The night was unkind to Amelia. Her brain never resting, her legs felt like she could run a marathon. Her mind so overworked the last few days that she was unable to relax. The only thing that brought Amelia piece was the noise of the boisterous street below. It reminded her of her streets at home. Finally rest came a few hours before dawn.

Severus also found himself unable to rest. He finally thought he could put his past behind him. That he could live a life of peace and solitude. Do what he wanted when he wanted. Fuck, eat and sleep when he wanted. Who was he kidding?

Now he finds himself tutoring another dunderhead for a cause that neither side wants him on. Worst of all is she's an adult. An American and an insufferable one that likes to talk back. Go figure. Severus laid in bed weighing out his options. Train her and send her on her way in hopes that she doesn't find herself murdered or Obliviate her and leave her somewhere. But then The Order will come poking around no doubt.

Severus groaned into his pillow. Either way, he's wrapped up in another wizarding conflict. Hopefully this one won't cost him his life.

Amelia left her room at 730. Her eyes were still closed as she shuffled her half sleeping form into the bathroom.

After a hot shower she emerged in jeans and a hoodie, too tired to care about her appearance. Comfort always won out.

She was grateful when she spotted Severus already awake and making coffee. 'there is a God' She thought as she shuffled into the kitchen, shooting her host a smile.

He said nothing as he grabbed the paper and sat in his chair.

Amelia followed, coffee in hand. She sat on the floor cross legged and rested her mug on the table in front of her. Severus continued to ignore her while he read the news. The silence was loud and it was making her anxious.

"I hope you don't mind that I showered." She said meekly. Someone needed to break the ice and it was the only thing she could come up with.

The corner of his paper folded down with a shift of his fingers. Amelia could only see the top half of his face. "Why pray tell would you think I found your hygiene habits any interest of mine?" Maybe he's not a morning person.

"I was just making sure you didn't mind. I was trying to be polite." The corner of the paper flicked back up, his face hidden once again. "There's no need to get fluffy with me..." She spoke quietly into her coffee.

At that Severus pulled the paper down and stared at her blankly. Amelia continued sipping her coffee, his irritation making her to smirk behind her mug.

"Do you find this amusing?" The tension in the room causing his voice to sound like a rumble of thunder. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Maybe light-hearted poking wasn't wise.

After a prolonged silence he went back to his paper. Amelia rolled her eyes as soon as he was preoccupied. He really was so touchy.

Suddenly she remembered. "Damn!" she cursed at herself. Of all the things to not forget, letting The Order know she wasn't murdered should be at the top of her list.

Surprisingly, Severus once again showed no acknowledgment of her outburst.

"Severus do you have an owl? I need to tell Tonks where I am."

"Are you insane? Do you think I would let them know where I live?"

"Well I need to at least tell them I'm ok. I won't give them an address, I don't even know it!" Amelia started to panic. If they don't hear from her soon, they could come looking and she has already established that Severus is... sensitive. "Severus..." Amelia scooted around the coffee table and stopped next to his legs. "If I don't tell them I'm ok then they will think something terrible. Then they will show up."

She was right as much as he hated to admit it. Severus stood to walk to his bedroom. "Follow me."

His bedroom was the same as hers except in the corner sat a crow on a perch. Amelia gasped. She loved animals, especially birds.

"You have a crow!?" She said in disbelief as she walked towards it, ignoring the fact that she was walking deeper into the most intimate part of his apartment. She reached her hand out and the black bird let out a small squawk.

Turning towards him, she noticed he was standing in the farthest corner of the room. He looked uncomfortable and a bit on edge.

'what's wrong, never seen a woman in your room? Doubtful.' She thought as she turned back to the bird.

'No... I've had plenty but never you."Amelia's eyes grew wide and she immediately stopped scratching the animals head.

"I heard you. I haven't had anything come through so clear in days!"

"You were relaxed... you were doing something you enjoy. Not to mention ...I happen to be... gifted in legillimens, as you already know. I can push through if need be." He stated calmly as he walked to beside her.

"That was a private thought by the way." Amelia really didn't mind that he caught her snide remark. She was more annoyed that she didn't notice him break into her mind.

"As I said... I'm...gifted" They stood in silence while Amelia stroked the black and blue feathers.

"Why a crow?" She asked, trying to slice through the tension in the room.

Severus cleared his throat and stepped away towards the door. "I live in a muggle town... common birds are easily hidden. He can come and go as he pleases without someone noticing. I have the window charmed so he can leave when he fancies...animals shouldnt be kept in cages."

Amelia nodded her head and waited for him to continue. He pointed at a small table next to his bed. She never even noticed it.

"Quill, ink, parchment. Once you are done I wish to read and approve it."