Severus Snape woke with a start; once again his dreams had been plagued by the sea of blood and bodies. He looked around taking a moment to remember where he was, he sighed. He was still in Mayas house in her bad apparently as well, he was healing his head didn't hurt any more. Lack of a window in the room meant that he could make no determination as to whether it was morning or noon or even the middle of the night. The fire was still lit, not dieing at all, it cast dancing shadows across the walls with a golden orange glow.
A soft sniffling sound got his attention and he shifted a little and sat up, quite surprised to find it didn't hurt as much as before. Sitting in one of the arm chairs her eyes closed her head tilted so far to the side that her cheek bone just rested on her shoulder, was Maya, her black hair spread a little around her a few locks falling across her face. Her chair, still close to the bed, had its back to the flames of the fire but he could still pick out details, and the longer her looked the more things he noticed.
She had a long scar from the inner corner of her left eye across the bridge of her nose along her eye lid and reaching to her right ear though he had noticed it earlier he hadn't had the chance nor the mind set to really examine it. Now that he was just lying there with nothing better to do he wondered why she had not gotten it magically removed.
It was with that thought that the girl before him stirred and woke. Golden eyes opened and looked around, probably wondering why she was sitting in a chair and not snug in crimson sheets. She looked at Severus and smiled
"Your awake... are you hungry or something?" she asked her voice carried weariness
"How long have you slept?" he asked she shrugged
"Not long I just sat to rest my eyes really you still have a lot of work... And you were having night mars I had to... um..." she looked away; even in the orange light he could see a slight blush
"Had to what?" he demanded
"I had to hold you down so you didn't upset your wounds... You kept moaning in your sleep but you wouldn't wake up so I just held you in place so you didn't hurt your self." she said quickly. Snape looked at her stunned, was that all? He shook his head
"Did I say anything?" he asked finally she thought for a moment
"You kept muttering 'he asked me to, he asked me to'." Severus looked away at hearing this he knew exactly what he had meant
"Who asked you to what?" she asked
"Was it Him? Did he ask you to kill Dumbledore?" she asked with an amazingly calm albeit frightening voice. Severus didn't look at her out of the corner of his eye he saw her stand
"You didn't answer me when I asked if you were hungry, are you?" she asked he nodded
"Alright then." She muttered walking out of the room he almost flinched when she slammed the door behind her
"Sorry about that… wind caught the door and made it slam." She said through the door, he was quite certain he was in the care of a mad woman.
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Dark robes settled around his pale frame as he walked in to the room, his appearance causing such a stir that he couldn't help but smirk
"Bellatrix Lestrange!" he said loudly the woman stepped for ward and kneeled before him her dark eyes down a few strands of hair escaping her and dangling freely from the hood
"Yes my lord." She said simply her eyes for a moment resting on pale exposed feet before he shifted to cover them
"You said he was taken by an animagus, and yet Mamiya Tokida, upon his return said nothing of this… why is that?" he demanded sitting in a chair; he was the only one who sat. They all stood and knew better then to complain about that thus it was never questioned.
"With all due respect my lord he did not stay very long he merely realized that Severus was missing then left." She said. A shift of dark robes and she flinched, true fear of the snake before her
"You protect him?" He asked a slight sneer curled his lips as he looked down on the woman kneeling in the dust she shook her head
"No my lord merely trying to explain…" she said he leaned back in his chair
"Contact Varos, he's still with in the ministry I want a list of all animagi, I doubt whoever it is who saved his sorry ass would be unregistered I think we'll pay each one a little visit until we have found him." He said standing quickly
"GO NOW!" he yelled many flinched as he swept past them back to his rooms He would not waste his time with the idiots he called followers.
"Nagini." He hissed out the name and was quickly met by a large female snake who lowered it head upon seeing him
"You will join them in there search for the potions master report to me everything that happens, I also what you to prevent them from killing who ever saved him… I would like to see who would have the gall to save a man from me." He said holding out a hand she rested her head in the cold pale palm to show her understanding
"Now go I am tired." He said after a moment, the snake pulled away quickly and he vanished into his room two burly wizards stood at the door to make sure no one disrupted his rest.
