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Here is the next chapter - I hope you enjoy it :)

The progressing weeks marched by in a seamless flurry of activity; Potions, Occlumency and duelling lessons taking up most of her time and leaving very little spare time for much else.

Today, though, Lauren had abundance of leisure time on her hands, and she found herself standing in the grand library, staring mulishly at the extensive leather-bound books lining each and every shelf.

What's the use of having all these books at my disposal when I can't find the one I'm really looking for?

Lauren was currently at a standstill with her research regarding venomous snakes – she still hadn't discovered the particular type of snake Nagini was and, therefore, could not start working on some type of antivenom – much to her growing frustration. So, as a divergence, she had decided to do some side research on the magical bond she and Severus Snape shared.

She had thought it would be a simple enough task. How wrong she was.

Lauren had searched the library in it's entirety, even enlisting the help of Blinky, but thus far they had discovered nothing on the subject. There were a vast array of books dealing with Potions and antidotes - some of which had been written by Bethany Ward herself. There were other tomes dealing with Herbology, Fantastic Beasts and where to find them, charms, defensive and offensive spells – many of which would come in handy if Lauren could only memorize them all.

The hidden treasure she had come across, though, was a book pertaining to Latin translations. She had put that one aside to peruse later on, which would prove invaluable with understanding what some spells meant and what they did exactly. Not to mention it would also help her translate some of the Slytherin dormitory passwords. Lauren had long ago suspected that Snape created these passwords, as a few months there had been one that had loosely translated into: Bane of my existence. Lauren had been quite certain that this had been a direct reference to her.

But try as they might Lauren and Blinky had found no book even remotely covering the topic of magical bonds.

I think a visit to Flourish and Blotts is in order...

That visit would be quite soon as Lauren had just recently received the results from her exams and would need to go and purchase school supplies in Diagon Alley.

Amazingly, she had done exceptionally well with most of her subjects (though History of Magic, unsurprisingly, had been her lowest mark). The real shocker had been her Potions score. Lauren had almost dropped the sheet of paper in shock when she had reviewed her mark. Even by Snape's standards, it had verged on being outstanding.

Lauren knew that Snape believed that she had a natural aptitude for the subject, but seeing the score on paper had been a confirmation of her abilities. It was oddly exhilarating to know that not only was she starting to thrive in her new world, but was also excelling for the first time in her life.

An elegant swoop of black entered the room and Artemis came gliding into her field of vision, looping lazily around the library before landing gracefully upon the back of a chair and ruffling his glossy black feathers as he settled. He then let out a sharp caw before extending his leg, revealing the letter that was attached to it.

"Tracey sent back a reply, did she?" Lauren asked, fondness seeping into her voice as she spoke to her pet.

Artemis responded with a gurgling croak, tilting his head to the side and eyeing her with those sharp, intelligent black eyes.

Lauren crossed the room and came to stand before him. As she gently stroked the silky feathers upon his head, Artemis' eyes closed in contented bliss under her ministrations. Lauren gave him one final caress and then untied the letter from his leg.

"Go to the kitchen and see if Blinky will give you a treat," Lauren instructed as she unrolled the parchment.

Artemis clicked his beak before extending his wings and taking off, gliding out of the room as silently as he had entered.

"And try not to peck her fingers this time!" Lauren shouted over her shoulder at the retreating bird. A distant caw was her only answer and Lauren rolled her eyes. "Bloody cheeky bird."

Her midnight blue eyes scanned the letter and she stilled as the letter progressed. Tracey wanted to come and visit Sunday afternoon, and her parents wanted to tag along to meet their daughter's new friend.

Lauren tried not to grimace, her whole being rebelling at the very idea. She had always thought that when she met 'the parents', it would be the parents of her significant other. Not a friend's.

I really do need to get a life...

Then another thought occurred to her.

Tracey will be expecting to meet my guardian...Bugger.

