A Secret Admirer

Okay, this one, truly and finally is ending. Two more to wrap it up and then it is officially a wrap, so I can work on other ones. Still sad though…

I must forewarn…the next chapter 37 will be VERY interesting…

Chapter 36 : Only To Save You

Alecto met him well away from the gates of Hogwarts. But he kept an eye out. He could take care of this and then she would leave. And he would still have time to take care of Vector too.

He was nothing if not a master manipulator.

From the top of the hill he eyed Vector slowly making her way carefully to the castle. She was always extremely careful and took her time, noting her surroundings. Usually, he wished she would just hurry and get back to her rooms, tonight it was in her favor.

The ugly, pudgy woman in the overlong black robes, narrowed her eyes and addressed him where he stood a few feet away from her.

"So this, Hector."

"Vector, Professor Vector." If he denied it now, they were lost. If he played it off like it was nothing, than it would be, in many eyes….

And it wouldn't matter. He told her that his work wouldn't allow him to be with anyone. And it was nothing suspect because it was what he told everyone. Even Felicia…even when people had asked about that too, a long time ago, and out of fear Alecto would withdraw and that would stop any of Bella's machinations and he could smooth it over with Narcissa too, so the topic would never be broached again. Whether Alecto, which Narcissa daintily snorted at in amusement, Vector, or anyone else.

He had thought it through for a while, and again on the way over…

The Dark Lord…it was amazing that in these circumstances he would be the easy part. He knew…it was only Lily I had ever wanted in my youth and afterwards, and he hadn't put much stock in that either. He would want no distractions with the work I did for him either. One word and Alecto would leave me be and that would be the end of it. She couldn't defy the Dark Lord. And the best part was that all of their attitudes about wizards and families would stop further inquiries as they would wave this all away. Vector was young, not from here, and under the radar. No ties to Potter, and not a great witch or wizard yet like Minerva and the Headmaster and others, but surely on her way. They would take no notice of her with my denying any interest, and their assumptions about me and how serious I took my work. I was counting on them thinking as they have that I was devoted and loyal to service and never a person, only the Dark Lord.. It… it would work. I was quite an expert in damage control by now.

And it did.

He chose his words carefully and explained to Alecto. The efforts paid off.

"It won't matter when I blast her to pieces with my wand, now will it? But I know you can't. And if the Dark Lord says you are to be left alone. So be it." She was angry, yet would drop it. One could not argue against the Dark Lord's wishes.

"They will arrange something for you if that is what you wish. There is more work to be done but I will talk to the Malfoys for you. The Dark Lord is busy and takes no interest in such things. Narcissa will introduce you to someone. More willing than me…"

"So I will have to leave her alone?" But the fight was out of her, for now. She seemed to acknowledge that he would never want her.

"Really, Alecto. Drawing wands and unwanted attention? The Dark Lord will not be pleased."

"But she is in love with you?" She pouted and seemed on the verge of another tantrum. Both her and the brother were insane.

"Me, I don't think so." Snape shrugged and looked artfully doubtful. She was insane, or a rarity, because who would ever believe anyone would be in love with him.

"Are you lying?"

"No. I have no reason to. I wish to be alone. I will never be interested in anyone permanently. Aecto, let her go. Dumbledore will be quite put out if his only arithmancer failed to show for work. Really…you should know better. The Dark Lord, if he is disobeyed or his plans are foiled, will not be so forgiving or forgetful in future either. I believe there are other serious targets he wishes to go after, as you very well know."

Alecto eyed him viciously and then winced and looked away, her exposed wand now back in her cloak; she acquiesced.

"I cannot say that I didn't wish to toy with her…but this is different."

"How so?" Her pug-like face looked semi-interested.

"Well, you are familiar with our ways…"

"Yes, I am."

'I merely wished to sleep with her. That is all."

"That is all. Than you mean you are not in love with her?"

"No."

"She doesn't want you."

"Believe me no, and I can prove it to you."

"Severus, the girls in Knockturn and some of us when younger, If it is true than I need not have any dealings with her. The Dark Lord…"

"Let me prove it to you and think no more on the matter. We are old friends after all."

"Fine."

"Go. I will show my memory at a later date. And you can see how she refuses due to our work situation, and that I recently found out she has a boyfriend. And I think the person they were referring to as a date was that hag in Hogsmeade. Surely, not this novice teacher, which in all honesty quite bores me now, because her mind was of no interest to me to begin with."

"You no longer desire her?" She still held out hope. But it would have to do.

"No, and I wouldn't call it that. She works in the castle…let's say it would have been er, convenient with my busy schedule."

"So you are not with anyone." He hated the look in her maddened eyes. Well, he had made his choice many years ago. Lily or these people…he had chosen gravely.

"Need I reiterate that to you again? Nor will I ever be. Service to the Dark Lord is my life, and that is all. And from what I hear, she seems to have a crush on Gilderoy Lockhart." Snape frowned in disgust. If Septima, knew he had sad that, she would kick him. But to save her…so be it."

Alecto looked mortified. "What is it with him? Most of these fools do? I will be leaving then. I will not bother you again." She seemed embarrassed and almost to be looking for a quick exit. She muttered, "Lockhart," under her breath and shook her fat head.

