Thanks to Amy Lee and SheDoesMagic for reviewing. Sorry to leave such a cliffhanger. Here is what I have.
Please presume all the usual disclaimers that go along with this sorta thing.
Ch 3 -a long night
"All right, I'm ready whenever you are. Take your time," Delia said in a soothing manner.
"I'm going to make some more tea," muttered Severus and he got up from the couch and went over to the kettle and uttered a spell to heat up the water. Then he filled a brown teapot with a slight chip in the handle with the heated water. Waited a minute, filled the two teacups on the small table, handed one to Delia and sat back down on the couch and looked miserable. Delia looked at her cup, there was no milk or sugar added. Severus took a drink of his tea, gave a look like he tasted something awful, released a heavy sigh, got up took Delia's cup and filled the teacups with milk and sugar.
"You could have said something about the tea," he said handing her the tea cup and then sat back down.
"Back home we drink tea with no milk and sometimes no sugar. I though nothing of it!"
"You've been here long enough to know how we drink tea!" Severus snapped. Then Delia thought she heard something about bloody Americans.
Delia looked hurt. She hung her head not wanting to look at Severus. She clutched her tea with both her hands and softly spoke into the cup, " Since you are being this way, I am going to leave."
"No, you aren't. I am responsible for your care," he said strictly.
"I can go to the hospital wing."
"No, you'll stay," he said in a calm voice. "I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm sorry. It's just...what I'm about to tell you may change your opinion of me. Very few people know. Its something I regret."
"Oh, ok," she said softly in her Midwestern. "I accept your apology."
"Thank you, Delia," he sighed and got up from the couch and went over to the fireplace mantel and leaned on it. "Where shall I start?"
"The beginning? Isn't that where everything starts?"
He gave Delia a look like I knew that. "All right, remember when we were talking about the worst thing we had ever done?"
"Yep. I remember," she said. I was just goofing around."
"Good. I was thinking about what I had done. Then I thought to myself, I don't deserve you after my deed. You are the sweetest, nicest, forgiving, and most precious person whom have met. You don't want a scab of a person such as myself. You are radiant, charming, beautiful, gorgeous, intelligent, loving and young, whereas, I am a joke next to you. I'm twice your age, sarcastic, greasy haired, cruel and cold. How could you like someone like me? You deserve better."
"I don't think of you as that!" Delia exclaimed
"You will in due time," he said softly, "like everyone else."
"I'm not like everyone else!" Delia said quickly, "If you think like that I will. You don't know me very well!"
"Ahh just like a Hufflepuff, loyal and true!"
"What's that got to do with a cup in tea in China?" she asked cynically.
"Many things. I was a Slytherin. We are nasty, cruel and turn out not always on the right side. We only want we can get for our own advantages."
"I don't see the point," she said. "You are talking about a bunch of baloney that can mean anything.
"Hufflepuffs are true to their friends and what they believe in. Just watch out for whom you are fighting for. You may end up back stabbed some day. I remember your Sorting. The poor hat was having trouble placing you because you had all the characteristics of the all four houses. If I recall your loyalty and honesty quality is what placed you in Hufflepuff."
"How do you remember that?" she asked quickly.
"You are the first exchange student to attend Hogwarts. Of course, I'd be paying attention. I was hoping I'd have another great mind in Slytherin. But Hufflepuff was the lucky one. I was hoping for the honour of overseeing the First Yank."
"Don't take offence, green isn't my color," she said in jocular voice.
"Once again being true. God, why can't Slytherin have a mind like yours?"
"I don't know", she shrugged her shoulders
"Of course you don't. Slytherin could benefit from more like you." Severus sat down next to Delia, took her cup she was still clutching, placed it on the table, took her hand and looked deep into her questioning blue grey eyes.
"Delia, there is no other way to put this." He took a deep breath, exhaled and said, "I was a Death Eater."
Delia looked down at her hands, "A Death Eater? No way! I mean...you...Death Eater...thought like the Malfoys...oh my word...VOLDEMORT!" Her head snapped up. "Why?"
Severus squeezed her hand. "Because I was a fool. I told you I regretted it! At the time I was young. I had a lot of things go wrong. It seemed to be the thing to do. I know it's not an excuse. But that's why."
"What went wrong?"
"My parents. They agreed with Voldemort. I was expected to follow. In the long haul my parents ended up dying in Azkaban. I knew what was going on. I didn't want to be like that. I came clean. I told Dumbledore. So now I am a spy. I don't like living this way, but I do. If I could do it all over again, I would change everything."
"You can't change the past but you can work on the future to make it better," she said philosophically.
"My sweet Delia, its only going to get worse before it gets better. I sometimes forget how young and idealistic you are."
Delia let go of Severus's hand. "So, it's a valid point!"
"Yes, but Voldemort is only going to get stronger. You better watch yourself."
"I can look after myself," she said matter of factly. Just because she was female didn't mean she needed looking after.
"Ha! Not with Quirrell teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts!"
"I agree, he's an idiot. I wouldn't know what to do if Voldemort were to show up tomorrow."
"I have some advice," he said. "Don't join the Death Eaters! If you ever do, I will personally do something about it."
"I won't!" Delia reaffirmed him.
"You don't want one of these!" he pushed up his sleeves on his left arm and showed her the Dark Mark. "There, that's your DADA lesson for today.
Delia was wide eyed and gasped. " Oh my..."
"Yes, now you know," Severus said bitterly. "If you want to leave you can. I don't see why a young lady like you should be in a room alone with me. If I had a daughter like you and she were seeing someone like me, I wouldn't let her, knowing what I know and knowing what I did."
"What did you do?" she asked slowly.
"You really want to know?" his voice was just as bitter as before. "Are you willing to leave your childhood behind and grow up all in less then a minute all for me?"
"Yes, I'll be eighteen in two days time."
"I admire your honesty. But before you make up your mind the option of walking out the door is still available."
Delia sat there clutching chenille throw looking at Severus with intent.
There was a silence.
"I'm not leaving."
"Your choice," he stood up went over to the mantle by the fireplace leaned on it, turned around looked at Delia and spoke softly. "I killed an innocent girl about your age for being a...god how do I put it without being rude? A witch of Muggle born parents? She didn't do anything. It was my initiation ceremony to the Death Eaters. They brought her to me and expected me to use an Unforgivable Curse. At first I said no. Then Voldemort put Cruciatus Curse on her and said he was going to kill her if I didn't do it. In the end I used the Killing Curse to end the misery and torture she was going through. Then the Mark was put on me, I was in. That was the only killing I ever did. But I witnessed several more after that. Then I realized what was going on. I told Dumbledore. And know you know the rest from there." Delia looked at Severus and didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She was flabbergasted. "If you want to leave you still can. I won't hold it against you."
"I'm not leaving!" she snapped. "I'll leave when I feel ready. What's leaving going to solve? What you need more then anything is a friend, even if it's me. If I leave, I've walked out on you and let you down. You just opened up a major thing about yourself to me. If I leave it shows I'm not a good friend.
Severus smiled and shook his head, "I knew you were too good for me."
"Oh well, everyone has to have their poison of some sort!" She got up slowly from the couch, letting the chenille throw fall to the floor and wrapped her arms around Severus.
"You should be resting after that fall," he said as if it were an order.
"I am," she said resting her head on Severus's chest. He began stroking her hair.
"How is your head by the way?"
"It still hurts a bit. I'll be ok. I've had worse falls in Quidditch practice."
"You should be sitting, not standing." He led her back over to the couch and sat down next to Delia on her right, picking the throw off the floor and wrapped it around Delia. Then put his arm around her, pulling her closer. "Am I on the side that doesn't hurt?" he asked, Delia nodded in response. "Good. What would your father say if he knew what was going on? I've only met him once and that was briefly."
"You know, I don't know. This may sound funny, but I really don't know my parents," Delia said her detached Kansas accent.
"No, not at all, you maybe see them a ten weeks a year. But your father gave the hint that if anything happened to his little girl here he would have heads roll!"
"Oh, please!" Delia retorted. "That's any father, if you think about it."
"Yes, like I said. If I had a daughter and she was seeing someone like me, I wouldn't let her."
"Yes, but there is a certain age when a little girl realizes she isn't a girl anymore and daddy can't control her. She has to realize what is best for her by her own means."
Severus smiled. "So you are saying, your mind is made up. You aren't daddy's little girl anymore."
"Yep.," she said in her quick Kansas accent. "That's what I'm saying. I don't know how he will react to it."
"He will just have to like it! He has no choice." Severus kissed Delia playfully. "So your birthday is in two days time. Hhhmmmm what to get you."
"You don't have to get me anything. My family and I had a small party before I came back here," she shrugged her shoulders. "It's no big deal."
"Yes, it is. You only turn eighteen once. You should get something special."
"Who says I don't have something special already," she said smiling timidly at Severus.
"You are right. You don't need anything. You have me. That's something special enough. Good, I don't have to go shopping." Delia giggled and kissed Severus. Then started running her fingers through his black hair, it didn't feel greasy, but felt soft. After awhile Delia stopped and rested her head on Severus shoulder.
"Whatever you do, don't fall asleep," he said firmly.
"I won't."
They sat there for hours enjoying each other's company when all of a sudden there was a loud piercing ringing noise. This startled Delia. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, the loud piercing ringing continuing still echoing in the room.
Severus rose from the couch and said, "Its' my alarm clock, its 5:30 AM." He walked over to the nightstand and turned the alarm clock off. "I think its time you went back to your dormitory. Just don't fall asleep. You better get back before anyone notices you are gone."
"I think Nicola will have noticed," Delia said nodding. Here were some things you just couldn't keep from your best friend.
"Just tell her that you fell and you stayed with me, because we didn't want to disturb Madame Pomfrey. That's all she needs to know. Now, let me walk you back to your dormitory."
Delia and Severus walked out of Severus's Chambers and got as far as the first step when they saw Professor Dumbledore. "Good morning Professor Snape, Delia. I see that you are both well. Good. I had gotten word that Delia was missing all night. I was concerned. I heard that she had detention from you. I had come to see if you had seen Delia. But I can tell you have. What I'd like to know is, Delia why didn't you return to your dormitory last night?"
Delia was about to reply. She got as far as opening her mouth.
"Headmaster, I can answer that." Severus interjected. She was with me. Miss Wheelrite had an accident while serving detention. She was standing on a step stool when it collapsed at the leg. She bumped her head and got a small cut. Miss Wheelrite is fine now. I just kept her all night to make sure she didn't have a concussion. I didn't want to disturb Madame Pomfrey with this matter. I stayed awake all night to make sure Miss Wheelrite was fine. If anything had looked suspicious, I assure you Headmaster, I would have called for Madame Pomfrey immediately. I was just on my way to escort miss Wheelrite to the Hufflepuff Dormitory and make sure she arrived safely."
"I see," Dumbledore said. "It's a good thing to know Delia is safe. However, Severus, Delia should have gone to the hospital wing immediately after her accident. I will see you in my office later. Take Delia back to her dorm." Dumbledore turned and walked up the stairs.
After he left Delia asked, "Are you going to be in trouble because of me?"
"Don't worry about me." Severus replied climbing the stairs. "I can take of this. You didn't do anything wrong. You were just listening to my orders."
"Ok if you are sure. But for the record all night you had me reading aloud potion ingredients were just annoying."
"Sounds like something I'd do," he speculated
They walked silently to the Hufflepuff Dormitory. Outside the portrait Severus spoke, "Try to get through until this afternoon. I know you have Potions this afternoon, but if you are too tired to come to class, go take a nap. I will help you make it up, but in your case this is an easy assignment. Here is a vile of `Awaken' it's a strong potion, don't use too much. Just take a few drops every three hours or otherwise you will be hyper. I need to get ready for classes so I will see you at breakfast," he kissed her forehead. "Take care"
Yes, you too and she mutter the password went through the portrait.
Delia walked into the quiet Dormitory. No one was up yet. Delia checked her watch, 5.45 AM. Anyone with half a brain would still be snoozing for another hour. Delia quietly climbed the stairs to he dorm room. She peeked in Nicola, Janie, and Tasha were asleep. Delia quietly slipped in a grabbed a stationary set and pen. She descended the stairs to the Hufflepuff Common Room and took a seat at one of the tables and began writing a letter. It was in blue sparkly ink with pink paper.
Dear Severus,
It is currently 5:52 AM. I am sitting in he Common Room thinking about the events of what has happened. I have a clearly deeper respect for you. I no longer think of you as the mean evil Potions Master dude in the freakin' dungeon of Hogwarts who has something against anyone that isn't a Slytherin. It came as a shock to find out you like me. I didn't know how to take it. I never knew I could have such an impact on a person. Maybe it's childish of me to think that. When you were telling me of your past, it made me scared. I know you can't change the past, but as I said you can work on the future. As I said, you need a friend. But I think I'm more then a friend. I think I am starting to like you. But I've never had these types of feelings before for a person. I care about you a lot. Right now I'm worrying about you being in trouble with Dumbledore. I know I shouldn't worry, but I am. As far as I am concerned you can tell Dumbledore what's going on. He will eventually find out.
As for our, um...relationship? I think we should keep it quite. I won't even tell Josh and Nicola. Anyway its 6:30 and I can hear people waking up. I am off to the owlery to send this.
See you at breakfast,
Take care,
Love,
Delia P. Wheelrite
"DEE DEE DEE! Where have you been?" Nicola came running down the stairs. "I was ssoooooooossssoooooo worried!"
"Relax," Delia said coolly. "I had an accident in detention. I fell off a step stool. Snape was worried I had a concussion. Can you believe he made me stay up all night reading him potion stuff. Believe me I never am gonna do that again! Never, I tell you never!"
"Oh my! I think you've had quite a night. What was it like being alone with Snape?"
"Freakin' weird," she said with a shudder. "I am scared for life. I'll spend years in therapy for that. Anyway I am off to send this letter. See ya at breakfast? Cool?"
"Sure. See ya then."
Delia walked into the Great Hall after sending her letter. By now the entire school had heard about her evening down in the dungeons. It was the talk of the day. Delia took a set next to Josh. "I heard everything. Is there anything I can do? I can beat up Snape for you!" Josh said benevolently.
"Nah. I'll be good after years of psychotherapy. Thanks anyway, man. So are you ready for Quidditch practice?" Delia asked.
"You betcha, I'm ready!" he replied. "I'm ready to be the best Chaser team; under the best captain Hufflepuff has ever seen third year in a row! Congrats Delia!"
Thank you! thank you! No applause! No applause, please. I'll sign us up for practice and we will start as soon as we can! Oh look mail's here!" Delia looked up as an owl dropped two letters and a Daily Prophet in front of Delia. One letter was from home and the other Delia didn't recognize. Delia opened it.
Delia,
I hope you are well. Its currently 7.02 and I can't stop thinking about you. I just received your letter. What does the `P' in Delia P. Wheelrite stand for? I found your comment `the mean evil Potions Master dude in the freakin' dungeon of Hogwarts who has something against anyone that isn't a Slytherin' it be most enjoyable. This is one name I haven't been called. Very creative! 10 points from Hufflepuff! Ha Ha just kidding, my "cutie". So you think of me as " freakin' Potions Master" not anything more? Hhhhmmmm seems a shame that's all that you think of me as. Because I think of you more the Miss Delia P. Wheelrite the freakin' captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. I think of you as sweet, lovely, gorgeous, amazing, "cutie" and did I mention, "freakin'"?
As for your feelings, I expected you never had dealt with these before. But I do appreciate the fact you care for me. As for you being scared, don't worry. I would never do anything to harm you. I have spellbinding emotions towards you. Don't fret about Dumbledore and me. Worry about yourself. As for your detention tonight I do expect you to show up. I can tell you need a goodnight's rest. So do I. But I expect you there on Friday evening at 7:00 PM sharp. I liked your choice of paper for your letter, very interesting.
Try to stay awake the rest for the day and remember what I said about the Awaken Potion, a few drops every 3 hours.
Yours Truly,
Severus Snape
"Whose that from?" Nicola asked.
" Some secret admirer! Bunch of garbage really," Delia replied crumpling up the letter and stuffing it in her backpack. "The other is from home. I'll read that later."
Josh looked up from his book. " So you have an admirer. Bizarre. Wonder who?"
"Oh I bet its some Slytherin playing jokes. Like I said, a bunch of garbage."
***
Severus sat at the head table. He saw the morning mail being delivered by the owls. To this day this always brought some excitement to his day. He hardly received any mail, unless it was from his sister. But he did have a subscription to the Daily Prophet and received several journals on potions. He didn't consider these items to be mail. On this particular morning he had written Delia a letter. He watched as the owl dropped it in front of Delia. A smile crossed his face.
"Severus," Professor McGonagall said. "Whatever are you smiling for? As a rule you are generally sour in the morning?"
"Nothing" he grumbled and went back to scowling. He looked over at Delia. She was opening the letter. A puzzled look was on her face as she read the letter. One of her friends, Nicola he thought it was said something. Delia crumpled up his letter. This made Severus heart fall to the pit of his stomach, causing him to chock on his bacon. He coughed and took a drink of Pumpkin juice.
"Are you all right, Severus?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Fine," he grumbled. He scowled at Delia who was saying something to Josh. Why don't you look over here and acknowledge my presence? Its not everyday I send letters and you go crumpling it up. Delia stood up from the Hufflepuff table, stretched and grabbed her backpack. As she was putting on her backpack she glanced over at Severus and smiled. He smiled back, but quickly went back to scowling before anyone would notice.
***
That is what I have so far. I'll try to get more up as soon as it's been technical edited. I'm dyslexic and may take me awhile. If you notice any grammar errors please point them out. My beta readers are dyslexics too. If you would like to be added to my beta reader's list email me at [1]esl86vw@yahoo.com. If you do you'll get a treat. Part one of Almost A Lady is finished. Until the next chapter...
References
1. mailto:esl86vw@yahoo.com
Please presume all the usual disclaimers that go along with this sorta thing.
Ch 3 -a long night
"All right, I'm ready whenever you are. Take your time," Delia said in a soothing manner.
"I'm going to make some more tea," muttered Severus and he got up from the couch and went over to the kettle and uttered a spell to heat up the water. Then he filled a brown teapot with a slight chip in the handle with the heated water. Waited a minute, filled the two teacups on the small table, handed one to Delia and sat back down on the couch and looked miserable. Delia looked at her cup, there was no milk or sugar added. Severus took a drink of his tea, gave a look like he tasted something awful, released a heavy sigh, got up took Delia's cup and filled the teacups with milk and sugar.
"You could have said something about the tea," he said handing her the tea cup and then sat back down.
"Back home we drink tea with no milk and sometimes no sugar. I though nothing of it!"
"You've been here long enough to know how we drink tea!" Severus snapped. Then Delia thought she heard something about bloody Americans.
Delia looked hurt. She hung her head not wanting to look at Severus. She clutched her tea with both her hands and softly spoke into the cup, " Since you are being this way, I am going to leave."
"No, you aren't. I am responsible for your care," he said strictly.
"I can go to the hospital wing."
"No, you'll stay," he said in a calm voice. "I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm sorry. It's just...what I'm about to tell you may change your opinion of me. Very few people know. Its something I regret."
"Oh, ok," she said softly in her Midwestern. "I accept your apology."
"Thank you, Delia," he sighed and got up from the couch and went over to the fireplace mantel and leaned on it. "Where shall I start?"
"The beginning? Isn't that where everything starts?"
He gave Delia a look like I knew that. "All right, remember when we were talking about the worst thing we had ever done?"
"Yep. I remember," she said. I was just goofing around."
"Good. I was thinking about what I had done. Then I thought to myself, I don't deserve you after my deed. You are the sweetest, nicest, forgiving, and most precious person whom have met. You don't want a scab of a person such as myself. You are radiant, charming, beautiful, gorgeous, intelligent, loving and young, whereas, I am a joke next to you. I'm twice your age, sarcastic, greasy haired, cruel and cold. How could you like someone like me? You deserve better."
"I don't think of you as that!" Delia exclaimed
"You will in due time," he said softly, "like everyone else."
"I'm not like everyone else!" Delia said quickly, "If you think like that I will. You don't know me very well!"
"Ahh just like a Hufflepuff, loyal and true!"
"What's that got to do with a cup in tea in China?" she asked cynically.
"Many things. I was a Slytherin. We are nasty, cruel and turn out not always on the right side. We only want we can get for our own advantages."
"I don't see the point," she said. "You are talking about a bunch of baloney that can mean anything.
"Hufflepuffs are true to their friends and what they believe in. Just watch out for whom you are fighting for. You may end up back stabbed some day. I remember your Sorting. The poor hat was having trouble placing you because you had all the characteristics of the all four houses. If I recall your loyalty and honesty quality is what placed you in Hufflepuff."
"How do you remember that?" she asked quickly.
"You are the first exchange student to attend Hogwarts. Of course, I'd be paying attention. I was hoping I'd have another great mind in Slytherin. But Hufflepuff was the lucky one. I was hoping for the honour of overseeing the First Yank."
"Don't take offence, green isn't my color," she said in jocular voice.
"Once again being true. God, why can't Slytherin have a mind like yours?"
"I don't know", she shrugged her shoulders
"Of course you don't. Slytherin could benefit from more like you." Severus sat down next to Delia, took her cup she was still clutching, placed it on the table, took her hand and looked deep into her questioning blue grey eyes.
"Delia, there is no other way to put this." He took a deep breath, exhaled and said, "I was a Death Eater."
Delia looked down at her hands, "A Death Eater? No way! I mean...you...Death Eater...thought like the Malfoys...oh my word...VOLDEMORT!" Her head snapped up. "Why?"
Severus squeezed her hand. "Because I was a fool. I told you I regretted it! At the time I was young. I had a lot of things go wrong. It seemed to be the thing to do. I know it's not an excuse. But that's why."
"What went wrong?"
"My parents. They agreed with Voldemort. I was expected to follow. In the long haul my parents ended up dying in Azkaban. I knew what was going on. I didn't want to be like that. I came clean. I told Dumbledore. So now I am a spy. I don't like living this way, but I do. If I could do it all over again, I would change everything."
"You can't change the past but you can work on the future to make it better," she said philosophically.
"My sweet Delia, its only going to get worse before it gets better. I sometimes forget how young and idealistic you are."
Delia let go of Severus's hand. "So, it's a valid point!"
"Yes, but Voldemort is only going to get stronger. You better watch yourself."
"I can look after myself," she said matter of factly. Just because she was female didn't mean she needed looking after.
"Ha! Not with Quirrell teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts!"
"I agree, he's an idiot. I wouldn't know what to do if Voldemort were to show up tomorrow."
"I have some advice," he said. "Don't join the Death Eaters! If you ever do, I will personally do something about it."
"I won't!" Delia reaffirmed him.
"You don't want one of these!" he pushed up his sleeves on his left arm and showed her the Dark Mark. "There, that's your DADA lesson for today.
Delia was wide eyed and gasped. " Oh my..."
"Yes, now you know," Severus said bitterly. "If you want to leave you can. I don't see why a young lady like you should be in a room alone with me. If I had a daughter like you and she were seeing someone like me, I wouldn't let her, knowing what I know and knowing what I did."
"What did you do?" she asked slowly.
"You really want to know?" his voice was just as bitter as before. "Are you willing to leave your childhood behind and grow up all in less then a minute all for me?"
"Yes, I'll be eighteen in two days time."
"I admire your honesty. But before you make up your mind the option of walking out the door is still available."
Delia sat there clutching chenille throw looking at Severus with intent.
There was a silence.
"I'm not leaving."
"Your choice," he stood up went over to the mantle by the fireplace leaned on it, turned around looked at Delia and spoke softly. "I killed an innocent girl about your age for being a...god how do I put it without being rude? A witch of Muggle born parents? She didn't do anything. It was my initiation ceremony to the Death Eaters. They brought her to me and expected me to use an Unforgivable Curse. At first I said no. Then Voldemort put Cruciatus Curse on her and said he was going to kill her if I didn't do it. In the end I used the Killing Curse to end the misery and torture she was going through. Then the Mark was put on me, I was in. That was the only killing I ever did. But I witnessed several more after that. Then I realized what was going on. I told Dumbledore. And know you know the rest from there." Delia looked at Severus and didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She was flabbergasted. "If you want to leave you still can. I won't hold it against you."
"I'm not leaving!" she snapped. "I'll leave when I feel ready. What's leaving going to solve? What you need more then anything is a friend, even if it's me. If I leave, I've walked out on you and let you down. You just opened up a major thing about yourself to me. If I leave it shows I'm not a good friend.
Severus smiled and shook his head, "I knew you were too good for me."
"Oh well, everyone has to have their poison of some sort!" She got up slowly from the couch, letting the chenille throw fall to the floor and wrapped her arms around Severus.
"You should be resting after that fall," he said as if it were an order.
"I am," she said resting her head on Severus's chest. He began stroking her hair.
"How is your head by the way?"
"It still hurts a bit. I'll be ok. I've had worse falls in Quidditch practice."
"You should be sitting, not standing." He led her back over to the couch and sat down next to Delia on her right, picking the throw off the floor and wrapped it around Delia. Then put his arm around her, pulling her closer. "Am I on the side that doesn't hurt?" he asked, Delia nodded in response. "Good. What would your father say if he knew what was going on? I've only met him once and that was briefly."
"You know, I don't know. This may sound funny, but I really don't know my parents," Delia said her detached Kansas accent.
"No, not at all, you maybe see them a ten weeks a year. But your father gave the hint that if anything happened to his little girl here he would have heads roll!"
"Oh, please!" Delia retorted. "That's any father, if you think about it."
"Yes, like I said. If I had a daughter and she was seeing someone like me, I wouldn't let her."
"Yes, but there is a certain age when a little girl realizes she isn't a girl anymore and daddy can't control her. She has to realize what is best for her by her own means."
Severus smiled. "So you are saying, your mind is made up. You aren't daddy's little girl anymore."
"Yep.," she said in her quick Kansas accent. "That's what I'm saying. I don't know how he will react to it."
"He will just have to like it! He has no choice." Severus kissed Delia playfully. "So your birthday is in two days time. Hhhmmmm what to get you."
"You don't have to get me anything. My family and I had a small party before I came back here," she shrugged her shoulders. "It's no big deal."
"Yes, it is. You only turn eighteen once. You should get something special."
"Who says I don't have something special already," she said smiling timidly at Severus.
"You are right. You don't need anything. You have me. That's something special enough. Good, I don't have to go shopping." Delia giggled and kissed Severus. Then started running her fingers through his black hair, it didn't feel greasy, but felt soft. After awhile Delia stopped and rested her head on Severus shoulder.
"Whatever you do, don't fall asleep," he said firmly.
"I won't."
They sat there for hours enjoying each other's company when all of a sudden there was a loud piercing ringing noise. This startled Delia. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, the loud piercing ringing continuing still echoing in the room.
Severus rose from the couch and said, "Its' my alarm clock, its 5:30 AM." He walked over to the nightstand and turned the alarm clock off. "I think its time you went back to your dormitory. Just don't fall asleep. You better get back before anyone notices you are gone."
"I think Nicola will have noticed," Delia said nodding. Here were some things you just couldn't keep from your best friend.
"Just tell her that you fell and you stayed with me, because we didn't want to disturb Madame Pomfrey. That's all she needs to know. Now, let me walk you back to your dormitory."
Delia and Severus walked out of Severus's Chambers and got as far as the first step when they saw Professor Dumbledore. "Good morning Professor Snape, Delia. I see that you are both well. Good. I had gotten word that Delia was missing all night. I was concerned. I heard that she had detention from you. I had come to see if you had seen Delia. But I can tell you have. What I'd like to know is, Delia why didn't you return to your dormitory last night?"
Delia was about to reply. She got as far as opening her mouth.
"Headmaster, I can answer that." Severus interjected. She was with me. Miss Wheelrite had an accident while serving detention. She was standing on a step stool when it collapsed at the leg. She bumped her head and got a small cut. Miss Wheelrite is fine now. I just kept her all night to make sure she didn't have a concussion. I didn't want to disturb Madame Pomfrey with this matter. I stayed awake all night to make sure Miss Wheelrite was fine. If anything had looked suspicious, I assure you Headmaster, I would have called for Madame Pomfrey immediately. I was just on my way to escort miss Wheelrite to the Hufflepuff Dormitory and make sure she arrived safely."
"I see," Dumbledore said. "It's a good thing to know Delia is safe. However, Severus, Delia should have gone to the hospital wing immediately after her accident. I will see you in my office later. Take Delia back to her dorm." Dumbledore turned and walked up the stairs.
After he left Delia asked, "Are you going to be in trouble because of me?"
"Don't worry about me." Severus replied climbing the stairs. "I can take of this. You didn't do anything wrong. You were just listening to my orders."
"Ok if you are sure. But for the record all night you had me reading aloud potion ingredients were just annoying."
"Sounds like something I'd do," he speculated
They walked silently to the Hufflepuff Dormitory. Outside the portrait Severus spoke, "Try to get through until this afternoon. I know you have Potions this afternoon, but if you are too tired to come to class, go take a nap. I will help you make it up, but in your case this is an easy assignment. Here is a vile of `Awaken' it's a strong potion, don't use too much. Just take a few drops every three hours or otherwise you will be hyper. I need to get ready for classes so I will see you at breakfast," he kissed her forehead. "Take care"
Yes, you too and she mutter the password went through the portrait.
Delia walked into the quiet Dormitory. No one was up yet. Delia checked her watch, 5.45 AM. Anyone with half a brain would still be snoozing for another hour. Delia quietly climbed the stairs to he dorm room. She peeked in Nicola, Janie, and Tasha were asleep. Delia quietly slipped in a grabbed a stationary set and pen. She descended the stairs to the Hufflepuff Common Room and took a seat at one of the tables and began writing a letter. It was in blue sparkly ink with pink paper.
Dear Severus,
It is currently 5:52 AM. I am sitting in he Common Room thinking about the events of what has happened. I have a clearly deeper respect for you. I no longer think of you as the mean evil Potions Master dude in the freakin' dungeon of Hogwarts who has something against anyone that isn't a Slytherin. It came as a shock to find out you like me. I didn't know how to take it. I never knew I could have such an impact on a person. Maybe it's childish of me to think that. When you were telling me of your past, it made me scared. I know you can't change the past, but as I said you can work on the future. As I said, you need a friend. But I think I'm more then a friend. I think I am starting to like you. But I've never had these types of feelings before for a person. I care about you a lot. Right now I'm worrying about you being in trouble with Dumbledore. I know I shouldn't worry, but I am. As far as I am concerned you can tell Dumbledore what's going on. He will eventually find out.
As for our, um...relationship? I think we should keep it quite. I won't even tell Josh and Nicola. Anyway its 6:30 and I can hear people waking up. I am off to the owlery to send this.
See you at breakfast,
Take care,
Love,
Delia P. Wheelrite
"DEE DEE DEE! Where have you been?" Nicola came running down the stairs. "I was ssoooooooossssoooooo worried!"
