Usual Disclaimer: Updated March 2008.
The interior of the shop was dim, and dusty. The walls of the shop were lined with hundreds of wands in their boxes, just waiting for the right person to come for them.
Meg sniffed deeply, loving the smell of the shop. It reminded her of the first time she entered here with her father to buy her wand.
Mr Ollivander came through from the back of the shop. He surveyed them quietly as he came forward, waiting for his memory to supply the girl's name. His memory was flawless; give him a face and he could remember exactly what wand he'd sold them. Meg was no exception.
"Hello, Professor Snape. Professor Kincaid. I see you're teaching at Hogwarts now. Congratulations."
"Thank you." She smiled brightly at him and getting straight to the point she laid her wand on the counter.
"Mr. Ollivander, it's my wand."
"A nice one too, I remember you getting it." He smiled at her. "Ten inches, ebony with a heart string of Dragon. Ah! You've looked after it. Has it treated you well?"
"Yes, well, up till now; I think something's wrong"
" Really? Why?" He picked it up, surprise on his face.
Meg saw Snape drift towards the windows as she replied.
"It's doing strange things. About a week ago I wanted to transfigure something and it didn't work; nothing happened." She told him, folding her hands in front of her.
"Really?" His eyebrows went up as he peered at her over the top of his glasses.
"Yes, then the other night I tried Luminos and it didn't work either. Nothing happened at all."
"Curious," he murmured and held it out to her.
"Turn my book into a lamp please," he asked her, she muttered the spell and watched as the book slowly turned into a lamp.
"And back again, please." Snape had come across now and he stood at her elbow watching. The book re-appeared and Ollivander frowned.
"Very strange indeed." He took the wand from her and held it up, balancing it on one finger.
"Wingardium Leviosa," he muttered and the wand rose slightly, holding perfectly still and perfectly horizontal.
"Hum, its balance is perfect; Revealto Imperfecto." He shook his head when nothing happened.
"I can find no fault." He rubbed his fingers across his chin.
"It took a soaking recently when it fell into a river." She blushed slightly. "But I had it cared for and I was assured that it was fine."
"Wendoline's Wands in Hogsmede was it?"
"Yes. Wendoline saw to it herself. She had it for three days, gave it a complete check over and she said it had done no damage at it."
"Wendoline knows what she is saying," he murmured, fingering the wand carefully. "The river outside Hogwarts I suppose?" He watched her nod at him. "If it had been salt water I would be inclined to think the heart string might have shrunk; but fresh water wouldn't do any harm at all. How strange."
"Don't over-react to this, Professor Kincaid, but is it possible you merely said the spells incorrectly?" Snape waited for the outburst he was sure to get at suggesting she was using incorrect charms.
"No." She shook her head frowning. "That's what I thought. But it kept on happening." She shrugged. "Maybe I'm in need of a few hours tutoring in "foolish wand waving"." She nudged Snape and winked at him; but he remained frowning down at her wand.
"Have you been under any tension recently?" Mister Ollivander asked kindly.
"She fell down some steps recently and took a blow to her head." Snape informed him before Meg could say anything. She glared up at him but remained silent.
"That could be it; do you still suffer with headaches?"
Meg shifted uncomfortable, wishing Snape a million miles away now. He'd often asked her if her head was troubling her but she'd always lied and told him no. She didn't want to make a fuss.
"Er, um, occasionally, not blinding ones; just ordinary run of the mill ones that every teacher gets, including you I'm sure, Professor Snape."
"Quit covering your lies, we'll talk about that later," he told her coldly. He looked at Mr. Ollivander, who was watching them with interest.
"She was supposed to inform Madam Pomfrey of any pain, apparently she hasn't."
Meg rolled her eyes and sighing took her wand back.
"So it's that is it?"
"I can't say for sure." He was frowning. "You've had it a while, it would be attune to your moods." He shook his head in regret. "If it still acts up, come back and we'll find you another."
"Thank you." She smiled at him and tried to prolong leaving the shop; but eventually Snape almost dragged her out.
