Disclaimer: Not mine.

The Uninvited

Chapter 10

"Miss Bentley," Minerva said with her back to the witch, "I am not finding much here that will be of any of assistance I am afraid."

The younger witch chewed the inside of her cheek watching Minerva give up her search of the bookshelves, sighing when she returned to the desk and sat down to talk.

"My dear, by the time the First Years come to us, they already have the basics down. They acquire more reading skills in their many assignments, but to teach the topic itself… we have never had the need before."

"I have, however, given Severus access to our account at Flourish and Blotts. I am sure he can find the necessary books for a new reader among their many tomes." She stood indicating their session over. "However, do remind him that his name will be removed from the list again, if he dares to have you read refined potions books as an excuse to fill his library."

"I am sure he would not dare," the witch laughed seeing the scowl on Minerva's face.

"Oh, my child, you really do not know that man at all."

As the two witches walked down the hall chatting about what type of books to keep Severus away from, they looked up to see him striding toward them.

'Minerva," he greeted the older witch with a nod. "Miss Bentley."

"Severus, you got my message. Good." Minerva looked down at her robes, fumbling in her pocket until at last she pulled out a piece of parchment and held it out to him.

"Miss Bentley will need some robes, and such. You are to accompany her and help her with the choices. Make sure they are appropriate young man." She stood with the parchment still in hand looking at him sternly.

"Minerva, I will not do this." He crossed in arms looking down at her.

"Great Merlin, you do not have to help her change, just find suitable clothes for the Hogwarts occasions and a couple of daytime robes. She will be with us for a while it would appear." Minerva sniffed.

"Do you not think she is a little old for school robes?"

"Professor Snape, you will do as I ask," she said closing the distance between them and shoving the list in his pocket.

She then turned, patted the witch on the cheek and smiled sweetly.

"Do have a good time my dear. Make him buy you lunch." She winked and walked off.

"She really is nice Severus. You should not treat her thus. She is older than you… isn't she?" The witch looked up at him seriously. "You really do not show her respect nor do you use your manners around her."

"Leave it alone witch. Do not tell me how to treat others. And do not … of course she is old …. Enough." He turned to the front door leaving her to follow in his wake.

"We need to find a book on modern language as well." They walked in silence as he thought, then stopped. "Miss Bentley, excuse me for asking, did your grandfather also… did he use words such as thus."

"What?"

"I was merely attempting to come up with a list of wizards that keep themselves cut off from the world more than others. Our speech can offer many clues."

"That's what they said about you," she said innocently. "They said you sounded like you were from… let me see… yeah, that you thought you were from someplace higher than you were. That you talked uppity."

He scowled at her and turned back to the path hearing her hurried footfalls behind him slow until he knew she had stopped.

"I would suggest you keep up unless you care to hear how low my language can become," he snarled.

"Listen, perhaps I should just wait here. You know I have to learn my letters. You said so yourself," she said, looking across the space that had grown between them.

"Witch, I have my wand in my hand. I grabbed onto it the moment you started to fall back," he said, taking one step closer. "If you are preparing to run, as I know you are, I would also suggest that you reconsider that plan."

She knew he was getting angry by the way he had lowered his voice and how me moved more slowly. She took two steps backward, heard his hiss, and stopped.

"Listen," she smiled trying a new tactic, her voice sweet and shy, "If I just wait here, then you can finish so much faster. I have all those nice clothes in my chambers, and a whole library to use for books."

"You suggest that I buy robes without them being fitted to you?" He strode up to her, walked around her allowing his eyes to wander over her form.

"Perhaps a handful of breast and a feel of that arse and I could judge the size better." He chuckled when she stomped to the main gates ahead of him with her face turning red.

At the gates she had to stop and wait, she had no idea which direction to take. Smirking at her dramatic exit with no place to go, Severus merely pointed to the left. She strode off before he was next to her, walking ahead of him with her chin held high. He continued to walk behind her, interested in how long she would keep up this pretence of shock and anger.

