I thought I felt Severus' lips brush mine. As the cobwebs of sleep were slowly brushed away, I realized what I thought I felt was just S. S waking me up. What time was it ? I looked over at the clock on the night stand between the two beds. Bloody hell ! It was five forty-five in the morning ! A dream about Professor Severus Snape, why ? Why was S. S waking me up this bloody early ? I looked at the clock again. I sighed. I tried to lie back down, but, that dream wouldn't let me rest. Caffeine. I needed caffeine. Collecting my things, I headed for the shower room.

Leaving the showers I felt refreshed, but, not awake. I still needed coffee. I went over to my lingerie trunk and found a pair of vanilla satin thongs and slipped them on. Next came the matching corset. I slipped into the dark green dressing gown and went and sat at my vanity. Slipping the dark red towel off an auburn waterfall cascaded down. Parting my hair down the middle I braided the hair over my shoulders. I applied my usual porcelain foundation and set it with baby powder. Then, I went to work. On my lids I applied a light golden brown. A darker shade in the crease and my usual vanilla on the browbone. I used a gold liner on my bottom lids and a dark brown on top. I finished my eyes with lots of black mascara. On my lips I used my usual light rose. I spritzed my Jasmine perfume on my throat, down my front, the back of my neck and on my wrists. I set the delicate, light rose quartz bottle down. Searching through the top drawer, I pulled out golden dragon hoops and put them in. I stood up and padded over to the wardrobe. I actually decided on the mandatory short skirt and an oversized vanilla shirt. I buttoned the shirt up leaving the top two undone. I did up my tie and adjusted it to my neckline. Then, slid into matching kidskin slippers. Grabbing my black leather satchel, I was ready for the day.

" Hemione ! "

" What ? " She asked, poking her head out from beneath her covers.

" You need to get up. "

" What time is it ? " She moaned. My eyes sought out the clock.

" It's six thirty-two. You need to get out of bed. I'll see you down at breakfast, " I said leaving for the Great Hall.

" I'm going to go find Harry. "

" Don't do anything I wouldn't do, " She called after me.

" That doesn't leave me anything, now does it ? " I laughed over my shoulder. A pillow came sailing through the open door to land at my feet. " You missed ! See you at breakfast, lazybones. "

It wasn't until my second cup that Harry came staggering in with Ron. I poured a cup of coffee and added a little sugar. Yawning Harry slid into the seat next to me. I passed him the cup. Then, leaned over and gave him a slow kiss.

"Mmm, " He commented, breaking the kiss. " Now, that's one way to wake up. " I just smiled up at him.

" Go get a room, " Ron grumbled.

" Hermione should be down shortly, " I replied smiling at Ron. Harry draped an arm about my shoulders, drawing me closer. I helped myself to some kippers and eggs. Then, I added a couple slices of toast.

" Breakfast, Erin ? " Hermione asked, sliding into the seat next to Ron. Swallowing a bite, I answered,

" I'm hungry. Besides, I've been up since before six. " The bell sounded just then, signaling the end of breakfast and the beginning of classes. Grabbing the toast I piled some eggs and kippers between the two slices. Then, slinging my book bag over my shoulder I jumped to my feet.

" Well look at me, the guy who's got it all,
Tryin' to read my own writing on the wall,
Not happy 'til the sadness comes,
To keep me company,
Oh, but what becomes of fools who love like me ?

Who's gonna dry my tears
When I'm crying?
Who's gonna hold my hand
When I'm dying?
Who's gonna set me right when
Everything is wrong ?
Who's gonna love me,
When you're gone?

Sure as winter goes and comes around again,
I will be my own undoing in the end,
I'll find the answers I've been searching for,
In your goodbye kiss, 'Cause I don't deserve you

and you don't deserve this.

Who's gonna dry my tears
When I'm crying?
And who's gonna hold my hand
When I'm dying?
Who's gonna set me right when
Everything is wrong ?
Yeah, who's gonna love me,
When you're gone?

Never happy 'til the darkness comes,
And rains down on me,
Down on me.

And who's gonna dry my tears
When I'm crying?
And who's gonna hold my hand When I'm dying?
Who's gonna set me right when
Everything is wrong ?
Who's gonna love me
When you're gone?

Who's gonna love me when you're gone?
Baby, when you're gone,
Yeah, who's gonna love me,
When you're gone?
Who's gonna love me when you're gone ?
Who's gonna love me ? " Slowly, the last notes died away. I looked up startled by the sudden noise of clapping.

" I didn't know that you played, " Harry said.

" What's that ? " Ron asked.

" It's a guitar, " Hermione explained.

" What's a gee-tar ? " He persisted.

" A musical instrument, " I explained. " Here, just listen. " I started in on one of my favourites, Andrew Lloyd Webber's All I Ask of You.

" No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
Let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you . . . "

" She's good, " Harry muttered. Ron nodded, entranced by my voice. Hermione just stayed silent, but, the boys could see the wheels turning in her mind.

" Say you love me every waking moment,

Turn my head with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me with you, now and always . . .
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you . . . "

He could hear an ethereal voice wafting through the open castle doors. Professor Severus Snape stopped at the doors and stared. I can't believe that voice is coming from Erin MacLaine. And the song. His eyes fell shut, as the notes wafted around him. Before he knew what was happening, his feet took him out on the grounds. Letting the music envelope him, he opened his mouth,

" Let me be your shelter,
Let me be your light.
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you . . ." The trio exchanged incredulous looks. Was that the Potions Professor

singing ? And with Erin, Harry's cousin of a sort ?!? My eyes widened at the sight of the Potions Master coming towards me singing the lines of Raoul. I continued,

" All I need is freedom,
A world that's warm and bright,
And you always beside me, To hold me and to hide me. " Professor Severus Snape stood in front of me as I sang the part of Christine. Then he sang,

" Then say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime . . .
Let me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go, let me go too,
Christine, that's all I ask of you . . . ." It was my turn, then.

" Say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . . " His smooth baritone joined me,

" Share each day with me, each night, each morning . .. " I could not believe that this man luved Andrew Lloyd Webber. Not to mention knew my favourite song.

" Say you love me . . . " I sang. It was his last turn,

" You know I do . . . " I could hear the emotion thick and evident within his voice. I joined him to finish the song,

"Love me, that's all I ask of you . . .
Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me, that's all I ask of you . . ." He must have luved her very deeply. Did Lily ever know ? My heart filled for the dark man standing before me. Professor Snape's dark eyes met mine. This close, I could see that they were not black at all. Hi s eyes were a real deep dark brown, which held heart ache and pain. As he looked deep into my eyes, I played the last few notes of the song. As the last note died, he turned on his heel, his sable cape whirling about him, the Potions Master stalked back into the castle. Leaving the Trio and I completely god-smacked at the impromptu duet.

I didn't think that Harry even knew. That the Potions Master had been in luve with his mother. It was certainly curious that my playing drew him out of the castle. Could I possibly be able to draw the dark, brooding man out of his shell and his dungeons ? Christine was able to draw out the Phantom. Would I be able to do the

same ?