Part 1: "Singer or Saviour, It's Hers To Choose"
Chapter 3: "Stars Often Fall"
(A/N Ok, the plot thickens! More hints are being dropped. Plus, the characters are starting to gain life of their own. For instance, I told Sev and Cam to stick to small talk in the grounds, but Cam just couldn't stop talking about their big secret! In case anyone is wondering, yes, some of the content of these first few chapters is cryptic, and yes, Severus (and possibly others) are a little out of character. There is a reason for this, which will come to light as the mystery unravels.
This chapter made me fight for every paragraph, but in a good way since I'm really stretching my Author-Wings with this story. I also found a few errors in previous chapters from copying the text from another file type. Hoping to do some edits while working on Chapter 4.
IMPORTANT: I write in my spare time between other activities. Updates will not be regular. They will occur when I have the ability to produce content that I feel is good enough to post.
Thank You,
Quillian)
Chapter 3: "Stars Often Fall"
**December 26, 1994, around 8:30am**
Albus Dumbledore did not normally drink coffee, but he did find it pleasant if he had obtained less than 7 hours sleep the night prior. After the Yule Ball, he and Severus and a few others had cleaned the hall. The Potions Professor had asked permission to leave the castle to have breakfast at the Hogshead, where the band were staying until they left later that day. The Headmaster smiled fondly to himself at the memory of seeing the prickly, bitter man softened by the feelings he clearly had for the frontwoman of Symphonic Serpents. Also, it seemed she returned those feelings. He frowned slightly as a thought crossed his mind: Severus would be in a foul temper when the band left Hogsmeade to finish their tour. He knew the younger man would be plagued with insecurities having a lover away on tour. However, he put aside the thought for later, and returned to eavesdropping on the gossip from the night before as students and teachers gradually woke and made their way to breakfast. Many of the first to arrive were the younger students, who had not been to the ball, but gradually the fourth years and older students began drifting in, mostly in clusters, chattering amongst each other.
"Did you see, Krum went with GRANGER…."
"Man, those singers were hot!" "Yeah!"
"I'm glad we have a few more days before class starts, I'm too tired to study today…"
"Did you see Snape with the chick from the band?" "Yeah, they went for a walk on the grounds!" "You think she fancies him?" "Weird, but maybe…"
"Potter looked like an idiot on the dance floor, no wonder Patil left him."
"So weird seeing everyone in fancy clothes!"
Albus smiled, he just loved the energy and thought processes of young minds. He went back to he scrambled eggs and toast, but the nagging worry of how Severus would cope with his lady leaving would not let him be. He hoped he could support the younger man, and that he didn't do anything rash, although the mental image of Severus running away in love-sick desperation to join the band made him chuckle.
"And why do you find your toast so funny, Albus?" inquired Professor McGonagall.
"Just my mind playing tricks on me, Minerva, as I hope for the best and prepare for the worst. The usual."
"Well, it looks like a quiet day, as most will be too tired to do much." Minerva mused. "I think I'll finish my Deputy paperwork before tackling the rest of my marking. Will you join me?"
"Splendid plan! Your office or mine?"
"Yours for the administrative work, I think, Albus. You have some files I may need. I ought to be in mine for the marking later, though, in case students are looking for me."
"Understood, my dear Head of Gryffindor! If you have eaten, shall we make our way up?"
"Indeed, Albus." The two professors left the head table heading for the main doors. "Should we expect a visit from Severus at some point, do you think?"
"It wouldn't surprise me, Minerva." They reached the doors. "Ladies first, after you. In fact I am expecting him to want company when a certain band leaves town, not that he'll admit it, of course!"
"Of course – why, speak of the devil – Good Gracious!"
At Minerva's disjointed words and surprised tone, Albus turned to follow her gaze, and he quickly appreciated her feelings. Crossing the threshold of the Entrance hall were Severus and Camille. Severus was still in his same clothes from the previous night, although they looked rumpled as if rather than going to bed he had dozed in a chair before leaving the castle earlier that morning. Camille was wearing what could only be Severus' teaching robes, seemingly shrunk a bit but still not fitting properly. She was holding a large handful of material in one hand to avoid tripping, and was gripping the Potions Master's arm with the other.
That fact coupled with the tense look of both their faces told the Headmaster that something bad had happened.
"Severus? Miss…? Is something the matter? I thought you two would be having breakfast at the Hogs Head."
