It was rather early, the sun had just started peeking over the horizon. Slowly I looked about the room. Where was I ? I certainly wasn't in my room in Slytherin. My eyes started to adjust to the ever brightening light. I could see beds around me. The hospital wing ! I was in the hospital wing. Yesterday wasn't a dream. I stared down at my arm. White gauze engulfed the entire lower limb. I couldn't believe what Severus had done. I couldn't believe that Blaise had tried to kiss me again. I sighed. Thank goodness it was Saturday. No classes. And no Severus if I didn't want to face him. And I did not want to at the moment.

" Good, you're awake." Madam Pomphrey said approaching my bed. She knelt down and checked the bandage on my arm. " How are you feeling today ? "

" Like a fool, " Was my response.

" You are not the fool. Whatever monster that did this is the bloody fool, " She replied. " Everything looks all right. And your colour is back. Feel free to get up and dressed. Breakfast should be ready in the Great Hall around seven. It's five thirty, I'm sorry. Plenty of time though for you to change and get ready for the day, though. " I smiled up at the school nurse.

" A shower really does sound good. Thank you. "

" You should be just fine, Miss Taggert. But, in a week you need to either come back here for me to check your bruise out or you can have Severus do it for you. " I shivered at the thought. He was the one who gave me the bruise. Why would I want him to touch me ever again?

Once I was dressed I headed back to the dungeons and Slytherin House.

Holding my breath I snuck into my room and retrieved my wand. A snore caught my attention. I froze. My eyes flew to the bed that should have been empty. But, it wasn't. A huge form was sprawled beneath the dark green velvet counterpane. What the hell was Severus Snape doing in my bed ? Just as quietly I started out of the room. He moved and I froze again. I was almost home free. I held my breath and waited. He didn't wake up. I sighed in relief as I twisted the knob. Shutting the door behind me I sprinted across the common room to the girls' stairs. I knew the shower room would be nice and deserted at this hour. I was right. I conjured bath stuff and turned the taps on. Stripping I stepped into the shower.

After a nice thirty minute steamy hot shower I felt better. With a wave of my wand I had my things sent to Elisabeth's room. Which I made my way to. Once there I got dressed for the day. By the time I was ready it was seven forty - five. And Elisabeth was still asleep. I wondered if Blaise was. He and I needed to talk. But, I had no idea what to say. Sighing, I left for the Great Hall. There were some other students up at this hour. But, not much. Still I didn't want to run into Severus Snape just yet. So I decided to take a much more direct route to the Great Hall. Turning I went down a deserted corridor and slipped discreetly behind a tapestry of house elves. A wooden door hidden behind it opened to reveal a corridor that went directly up to the Great Hall. I was nearly to a turn when footfalls sounded. I wasn't alone in the corridor. Walking silently towards the corner I flattened myself against the wall listening intently. The footfalls had stopped, but I didn't hear a single voice. Someone was still there, I could tell. Slowly I peeked around the corner. My eyes widened at the sight. I was in shock. My mouth flew open, I couldn't believe what my eyes were showing me. Blaise locked in an embrace with another girl. I couldn't believe it. Blaise wanted me. At least he kept saying I was his and acting possessive and jealous of every boy at Hogwarts. Not to mention the hateful glances he threw at Severus. I didn't understand this at all. Tears clouded my vision. Finally I found my voice.
" Blaise ? " I asked. He pulled away from the girl that he had pressed against the castle wall. Turning his eyes flew to me.

" Briar ! " He gasped. Blaise just stared at me. Slowly I began backing away from him. He took a few steps forward, as if wanting to reach for me. He held a hand out.

" Wait. Briar, please, " Blaise begged. All I could do was just look at him. Then my eyes flew to her. The girl he had backed into the stone wall and was snogging belonged to Gryffindor. I looked back at Blaise shaking my head, then, I took off running. Why ? How could he ? I thought he wanted me. He was the one who wanted to marry me. I had to get out of there. Turning down a different

corridor I flew upstairs and out of the castle. I didn't stop until I was at my usual spot. Stripping I dove into the cool water, not caring if Severus beat me for it. With tears falling from my eyes I let the water close over my head. I needed this. For a moment I entertained the notion of just ending it all. But, I knew I couldn't do that. Not to the child I now carried.

