Chapter 35: Eyes Only For You

"What the hell, Snape? Are you ill? Dragon Pox…or something even more difficult to cure?"

"No. Weren't you hungry? Did I not say I would arrange for dinner? Do any of us prepare meals for ourselves at the castle to your knowledge? It was the elves doing."

"Yes, but you asked them to do this." She eyed him strangely.

"Yes." He sneered, not making eye contact.

He placed her gently on a large chair and helped her to prop up her ankle on a dark green overstuffed pillow.

"Are you settled in then?"

"I think so. I ,er, I can't imagine how you thought to…"

"Never mind. It is done. And this Merlin-foresaken grab bag will be over."

Professor Vector looked around and took in her surroundings.

"So, er, this is where you live? You know, I have only seen your classroom and the office."

"Yes, we are now in my living room, which is adjoined by my bedroom, bathroom, and another room. The Heads of House living quarters are a bit more comfortable than other professors' quarters." He offered, seemingly mollified that she appeared to be impressed.

Professor Vector did not see him gesture with a hand to other doors in the living room leading off to these places. She lifted an ornate silver fork and studied it. She then placed it down with a grin and studied the china, the crystal glasses, and gazed curiously at the silver trays that were still topped off with elaborate silver covers.

"So, what is this all about? You have fairly outdone yourself, by all imagining. And really, this would be ground-breaking news to most of the staff that you do in fact, eat." She teased.

"I am here to settle the grab bag obligation. And Dumbledore suggested that I make some consolations…ah, to you."

He lifted a tray and she nearly slipped off the green leather chair. It was a tray with gillywater in crystal glasses with an ice bucket nearby. It was her favorite drink and each glass was topped with a blue umbrella. Just how she and Flitwick liked them.

He wordlessly lifted another tray and all of her favorite foods from the elves' kithchen appeared. Roasted chicken, baked potatoes…prepared exactly as she liked them.

She then started to become concerned, and even more so when he moved over a candy dish with fare from Honeydukes. She rummaged amongst the sweets. Not one blood lollipop or cockroach cluster in sight.

"Severus, Poppy Pomfrey did not go to the pub. With your permission, do you think we should have her come here and take a look at you and…"

"No. And if I were you I would stop blabbering. I am not calling the elves to warm up your dinner, Vector,' he warned her.

"Very well, this chicken is amazing…the potatoes are wonderful." She munched happily.

"They know you like them…it appears they went above and beyond, I guess you could say." He placed a piece of chicken on his plate.

"How is my ankle?"

"It should be better soon, I would say in about another twenty minutes, which leaves us enough time to settle this business of the grab bag." He fixed her a grave look.

"Fine. As you were saying, Snape…"

"Vector. I will speak on both of our behalves with Dumbledore. I will never participate in a grab bag with you or anyone else again."

She made a face. "Oh, so worried about what everyone thinks in Hogsmeade? That you are blacklisted apparently, and I from purchasing anything for you as well…and…"

"I don't give a damn what anyone thinks, Vector, even in Hogsmeade. I have procured gifts for you before, and you never appreciate what I have to go through to get them."

"You bought me a makeover book for hags and tried to set me up with a vampire, you bloody moron. Are you mad?" She dropped her fork with a loud clank.

"I believe it is still the thought that counts. Have I not also…bestowed flowers upon your demanding and fussy person?" He looked down at his food.

"Yes, and you were rude when you had Miss Parkinson present them to me and not yourself, and rude when I ran to you afterwards as well."

"I will not argue with you." He withdrew his wand from a pocket in his black robe.

"All right. Forget about it then. "She stared at his wand tip.

He wordlessly conjured another set of bluebells. "Here. And I am even presenting them to you myself this time. An utterly thankless job I assure you, but the very same." He continued to barely touch his meal.

"Why would you do that?"

"To at least end one gripe we have with each other among the many I assume."

"What about the book and the bloody vampire?" Professor Vector's voice became high-pitched.

