Chapter 2

Resolutions

Tabatha's eyes fluttered open. "Where am I?" She thought, gazing around at the stone cathedral ceiling and the line of hospital beds. "I must be dreaming" she thought. She started to sit up but a pain ripped through her skull. "Oh!" she grabbed her head; it felt like a million spikes were going through it. Tabatha then tried to remember how she ended up here. She had a blurry recollection of a golden light and the faces of people she didn't know. They were kind faces except for that man… yes that man in black. His face was definitely not kind, but for some reason an inner part of her was telling to not be quick to judge.

Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk and noticed Tabatha. Quickly she got up and rushed over.

"My dear girl, thank goodness you're awake, you gave us all here at Hogwarts quite a fright." She gushed as she checked Tabatha's vitals buy running a wand over her head.

Tabatha smiled at the older woman's concern but brushed the wand away from her head. "Where?.. Where am I.. What is Hogwarts?" she looked confused and dazed.

"My dear you never heard of Hogwarts? It's just the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in all of the UK, most likely the world!" Madam Pomfrey gushed with pride.

Tabatha felt ill and slid back down causing Madam Pomfrey to worry, "My dear are you ok? Do you feel ill again?"

Tabatha's eyes darted around like a frightened animal "This is not right" she thought to herself. "This is all wrong." Tabatha felt confusion again, "Is this a joke? Witchcraft? Wizardry? There's no such thing as either of those". Her mouth was dry.

Madam Pomfrey gave a worried look. "I think we should call Dumbledore." Tabatha's eyes flashed back and forth. "Dumbledore..." That name sounded familiar.

Madam Pomfrey picked up on her distress, "Yes dear, he was the first person you met when you.. umm.. well when you landed in our front court."

Tabatha thought hard, she could hardly remember. "That man in black, the one with the dark eyes?"

Madam Pomfrey laughed, "No, child," her giggling grew, "imagine that Professor Snape confused with headmaster Dumbledore."

A loud clearing of someone's throat was heard at the far end of the hospital wing and a voice pierced the air with a dark velvety monotone.

"Ah, yes. Imagine the lowly Potions Master mistaken as the Headmaster. How ridiculous is that, huh Pomfrey?"

Tabatha and Madam Pomfrey both looked up. At the end of the hall stood Professor Snape, his arms folded tightly and glaring at the two women.

Tabatha sat up feeling a bit as if a principle just caught her breaking a rule. That man in black, Professor Snape she believed, sure had a presence about him.

Snape walked down the line of beds quickly, his black robes fluttering behind him. He stopped curtly infront of Tabatha.

"You're to come with me" he said quickly and Tabatha knew this was not a request.

"Professor!" Madam Pomfrey cut in. "This girl been though a lot, she should be resting!"

"Calm yourself Madam" Snape seared, "The headmaster requested she be brought as soon as she awoke. I trust you believe he would only have her best interest in mind?"

Madam Pomfrey could not argue with that. "Well as long as you make sure if she starts to look ill you bring her straight back, understood?"

Snape let out a sigh, "Yes, of course Madam. You will not be denied your charge." He then switched focus to Tabatha in the bed, who was keenly observing the exchange. "I assume you're not deaf, so perhaps your intelligence is not up to par. I was speaking of you so get up and let's get a move on. I do not have all day."

Tabatha's eyes narrowed. She was far from stupid. She knew that even if she couldn't remember past yesterday. "I have nothing to wear," she spat back at him, "so unless you want me to walk the halls in my hospital gown, or better yet nothing at all, I suggest you come up with an alternative!"

Snape was taken back; this innocent looking woman had spunk. Not many people had the nerve to speak back to him. He was angered and annoyed, but intrigued. He hardly had a chance to compose his thoughts when Tabatha again chimed.

"Fine I guess we're going like this." She pulled of the blanket and started to move her legs off the bed.

