Author's Note: Well here's chapter 2 people, hope you enjoy! I won't be updating this story till next week, as I have a stupid field trip to go on! Lol.

Enjoy!



Chapter 2: Apologies

Melora stormed up the dungeon staircase, her heart thumping against her chest and seething with rage. She had of course not expected Severus to greet her warmly and offer dinner, but she had never expected him to be so hostile and bitter. All she had done was apologise, she had even extended the hand of friendship! Everything about him infuriated her; his arrogance, his temper, his bitterness…but she couldn't help thinking how the years had been kind to him. His once sallow thin face had filled out slightly, and his hair was not as unkempt as it once was. Where was she going with this? Well, she didn't really know, all she did know was that Severus Snape looked far more handsome than she'd expected or remembered. The fact that he was handsome, however, did not make up for the fact that she despised is character more than words could describe. As the bright sunlight of the Entrance Hall washed over her, she found herself calming slightly. She had far too much work to do to let a bitter old man get to her. Checking her watch and seeing it was well past mid afternoon, she decided to begin her patrol of the castle grounds before the students arrived the next day. Smiling to herself, she thought that would be no one better to look secret ways Black could enter the castle, for she used most of them when she was a student.

Just an hour into her patrol, she found a pleasant distraction in the guise of Remus Lupin. They met on the third flood corridor, and upon seeing each other embraced warmly. Melora had never really been friendly with Remus when he was at school, even thought she'd dated his best friend. But she still found him a lovely genuine man, who had been tormented by the most unspeakable experiences while he was at school. He had changed significantly since she'd last seen him, there was much more grey streaked in his brown hair and the lines under his eyes seemed to have multiplied.

"Remus, how lovely to see you again" She grinned, letting go of their embrace. "You look well."

"Oh come now, you know as well as I do that I look a mess" He chuckled, though blushing slightly. "You on the other hand look fantastic! Auror training must have straightened you out."

Melora laughed, Remus was a prefect at Hogwarts and was forever at his wits end trying to get James, Sirius and herself to obey the rules and try not getting into trouble. He, of course, failed in his mission.

"Ha, not for long I hope. Having to grow up was such a ghastly experience" She said, as he joined her in patrolling the castle.

As they walked through Hogwarts and its grounds, Melora and Remus reminisced old times at Hogwarts. It was refreshing to meet someone to optimistic and charming, despite what he had been through. Talking to Remus made her think; if only Severus was like Remus. He had been through the same if not more torment than Severus, and still managed to come out the other side a better person. Time seemed to melt away, and before she knew it the sun had begun to set and the sky had turned a brilliant red. Having decided that her patrol had been successful, and all possible entrances were marked on the map, she and Remus returned to the Great Hall for dinner. This would be the last peaceful evening before the gaggle of students arrived for their first term at Hogwarts. Melora couldn't help feeling slightly nervous at the prospect of teaching, even though she had faced far worse experiences in her life.

Melora took her seat beside Remus and an empty space meant for Snape; she wasn't surprised at all to see that he wasn't there. He obviously wanted to avoid her after the 'disagreement' in the morning. The plates in front of her suddenly sprang to life with a vast array of wonderful looking food, and realising how hungry she was, Melora pilled her plate high. Half way through dinner Snape entered the Great Hall looking distinctly ruffled, and Melora avoided his gaze for fear it might turn her to stone. She quickly finished her dinner and bade the other teacher's goodnight before rushing out of the Great Hall to her quarters. She couldn't stand being in the same room as him, he made her heart pound and her thoughts go foggy. She obviously needed to spend as little time with him as possible.

Severus couldn't sleep at all that night; his mind was wracked with guilt over his behaviour that day. He knew he shouldn't have snapped at her simply for being beautiful, she couldn't help that. He now understood that he was not annoyed with her, he was annoyed with himself. Annoyed for letting himself fall for another woman when he still thought about Lily every day, he felt as though he was cheating on her even though Lily was never really his; he had seen to that. He had never really had the chance to say goodbye to Lily, he never had the chance to tell her how beautiful she was and how he loved her beyond life itself. He hadn't had closure with Lily, there were still a million things he wanted to say to her and he couldn't. He felt so guilty about everything; it was his information after all that caused Voldemort to go after Lily, James and Harry. It was his fault that Harry had been left orphaned, and it was down to him that…that she was dead, and he would never see her face again. Every waking moment he thought of her, and even in his sleep he dreamt of her and now, now he was plagued with thoughts of another. Melora stopped his heart, she was a glory to his eyes and she was simply breathtaking. He couldn't understand why he felt this way, but then again, you don't have a choice who you fall for, you just do.

Frustrated that he couldn't sleep, Severus got up and threw his dressing gown round his shoulders. He stormed out of the dungeon and made for the main staircase, maybe a midnight walk would help clear his mind. The first floor of the castle was completely deserted save the odd ghost that wondered through a wall. He was just feeling slightly calmer and thinking of returning to his quarters when he collided hard with something moving in his direction. Swaying slightly, he opened his eyes and to his horror he realised he had ran straight into Melora. Hastily he straightened himself up to look as menacing as he could.

