Chapter Title from "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac

Severus was to be at Grimmauld Place at precisely 4:00 o'clock that afternoon. It was a few hours prior to that, and the Hogwarts elves had just received a delivery of Miss Aspenfell's belongings. Minerva McGonagall was supervising the moving of the items into the the young witch's new dungeon quarters while Severus sipped his morning tea and took a late breakfast in his sitting room. He had slept much later than usual that morning, since he had spent the better part of the night before at Malfoy Manor after being summoned by the Dark Lord. All in all it was an uneventful summons, the latter simply taking the time to outline his expectations for the coming school year in terms of frequency of reports, and the manner of information he would be seeking.

Most of the night was spent not in the Dark Lord's presence at all, but in Lucius's study, where Draco's father outlined the influence peddling he had been engaging in at the Ministry of Magic. Lucius was quite proud at his success in installing the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the upcoming year— a Ministry insider who would be reporting Dumbledore's activities to Minister Cornelius Fudge and squelching any attempts to rally against the Dark Lord within Hogwarts's ranks. Severus knew this would be an added wrinkle to the Order's plans to conceal Miss Aspenfell, contributing both difficulty and urgency to his task at hand. Even if the Ministry hadn't the faintest clue of her identity, her mere presence would arouse suspicion. He would have to be rigid and unyielding in his control of her, not allowing the Thunderbird woman to slip through his grasp and endanger herself or their mission.

Now that nearly two months had passed since their first meeting, Severus found himself distanced somewhat from his initial curiosity about her, and from the slight bit of thrill he got from the idea of embarking on an accelerated course of study with a promising student. Instead he found he increasingly thought of her as monumental chore he would be unable to cross off his list for some time. And any girl who would allow herself to become so besotted with Sirius Black was hardly worth his efforts.

"So the day is finally here," Minerva said excitedly, helping herself to her own cup of tea and a seat in one of Severus's leatherback armchairs.

Snape glared at her. "Rather easy for you to be excited considering this affects you in absolutely no way."

"On the contrary, Severus, it affects all of us. It's rather thrilling to be developing our own secret weapon. Plus she is such a sweet, smart, and vibrant girl. It will be nice to have her here!"

"Well since you get along so swimmingly with her, I will be sure to summon you whenever she is sobbing into her bedsheets over being torn away from Sirius Black."

He sipped the steaming Earl Grey and peered into the room being prepared for the girl's arrival. They had taken a stone-walled, wood-floored room that he had used for overflow storage for potion-making supplies, extra cauldrons and such, and transformed it into a gold and brown bedroom tinged with touches of turquoise blue. Her house was represented well with the gold Thunderbird emblem featured prominently throughout. They had covered the stone on one of the walls and replaced it with a flat wall upon which they painted a mural of a bird flying fast through the clouds, lightning bolts radiating from its wings. Her bed was a white canopy of vines, the bedding itself a gold and white brocade. Two Hogwarts elves were busy placing her newly purchased wardrobe into black walnut drawers. Just off of the room lay a small private bathroom decorated in a similar color scheme. Snape was grateful they had at least spared him the humiliation of having to share that particular space.

"Do you like it?" Minerva called to him, obviously expecting praise for her handiwork.

"It is tastefully done," he admitted with a sigh. "Though I do question all this attention paid to her Ilvermorny house. She is part of our world now — I feel her surroundings should reinforce that."

"You would prefer her sorted into Slytherin straight away?" Minerva replied with a grin.

"I'm sure she'd rather be sorted with her lover," Snape said with a sneer.

"Fiancé," Minerva corrected quietly. "They were engaged last night. There was a small celebration in their honor. Albus didn't think you..."

"Albus was correct— that is the last place on Earth I would want to be." He felt stung. "Now did any of the merry partygoers happen to consider the impact this will have on Miss Aspenfell's studies? On the difficulty of my work? Now I am beholden to Sirius Black on top of everything else, protecting his trophy and expected to bend to his will. Well, I can assure you I will NOT."

