Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or the stories, but I do own Eileen Pierce and her pet kneazle Mephistopheles! I also own Lucas Beowulf, Page Beowulf, Cheryl Applegate, Winnifred Miller, and any other random characters that appear in the story that were not originally in the Harry Potter series, since it's no fun if I don't have my own characters to play with. Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
Ron, Hermione, and Eileen crossed the grounds swiftly, beating the crowds to the Quidditch pitch by at least 5 minutes, excited about the first match of the season. They settled themselves in the first row, right smack in the middle of the field, the best place to be for up-close action next to being on the field itself. Eileen stood on the edge of the railing, hanging over the top in hopes of seeing the players run over last minute plays before the game started. Gryffindor was suppose to be dueling it out with Slytherin but the team had switched places with Hufflepuff last minute, claiming that their seeker was still unable to take part in the game and a replacement was out of the question. Tension was high with the teams, unprepared for their new opponents and holding grudges on the Slytherins for chickening out with so little time to prepare. But this didn't seem to bring down Eileen's mood as she smiled, shouting over the wind, "This is so exciting, I can't wait to see Mischief and Mayhem play!"
"I think it's going to rain." Ron whined, looking up at the sky, reluctant to get soaked with such a fierce wind blowing. Turning around, Eileen said, "Do you have umbrellas in your rooms?"
"Yeah but it's too late to run up there now, the game will start in 10 minutes!"
"I'll get them; Accio Ron and Hermione's umbrellas!" Eileen waved her wand and within minutes, their umbrellas flew over the stands and into their hands.
"That's bloody brilliant! What year do we learn that in?" Ron beamed in awe, popping his open.
"It's in the 5th year textbook, late in the lesson." Hermione smiled before Eileen could answer, "Page 372, I believe?"
"Through page 386, it's a long lesson." Eileen grinned back.
"You two are way too smart for your own good." Ron said with an eye roll.
"And you're too lazy for your own good, Ron!" Hermione shot back with a scowl before turning her attention to Eileen; "Don't you have an umbrella, Eileen?"
"We can share!" Ron offered but Eileen declined with a giggle.
"I don't need one, I find magic to be more efficient." Eileen said, gazing out at the field with an almost mystic appeal.
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks of equal confusion as the seats around them filled in with students. A few minutes later, cheers roared in the pitch as the teams took the field, doing a few laps before taking position and waiting for the referee to release the balls.
The game was underway before anyone knew it and the rain poured over the stands with growing aggression. Eileen leaned over the rail excitedly; her eyes locked onto Fred and George as they zipped up and down the field whacking Bludgers fiercely in aggravation.
Ron was staring not at the game but at Eileen as the rain fell all around her but disappeared before hitting her, leaving her perfectly dry as she cheered for Gryffindor.
"How is she doing that?" Ron hissed to Hermione.
"I don't know but Harry's having trouble seeing through the rain, he nearly got knocked off his broomstick that time! I'll be right back." She replied, getting up and making her way through the crowds.
Timeout was called and Eileen took that moment to see who all was at the game. Across the field opposite her, her eyes caught sight of Snape looking bored with the game already. Coyly, she gave a little wave and caught his eye; he looked away immediately. With a sigh, she sunk into her seat next to Ron and muttered, "I should have known better..."
"What?" Ron shouted over the howling wind.
"I hope the weather gets better!" Eileen said, pretending that she was still high on the atmosphere of the game.
"I know, I can barely see what's happening...whoo, it's starting again! GO, HARRY!" Ron screamed, punching the air in triumph.
Hermione returned to her seat as the game continued, carrying on for another half-hour before vision was nearly impossible. The trio huddled together as it grew steadily colder, the rain soaking everyone to the bone as it lashed in all directions on the breeze. Finally, Ron let out a moan as he complained, "This games getting depressing, I feel like crying."
"I'm going to fail my essay tomorrow if I don't get to study soon, I'll never pass that class!" Hermione groaned mournfully, shivering in place.
Curiously, Eileen looked around and noticed how the mood had sunken around the whole stadium like everyone shared the same depression. Cold air, sadness, gloom, it all pointed to one thing. Eileen felt like the world had fallen silent as she rose from her seat, walking to the railing and looking out at the field with slow realization.
There, looming like the darkness within her soul, were hundreds of dementors staring up into the sky. Meeting their line of sight, she saw Harry slip off his broom and plummet to the ground, tumbling in the updraft like a discarded rag doll. Feeling like she was falling herself, anger prickled all over her body before she was swept into darkness, the shouts of the crowd quickly fading away. Barely noticing what had happened, she began to fight to get free of the shroud over her vision and mind.
"Eileen, stop or I'll drop you!" A voice growled in her ear. In the confusion, no one but Hermione and Ron had noticed Snape sweep into their stand and grab Eileen, carrying her out of the stadium under his cloak. Kneeling at the top of the dungeon stairwell, Snape wrapped his arms around her tightly to keep her from breaking free of the confines of his cloak.
