"This is preposterous!" Severus Snape bellowed as he paced across Dumbledore's office. Surely there is someone more suitable to travel into the muggle world and retrieve her. Perhaps someone such as yourself, Albus."
"Severus, I can assure you I have thought this out carefully, I have pondered every possible scenario and this by far is the most sensible. She has never fully trust anyone, but her doubts and reservations about you are minimal," Dumbledore observed sadly.
"Lucky me to be chosen to carry out this delicate task," Snape's voice hissed with a venom dripping drawl.
"She is a Slytherin, she is one of yours. She always respected your opinion and approval," the headmaster explained.
"She was a dark disturbed young woman, challenging my authority every chance she saw fit," Snape replied putting extra emphasis on the "t" of fit.
"Sounds like someone else familiar to our hearts," Professor McGonnagal said putting in her two cents.
Snape shot her a cold, blank stare before turning his attention back to Dumbledore.
"She turned her back on the Wizarding World shortly after leaving Hogwarts which has been almost five years ago. What makes you so sure she will be willing to oblige?" Snape glared.
"She will comply Severus, fear not, this will be simpler than you expect," the headmaster reassured his old friend with a glisten in his eyes. "After what you have dealt with all of these years, I imagine you are up to the task of handling a young witch."
"Humph," Snape retorted. "I'm gathering I have no choice."
"It's settled then, bring her to Hogwarts," the old man said slamming his hands on his desk.
Snape turned on his heels, his robes billowing furiously behind as though to catch up with his long, angry strides. His thoughts raced and raged as he made his way back to the dungeons. This IS preposterous! He was set to leave later tonight, to venture to the muggle world to retrieve that blast woman. Once back to his quarters his mind started to wonder back. A flash of long, flowing black hair as she sat, a young girl in his class, listening intently. He remembered calling on her for the first time, her reaction to his strong, intimidating personality. She pealed her eyes away from the text and looked him squarely in the eye without fear or intimidation. The piercing, eerie blue of her eyes burning into the black pools of his. The emptiness, hurt and angst barely visible, but to him it screamed through loud and clear.
He sat thinking about that day for quite some time. He had gone to Dumbledore that evening inquiring about the strange young witch in his class. She was a pureblood given up for adoption by her dark, twisted parents a year before she came to Hogwarts. She was a natural legimens, her mind was powerful and she was a highly intelligent child, although sometimes to intelligent for her own good.
He thought of her time at Hogwarts. How her physical appearance changed with the years, but her shut down, emotionally detached demeanor stayed the same. She fled from the Wizarding World shortly after her time at the school was through, in hopes to lead a normal life and escape the pain and torment that came with her past. He would never vocalize his feelings, but he always thought it a pity that she was wasting her given abilities; she truly was a brilliant witch.
He arrived in the muggle world shortly after 8 p.m., standing on the front porch of a very old, large 2 story home. With a sigh of frustration he knocked firmly on the front door.
"This is absurd," he thought to himself as he waited impatiently.
He was snapped out of his thoughts amongst hearing the barking of a dog and the sound of the door being unlocked. He was unsure of what to expect, but unprepared for what his eyes would soon be upon. He remembered Frankie Northaven as a somewhat fetching young witch, but what stood in front of him was a beautiful woman. He wasn't naive enough to think he would be face to face with the same young girl, but he hadn't expected this.
"Professor Snape?" Her familiar voice questioned as her piercing blue eyes scanned his face.
"Miss Northaven," Snape nodded his head. "I hope I'm not disturbing you this evening, but I am on urgent business and I was wondering if I may have a few moments of your time," his silky voice drawled.
"Yes, of course, by all means please come in," she replied gracefully stepping out of the doorway. "May I get you something to drink?" She asked after closing the door.
"No, I'm fine thank you," he replied coldly.
His attention was soon drawn away from her after hearing the quiet whine of a dog which was sitting attentively at its master's side. The fawn colored Boxer sat like a statue examining the stranger standing in its home with alert eyes.
"This is Mutley, she's no harm, and she will not bother you. Shall we sit? The library is rather comfortable," her raspy voice genuine and polite.
"That will be fine," he said following her and the dog which walked closely behind Frankie, through the well decorated, sweet smelling home.
He still couldn't believe his eyes, she was taller then he remembered much more slender and rather well toned. Not to mention the tight black yoga pants that accented her perfect curves. Her face was more distinguished and matured and her skin beautiful and radiant.
She moved through the house with grace, leading him into a room lined with book shelves filled with books. Two rather comfortable couches were placed in the center close to a fireplace with a fire roaring within.
"Please make yourself comfortable Professor," she motioned to the couch across from where she had obviously been sitting.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of this pleasant surprise," she asked sweetly.
"Dumbledore has sent me here hoping you would accompany me back to Hogwarts. He has matters he needs your assistance with," he explained smoothly.
"What sort of matters may I ask?" She questioned in a pleasant tone as she gently stroked the dog lying next to her.
"I'm not aware of the details," he replied coldly.
"And why would he require my assistance with such a delicate matter? I am rather ignorant to the current events of your world. I can not imagine being much help," she stated.
He knew it, she was going to be difficult, how was that old fool so confident she would comply when he knew very clearly she would not.
"However, if Dumbledore is willing to send YOU of all people to fetch me, he must be rather desperate and I am obliged to comply with his request."
Snape sat somewhat taken back. She had agreed? How had he been so terribly wrong? And what was her obligation to Dumbledore. And what did she mean him of all people?
"If you will excuse me Professor, I'll gather my essentials and prepare for our departure," she said politely. "Oh, and please do make yourself at home, I will only be a moment," she added before disappearing through the house.
He sat uncomfortably in the unfamiliar room, trying to make sense of the last few moments, but with a frustrated sigh realized he was failing miserably. He got up from his position on the couch and walked towards the fireplace. Picture frames filled with memories were placed with obvious care on the mantel. The pictures were of Frankie in different places with different people, men and women smiling and hugging. Her change was once again brought to his attention as he scanned over the muggle photographs. He also noticed there was more than one photo of her and one particular man. A picture of them with their arms draped over each others shoulders, standing in a pub and holding beer bottles up to the camera. Another was of Frankie sitting on the man's lap, kissing the man's cheek as he smiled foolishly at the camera. Snape wondered who the man was, he was clearly older then Frankie who was in her middle 20's, he was 40 something at least. He directed his attention back to the picture of them at the pub, focusing his attention on Frankie once again. She had turned out to be quite the beautiful young witch. In the photo her long, dark, wavy hair framed her face perfectly. Her beautiful eyes popped against her tanned skin in a way that was enough to command any mans attention.
"Admiring my photos Professor?" Her voice questioned from behind him.
"Yes, just occupying my time Miss Northaven," he said turning to face her, his voice chilling and calm.
"Very well then, shall we?" She asked kindly.
Once back at Hogwarts, Frankie made her way straight to the Headmaster's office after graciously thanking Snape for accompanying her. He watched until she disappeared, then turned and made his way towards his quarters. The dungeons were a welcoming comfort after his trip into the muggle world, familiar and secure. Somewhere he could be alone with his thoughts.
He sat in front of the fireplace; staring into the blaze and thinking back yet again to the reunion with his former student. Her scent still lingering in his nose, sweet and welcoming. Her beautiful face still vibrant in the memory of his mind. Damned woman, what had she done to him to enchant his thoughts in such a way? Hopefully she would quickly complete Dumbledore's assigned task and be gone once again. The school would be resuming yet again, and there would be many young Gryffindor's deserving of his negative attention to keep his mind occupied and off of the beautiful young witch. Or so he thought.