Chapter Two:
"I know that coat…"
The next morning, Severus woke early and donned a thick cloak, glad he had told one of the house elves his mission. They had left a pack of clothes that should fit, a thicker cloak with a hood, and boots. He didn't ask how they knew her size, but instead accepted them at the Entrance Hall and went out, passing Hagrid who, oddly enough, was coatless. Thinking nothing of it, Severus continued on.
It was still snowing out, thick flakes. He was startled when he looked at the ground and noticed the snow came up past the toe of his boot. He began to hurry to the Forest, knowing there was a chance that she might freeze. Once he entered the Forest, however, he stopped and looked around before deciding on a direction.
It was as if something was pulling him. He couldn't stop, but had to keep going onward, silently slipping around trees, looking for her. And then he saw her.
The hawk had remained in its place all night, head under its wing as it slept. The wolves were curled around the girl, who was still covered in Hagrid's coat. The red (a female, he noted) wolf laid a little away with one amber eye open. It fixed on him and she growled deep in her throat, alerting the others.
He held up his hands in a truce motion, careful not to dislodge the pack. He watched the girl sit up quickly and move back against the tree trunk as her bright eyes stared at him. Her hair was a deep red-brown, like the red dirt found in some places. He didn't move, careful not to break eye contact as the dark blue (also a female) wolf stood and came over, sniffing. After a moment, she jumped up to put her front paws just above his knees and stare up at his face.
With this movement, the others seemed to relax a little, and the girl stood, easily moving Hagrid's coat onto her back. She said nothing, seemingly waiting for him to speak. So he did.
"I am Severus Snape," he said softly, "Potions Master in Hogwarts. What is your name?"
She didn't answer, and as he lowered his hands, she followed them with her eyes, seeing his wand in his cloak pocket. As he reached behind him to take off the pack, she seemed to wait and watch. He dropped it at her feet, and she crouched again and opened it, carefully pulling the things out.
The boots were fur-lined, as was the coat. She stared at them both before looking in again and finding finer clothes than she'd ever worn. She looked up at him, puzzlement and surprise registering on her features.
"I thank you for the gifts, but they are to fine for me to accept," she said in a soft, formal tone.
He shook his head slightly. "They are fitting for a Mistress of Earth," he said in the same soft tone.
Her lips twitched as if to smile. "Then I accept them and your hospitality."
He nodded, looking her over. His eyes fastened on the coat, then he inhaled sharply. "I know that coat… That's Hagrid's!"
"Is that his name?" she asked. "He as well has been hospitable. My thanks to him, if you will."
He could only nod dumbly. "So Hagrid knew all along?" he asked himself.
"I've been here longer than he's come out," she answered. "But he's known for a month."
"A month!" he asked in shocked surprise. "You've been here over a month!"
She nodded, taking the coat off and replacing it with the warm cloak. It was a deep forest green, and the boots were a dark brown, both trimmed in white fur. Bending down, she picked up the coat and handed it to him. "Will you please return this? It seems I have no use for it at the moment." His surprise seemed to amuse her.
He took it automatically before turning and walking away. She watched with a small smile as he suddenly turned back towards her.
"On behalf of the staff of Hogwarts and our Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, I offer you a meal in our school," he said, his manners returning.
Looking at the others, who all nodded slightly, she looked back up at him. "We would be delighted. I will come later tonight. Give my thanks to the staff and Headmaster of Hogwarts, especially to Hagrid."
He nodded, said a formal good-bye, and walked away, never noticing her slip away to change into the warm clothes and boots.