"I'm waiting!" He caught her elbow and steered her into The Leaky Cauldron'. He sat her down at a table and ordered some drinks.
"Care to explain now?" He sat with his arms folded on the table in front of him, his black eyes daring her to lie again.
"It's nothing, I used to get headaches before I fell; I can't keep hopping up to Poppy every time I get a twinge." she sighed.
"Megan. You can be so incredibly stupid. You knocked yourself out. You have a bruise which can still be seen in certain lights; a headache in these circumstances isn't to be taken lightly."
"I need to go the ladies!" She abruptly stood up, and walked out to the back of the Inn. She heard his angry hiss; knew he'd be livid with her when she got back. But for a minute she just wanted some peace and quite, her head was beginning to throb and she really didn't need to hear a lecture.
She went into the corridor behind the main counter and started towards the bathrooms. She was just outside the ladies when the lamps went out and she was plunged into darkness.
"Oh great," she muttered and drew out her wand.
"Luminos." But nothing happened.
"Damn wand!" she hissed and shook it up and down.
"Luminos," she repeated, but still nothing happened.
"Is there a problem with your wand, Meg?" came a low voice from behind her as the lamps suddenly lit again.
She turned sharply and saw Dean leaning casually against the wall arms folded.
"What are you doing here?" she squeaked, surprise making her voice high.
"Having a drink and something to eat; are you feeling all right, you seem a little flustered."
"I'm fine! Now go away," she hissed.
"I saw you with Snape; what were you so intently discussing out there?"
"Quidditch!" she spat. "Now back off!"
"Why do I doubt you'd be talking about Quidditch?" he laughed and pushed himself away from the wall to come towards her.
"It's none of your business what we were talking about," she said tightly, she felt very uncomfortable with him so close. She clutched her wand tightly.
"Now that sounds more like it," he laughed stopping just in front of her.
She instinctively raised her wand at him.
"Don't come any closer or I'll blast you into next week," she hissed at him, more scared than she cared to admit.
"I'd really like to see you try, Meg." He stepped closer a smug look on his face.
"Stupify," she cried, and nothing happened.
He clapped his hands together mockingly.
"Excellent." He stepped forward again his hand snaking up quickly to grip her round the throat, he thrust her backwards into the wall with force. Her breath was knocked out of her.
"How's your classroom?" he hissed, his voice and eyes full of venom. "I heard you nearly burnt it down, that wasn't very clever was it. Are you beginning to loose it? Forgetfulness is one thing but that was just plain dangerous."
"Get your filthy hands off me before I scream," she hissed, trying to drag his hand away and get her breath back.
"Oh, dear, then I'll just have to do this." He pointed her wand at her throat and Meg felt it seize. She tried to scream but no sound came from her throat.
"And I would so love to hear you screaming," he murmured. He kept his hand around her throat and drew his other one down her arm till he reached the edge of her robe. He slid his hand up her arm inside her jumper till he was gripping her forearm painfully.
"Does Snape make you scream?" he muttered.
Meg grew cold with fear. Her whole body screamed in fear and pain as his fingers dug deeper and deeper. The wand pressed deeply into the skin of her arm.
"Would you like me to make you scream?" He let her go and she slumped to the floor, her legs refusing to hold her up.
"Let me think, what can I do that won't look too obvious?" he pointed his wand at her.
She tried to get to her feet, but he brought his booted foot into her stomach, making her cough in pain, holding her down.
Hum, perhaps when you're back at school, another fall? Another broken bone? Shame you didn't get burnt by that potion, never mind, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" He laughed and in that instant she knew he was a little mad and it frightened her more than anything ever had.
"I can't wait till then though; you need to feel pain don't you. Pain purifies the soul. You should really suffer; taking a life is the worst sin you can commit. It's going to take so much pain before you're even close to being purified. But you'll thank me in the end."
He drew his wand down to her stomach.
"Agonortus," he whispered and Meg screamed silently as the pain twisted her insides into knots. He stepped backwards and smiled watching her writhing in pain.