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Snape had thrown the covers off just to feel air on his skin, the room felt a little stuffy and he wondered if he was getting another fever. He glanced over as the door opened and Maya walked in carrying a tray
"Bacon, eggs, sausage, toast orange juice and milk!" she said so fast Snape had to think for a second about what she was talking about
"That's a lot of food…" he said she smiled
"Yes well I figured you might be hungrier then you let on." She said setting the tray down on the table she flicked her wand and a soft thump was hard from the foot of the bed, a pair of black pants and a black t shirt and a towel floated over and rested on the bed.
"After you eat I'm insisting you have a bath… one it will sooth the bruises, and two you're beginning to smell." She said he looked at her annoyed
"Well pardon me for not having a chance to bath in a few days." He said she smiled
"Actually it's only been about three days so you're not that bad… I'll help you to the bath room, that leg is still in bad shape." She said walking over and holding out a hand he started at it he wasn't about to ask for anymore help, he pushed him self of the bed and his legs gave out under him they both went down and she caught him just before he completely collapsed to the floor
"You idiot your bodies weak your lucky you can sit up! What are you thinking trying to stand?" She said obviously frustrated she stood carefully hauling him up and helping him walk to the table
"Now eat... I have work that needs to be done I'll be back in five minuets ok?" she said looking at him he nodded curtly but avoided her gaze
"Enjoy..." she muttered walking to the door he was finally able to see that her hair was long enough to just brush the floor. She leaned against the door her eyes closing she sighed
"So stubborn… oh well I have things to do." She muttered turning to leave and walking down the hall, Severus listened to her footsteps vanish and shook his head, digging in to the meal he found himself ravenous. Despite slightly burnt bacon the rest of the meal was really well cooked and the five minuets flew past much to fast. A soft knock sounded at the door and Maya walked in
"Wow… you ate it all… guess I was right about you huh?" Severus looked away and she laughed
"Nothing to be embarrassed about." She said he turn to her with a glare
"I am not embarrassed!" he said annoyed she shook her head
"What ever you say." she said walking over she held out a hand and he looked at it confused
"You did want to bathe am I correct?" she said simply and then he remembered the conversation he took the hand and let her help him up
She used her other hand to flick her wand and get the cloths and towel from before to follow them. She led him out the door and in to a dark hall way candle on the walls gave the hall a rather eerie look as they walked.
The walls had a dark wood paneling from the floor to about three feet up and then the rest of it was a deep crimson wall paper, The floor was the same dark wood used in Mayas room with a red carpet down the center. Large expanses of wall had small table set against them on which large vases with many crimson roses sat.
"You have quite an interesting home." he muttered they had passed by seven dark wood doors all of which had engravings on them
"Yes well, considering my father's... odd hobby you couldn't expect much different for his home now could you?" she said in a tone that said the subject was closed Severus nodded
"Lots of doors." he muttered she laughed
"Yes we use to entertain many people and had lots of grand parties... something my mother indulged in... she was a woman who loved parties." she said simply. She soon stopped in front of a door with a water fall engraving on it which Snape avoided commenting on
"It'll make sense when you see in side." she said waving a hand over the door handle it clicked and she smiled pushing open the door Severus stared at the room amazed
Stained glass panels hung suspended in darkness yet emitted a strong light, the floor was several glittering blue stone and in the center the was a water fall witch tumbled unending into a large pool of crystal clear water, though the water was falling from a good height there was little noise a soft giggle was herd and he found a little female house elf standing on the edge of the pool holding a basket of shampoo and other 'Bath time' necessities
"It's... different." he said finally Maya shook her head
"It's just plain strange I only keep it because of all the time that was taken to make it." she said easing him on to the floor next to the pool she turned her back on him
"I have absolutely no intention of helping you get undressed." she said and he nodded realizing she wouldn't see it he spoke
"Well I wouldn't want your help with that any way." he said simply another giggle and he found the house elf hadn't turned away
"Do you mind?" he basically growled at the female who blinked looking at him confused, it was bad enough two women had now seen him in such a stat and shirtless but he would not allow one, even a house elf female, to see the rest of him bare
"Matchi turn from him please." Maya said the elf giggled and turned away. She wore a glittering dark green cloth that was tied around her like a toga and looked amazingly well kept
"You say please to your house elves?" he muttered pulling his pants off and carefully sliding into the water
"Yes I do I find it is much kinder then to kick or beat them to do what you want." she said simply he tucked close to the edge so that she wouldn't see him when she would and did turn to face him
"You may stay in as long as you like Matchi will aide you and get you anything you need. When you are done tell her and she will come get me." Maya said turning away from him once more she walked to the open door and closed it, in an instant the door was enveloped in the black darkness of the area, and he was alone with Matchi the house elf.