"Dementors, Harry - " Eileen stammered, writhing wildly as she began to glow red.
"Potter is fine, Dumbledore caught him and chased the dementors away from the field, everyone is safe now...be still." Snape whispered in a calm voice, still keeping a firm grip on her.
"So...c-cold..." Eileen whimpered, her fury subsiding into its usual sorrow, her body shivering violently. The distraction of the dementors arrival had broken her concentration and the rain had soaked her through, her clothes clinging desperately to her lithe form as her teeth chattered. Holding her close and tenderly, Snape said softly, "I'm going to take you to the hospital wing, Pomfrey can - "
"No...stay...p-please." Eileen clutched at his robes, staring into his eyes pleadingly through the folds in his cloak.
With a grimace, the echoes of students entering the school pushed him to carry her down to his office quickly, quietly entering so that no one heard him. Carefully, he sat her in his desk chair and with a flick of his wand, dried her clothes instantly. Another flick and a fire roared to life within the icy stone hearth nearby and he removed his own cloak, wrapping it around her as he said, "I saw the dementors and remembered what you said about the train, I didn't think you would handle it well. It's good that I got to you when I did."
She stared vacantly at the wall, shaking beneath the folds of the robe, huddled in a ball on the seat looking pathetic.
He straightened, leaning on the desk as he whispered, "Still cold?"
"H-hold me..." Eileen muttered through her quivering lips, slowly looking up at him.
Tensing, he looked away and said, "I shouldn't..."
"P-please?" She begged, reaching a shaky hand out to him.
His fingers gripped the edge of the desk as he grit his teeth, keeping his eyes locked on the fire.
Letting out a tiny cough, Eileen moaned weakly, "I'm...cold..."
"But...I have no right..." Snape hissed, his nails digging into the wood. She whimpered pitifully before he said, "I'm not your father or your guardian, I am your teacher! I...I can't hold you, it's not right, Eileen."
"Then...make it right..." She whispered, "You promised."
"What? That's - that's not possible!" He argued.
"You promised...you'd take care of me..." A single tear rolled down her cheek before he broke. With great stiffness, Snape lifted her up and took her place, holding her securely in his arms as she wiggled free of the cloak and snuggled into his body warmth.
With a sigh, she whispered, "Thank you, father."
"I'm not..." He began to protest but hearing her say that, something about her shivering body in his arms, her tiny hands clutching his clothes, her head on his chest...it all suddenly felt right in his mind.
As they sat in silence, the crackle of the fire resonating off the stone walls, Snape muttered, "Why did you call me...your father?"
"Because, deep down...you've always been my real father, even if mother never married you."
"But..."
"You protected me from my father, something no one else seemed willing to do." Eileen's grasp on his clothes tightened.
"I...Dumbledore thought that you should..." Snape tried to reason around it but he couldn't think of an excuse.
"Plus you gave me your mother's scarf..." Eileen whispered, catching Snape off guard.
"What...are you talking about?" Snape said in an unsettlingly low voice.
"You were very fond of this scarf, it wasn't just a scarf, was it?" Eileen looked up at him and saw how upset he was that she'd mentioned it, quickly saying, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have, it's probably private."
"Who told you this?" Snape asked in a stiff voice.
She shrunk down into the cloak, refusing to answer and hoping he didn't get mad at her, clutching the scarf so he couldn't rip it off her neck in a fit.
With a sniff, he said, "I said it was just a scarf...nothing special about it."
"Are you...sure?" She whispered, uncertain about the way he said it.
Biting his lip, he said, "Yes..."
"You're lying."
"Are you calling me a liar?"
"I think I just did, yes..."
"Why?"
"Generally people make such assumptions when they think the other person isn't being honest with them, hiding the truth out of fear or self preservation."
"I'm not afraid."
"Then why are you saving face around me? You know I don't care...and I would never tell anyone."
"It's...not that important." Snape glanced across the room at the fireplace, trying not to let his heart pound.
"I could use a good story to keep my mind off the cold..." Eileen muttered, pawing at his sleeve to get his attention.
With a sigh, he muttered, "My life's not that entertaining."
"Says you, tell me about the scarf." She said.
"Is that an order?" He cocked his eyebrow, looking down at her in slight amusement.
"Take it as you will, so long as you tell the story." She sighed, snuggling into his chest again.
Taking a deep breath, Snape said, "If you insist. But that dogs not to know about any of this, do you understand?"
"My lips are sealed." She smiled, closing her eyes and settling in for his story.
"Your sources are correct, I did receive that scarf from my mother, it was the last thing she gave me before I went to school. She knit it herself, she was always good at patching things up and knitting garments, seeing as she did a lot of mending of clothing. Growing boy, you know how it is..." He muttered the last comment and she nodded in accordance. Taking another deep breath before continuing, Snape let out a sigh, "So I've had that scarf for...23 years? It's seen better days but I just fix it when it gets damaged, I suppose that'll be your job now."