"That should do," he muttered the counter curse and she slumped into a heap, sweat breaking out over her forehead.
"Obliviate," he whispered and bending over her he whispered quietly in her ear "You fell over again and you really don't want Snape to find out." He freed his vocal cords with a wave of his wand before he moved quickly away, waiting for the curse to take effect.
He watched from where she couldn't see him; a malicious grin curving his lips.
Meg rubbed her head; a black cloud hovered over her vision. Where was she? She felt as if she was just waking up from a very deep sleep, her head was aching slightly and she felt slightly nauseous. Her stomach felt as if it was on fire; a sob escaped her throat as the pain racked through her. She curled up, her knees tight to her chin; she just wanted to die.
She could hear the noises of the Inn behind her, and slowly her thought process kicked back in. Severus had been angry with her, she remembered getting up and walking away before she ended up slapping him.
What was she doing on the floor? Why did she feel so bad?
Did she trip again?
She had vague thoughts about falling, must have banged her stomach on something; the pain began to ebb away gradually leaving her feeling more cramped than painful. She got to her feet glad no one had witnessed this latest clumsy act. She took a moment, bent double, her arm protectively around her middle. Then she straightened up; a wave of nausea hit her and she just made it into the bathroom in time.
Snape glared at her as she sat down still feeling very disorientated. The pain had faded to a dull ache in her stomach; but she was still very foggy in her head. She couldn't remember falling; not this time, but it was there in the back of her mind; a whisper that she'd fallen again. She stared down at her drink, completely unaware of Snape's concerned gaze on her white face. She picked her drink up and sipped it slowly; the hot tea helped to settle the sick feeling that still hovered slightly.
"Care to explain why you stormed out again?"
Meg valiantly fought to get her mind under control, but the cotton wool that seemed to be her brain didn't want to comply.
"I'm fine, Severus. Please trust me. If I felt something was wrong I'd go and see Poppy." She couldn't meet his gaze. The accusation LIAR!' went through her mind. She'd realised that recently she'd become very clumsy, but it wasn't that that worried her.
It was the times like this, when something happened and she couldn't really remember it; except for a hazy hint of a whisper. It was strange and frightening because she'd seen something similar before; with her mother. She'd told Snape about her mother, but she hadn't told him everything. She hadn't told him how her mother had started to get ill. How she'd forget things, places, her own name sometimes. Then it got worse, as she regressed back into her childhood. Meg shook her head to clear her mind of those images. She wasn't going that way. It wasn't hereditary; it was just a gruel twist of fate. It wasn't possible for either her or her brother to inherit it from her mother; all the professionals had told them at the time. But that knowledge didn't take the cold fear away from the corners of her mind.
"Megan, do you want to go back?" his deep voice cut into her thoughts and she sat up, looking up at him quickly.
"Sorry? I was miles away."
"What is wrong? Do you have a headache?"
"It's fine really Severus. It's just a niggle, I always get headaches after travelling on trains."
"Convenient," he sneered and reached forward to touch her forehead.
"You're sweaty, but you're not running a temperature."
"I ran some water over my face out back. I'm fine can we please get on with ... whatever."
"If you have a headache maybe you could try and use your wand."
"Good idea," she agreed and slipped it from her sleeve.
She bit her lip and a ghost of a smile crossed her face, just before she tried to charm Severus nose into a melon. Nothing happened.
"He was right," she whispered and put her wand back, she took up the cup of tea and sipped it.
"Apparently so; I'm glad to say," he was aware of the charm she'd uttered. He reached forward and quickly stroked her cheek. She looked up in surprise at the public display of affection.
"Go and see Poppy about your headaches," he said it quietly, none of the usual arrogant sneer present.
She studied his face and saw concern in his eyes; it made her feel good, made her feel safe and secure.
"I'll go tomorrow," she promised him.
"Good." He sat back and the concern was replaced with the sneer.
"Did you have anywhere else in mind today?"
