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Here is the next chapter - I hope you enjoy it :)
It had been a week since Snape had stormed out. A week since Lauren had last laid eyes on him. A drearily long, stretched-out week since she had last heard the deep baritone of his silky voice that could inflect just the right amount of disdain, sarcasm or arrogance (usually all three if he was in one of his moods). And it felt as though it had been forever since she had last locked eyes with his dark, fathomless gaze that could peer so deeply into her soul, yet reveal none of his innermost thoughts.
Lauren sighed deeply as she cradled her cheek in her hand, her elbow resting on the wooden kitchen table and her other hand curled around a steaming mug of tea.
Damn, I miss that crotchety old grouch, she thought mulishly.
Her gaze came to settle on the stack of books that she had been perusing all week; many on various poisons, antidotes and theories pertaining to both subjects.
Lauren blew out a long drawn-out huff. She had spent endless hours poring over those books in an attempt to distract herself and keep her mind off the Potion Master, and maybe find even a half-assed solution to Severus' fate, but as of yet she was having very little luck in both distraction and solution.
Lauren had then tried a different form of distraction and had explored the manor, but that had not helped either. Truth was, Severus Snape was not far from her waking thoughts.
I need a drink.
With that thought in mind, Lauren cut her gaze over to Blinky, who was stacking away the last of the breakfast dishes neatly in the cupboard.
Not that you will be able to help me with that...
Lauren had tried to coerce the house-elf into getting her a bottle of anything alcoholic after Snape's little prank (by this stage she wasn't fussy and would have even settled for Tequila – a liquor which she absolutely abhorred). But the little elf had crossed her spindly arms firmly over her chest and had shaken her head in refusal.
"Master Dumbledore has told Blinky that Blinky must not buy Mistress Lauren any alcohol."
Blinky had then shot Lauren a look of disapproval for even asking such a thing of her.
Lauren leaned back in her chair, her irritation growing. It would seem that I have two of the smartest and most cunning wizards in the world working against me on this. I'm doomed to a life of dull, boring sobriety.
And her plans to make moonshine were falling flat, mainly because she had no idea how to even make the stuff. And it wasn't as though she had Google at her disposal.
Suddenly a sharp, commanding mental nudge startled Lauren, jolting her out of her thoughts and almost making her slosh her tea all over herself.
Severus!
She'd recognize that mental signature anywhere.
A huge grin stretched on Lauren's lips, and the odd sensation that she had felt on a few occasions whilst in his presence settled like a warm, glowing ember within her chest. She mentally opened the wards to allow him in, her excitement almost at bubbling point.
No sooner had she granted him entrance than the fireplace flared green and out stepped Severus Snape, swathed in all his glorious black and his raven hair framing his pale features like a glossy curtain.
He cast the cleansing spell upon himself and then his gaze snapped up, focusing on her with such penetrating force that it almost stole the very air from Lauren's lungs. Inwardly she puzzled as the odd sensation intensified as their eyes locked. She could not explain the foreign emotion, for she had never experienced anything like it before.
"Miss Ward," Snape greeted in a crisp tone, cutting through her inner musings.
Lauren's smile stretched into what she was sure was a goofy grin, and her suspicions were confirmed when a dark scowl furrowed his features.
"Cease ogling me like some idiotic dunderhead."
"Sorry," she said, sounding for all the world quite the opposite. "It's just that I...missed you."
Snape levelled her with a frosty look and Lauren was sure he was going to cut her down in a verbal tirade.
Snape did not disappoint.
"Just because your teenage hormones have finally made an appearance, it does not give you the right of passage to act like some silly little schoolgirl. I suggest you start acting your age, Miss Ward, for all our sakes."
Lauren merely smiled back at him. "Nice to hear you missed me, too."
Snape glared at her, though a flicker of something indiscernible flashed through those dark eyes. The ever so slight softening of his features suddenly had Lauren realizing that he had, oddly enough, missed her as well.
Well blow me down! Lauren thought in shock. But it's not like he's ever going to admit it...