"You will not see Sanguini again, I assure you, and the book might have been a slight miscalculation on my part. But if you change your mind, it is still currently for sale at Flourish and Blotts."He informed her in a matter of fact fashion.

"Oh, so you checked to make sure, you asshole."

"Only upholding my duties as grab bag bestower, I'm afraid. Very touching one would think."

"I really hate you."

He didn't answer at first.

"After several years of speculation, I deduced that my theory that you were a vampire was possibly unfounded, though I still express doubts. I then decided that I had acquired enough evidence to go with my other initial instinct, Vector."

"That being…" She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"You are a hag."

"You….you are a bastard." She folded her arms.

Silence.

"And I hope you choke on the chicken."

Silence.

"And one other thing, because it is with pure joy that I have just realized that I only have ten more minutes until my ankle heals and I can leave you….why did you kiss me for that one grab bag." She asked red-faced.

"As you know, so as not to be rude, as I have already stated rather plainly to you, Vector, I had to. Dumbledore, it is my belief, had charmed the mistletoe."

"What the hell would lead you to believe that, unless you want to?" yelled Professor Vector in disbelief.

"No, Vector. You are right. Let us just say that I looked at you and Peeves had annoyed us both, and I had just given you the book at the pub and you had just thrown a gillywater at me and you… looked like you wanted me too."

"HA… HA…You are barking….seriously deranged. Is that it then, you delusional asshole?"

"You looked pathetic and perhaps I pitied you. I am not what everyone seems to believe me to be," offered Snape calmly.

"No, your mouth pretty much confirms the fact that you are a complete bastard and a delusional one. Well, time is up. Have a good evening, alone, and thanks for healing my ankle."

"No. Sit down. I haven't finished, Vector."

"Well, I have. I have heard enough. And don't bother seeing Dumbledore regarding the grab bag. I will be there first to tell him that I wish to have another name if the Sorting Hat bestows Severus Snape's name on me." And it was with hurt pride and mortification that she realized that she had begun to cry.

"Vector…"

"No…I'm done."

"Vector, sit down, won't you?" The voice was quiet.

"You have two seconds and then I am gone the minute you say something I don't remotely like."

He said nothing and then raised his wand and directed the point at an old wooden cabinet near the fireplace.

A black box started to move toward the table and he flicked his wrist and allowed the box to settle in front of Professor Vector.

"What is this? Poison, a year's subscription to Hag of the Month? Maybe…"

"No, it is for you."

"If I open it will I still be breathing in a few…." asked Professor Vector with caution.

"Open it, Vector," he snapped.

She did. Several dark purple amethysts were nestled on a heavy gold brooch.

"What is this?"

"It is not a gift that you can keep. However, let us say that it is on an indefinite loan for you to use at your disposal," he said softly.

"It is heavy… this seems very valuable….and old…. almost medieval by the looks of it."

"It is. It belongs to Slytherin House. And I, as Head of House, have the privilege of allowing anyone I choose to borrow it under the condition that it may be returned. Hence, another grab bag is over, Vector. Your ankle is healed. And you may leave."

"This is er, nice of you."

"Consider it at token of my friendship to you."

"Can we really be friends?" She looked at him unsure.

"I wouldn't mind attempting."

"Can you attempt to not be an asshole?"

"I couldn't guarantee anything. Be careful with it."

"Does this possess any magical properties? At Gringotts I have seen valuable objects like this and…"

"Vector, if it was anything dangerous…or harmless and powerful even, I would not let you borrow it, because if anything happened to you, Dumbledore and the entire village of Hogsmeade would suspect me now, I suppose." He smirked remembering all he had gone through trying to purchase a gift for the hag now sitting across from him.

"Well, thank you. I will be going. They are probably wondering where I am. Are you, er, going?"

"No, I have work here. My obligation is over. Well, one of many at the very least."

She nodded, gave a small embarrassed smile and left.

He let her go. There was no way he could possibly inform her that the amethysts reminded him of her dark blue, slightly purple eyes.

Telling her he was in love with her was probably not fathomable either.