Severus sighed. "There was a change of plans, Albus. We need to talk to you. Can we have breakfast here? We haven't eaten yet, and it was a long cold walk."
"Why don't you join Minerva and I in my office? I'll send for breakfast." The headmaster beamed jovially, hoping to cheer them up. Camille did perk up a bit at the offer of food, and Severus at least did not look against the idea. Upon reaching the Headmaster's office, Albus conjured a couple of extra chairs and cleared a small table, which he tapped with his wand while murmuring under his breath. Some covered plates popped into existence.
"There you go, Severus, I already know what you like. And how about you, Miss?"
"I would love something sweet and warm, if it's alright please?"
Albus' eyes flashed kindly. "How about some American-style waffles and bacon?"
Her eyes brightened with gratitude. "Thank you!"
A wand movement later and she was seated next to the Potions master happily eating breakfast. Albus noted that Severus also ate well, better than he often did. When he had finished over half his meal, he looked up at the patiently waiting Headmaster and deputy Headmistress and remarked,
"Well, go on, ask away."
There was silence for a moment or two, then Minerva burst out, "Do we WANT to know why the young lady is borrowing your clothes, Severus?"
A smirk crept onto his face. "You do if you want a good chuckle. I think the story of Camille's spirit will appeal to your Gryffindor sensibilities." The lady in question looked like she couldn't decide whether to blush or laugh. She took a deep breath and began speaking softly.
"I got up early to wait for Severus, and while I was waiting when Sophia - the guitarist - caught me while she was going to the loo. I told her I had a breakfast date. She seemed interested and supportive at first. I told her I wanted to leave the band for at least a while after the tour. I don't quite know what it was that set her off, and frankly I'm not sure I care much. We always clashed, she always wanted to control everything, and normally I don't stand for that but I put up with her to be polite until I got what I wanted out of our deal. But as she went on and on and started yelling at me, I realised I don't need her and the band any more, I got what I wanted: the chance to travel to England to find Severus.
"So I kinda lost my temper on her. All the times I put up with her bullying abusive ways just came back to me and I told her flat out she could respect my contribution to the band and stop treating me like dirt or I would leave right there and then. She thought I was bluffing. She told me if I broke the "contract" - which was never put in writing - then I would leave with nothing the band ever gave or lent me. That's when I'm ashamed to admit I lost my temper completely."
Severus slyly piped up, "And that's when I arrived at their door, which was slightly open."
Camille chuckled at him and continued. "Sophia ALWAYS forgets to shut doors behind her. I'm lucky it was Severus, not someone else coming to see what the ruckus was, as I had just pulled off the dress SHE had lent me back in America and thrown it at her face. I think I said something like, 'The only reason I put up with you this long was to get to England, and now I'm here you can take your clothes and your band and your everything, cause I QUIT!'. And then Severus knocked on the door."
"I didn't quite know what was happening," Severus broke in, "But the volume seemed to be escalating and I suppose I wanted to avoid getting caught up in bigger trouble."
"It did help," Camille said confidently. "It derailed Sophia enough that she stormed off back to bed or something. I borrowed this robe from Severus and we left. Drat. I should have stopped and talked to Mr Aberforth about getting a job there after the Serpents leave."
"Likely best to let them leave first, in case they cause more trouble that you wouldn't want to be associated with, my dear." Albus said blandly. His eyes were kind, though, and he winked at Severus, who inclined his head slightly in silent understanding.
"Indeed!" Added Minerva firmly. "Not to mention you can't go job hunting wearing THAT!"
Camille smiled gratefully at her, then her expression slackened and she paled. She stood abruptly and turned to Severus.
"Severus, my wallet, I left it there! It wasn't much, but without I have literally not a cent to my name!"
In a flash he was back into Professor Snape persona.
"Albus, contact Aberforth and see if he can retrieve it. If they give him trouble, I'll floo over and sort it out."
Professor Dumbledore hurried to floo his brother, but when Albus explained, the other shook his head sadly.
"Sorry, Albus, they're gone. returned the keys around 10 minutes ago and I just inspected the rooms, nothing's there except a bit of rubbish."
As Albus turned away from the fireplace, Camille pressed her lips together, strightened her spine and lifted her chin.
"I hope Sophia didn't plan on me crawling back, because that will never happen." Her tone was icy. "Fortunately, I'm good at a lot more than looking pretty on a stage."
