hermione from reaching the lectern.

"Miss Granger."

A younger man, just past thirty, with rugged good looks, addressed Hermione. Severus sighed: Tenbrook. He'd run across the man before. He was a Potions master of note, working for a private firm in London that did research, in addition to creating commercial potions. He could offer Hermione the challenge she needed. He was also one of the few masters that Severus knew of that could brew the Wolfsbane Potion properly. He was perfect for Hermione. Severus hated the man on principle alone.

Severus gestured in Tenbrook's direction. "Hermione Granger, Michael Tenbrook."

The man nodded. "Good afternoon, Professor Snape. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture. Perhaps you would allow me to contact the two of you at a later date to discuss this development? I'm curious, who have you decided to apprentice with, Miss Granger?"

"I haven't applied yet, Professor Tenbrook. Actually, you're on my list. I was planning to attend your presentation tomorrow afternoon."

"It's not Professor. Please, call me Michael." A warm smile lit the man's face. "You haven't signed with anyone? Your name was removed from the list of eligible apprentices last week. I believe I have a copy of it somewhere." The man started patting his robe, turning out random pockets as he looked. "I don't seem to have the list with me."

"I really must ask you to leave the room now." Rancine approached the small group forming around the lectern. "We have need of the facilities for our other presenters."

"Professor Rancine, Mister Tenbrook said my name was removed from the list of apprentices. Do you know anything about that, sir?" Hermione looked questioningly at the professor.

"Really, Miss Granger, you are not the only student at Cambridge. I have over forty students to oversee in the apprentice programme alone. Whatever the problem, you may see me during normal office hours. Now, if you would all please dispurse, I should like to keep the programme as close to schedule as possible." Rancine glared at those around him, daring them to comment.

"I believe Miss Granger asked you a question, Rancine." Severus's voice was low, menacing.

A voice in the growing crowd called out. "Granger? I have the apprentice list here. Your name's not on it."

The parchment made its way from the back of the small group to Hermione. She scanned the list, noting the names of her classmates and Rancine's signature at the bottom. "Professor?"

Rancine grabbed the list. "Mhm. Well, yes. I seem to recall you were matched up with a Professor Kuznetsov at the Siberian Institute. Oh, that's a fine institution, Miss Granger. You will be pleased with the level of education you receive there."

"Professor Rancine, how could I have been matched with Professor Kuznetsov? I haven't filed my request yet. The applications aren't due until January."

Kuznetsov, the name set off the Sneakoscopes in Severus's head. Kuznetsov had been a crony of Rancine's, coming forward to vouch for his pal just before the two witches he was accused of compromising withdrew their complaints.

"Rancine." Severus's hand closed around the wand in his pocket. It was obvious he was trying to destroy Hermione's chances of working with anyone who could really help her. At the same time, he might try to draw a few favours in exchange for a promised change in the programme.

"Really, Snape, this is none of your business. This is between my student and I." Rancine's voice had taken on a haughty quality, meant to assert his authority on the matter.

"I just made it my business."

Hermione could feel the tension radiating outward from Severus. If they didn't break this up soon, there was no telling what he would do to the man.

Tenbrook looked from one to another, sensing the growing danger. "The rules clearly state no apprentice is to be assigned a master until after grades have been posted. There must be some mistake. Miss Granger, I would be happy to discuss the programme with you. Perhaps you will have some free time over the next few days; I could meet with you and Professor Snape, if you like. You can fill me in on the work you're doing with the Wolfsbane Potion, and I can answer any questions you have about an apprenticeship."

"Mister Tenbrook, I do not believe this concerns you, either. Miss Granger and I will resolve this matter when we return to Cambridge. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

Severus's quiet tone cut to the quick. "You will 'resolve' this matter now. Under no circumstances will Hermione apprentice with Kuznetsov. He may have gotten you off the hook last time. I will most assuredly guarantee you he will not help you out now. Her name will go back on the list. You will not interfere with her education."

"Are you threatening me?"

Tenbrook raised a hand. "Now, we're all civilised people here. There is no need for threats. I'm sure Professor Snape is merely concerned for Miss Granger's welfare. No doubt this is just a mistake."

