Professor Viper's Personal Chambers (Located Nearby Slytherin Common Rooms)

Viper bit back a laugh, failing mesirably while the Baron raised an eyebrow and uttered stiffly. "He's well spotted." he said stifly.

Viper rolled her eyes as she walked back over to the couch and laid the tot down on the couch. "Alright, midget. Time to sleep."

"A story?" Edwin asked, hoping Viper's stories would be as good as his mama's. The thumb returned to his mouth and he snuggled up against the cushion.

Viper raised an eyebrow. She knew alot of stories, for sure. But....Eglantine would probably murder Viper if she told him one of the ones he knew.

Sighing, she decided to take a safer route and picked a tale from Beedle and the Bard. "Once upon a time..." she began, conjuring a small blanket and, to her amusement, a snake slytherine plushie for the tot.

Edwin listened intently as he hugged the toy snake tightly.

"....and they all lived happily ever after!" Viper said gently with finality. It was a lie, in fact. The main character actually ended up dying, but oh well, Edwin didn't need to know that. After all, any nightmares he may receive as a repercussion would fall into her hands and Viper was sure, despite the fact she was doing alright at babysitting this moment, that she wouldn't be able to handle a screaming toddler.

Edwin had fallen asleep long before the story had ended. His eyes were closed in trusting slumber and his mouth had fallen open slightly as gentle breathing moved his chest to a gentle lullaby.

Viper sighed a sigh of relief as she noticed that Edwin had finally called it a night. Stifling a yawn, she transfigured her robes back to her silk black dressing gown. She was about to just cast wards around Edwin's sleeping form before she remembered her late younger brother Ares. He had died about 6 months after he was born but she remembered that he had an awful time sleeping in new places and would scream bloody murder if ever someone were to place his sleeping form in another place besides his crib.

Sighing, she gently picked up Edwin and took him into her bedroom. Her bed was charmed to adjust to any preference the sleeper would have so she knew he would be content and it wouldn't feel any different to his crib in Eglantine's chambers.

Yawning once more, she cast a few additional charms around his bed to ensure Edwin's safety before collapsing unto the sofa.

"Alright, Baron, You know the drill. If its a student tell them to back off. If it's that bloody houseelf tell her to run for her life. If it's anyone else, well," she thought for a moment, for there was no one else besides her colleagues and boss. "Then grant them access. The door is open." she commanded as she snuggled underneath her emerald blanket, sleep claiming her for the first time in three days.

((....um, so is Eglantine going to pick up Edwin?))

((yes she is...))

Eglantine was relieved when the Bloody Baron allowed her to enter Viper's chambers. Silently making her way into the sitting room, she paused briefly to look down at the sleeping Viper. The woman looked as if she had fallen from a painting of a raven-haired angel and had deemed the couch worthy to make her bed.

Careful not to wake her, Eglantine moved into the bedroom and lifted the sleeping Edwin into her arms. He moved his head slightly and yawned, but his eyes remained closed.

Making out a note by means of her writing charm, she laid the parchment on the table in front of the couch and hurried out of the room, headed for her own.

Professor Viper,

Thank you for watching Edwin. Tibby told me that she forced him on you, but you did a wonderful job in both keeping him content and putting him to sleep. Thank you again.

If there is anything I can do in return for the favour you have done for me, please let me know...

Sincerely,
Eglantine DeLanquar

Viper glared at her brother, fighting the urge to throw a cauldron at him. "You idiot! Are you mad? Or has Azkaband fried all your brain cells?" she hissed,

Dracovan returned her glare. "Don't you dare speak to me of Azkaban, Amaranth. While I was withering away in a cell, you were here at Hogwarts guzzling your goblet!" he whispered in an icy tone.

Viper swore and threw a vase at him. He immediately ducked and the shards scattered everywhere.

Dracovan threw on his cloak and hissed. "I'm going and that's final!"

With that, he morphed into a black python and slithered out the window, leaving Viper to mutter over his stupidity.

(( After Great Hall))

Knocking on the door, Kiara bit her lip hoping Viper would let her in, so she could explain.

"Viper it is Kiara, Please I just want to talk"

Viper stiffened at the sound of Kiara's voice, worried that she had heard her and Dracovan's argument. Waving her wand, cleaning the surrounding area. She straightened her appearance and opened the portrait.

"Yes?" she asked slightly out of breath.

"I..umm I wanted to appogize for what happened in the great hall, I want you to know I had no intention of turning your brother in,I spent a lot of time trying to get him out of Azkaban. Kinda pointless in me sending him back"

Then noticing Vipers slightly winded look she asked.

"Is everything alright?"

Viper nodded, noticing Kiara's genuine emotion. "Of course, everything is as it should be, Kiara. Why wouldn't it be?" she asked in a softer tone.

"Err you seem a little out sorts, which is very unlike you. You're sure everything is alright?"

Asked Kiara letting her concern show in her voice.

Viper nodded. "It's fine, Kiara. Really. There's no need to worry." she said truthfully, for there really was no need for Kiara herself to worry about anything.

She smirked, attempting to change topics. "If anything you should worrying about what you'll do about the mer-people!"

" Fine don't tell your secrets...."

Kiara sighed

"Though I doubt you will like what I have in mind for the mer-people issue, only solution I can think of, is you having to give up the heart, you haven't used it yet have you?"

Viper sitffened and scowled. "No! He's dead, it's not as though he needs it!"

Kiara shook her head.

"No, but his people need it, in their culture you disgraced their king, it is hardly a surprise they are angry. And the ward I placed on the lake can't last for ever you know"

Viper glared. "Well then make it last forever! Kiara, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I refuse to give it up!"

"Viper Hogwarts can't sustain it, not with out a team of specialists coming and integrating it with the other wards. The board of governors won't clear it unless it absolutely necessary. I bring this to them, I will get in trouble, you will get fired and you will lose the heart anyway"

Viper shrugged. "Been there, done that," she explained about her job. "Kiara, there are few things in life worth risking it all for. This heart, is one of them. I will not give it to them! I already have it safely tucked away, far beyond their reach." she crossed her arms over her chest. "And if they are truly against it then fine! When another epidemic hits and the heart is the ingredient in the potion that saves them all, then they can drop dead since they didn't want it in the first place!"!

Kiara placed a hand on her head and sighed, this girl was impossible..

"Fine do you have any bright idea's then?"

Viper shrugged. "You're the Headmistress. As I've said, practice your diplomacy!"

Kiara took a deep breath this was very fustrating.

"Viper they don't care if I am headmistress or the janitor, best diplomacy I can do with them is convince them not to drown me, now they would harpoon me. For a number of reasons. Me warding their lake for one, two guess what certain mer maid Princess it taking her father place at the thrown? The exact one I burned 15 years ago. Diplomacy will get us no where is I am the one doing it"