The deputy Headmistress took her hands, uncurled the fingers from the fists they had formed, and patted them comfortingly.
"Of that, I have no doubt. It's a shame the way some people will behave if they think they can get away with it. You said your contract was not written down? That's a shame, Lass, she ought to have the law brought down on her for running off on you like that!"
Camille's expression softened. "In the end I suppose it's best to just cut ties. I appreciate your defense of me but I am sure Sophia is convinced SHE is the victim here. If she doesn't think so now, she will when she tries to put out another bestselling album and has to work three times as hard to produce new hit material. Please, understand, I planned to finish the tour with them, and while I did lose my temper, I swear I don't do that often, and I thought I would return after breakfast to apologize."
"Eh, Lass you're talking to the head of the Lion house here at Hogwarts, I'll not judge you for flying off the handle once in a while, especially when it comes to bullies. And I highly doubt your man there will judge you either," she finished with a wink.
"Indeed," purred a smooth baritone behind her as strong, lean hands came to rest on her shoulders. "Now, come sit with me on this incredibly garish sapphire settee. You need to finish your breakfast, Albus needs to stop worrying, and I will help you write a list of your marketable skills."
The Headmaster and deputy Headmistress exchanged thoughtful looks. Severus Snape was by no means a man who fussed and fluttered, but as his closest friends the two of them could clearly see the concern and caring behind his words and actions. They both realised that the outcome of the next little while was of the utmost importance to the younger man, as it would decide the short term future of someone he was clearly coming to care deeply for. They were both wondering, however, how the young lady would handle the depths of passion and devotion Severus was capable of lavishing on one he deemed worthy, and whether she would, in fact, prove worthy. Albus thought she might well be worthy, since he had picked up on the fact that she had mentioned multiple times that she had been seeking him since their brief meeting in Italy, despite never hearing from him again. Minerva was more cautiously optimistic, determined to provide what support would be reasonable to encourage the budding romance, while making sure she would be there to comfort her colleague if said romance turned to ash.
A giggle roused them from their thoughts.
"Alright, Severus, I'm eating! I take it you recall how grumpy I get when hungry?"
"I do," came the dry reply, "and I would like to keep my title of Scariest Person In The Room, thank you very much! Now, marketable skills?"
"Well, I have quite a lot of experience in customer service of various types, and I tend to gravitate toward management and leadership positions. I'm good at training and teaching, I pay attention to details most of the time, but I tend to also be good at picking out patterns so I'm good at troubleshooting."
As Severus scribbled down Camille's words, the Headmaster jumped in.
"Splendid, my dear! And what kinds of things are you good at doing?"
She shifted in her seat slightly to face him and finished a bite of sausage.
"I'm good with people in a professional setting, I like to organise things, and I'm pretty solid with time and resource management. I can sew, knit, crochet, and spin yarn. I can cook reasonably well, I can clean most things. I'm not afraid to study and learn new things."
"Not to mention you have excellent speaking and writing skills in French and English, and you can communicate minimally in... how many languages?" Severus added.
"I can stumble along in German and Italian, I wouldn't count that as 'speaking' ". Camille retorted.
Albus cut in. "French! Why that's marvelous, we have a delegation here from a French school, perhaps you can be of assistance to them?"
"Albus," Minerva kept her voice carefully level, "I think we need to address the elephant in the room. You and Severus both want to her to be hired on here, don't you?"
There was a brief silence, broken by a snort from Camille. "I appreciate the sentiment but let's be realistic here: I'm not qualified to work for a prestigious school of magic. I have no formal magical education, in fact, my magical abilities don't even work the same way yours do here. I'm more of an ambient mage, and I'm basically self-taught"
Albus Dumbledore was no stranger to tough, thorny, tangled problems. He sat back in his chair and sucked on a lemon drop while reviewing the situation, replaying what he had heard and seen so far. He watched Minerva lower her eyes and bite her lip, clearly sad to feel compelled by her conscience to 'play bad cop'. He watched Severus take Camille's hand and grip it tightly like he never planned to let go. And he watched Camille lay her hand gently on top of Severus' and squeeze it once, gently, as if to reassure him. Then he watched Severus slowly relax his grip. And that subtle by-play told him that there was something happening between them, something that could transcend the ordinary. For Severus to trust someone enough to let them go was a magical love the like of which he rarely saw, and he was wise enough to know its worth. He would fight for them, simply because he could see that they had decided to fight for each other. He steepled his fingers together and leaned forward slightly.
