They landed in another alley, this one much cleaner but Amelia could tell they weren't far away from the boisterous bar. The buildings on this side of town seemed to be in better condition and the streets were lined with people.

Severus didn't give her any time to catch her balance and walked ahead briskly.

Amelia rolled her eyes in a huff and scurried after him. Severus remained silent, looking straight ahead while making his way up the front steps to his building. The area was nicer compared to the bar but she could tell it wasn't the most privileged part of town. She didn't mind however. Amelia grew up poor and remained... well not poor but there was always healthy struggle to keep her head above water. Hand to mouth as they say.

Although, she didn't expect Severus of all people to be living in a "rough" neighborhood. He seemed to be the type of man who would deal with very little ruckus.

Lost in her musings, her front collided straight into the back of her prickly partner making an audible "Oooff" as her face smacked into the back of his neck. Severus immediately turned, grabbing Amelia's upper arms before she fell backwards down the stairs.

"WATCH. what. you're. doing. girl." He looked like he could kill her.

"I'm so sorry-i wasn't paying attention!" The humiliation evident immediately. Her entire face and chest breaking out in splotchy red.

His large hands were still gripping her arms and his face was still menacing. It was like he was frozen, staring into her eyes like a mother disciplining her child. The look leaving an unspoken threat of "do it again, I dare you." Amelia couldn't look away, stunned by the intensity of his gaze. Slowly he let her arms go and turned, taking down the wards silently and walking inside.

The building was large and dark, half the lights working while the other half only working half the time. Now she could see why he liked it. This was not a "hang out" building for riffraff. The residents probably didn't even want to be here. They passed by an elevator with a handwritten "Out of Order" sign taped to the front of it, the corners crinkled and torn from falling and being stepped on then stuck back up.

"Please tell me you live on the first floor." Amelia groaned as she looked up the multiple twisting staircases above.

For the first time Severus actually smirked. It was slight, but it was a smirk. "No... actually... the top floor." Once again moving ahead and making his way up the stairs.

"Fuck me." Amelia whispered to herself as she began her climb.

Severus was waiting in his small kitchen taking a kettle off the stove as Amelia dragged herself over the threshold. Once inside she leaned against the wall trying to catch her breath.

"... how... you...every...everyday?..." She gasped while clutching her chest.

He carefully poured himself a cup of tea before turning to face her. He regarded her seriously, looking down his nose. She watched as his lips curled and she could see him swipe his front teeth with his tongue. It was a look that was both terrifying and incredibly sexy.

"You're out of shape." He said quietly as we went back to his cup.

Amelia's mouth feel open. "Excuse me? You can be a dick all you want but you aren't going to comment on my weight." She stated as she kicked herself away from the wall. Now way too pissed off and embarrassed to listen to her aching legs.

At that Severus immediately put his tea down and folded his arms. "You people. So obsessed with your bodies you have to take everything offensively."

Amelia stayed silent with her arms now folded in defiance allowing him to continue.

Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I said you're out of shape because you nearly died from walking up 10 flights of stairs. Not because of your weight."

Amelia waved her hand at him as she took in her surroundings, clearly over the conversation. It was an open floor concept, constructed that way in a failed attempt to make the small rooms look bigger. The kitchen and living room were practically all in one. The modest living space was almost barren except for the large bookshelf behind a worn down chair. Off the living room was a small hallway with three doors.

Tea in hand, Severus walked down the hall and pointed at the first door. "Bathroom" Then continued to the end of the hall pointing to his left then his right. "My room. Your room."

Amelia nodded and opened the door to her room. This room too was near empty with the exception of a bed and a nightstand. Whilst thinking about unpacking, a deep rumble behind her made her jump.

"Don't get too comfortable. I don't intend on having you here long."

"Are you going to be a total jackass the entire time I'm here or are you actually going to help me?" His bad mood was really starting to rub her the wrong way. Amelia turned suddenly, her annoyance quite clear. "I've done nothing but ask for your help and I am grateful to have it. But for this to work I need you to be..." Her arms flung about as she searched for the right word. "...nicer?"

His eyebrows shot into his hairline at that. "Nicer?" His face inched closer, their noses almost touching. He was a close talker when he was mad and it was horrible for Amelia's nerves. " Don't forget, it is you who sought me out, you who cast me the burden of being mentor and protector AGAIN and YOU ...who is being boarded...by me."

Amelia felt like a fool again. A whiny baby who can't handle a few snarls and offhanded comments. "No...no you are right. I was out of pocket."

Severus walked into his bedroom and slammed the door. "YOUR TRAINING STARTS TOMORROW...AND DONT TOUCH ANYTHING."

Amelia smiled to herself and shook her head, relieved he wasn't kicking her out already. Walking into her room she began preparing herself for a restless night.