"We never assumed you would, Severus," she sighed. "And may I remind you that Sirius Black and Rhiannon Aspenfell are adults. He proposed and she said yes. It's a rather simple concept. The Order did not arrange this."

"Yes, of course Black asked!" Snape fumed, turning his back to her and white-knuckling the fireplace mantle in frustration. "He did it to piss on her and make her his before sending her here, as a personal affront to me!"

He was met with silence and regretted his outburst immediately, not because he saw it as untrue or uncalled for, but because of the embarrassment that filled him. Minerva would interpret it to mean much more than he had intended.

"Severus, I'm sorry, I didn't realize..."

"There is nothing to realize, Minerva, except for the fact that I want my student to pay attention and not act like a silly schoolgirl planning her wedding and doodling her future initials on her parchment all day. Black did this as a way to control her, and to frustrate me."

He saw the witch purse her lips and knew she was about to approach him as if he were a child. "Severus, I hate to disappoint you, but this likely had nothing to do with you. Sirius has spent his entire adulthood alone— it's only natural he would fall in love with her and want to take steps to ensure he doesn't lose her."

His entire adulthood alone? Did she really just say that? To him?

Minerva must have noticed his eyes blazing because she adverted her gaze sheepishly, clearly not realizing what she had said until it was too late.

Snape rubbed his temples and lowered his voice. "Please leave me, Minerva. I have things to tend to do before I fetch Mrs. Aspenfell-Black this afternoon. I believe the elves can finish preparing her quarters without your further supervision."

Minerva obeyed, but not without calling back to him from the doorway. "I said engaged, not married, Severus. It will be awhile before Sirius is able to come out of hiding to obtain a proper license. I think you'll have Rhiannon to yourself for some time yet."

"Can you help me with the buttons?" Rhiannon asked, indicating the long line of them that secured her high-neck blouse in the back. She still hadn't gotten used to witch clothing, or using magic for such simple things as dressing.

"My pleasure. Even though I would prefer undressing to dressing." Sirius kissed gently behind her ear before beginning the buttoning assignment.

"Didn't you get your fill last night?" She laughed. They had been awake nearly all night long after their engagement party, each kiss, each touch, each climax reached intended to stretch across the miles and months until the winter holidays would bring them back together again.

"No man could ever get his fill of you." Sirius secured the last button and turned her around in his arms, his kiss soft and almost somber as her departure drew near.

"Rhiannon," he began, clasping her hand to his chest. The braided gold band he had given her yesterday shone brightly against the fine scarlet silk of his shirt. "Promise me you won't let Snape drag your beautiful spirit down. I admit he is a gifted wizard with much knowledge, but he can suck the happiness from a soul as well as any Dementor in Azkaban."

"I promise, Sirius." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you."

He took a deep breath of her hair. "I love you. When this damn war is over and my name is clear I will marry you and spend my whole life showing you just how much."

A knock at the door interrupted their last moment together. "Sirius? It's Harry. Professor Snape is here."

"Walk me down?" Rhiannon asked.

Sirius shook his head. "I can't see him, Rhiannon. I'll go mad and lose my temper. I don't want you to remember me that way." He kissed her deeply one more time before opening the door and turning her over to Harry with a ruffle of his godson's hair.

"I'll be losing this one too in a couple of days. It sure will be lonely around here."

"We'll write to you, Sirius," Harry assured him.

"I know you will, dear boy. Now hurry along. We want to keep Severus in a jovial mood for the journey, do we not?"

Rhiannon smiled and blew one last kiss in his direction before descending the stairs. Her eyes were welling with tears; it was the first time she had ever cried over a man.

"Don't let Snape see you cry," Harry advised gently. "He'll use it against you."

Rhiannon nodded. "I'm not usually this pathetic, I promise."

"Not pathetic," Harry replied. "I will miss Sirius too. He's just — the best."

"He is." Rhiannon was suddenly doubting everything. Maybe all the whirlwind events of the summer didn't have some great cosmic plan, other than to deliver her right where she was now— promised to a wizard who had suffered so much for so long, made great sacrifices for his friends, loved passionately, and needed her to bring some light into his life.