It wasn't long before he felt nice and clean something with in the water prevented his cut from stinging as he cleaned them very carefully. Part of him was quit content to just hide in there for ever the rest of him was quiet ready to beat that thought to a bloody pulp for even considering using the word 'Hiding'. He raised a pruned hand and chuckled
"Matchi." He said a little uncertain, the Elf had tucked her self away in to the darkness, hope fully, with her back to him as he had requested. She emerged and smiled
"I'm done if you could go tell Maya." He said reaching for the thick black towel the rested on the floor next to his change of cloths Matching bowed deeply
"Matchi shall get mistress then Matchi wish's pardon for a momentary glimpse at mistresses' friend." She said before a pop filled the air and the elf was gone. Severus shook his head and dried off quickly, pulling on his clothing equally fast he had just done up the last button of the shirt when the door opened and Maya walked in.
"Matchi said you were done." She said simply her eyes were closed in case he was 'exposed'
"Yes and I am dress." He said she opened one eye and smiled
"So you are. Come on then you've been in so long it's time for lunch." She said walking over and offering her hand. He took it with out hesitation and she helped him up quiet faster then when they had left they were back at Mayas room and Severus was settled in a chair at the table a plate before him
"I tried making pork chops… they may not be any good but it's all I could find in the house." She said simply waving a hand at the steaming plate indeed the looked a little over done but matched with mashed potatoes and corn it tasted just as good as breakfast though he wouldn't say it she seemed to have a good hand for cooking.
"Why did you not just go get more food if you were worried about that?" he asked pushing away a now empty plate and looking at her. She was seated in the other chair her chin resting on her knuckles as she looked thoughtfully into the flames
"Because you're not the only one in hiding right now… I'm making sure, that if I was seen helping you, this hiding place is not found." She said simply. He looked at her surprised
"Of course if he were to find you he would likely kill you for interfering." He said softly she looked at him with a light grin
"Oh thanks that makes me feel so much better about my safety." She said with light sarcasm
"Are you done eating?" she asked he nodded and she waved her wand the plate vanishing from sight
"Would you like a book or something or do you want to sleep?" she asked Severus thought for a moment. He was rather tired
"I think I'll sleep." He said and she nodded standing and walking over she helped him out of the chair and over to the bed
"Sleep well." She said softly allowing him to cover him self with the crimson blanket she muttered something and the fire died and a black silky darkness filled the room. A thump was herd and a soft ouch As Maya moved to the door
"Stupid chair." He herd her mutter as the door opened spilling light across the room for a second before she stepped out and shut the door. His eyes drifted shut and he wearily noticed that he may have been smiling.
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Green eyes stared lifelessly at three hooded figures the woman laying sprawled on the floor had not stood a chance against them, Bellatrix was disgusted that the woman had attempted to claim that the house was not hers and she was watching it for a friend
"He wasn't here Bellatrix." One muttered looking at the woman who stood over the body
"No… set the mark and lets get going there were much more people on this list then I assumed there would be." She said
"The woman said it wasn't her house though, are you sure she's was the one we were after?" the third asked her she rounded on him
"Would you openly admit to being an animagus to a bunch of death eaters on a man hunt?" she demanded the figure shook it head quickly
"Then stop asking stupid questions and let go!" She said pointedly, she walked out of the house throwing the door open so violently that the little fogged glass window on it smashed. Raising her wand she congered the dark mark and spun on the spot away from the house and her two helpers. The other two walked out slowly one pulling out a roll of parchment he crossed off the name on a rather lengthy list
"This'll take forever." He muttered to his companion
"Yes but just think if we find who ever it was the Dark Lord is sure to praise us." The other said with almost a wistful smile
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Chapter two YAY - No reviews but I do have 41 hits last I checked so atleast people are reading