Lauren hastily rolled up the letter and strode from the room, making her way to the kitchen. Artemis was perched upon the back of one of the kitchen chairs, eyeing out the visibly nervous house-elf as she placed a dish of squiggly worms before him and quickly stepping back.

"Behave, Artemis," Lauren warned as she made her way to the fireplace. As she passed the bird, she swore it rolled its eyes at her like some sullen teenager who had just been denied his bit of fun.

It wasn't that Artemis hated Blinky, but he did have a rather mischievous side to him and rather enjoyed making the house-elf uneasy. And Lauren wasn't exempt from his impishness either. Artemis had a fashion of hiding things from her, waiting until Lauren had searched for a few hours before flying off and returning with the long looked-for item clutched tightly in his beak – and he refused to release it until Lauren had stroked his head and had offered him a juicy snack in return.

Artemis, however, was the epitome of best behaviour around Severus. Whenever the Potion Master visited, the raven would swoop onto his shoulder, staying perched there like a silent and well behaved pet until Snape ordered him off. It was clear that the raven adored Snape and looked to him as his true Master; Lauren being more of a second-in-command person in his eyes. And even though she was the one who petted him and fed him, it was abundantly clear that Artemis would gladly trade her with Snape in the blink of an eye.

"Roll you eyes at me again and I'll use the new hex I discovered to make you completely bald. Then you'll look like a turkey ready for the oven," she muttered.

As Lauren knelt in front of the fireplace, she was struck by the fact that she had just sounded like Snape when he was exasperated at her.

Yup, I really need to get a life...

She flung a fistful of Floo powder into the fireplace and stuck her head in the green flames, instinctively holding her breath and scrunching her eyes shut as she connected to Snape's residence. Her knees were already starting to protest at having to kneel on the cold, hard stone floor.

This is going to be a short conversation, Lauren mentally noted, vowing next time to have cushions ready and in place.

"Professor Snape?" she stated clearly, opening her eyes and squinting at the weird, distorted sensation of peering through the green flickering flames.

She waited a few seconds but there was no reply, nor any movement within what looked like his living room. She tried again but there was no response.

"Professor Snape!" she snapped. "Answer your bloody fireplace! Do you have any idea how uncomfortable this is?!"

"Hence the reason for making you wait," came the familiar sarcastic drawl that jolted her stomach and had it doing flip-flops, and that odd warm feeling to settle deep within her chest like a deep rooted tree – a sensation which she stubbornly tamped down.

"Arse," she muttered.

Snape drifted into view, seemingly in no rush, and knelt in front of his fireplace. "To what do I owe this...pleasure?" Lauren did not miss the pause, nor the inflection of sarcasm that had seeped into his query.

Lauren drew in a deep breath and instantly coughed as she inhaled soot. Snape waited patiently as she recovered, though he did look pointedly at his wristwatch.

"Can I come through?" she asked, her eyes watering.

"No."

"Why not? You've visited my house," she pointed out.

"Because I'm afraid that, like an unwelcome house pest, once you gain entrance you'll never leave."

Lauren scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. And did you just compare me to a...cockroach? Or a rat? Somehow, I have a feeling I should be offended."

Snape smirked but true to his nature, he infuriatingly chose not to answer her question and instead deflected with one of his own. "Why have you interrupted one of my rare moments of peace and quiet, Miss Ward, but insisting on plaguing me with your presence?"

Lauren shot him a scowl, but forged on with the initial reason as to why she was contacting him. "Tracey wants to come and visit, and she plans to bring along her parents."

A sneer twisted his pale features. "And this pertains to me how?"

Lauren tucked a loose wave behind her ear. "I am, um, reluctant to tell her that Dumbledore is my... guardian."

Snape stared at her for a moment. "And why is that?"