"I need the Apothecary, and Flourish and Blotts," she mused looking out of the window. "And of course the most important stop of all..."
"Ice-cream I suppose," he said dryly and smirked at her
"Do you like ice-cream?" she asked ignoring his mocking.
He nodded and finished his ale.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" she asked and stood up. Her stomach twisted in pain and it showed on her face before she could mask it.
He caught the look straight away and stood up quickly.
"What's up?" he demanded. "Are you in more pain?"
"No, relax will you, I caught my knee getting up," she improvised wildly, realising with a sinking heart how many lies she was starting to tell him.
"I think you need a good sleep, would you take a draught tonight?"
"Living death?" she asked in astonishment. "I don't have any troubles getting to sleep," she pointed out. Her stomach had settled again much to her relief.
"I think it would do you good, twelve hours of sleep that would be heavy enough for your body to mend itself. You underestimate how hard you hit your head."
"If Poppy was in any doubt she'd never have let me out."
"Poppy doesn't know how devious you are; I, on the other hand, do."
"Severus, I am not devious. Take it back!" She went through the door he held open for her.
"Certainly not. You're becoming adept at hiding the truth, or so you think."
"What do you mean?" she asked slowly, as he fell into step with her.
"You've lied several times about your head recently, haven't you?"
"You knew?"
"I knew," he replied; they made their way slowly to the Apothecary.
"You never said."
"You would have just denied it even more," he pointed out
"You make me sound like a liar," she whispered sadly.
"In this instance you are." He heard her gasp of breath but remained silent.
"Everyone has headaches, Severus, and they don't all go trotting up to Poppy. Besides I can brew my own potions, thank you very much."
"Suit yourself, it is after all your body. You are free to abuse it in what ever way you wish."
Meg stopped and glared at him but he kept walking till he was outside the door to the Apothecary. He turned to see her standing in the street; he clucked in impatience.
"Are you going to stand there all day?"
"Sometimes I really don't like you," she hissed as she drew level with him.
"Heavens, no," he mocked her. "How will I live through the night knowing that?"
"Shut up or you might not live through the night, I can brew poison too, y'know."
"Now I'm scared." His tone was bored and cold, making Meg almost spit in annoyance.
"It's nice to know something's never change; your bad attitude for one," she spat at him coldly.
"And your flair for the dramatics," he returned dryly as she stepped inside the shop, her back stiff with resentment.
He moved away before she could come back with some sharp witty retort, not that she could think of any.
She rubbed her hand across her sore stomach and went straight to shelves she wanted. She chose several items from the shelves and took them to the counter to pay. Usually she could spend hours in here, just browsing, studying the jars, packets and other strange items that littered the shelves. But today she just wanted to get out, back into the cold winter sunshine. She received her change with thanks and swept out of the shop, not even waiting to see if he'd finished.
Meg was in dire need of a pick-me-up. Chocolate flavoured with sugar glazed sprinkles. She made her way to the shop and setting her bags down at an outside table plopped down and waited for one of the waitresses to come out and serve her.
She sighed, her mind in a whirl, her thoughts tangled. Sometimes she felt as if she could cheerfully strangle him, he treated her so badly, said some wicked things to her but she always went back for more. He was like a drug that she couldn't free herself from; in truth, drug that she didn't want to be free from. Most of the time she was able to give as good as she got from him; knew that underneath it all he must feel something for her, even if it was just friendship. She knew that Severus was not the sort of man to spend as much time as he did with her if he didn't even like her. He'd even admitted that he did feel something for her. But she didn't feel up to it these days. She felt tired, so very tired; as if she was constantly on the go. As if her brain was working over time, even while she slept. For the last several days she had woken up feeling as if she hadn't gone to sleep at all.
But recently things had changed again beyond the tiredness.