"So what took you so long to come and visit?" she decided to ask instead. "Well, besides being royally pissed at me."
Snape stepped further into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "I do have a life of my own, Miss Ward. You are perfectly capable of looking after yourself and do not require my constant supervision. If you require hand-holding, I suggest you look elsewhere."
Lauren couldn't help it. A wide grin stretched on her lips and she shook her head in amusement.
"I fail to see what is so funny," Snape remarked.
"Oh nothing. I just realized that I missed that snarky attitude of yours as well."
Snape rolled his eyes skywards, almost as though he were mentally counting to ten, or praying for divine intervention to grant him a sliver of patience.
Lauren scooted out of her chair and closed the distance between them. Snape instantly and visibly stiffened at her approach, and she could literally see him slamming his Occlumency shields into place.
Lauren stopped short of touching him and craned her neck to look up at him.
"I have a surprise."
Snape was silent for a few beats as he stared down his nose at her, his eyes reflecting his wariness. "If it has something to do with your...feminine issues, I'm not interested," he stated firmly.
Lauren rolled her eyes. "No, it doesn't. But I don't know why it bothers you so much. It's a natural part of being a woman and really isn't something to be embarrassed about..."
"Miss Ward?"
"Hmm?"
"Shut up."
Lauren smirked, by now completely used to his abrasive attitude. She drew in a deep breath and willed her magic into submission by drawing on her Occlumency. She really didn't need her magic misbehaving, not right now. She hesitated for a moment and then reached out for his hand, her fingertips skimming against his knuckles in a silent request.
After a poignant pause, Snape's hand twitched and then he curled his hand around hers. Lauren let out the breath she had been holding and glanced up at him, almost missing the puzzled expression that crossed his features - which he hastily schooled as he met her gaze.
Lauren decided it was best not to make the situation even more uncomfortable for him and tugged on his hand, soon leading him through the kitchen, past the dining room and then the living room. Snape was silent as she guided him down the hallway, stopping at a dark mahogany door.
Lauren glanced over her shoulder at him and shot him a mischievous grin before she turned the handle and swung open the door to reveal stairs leading down to the basement. She flicked on the light switch and then stepped aside.
"After you."
Snape shot her a suspicious look. Then he turned his attention to the stairs and, coming to a decision, released her hand and glided down the stairs.
Lauren ignored how cold and empty her hand now felt as she followed behind him, her excitement soon overshadowing that odd sensation in her chest.
They reached the bottom and Lauren almost walked straight into Snape's back as he came to a complete standstill as his gaze swept over the interior.
Lauren stepped around Snape to come and stand beside him, and glanced up to witness the raw, hunger-filled expression that now graced his features.
Lauren couldn't much blame him. She had had the same reaction when she had first entered this room.
The basement was sectioned into two, a solid stone wall to their right hiding the other room from sight. And even though the basement had been split in half, the lab portion was still huge and spacious. Though, when Lauren had first encountered this room, enormous, colossal and gigantic were the exact words that had sprung to mind.
Heavy workstations were placed at regular intervals on either side of the room, some of the rough wooden surfaces bearing black scorch from long ago potion mishaps.
Shelves lined the walls surrounding them, the bright light from the crystal chandelier above illuminating the contents. Jars of herbs, insects and potion ingredients sat upon the shelves to their left, each carefully labelled in an elegant handwriting that must have belonged to Bethany Ward. Lauren had tried to count them, but they ranged well into the hundreds, maybe even over a thousand, and each had been meticulously placed in alphabetical order. There were enough ingredients in this room to keep them well supplied for the next couple of years.
To their right the shelves were larger to accommodate the various cauldrons, scales, vials, stirring rods, and ladles. Protective dragon hide gloves and aprons hung upon hooks in intervals along the shelves, the heavy leather still in impeccable condition after all these years.
The rack at the very end of the room housed various vials of already brewed potions that included Burn Salve, Blood Replenishing Potion, Dittany, Calming Draught and Pepper-Up Potion - to name a few. It would seem that Bethany compartmentalized this part of the room as a medicine cabinet of sorts, which was a good idea considering the amount of disastrous accidents that could occur whilst brewing volatile potions.