"Considering how Dumbledore pulled the Slytherin victory right out from under our feet at the end of the year, the news might not go down so well. Plus, it's also weird." Lauren grimaced at the fact that Dumbledore really was her guardian, even if it was only in writing. "If I do tell Tracey and by some miracle she handles it well...somewhere down the road she might let slip that bit of information. I really don't fancy the whole school finding out..." Lauren trailed off as her anxiety took over.

Snape sighed deeply, and Lauren instantly recognized the signs that she was going to be lectured.

"Do you understand why Dumbledore specifically chose to be your guardian, Miss Ward?"

"Kinda, but I have a feeling you're going to enlighten me about something obvious that I missed."

The corners of his lips curled into a sardonic smirk. "Indeed." There was a momentary pause and then he continued. "I think the Headmaster intends for it to become public knowledge that he is your guardian."

"Why?" Lauren could not mask her astonishment. She would have thought that Dumbledore would not have wanted this bit of news getting out.

"Think, Miss Ward. Who is the one wizard the Dark Lord is most afraid of?"

A frown tugged at her brows. "Dumbledore."

"Yes," Snape continued in his silky baritone. "By electing to be your guardian, the Headmaster has guaranteed -."

"My protection," Lauren finished, comprehension dawning on her as she started putting the pieces together.

"Correct. Once word reaches the Dark Lord that you are under Dumbledore's protection, he will be more disinclined to try and get his hands on you."

"Ah," Lauren drew out, fully understanding now. She dwelt upon the implications of this arrangement, and had to concede that it certainly held merit. "So, I should make it publicly known then?"

"You could...Or you could simply keep quiet. The Dark Lord will find out eventually," Snape replied with an air of nonchalance.

"How?"

"There are certain members of the Death Eaters that work at the Ministry. When the Dark Lord returns to power, he will try and gather as much information about you as he can -."

"And he'll send Lucius Malfoy to look into my records and will discover that Dumbledore is my guardian," Lauren finished.

"Yes." If Snape was surprised about her knowledge regarding Lucius Malfoy being a Death Eater, he didn't show it.

The tension ebbed from her body and Lauren felt marginally better about the situation. "Well...that certainly works. Dumbledore has definitely thought this through, hasn't he."

"He may have had some input," Snape hinted.

Lauren blinked at the insinuation that Snape had had a hand in securing her protection. He would be unable to personally ensure it himself in the future, and had therefore chosen the next best option available to him.

"Thank you," she finally murmured.

"Though, I should warn you to keep my visits discreet," Snape warned, ignoring her gratitude. Lauren nodded in agreement, for it would be disastrous if Voldemort discovered that not only was Snape on friendly terms with her, but also had access to her house. "Now, was there anything else, Miss Ward?" he asked impatiently.

"Nope. See you Monday?" she asked hopefully.

In the beginning, Snape had only paid her a visit once or twice a week, but gradually his visits had become more frequent, until he was practically visiting her every day, where they worked on Potions, Occlumency, and duelling lessons. Saturday and Sundays he usually stayed away, and Lauren tried not to think about how empty the manor felt without him during those days.

"I thought I was supposed to be on holiday," Snape muttered peevishly.

Lauren's knees were starting to protest at kneeling for too long upon the unforgiving floor, and she shifted position to help ease the ache. "You make it sound like I'm such a burden," she grumbled.

"Because you are," Snape shot back.

With that the connection was cut off rather rudely and Lauren withdrew from the flames, sitting back on her heels and scowling at the flickering green flames.

"Arse," she muttered before rising stiffly to her feet.

Lauren stretched, her fingertips reaching skywards as she worked out the kinks in her muscles before she relaxed.

Right. Time to send Tracey a reply.

She grabbed a sheet of parchment, quill and ink bottle, and hastily scribbled a response to Tracey. Blowing the ink dry, Lauren called out for Artemis, who glided into the room a few seconds later and perched upon the back of the chair to her left. Lauren attached the rolled-up note to his leg and, after stroking his head in thanks, the raven took off out through the open window to deliver the letter.

Lauren sat there for a few moments.

