Chapter 4

Miraculously, Snape had managed to stay awake until Wilson returned with some food she had just cooked.

"Can you feed yourself?" she inquired. She hadn't sounded like she really cared, nay her composure was hostile.

Severus blushed in embarrassment at the question. He thought she was both mad and uncompassionate, for asking him that. Nevertheless, the moment he tried to grab the spoon he realized that his pulse was trembling. He cursed himself and shut his eyes, hoping that the woman didn't need any words to notice he really couldn't feed himself. Before Angelica could step forward and help him out, Draco, who had stayed by his godfather's side, went ahead and took out the spoon from his shaking hand. Wordlessly, he began to feed his teacher as if he were a toddler. He knew that Snape would feel vulnerable in that position, but he thought it was way better to be fed by him than by a cranky stranger. Draco had expected this to happen, for when he had been cursed by Potter, he had spent one week in the Infirmary and the medi-witch had enchanted the cutlery so that he could eat during the first days. However, magic wasn't an option now.

Snape had never felt so humiliated in his life. The muggle eyed them with an unreadable expression and cleared her throat. She told them she would be doing some house chores, if they needed anything else, and got out of the room. Draco was about to say something to console the wounded man, but the moment he opened his mouth, Severus spat cuttingly, "I swear, Draco, you better not say anything to me about this misfortunate situation or, as soon as I can stand on my feet, you will regret it."

The boy gulped and kept on with the task in hand.

A week passed. Draco had learnt to switch on the TV and had enjoyed some more Disney films while Angelica was out at work. Severus had joined him occasionally, claiming he was going to get bored to death otherwise. He had improved quite a lot since the incident. Today he had been able to stand, with some difficulty, that was true, but it was still a huge step. A few more days and the muggle woman would make them leave. She had taken care of his wound, but they really hadn't talked, and anyway, the few occasions in which they had had a chit-chat, it hadn't been precisely friendly. She was a cold and reserved woman, and Draco found himself taking pity of her unborn twins. Severus, on the other hand, felt intrigued by her. She was mysterious, to say the least. Here she was, a muggle woman who seemed to know about Death Eaters and yet, took the risk of helping them. She had stated that she didn't really trust them, so why would she assist them? Why hasn't she referred to their wizard condition not even once? There had been times, when she spread the pomade over his wound, in which Snape had felt the urge to ask her these questions right away, but he had reprimanded himself from doing so. What if the woman didn't know as much as it seemed at first glance? They would be exposing themselves, and it would be dangerous. Just as these thoughts were running through his mind, Angelica arrived. She had told them she'd get home later than usual, for she had to run some errands.

The first thing she did when she got to the living room was wrinkle her nose and ask, "Is Severus cooking?"

Draco, who was watching The Lion King, simply shrugged. The woman narrowed her eyes and turned off the TV.

"Wha-Why did you have to do that?" he complained with an indignant huff.

Rolling her eyes, Wilson retorted, "Oh, please! Stop being such a baby! You've seen it a hundred times! I'm impressed you don't know the full script by now! The only thing you seem to do is plant your arse on the sofa and watch TV! You could do something worthwhile, like, I don't know, sweeping the floor or watering the flowers! But no, Mister Disney fan cannot even rise from the seat because it would be so tiring. It is better to let a wounded man who happens to be your godfather cook while you watch The Lion King than give him a hand, that's what you think, isn't it?"

"I happen to enjoy it! Is it such a crime?"

Putting her hands on her hips, she retorted, "It is when you ignore a pregnant woman who's letting you stay at her home! Now, will you answer me?"

"Yes! He is cooking! If he wants to make dinner, then I'll let him! It's the first time he's done something apart from complaining in the bed and making snarky comments about the films! Can I keep watching Scar and Simba now?"

The woman huffed in irritation, ignored him and went to the kitchen. Even before she reached the room, Snape heard her screaming, "What the hell do you think you are doing? Yesterday you needed help to walk! And now you are making dinner? Are you freaking kidding me?"

"I really haven't given you the right impression if you think I'm the one to joke around, Angelica," he answered calmly, with his eyes fixated on the meal he was preparing.

He turned his head so that his hair covered his face. Lowering his voice considerably, he muttered under his breath, "A simple thank you would have been enough."

"And I really haven't given you the right impression either," she countered back, imitating his words from earlier. "I am pregnant, not deaf. They are different things. I can hear you, Severus."

The man blushed in embarrassment and kept cooking to dissimulate it. He had whispered those words so low he had had trouble to hear them himself. Apparently, the muggle had a sharp ear.

In a softer tone which she hardly ever used, she soughed, "You don't have to do this, Severus. I can manage."

Snape swallowed his astonishment at the gentleness her voice had displayed and growled, "Has it crossed your brilliant mind that I'm not doing it for you? That I am only cooking to avoid watching The Lion King for the fourth time?"

The mulatto woman arched an eyebrow. She nearly pitied the man.

"You may be able to stand on your feet, but I'm sure you're still feeling weak. You must be tired. Go to bed. I'll finish it."

"You say it as if being pregnant isn't exhausting…" he pointed out, "Besides, I feel like I will go mad if I stay in that bed another minute."

Severus knew he had chosen the wrong words the moment her gentle attitude became an agitated one once again.

"Ungrateful man! I have welcomed you home, cooked for you, lend you some clothes and looked after you! And you still have the nerve to complain? Even the spoiled boy you have for a godson has more manners than you!"