I don't know how long I stayed in the Black Lake. By the time I pulled myself out of the water I didn't think there were any tears left. Climbing up to my normal spot I laid down and just let the sun and the cool breeze take over. But I was wrong about the tears.

Severus had been looking all over the castle for me. When he couldn't find me anywhere in the castle he headed outside.

Finally he found me out on the rocks that bordered the lake. Sitting down beside me his gaze roamed over my features. She's crying. Whoever did this will pay. Severus wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his embrace. I went willingly, turning my face against the solid chest. I cried into his chest as he held me. Over time the tears started to slow.

" Sor, sorry, " I breathed shudderingly looking up into deep dark brown eyes.

"You ! " I shouted and began struggling.

" Briar, " He said softly. " Please. "

" Please, what ? " I was still shouting. And the tears came back. " You, you hurt me ! " I tore myself out of his arms and jumped to my feet. I couldn't look at him. I couldn't look into those eyes after what he had done to me.

" Briar, we need to talk. "

" No ! " I yelled. " You want to talk and just expect me to attend to what you say. Haven't you learned by now I'm my own person ? That I will do whatever the hell I want to ? " Tears still streamed from my eyes. Severus Snape rose to his feet.

" Calm yourself, Briar. "

" No ! "

" If you do not calm down you could have another attack and I do not want to have to deal with another one of those. "

" Fine ! " I couldn't help the tears still falling. But, I lowered my voice. " You hurt me. "

" Yes, " He said quietly, " I hurt you. But, dammit, Briar ! I don't share. I won't share you with any one else. "

" You don't have to worry about that anymore ! " I sobbed.

" What are you talking about ? "

" Never mind ! "

" No, tell me. "

" Fine. You're not the only one who hurt me. "

" What are you talking about ? What did he do ? " He asked as his eyes narrowed. "So help me if he hurt you he'll fin ... "

" He didn't lay a finger on me, " I said quietly. " He, he kissed another girl ! " The tears came back. He didn't move. He was shocked that Blaise Zambini would do that. After all that I had seen I didn't think that boy would ever lay a finger, let alone his lips, on another girl. He had been quite persistent with Briar. Always there for her every time that I had done something to hurt her. Severus Snape sighed.

"I luved him ! " I sobbed. He took the steps that bridged the gap between us and hauled me into his arms. I struggled at first. Then sobbing I fell against his chest. Severus Snape kissed the top of my head then muttered,

" I know the feeling. " He knew because it was what he felt when he saw Blaise kissing me and in a fit of jealous rage he had grabbed me.

Opening the heavy door Severus Snape saw Albus Dumbledore's blue eyes peering at him from behind his spectacles.

"May I speak with you, Severus?" the powerful wizard asked tentatively.

"Of course, Albus. " He sank into the chair that appeared before the massive desk wondering why the headmaster summoned him to his chambers. " Just what is it you wish to talk with me about, Headmaster ? " Severus inquired, sighing inwardly.

" You love her, do you not ? " Straight to the heart of the matter, Professor Snape thought as he sighed again. Just what he needed the old fool wanting to talk about his predicament again.

" I am afraid so," He whispered as though admitting a sin against God. He couldn't quite look the headmaster in the eye. Professor Dumbledore laughed.

" It's not quite so bad, Severus. What is so wrong that you feel that you cannot be loved or feel love in return ? "

" How could anyone luve me ? Why would anyone love me ? " He asked rhetorically.

" You know what I am, what I was, what I have become. "

" Everyone has something to give in some form or fashion, Severus, " Professor Dumbledore said. Severus considered what he was going to say, weighing the words that were buried deep inside wanting to spill forth. A long moment passed before he spoke,

" I had to watch my father drink himself to death because of a woman he fancied himself in luve with. My mother married the man because the name Snape held power. Not because she held him in fond regard. She berated him at every turn, verbally abusing him until nothing was left. Not even his own self-worth. "

" Perhaps she did the same thing to her

son, " The headmaster said quietly, peering intently at the silhouette lit by the fiery flames. Severus ignored the remark. He laughed, the sound bitter and hollow.