She wished it could be that simple. But she knew it wasn't. There had always been something tugging at her, demanding more. And she had no choice but to follow.

Molly and Arthur were waiting for her when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Severus is in the parlor, dear," Molly told her with a hug.

"He needs to give you your first lesson before you leave so you don't lose any limbs along the way," Arthur added with a chuckle. "Side-along apparition — just hold tight. And I hope you ate light today."

Hermione and the Weasley children soon filed into the hall as well, all taking turns saying goodbye. Even though they would be arriving at a Hogwarts too in a couple of days, they were not sure when they would see each other again, with Rhiannon going into hiding. She could see the pity and the worry on all of their faces. They all essentially thought she was going to live as a prisoner in a monster's lair.

Rhiannon was deeply sad to leave Sirius, wistful about leaving her birds behind (they had decided Sirius would need their company), but she didn't share the others' sense of dread regarding her placement with Snape. Even as her heart wept for leaving Grimmauld Place, there was a quickening deep within her for all the uncharted territory that lay ahead — his brilliance, his power, his mystery, and what it all meant for her own.

With a deep breath, Rhiannon stepped through the threshold of the parlor to find Professor Snape seated on the settee where she had first met him nearly two months ago, legs crossed, a dusty old book from the corner credenza open in his lap. She realized she had spent so much time in the library that she hadn't even noticed the small collection in this room. She wished she had more time to explore them before they left.

"What are you reading?" she asked boldly, resolute that the wilting flower persona she had previously adopted in his presence would have to be a thing of the past. He was just a man. Like Sirius, like all the others.

Severus looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, ignoring her question. "So good of you to join me, Miss Aspenfell. I was beginning to think you had chained yourself to Black's bedpost in protest. Pleased to see that is not the case."

Rhiannon took a seat on the sofa across from him, her posture stick straight and hands folded in her lap. "If you would be so kind, Professor, to refrain from the references to my sex life. I find it compromises the integrity of our intellectual and professional relationship." She locked her green eyes on his black ones, quite proud of herself, until she saw the twisted amusement contort his lips. It was as if he knew full well the reaction she'd had to him upon their last close encounter. But if he did, he did not speak to it, only replying with a terse "Very well" before rising to his feet. He laid the book to rest on the end table next to her and she finally saw the title, "Mythical Beasts in the Gods and Goddess Traditions".

"Can we bring it along?" she asked, fingering the silver lettering on the cover.

"Well, as the new future mistress of the house I believe that decision is yours," Snape replied, looking at his watch impatiently.

Rhiannon tucked the volume beneath her arm, double checking to make sure her wand was secure in the stitched pocket of her long skirt. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror above the fireplace; with her hair secured back in an elaborate braid and the high necked blouse, she blended in perfectly with the Professor's black suit and travel cloak— they looked like they had stepped out of the 19th century. Just two months ago, she never would have imagined the reflection staring back at her now.

"We will be apparating as close to Hogwarts as is permitted, then walking the remainder of the way. To apparate effectively, you have to be completely focused on your destination and motivated to reach it." Severus explained. "Since you are only apparating alongside, your focus is not as crucial, but you should be mindful and attempt to do your utmost to avoid accidents. Is it your intention to arrive at Hogwarts?"

Rhiannon blinked. "Yes?"

"I hear hesitation. Hesitation risks splinching. If you would like to arrive in one piece rather than body parts scattered throughout London and the Scottish Highlands, I suggest you strengthen your motivation. Again I ask you— is it your intention to arrive at Hogwarts?"

Rhiannon saw Sirius's beautiful eyes flash before her, and she willed herself to dismiss them. "Yes, Professor Snape. It is my intention to go to to Hogwarts."

Severus surveyed her wordlessly and extended one robed elbow, awaiting her arrival at his side. Rhiannon swallowed and placed her right arm tentatively on his outstretched left. When he didn't make a move she glanced at him and saw an impatient grimace. She leaned into him and pressed down with more force, grasping his forearm.