She maintained her poise all the way to Hogsmeade, and then her strides became shorter. He noticed that her head wasn't held quite as high, and the way that she wrapped the robes more tightly around herself. He admired her tenacity as she kept walking, slower perhaps, but not stopping or lowering her chin completely.

He lengthened his stride to pull up next to her, allowing her to reach up for his arm. They walked through the small village slowly, allowing her to adjust to the place. When at last they reached the end of town, she turned to look back.

"Now," she said, smiling, "that wasn't so bad. I thought a city would have more people. I can do this. It's not scary at all."

"That my dear is why I brought you here first, to get you used to the big city." He smirked as he pulled her to him, stepping into her as he did. "We are shopping in Diagon Alley."

Before she could question, or protest he apparated them both to the Wizarding district of London.

As soon as her feet touched the stones, she turned to the noise and crowd of the Alley. Putting her hand in her pocket, instinctively looking for a wand and finding none, she walked backwards, wanting if nothing more to keep her back to a wall. She cowered as a sea of colour assaulted her, sounds rushed at her and smells pushed her back.

She pulled up the hood on her robes and wished it were night. The light confused her, it bounced off glass and came back to hit her eyes. She felt the wall as she backed into it and began to slide to the ground, only for Severus to grab her wrist and pull her back up.

"Oh no, you don't. I thought you said you were fine." He pushed her hood down to look at her face, and immediately pulled her into a side alleyway away from the crowded street.

"I was going to suggest we start with lunch, however, I do not think even you would be able eat now." He tried to sound angry, but the effect was lost on her as he pushed the hair back from her face and wiped her eyes with the pad of his thumb.

He looked around and saw they had ended up at the side entrance to Flourish and Blotts. Pulling her along behind him, he hissed. "We will start here."

He pushed her into the store ahead of him knowing that at this time of day the bookstore would not be overly busy. He only hoped he could find what he needed with minimal trouble. He grabbed the witches arm, and dragged her to the front desk.

The two clerks recognized him as he approached, causing the shorter of the two to smile at the other.

"Your turn, I had him last time."

"Great, if he hexes me let my Mum know," he said with a frown.

"Young man," Severus sneered as he approached the counter, "This witch has need for basic reading materials. You will provide her with what she needs."

"Basic sir?" the clerk asked weakly "As in, how basic?"

"As in what the letters look like. BASIC, you dimwit." Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, wanting thing over.

"Severus! He is only helping, watch your manners," she hissed at him and looked at him sternly.

"I need the basic reading material. What would you suggest for children just learning to read?" she asked without a trace of embarrassment. Her tone saying she was in charge.

Severus looked at her, waiting for the ruse to begin. He was still fuming at her public scolding; however, he was just as speechless that she would have the temerity to push him aside. Lifting an eyebrow, he folded his arms and watched.

The clerk smiled at the witch, he had never seen anyone even try to stifle the Potions Master, but to succeed was something to see. He had witnessed an occurrence that would go down in the history of Flourish and Blotts. He would talk about this for days, and share the story at lunch. He happily turned to the spunky witch and gave her a wide smile.

"I think you will find what you want over here, Madame." He walked to a small bookcase behind a seating area while she followed behind. "Here you are, if I may make a suggestion?"

"Of course you may, I was hoping for some help, and he," she said jerking her head and rolling her eyes toward Severus, "really isn't helping at all. Thinks he is too good for us."

She looked back at Severus to see him scowling at her. He would later ask what had possessed her, but for now, all she saw was a smirk and a sneer that she wanted to wipe off his face.

"You would think that a Professor would take better care of his own charges would you not?" she whispered sadly, shaking her head at the clerk. "After all she didn't ask to be born. She didn't ask to go uneducated and hidden away."

"His charges?" the clerk said handing her two more books.

"Well, he can say anything he likes, but we all know that he did not just find her in a cabbage patch, don't we?" she added with another sad smile.

The clerk continued to look at the witch in front of him, over to Severus and back to her again.

"He didn't even want to bring her today, imagine that, as if he was embarrassed of her, his own… well enough said. Just think about it, she does not even know her father's name. Poor dear, he plans to hide her away, embarrassed he is." She sighed heavily as if considering some poor waif's fate.