Snape clenched his fists, turning his knuckles white. No one had ever spoken to him in such a manner. He was used to being the Head of the Slytherin House, after all, and students respected and even feared him. No one dared to talk to him in such tone, not even Potter. She was the only person who had ever got under his skin, and, strangely, he didn't mind it. It was something new for Snape and he'd rather argue with her than stay silent all day. It made him feel alive and forget about the fiasco he and his godson were in.

Angelica left the kitchen only to return a few moments later. She handed him a book and told him in a neutral tone, "Here. You don't have to watch Timon and Pumbaa singing Hakuna Matata for the fourth time…"

Snape raised an eyebrow in surprise, left the book aside and kept cooking. The woman groaned in frustration and Severus smirked at her reaction. He was getting to her, just as much as she got to him just before, and he enjoyed the feeling. His smirk disappeared soon enough off his face though as Wilson grabbed his hand and stopped him from stirring the ingredients. The contact sent shivers down the Potions Master's spine. Her hand was warm, despite her usual cold pose, and Snape couldn't help but stare at her hazel eyes, her gorgeous hazel orbs with golden sparks which made his heart skip a beat every time he noticed them. The woman stared back at him too. For a few seconds, they stood like this, with their hands touching and their glances connected. The first one to snap out of the daze was Angelica, who broke the contact and cleared her throat.

"If you can already stand, my guess is that in a few days you'll be able to leave. Do us all a favor and rest. Take the book. I'll finish this," she murmured while indicating with her hand all the half-cooked food.

"It may have escaped your notice, but I happen to be an adult and I can take care of myself. You don't get to order me around. I am not your son."

The woman simply snorted and countered back, "And it may have escaped your notice, but this is my house and you aren't well yet. Go and rest."

Snape cursed the woman for matching his snarky remarks and held his gaze, trying to intimidate her as if she were a first year dunderhead. Needless to say, it didn't work.

"You are supporting yourself on the kitchen countertop, Severus. If you rest now, tomorrow you'll be able to stand or even walk without any support."

"Why do you care?"

"I want you two out of my house as soon as possible."

To his dismay, the man could do nothing but obey her the moment he lost his balance and proved her that she had been right all along.

"You can walk…" observed Draco three days later.

"Obviously," came the short answer from his godfather, who had raised an eyebrow and was eyeing him as if it was a waste of time to point out the evidence.

Gulping, Malfoy wondered, "What now? Angelica will make us get out…"

The Potions Master couldn't reply, for they heard the sound of keys opening the door, indicating the woman had just returned home. When she saw the black-haired wizard standing on his own two feet without any support she fought a grin which threatened to appear on her face. Instead of smiling, Wilson cleared her throat and, impassive, she mumbled, "Good to know I'll get my flat back. You may stay another night, if you still don't feel well enough-"

"That won't be necessary."

"Perfect. Go on then, leave the clothes I lent you and get out of here," she instructed. Severus made his way out and before Draco could do the same, Angelica grabbed his shirt and brought him face to face. Their noses were barely touching and her hazel eyes held a threatening look, "Remember what I told you, lad, you better forget where you have stayed these past few days… I don't want to be in danger because of your kind. Understood?"

Malfoy could only nod and thank Merlin she hadn't used a knife this time.

A few minutes later, both wizards were on the doorway, ready to depart. Draco and Severus were relieved that they were leaving this place and the grumpy woman behind but there was a part of them which was terrified. Where to go now? They couldn't ask for the Order's protection because Snape had killed Dumbledore, and no one would ever give them the chance to explain what had really happened, let alone if they saw their former spy accompanied by another Death Eater, even if it was a teenager. Besides, if somehow the Order of Phoenix helped them, some Death Eaters may find them and the members of said Order would be exposed. Severus couldn't do that to them. He knew they were trapped, he and Draco. Lord Voldemort wouldn't stop making their lives hell before killing them. Both wizards were aware that the only useful thing they could do was to help Harry and defeat Voldemort once and for all, come hell or high water.

Malfoy felt like, despite the reserved and sometimes discourteous attitude of the woman, Wilson deserved a little gratitude; after all, she had saved Snape's life and looked after them, even if it was with a scowl on her face.

"Thanks for everything, Angelica. You may not think so, but you didn't just save my godfather's life… You also saved mine. If he had died, I would already be dead too." The honesty and fear of what could have happened was palpable in his grey eyes and Draco was surprised at his own words. If someone had told him a month ago that he'd be thanking a muggle for saving his life, he would have called them crazy and laughed at their faces.

Severus glanced at his godson trying to mask a sudden admiration and respect for him. He knew he would have never shown gratitude towards a muggle, but somehow, he had managed to grow out of it. It was a simple gesture he had been meaning to make (to thank her), but his stubbornness and pride had got on his way.

The woman seemed to be taken aback, for her eyes were wide and she let out gasp. She was moved by his words, so trying to disguise it, she cleared her throat and replied, "I think you're exaggerating, lad, but you are welcome." Then she faced Severus, raised an eyebrow and teased with a playful smile that neither Snape nor Draco had ever witnessed on her, "See? I told you that he has better manners than you do…"

The wizard didn't reply. He was too lost in her hazel eyes. She seemed to become hypnotized by his black orbs too when suddenly; they heard terrified yelps and some cruel laughs.

"Aunt Bella…" Draco murmured with a quivering voice and a frightened expression on his face the moment he recognized one of those laughs.