Hello my loyal fans! Let me just say thanks to Alice. I went to the Davis Cup match in OKC. I did get to see Pete . My boyfriend was even a dear and pointed Pete out. I was too busy drooling over Andy! Yummy! I tried to sleep but couldn't. So here is the next half.
Well all know the dulcimers by now.
***
Ch 16-Nell
Delia ran as far and as fast as he could. She was on the other side on the pond, when tumbled down into the grass and began to cry. Once Delia had calmed down her mind started in. I hate him, hate him, and hate him! When I get back I'm not talking to him again. I am going to go back to Hogwarts now. I don't want to be here anymore. Those poor rats! What did anybody do to them?
The sky was clouding up. The temperature was dropping. It was going to be dark and rainy soon. Delia didn't care. She glared out into the pond. All of a sudden the voice in Delia's head went off. Hey dim wit! Severus was right showing you that stuff. What if the dorkus Butt Cheese Malfoy did get a hold of you? Huh? What would you have done? You know DADA is weak. You couldn't defend yourself if a pixie attacked you! So what makes you think Malfoy would be a walk in the park? Severus only did what he had too because he cares about you Delia to nitwit. What if Severus wasn't there today? Malfoy would have taken you to God only knows where! Get off your ass and go say your sorry.
Delia sighed. It had started raining. Delia walked back slowly to A.J.'s house. It was a lengthy walk. When she reached the kitchen door she was soaked. She opened the door and the warmth from the kitchen was inviting. Delia realized she was hungry when she smelled baking bread. Delia walked out into the living room. Severus and A.J. were talking. Delia went over to her yellow gym picked it up and asked, "Where's somewhere I can change?"
"Upstairs," A.J. answered. "Feel free to take a bath if you like, plenty of hot water. The bathroom is upstairs and it's the green door in the middle. Leave your wet clothes on the floor, my house elf will come around and pick them up later. Elko will make sure they are clean for you to take back tomorrow."
"Thanks. Severus what are you doing with a raven on your shoulder?" Delia asked.
"This is Nell."
"Where did Nell come from?"
"An egg? Where else?" he replied. Delia shot him a confused look. "Didn't you see me carrying a cage on our way back?" Delia shook her head. "Well, then learn to be more observant. Go take your bath. I'll explain later. If you keep standing here you'll catch a cold."
Delia shook her head and went upstairs. She was in the middle of her bath when Nell came flying in from the opened window above the bathroom door. She was carrying a rose with an attached note. Delia smiled. Nell perched on the edge of the bathtub. Delia took the rose and note. Delia set the rose on the bathroom rug. She unfolded the note.
My dear sweet Delia,
I am sorry about this afternoon. You had to learn and it was best you learned from me. I didn't want to upset you. Don't be angry with me. You know I love you too much. Before you think of me as a heartless, cold blooded, callous bastard, I rescued Nell in Knockturn Alley. A couple of wizards were going use the Killing Curse on her. I thought you'd like Nell as much as I do. Enjoy your bath.
Always yours,
Severus
"Ahhhh so I guess I can't be mad at him long, eh Nell?" Delia said to the raven. The raven let out a loud kawah, as if in agreement. Delia got out of the bathtub. She dressed and Nell flew up on Delia's shoulder. Delia carried her rose downstairs.
Severus laughed, "It seems Nell likes you. I can see who she's picked!"
"She's not mine. She's yours. I can't have a raven as a pet. Against school rules."
"You don't know a lot about ravens do you? You never own a raven; they own you. I've had several; I know what I'm talking about. If you ever get upset with me Nell will not like me. Congratulations you ladies have to stick together."
"I don't know anything about ravens," Delia said. "I mean I know what I know from looking at them, but I don't know how to take care of one! Where am I going to keep Nell?"
"She can stay with me. You just have to visit her often. Otherwise she'll come looking for you. Ravens are fantastic."