If she was truthful she would have to say it had started with falling down the stairs. Little things had happened that she couldn't understand. Over heated a potion that had she'd been too close would have badly burnt her and the time she left a lit cauldron unattended. She was doing things that ordinarily she wouldn't. And it was making her tense and nervous. Her brain felt like it was a sieve, letting parts of her mind drip out slowly. She hadn't told anyone else, not even Severus, but with everything that happened, she couldn't actually remember it taking place. The same had happened in the pub just now and it frightened her; unsettled her, made her second guess herself, question her sanity.
Snape was just made things harder. She knew it was his way of caring; in that nasty way that he was so good at. She knew when he bullied her, spoke cruelly to her it was to get a reaction. If he didn't care he wouldn't bother at all. He was not a man given to kindness. She doubted he'd ever been kind in his life. Not unless he was getting something for himself. But then she figured, in this instant it was because he wasn't getting anything that made him react to her. Several nights now she'd gone to his rooms as usual. She'd make herself comfortable in his chair while he worked at his desk for a while. She usually read, but several times now, she'd fallen asleep before she'd finished the first page. She'd wake up in his bed the following morning, curled by his side with no recollection of how she got there.
Meg ran a hand through her hair and pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head. It had stopped snowing, but it wasn't melting yet, suggesting more was on the way. She gave a sharp laugh as she questioned the sanity behind eating ice-cream when it was just below freezing and snow still lay under her feet.
She shook her head to clear the tangle of thoughts. Ice-cream would help; chocolate ice-cream would make it all better. At least it had worked when she was a child.
She was half way through a giant tub of double chocolate fudge ice cream when a very annoyed Snape sat down opposite her.
"You really have this amazing knack of walking out on me, don't you. Did your parents neglect their duty in teaching you manners?" his voice was icy cold and dripping with contempt.
Meg bit her lip, her stomach was protesting against the coldness of the ice-cream. Her hands were freezing and her nose was red and runny; she wiped it on a hanky refusing to look at him
"If you really can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all please," she whispered, none of the asperity in her voice that he usually inspired. The chocolate ice-cream wasn't working quite as well as it had.
"Nice?" he spoke the word as if she'd sworn at him. He reached forward and dug a spoon into her tub; she sat back in the chair, pushing it towards him.
"Finish it," she muttered flatly. She had no energy to fight with him.
"I'm concerned." He sat back, the tub resting on his crossed knee; the spoon dangling from long fingers. His black eyes were watching her very closely, keenly.
"Don't be," she replied, watching the passing people with no interest. "I won't inconvenience you."
"What is that suppose to mean?" he asked sharply.
"It means that I'll deal with this myself without you having to worry yourself."
"Deal with what exactly?" he wanted to know his eyes narrowed.
She shrugged and carried on watching the passing people.
"Megan, don't shrug me off, talk to me," he commanded curtly, impatience edging with something else.
"There's nothing to tell. I'll get Madam Pomfrey to check the headaches. Satisfied? Now will you leave me alone?"
"No." He slammed the tub down on the table, causing a few people to look over in interest.
Meg flamed red at the attention and glared at him.
"Now who's working for the Oscar," she spat at him, getting up, brushing some sprinkles from her cloak. Some of her spirit refusing to stay completely down.
"What?" he frowned and then shrugging it off he caught her wrist in an iron grip.
"Don't you dare walk away from me again," his voice was dangerously low.
He drew her back down mercilessly, his fingers biting painfully into her wrist.
"Then don't be so bloody horrible to me," she snapped, painfully aware of both his fingers biting into her wrist and the strange looks people were giving them.
"Shut up, eat some ice-cream and quit whinging," He ordered.
"I'm not one of the students that you can just order around and bully," she informed him, her voice oddly flat.
He stared at her and released her wrist.
"Tell me what's wrong. You promised me once you'd talk to me, not run out," his voice was low and soft, but Meg wasn't fooled.
"I'm just not in the mood for having insults slung at me."
"I insulted you?"
"You called me a liar," she pointed out knowing she was grasping at straws with that one. She watched as more snow began to fall softly from the sky; it landed on his jet back hair, sprinkling it with white before it melted.