"Severus, what the hell are you doing?" She growling, massaging her arm and straightening her pyjama top. "You could have broken my arm!"

"Oh do not exaggerate Miss Conner," He spat, nevertheless extending a hand to help her to her feet. "I apologise, I was not paying attention."

"Yeah, I gathered!" She replied sardonically.

"I was only apologising Conner, do not snap." He said, growing slightly irritated.

"Oh good, now you now how it feels" She retorted.

The anger within him settled slightly and his face relaxed. She had a point, for just this morning she had simply tried to apologise for her actions thirteen years ago. He sighed, how could he stay so angry at such a beautiful woman?

"I would like to have a work with you Miss Conner, could we go somewhere a little less exposed?" He asked quietly, looking round to check that no one was about.

"Of course, follow me." She said suspiciously, leading him to her quarters.

He followed her a short way to her office door, feeling a hot sensation in his stomach; he hadn't felt this nervous in ages. As they entered her quarters, he couldn't help but notice how absolutely adorable she looked in his nightwear, with her long brown hair tied in a loose plait that snaked its way down her back. An ornate fireplace sprang to life as Melora closed the door behind her and the room filled with light. She sat herself on a chair by the fireplace, and then conjured a chair for Severus to sit on. Melora curled herself up in the chair, resting her chin on her knees. Severus sat rigidly in his chair; he could feel his heart pounding with nerves.

"So, what did you want to talk about Severus?" She said, shivering slightly even though the fireplace was roaring.

"I just wanted to, ah, apologise for losing my temper with you this morning." He said quietly, looking into the fire instead of her dazzling eyes.

Melora looked slightly taken aback, she leaned forwards in her chair and looked at him with an expression he had never seen before.

"Just, seeing you has brought back some memories of my past" he said, knowing that this was only half true. "And I reacted badly, and I know I shouldn't have. I hope you can forgive and forget."

"Thank you, Severus." She sighed softly. "And I am truly sorry for how everything turned out, you do not deserve the life you have been dealt. Yeah you made mistakes, but who doesn't? I'm just sorry I played a part in it all."

Severus smiled weakly. "You have nothing to be sorry about Miss Conner." He said, feeling mesmerised by her.

"Oh please, call me Melora. I hate being called Miss Conner; it makes me feel so old." She chuckled, feeling herself blush under his intense gaze.

"Melora it is then." He said, rising to his feet. "Well, I shall leave you. It is rather late, and I must be up early to prepare for the start of term. Goodnight, Melora."

Melora looked up at him, and there eyes met. For a moment she didn't answer, too drawn into his deep obsidian eyes. She suddenly realised she had been staring at him for well over a minute, and she flushed.

"Goodnight Severus, sleep well" She sighed, her mind swimming with thoughts.

"And you" He replied, turning on his heals and leaving the room.


Melora woke early the next morning feeling slightly light headed; she couldn't quite believe her feelings for Severus, they seemed to have arisen in the blink of an eye. The truth was, after seeing his softer and more human side last night her opinions about him had completely changed. She didn't think for one moment she would ever get an apology out of him, but for him to truly mean it…Also the way he had looked at her, as if he was feeling a change within himself too. As if he too was feeling the same as she was, but that was a stupid thing to think; Severus Snape didn't love anyone. She didn't quite know if it was love she felt, after all they'd been captive and capturer once and had only really spoken for a day. But she knew something was happening to her, something strange and inexplicable but also something wonderful and amazing. But she knew at once that he would never feel the same for her as she did for him, so she decided to keep her feelings to herself and concentrate on her job for the Ministry. Distractions like her growing affection for Severus Snape would only impede her better judgement. Sighing heavily she got up and took a shower. Then, with a wave of her wand she was dressed. Another patrol of the grounds was necessary before the students arrived, so she grabbed her paperwork and headed to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast.

She met Remus on her way to breakfast and he happily offered to keep her company while she completed the days patrol. Melora was grateful for the company, for if left alone her mind would wonder to other things. The Great Hall was a wash with early morning sunlight as they entered; Melora had to shield her eyes slightly to protect them. She saw that Severus was watching her as she entered and took her usual seat beside him.

"Good morning Severus." She said brightly, settling her papers out of the way of the jam.

"Good morning Melora, I hope you slept well." He said, helping himself to bacon and eggs.

"Oh yes very well thank you, I could hardly bear to get up this morning" She groaned, pulling a bowl of cornflakes towards her.

"I hear that the castle is in need of yet another Ministry approved audit," he began, blushing slightly. "I was going to say that if you need some company I would be more than happy to assist you in any way I can."

Melora flushed scarlet, nearly choking on her breakfast. "O-Oh well, that's very kind of you but Remus asked to accompany me just now. You can join us if you want?" She asked, though knowing full well what his answer would be.

Severus looked slightly put out for a moment, but then returned to his usual sourness. "No thank you Miss, I do not wish to be in his company longer than necessary."

And with that, he gulped down the last of his breakfast and practically ran from the Great Hall. Melora was left feeling slightly confused but with a candle of hope lighting itself inside her.


Author's Note: Read and Review:o)

Peace xx