"My mother did not care about me or my siblings. All she wanted was power. It was what she luved. What she craved. Father used to tell me that I was just like her. I am, " He said glancing down at himself. "I wanted to be powerful, respected and feared. Held in awe. I loved it when people whispered about me behind their hands, a twinge of fear in their voice and within their eyes. It was intoxicating. " Professor Dumbledore had never heard Severus speak like this before. He let the younger man continue for he sensed this was a confession. A catharsis. One that was long overdue. " A long time passed before I ever came to terms with just what I was doing. I was turning people into my mother, into me. A creature with no self-worth, no self-respect.

" Then, Albus, you offered me the deal of a lifetime, protection from Lord Voldemort if I divulged information concerning his activities, a meager attempt to warn those who had in fact become his unknowing targets. " Another laugh sounded, derision evident inside the hollowness. " Marriage, quite a sacred institution. Fit only for those weak enough to just give their hearts away to someone who can so easily destroy them. With, but, a look, or a single word. My mother made a mockery out of the matrimonial state. Look at me ! My body has turned traitor. My thoughts turn to her at the oddest moments. My heart races when I catch, but, a mere glimpse of the girl. "

" I have always liked you, Severus. Almost as if you were the son I never had, " Professor Dumbledore told him amiably.

"You are one of a very select few, Albus, " Severus said, turning serious dark eyes towards the older wizard. " Why do you suppose that is ? Could it be because you are a blind old fool who doesn't recognize the viper he allowed into his castle ? She is just as foolish as you are. " Professor Dumbledore ignored the derisive comments directed at his person, but, frowned at the scathing remark about the young woman in question.

"She has put up with a lot this year. She has cared for you for so long, Severus. But, for some reason she doesn't think that she could ever show you her true feelings. Though she appears delicate she is not a fragile flower. Miss Taggert has always had a vast supply of unending strength. An oak tree withstanding all forces of nature cannot match the strength that is found deep within that girl. She can withstand a great many challenges. But, everybody has a breaking point. Evidently, she sees something in you that others do not. You have the potential to be a great and wise wizard, Severus. But, do you honestly think that our Miss Taggert just wants the notoriety that goes along with your name ? True, true, women are a fickle creature. Miss Taggert, I know could probably try the patience of a saint. Her heart, though, is quite vast. Once a woman finds the one that holds her heart within the palm of his hand they give that man a great power. Luve. It is a blessing and, yet, it too can be a curse. " Professor Dumbledore stood up walking over to the tormented young man. Placing a hand on his forearm, deliberately over the dark tattoo that once labeled Severus Snape a Death Eater, but, now tormented the man, he said, " She trusts you, Severus, with her heart and even with her life, whether you believe it or not. Accept it for what it is, a great treasure. And quit placing conditions upon your heart. You need to stop beating yourself up, Severus. It is really not such a bad situation. Everything, you shall discover, always has a risk. " Professor Dumbledore smiled at him reassuringly, then, standing up behind the desk left for the Great Hall. Professor Severus Snape stood there a few minutes reeling from the unexpected confession and Albus Dumbledore's sage words. What if ? What if he was right ? That I am not a monster. But, a man. A man with wants and needs. Desires and feelings. I am after all, human. The revelation stunned him. Turning he strode out of the Headmaster's office.

That night a storm surrounded the castle. Thunder boomed loud and hard. The sound reverberating throughout the castle. Even down in the dungeons. A light flickered in the potions master's chambers. I was fast in the clutches of dreamland even though I had tried waiting up for Severus. Professor Severus Snape had stayed up grading papers. But, at the moment his head laid upon the ebony wood. A silver mist swirled around me. Spark - ling moonlight within an otherwise moonless night. Then it began to fade away revealing a lone figure standing before me. Slowly I walked towards her. Looking up into my face she smiled. Those eyes. Those blue - green eyes held so much within their ocean's depths. I could see a wealth of emotions swimming within, calling to me. Slowly my lips lowered, she kissed me back.

" Severus, " Briar whispered, "I love you."