"It is a damn shame," she hissed, and then turning back with a bright smile, she walked to Severus presenting him with a pile of books.

"I think these will do," she said lightly, and stood back as he walked to the counter to make payment.

The clerk gave him a dirty look and shoved the bags back at him with a sneer of his own.

Severus looked at the clerk, then back at the witch, and picking up the bags he grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.

"What was that about?" he asked looking down at her.

"Severus, you said I could buy the books I needed, if it was too much I can take them back."

"You seemed rather comfortable in there. Are you getting used to all this?" He waved his hand indicating the Alley in general.

"I find that if I look down, or even in the windows, and do not look too far, it is better," she said honestly. "But, please, don't go far away."

"Minerva has given me orders witch." He turned her up the street. "You need robes, we will go there." He pointed to a small robe shop the next-door down.

As they entered, a small bell twinkled, making Severus roll his eyes. He directed the witch to the back of the store where he knew Madame Malkin kept her fitting rooms.

"Why Professor Snape I have not seen you in here in…." she started but Severus cut her off .

"Yes yes, quite right, however this time I have something far different in mind. This is Miss Bentley, a guest of Hogwarts. She will be with us for a while and will need appropriate robes." He spoke sternly looking down his nose, turning to the witch he added.

"Get what is on the list. If you need anything else, Madame Malkin will make the arrangements. I shall wait there." He pointed to a chair near the fitting rooms.

Madame Malkin took her by the arm and led her over to a rack of robes hanging across the aisle. As they looked though the robes, the witch kept looking to Severus, who would nod to her, giving her assurance as to his presence.

"He always approves the purchases you know. If he thinks the gown or the robes not becoming he will not approve the purchase." The dressmaker smiled at her and winked. "So, you need not worry, he has exquisite taste."

"Oh, and he comes in often?"

"No, not often. And never twice with the same witch." Madame Malkin said looking at the young witch carefully.

"Here it is, let's try this on, just for size." She smiled and started back to the fitting room with the witch following her.

Madame Malkin entered the fitting room first, and the witch stopped. She would not be comfortable with the dressmaker seeing her body; she could not hide the scars. She turned to see that Severus had come to his feet and was approaching her.

Madame Malkin realizing the witch did not wish to enter with her went out to stand beside the pair.

"Miss Bentley, Madame Malkin is aware that the witches I bring in here are involved in the, shall we say, the less seemingly side of things. She has seen war scars before, and she is known for her silence. If that were not so, I would not have brought you here."

Turning to Madame Malkin, he raised an eyebrow, "As I do not know how much of her fear is from a false modesty with her body, perhaps you would be as good as to use a glamour if she becomes uncomfortable."

"Oh course Professor; I shall be glad to help turn your duck into a swan at the same time," she grinned, "Come my dear."

The witch followed her into the fitting room. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying on clothes, deciding on colours, picking the right fabric for the right gown, matching shoes and looking at an array of stockings, dressing gowns, and to the witches embarrassment having Severus even help decide which undergarments and night clothes she was to have.

He did not rush her, or act impatiently. He sat nodding, or with a simple frown dismissed the dress from consideration. As they were almost finished, he called Madame Malkin to make one more purchase.

"You have noticed no doubt that Miss Bentley has certain areas that she would not like to be viewed. We have not as of yet found if the scars can be removed. However, she will need a gown for the upcoming festivities at Hogwarts, perhaps two." He saw her nod of understanding.

"Fine, then." He rose and began walking toward the fitting room only to turn back. "Of course you know that the additional gowns will be billed to my personal account, as well as these undergarments."

Madame Malkin smiled and nodded to him. "As I suspected Professor, I don't think Minerva would be happy at the cost of what you have chosen."

"Perhaps not," he smirked and turned to see the witch walking toward him. He had made sure that all the dresses could be altered to lower the necklines, or raise the sleeves as the scars diminished, but she looked lovely.