Yes, she was tall, tall enough for the gown to rest very high on her thigh. Snape's eye caught the ivory color of her legs and how far that ivory color moved up toward the blue gown. Just as his eye reached the tip of the gown he quickly turned around. Feeling himself blush, breathing for a second he quipped, "I'll make sure robes are brought to you. I'll be back in half an hour." With that he stormed off.

Snape roamed the dark stone halls for a minute clearing his head "What proper woman would do such a thing? Expose herself to stranger like that." He thought of how she spoke, her pronunciation. His eyes rolled, "She's American! No wonder, they always were a bit more uncouth, a bit more definite." She was going to be more a handful then he thought, but he had to get to her to Dumbledore. There were so many questions, who was she? Could she be a spy? It wasn't likely, but stranger things had happened. Who, or what, ever she was or whatever she's doing before they could find out he'd have to get her a proper robe. Just then he saw Professor McGonagall walk by, quickly he followed after her.

Thirty minutes later Snape appeared back at the hospital wing a green robe in hand. Walking quickly towards Tabatha he tossed the robe on the bed, "Here, I hope they fit, seeing you are stouter then McGonagall."

Tabatha eyes narrowed again and her face flushed, she grabbed the robe and glared up at Snape. "Well do you mind if I get changed? Or would you like to watch as I fill out this robe with my stoutness?"

Snape was taken back again, but he looked at her unwavering and he walked over to the other side of the room behind a screen. He didn't mean to insult her; he was only stating a fact. He really wouldn't comment negatively on anyone's appearance; looking at his reflection in window he remembered how that could feel. Being called a greasy git when he was younger ripped at his heart. It was the cowards way out to use someone's appearance to show your superiority over them. Severus Snape was no coward. No, when he insulted you, he tended to focus on things that really matter - your intelligence and character. His mind flew back to the present when he heard Tabatha's voice calling from behind him.

"Well I guess I'm ready" she exclaimed "I suppose you were right I am a bit to stout for this robe" she declared strong willed as ever.

Snape turned around slowly and looked at her. He could see the embarrassment in her eyes but her face held fast. His eyes traveled from her face down the length of her body. The robe was a bit more than snug, pulling at her curves. And she had a lot of curves. A fact that Snape found he thought was not a bad thing on her at all. Again he chastised himself for even thinking pleasant thoughts about her. She was probably like all the rest, people he could hardly stand being around, and who could hardly stand him. However Snape raised his wand, "Apto!" Magic poured from the wand and struck Tabatha's gown, which transformed its shape to a much more supposedly flattering form.

Tabatha looked down in awe, "How did you?... Was that magic? Oh I don't feel so good," she stumbled back to the bed.

Snape rolled his eyes again frustrated and marched over to her, "No, we're going to the see the headmaster and we're going to see him right now. Compose yourself, you're perfectly safe and Dumbledore will explain everything when we get to his chambers." He stood at the side of her bed and Tabatha was quite sure he was not leaving. In fact , looking down at the wand in his hand, she was quite sure that he would get her there anyway he had too.

Standing up Tabatha looked into Snape's eyes; he was taller than her, by a hair. He glared at her.

"Follow me," and with that the man and black took off down the row of beds, and out the hospital wing.

Tabatha moved quickly to follow him down the stone corridor. She had never been in a castle before, well at least she thought. Her memory was still not very good, and she was attempting to look at every detail she could while basically running after this man. Snape knew she was falling behind he rolled his eyes, "How annoying this is," he thought, he hated to doddle. "Do try to keep up if you please," he shot back in his coldest voice.

Tabatha was eyeing a portrait on the wall. Forgetting who she was with, she exclaimed, "Are these all from the early modern period? Looks like the mid 1600's to me?"

Snape paused. "What did she say? Early modern period?" He looked back and saw her examining the painting in detail. "She seems intelligent," he noted, "how very interesting." Not intelligent like these prats he taught. Some were quite gifted at learning the right things to say to achieve a good grade, but this was applied intelligence. Applied intelligence was one of the most beautiful and stimulating things in the world, if only used correctly.