Rancine snorted quietly. "Well, some of us are civilised. I believe this has gone on long enough."

"I agree. Hermione, I will return to Cambridge with you. We will settle this once and for all with the Headmaster there."

"Severus..."

"Oh, yes. That's right. Your authority extends to the whole of the wizarding world, does it? Just who do you think you are to tell me what to do? You may have fooled the Wizengamot into believing you were on the right side, but you don't fool me for a minute, Snape."

Severus ignored the barb. While casting an Unforgivable on the man would have been most satisfying, he had no intention of rotting in Azkaban for the fleeting pleasure said hexing could bring. "Tenbrook, we're staying here at The Enchantment. Perhaps we can meet sometime tomorrow afternoon. It would be helpful to discuss the Wolfsbane with another master who can actually brew the potion properly." Severus glanced at Rancine, knowing the man would understand that he was making a passing reference on Rancine's inability to brew the difficult potion.

"I will not stand here and have you attempt to discredit my abilities, Snape."

"Do you have any abilities that are credible, Rancine?"

Rancine bristled, pulling himself up tall, puffing his chest out. "See here. I will not allow you to insult me. I believe a challenge is in order."

"A challenge? Severus...?" Hermione's face reflected the confusion she was feeling. Somehow, the whole matter seemed to have spiralled out of control. One minute she was in the middle of a fascinating academic debate, and the next all propriety was gone, along with the chance to choose her own future.

"Yes, a duel. For an insult to his imaginary 'honour.' Actually, Rancine, I don't believe I will duel with you," Severus commented, his tone conveying his boredom with the man. "Hermione, shall we?"

"A frightened Death Eater? Really, Snape, your reputation paints a much more dangerous person than you really are."

"You shouldn't belittle yourself in such a matter, Rancine. It's really not becoming."

Rancine bristled. "Enough. You won't duel me?"

"Perhaps the fact that I am a Duelling Master and you are...you... has escaped your attention? It would not be a fair fight." Severus reached for Hermione's arm, intent on guiding her away. "Shall we adjourn to the Trade Hall? There was a new cauldron I wanted to show you."

Rancine cast his eyes around at the larger crowd that was starting to form. This would never do. "You're afraid, fine. Hide behind Granger; run away. I'm surprised you didn't tell her to take care of me in your stead."

Severus stopped and turned back to the oily little man. His eyes narrowed in annoyance. "You must be joking? I have never 'run' from anyone in my life."

"Severus, he's baiting you. He's not worth Azkaban when you kill him." Hermione watched the two men. Severus, angry and commanding, was a sight to see. The force radiating from this powerful wizard was almost tangible in its strength.

The dark man tried to ignore the woman at his side, but her words penetrated his gathering anger, tempering his desire to cast an Unforgivable on the man. Perhaps he would just cast a few of the more creative hexes and curses he knew, instead, the results of which Rancine would never forget. With that thought in mind, Severus raised his wand.

Rancine could feel a change in the air around him. The thought that he had pushed Snape too far ran fleetingly through his mind. "Listen to the girl, Snape. You don't want to kill me."

One brow went up for emphasis, his smile unpleasant. "It's not killing you I have in mind."

"Severus!" Hermione was on the verge of casting a full Body-Bind on both men before they did something stupid. She took a step back and drew her wand; the crowd gathered around them shifted to give her room. "Someone will get hurt, and it may not be who either of you plan on. You two need to stop this now."

Rancine gestured in her general direction, his gaze still locked with Severus's. "Or what? You'll send me to my room? You may have him kowtowed, but I can assure you, I will not put up with your bossiness. You will lower your wand this minute or I will have you expelled from Cambridge."

Severus smiled. The man had just made the biggest mistake of his life. Hermione would put up with a lot of things, but threatening her education was number two on her list of reasons to retaliate, all else be damned. It fell right behind protecting and loving her family and friends. He lowered his wand. "You don't realise what you just did, do you?" His voice was soft, menacing. He could feel the air around them shift as Hermione's anger gathered. "I wouldn't exactly say Hermione has me kowtowed, but even I know enough not to threaten her education. I suspect you don't want to duel either one of us. Obviously, you've never watched the images of the final battle, have you? I can only describe that last hex she hit the Dark Lord with as hell on Earth. The pain must have been exquisite as she short-circuited his power. It was quite ingenious, really, a spell of her own creation. The disruption in the Dark Lord's power allowed Dumbledore and I to contain him as Potter finished him off, but the first round of damage was all hers, Rancine."