The fabrics were softer, silky and ran over her skin smoothly, not grabbing at the scars. The dresses did not fit snugly on her hips and breasts, but he anticipated that when she returned to her full weight they would be stunning.

He offered her his arm, and together they left the store, walking along for a few minutes in silence.

"Severus, Thank you."

"It was Minerva's…." he started as she cut him off

"Just never mind," she sighed.

"Fine, you are welcome."

"Now was that so bad?" she gently chided, then did a poor job of stifling her laugh.

Pushing open yet another door, he pulled her in with him. This space was dark, dusty and cramped; she could smell old wood, and polishing oil.

"Ollivander!" He called to the man on a ladder at the back shelves.

"This witch needs a wand." Severus scowled, as he demanded attention.

The thin man looked down from the ladder, smiling as he saw who had entered.

"That is the only reason one comes in here Professor," he said as he came down the ladder. "Since it is wands that I sell, I would say she has come to the right place."

"Now young lady," he smiled at her, "what had you before?"

"I had use of an old wand, a 13 inch, maple, I am unsure as to the core."

"A 13 inch? For such a small witch?" He turned to the shelves. "Maple you say? Why I have not sold a maple wand for many years now, not a wood of substance you know."

He walked into the back and brought forward three boxes, which each held a 13-inch wand, none worked for her properly. He tried two more, and then walked back to the stores, again returning with yet another stack.

"You know what I always say? The wand does the choosing, I would guess that right now a wand is in here just trembling to get out of the box."

"Then this should work." The witch raised her right hand and said clearly, "Accio My Wand."

They heard a crash and the sliding of boxes. Severus looked at the witch and then to Ollivander, seeing his startled expression. The witch stood with her hand up waiting for the familiar slap of wood against her palm as both wizards looked at her.

"Well, now that worked." her smile lit her face.

Ollivander stepped up to her and gently took the wand. He examined it, re-measured and weighed it.

"Ebony, double core, unicorn blood and dragon scale, 13 inch. A very strong wand for a witch."

"Perhaps Professor, we should continue looking?" She almost laughed at Severus' shocked face. "It did come to me, but maybe it was wrong?"

Severus knew the importance of the wand. It was a strong wand, as strong as his own. It wasn't a wand made for a slight witch, or one that hesitated. It would need a strong heart and resolve. He looked at Ollivander and saw his hesitation mirrored. "We will take the wand, with the understanding that it will be returned if found unsuitable," he said with finality in his tone.

He looked at the bill of sale before affixing the Hogwarts seal and then switched the seal to his own. Ollivander looked at him in question, but Severus only nodded, and turned to leave.

"Miss Bentley if your sleeve is long enough to put that away please do so before leaving the shop." He smirked down at her, watching as she examined her new wand.

"Thank you sir, for finding my wand," she smiled as she left Mr Ollivander to clean up the mess.

"Do we eat now?"

"We eat now." He took her by the elbow and steered her to the Leaky Cauldron.

"If you would rather not eat here. We can head back."

"We eat now witch, it is past 7:00 pm." He continued walking, pulling her roughly along.

"We could call the kitchen elf."

"What witch, what is it now?" He asked, trying to sound patient but failing.

"I am tired and I don't want to sit with strangers…please."

"You have had a long day and wish to go home?" he smirked. "You must feel badly indeed to turn down a meal."

"I can't do this much more," she whispered standing on her toes and leaning into him to talk into his ear. "Please, you … you don't know how… I'm sca… please. I don't like it here. They look at me, and I know I am doing things wrong… please, just take me back."

He nodded and pulled her into his side, apparating her back to Hogwarts.

"Thank you Severus, it has been a little overwhelming." She stepped back, reddening and lowered her head when her feet hit the ground.

They walked back to her chambers in a comfortable silence. She opened the door and looked up to him questioningly.

"If you want to join me I can call the elf. You missed your dinner and they will send anything you want, and as much as you want. Did you know that?"

"Not tonight witch," he answered stepping close to her, raising his hand to her face , running the pad of his thumb over her lips, and then left her for his own chambers.

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