Lauren's gaze slowly drifted over the room and not for the first time she had to wonder whether all of this had been prepared just for her. It certainly felt that way.
Movement distracted her from her thoughts and she glanced over to see Snape now moving further into the room, his strides even and slow and barely echoing on the stone floor as he silently took in his surroundings. His features were set into a mask devoid of emotion – except his eyes. His dark gaze glinted with Lauren could only describe as awe that was gradually morphing into a flicker of excitement.
As Lauren watched him, she realized what was disconcerting about the imagery. Snape looked as though he belonged here, and this was his domain and she was but the guest here.
"What do you think?"
Snape paused, his back turned to her. Then he slowly turned around to face her. Snape didn't have to say anything. His expression said it all: he was completely, and irrevocably, in love with this room.
Lauren felt a pang of jealousy, for no man had ever looked at her like that.
"I thought, if you were agreeable, that we could continue our Potion brewing lessons..."
Snape was silent for a moment, his gaze flickering over the room once more. "I find that arrangement agreeable, Miss Ward," he finally murmured.
A delighted grin sprang unbidden to her face and Lauren realized that she had been apprehensive that he would decline, mainly as punishment for the whole 'Daddy' episode. Though, knowing Snape, he would find a way to make her pay for that.
"There's another room I want to show you."
Snape arched a brow, but then his dark gaze flickered to the door on the other side of the room, and he quickly put two and two together.
Lauren didn't wait for his reply and strode over to it, opening the door and stepping inside.
The room was roughly the same size as the lab and was currently bare of any furnishings, save for an ornately carved bookshelf that stood proudly at the very end of the room, numerous books dealing with various defensive spells stacked upon its shelves. The room was ideal for what she had in mind.
Lauren felt Snape's presence like a dominant force as he came to stand behind her.
"I was thinking we could use this room for duelling practice," Lauren stated. She glanced over her shoulder to see Snape's penetrating gaze analyzing the interior and seeing the possibilities it presented.
Without a word, he stepped around her and slowly began pacing the room. Then he turned around and Lauren's breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of the ominous light that had entered his eyes.
"This will do nicely," he remarked, the corners of his lips curling into a sardonic smirk.
Without warning he shrugged out of his robes and flung it unceremoniously to the side, where it settled on the cold stone floor in a pool of black.
Lauren stared blankly at his robes and then looked back at Snape questioningly. He now stood before her black slacks, matching shoes and his high-collared cloak which was buttoned all the way to the top, the crisp white of his dress shirt underneath peeking out at the sleeves and collar.
My, that's a lot of buttons...It must take him at least half an hour to get dressed every morning...
Snape still resembled the dark and foreboding Potion's Master, yet without his billowing cloak framing his lean form, the image was now jarring. Almost as though he were standing before her naked without it.
"What are you doing?" she squeaked.
Snape withdrew his wand from his sleeve. "Beginning our training," he drawled.
"What? Now?!" Lauren glanced down at her black jeans and forest green tank top, deciding these clothes were not very comfortable for a duelling session. But judging by the look Severus was giving her, he wasn't going to let her get changed. Thankfully her unruly waves were tied back in a high ponytail and wouldn't accidentally get incinerated in the process.
"Yes. Now I suggest you arm yourself with your wand," he instructed, his voice taking on that poisoned honey tone; so deliciously smooth, yet absolutely deadly. It was then that she knew this was payback for that Daddy comment.
Bugger.
Lauren sighed, knowing she should have expected this. She struggled to free her wand from the loop of the waistband of her jeans, resigning herself to her fate.
"I could have killed you ten times over, Miss Ward, considering how long it is taking you to retrieve your wand," Snape commented in his usual acerbic tone.
Lauren huffed, finally freeing her wand. "Well, it's not like there's a lot of places to put a wand. Pockets weren't specifically designed for them, you know."
Snape merely stared back at her with an unreadable gaze. Then in a swift, fluid motion he snapped into a fighting stance, one that Lauren had come to associate with duelling.
His body was angled so that he was now facing her side-on, his legs apart and slightly bent, and his posture rigid and ready to strike. His wand was pointing directly at Lauren, and his other arm was extended behind him in counterbalance.
His dark eyes were narrowed in on her, observing her like a predator would its prey, and Lauren had to resist the urge to instinctively step back.
Then Severus straightened up with fluid ease, his arms to his side and his posture seemingly relaxed. But Lauren wasn't fooled. She knew he could incapacitate her twenty-four times over before she even had a chance to blink.
"When duelling, that is the stance to take," he lectured as he strode towards her. "In a real battle, however, things are less...refined. There will be no formalities or niceties, so it will be pointless to teach you as such. I am going to instruct you how to fight ruthlessly and without mercy, because I can guarantee you that your enemies will do exactly the same. If you have any hope of surviving, then I suggest you follow my instructions carefully, Miss Ward."
Lauren hung on his every word, dread pooling in the pit of her stomach as he brought home a simple yet unsettling truth: war was not pretty. It was brutal and destructive and very few came out of it unscathed or unchanged.
Snape's eyes narrowed. "This is not a game, Miss Ward. The skills I am going to teach you could very well be the difference between life and death. Do you understand?"
Lauren swallowed down the hard lump that had formed in her throat and gave him a single nod, never breaking eye contact.
"Yes. That's why I wanted you to teach me. I knew there would be no pussyfooting when it came to you."
"Pussy-footing?"
"Yeah. It means..."
"I am well aware of what it means, Miss Ward," Snape interrupted. He rubbed his forehead and continued in an exasperated tone, "Regardless of some of the things I have heard you say, you still manage to astounded me sometimes with what comes out of your mouth."
Lauren started to smile, but faltered. "Wait. Was that an insult or a compliment?"
Snape merely smirked at her and turned around, striding briskly back to his position a few feet away from her. Then he spun around and faced her.
"Get into position," he instructed.
Lauren haltingly tried to conform her stance into a replica of Snape's, but knew she must have failed miserably when he gave an irritable huff and was once more by her side in a few quick strides.
"Feet wider apart," he snapped, nudging her feet with his own. "Bear more weight on your back leg and keep your knees slightly bent. Angle your body to the side. It is a defensive stance and narrows the target area," he ordered in rapid-fire succession. "Extend you arm out and keep your other arm behind you in counterbalance. Your grip on your wand should be firm and steady at all times."
It took a good ten minutes until Snape was finally satisfied that she had mastered the stance.
Eyeing her form critically, he gave a single nod of his head and instructed her to relax. Lauren let out a breath of air as she straightened up, feeling like she had just been grilled by a sergeant major.
"Today we will be focusing more on defensive rather than offensive strategies. I am well aware that you know the Stupefy and Expelliarmus spells, and have used them quite effectively in the past. But there is another spell that is imperative that you know and have in your arsenal. Many do not consider it as important as the more powerful spells, yet it will protect you from some of the more...unsavoury attacks which, believe me, can have you wishing for death in a matter of seconds. Do you know which spell I am referring to?"
Lauren shook her head slowly from side to side.
Snape's eyes glinted and it did not escape Lauren's notice that he was thoroughly enjoying this lesson, teaching a subject he was well versed in, as well as having the undivided attention of a student who was not only paying attention, but really wanted to learn as well.
"Does Protego ring a bell?"
Lauren's brows furrowed as she tried to remember what that particular spell did. She recalled reading about Potter using it on a few occasions.
"It's...it's a shield charm, isn't it?" she ventured.
"Yes, it is. And it is very important to perfect that spell, Miss Ward. I cannot emphasize enough just how important it is."
"But it will not protect me from the Killing Curse," Lauren pointed out.
Snape regarded her before replying flatly, "No. There is no defence against that curse except, if possible, avoidance." Snape straightened up and clasped his hands behind his back as he started pacing unhurriedly back and forth. "We will gradually work our way up to more complex and difficult nature of duelling. For now we shall concentrate on learning the basics."
Lauren gave a nod of agreement.
"Now I want you to cast the Shield Charm while I fire hexes at you."
Lauren suddenly felt nervous. "What kind of hexes?"
A sly look graced his features and he stated nonchalantly, "None that will leave you permanently disfigured, Miss Ward."
"Just temporarily?" she clarified, her eyes narrowed. His stunt with the Firewhisky had taught her to read carefully between the lines when it came to him.
"Maybe."
"Thought so." Lauren drew in a breath and steeled herself. "Okay. Teach me how to cast Protego."
Snape looked almost approving and then proceeded to demonstrate the spell, which Lauren then tried to replicate. An hour later – after much cursing on Lauren's part and impatient snapping on Severus', she could finally cast a passable shield charm.
"Okay. I think I'm ready. Fire away," she stated, steeling herself as she cast her shield.
A cruel smile curled his lips. "As you wish, Miss Ward." Then without warning he pointed his wand and uttered a spell in the span of a split second.
Lauren didn't have time to brace herself, or her shield, and it soon gave way under the sheer force of his spell. Lauren was flung back, landing hard on the floor and the very air being expelled from her lungs. A low groan of pain escaped her lips as she stared dazedly up at the ceiling.
Snape's face appeared in her field of vision. "Get up," he ordered.
Lauren groaned and rolled over, struggling to her feet. "I think we should have padded the room," she muttered.
"That would have taken considerable amount of time and magic to perform, especially in a room this size. Now cease your complaining – I'm going fairly easy on you."
Lauren's eyes narrowed into slits.
Going easy on me, my ass!
"I'm going to be black and blue by the time this is over, aren't I?"
Snape's sardonic smile was her only answer.
~oOo~
The following morning found Lauren hunched over the kitchen table, her head cradled in her hands and a piping hot cup of tea that Blinky had prepared for her sitting in front of her, untouched.
To say everything hurt was an understatement. And the worst part was that she had nothing to show it. She still hadn't managed to shield herself from any of Snape's jinxes – some of which had left quite a few marks.
After a few hours, Snape had stopped abruptly and had eyed Lauren critically. Then, without a word, he had gone over to the 'medicine cabinet' and had selected a bruising salve along with a healing salve for her.
Lauren wished he had remembered to give her something for her aching body, but the paranoid part of her suspected that this had been intentional on his part.
A sharp mental nudge alerted her to the fact that the Dungeon Master had returned for presumably round two.
Lauren groaned and reluctantly allowed him entrance.
The fireplace flashed green in her peripheral vision and soon Snape swept into the room, coming to stand beside her.
Lauren slowly raised her head to look up at him, wincing as her body protested against the movement.
"Is there any way to automatically allow you entrance so that you come and go as you please. I really don't think I want to be mentally buffeted by you on a regular basis. It's bad enough that you've beaten me black and blue – leave my mind in peace."
His signature cruel smirk made its way to his features as he stared down at her. "You were meant to feel the pain, Miss Ward. You need to experience the reality of war, and you need to know what it means to be in a proper magical fight, as well as experience the after effects...Though I was lenient on you."
Lauren scoffed, clearly not believing the 'lenient' part, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized that Snape's actions could have been worse. Sure she had been thrown around and had gotten some impressive bruises, but she hadn't really been in that much pain. All she was experiencing now were aches and pains that were akin to a strenuous exercise session.
She turned her attention to her tea and took an appreciative sip, closing her eyes as she revelled in the much needed caffeine fix.
When she opened her eyes, a small vial slid into her line of vision and she instantly recognized it as a pain potion.
"Thank you," she muttered as she placed her cup of tea back down on the table and reached for the much needed potion.
Snape seated himself opposite her, watching her with a dark gaze as she downed the contents of the vial.
"I was thinking..."
"Uh oh," Lauren groaned.