"I can't quite tell what job you would be most suited for, Miss, so for the moment I would like to offer you a position as General Assistant. It would entail assisting various staff members, under my direction, with various odd jobs. This year we are hosting a very special even which has certainly caused extra work, and I would be a fool to turn away someone who may be of use. Once you demonstrate proficiency, you will have the option to advance and specialize."
"Albus!" Minerva stood up in agitation. "Are you quite insa - ? While I'm sure this is a lovely young woman, is this really... the best use of her skills?" She ended with a slightly apologetic tone. Camille exchanged a look with Severus, and spoke up.
"Madame Deputy, you raise an excellent point, however I cannot in good conscience refuse such a wonderful offer. May I, perhaps suggest a compromise? A probationary period during which clear goals would be laid out and if I fail to meet them then I will seek elsewhere with no hard feelings. I understand your concerns, but I believe I can lay them to rest better with my actions than with words."
Professor McGonnagall was momentarily taken aback. Certainly the calm, professional tone reassured her somewhat. Also the suggestion was quite reasonable, and almost risk-free. The Headmaster was nodding and his eyes were twinkling madly.
"Well, Minerva, I feel quite reassured by this proposed plan. Let us discuss it further over the next day or two, and put it all in writing. For the moment I think the priority would be resting and getting organised for the young lady in question." Albus said serenely but firmly, then turned to Camille "I promise, my dear, that I will assign you some short term contract work to allow you some income and proof of employment so you can rent something close by in Hogsmeade. Perhaps Aberforth would have a suite you can rent after the Holidays."
Camille rose from the settee and approached the Headmaster's desk, extending her hand to shake. "Thank you, sir, I greatly appreciate your trust, and I shall do my best not to let you down!"
The Headmaster shook it and beamed at her, and she responded with a smile. Severus came over, and laid a hand on her shoulder. He nodded at his employer, a small grateful smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Albus wasn't always the easiest man to work for, but his fierce devotion to his people and his cunning perceptions mostly made all the headaches worth it. Severus vowed to try his hardest to appreciate the man more, and to fight harder to protect him, neon robes and lemon drops and all.
"Let us take the Headmaster up on his suggestion to rest, Cam, neither of us has slept well, and soon enough we will be quite busy."
She tilted her head back to send him a sunny smile, and again he wanted to kiss her so badly it almost hurt.
"Alright, Severus, that does sound sensible
**December 26, 1994, around 10:30am**
"I can't wait to show off Hogwarts to you, Cam, but later, alright?". In the deserted hall, Severus' low voice still rang clearly. He was escorting her along little used corridors towards his chambers, moving as quickly as possible, but the lack of sleep after an exciting night was catching up to them. By the time they reached his suite, Cam barely had enough energy to look around.
In his bedroom, he found an old pair of pyjamas that he shrunk down to fit her and nudged her toward the bathroom to change and wash up if she wanted.
"Severus?" Her voice came floating through the door. "Where can I put my contacts?"
"What sort of container do you need?" He called back.
"Er, never mind actually, I don't have any fluid to keep them in."
"Sorry, neither have I. I have magical preservation fluids but I don't know how they would react to muggle contacts."
"S'alright, I don't need them any more, I prefer my glasses."
A few minutes later she wandered out with a bundle of her undergarments and Severus' robes. He told her to dump them on a chair to be sorted for cleaning later. They each crawled in one side of the bed and within a few minutes were both asleep.
Around noon, Severus woke, slightly disoriented to be waking up in the middle of the day. Then he recalled the preceding 15 hours. He got up as quietly as he could to avoid disturbing Camille, but she rolled over, sighed and opened her eyes as his weight left the bed.
"I'm getting up now so I'll be able to sleep tonight." He told her.
"Good idea, can I join you doing... whatever?" She sat up and rubbed her eyes squinting at him. He quirked an eyebrow at her, and drawled,
"Well, I'm going to have a shower...?"
The implied question hung in the air while she considered it and it's implications. She decided that here in the privacy of her lover's rooms it would be pointless, even hurtful, to pretend their relationship was less developed then it actually was. She nodded and grinned while throwing back the covers.
"Good plan, I need one too. I still have makeup and hairspray residue on me. I'll join you."