"You are," he stated quietly. "You lied to me very time you denied you had a headache, Megan, do I really have to treat you like a child to make you understand?" he shoved the ice-cream to one side and leant forward, completely ignoring anyone who still happened to be watching them.
She still refused to meet his eyes, not ready to see the anger that would be there.
"I do understand. I just wasn't that concerned. Everyone has headaches, now I know for definite it affects my wand I will pay Poppy a visit and get it sorted. Happy?" She still refused to meet his eyes.
Long, hard fingers gripped her chin.
"Look at me," he commanded, tilting her face upwards.
She looked into his black eyes and was taken by the surprise. There was no anger in them; just concern and the depth of it shook her to the core.
"I don't want you hurting," he whispered. He slid his fingers over her chin and cupped her cold cheek.
"Severus, people are watching you, don't you care?" She was wide-eyed, surprised at his show of concern in public.
He arched an eyebrow and smirked at her.
"Why should that concern me? Unless it concerns you; being seen to be intimate with me?" He let go off her instantly and Meg shook her head quickly.
"I don't care about other people. It's just I didn't think you'd..."
"Nobody is watching. They are too wrapped up in their own lives to worry about ours," he remarked and stood up.
"If you are finished I think we'd better get back to the train station."
"Why?" Meg looked up disappointed.
"Because you're paler than the bloody baron, it's snowing and I don't want to get stuck here and... I want to get you home." He held out his hand on the last few words making Meg's eyebrows fly up in surprise. She gathered her bags together and stood up. He reached for her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. He took her bags with his other hand.
"I did need to go to Flourishes..."
"Is it essential?" he asked her quietly, looking down at her with dark unreadable eyes.
Meg shook her head, her eyes large in her pale face. He was almost being nice and it unsettled her.
"What do you want?" she asked him warily as they headed back to the station.
Severus chuckled but it wasn't a nice sound.
"I suppose I deserve that question," he murmured. "What makes you think I want anything?"
Meg walked beside him, her hand warm. She shrugged, she had enough of lying to him today, beside the fact he seemed to know anyway.
"You're being nice to me," she said quietly.
"Okay, I'll admit it. I do want something," he smiled darkly, his eyes on the path in front of them.
"What?" she asked warily
"I want to get back to Hogwarts without any more insults being thrown and without you storming off to sulk."
"I do not sulk," she denied.
"Hum..." He arched an eyebrow at her. "But you are very accomplished and running off when the going gets tough."
"That's probably because with you the going is always tough," she snapped.
"I see I'm not going to get what I want," he mused dryly.
"You always get what you want, Severus. I've never met a man quite as skilled at getting what they want as you are."
He looked down at her briefly, his eyes narrowed.
"Are you going to chatter all the way home?"
"Probably; especially if it really annoys you," she replied sweetly.
"I'll have to think of a way to shut you up then, hadn't I?"
She settled down next to him on the seat, glad they had an empty compartment again. She reached down and undid her boots, slipping her feet out with a cry of relief.
"I have no idea why you wear those things."
"Comfortable," she replied, indicating the thick soles, as she rubbed her sore feet.
"Clearly," he mocked watching her rub her feet.
"I don't usually walk around Diagon Alley in them." She sat up and curled her feet under her, leaning against him.
She brought her bag up and dug into it and began rummaging through the things she'd bought. It was only a couple of days to Christmas and she had now got all the presents she wanted. She drew out a book "Herbology in your Kitchen by Delilah Smythe" and began to look through it, careful not to crack the spine.
"Longbottom, I suppose," came a dark sarcastic drawl.
"No, a book funnily enough," she replied, not looking up.
He snorted and shifted his position slightly, careful not to dislodge her from his side.
"Sharp tongued witch!" he growled.
"Who learnt from a master," she replied softly setting the book back in the bag and letting it slip to the floor.
"Have you got all the students gifts, or is Longbottom the only one?"
"Neville is the only one," she said quietly.