" What do I do ? " I can hear myself asking.

" Follow your heart. " I heard a voice.

" I don't know how, " I admitted.

" Let her show you, " It answered.
" Do you love her, Severus ? " Professor Dumbledore's voice asked that question again.

" YES !!!!!! " I heard the word echoing within my head.

" Do you love her ? "

" Yes." Finally I heard my own voice. "Yes, I love her. "
Professor Severus Snape woke with a jerk. Sweat dampened his forehead as he nearly fell out of his chair. His head and heart were pounding a heavy tattoo.Getting to his feet he made his way to the bed. Slowly he sank down onto the mattress, gazing down at my slumbering form. What if, after all this, I'm too

late ?

" Have you given any further thought to our previous conversation, Severus ? " Professor Dumbledore asked.
" Yes, Albus, " Professor Severus Snape answered. " I have come to a final decision."
" And ? " Professor Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
" There is actually something that the Headmaster does not already know ? " Severus said. The bare hint of a smile threatened.
Professor Dumbledore smiled, " Timing can be of the essence, Severus. "
" Indeed. Now, Headmaster, if you have no further use for me ? "

" None at all, my dear friend. I can sense that you are anxious to go and find Miss Taggert then. Good luck. " Professor Dumbledore smiled at the potions master's retreating form.

I was sitting down behind Professor Snape's desk grading papers from the last class for the day when the door was slammed opened. I looked up to find Severus leaning against the doorjamb, a wicked grin playing over his lips. I asked,

" Did I forget something ? " He strode across until he stood towering over me. " Yes, you forgot something. Something very important, " He snapped.

"I'm sorry. What did I forget ? " I asked.

" This, " Professor Snape said gruffly. Then his lips were upon mine, hungry, wanting. Pulling the chair away from the desk he hauled me up into his arms. His tongue pushed past my startled lips eager, wanting a taste. I was surprised at his openness and boldness for Professor Snape was quite wary about public displays of affection. He didn't want anyone to know that we were engaged, that we were luvers. I returned the kiss with equal fervor for the last time we kissed was early this morning before I left his chambers. Pulling away slightly Severus Snape looked down into my blue - green eyes.

" Briar, " He started, " I ... Hell. I don't know how to say this. I have never said it to anyone. "

" What is it ? " I asked. He had piqued my curiosity. " What ever it is I won't get mad. You know that. "

" Yes, I do, " Severus Snape sighed.

" This is just hard for me to say. Hell, Briar. " He turned away. My hand reached for his shoulder.

" What is it ? "

" No, don't touch me. It will be better if you do not touch me. It will be easier in saying it. " The potions master moved away from me. He began pacing. I was worried. But, intrigued. What was going on inside that mind of his ?

" Dammit, I guess what I am trying to say is that I cannot get you out of my head. "

" And that's a bad thing ? "

" Briar, " He threatened. " Let me continue. As I was saying. You have gotten into my head and refuse to leave. I find myself looking forward to the night knowing you will be curled up right beside me. Then I cannot wait for the morning light just to be able to see your face, to see the sun's light dancing across your soft, pale skin. I don't know what this feeling is. But, I do know that I don't want it to end. "

" Severus, " I said. Turning his eyes met mine. " What you are describing is how I feel, as well. It feels like forever and a day that I have waited for this. I have fought to keep hidden exactly what I feel for what seems like forever. What you are describing is luve. "

" This is what luve feels like ? "

" Yes, " I said simply. " Does that mean ... ? " I couldn't wait to hear it. I had to hear it. I needed to hear those words. Knowing now that this was finally coming from his heart.

" That I do not want anyone else to have you, yes. " I laughed, shaking my head.

" You know what I mean. "

" That I don't want another man to even touch you, let alone look at you. " I just looked at him. " What do you want me to say ? "

" I'm waiting. "

" ALL RIGHT, DAMMIT ! " Professor Severus Snape roared as he walked towards me.

" I luve you. I luve you, plain, pure, and simple. " His deep dark brown eyes stared deep into my blue - green ones.

" I luve you, Briar, " The potions master finally admitted. Then, his lips covered mine.