"And I'll cherish it in honor of your mother, she was a good woman, no doubt."
"Yes...yes, she was." Snape deeply mumbled, his grip tightening briefly around Eileen.
"Severus..."
"Yes?" He loosened his grip as he looked down at her.
"What was your mother's name?"
"Why...do you ask that?" Snape sounded uncomfortable again and she said, "I've just been wondering, it didn't make sense why you were being nice to me before but now...I think I know why."
"And what is your assumption?" He said nonchalantly.
"Your mother...her name was Eileen, wasn't it?" She stared at him for what seemed like hours before he whispered, "Yes...it was."
"Am I anything like her?" Her eyes sparkled curiously, becoming excited about this new information.
"Not really..." He said, shifting nervously in his chair.
"So you like me for me?" If she had a tail, it would have been wagging right about then and Snape chuckled, to her surprise.
"Perhaps." Snape said, the visualization of her wagging happily amusing him greatly.
"You don't know how happy that makes me feel, Severus." She hugged him and he smiled.
"I think I do..." He whispered, pulling her closer as he felt a chill run down his own spine. Leaning his head back against the headrest, he said quietly, "Perhaps...you should take a nap, you must be tired."
She didn't feel tired but decided to play along, if only to be able to spend some time safe in his arms, far from the dangers and prying eyes of the world.
OoOoOoOo
It seemed like an eternity to Eileen what was only an hour, a sweet blissful hour of silence and tranquility within the darkness of Snape's office. She let out a little yawn as she woke, finding him to be asleep, his normally harsh features softened the way they were at Christmas last year. It brought a smile to her face, seeing him in such a vulnerable state like this must be a rare occurrence and she had no desire to wake him. Instead, she sat in his tender embrace and studied his features, trying to imprint this moment in her mind as best she could so it would return to her in her dreams someday.
Suddenly and to her despair, a knock came at his door and he woke with a start, nearly tossing Eileen from his lap had she not clung to his jacket.
"Professor Snape, might I have a moment of your time?" A voice called from the hall.
"It's Dumbledore, he never just comes to my office...this must be serious, you need to hide." Snape said quietly, pulling his cloak from her as she scrambled off his lap. Before he knew it, she'd transformed into her kneazle form again and scurried off to hide, leaving Snape staring after her for a second before sweeping around his desk.
Opening the door casually, he said, "Headmaster, what is it?"
"I was wondering if you might tell me what happened at the Quidditch match, Severus," Dumbledore said, looking expectant, "Are you going to invite me in?"
"Oh..." He stepped aside as Dumbledore entered the room, "What is this about the match?"
"You disappeared soon after the dementors arrived, I was curious as to where you had gone to." Dumbledore asked curiously, looking around the room absently.
"I had something to take care of." Snape answered simply, beginning to wonder where Eileen had taken to hiding.
"Oh really? Did everything work out?" Dumbledore wandered slowly with his hands clasped behind his back.
"I suppose...if you think I'm responsible for the attack, you're mistaken."
"My dear professor, I hope you didn't get the opinion that I was accusing you of anything, I was merely curious. It's not often that you miss the end of a match, you're quite an avid fan, if I'm not mistaken."
"No, it was...imperative to leave." He said, remaining by the door as Dumbledore idly examined a jar on a shelf near where Eileen had disappeared to.
"Was it?" Dumbledore muttered vacantly, "I assume the situation was handled carefully?"
"Carefully, sir?" Snape wasn't sure where he was going with this.
"It's quite delicate, I think you would take extra care not to...damage it." He knew, somehow despite the confusion Dumbledore had known.
"Of course...it's perfectly safe." Snape muttered, hoping Eileen didn't take it upon herself to appear simply because Dumbledore knew.
"That's good. You know, Severus, it might be in everyone's best interest if you took more care of the situation."
"Sir?"
"You seem like a capable man, you should be able to handle it on your own. I should like to discuss this further in my office at your leisure, if you have time tomorrow?" Dumbledore returned his attention to Snape who still seemed a little uncertain.
"If you think it's best."
"I do, Severus. I will see you after class then, good day to you." Dumbledore left the room quietly, letting Snape relax, though just barely.
"You can come out now." Snape grumbled, running his hand through his greasy hair.
"What was he talking about, Severus? What situation do you have to take care of?" Eileen padded across the cobblestone floor and looked up at him with her cat-like eyes.
"Nothing to concern yourself with. You should return to your dorm." He seemed distracted by his thoughts as he spaced out.
"Do I have to?" She looked sad.
With a brief moment of fond adoration, Snape stooped and stroked her hair once before saying, "Yes, I think so. Goodnight, Eileen."
"Goodnight, Severus." She sighed, transforming back and giving him a hug before departing, leaving him to stare at the glowing embers of the fire in contemplative thought.