"Well Nell, it looks like I have a lot to learn." Nell was picking at Delia's damp hair. Delia sat down next to Severus on the couch. "Hey, I'm sorry about the tantrum I threw earlier. I can't apologize enough. I have got to stop looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. I can be a bit too gentle. However, you were right. I had to learn it. I just want to say thanks. You know what I think? I think you should teach DADA. I learned more this afternoon then I have with two years of Quirrell."
"Thank you Delia. You supposedly learn the Unforgivable Curses in your sixth year-"
"You do? New one on me!"
"But with Quirrell, HA! Do you want to know why they won't let me teach DADA?"
"I think I can guess why. They don't want you because of...you know," she said.
"No, I don't know. Enlighten me. You and I are more then friends. You can say what you like without offending me."
"Anyhow you were a Death Eater. Some people might have a gripe about that. But you want to see my point? Potions are far deadlier then DADA. There are more ways to kill or poison or harm a person then curses. Do people become conscious of this? No they don't."
"That's been my point for years. I'm glad someone is paying attention."
"See what happens when you read?" Delia laughed, "I think that's far more dangerous. Because who knows what lurks in my mind? That is something no man, woman or raven shall ever know. Muuuuhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa."
Severus looked at Delia. "You are scaring me, my dear. I don't think I'm going to give you any more reading assignments for a while."
"Where's A.J.?" Delia asked, "I've been down here and I haven't seen him."
"He's out in one of his green houses. A.J. is quiet. He prefers to study, experiment and write textbooks. He went to Durmstrang one hundred years ago.
He's been a family friend for years. We go way back."
"Cool."
"Excuse me, sir and miss," Squeaked the house elf Elko. "Dinner is ready in the kitchen. Mr A.J. told Elko to get you."
"Thank you, Elko." Delia replied.
***
After dinner A.J. returned to his green house. He claimed he was doing research on moon light plants and their behavior. It was a full moon out and many things were going on with them. Delia didn't understand. It was still raining. Before he left he said, "I presume you two can share a room unless one of you has anything against it. You are more then welcome to any wine or whatever you like that I have. If I don't see you two, goodnight." A.J. then walked out of the door into the rainy night.
Delia and Severus returned to the living room with a bottle of wine. Delia sat down on the floor in front of the fire, setting her glass next to her. Severus sat behind her wrapping his arms around her. "Now Miss Wheelrite you only get two glasses of wine, no more, no less."
"Oh, so it's Miss Wheelrite now! Ok Professor Snape."
"Your glass, Miss Wheelrite. Tell me what you think of this white wine. Since you are the connoisseur."
"Ha, I'm not!" she sniffed the wine, took a small drink. "Piesporter from Germany. From the Mosel River. Qualities of this wine are it has its own dryness only know to Mosel Piesportes and has a nose of green apple and peaches."
"Once again, I am impressed! How did you learn all this?"
"My dad is president of a wine tasters club. I used to go to the fêtes all the time. After awhile you learn. Then I spent my weekend's bartending at the Wine Bar in dad's restaurant. You learn, fast. The tips were good. Although none of the other girls got as many tips as I did..."
Severus laughed and kissed her neck, "They weren't as pretty as you."
"I don't know, there was this blonde Tami who was... well... chesty. She used to throw fits because I'd get more tips then she would! One night, I made one hundred and twenty five dollars!"
"That sounds like a good sum. Sorry, I don't understand a lot about other currencies."
"I think it equals out to be about twenty-five Galleons. I don't remember how much it exchanged for at Gringotts."
"What did you do with twenty-five Galleons?" Severus asked.
"Nothing. I didn't have time after I exchanged it. That was the day my flight was late to London. Everything was closing down. Plus, I had to get to Hogwarts. So I just left it in my account."
"Wow, how did you get that much?" he asked.
"Wore a really cute dress on a night some attorneys were having a party in the wine bar," Delia laughed. "Man, I ended up with half a dozen phone numbers, three offers for dates and ride home!"
"Oh my goodness! What did you do? Did they realize you were seventeen?"
"I threw away the numbers, turned down the dates and the lift home. Tami later told this one guy that was hitting on her that I was seventeen and the owners daughter. It later spread. Needless to say I was left alone the rest of night. These guys were like in their late thirties...not that I have anything against older men-"
"Thank you, I was about to say something about that!" Severus said with reprieve.