Rancine paled at the implications of Severus's words. "I think this has gone far enough."

"Oh, I quite agree. You really should think before opening your mouth." Severus's smile was dangerous as he evaluated Rancine. The man was not a threat to either one of them, at the moment. It would be best to get Hermione out of here and calmed down. He glanced in her direction, only to stop short. Subconsciously, he had noticed a subtle change in the air currents flowing around him, but he had not attributed it to anything other than doors opening and closing.

The air in the room seemed to swirl around Hermione in a physical manifestation of her anger. Her voice was quiet, but deadly. "I don't believe you. I know you sabotaged my choices for my apprenticeship, but are you really so rotten that you would destroy my life, my future? Because of...what?" She raised her wand, the wind picking up as she unconsciously called forth some unknown force of very powerful magic.

Severus was starting to get worried. This was something new; he could feel the air crackling around her. Hermione was one of the most powerful witches he knew, but this went beyond normal magic. He was pretty sure she was drawing forth some type of elemental magic from the way the very air around her seemed to be charged. He just didn't know how it was possible. He had never seen her react this way before. He would have to figure that out later, when he was sure she was safe. For now, he just wanted to get her away from the others. It was then that he noticed her pendant was glowing again. Damn Trelawney, what in the hell type of magic was contained in that leaf? "Hermione, remember what you said. You don't want to kill him, either. I would rather not have to visit you in Azkaban; St Mungo's was quite enough, thank you." Slowly, he moved toward the angry witch, Rancine forgotten for the moment.

"Are you planning to have me expelled?" her voice rang strong as she faced Rancine.

Rancine gulped nervously. "Perhaps I was a bit hasty. Your grades have been outstanding. Why don't we forget this little tiff ever happened?"

"Answer. The. Question. Are you planning to have me expelled?" Each word was spoken clearly, enunciated to its fullest and encased in her growing anger.

"I think you better answer her, Rancine." Severus stood quietly at Hermione's side, trying not to startle her. He could feel the air crackling with the force of the power she was calling forth. Her eyes glowed with an odd light, the gold flecks in her irises sparkling in the dim room.

"Expelled? Who said anything about having you expelled?" He glanced nervously at the young woman. What the hell was going on? Was this a result of fighting You-Know-Who? Or did it have something to do with Snape? He should never have challenged either one of them. Who knew what Dark Force the man was using. "You're most definitely in good standing, Miss Granger. With your grades, you should be able to choose whomever you want to apprentice with. I'm sure Tenbrook here would be happy to take you on, if you so choose. There must have been a glitch in the system; I'll see that it gets corrected the second I get back," he added hastily.

"I'm not asking for any favours. I only want what's fair."

Severus gently laid his hand on her outstretched arm. "It's over. You can stop now."

As suddenly as the wind had picked up, it died down. Severus watched as her eyes seemed to refocus on him.

"I only want him to do what is fair. I'm not asking for any favours," she repeated as he hugged her.

"I know, love, I know." Gently, he rubbed her back. Her eyes had returned to normal, but what the hell was that display of power about? "You look a bit done in, let me take you back to the room."

"The lecture on potion practices..." Hermione answered, sounding dazed.

"...Is not for another hour. We have plenty of time." Gently, Severus led her from the room, Rancine and the rest forgotten.

Michael Tenbrook stood quietly off to the side. A most interesting witch, indeed, he thought, pleased she was now available as a possible apprentice.

TBC

AN: Basically, this is the second part of the Symposium; the next chapter should tie up a few loose ends and complete the Symposium.

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never-ending supply of commas, she is truly the best of the best. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Still to come: more of the Symposium, a few bumps in the road, Tenbrook (odd fellow) and some of the other masters, a surprise meeting in Florence, the unexplained magic, the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break (including breakfast at The Burrow), and more. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle