ONLY ONE

CH. 1- LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE

DISCLAIMER - I'm only gonna say this once. They're not mine. Well, not all of 'em. You know who they are.

AUTHOR'S NOTE- I'm still working on Windows, but there will not be a sequel to A Slight Change. I'm sorry to those who were looking forward to it, but I just can't find any inspiration. If you have any ideas for it, just email me at Thanks a lot.

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Take my photo off the wall

If it just won't sing for you

'Cause all that's left has gone away

And there's nothing there for you to prove

Oh, look what you've done

You've made a fool of everyone

Oh well, it seems likes such fun

Until you lose what you had won

Give me back my point of view

'Cause I just can't think for you

I can hardly hear you say

What should I do, well you choose

Oh, look what you've done

You've made a fool of everyone

Oh well, it seems likes such fun

Until you lose what you had won

Oh, look what you've done

You've made a fool of everyone

A fool of everyone

A fool of everyone

Take my photo off the wall

If it just won't sing for you

'Cause all that's left has gone away

And there's nothing there for you to do

Oh, look what you've done

You've made a fool of everyone

Oh well, it seems likes such fun

Until you lose what you had won

Oh, look what you've done

You've made a fool of everyone

A fool of everyone

A fool of everyone

"Look What You've Done" - Jet

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If you had told Veronica Jamison just five years ago that she'd return to Hogwarts as a Medi-Witch, she would have hexed you into oblivion. Though she loved the school and relished in the knowledge she had received there, she wouldn't really want to return. But when Albus Dumbledore offered her a position as an assistant Medi-Witch to Madame Pomfrey, she readily accepted.

She had just finished her time at the University, receiving a Master's in Potions and a Bachelor's in Healing, so she was well prepared. Funny, how she chose to study Potions. Even though she was really very good at brewing potions, the classes at Hogwarts put a damper on her enthusiasm. It was mostly because of the professor teaching the subject. Severus Snape was a brilliant man and he knew what he was doing but he was, of course, "the greasy git". Veronica truly admired his talent and tried hard to accept the man for who he was. It was extremely difficult because he really was a bastard!

When she arrived at Hogwarts a few weeks before most of the other teachers, her views changed quickly.

"Ah, Miss Jamison, welcome back!" The headmaster was the first to greet her as soon as she entered the school. His blue eyes twinkled with merriment as he hugged her.

"Thank you, sir. It's good to be back. And thank you for the job offering."

"Am I wrong in assuming that you are accepting the offer?"

"Of course not! I would love to work with Madame Pomfrey."

"Ah, yes, Madame Pomfrey." He cleared his throat. "Did I not mention that you would also be working with Severus Snape?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Snape?"

"Don't look so horrified," a silky drawl came from behind her. Turning, Roni came face to face with the Potions Master, his ever-present smirk in place. (AN- Gotta love that smirk!) He looked the same as he did five years ago, with the exception of a few gray hairs surrounding his temples.

"Hello, Professor."

He nodded curtly, his black hair falling into his face. "Miss Jamison, Albus has made it necessary that we address each other by our given names, since we are to be working together. Tell me, now, why is it so awful to be working with me?"

Damn that smirk, she thought, glaring at the offending gesture. She found herself both annoyed by it, and yet… wishing he did it more often.

"Would you like me to be honest with you?" she asked him, her green eyes shining with mischief.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Roni glanced at Dumbledore, who seemed to be enjoying this encounter. "Professor-"

"Erm, it's Severus," the elder wizard corrected, stroking his beard.

"Severus, I think you're a pompous bastard."

For a few moments, the young woman thought he was going to hex her right then and there, but she was amazed at his reaction. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"It's going to be a pleasure working with you, Miss Jamison." And with that, the man in black disappeared with a swish of his robes.

As a last thought, Roni yelled to his retreating figure. "It's Veronica!"

Chuckling, Dumbledore put a hand on the small of her back, leading her to the dungeons.

"You're rooms are down here."

"In the dungeons? With that twit?"

"Miss Jamison, Severus is like a son to me and I love him dearly. Yes, he may be a bit hard to work with sometimes-"

"Only sometimes?"

Dumbledore cast her a warning glance and she muttered an apology. "If I may?"

"Go on, sir."

"I know that he will grow on you, as he has myself. Once you look past the mask, he's a good man."

We had arrived at her chambers, where, with a wave of his hand, Dumbledore delivered her belongings.

"Just give him some time, Miss Jamison. Who knows? Maybe he'll grow on you, too."

"I doubt that, sir." Roni gave him an apologetic smile. "I admire his skills and I respect him immensely, but I really don't think we can become anything more than coworkers. I'm sorry if that ruins any of your big plans."

With a twisted smile, Dumbledore bade the young woman farewell and continued up to his study, leaving a very cold and annoyed witch behind.