"Why are you his friend?" he asked her quietly, he moved slightly, his arm was going to sleep, so he raised it up, letting her cuddle down onto his stomach, his arm going around her shoulders. It felt odd to him at first, he felt awkward; but she was warm and he could see she was sleepy. The bruise on her forehead standing out on her pale skin; he ran his finger across it gently, but she didn't wince. He laid his hand on her arm; his other hand strayed to her hair by its own accord. He freed one of the combs that kept it off her face and ran his fingers through the tangles, till it flowed like silk through his fingers. He could smell the wafts of Apple and Cinnamon shampoo. It sent a shudder through him, right to the pit of his stomach. He lifted a handful away from her face and let her hair run through his fingers; it drifted down over her face, making her grimace as it tickled. He brushed it away from her face and stared down at her.
It knocked him sideways, that he was so comfortable with her curled up on him like this. At first he'd wanted to push her away. But it felt good; it made him feel content. Something he rarely ever felt.
"Earth to Severus, y'know, you're getting this nasty habit of asking a question and then zoning out when I answer it," her amused voice floated into his thoughts, bringing him back with a jolt.
"Tell me again," he said curtly, not about to apologise to her. It was her fault after all for having hair that distracted him.
"I like him," she repeated. "I know he annoys you, but then anything that breathes annoys you," She pointed out. He swatted her back gently; his hand crept round her waist to lie across her stomach.
"Are you aware of his parents?" he asked her quietly.
"Yes, I didn't know if you knew; not many people do. He's spoken about them a few times. I guess with my mother we have something in common." She closed her eyes, his hand running through her hair making her very sleepy.
"There's more to him than meets the eye. You think that because he's a gibbering wreak in your classes that he has no uses, no brain," she mumbled against his stomach.
"The boy is a walking disaster Megan, nothing will change my mind about Longbottom."
"He's a walking disaster around you," she pointed out. "I have no problems with him."
"He's melted three cauldrons this year," he pointed out smoothly.
"Two of those with the helping hand of Draco Malfoy," she reminded him, fighting to keep her eyes open
"Go to sleep Megan, and give me some peace," he muttered; aware by her breathing she was already fast asleep.
He stared down at her. She was so pale with dark smudges under her eyes. He knew she was still suffering with her headaches. He could tell just by looking into her eyes. He snorted softly; her eyes always gave her away. Usually they were bright, but when she was in pain they seemed dull, the grey a darker colour than normal.
He ran a finger down her cheek lightly and watched her nose twitch. He ran it down again and she flinched, her face burying deeper into his stomach. He stopped; his finger in mid air, he'd better not do that again.
He settled back slightly, looking out of the window.
Tomorrow he'd make sure she went to Poppy, even if he had to put her in a full body bind and drag her there; which he suspected he'd have to do.
A/N: I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this one posted.
I'm not sure of this chapter at all. This is the third attempt at writing it. I'm still not sure though. Any constructive advice would be very grateful.
This reason I've written it so many times and not been happy is that it seems to be getting out of hand a bit. I kinda lost it a bit here, or so I think. If you really hate this chapter I'll delete it and have another crack at it. I know where it's all going it's just getting hard doing it in the PG-13 rating.
I know how Dean is going to progress and I'm really not sure whether I should be upping' the rating. He's a nasty piece of work that really feels that Meg should be held accountable for his Sister's death. I think this chapter is okay and I'll keep posting in PG-13, but if anyone feels that it needs to go up please say so.
Thanks to P.A.R. for another thought provoking review. You were half the reason why this chapter got re-written first time around. I suddenly realised that Snape was OCC in a big way and it just didn't follow. I'm still not sure if he's reacting how he would in true form. I just feel that although he's acknowledged to himself he loves her, he's in no hurry to announce it. He's scared stupid of how it's going to change things. Plus being the self centred bully we all love, he's not exactly going to suddenly declare it from the roof tops. HeHeHe! Interesting scenario!
Thanks to everyone who is still battling their way through this and stopping long enough to review... I probably would have given up ages ago if it weren't for you.
P.P.S. Just a quick nip back before posting to say thanks to Mally... that was really encouraging!