Snape nodded as she apparated. He stood still and counted a minute to clear his thoughts and regain his composure…for more acting…

He then walked quickly down to where Vector was nearing the entrance to the lane leading up to the gates of Hogwarts.

"Vector, come here."

She eyed him curiously. She didn't care when he showed up unexpectedly and especially if she was on Order business.

"I am close to the gates. Couldn't it wait until we went inside? I will meet you in the dungeons, what could be so pressing? Why are you here anyway? Are you coming back from somewhere?"

"I can't wait. I want you. And I wanted to tell you outside of school, should you object."

It had been so long, he marveled that this was the best he could come up with.

"You want me to do what." She looked peeved and rolled her eyes.

"I mean I want you, Professor Vector."

"Er, in that way?" She was not prepared for this and she was tired from a long, hard night for the Order. His black eyes drank her in and it unnerved her.

"What other way is there?" His smooth and languid delivery was now making her nervous.

"Stop the suave nonsense, it's not you…" She waved him away and averted her eyes, thinking of a way to extricate herself, and to avoid him at all costs tomorrow. He wasn't himself.

He walked over to her slowly and she backed up into the gate. Now, he was making her very nervous.

"Would you consider it? I am with no one; you are not either. I've known you for years and you are a somewhat attractive young woman, why not? I am not looking for anything serious, so I am not being picky here." It was a lie and his insides twitched telling her this. "I would keep it quiet due to our professional working relationship."

In any other situation, he could never do this. But to save her, he could.

"Well, I am glad that you have thought this over and it has taken me all of 4 seconds as well. The answer is no."

"You mean you wouldn't be agreeable." He was laying it on as thick as Gilderoy trying to convince he could do magic. He hated himself but he pressed further."

"No." She didn't like how close he had gotten to her.

"Why?" He moved his face in closer to hers.

"I am surely not attracted to you when you are still consorting with suspected Death Eaters, well, and you are not yourself."

His eyes flickered – she was smart – she did suspect something deep down. And…was she saying that if…maybe one day…if he no longer had to deal with Death Eaters…" He then let the thought drop. Hope and 'what if" had hurt him many times before.

"Are you not the least bit attracted to me?" he coaxed. He really hated himself now.

"Hell no, Snape, and surely I haven't hinted that I was. I know that much," she scoffed, but she looked fearful.

"I think you do like me—perhaps, just a little?" His eyes searched hers and she looked away, in case the fool was trying to perform legilimancy on her, because if he could try out this nonsense, when she could tell his heart really wasn't in it, she didn't want to know.

"Nope, sorry. I guess you do err from time to time."

It was referring to a smug comment he had made to her. He tried not to smile and stayed in, er, character.

"I think you do." He moved in closer. She could hear his breath.

He tilted his head and thanked Merlin his hair covered his face

He kissed her forehead. Anything else and he knew his shins were in trouble.

It was way over the top-but Alecto would trouble her no more.

She pushed him with all her might with owing to her being 5'3'' and tiny he moved about two inches.

He smirked and she wanted to push him again or at least smack the smirk off his face.

"I will wear you down, Vector." He had both arms leaning on both sides of her against the gates. Perhaps I can persuade you?" He toyed with her.

"No, you won't, er, ever. Because…you are…you…er, and don't forget even a very gorgeous ring didn't help you either. Now, I am going to get back to my rooms and through that gate if I have to use you to open it. Leave me be, Snape, and really, go see Poppy Pomfrey." He had to admit the look on her face was priceless.

"Alas. I tried. I will not make my offer again, you know."

She shoved his arm to free herself and stormed off and onto the safety of the grounds. She shouted back. "And I will try not to despair…too much."

He closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face.

Thank, Merlin. She was now safe. If Alecto or Bella and anyone wished for proof if they thought they were on to something in regards to her, he could easily manipulate the memory, take some things out, and show himself trying to only use her, and her wishing to have nothing to do with it. And it wouldn't be the grounds, it would have to be changed. No one could know they go out for the Order. A night in Hogsmeade? That background would be perfect.

And it certainly wasn't the first time he had done this, and it worked.

But only if he was asked…and he knew Alecto would most likely not now, after his refusal of her in person and the warnings regarding the Dark Lord.

And with all the engagement foolishness and other nonsense with Vector and suspicious faculty members, Vector would be none the wiser. She would think he was a cad, a nasty piece of work, a fool with desires, but never that he had the slightest bit of feelings for her. This little scene had taken care of that too.

But it was hard to have to live up to everyone's expectations that you were a bastard, in order to protect the only person you cared for.

But Vector could never know. Throughout this whole charade and nonsense, she was the only one he had ever hoped was the admirer. It was not the case.

It had been sweet, very sweet to play at being engaged to her for a few hours, and then the opposite, even worse to take it back.

Alecto, Narcissa, and Bella thwarted, and the Dark Lord yet again.. It had been far too easy. Bella would have to wait for another opportunity to cause trouble.

And Vector. He loved her, but he could never have her. But he would make sure nothing would happen to her either.

And as he entered the dungeons, it was with much relief that this whole admirer business was also at an end.