It's a beautiful Saturday morning and I'm just sitting here in the house doing nothing. I think it's time to get out for a bit.

Lauren shoved some money into her jean pocket, secured her sheath onto her forearm and inserted her wand before shrugging on a denim jacket that effectively hid her wand.

"Is Mistress Lauren going somewhere?" Blinky asked, having suddenly appeared by her feet and almost causing Lauren to jump in fright.

"Just a quick run to Muggle London," Lauren replied as she slipped on her pair of Converse.

"By yourself?"

"Yup. I won't be long." Lauren grabbed a fistful of Floo Powder and flung it into the fireplace, and soon she was transported to Diagon Alley.

Two hours later Lauren arrived back home, casting a cleansing spell upon herself as she stepped out of the fireplace. She froze when she looked up to see none other than Severus Snape sitting at her kitchen table, a mug of tea clasped between his hands and Artemis perched upon his shoulder.

"Professor Snape?" she asked guardedly as she cautiously stepped further into the room.

"Miss Ward," he greeted back in that silky tone that promised no good.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as she came to a decision and approached the table, settling into the chair across from Snape. She eyed Artemis, who gave a serious of clicking sounds as he tried to rub his head against Severus' cheek; a gesture the Potion Master quickly put a stop to with a stern look. "Traitor," she muttered at the bird.

"Blinky informed me that you had left by yourself."

Lauren cut her gaze to the house-elf, who was immersed in her task of drying a plate. Judging by the tense set in her shoulders, as well as the way her bat-like ears were perked up, Lauren knew the little elf was listening intently.

"Great. I'm surrounded by traitors," Lauren grumbled. Then, in a clearer voice, she addressed Snape, "I thought I was free to come and go as I pleased."

"Oh you are. I really am not concerned about what you do during your leisure time."

"So why are you here then?"

Snape's lips curled into a sardonic smirk as he leaned forward, his elbows resting upon the hard surface of the table. "Tell me, Miss Ward, what is in your pocket?"

Lauren eyed him, her lips pressed together into a thin line. Snape knew full well what she had purchased – she could see it in his eyes.

"Were you following me?" she asked, feeling outraged.

The way his smirk broadened was answer enough.

Lauren leaned back in her chair and vented irritably. "Oh for fuckity fuck's sake!" She shoved her hand in her pocket and withdrew a miniaturized shopping bag, placing it on the table and enlarging it. "There! Take a look – though you already know what I bought, it would seem."

Snape's eyes flickered to the bottles of wine peeking out from over the top of the bag. Then he lifted his dark gaze back to her, his features set in that of nonchalance. "I am curious as to how you managed to get your hands on this. I didn't think Muggles were allowed to sell alcohol to underage children."

"Technically, no. But 1992 was...is a bit more lax and not very many bat an eyelid when a child comes to the store to buy something that their parents sent them to get. My father would often send me to the corner store to get him smokes and not once was I ever denied. I figured I would try my luck today and it worked."

Snape leaned back in his chair and raised his cup to his lips, taking a small sip of his tea as he watched her over the rim of his cup. He then placed it back down on the counter with a soft clunk. "Then by all means, have some," he challenged, his voice taking on that poisoned honey hue.

Lauren's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is this a trick?"

"There is no trickery on my part," he insisted, his lips slowly curling into a small smile that looked rather ominous.

Nope, this is definitely a trick. Lauren could feel it in her bones.

But she decided to play along, more out of curiosity's sake and to find out what Snape was up to. Lauren withdrew a bottle from the bag and, after fetching a corkscrew, she uncorked it with an audible pop.

Lauren hesitated and shot Snape look, but he merely raised a brow and nudged his head in an indication for her to drink up.

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"

"Probably."

Lauren was tempted right there and then to nope right out of there, but stubbornness and curiosity egged her on. She raised the bottle to her lips and took a small, hesitant sip.

She immediately pulled a face of pure disgust before rushing to the sink and spitting the vile stuff out.

"What in the bleeding hell was that?" she spluttered, gagging as the disgusting taste clung to her taste buds in a residual aftertaste.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Snape raising the bottle to his nose and taking a sniff. "Vinegar would be my guess," he stated, amusement tinting his voice as he placed the bottle back upon the table.

"Did you change it?" Lauren demanded, rounding on the Potion Master.

"No, I did not."

"Then wh -." Lauren paused as the answer came to her with clarity, causing a dark scowl to overshadow her features. "Dumbledore."

"Yes. Now that you mention it, I do recall him mentioning that he planned to place an enchantment upon your home so that the properties of anything alcoholic brought in would be...altered."

"Into vinegar?"

"It would seem so."

Lauren rubbed at her forehead, a headache starting to pound within her skull. "I don't know why I'm even surprised. So trying to turn water into rum wouldn't work either?"

Snape rose from his seat and Artemis let out an indignant caw before flying off, unamused that his favourite perch had decided to move. "If I were to hazard a guess, the answer would be no."

"Lovely," Lauren grumbled under her breath. "Just bloody fantastic. I can't bring any alcohol over the threshold, and I can't brew any stuff of my own."

"Nope," Snape replied with a hint of snark, popping the 'p' the way Lauren did. It was mockery at its finest.

Lauren's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "Did you by any chance happen to put that idea in Dumbledore's head?"

Snape regarded her as he stood at his full height, sensing that her mood had now shifted into dangerous territory and that Lauren was about to lose her temper.

Without warning, Snape turned abruptly and strode towards the fireplace, calling over his shoulder, "I will see you Monday morning, Miss Ward." And then he was gone in a flash of green.

Lauren growled in a combination of frustration, fury and exasperation, and grabbed one of the bottles of now useless wine, flinging it at the fireplace and causing it to shatter into a million pieces.

Blinky was immediately by her side, broom and dustpan in hand and she prepared to clean up the mess. But the little elf halted when a second bottled crashed against the stone.

Lauren stared with unseeing eyes at the fireplace that was now strewn with glistening glass that was slick with the spilled vinegar.

Then she turned to Blinky and said in a deceptively calm voice, "Please give those other two bottles to Headmaster Dumbledore with my compliments and tell him I have received his message loud and clear."

With that she strode from the room and made her way to the lab, the one place that offered her peace and solace. Brewing potions centred her and would be constructive in soothing her roiling temper. Either that, or she would end up blowing the basement up. Either option worked well for her.

~oOo~

Lauren stood in front of the fireplace, feeling distinctly nervous as she rubbed her clammy palms against her jeans. She glanced down at her wristwatch for what felt like the thousandth time and blew out an exasperated breath.

I shouldn't be nervous. I'm only meeting Tracey's parents, she chided herself. No big deal. If I can handle Snape, I can handle them.

The thought of Severus Snape had her scowling as her anger returned to the surface.

He bloody conspired with Dumbledore to tamper with my alcohol stash!

It felt very much like a betrayal, but part her wasn't even surprised that he had done such a thing. Personally, she had been half expecting something like this.

It was quite an ingenious plan, even I have to admit that. I can't bring any alcohol into the house, and I can't go out in public and drink because I'm underage, Lauren thought grudgingly, with just a hint of respect at those two conniving masterminds. As clever as it was, it doesn't mean that I still can't be pissed about it. And I plan to fully exercise my right to be pissed.

Lauren's mental rant was cut short by the bright flare of emerald green within the hearth, and she immediately straightened up, schooling her features.

Tracey soon stepped out of the fireplace, followed shortly by her parents. Lauren could immediately discern that it was her father who was a wizard and her mother a Muggle.

Tracey's father was tall and wiry, with thinning dark brown hair parted neatly to the side. He was clean shaven, which only served to enhance his almost hollow cheeks and chocolate brown eyes. What outed him as a wizard was the cobalt blue suit he was sporting, paired with a black tie speckled with yellow polka dots. In his hand was clutched a black bowler hat trimmed with yellow, which matched his tie perfectly.

Wizards, Lauren had surmised, were rather fond of dressing eccentrically.

Tracey's mother, on the other hand, wore a lovely and respectable rose gold summer dress that accentuated her slim figure. Matching wedges to complete the outfit, and her rich brown hair was cut into a similar bob as her daughter's. In fact, the resemblance of mother and daughter was uncanny, and it was like looking at an older version of Tracey, just Muggle. And, by all accounts, Tracey's mother was a normal Muggle woman.

Before Lauren could open her mouth, Tracey barrelled into her and enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug.

"It's only been a few weeks, Tracey," Lauren grunted as she pried the unusually affectionate girl off of her, not used to Tracey acting in such a manner.

"Oops. Sorry. I forgot you're not the hugging type," Tracey quipped, stepping back and turning her attention to her mom and dad.

"Mum. Dad. I would like you to meet Lauren Ward, my friend at school."

"Lovely to meet you," Lauren stated, minding her manners as she stiffly extended her hand for a formal handshake.

Tracey's father bounced forward on the balls of his feet and shook her hand vigorously, beaming down at her.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lauren. Tracey has told us so much about you."

Lauren cut her gaze to her friend, wondering just how much Tracey had really told them. If, in fact, they had heard every unfiltered truth about her, they would have probably forbidden their daughter from associating with her indefinitely.

So only the good stuff then. Or absolute lies...

Tracey's father released her hand and then the mother was shaking Lauren's hand, her handshake much more subdued and gentle. She gave Lauren a small, reserved smile, though warmth radiated from her pale heart-shaped features in a subdued glow.

"It's wonderful to meet you," she declared in a softy, husky voice that suited her maturity.

"Lauren, this is my mum and dad, Persephone and Silas," Tracey stated, ending the introductions as she gazed around the kitchen with open curiosity. She then cut her gaze to Lauren. "So where is your guardian?"

"Oh, uh...he thought I would like to have some time alone with my friend," Lauren supplied, an awkward smile stretching unnaturally on her lips.

"Oh, yes. Tracey did mention that you were living with a guardian," Tracey's father piped up jovially. He was the complete opposite in personality compared to his wife; outgoing to Persephone's reserved nature.

"So who is he?" Tracey asked with unrestrained excitement at the prospect of learning who this mysterious person was.

Lauren gulped. She really didn't want to have to deal with the reactions that was sure to follow at her announcement.

"Lauren?" Tracey asked, frowning as she noted her friend's trepidation.

"Dumbledore!" Lauren blurted out.

The silence that descended upon the room was almost painful.

"What?" Tracey croaked, looking distinctly horrified.

"The Headmaster of Hogwarts?" Silas asked, shooting his wife a bewildered look.

"The very same," Lauren mumbled, twisting a strand of hair around her index finger; a nervous childhood habit that she had long since broken, but which had now returned with a vengeance.

"What?...How?" Tracey asked, her voice almost shrill. "Does he really live here with you?"

"He, uh, checks up on me daily," Lauren lied. "Blinky, my house-elf, takes care of me when he's not here."

Silence weighed heavy upon the room, almost suffocating. Lauren shuffled nervously from one foot to the other, thinking this had been a really bad idea.

Why did I have to listen to Snape?

"Well, this is Dumbledore we're talking about. I can't imagine anyone being a more suitable guardian," Silas exclaimed after getting over his initial shock, and effectively breaking the stifling disquiet.

"But he leaves you alone most of the time?" Persephone asked.

"He knows I prefer it that way. I grew up an...orphan. I am used to being on my own and I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Besides, if I need something I only have to contact him and he'll be here," Lauren hastily reassured. The last thing she needed was for these two making complaints to the Ministry about her well-being.

Thankfully, Tracey's parents seemed pacified by this explanation, nodding slowly to themselves.

"How about a cup of tea?" Lauren deflected, smiling brightly at the congregated family before her.

Three pairs of eyes blinked back at her, and Lauren decided to call Blinky and have her make some tea for her guests.

Tracey's mother was somewhat startled by the sight of the elf, and Silas had to quickly explain that house-elves were common, especially among the older blood-lines. Lauren suspected that Tracey's household did not have an elf tending to their every need, if her mother's reaction was anything to go by, and Lauren was somewhat surprised by this revelation.

The afternoon was spent getting to know Tracey's parents. Lauren soon learned that Tracey's father worked for the Ministry in the Department of Magical Artefacts, and her mother was a secretary at some law firm in the Muggle world.

The tension and awkwardness soon gave way to comfortable conversation, and Lauren was quite taken with the pair.

Lauren then gave them a tour of the house and she could see the literal appreciation writ on each of their features, especially when she showed them the library. Lauren decided to forego showing them her lab, as she didn't want questions to arise that she didn't want to answer: questions about whether she was brewing on her own and, if not, who was overseeing her potion brewing. She had to keep Snape's involvement strictly secret. Even from her friend.

By the end of their visit Lauren had to admit that she quite liked Tracey's parents. Her father was really easy going and down to earth; inquisitive as he fired away questions about her ancestry, her past, and her likes and dislikes. His eyes had practically bugged out of his eyes when he had learned that she was a descendant of Bethany Anne Ward.

Persephone, though reserved and quiet in her observations, carried a distinct motherly instinct, and as they prepared to Floo back home she showered Lauren with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

They said their farewells, Tracey promising to visit soon, and soon they were gone in a flash of green.

The house was now distinctly quiet and empty, and Lauren had to ponder the loneliness that settled within her like the deep waters of a still lake. She wasn't one to seek out human companionship, so she could not understand this lonesome feeling.

I'm getting goddamn soft in my old age..

Lauren shook her head and decided to head to the library, choosing a book to occupy her mind for the few remaining hours of the day, which was quickly morphing into twilight. Blinky served her a dinner of fish and chips, which Lauren ate in the library as she continued to become immersed in her book.

"How did your play-date go?"

Lauren yelped and leapt from her chair, her book dropping to the floor with a thud that echoed throughout the room. She spun around, coming face to face with Severus, who was staring down his nose at her with his dark, fathomless eyes.

"My...what?" she stammered.

"Your play-date."

Lauren scowled. "Play-dates are for kids."

"Exactly." Mischievous amusement glinted in his eyes.

Lauren glared daggers at him before turning abruptly and picking up her book off the floor. "Did you come here just to be an arse, or was there something else?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Snape breezed past her in a billow of black and settled into the other armchair facing her own, both placed strategically in front of a fireplace. He stretched his long legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles, steepling his fingers in front of him as he regarded her. Artemis, as if on cue, glided into the room and settled upon the armrest of his chair, cawing softly at his favourite human. Snape glanced at the bird and then absently stroked his head, the raven practically becoming putty under his his slender-fingered hand.

"You didn't answer my question," Snape drawled.

Lauren growled and settled heavily into the other chair, knowing she wasn't going to get rid of Snape so easily.

"No, I didn't. Besides, why do you care?"

"I don't."

Lauren mentally rolled her eyes. If you didn't care, you wouldn't be here. But she didn't dare voice her thoughts out loud. Snape was not one who indulged in heart-to-heart emotional talks, and most certainly did not talk about his feelings, no matter how platonic.

"I'm still angry at you."

"I'd be very surprised if you weren't," Snape countered, seeming very much unfazed by her statement. "Your penchance for holding onto a grudge rivals that of my own."

"True."

"I could simply remain absent for the remainder of the summer holidays until you get over it," Snape threatened idly, a teasing tone entering his voice.

Despite herself, a smile crept onto her face. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Undeniably so."

"Arse."