"But before you went all wacky I was about to point out something. Dating a younger woman in the Muggle world is looked at as weird. Back in Kansas they really aren't open to it an eighteen year old dating someone twice her age. Although, here in this realm people seem to be more open to it."
"That they are. It's more common then you think. Witches prefer their wizards mature, I guess. Boys are still immature until twenty-five or so. Girls are ladies by the time they are twenty. The ladies don't want to talk Quidditch, beer and racing brooms. I have to say this; young wizards have one thing on their mind when they are with a young witch. Take my word for it. I was once there! Young witches prefer something more on an intellectual level. Plus, older wizards are just as good-looking, refined and feistier!" Severus started kissing Delia's neck. Delia wasn't in the mood all of a sudden.
"What do you mean by 'take my word for it?'" she asked rather sternly.
"God! Delia, you make it sound like an offence! I was twenty-three. My girlfriend at the time left me for an older wizard. She claimed I wasn't mature enough; all I could talk was Quidditch, beer and brooms. Also she claimed all I wanted was she and not what type of person she was. She claimed I didn't love her. She told me what an immature idiot I was and left. She was wrong. I did love her for who she was. I really didn't care that much about Quidditch, beer or brooms. She had been seeing this guy behind my back."
"Ouch, sorry," Delia said with a wince on her face.
"Don't be. If she hadn't left would I have met you?"
"Well, yah, you would have. I mean you might have been married to her or whatever but you still would have had Koosh Balls thrown at ya!"
"So that's what those things are! Do you know I have a boxful?"
"I figured as much." Delia laughed, "Many hours spent in detention over Koosh Balls. Let me just say I am sorry for all the hell I have caused over the years. I was a little monster."
Severus laughed, "My god your first year was awful. Remember when you got annoying in class I used a Silencing Charm? Then you banged on the table. That didn't work, so I had to tie you to a chair."
"That is still vivid in my mind, " Delia said with a laugh. "I hated it then, but now it's funny. Why didn't you throw me out?"
"Because that's what you wanted. Do you honestly think you would give you what you wanted? Me? Never. Remember that time your second year where you were serving detention and you did something and I hung you upside down on the ceiling by your shoes?"
"Yep. I slipped off my shoes, grabbed hold on the pole you used to dry stuff on a flipped down. I recalled my shoes down and walked out."
"I wasn't going to keep you up there long, just enough for you to get the point. B I had never seen a student use their mind to get out of a situation like that! I was flabbergasted. I knew I was dealing with someone who was quick. Then you got older and calmed down."
"Sorry, if I've taken your fun away," she said as if it were a bad thing.
"Or have you?" he asked and then playfully kissed her. "Nope, you haven't. I can still hang you from the ceiling! Then I remember your `yes, master phase'. You kept saying, `whatever you want master, anything for you master', and you said it in this weird voice. Mhh you can call me master now that I think about it." Delia smacked his hand teasingly, "Ow! Ok you don't. I think it's I that shall call you master."
"Damn straight!" she replied in her Kansas accent, "You know it too!"
"I'm whipped. What can I say?"
"Say anything you like," Delia said. "It's a free country."
"I love you."
Delia was silent. She wasn't expecting this. It caught her completely off guard. She had been loved, but not in the way Severus was talking about. Severus had just said the hardest words in the world to say and Delia couldn't say anything. Everything was happening so fast. Everything she had ever known was crashing down in front of her, her parents splitting up and now this. Delia rose from the floor with her wineglass in hand. She turned around and looked at Severus.
"So you love me," she said. "You know love is one of those funny little things. But the question is do I love you?"
"That's only a question you can answer for yourself. I'm not asking for an answer now."
"I know. But do I love you? How can I love you? You are weird. You wear a lot of black. You have a mysterious life in which no one knows anything about. You are mean, cruel and seem to be a cold, heartless bastard. You also have this disgusting habit of spitting when you are angry. Your teeth are this awful shade of yellow. Your teeth aren't even straight! You should see an orthodontist. You must drink a lot of coffee. According to some your hair needs a good washing. For some reason or other you never seem to get enough sunlight and you look pale and ill. Oh, how can a thing like me love you? What is there to love?"