Deciding that she would rather face the August heat rather than Snape, Roni went outside to take a stroll along the lake. As she walked, she thought about whether or not taking this job was the right choice to make. She could've worked in St. Mungo's or any other wizarding hospital. She could've worked anywhere! She had a bloody Master's in Potions! Anywhere would have been better than here. At least she wouldn't have to work with Snape. Sure, he was a git, but she had to admit that he was a very talented wizard. Plus, he's got an entrancing voice, she thought, surprised at herself. Where had that come from?

"Do you really believe that?"

"Gods, yes." Startled- not only at the sudden presence behind her, but also at her own answer- she whirled around quickly. He's smirking again!

"No, I mean… I didn't… damn you," she muttered.

Snape chuckled, surprising Roni even more. Since when did Snape chuckle? "Miss Jamison-"

"Veronica."

"Veronica, pardon me, do you mind if I accompany you?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"You always have a choice, and it's rude to answer a question with a question. Just say the word and I'll leave."

Roni looked up at her former professor and realized that he had the most beautiful eyes. They were a dark chocolate, so deep that she found herself getting lost in them.

Quickly realizing what she was doing, she tore her eyes away and studied the lake. "Stay," she said softly.

"Very well," he replied, in very much the same tone.

They walked in silence for almost in hour, each lost in their own thoughts. Roni noticed that Snape had kept giving her curious glances all throughout the walk and she wondered just what was so entertaining. And then it hit her.

"You're reading my mind," she accused.

"You have very interesting thoughts. When shall I read the phone book to you?" The mask had slipped and a look of amusement rested on his face.

She felt herself blush. "Can you forget that particular thought?"

"I find it rather flattering. What about the thoughts on my buttons?"

She blushed harder, if that was even possible. He couldn't have heard that one. She wondered what it would be like to remove his clothes one button at a time. It was a more… private thought.

Gathering all of her bravado, Roni looked him squarely in the face and said defiantly, "Forget it if you'd like. It's up to you."

Returning her confidence, he replied with a smirk, "I think I'd like to keep that one. Actually, those few. You had a very… pleasurable way of removing things."

"Severus, I swear to Merlin, if you repeat any of the things I did in those thoughts, I will hex your balls off."

His eyes widened for a second before he laughed. A deep, hearty laugh. Roni stared at him warily. This sure as hell wasn't the Snape she remembered. This guy was teasing her and laughing. Gods, he has a beautiful smile. She wasn't… no…

She was falling for Severus Snape. And she was falling hard. She was seeing him in a totally different light. Dumbledore was right. Has Snape always been this attractive? His shoulder-length, black hair kept falling over his dark eyes, creating a mysterious shadow. She noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual billowing robes. Instead, he was wearing black dress pants and a black button up shirt. He's handsome, she thought.

"Aren't you hot?" She asked him, gesturing to his outfit.

He nodded stiffly. "Yes."

"Would you like to go for a swim?"

"The giant squid…"

"There are other places to swim."

"All right. Let's go."

He followed her around the castle and ended up in a secluded lagoon. Not exactly a lagoon, more like a pond. He watched her as she removed her blouse without a second's hesitation. She wasn't going to strip in front of him, was she?

She noticed that he was staring and the blood crept to her cheeks. "It's easier to swim without the shirt wearing me down." She waded out into the pond until she was treading water.

"Come on, Severus. There aren't any squid or merpeople, trust me."

"It's not them I'm worried about." It's me. He began to unbutton his shirt, remembering Veronica's "button fantasies". He quickly stripped out of the shirt and swam out to Veronica.

They each bobbed around for a while, swimming a few laps around the edge before meeting in the middle, studying each other.

Roni stared at the man in front of her, taking in every feature on his face and his lean torso. Cautiously reaching out, she traced the small thatch of hair on his chest. Meeting his clouded eyes, she closed the space that separated them until they were merely an inch apart, before circling her arms around his neck. He tensed at first, then snaked his own arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"Veronica?" He was wary.

"Shh…" She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his, a little unsure. Pulling away, she tried to read his face but it was impossible. He then put a hand to the back of her head and pulled her face to his, kissing her a little more fiercely. They kissed for a few more minutes, occasionally stopping for breath or to stare at one another.

But when Severus realized what was happening, he quickly pulled away, a panicked look on his face.

"Severus?" Roni noticed his face and quickly let go of him.

"I have to go." He began to swim towards the shore.

"Severus, what's wrong?"

"I… I can't do this."

"Why not?"

"I just can't… it's wrong. This is wrong." He reached the shore and threw his shirt over his shoulder, walking hurriedly back to the castle, leaving a very hurt and confused Veronica behind.

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Severus sat by his fire, a bottle of fire whiskey in his hand and a scared heart. She thought she loved him. How could she love a Snape?

"I have to leave," he whispered. "I can not get hurt again."

AN- How is it? Review if you wanna. It makes me feel inspired. Ha, that's pretty funny. Emails inspire me. Next chapter is in the works.

Later, CAMACHO