The rest of the break was strange for Gwen. In between alternating thoughts of everything Graves had said and her own desire to do something she felt worthwhile, she had finished her lesson plans for teaching Ouranian Barbaric.

Professor Trelawney was not so anxious to help, but Gwen buttered her up with flattery. If it worked for Olympe it might work for Sibyll. She was correct in her assumption. Soon Trelawney was working on methods to scry for new words and they would present their proposal to Dumbledore on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

She felt certain that Dumbledore would agree to the project because it could be used as a secret code language for the Order. But there was a slight problem with that. Some of her students were sure to have death eaters in the family and if they knew what the project was really for they might just let something slip to their parents. Maybe she could make it an extra credit project on the side for students that Dumbledore, Trelawney and herself approved ahead of time.

She hummed softly to herself while gathering her notes. As she stood she bumped her elbow on the wall and stumbled back dazed into her desk. Her office was small and she was getting a bit clumsy with everything she had on her mind.

There was a knock on her door. There was Graves again, standing in the door frame. She thought he had left after their last visit. �Corwin?� She said, unable to disguise the surprise in her voice.

He smiled at her. �I couldn�t leave angry.� He explained, taking a seat before her desk.

She sat back down and looked over at him.

�I�m sorry.� He said.

�Me too.� She said, her voice thin. She had been thinking a lot and maybe what he had said was true. Maybe teaching was more important than being out in the field. �I just feel so useless here. I know, I know.� She said quickly at the imperious look he shot her. �Teaching is important. I just don�t feel like my skills are being used.�

�They are.� Graves said incredulously. How could she not see it? �Dumbledore told me about your Ouranian Barbaric project.�

�He told you?� She asked. The project hadn�t even been approved yet.

�Dumbledore trusts me.� He said bracingly.

�I don�t doubt that Corwin, but��

�But nothing.� Corwin interrupted. �I shouldn�t even show you.� He said, rolling up the sleeve of his robe. He turned over his arm and Gwen gasped in shock to see the Dark Mark resting there in deep black ink.

�Why?� She said.

�Because they know Snape�s working both sides. They don�t know that about me, not yet.�

�You�ll have that for the rest of your life.� She said quietly.

�It�s worth it, knowing that my work might allow you and everyone else here to live a little longer.�

�Graves��

�Gwen we�ve had this discussion before and it ended badly. I don�t want to leave here angry at you in case�� He trailed off. He hadn�t really thought of the possibility of death before now. �In case I don�t see you again.� He finished firmly.

She breathed deep. She wanted so badly to explain to him everything going through her head at the very moment, but she couldn�t. Words were once again failing her and it was because of his presence.

He sighed, stood and opened his arms, waiting for her. She stepped into them eagerly. He was sacrificing so much for her safety, for the cause. He kissed her forehead softly, grazed them down to her cheek and then pressed his lips to hers. Instead of protesting like she wanted to, she melted into him.

He pulled back slowly. �Even if I never get to have you Gwen.� He said knowingly, �I�ll have had this kiss.� He stepped out of the office and out of her life, braving the terrifying world outside of Hogwarts once again.

To be Continued in Episode Seventy Two