She stared startled at his face not sure if she had read his lips correctly. But deep down she knew she had understood him just fine. Knowing she couldn't lie to him after his immense generosity, Dawn was going to have to tell him the truth, a truth that she had attempted to bury in the deep recesses of her mind.
Maintaining a good view of his face without having to look at his seemingly omnipotent eyes she took a deep shuttering breath trying to gage how much to reveal, without deviling into unfathomable memories that served as her personal hell.
" I believe I asked you question 'Miss. Jewell,'" Snapped the irritated Potion Master. Noting the range of emotions swirling in the young girls moist blue eyes, he realized that this was undoubtedly connected with the death of her mother and sighed inwardly. He had used up his limited allotted patience for emotional issues today.
Noticing slight lines of agitation that graced his almost impeccable emotionless face she, decided to take a page from his book. She had sensed that he was extremely uncomfortable when it came to emotions especially tears.
" It has to do with my mother Sir, she was grievously injured in a car accident when I was six years old." Gulping back treacherous tears that threaten to spill, Dawn took deep breaths in an effort to regain her mask of indifference. " Staying in the infirmary reminded me of that time."
Snape was grateful that he was spared the waterworks, but deep down he felt a twinge of guilt for being an insensitive cretin. Her tone was far to old for such a tender age, what other ordeals had she endured? Pushing the unwanted thought back into the murky depth of his subconscious he regarded the girl. Obviously she was withholding important details from her vague statement, but he decided that they both had been though enough this eve and it would do no good to reduce the child to tears through relieving painful memories.
" Very well, finish your tea and then I will be escorting you to your dormitory." His voice was dry as he picked up his own discarded cup while leaving the room, only to return with a clear glass filled with purple liquid.
Dawn looked at the cup with disgust; she didn't want to be drugged. Privately she acknowledged that she was extremely fatigued and perhaps taking the potion wouldn't be so bad, after all her stepfather wasn't here she was safe, wasn't she?
Watching to make sure that this sleeping draught was indeed consumed, he smirked evilly no student would ever hoodwink him, unlike some nurse he knew!
Taking the glass from her hands Snape waited until the potion took effect and the girl drifted off into Morpheus's arms. Shrinking the girl's school bag he pocked it, and then went to the task of gathering up the Slytherin. Grumbling all the while of the things he did for the members of his house.
Flooing to the fireplace in the girls' dormitory he was pleased to see all the occupants present were sleeping, making him breath easier. Taking the sleeping bundle in his arms to her bed he transfigured her clothes to nightwear and tucked the green duvet around her small form.
Brushing her dark mahogany locks away from her lightly freckled face, absentmindedly his silky voice was subdued whispering an old refrain as his Merman had often done when he was small. "Gentle child slumber in peace, dragons and centaurs will guard your sleep. Stars in heaven shinning oh so bright will be your guiding light."
Standing up hastily he retreated to his chambers weary but full of nagging suspicions that he couldn't place. Flopping down in a very un-Snape like manner on his couch his brain churned on the mystery that was Dawn Jewell.