"When we arrive safely to Hogwarts your thoughts can travel at will for the evening, but for now I need you not to think of him." Snape's tone was gruff but a surprising reluctant gentleness lay behind it.

"Yes, Severus." Rhiannon felt him tense and she expected him to reprimand her for the familiar address, but he did not. She was glad, because using his given name put her more at ease.

"We go on my count. Be ready. 1-2-3..."

The ground suddenly felt like it was ripped away, and Rhiannon felt her body twist with his along a cold rush of wind. She was conscious of her stomach's place within her trunk and the sensation rose within her throat, threatening an expulsion from her mouth. She focused on keeping the book and her wand tight to her body and the imagined picture of Hogwarts in her mind. Her grip on Severus tightened and she willed herself to trust him.

They landed in an undignified heap on a wet grassy hill, Snape first, with Rhiannon slung diagonally across him. Her hair had somehow released from its braid along the way and now completely covered his face. He brushed it aside so they both could have a moment to recover their breath. As her stomach and thoughts settled, she became conscious of her breasts heaving against his chest and she blushed, sitting up quickly. She offered a hand to help him sit as well. His long black hair was tousled and wind blown, his normally well-pressed clothes a bit rumpled.

"Is it always that...messy?"

"You will improve with experience," Severus replied, standing and smoothing his clothes back to their impeccable form. He offered his hand to her this time to help her stand, steadying her as she found her balance, her head still a bit dizzy.

"Come," he instructed. "We must to get to the dungeons while everyone else is in the Great Hall for supper. There are very few students here and minimal staff, but we cannot run any risk of discovery." He took off up the hill and she struggled to keep up with his long legs.

"I am assuming our supper is in the dungeons?" she called after him hopefully, keenly aware of her stomach's emptiness after their flight.

"Of course, silly girl. You wouldn't be much use to the Order if I allowed you to starve to death, now would you?"

Immediately back to his snarky self. Rhiannon had a feeling it would forever be one step forward and two back with her new instructor. She had never met a man so hard to read; in fact she'd always found them quite simple, even the good ones like Sirius. There had always been a revolving door of them in her mother's life and more recently her own, so she considered herself somewhat of an expert. Ms. Pearl had even taught her "the old ways," as she called it, when she came of age, ways to channel her own magical energies to her advantage with the opposite sex. Rhiannon had always found though that she didn't need it— not overtly anyway. She wasn't one to craft the potions, recite the incantations, produce the charms — all the things the other girls would do. The energy just seemed to come to her, like it had that night in the garden with Sirius. But with Severus it was like a wall had been built. He seemed impervious to her.

It's a good thing, she reminded herself. That wall needed to be there, for Sirius's sake. She needed a healthy dose of hatred for Severus Snape, in order to block the way he would otherwise make her feel.

As they reached the top of the hill, the sight of Hogwarts really came into view, and Rhiannon drew in a sharp breath. In one swoop she felt the majesty and the history of centuries of magic tied to these sacred Celtic lands. Severus turned long enough to gauge her reaction, and she swore she almost saw him give her a knowing smile.

"We'll be passing through the village of Hogsmeade," he informed her. "Since it is Sunday, most of the shops will have closed early. We may still see passers-by. In the event we do and they were to inquire, you are Meredith McGonagall, niece of Minerva. You come bearing family news before the beginning of term, with her blessing, and she requested I escort you, as she was simply too busy to do so. That will also be the story if we encounter anyone inside of the castle. Understood?"

Rhiannon nodded, already craning her neck to view the tiny wizarding village with its lovely thatched roof cottages and shops. Her longing to explore was strong, and she was grateful for the early shop closure, or she might have begged him for a few minutes of time. She felt she could pull off the whole "Meredith McGonagall" story well enough to be allowed a few more moments of freedom.

Snape must have read her mind, because his hand clasped her upper arm firmly to direct her on their trajectory toward the castle gates.

"Ouch," she whispered. The Hogsmeade streets were deserted with the exception of one elderly couple locking up their shop as they passed. Snape released his grip and laced his arm through hers instead, nodding pleasantly at the couple. Rhiannon kept her gaze lowered.

They soon reached the wrought iron Hogwarts gates, flanked on each side by winged boars. With a quick flick of his wand, Snape bid the gates to unwind their chains and open for their entry onto the grounds. Their arrival to the main entrance hall must have been timed perfectly with dinner, for there was no trace of anyone else. Rhiannon tried to take in the beauty and majesty of it all as quickly as possible, absorbing a mental image she hoped to remember later. Snape quickly whisked her down a small, spiraling stone staircase, his wand still drawn. Rhiannon knew the decision on whether someone received the "Meredith McGonagall" story or a swift "Obliviate" spell rested with Severus's judgment of their character.

The stairs led to a dim, cold hallway, and they entered a door about halfway down, Snape quickly locking it behind them. Rhiannon found they were in a circular room with tile flooring, lit with subtle amber and green lantern light. Large glass bottles lined the walls, filled with multi-colored preservative liquids that preserved all manner of potion ingredients, some intriguing, some fairly disgusting. A circular wooden table sat in the center of the room, its ornate pedestal subtly snakelike in its carvings. Three chairs sat in the room— the first brown with green velvet and rather thronelike, just behind the table, then the other two smooth black leather and generously sized.

"My office," he indicated. "That door over there leads to the Potions classroom. You must never enter that door, as students sometimes arrive unannounced. Though usually only once," he added.

Snape motioned for her to follow and walked toward the arched doorway on the other side. "Skylark," he murmured, and Rhiannon heard a click as the wooden door opened. They now stood in a dark wood paneled living room featuring an emerald green leather sofa and two more black armchairs. Many bookshelves lined the walls, and an ornate black fireplace served as the focal point of the room. Against the side wall sat a small round table with two chairs, likely for taking tea.

From this living room a door lay to the left, currently closed, and he led her through another door directly on their right after entering from his office. Rhiannon gasped as he lit the lanterns with a wave of his wand. The room was awash in soft blue light, resting on a painting of a majestic Thunderbird with storm clouds and lightning bolts radiating from its wings. She saw a white canopy bed of twisted vines, the bed linens appearing decadently soft and generous in rich white and gold. Opening one of the black dresser drawers, she saw some of the new wardrobe items she had purchased over the summer, already neatly placed, and in the corner of the room sat a black wooden desk stocked with parchment, quill, and ink.

"It's perfect, Severus, thank you,"

Snape shrugged indifferently. "Thank Minerva. All her doing. You have your own washroom back there. You have this space as well as the living room to do as you wish. You will not enter my office without my permission, and my private rooms are off limits at all times."

She assumed he meant the closed door that exited off the back of the living room. "May I at least see it?" She asked.

He looked perplexed. "For what possible purpose would you need to see my private bedroom?"

It was her turn to shrug. "Curiosity?"

Snape's face formed a scowl. "Miss Aspenfell, you will learn that curiosity can prove instrumental in ones studies and destructive when put to idle, frivolous, or primitive uses. You will learn to tame yours." He turned on his heel to exit her room. "Join me in the living room for dinner in half an hour," he added before shutting the door behind him.

Rhiannon sighed and ran her hands over the lovely fabric of her bedding, sitting down carefully so not to ruin its elegant beauty. Nearly four months lay between today and the winter holidays, the first time she could hope to escape the confines of these small, dark rooms and Snape's unpredictable temper. She already longed for Sirius's jokes and laughter, the warmth of his smile and the sparkle of his eyes. She imagined the mystical rolling hills, ancient trees, and the vast lake that lay just outside of the Hogwarts walls, and she could feel a clawing sensation at the back of her brain, just desperate to find a way out.

No, she told herself. Tomorrow you will begin your studies and everything will be better. You just have to get through dinner with him, then you can sleep, and spend all day tomorrow buried in books.

Rhiannon remembered Harry's advice to her not to let Snape see her cry. She wiped away a tear and began to prepare for the first of what promised to be many awkward dinners.