"Relax," Delia said coolly. "I had an accident in detention. I fell off a step stool. Snape was worried I had a concussion. Can you believe he made me stay up all night reading him potion stuff. Believe me I never am gonna do that again! Never, I tell you never!"
"Oh my! I think you've had quite a night. What was it like being alone with Snape?"
"Freakin' weird," she said with a shudder. "I am scared for life. I'll spend years in therapy for that. Anyway I am off to send this letter. See ya at breakfast? Cool?"
"Sure. See ya then."
Delia walked into the Great Hall after sending her letter. By now the entire school had heard about her evening down in the dungeons. It was the talk of the day. Delia took a set next to Josh. "I heard everything. Is there anything I can do? I can beat up Snape for you!" Josh said benevolently.
"Nah. I'll be good after years of psychotherapy. Thanks anyway, man. So are you ready for Quidditch practice?" Delia asked.
"You betcha, I'm ready!" he replied. "I'm ready to be the best Chaser team; under the best captain Hufflepuff has ever seen third year in a row! Congrats Delia!"
Thank you! thank you! No applause! No applause, please. I'll sign us up for practice and we will start as soon as we can! Oh look mail's here!" Delia looked up as an owl dropped two letters and a Daily Prophet in front of Delia. One letter was from home and the other Delia didn't recognize. Delia opened it.
Delia,
I hope you are well. Its currently 7.02 and I can't stop thinking about you. I just received your letter. What does the `P' in Delia P. Wheelrite stand for? I found your comment `the mean evil Potions Master dude in the freakin' dungeon of Hogwarts who has something against anyone that isn't a Slytherin' it be most enjoyable. This is one name I haven't been called. Very creative! 10 points from Hufflepuff! Ha Ha just kidding, my "cutie". So you think of me as " freakin' Potions Master" not anything more? Hhhhmmmm seems a shame that's all that you think of me as. Because I think of you more the Miss Delia P. Wheelrite the freakin' captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. I think of you as sweet, lovely, gorgeous, amazing, "cutie" and did I mention, "freakin'"?
As for your feelings, I expected you never had dealt with these before. But I do appreciate the fact you care for me. As for you being scared, don't worry. I would never do anything to harm you. I have spellbinding emotions towards you. Don't fret about Dumbledore and me. Worry about yourself. As for your detention tonight I do expect you to show up. I can tell you need a goodnight's rest. So do I. But I expect you there on Friday evening at 7:00 PM sharp. I liked your choice of paper for your letter, very interesting.
Try to stay awake the rest for the day and remember what I said about the Awaken Potion, a few drops every 3 hours.
Yours Truly,
Severus Snape
"Whose that from?" Nicola asked.
" Some secret admirer! Bunch of garbage really," Delia replied crumpling up the letter and stuffing it in her backpack. "The other is from home. I'll read that later."
Josh looked up from his book. " So you have an admirer. Bizarre. Wonder who?"
"Oh I bet its some Slytherin playing jokes. Like I said, a bunch of garbage."
***
Severus sat at the head table. He saw the morning mail being delivered by the owls. To this day this always brought some excitement to his day. He hardly received any mail, unless it was from his sister. But he did have a subscription to the Daily Prophet and received several journals on potions. He didn't consider these items to be mail. On this particular morning he had written Delia a letter. He watched as the owl dropped it in front of Delia. A smile crossed his face.
"Severus," Professor McGonagall said. "Whatever are you smiling for? As a rule you are generally sour in the morning?"
"Nothing" he grumbled and went back to scowling. He looked over at Delia. She was opening the letter. A puzzled look was on her face as she read the letter. One of her friends, Nicola he thought it was said something. Delia crumpled up his letter. This made Severus heart fall to the pit of his stomach, causing him to chock on his bacon. He coughed and took a drink of Pumpkin juice.
"Are you all right, Severus?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Fine," he grumbled. He scowled at Delia who was saying something to Josh. Why don't you look over here and acknowledge my presence? Its not everyday I send letters and you go crumpling it up. Delia stood up from the Hufflepuff table, stretched and grabbed her backpack. As she was putting on her backpack she glanced over at Severus and smiled. He smiled back, but quickly went back to scowling before anyone would notice.
***
That is what I have so far. I'll try to get more up as soon as it's been technical edited. I'm dyslexic and may take me awhile. If you notice any grammar errors please point them out. My beta readers are dyslexics too. If you would like to be added to my beta reader's list email me at [1]esl86vw@yahoo.com. If you do you'll get a treat. Part one of Almost A Lady is finished. Until the next chapter...
References
1. mailto:esl86vw@yahoo.com