His smile broadened at her show of apprehension. "Seeing as how you are opposed to me being in your mind today, we shall skip the Occlumency lesson and concentrate on potion brewing instead."
Lauren leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. A cheeky smile played on her lips as she asked, "And it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you really want to use my lab?"
Snape replied back with the most perfect poker face she had ever seen. "Absolutely."
Lauren chuckled at his blunt honesty and shook her head before taking another sip of tea. "In that case, I think that's a splendid idea. You won't be in my head, or beating me to a pulp. I think it's a win-win situation."
"Oh quit your exaggerations," Snape muttered with an eye roll. "You would know if I beat you to a pulp."
Lauren did not disbelieve him and downed the rest of her tea. Placing her cup down on the table she stated, "By the way, you still owe me a bottle of Firewhisky. Preferably untampered."
"Not happening," he drawled, leaning back in his chair and the corners of his lips twitching.
Lauren sighed, knowing it was no use arguing with him. Her gaze was drawn to his many buttoned cloak, and the memory of yesterday came to the forefront of her mind. Snape, from what she had discerned after he had shed his voluminous robe, possessed a lean frame. He wasn't what she would term as thin and gangly, nor was he muscular, but there was no doubt that there was a raw power thrumming beneath the exterior, carefully contained. He reminded Lauren of a sleek panther; lean and lithe, and definitely not someone you dared mess with.
Snape caught her staring and arched a brow.
Lauren flushed at having been caught staring and asked as deflection, "Have you eaten?"
"Yes. Have you?" he countered.
"Ah...Nope," Lauren admitted, popping the 'p'. "I was working up the energy to do so before you arrived."
"Really? It looked as though you were sulking."
Lauren glared at him. "I wasn't sulking. I was...recuperating."
His eyes flashed in amusement. "Blinky," he called out.
The elf immediately appeared by his side, staring up at him with her large blue eyes. "Yes, Master Snape?"
"Can you please bring Miss Ward some breakfast? And a cup of tea for me, please."
The house-elf bowed and was like watching a little whirlwind as she went about her task, her happy humming floating back to their ears as she cracked some eggs into the frying pan.
A soft tapping on the window caught Lauren's attention and she turned her attention to the source of the sound to find a handsome tawny owl perched on the ledge outside, staring at her with large, round yellow eyes. Lauren frowned at it in confusion before it dawned on her as to why the owl was here.
"I've got a letter!" she exclaimed, scooting out of her seat and opening the window. The owl swooped into the room and made a lazy circle before landing with prideful elegance upon the table, holding out its leg for Lauren to take the letter attached to it.
Blinky chose that moment to serve a large plate of eggs, bacon, toast and sausages at Lauren's place setting before bring Snape his requested cup of tea.
Lauren settled back in her seat with a murmured thanks to the house-elf and retrieved the letter from the owl's leg. She laid the letter down on the table and broke off a piece of buttered toast for the owl. The owl happily accepted the offering and Lauren glanced down at her plate, a thought entering her mind as she eyed the hearty meal before her.
"Can you wait a moment?" she asked the owl. The owl merely stared back at her with an unblinking gaze, but made no further move to leave, which Lauren translated as agreement. Lauren twisted in her seat to see Blinky now washing up the frying pan that was almost as large as her head. "Blinky?"
The house-elf immediately let the pan drop back into the soapy water and was instantly at Lauren's side, eagerly looking up at her as she waited to hear what Lauren wanted.
"Can you prepare a package of food that won't spoil easily? I need to have it delivered."
If the elf was confused by this request, she didn't show it. She merely bowed her head and scampered off to do as she had been commanded.
Lauren turned back to her plate of food, but faltered when her eyes locked with the dark penetrating ones of Severus Snape. He was regarding her in utter silence, though it was plain by the ever so delicate arch of his brow that he expected an explanation.
"It's for Harry," Lauren admitted. "The Dursley's, if memory serves me correctly, are practically starving him this summer."
His brow rose even higher, almost touching his hairline. "And you care why?" he asked.