Now the smile did more than lurk at the corners of the Potions Master's mouth, it lit up his entire face. He was thrilled that she was not holding back or acting coy, despite the long separation. He remembered why he was so attracted to her at first. Her directness tempered by intelligence and humour challenged him without threatening him. There was a spring in his step as he fetched spare towels, a black one for him and a green one for her.
During the time they spent under the warm spray their interactions became quite flirtatious, although nothing escalated much past that. Both reveled in the quiet gentle intimacy and total comfort of each other's presence. Severus washed her, even her hair, and she let him, knowing he needed to take care of her. He let her help wash him though. She wanted to run her soapy fingers over his skin, and she needed to remind him that she didn't mind his scars. As they stood rinsing off the last vestiges of soap (and in Cam's case, hair conditioner) she wrapped her hands around his throat, exerting no pressure, just feeling the skin. Her gaze traveled up his chest, along the lines of his neck, past his jaw, lingering on his lips a moment, before meeting his intense stare. Then he did stoop, wrapping his arms around her, and he kissed her mouth slowly and sensually. When they needed to breathe, she rested her forehead on his collar bones and he laid his chin on her head.
Once they were dry, Severus found some loose black pants and a long dark blue shirt that with a few minor alterations to size she could wear. All she had of her own was underwear, a corset, socks, her fancy rocker boots, a few hair accessories, and her glasses. A few strong cleaning charms made it all wearable again. She wore the corset under the shirt, since it was the closest thing she had to a bra, and asked to borrow a belt to wear the shirt like a tunic. She shook out her long damp hair to help it dry faster and retrieved her glasses from beside the bed.
"Let's have a light lunch here," the Head of Slytherin suggested, "and then maybe see if some shops are open to start getting you ready for professional life at Hogwarts. And before you even think of arguing, shopping is on me, I owe you from when we first met.". He mock glared at her, until she replied calmly,
"I shall consider it an investment in our mutual pursuit of spending time together."
**December 26, 1994, between 12:30 and 1:00pm, Elsewhere in the Castle**
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were also eating around that time, although their meal was more like brunch than lunch, as they had all slept late after the ball. There was considerable tension between Ron and Hermione, but Harry had insisted they all eat together as he had something to tell them, and he didn't want to make thing worse by telling one first.
"Alright, Harry, what is it you saw last night?" Hermione asked between bites of sandwich. She really was curious, and wondered if it had anything to do with any of the rumours she had heard snippets of earlier.
"Guys, you will NEVER guess who I saw out walking with a WOMAN last night when I was outside!" As harry bounced in his seat, Hermione looked thoughtful. She actually did have a guess, but decided not to spoil Harry's story.
"Who, mate?" Ron asked.
"Professor SNAPE! And I think it was a member of the band 'cause she had on fancy boots and a short skirt and a skimpy top like theirs and everything! I think he LIKES her!" Harry could not stop grinning, pleased for once to have gossip to share that wasn't painting him in a bad light.
"You have got to be joking!" Ron cried out
"Ron!" Hermione hissed at him. "Harry, are you sure?"
"Dead sure, you guys! They walked right past where I was, didn't even see me I reckon, otherwise I'd probably have a detention just for existing or something."
"Wow, mate, that's just... Wow!" Ron shook his head in disbelief.
"It does seem a bit out of character,". Hermione relected, "but then a lot of teachers were acting more relaxed than usual last night. And maybe it's not a bad thing, he doesn't seem to have many friends."
"Who would want to be his friend?" Ron asked with a frown.
"Seems like that woman did." Harry wasn't completely comfortable with admitting it but it was the truth. "They seemed really close, even like they were having a good time together."
Ron thought about it for a moment then shrugged. "Well maybe if he gets a social life he'll stop torturing Gryffindors for fun?"
Hermione huffed at his choice of words but agreed with the sentiment. As they finished their meal, the talk turned to other Yule Ball gossip, although they agreed that Professor Snape's behavior was certainly the most dramatic thing witnessed.
There you go! Over 4,000 words! That's a record for me. My goal is between 2500 - 4000 words per chapter but there will be some exceptions as plot and pacing dictate. I must say I'm really out of practice writing the Golden Trio, so I'll have to practice in short segments because they will feature quite a bit later in the story. Next up, shopping, and what Draco will think of his godfather's new "friend".
