Unexpected visit

The following morning Severus was curious about this stranger and found himself standing across the way from her flat hoping she hadn't left for the day. He wanted to find out what she knew and felt he ought to at least make sure she was wasn't ill. Her health shouldn't affect the memory charm he planned on using but with his magic so erratic right now it just might. Shacklebolt had warned him that if he stepped out of line in the slightest, he couldn't protect him and the ministry would be forced to come down hard. Although exonerated, there were those who distrusted the man who killed Dumbledore and would relish an opportunity to find him guilty of something.

Hearing a knock at the door, who could that be? I hope it's not Mrs. Boswell again Jennifer said to herself.

''Good morning what a... uh surprise,'' she said wondering why he was there. She was still embarrassed by her actions last night. Maybe it was the horror movie she'd just came from that sacred her so much yesterday or maybe the phone call from her ex that caused her to drink two pints that left her rattled. She felt safe in the small village, and didn't think anything of walking home alone. Professor Snape certainly didn't look scary now, odd but not scary.

He was dressed strangely again in all black again in some type of cape that came almost to the floor under that he had on black trousers and a black shirt that matched his hair and eyes. Last night she hadn't had time to fully take in the way he looked. He was very pale and his hair looked like he shampooed it in oil.

''I trust you are well this morning'' he said as he looking her up and down with dismay.

It was exceptionally warm so she wore a tank top and exercise shorts that came only to her upper thigh. Jennifer hadn't intended on leaving the house today and certainly hadn't expected a visitor.

''I hope I didn't interrupt your last moments of getting dressed. Do you need a moment to gather some proper attire?''

''No, I was just working,'' Jennifer suddenly feeling near naked under his piercing eyes and awkwardly shifted from one foot to another not quite sure how to respond.

''When your brother returns, I wish to speak with him directly. I assume you are capable of passing that along.''

''Ah...okay I'll let him know when he gets back. Thanks for stopping by.'' She started to shut the door but he stopped her.

''I also came to inquire of your welfare being that you are essentially alone here.'' Severus looked inside the flat, turning up his nose at the Muggle decor. A useless charm attempted to protect the flat from any unwelcome intrusion. It was clearly the work of a lazy or ineffective wizard.

''Is that the reason you're slinking around the streets all dressed up?" She said with amusement and laughing at her own attempt at a nervous joke.

This Muggle is laughing at me. The nerve she has, he thought.

''I'm Jennifer Nelson by the way,'' she extended her hand to shake but he instead just stares at her. Feeling slighted she intentionally holds it there anyway until he obliges and shakes it.

'' ...Severus" he said

It's softer than she expected and held it longer than was necessary.

''Considering that less than 24 hours ago, you were so frightened you soiled yourself and begged me to spare your life you certainly are cheeky this morning Miss Nelson.''

Dropping his hand with a dumbfounded look, this brought a small smirk to his face and he was satisfied he'd gotten his point across.

''I...I thought I was going to die. My life even flashed before my eyes.'' She tried to explain her fright yesterday as she stumbled over her words.

''Be that as it may you've survived your ordeal.''

''but normally-''

''No further explanation needed, Miss Nelson you are only a Muggle my expectations are quite low,'' he said curtly.

He put up his hand to stop her from speaking somewhat amused that she had mistaken him scrolling through her memories for a so-called near death experience.

Surprised even at himself, ''have you eaten breakfast?"

"No, I was just trying to finish up some work before I ate.''

''Then perhaps you would care to join me.''

She wasn't sure how to answer someone who just openly insulted you and then asked you to breakfast a few seconds later so she just stood there wondering if he was serious.

''I'll need a verbal answer at some point Miss Nelson I don't have all day.''

Catching her off guard she decided she could do with some fresh air ''sure just give me a few minutes.''

She left him at the door and ran back to change. Thinking to herself it would be nice to have someone else to talk to besides Charles' nosy neighbor Mrs. Boswell. She'd only been in England for a little over a month and hadn't met anyone yet. After I acted like a scared child instead of a 33-year-old woman I'm surprised he even came here. She shook her head, god now I'm talking to myself. In hind sight, she guessed Charles was exaggerating a bit to scare her away, but last night she was sure she was going to die and now he looked harmless.

They silently walked several blocks to a small café. ''Is this sufficient?" he asked not waiting for her answer as he pushed open the door without bothering to hold it for her.

Their server Amanda, smiled as she remembers each of them from previous visits. Since it was apparent he wasn't going to speak first she tried to engage him in conversation.

''So, you're a professor?''

He put down his fork and looked up from his plate, "I would think you obviously know the answer being that you referred to me as such just yesterday.''

Feeling like a complete idiot again, ''I meant what do you teach?''

''Then you should have asked that'' he said flatly. ''It wouldn't be appropriate to discuss the nature of my profession with you. "

"Fair enough, how long have you been teaching?''

''Far too long"

''Which University do you teach at?"

''I don't''

''But you're a professor''

''I teach children and I cannot divulge the name of my school.''

''Oh, right sorry I didn't mean to pry... the whole secret magic thing, just making conversation. What grade- ah I don't know exactly what you would call it over here. What ages do you teach?''

''Eleven through eighteen''

''You don't see many men who love children enough to teach it's very admirable. Is that common here ...for... someone like you?''

"My students continuously amaze me with their complete lack of competence which is only secondary to their laziness and disrespectful manner. "

''Then why do you continue to do it?"

Giving her an inexplicable look as if the answer was plainly obvious "because it's what I do."

Not wishing to anger him further she goes back to her plate wondering why he invited her. As soon as he finished his last bite, he starting talking as if they were already in mid conversation. ''Why did your brother feel it necessity to tell you all about me, he shouldn't be taking such liberties."

''I think telling me all about you is an overstatement.''

''What exactly did he tell you?''

''That you do magic like he does and you're a professor.''

''Judging by your reaction last night he obviously told you more than that.'' It was clear he wasn't satisfied with her answers.

''He said English...uh people like him," she was flustered and suddenly unable to remember the proper term to use even though it had been a part of her vocabulary since she was a child.

''Wizards'' he finished for her.

''He said that English Wizards were very dangerous and hated people like me to the extent that they would kill me on site if they found out I knew of your existence.''

''And here you are still alive that's pure rubbish. You're weren't going to be summarily executed on sight.''

''I was supposed to visit last year but my trip was canceled because he said it was too dangerous.''

''It was unlikely you would have been harmed.'' Remembering the chaos of last year, he wasn't entirely honest. If he had been in the same situation he would have warned her away also.

''Is that all he said?''

''Yes, he doesn't share that much of his magic life with us.''

''If you're lying to me I can make your life very difficult.''

Starting to feel threatened she wanted this conversation to be over quickly, ''that's all he said about you.''

''Did he tell anyone else about me being here?"

''I don't know''

''Very well,'' he said satisfied that she actually knew very little about him. She seemed to be telling the truth and had the amount of knowledge about magic you would expect from muggle relation. She was vaguely indifferent to this information, which indicated she'd grown used to it. He stood up and waited for her to do the same. Deciding it wasn't worth the risk given the state his magic was in, he changed his mind about using a memory charm on her. He didn't need a trip to the ministry should it go badly. He doubted he would see her again and paid the bill, leaving her at the door.

After seeing how he just left her standing there Amanda came over to her, ''he's an arse, he comes in here every few weeks, barks out orders and acts like we don't exist otherwise.''

''Oh, I thought it was just me.''

Severus set about his business for the day, glad to be rid of his new neighbor.