He gazed up at her from the floor, "You have spent the last two minutes stating the obvious. Tell me what I don't know."
"It's going to sound crazy, weird, wacky and out in left field. For some reason or other I do love you. I bet that's something you didn't know." She sat down on the floor next to Severus, putting her arm around him. "I love you, Severus Snape. I must be sick, twisted and demented. I deserve to be thrown out of the stands."
"That should be Master Professor Severus Snape to you!" he exclaimed in his silky smooth voice.
"You can keep on dreaming! That'll never happen-" Before Delia could say anymore Severus had silenced her with a long kiss. It would have gone on longer is Nell hadn't been cawing from her cage.
"I think Nell is hungry," Severus said standing up from the floor. "I'll feed her." He left for the kitchen as Nell came flying out onto Delia's shoulder. Delia reached up and scratched Nell's head. Severus returned with the raven's food. Nell went flying back to her cage. Severus filled the raven's dish and shut the cage door for the night. Severus yawned, "Pardon me. Been a rough day."
"I agree. It has. It's still raining. I can hear it hit the roof. Wonder where A.J. is? Man, it must be late." Delia looked at the clock on the mantel, "After midnight."
"I am going to bed. You can stay down here if you want."
"No, I'm tired too. I tag along. I've had too much to mess with today. My brain is fried. I'll put the screen over the fire."
Severus started up the stairway and Delia followed behind a few stairs later. They went to one of A.J.'s guest bedrooms. Their bags were already in the room. Delia went over and pulled out her fish pajamas. She dug around looking for her toothbrush and toothpaste. She sighed and began taking out all of her stuff. Severus shook his head and asked, "How do you fit all of that in there?"
"You would believe me if I said magic."
"Yes, I do. Out of all the things you use magic for is your stuff. Delia did you have to bring this stuffed frog?"
"Hey, leave Francis alone!" she said in defense.
"Kooshballs, CD player, laptop, ice skates, four books, a yo-yo...what are doing dumping out your bag for?"
Delia dumped her yellow bag out covering the bed in useless junk every now and she would throw something out of the way. Severus looked lost. Delia dug and tossed around amidst the books, Koshballs, Super balls, lip-glosses, CDs, candy, clothes, notebooks, PDA, a half eaten Snickers, markers, pens, paper clips, various make-up items, make-up brushes, earrings, body washes, peanut butter crackers, bottle of Evian, Happy Meal toys, body glitters, stuffed toys, hair spray, brushes, hair clips, half finished cross stitch projects, home made bracelets, rubber bands, safety pins, candles, hammer, screw drivers, nails, head bands, shampoos, conditioners, mouth wash, kitchen sink, cell phone candy holder, pager candy holder, tennis ball sized gum balls, allergy medications (left untaken since her return to school), car keys, Game Boy Advance, game boy games, Game boy Color, flash lights, date books, radio, magazines, tennis rackets, crocket set, ping pong balls, half knitted
sweater, portable TV, Portable PS1, lug wrench, car jack, key chains, umbrellas, camping tent, sleeping bag and beads. She finally found her toothbrush, but not the toothpaste. She sighed and stuffed everything back in the yellow gym bag. She set her bag on the floor and headed for the bathroom. Severus followed behind with a tube of toothpaste that he had found in the pile. Delia took it from him. She brushed her teeth ignoring Severus. She washed her face and looked in the mirror for zits. She found one and was about to pop it.
"Oh disgusting Delia!" Severus shouted.
"What! Who said you had to watch my beauty routine? It's just a zit."
"Don't you have any zit remover?"