Snape attention was brought back as he heard Tabatha whisper "This painting looks so real." Her face was inches from the canvas. Before Snape could give any warning, the sitter in the portrait turned from the profile view and glared at Tabatha, exclaiming, "DO YOU MIND!" Tabatha yelped and flung herself onto the other side of the corridor. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, "What the hell is that!" Snape felt his lips twitch. It took all he could to stop himself from snickering. Composing himself he strained to keep his voice level, "You're in a school for witchcraft and wizardry. What did you suppose the painting would do?" With that he turned around and started walking again this time markedly slower.

Tabatha looked back at the portrait and chuckled, "I guess that's true, what did I suppose?" She followed Snape who, at the sound of her chuckle, struggled again to stop a grin. "Damn this girl, why the hell did he find her amusing!"

Tabatha followed Snape again down the hall making sure to not linger at anything too long, less she would have a fright. After some time they reached a large engraved door. Snape looked back to make sure she was still with him and grabbed the large brass handle flinging it open, then proceeding to enter the chamber. Tabatha followed tentatively looking around again, the room was huge and filled with things she could not even describe, she wanted to look around touch explore everything. Snape could tell from her behavior that she was overwhelmed by the shear amount of new knowledge around her. Her eyes finally stopped its quest when she heard a voice, a voice she remember as kind and compassionate.

"Tabatha my child I hope to see you're feeling well", Dumbledore softly stated.
Tabatha looked at the old wizard again remembering his kind eyes. She smiled softly "thank you.. sir… yes I am feeling much better."

"Good good" he exclaimed as he rose from behind his desk and walked next to Snape. " I hope that my trusted friend Severus here was gracious in his collection of you to my chamber, he tends to give an off putting air to people at times". Tabatha smiled and looked back at the man in black thinking that yes he indeed had what you would call an off putting air, she then stopped for a moment and puzzled looked back at Dumbledore then to Snape "Severus? Your name is Severus?" She said with a smile.

Severus felt flush with anger, he remembered how his name, his noble name, was manipulated to be used a source of torment as a child he could still hear the word now "Snivellus" his stomach flipped he felt like he was going to be ill. Quickly he set his jaw and glared at Tabatha his eyes narrowing, "it's a name of honor, do you have any idea how many Roman Empires were named Severus" he spat with anger.
Tabatha looked at him dead in the eyes yet again. He was hurt by her smile, she never hurt anyone if she could help it, and this man looked like she smacked him, why would he be so upset about his name? She thought for a moment, a name then quickly she replied "why if I'm not mistaken five."

Severus Snape nearly fell over he cleared his throat more than once and looked down as he stammered "Y-yes… I believe you're correct." Dumbledore either oblivious to what just transpired or grossly ignoring it smiled warmly "Well, well Severus my boy, finally someone with your intellect it would seem".

Severus shook his head slowly still quite taken back by the statement made. "Yes headmaster it would seem".

Dumbledore smiled broadly "well good then it would seem you two might get alone which is why I'm glad to announce my decision for your Severus to train this new witch in the art of witch craft."

"What?" "Excuse me sir?" Tabatha and Severus exclaimed in that order.

Tabatha walked up to the old wizard "no, no sir I'm sorry you are mistaken I am not a witch, I've seen what magic and be and trust me I am in no way magical".

Dumbledore mused "my dear you are certainly a witch, every person with magic is able to be identified; we have an aura about us you might say."

Tabatha mouth went dry she licked her lips and looked up at the two men. "I am sure that if I was a witch or whatever I would certainly know it correct? I mean you don't just wake up and become a witch now do you?"

Dumbledore motioned his wand to the side of the room and a glass of water floated over to her. "Here you go my dear this will help your throat. Tabatha reached for it and drank it slowly. Dumbledore continued "No never has there been a case of someone's magical ability coming to realization so late in life, you must be close to thirty am I right?"