Lauren shrugged as she proceeded to cut up her sausage. "I know what it's like to be hungry." She offered up no further elaboration and, thankfully, Snape did not push the subject and let her eat her breakfast in peace while he watched her over the rim of his cup.
Blinky soon appeared with a square box neatly wrapped in brown paper. Lauren thanked the elf and then turned to the owl, who had taken to stealing bits of bacon from her plate while it waited.
"Will you be able to deliver this?" she asked as she scribbled Harry's address on the package. She deliberately left no return address.
The owl blinked once and then hooted softly, which Lauren took for a 'yes'. She plucked up the last piece of toast and gave it to the owl, who promptly gobbled it down before stretching out its wings. Hopping onto the package, it clutched the box securely in its talons before gliding out of the window in graceful flight.
Lauren watched it disappear out of sight and then turned back to Snape, who was studying her with a slight frown etched on his brows. She was expecting some sort sarcastic remark, but he remained oddly silent. Then his gaze flickered to the letter resting on the table.
"Are you going to read it?"
Lauren unrolled the parchment to find a neatly penned letter from Tracey. She skimmed over the excitedly written descriptions of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Towards the end, Tracey inquired as to whether Lauren knew yet who her guardian was going to be.
Lauren had decided against telling Tracey, as it wasn't news she really wanted getting around. Not that Tracey was the sort to gossip, but Lauren thought it best to keep it a secret for now.
"It's a letter from Tracey." Lauren glanced around, wondering how she was supposed to send a reply. "Hmm, I think I'm going to need to get myself an owl if I want to reply to this letter...Fancy a trip to Diagon Alley?"
Snape levelled her with a stern look. "No."
Lauren grinned at the firmly stated reply and finished off the last of her breakfast.
The remainder of the morning found Lauren and Snape in the basement, Lauren attempting to brew a Calming Draught while Snape explored and analyzed the contents of the jars in contented silence. Every now and then he would reach out and pluck one up, examining it closely with an analytical gaze.
Lunch time rolled around and Snape placed her potion under stasis when Blinky brought them each a beef and vegetable pie, steam rising up from the golden crust.
As if by some silent agreement, they chose one of the many workstations to eat at, Snape choosing to sit across from Lauren. They ate in silence, Snape not being one for making small talk, but Lauren found she didn't mind. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and was a clear indication of how comfortable they were around each other now.
Snape's soft voice broke the silence, his comment catching Lauren completely off guard. "That was a kind thing you did for Potter."
Lauren glanced up, but Snape was refusing to meet her gaze, instead focusing on his meal. She had no idea what to say to that statement.
"I guess so," she finally mumbled.
Snape glanced up at her briefly before turning his attention back to his meal, making no further remark. Lauren was puzzled, but decided it was best not to question him.
Snape dabbed the corner of his mouth with a crisp white napkin and rose to his feet. Lauren was fully expecting them to resume their potion lesson, and she followed suit.
His statement, however, caught her by surprise. "I need to pick up some items in Diagon Alley. If you wish to purchase an owl, then you may tag along. But," he held up a finger in warning, his eyes narrowing, "there will be no silly detour to Muggle London, nor will we be there for an excessively long time. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," Lauren stated, stunned that he was taking her shopping again, especially after last time.
Snape straightened to his full and impressive height and glared down his nose at her. "And no more inappropriate comments."
Lauren couldn't help the smirk that crossed her features. "I'll behave. Promise."
Snape looked as though he didn't believe her.
A little over an hour later found Lauren the proud new owner of not an owl, but a raven; its glossy black feathers smooth as satin, and intelligence reflecting in its beady black eyes. She had fallen in love with it as soon as she had laid eyes on it, and had refused to look at any the owls on display.
"I hope he doesn't try to eat Blinky," Lauren mused as she and Snape headed back to the alley where the fireplaces were stationed, Lauren carrying the raven in its cage with some difficulty.
A low chuckle sounded from Snape at the very idea. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, though I would love to see the damn bird try. It would be highly amusing."
Lauren shook her head in amusement. "You really are sadistic."