"Please stop stating the obvious, Miss Ward. It's getting tiring."

"Why don't you ever call me by my first name?" Lauren, logically, knew this shouldn't bother her, but it did.

Snape was silent for a moment as he mulled her question. "Boundaries must be set firmly in place. Calling each other by first names implies -."

"Friendship?"

"Familiarity.

"And friends are familiar with each other. It doesn't have to mean anything more," Lauren protested stubbornly.

Snape levelled her with a stern look. "Regardless, you are still my student. And, as your Professor, some boundaries must not be crossed. Do I make myself clear, Miss Ward."

Lauren sighed, knowing she was fighting a lost cause. "Perfectly."

Silence descended once more as they both stared into the fireplace, watching the orange flames licking hungrily at the dry logs.

Lauren glanced over at Severus, blinking at the way the flames cast a dim glow upon his pale features, making him seem like someone who resided half in the shadows.

Severus Snape does half live in the shadows, half in the light...

Lauren decided to change the subject, as well as to break the silence, and stated, "I received my marks from my exams..."

Snape slowly turned his head to regard her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "And?"

"I did surprisingly well," Lauren boasted, feeling immensely proud of herself. "Though I was rather surprised by my Potions mark."

"And why is that?" Snape drawled, turning his attention back to the flames within the hearth, his features an unreadable mask.

"I scored an exceptionally high mark...High even for your standards."

Snape remained silent for a moment. "Unlike some, I do not grade based on favouritism. I grade my students based on their skills. And you have shown remarkable skill in Potion brewing, Miss Ward."

That glowing warm ember within her chest flared at his high praise, threatening to consume her entirely. An odd, fluttery feeling seeped into her very core, making her feel bubbly and as light as a feather.

"If you had scored us based on favouritism, what score would I have received?"

"Zero," Snape replied instantly.

And just like that the light bubbly sensation vanished, replaced with an almost gut-wrenching disappointment.

Snape glanced at her and, noting the crestfallen look upon her face, smirked. "Were you expecting another answer?"

"No." But I had 'hoped' for a better one.

Lauren drew in a deep breath and decided she was being silly for feeling hurt by a comment that had come from Snape, who was famous for his barbed tongue.

"So, who scored the highest mark in Potions?" she deflected, refusing to meet his gaze.

Silence was her only reply and Lauren finally glanced over at him, only to see an impervious brow arched at her question, almost as though he was saying: Who do you think?

"Oh," Lauren breathed out as comprehension dawned on her. "Really?"

"Yes, Miss Ward."

Bloody hell! I beat Hermione Granger!

A huge grin stretched upon her lips and Lauren let out a delighted chuckle. A smile crept upon Snape's face as he witnessed her exultation, and in that moment he looked genuinely happy for her.

"It was well deserved," he remarked as he rose from his seat. Artemis ruffled his feathers, but stayed upon the armrest of the chair.

Lauren felt absolutely giddy as she stared up at him and contentment settled deep within her. "I was right. You do care."

"I do not," Snape stated firmly.

Lauren straightened up in her chair, tucking her foot under her knee and suddenly serious. Her merriment from moments ago had suddenly evaporated. "Why is it so difficult for you to admit it?"

Snape was stoically silent, a hardness glassing over his features. Lauren thought he was not going to answer, but he surprised her by stating in an almost hushed tone, "Because it is a difficult question." With that, he turned and strode from the room without saying goodbye.

Confusion washed over Lauren as she slumped back in her armchair.

What did he mean by that?

Lauren cradled her cheek in the palm of her hand, her elbow planted firmly on the armrest as she contemplated the true meaning of his words.

Is it a difficult question because Snape doesn't know exactly why he cares at all? Or is it a difficult question because he knows why he cares but doesn't want to tell me? Or is it much more complicated than that?

Lauren still didn't have an answer by the time she made her way to bed. The only one who could answer that question was Snape, and he wasn't telling.

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