It all began with curse; a simple curse spoken by evil, dark men. Incendio. It was the beginning of the summer, my holiday break between my sixth and seventh year at Hogwarts. I went for a walk, even though I knew that it was dangerous considering He Who Must Not Be Named was back, but I needed some air. That was when it happened. I saw from a distance that my house was alight and then an explosion of bright green light was emitted from the windows and I knew what had happened. I screamed and ran towards the house yelling for my parents until I saw a cloaked man wearing a mask and I backed away, terrified for my life. The Death Eaters were coming closer and suddenly, within a blink of an eye I was unconscious, and waking up in dark, cold, stone room. I screamed again, how was I to know what had happened between when I was knocked out to that moment? How long was I out?

Days later I hadn't eaten, barely slept and was tortured over again by masked men, tormenting me about how they murdered my parents. It was too much and I wanted it to be over, but they wouldn't stop. Darker and darker my nights became until a familiar voice, that deep menacing voice I have heard for the last six years whispered to me, "Do not be afraid. I am here to help; my mask is just a disguise so that I could come here to save you. Hold on to my arm." I had no other choice, I could either go with him and take a risk, or stay there and be tortured by them all. I grabbed his arm hastily and we disapparated into a small house filled with little to no furniture. I looked at the man who had taken off his mask and was I saw exactly who I had suspected to see and I collapsed into his chest and cried.

Severus Snape was shocked by my actions. I am still to this day sure that he had barely been hugged in his life, let alone by a vulnerable seventeen year old girl who had been tormented for at least 2 weeks. He wrapped his arms around me and tried to comfort me the best way he could; an occasional pat and a "There there". He continued until I was calm enough to lie down on what I gathered was a couch. I fell asleep in an instant and had terrible nightmares of the ordeal I had gone through.

I always thought that Professor Snape was on the good side, and that people misjudged him when they decided he was evil, but now I look up to him even more. I didn't know he was willing to risk his life for little things like saving a girl. I knew straight away that he must be a double agent and that it took a lot of courage to do that kind of deed, especially whilst being regarded as the most evil person living at Hogwarts. After waking up, I looked around and saw him sitting in a dining chair looking at me curiously, as if he wondered what he was supposed to do next. I propped myself up and he sat back, realising my awoken state.

"Thank you, Professor... for saving me." I said weakly.

"It was nothing I assure you… Are you okay Miss Reynolds? I know this must have been hard on you, losing your parents and your home."

"I'll be fine… Professor." What he was saying wasn't really helping but I wasn't going to complain at him.

"Miss... Adele, please call me Severus for now. We are not in school and formality isn't needed. I take it you are going to need somewhere to stay until term begins but I will need your help in finding the appropriate place for you, unless you are happy staying here for now. There are eight weeks until we are to return. What do you want to do?" I had never seen him quite so... normal?. At school he spoke with a bored, frustrated tone but now he was quite civil, even with his menacing voice, he was far less intimidating.

"I suppose I'll stay with you if I may. My non immediate family doesn't know that I exist; my mother and father left the muggle world when they graduated Hogwarts. I'll have to get a job and I promise I won't be in your way-"

"You may stay as long as you please, for now I suggest you have another rest. Would I be wrong in assuming that you are surprised by my demeanour at the present time? I suppose it would come as a shock." I nodded at this statement as I shuffled down the couch to get re-settled. "I teach cruelly and impatiently so that people strive to make no mistakes. It has worked in the past and continues to work now. It separates those who are careful and dedicated enough for potion making and those who are not. You got an O for your NEWTS last year which would place you in the first category. Now go to sleep Miss... Adele. Goodnight."

That brings me to here. The present day, three weeks before I am to return to school and I feel as if I have learned more in this past five weeks than I have in the last six years. Maybe that was an overstatement but the things I have seen, and tasks I have had to do; it hasn't been easy. Living with Severus was at first very awkward. We were still stuck in the whole teacher/student thing and calling each other by our formal titles. He works for Dumbledore by acting as a spy against He Who Must Not Be Named, and he came home late one night covered in blood and bruises. That left me with no choice but to quickly concoct a healing potion for him. Thankfully it didn't poison him and he was very thankful. That was when we started becoming closer and less formal.

I get up every day and go to work at the local Apothecary, recommended to me by Severus, come home, occasionally he'll be home but if not I'll prepare food or do chores to help out and then I go to bed or talk to Severus for a while; occasionally I have to mend bones, or create potions for him but not too often. He has told me stories about the world and new ingredients' he has found from out of the UK, his childhood at Hogwarts which hasn't sounded very pleasant, and in turn I've shared with him my plans for the future, goals, dreams and aspirations. I never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be having tea and biscuits in Severus' living room talking about my dreams; but then again I never thought that I would feel sad to him leave a room, or terrified when he doesn't come home or worried when he has that look in his eye. Should I even know that look? I must be crazy to be falling for the snarky, dark potions master of Hogwarts. Maybe I am just crazy.

Severus was home when I finished work and didn't have a scratch on him. I said hello pleasantly but since this attraction began I haven't really known how to compose myself. I'm a Ravenclaw; I don't have time for boys, let alone the Professor-Type boys.

"Adele, are you working tomorrow?" he asked me suddenly.

"Um... No, why? Is there something you need me to pick up?"

"No, I have a few guests coming over tomorrow that are... of the dark side. It wouldn't be prudent for you to be here considering the circumstances of your arrival."

"Oh, well I can make myself scarce if you like? I'll take a trip to Diagon Alley and shop for my school things."

"Very well, thank you."

"It's no problem at all." I wished so hard that it could have been a date he wanted to know my plans for but I knew that it couldn't happen. He has too must decency to try something like a relationship with a student. I skipped talking that night and just went to bed. If I'm going to be shopping for my seventh year stuff then I'm going to need a refreshing sleep.


Okay. Here's the deal. I decided it was about time for me to finish this story which i love to death, but to do so I needed to edit it and since the document thing had expired i've had to do it the hard way so hopefully this works well and enjoy.