Snape didn't even try to contradict her and a few moments passed in silence. Suddenly Snape asked conversationally, "What do you intend to name him?"
Lauren pondered the question. "Dunno. I've never had a pet before." She glanced up at Snape. "Any suggestions?"
"You're asking me to co-name a pet with you?" He shot her a look of pure disbelief.
Lauren rolled her eyes. "No, I'm asking for a suggestion. Geez, it's not like we're picking out a baby name or something."
Snape grimaced, but was saved from further conversation on that topic as they reached the fireplaces. He produced the jar of Floo Powder from the pocket of his robes and after unscrewing the lid, he held it out for Lauren to take a fistful.
Lauren stepped into one of the fireplaces and was soon transported home, Snape following shortly behind her.
"I'll show you how to adjust the wards and then I'll be on my way," Snape remarked as Lauren placed the cage containing the raven on the kitchen table.
"Okay."
Snape guided her to the kitchen wall and made her repeat a few incantations as she swept her wand over the rough stone surface. The spot on the wall shimmered golden and then Snape pressed the tip of his wand against the shimmering surface, uttering an incantation of his own. The gold shimmer flared briefly as it recognized his magical signature and accepted the changes, and then it gradually faded into the cold grey stone.
"Is it done?" Lauren asked.
"Yes," Snape replied curtly as he slipped his wand back into the sleeve of his robe. Then he reached into his pocket and produced a small rectangular box. "This is for you," he stated, offering her the box.
Lauren frowned as she took it, glancing uncertainly up at him. Receiving gifts from Snape was almost unheard of.
"But...it's not my birthday."
"I am well aware it isn't," Snape drawled derisively. "It is something that you need and will find highly useful."
Lauren lifted the lid to find something that was made of leather and looked almost like a harness of some sort.
"What is it?" she asked, shooting Snape a puzzled look.
Snape rolled his eyes and snatched the box from her hand. "Hold out your arm. You're right handed, correct?"
Lauren nodded.
"Give your left arm," Snape ordered as he picked up the item and then flung the now empty box across the room.
Lauren obeyed and had to concentrate on willing her magic down when his fingertips skimmed across her bare skin as he worked on strapping the contraption to her forearm, his brows furrowed in concentration as he worked quickly and efficiently. The scent of herbs and old parchment permeated her senses and Lauren briefly closed her eyes as she was deluged with that odd tingling sensation again.
"Your wand, Miss Ward."
Her eyes snapped open to find Snape standing before her, holding out his hand expectantly. Lauren flushed and freed her wand from the loop of her waistband, handing it to Snape. He ignored her entirely as he inserted her wand into the loops of the leather strap.
Stepping back, Snape eyed her new gift critically. "It's a sheath for your wand. You will find it easier to extract your wand from now on. Test it out."
Lauren blinked in surprise for Snape had been right: this was a very useful gift, and she was stunned that he had even thought to get her one.
She pulled her wand free from the sheath without a hitch.
"Oh, it's perfect!" she exclaimed. "Thank you."
Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement. Then he straightened up and made to head towards the fireplace. "I'll see you again tomorrow morning, Miss Ward."
"Really?" Lauren couldn't help the excitement that sounded in her voice, for she had only expected Snape to visit once a week at the very least.
Snape paused, arching a brow. "If that is acceptable?"
Lauren gave him a small, genuine smile. "You're always welcome here, Professor Snape."
An odd look crossed his features, but instead of replying, he turned and strode over towards the fireplace. Instead of entering it, though, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Artemis."
"What?"
"A name for the raven," Severus explained. "Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, and was the patron and protector of young girls. I thought it would be a fitting name for the bloody bird." With that parting remark he stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green.
Lauren glanced over at the sleek raven, who was eyeing her with beady black eyes.
"What do you think? You like the name Artemis?"
The raven blinked once and then let out a soft caw. It sounded almost like the distinct sound of approval.
"Artemis it is then," Lauren stated, grinning happily to herself. Snape, against his initial misgivings, had just co-named a pet with her!
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