Tabatha paused and thought. How old was she? Her eyes darted back and forth as searched her mind… in fact who the hell she was.

Severus watched this search pan out on Tabatha's face. He knew right away, "she has no idea," A bit of sympathy fluttered in his heart for this interesting person before him. Again he cursed himself for this. "What is wrong with you Severus Snape stop this nonsense this instant!"

Tabatha kept flipping through files and files of mental information, "Damn it!" she thought in panic "I know what a flipping early modern period portrait looks like but I don't know my own stupid age!" She kept looking deep into herself her face became outwardly panicked. "I don't know" she exclaimed, tears rushed down her face.

Dumbledore looked at her with compassion "You went through a lot yesterday perhaps you just need some time to heal, I'm sure it will all come back to you my dear".

Severus sensing a moment spoke up "Sir I don't think I should be the one to teach miss … Miss"

"Rewolf" Tabatha spoke quietly, "my name is Tabatha Rewolf, that's all I know of who I am or where im from".

Severus looked at her and looked back at Dumbledore, again he felt sorry for her. No he thought he was not going to teach someone he evidently had some disturbing weakness for, it wouldn't work, and even if it did he didn't want it to. Again he turned to Dumbledore "sir as I said I do not believe I should be the one to teach Miss Rewolf, I feel that my talents can be used in other manors besides babysitting this thing" he said cool as ice.

Tabatha's eyes flashed up and met his gaze, she was upset. No that would be a grave understatement she was furious. She had purposely gone out of her way to make him feel better after she noticed how sensitive he was over his name, and this is the thanks she received. She was sure he could tell how lost and hurt she was over the lack of any information on her own being but yet he callously tossed her off.
"How can you be so ... so… heartless?" her voice rose "how can you be so …Cruel! Her voice quaked and with that the golden glow that emanated from her the day before colored her flesh and with that three glass items in the chamber exploded in a fury. Without a notice she turns around and stormed out of Dumbledore chamber leaving both Severus and Dumbledore himself in awe.

Finally Severus spoke "well that didn't go well now did it", peering over of Dumbledore who was looking at him questionably. Dumbledore then sighed shaking his "You really know how to say the kindest things at the most appropriate moments don't you Severus." Severus looked down at the floor like a chastised child but said nothing.

Walking away Dumbledore turned "You will teach that young lady do you understand Severus". Dumbledore paused looking away then continued "I feel no evil in her, but a she is powerful and a uncontrolled power like that is almost worse."

Severus again tried to protest "sir I told you, even if it was not tactfully done, that I feel my services would be better used…" Dumbledore spun around and glared at Severus "No Severus you listen to me now, she could mistakenly hurt someone without being taught how to control it, it could be herself or worse, what if its Lily's son." Snape swallowed hard and looked down.

"Yes Severus" Dumbledore pushed on "it could well be her son if I'm not mistaken you swore to me to you would do anything you had to in order to project that boy!"

Severus nodded his head, Dumbledore was right he had sworn to project Lily's son when he failed to project his only love.

Severus looked up "yes of course sir, your right" he said flatly

Dumbledore face soften "good I knew you would see the light my boy, now you better find that girl before she gets lost. You're going to put her in the chambers next to yours, you're going to keep an eye on that girl for me understand." Severus again just nodded. Smiling Dumbledore soften even more. "Splendid she might even prove useful to us Severus, I feel she has the making of a very powerful witch, and who in all of Hogwarts is a better wizard then yourself! I have a feeling you two are going to get along just wonderfully" he patted him on the back and led him to the door.

As the chamber to Dumbledore office closed Severus leaned back and closed his eyes. this was not what he had in mind at all, but Dumbledore was right it was his fault that he had to protect Lily's son, if it wasn't for him she would be alive to protect him herself. A tear came to Severus eye as he heard a faint voice "Damn it I think I'm lost". That was her alright her American accent was hard to miss. Severus stood up and straightened his robs and headed off down the hall after the voice of Tabatha Rewolf, his new pupil.