Scarlet Jones sat at her desk staring out of the window, the snow had fallen thick and fast covering the Quidditch pitch. She watched the black cloak of her collegue bellowing behind him as he walked briskly towards Hagrids hut. She felt a small flutter inside her, having admired him for so long, his help with her charge had been invaluable. She smiled to herself looking at the sleeping boy curled up by the fire, his face pure white, not a breath leaving his body. Dumbledore had come to her three years previous, with a frozen bundle of bones. She had been shocked at first being asked to look after and protect the boy vampire Ben, but had taken to it so well. With the help of Severus and Dumbledore they had brewed a potion that meant the Ben could now be out in sunlight, sleep and even eat, he led a fully and happy life of a child. However, with this blessing there came a danger, a fear of anyone else finding out about the valuable elixir.
'Scar?' a small voice said distracting her from her thoughts.
'Yes honey?'
'May I go play with Daniel and Bethan?' fluttering his eyelids as he spoke.
'Yes, but you must wrap up warm, I'll call you in for dinner.'
Scarlet stood, taking Ben's ice cold hand and leading him to his room. After wrapping him up snuggly she walked with him down towards the courtyard enterance.
'Now remember, play nicely, and don't forget to stay close.' She said kissing him on the top of the head. He smiled at her, before running to join his friends.
Scarlet watched as he started a snowball fight, laughing and joking with his friends. She walked to the staff room to get a cup of tea, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm. Her tall, slim frame covered with jeans and a hooded Gryffindor jumper, the darkness from the clouds trying to stifle the deep red of her hair and the ice blue of her eyes.
The staffroom was warm, and quiet. She poured a cup of tea, looking for a comfortable place to sit.
'Oh!' she said with a start noticing Severus in the arm chair next to the window.
'Miss Jones.' He nodded curtly.
'Severus, how are you? I expect you're warming up, it's so cold out there.'
'It is winter, obviously it is cold. How is the boy?' he spat.
'Ben is fine, he still gets very tired, but no other problems. He very much enjoys spending time with you in the dungeon, he thinks himself a great potions master like you.' She smiled.
Severus was silent, his moody, emotionless face giving nothing away of what he was thinking. Scarlet sat next to the fire, looking at the flames. She knew all too well of Severus' opinion of Ben, he had made it plain on many occasions, they had argued so much it came as no surprise that Severus hated her. She felt the slight sting of tears building, followed by and emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She looked over to Severus', he couldn't even look at her.