"In my bag-"
Severus let a heavy sigh escape, "I'll go find it," and stomped off down to the bedroom. He returned with a small bottle. Delia had taken the opportunity while he was gone to change into her fish pajamas. The fish were swimming through the fabric. Delia took the zit remover and applied some to the zit. She removed her fold up hairbrush from the pocket in her robes and brushed her hair. She stuffed everything into the pocket, picked up her clothing and left. Once in the bedroom she set her wand on the nightstand, pulled back the duvet and laid down. Severus returned wearing his grey nightshirt. He placed his wand next to Delia's and got in beside her. He placed his arms around her as she laid her head down on his chest. "I love you," he whispered softly, stroking her hair. Delia smiled and whispered, "I love you too."
Well all know the dulcimers by now.
***
Ch 16-Nell
Delia ran as far and as fast as he could. She was on the other side on the pond, when tumbled down into the grass and began to cry. Once Delia had calmed down her mind started in. I hate him, hate him, and hate him! When I get back I'm not talking to him again. I am going to go back to Hogwarts now. I don't want to be here anymore. Those poor rats! What did anybody do to them?
The sky was clouding up. The temperature was dropping. It was going to be dark and rainy soon. Delia didn't care. She glared out into the pond. All of a sudden the voice in Delia's head went off. Hey dim wit! Severus was right showing you that stuff. What if the dorkus Butt Cheese Malfoy did get a hold of you? Huh? What would you have done? You know DADA is weak. You couldn't defend yourself if a pixie attacked you! So what makes you think Malfoy would be a walk in the park? Severus only did what he had too because he cares about you Delia to nitwit. What if Severus wasn't there today? Malfoy would have taken you to God only knows where! Get off your ass and go say your sorry.
Delia sighed. It had started raining. Delia walked back slowly to A.J.'s house. It was a lengthy walk. When she reached the kitchen door she was soaked. She opened the door and the warmth from the kitchen was inviting. Delia realized she was hungry when she smelled baking bread. Delia walked out into the living room. Severus and A.J. were talking. Delia went over to her yellow gym picked it up and asked, "Where's somewhere I can change?"
"Upstairs," A.J. answered. "Feel free to take a bath if you like, plenty of hot water. The bathroom is upstairs and it's the green door in the middle. Leave your wet clothes on the floor, my house elf will come around and pick them up later. Elko will make sure they are clean for you to take back tomorrow."
"Thanks. Severus what are you doing with a raven on your shoulder?" Delia asked.
"This is Nell."
"Where did Nell come from?"
"An egg? Where else?" he replied. Delia shot him a confused look. "Didn't you see me carrying a cage on our way back?" Delia shook her head. "Well, then learn to be more observant. Go take your bath. I'll explain later. If you keep standing here you'll catch a cold."
Delia shook her head and went upstairs. She was in the middle of her bath when Nell came flying in from the opened window above the bathroom door. She was carrying a rose with an attached note. Delia smiled. Nell perched on the edge of the bathtub. Delia took the rose and note. Delia set the rose on the bathroom rug. She unfolded the note.
My dear sweet Delia,
I am sorry about this afternoon. You had to learn and it was best you learned from me. I didn't want to upset you. Don't be angry with me. You know I love you too much. Before you think of me as a heartless, cold blooded, callous bastard, I rescued Nell in Knockturn Alley. A couple of wizards were going use the Killing Curse on her. I thought you'd like Nell as much as I do. Enjoy your bath.
Always yours,
Severus
"Ahhhh so I guess I can't be mad at him long, eh Nell?" Delia said to the raven. The raven let out a loud kawah, as if in agreement. Delia got out of the bathtub. She dressed and Nell flew up on Delia's shoulder. Delia carried her rose downstairs.
Severus laughed, "It seems Nell likes you. I can see who she's picked!"
"She's not mine. She's yours. I can't have a raven as a pet. Against school rules."
"You don't know a lot about ravens do you? You never own a raven; they own you. I've had several; I know what I'm talking about. If you ever get upset with me Nell will not like me. Congratulations you ladies have to stick together."
"I don't know anything about ravens," Delia said. "I mean I know what I know from looking at them, but I don't know how to take care of one! Where am I going to keep Nell?"
"She can stay with me. You just have to visit her often. Otherwise she'll come looking for you. Ravens are fantastic."
"Well Nell, it looks like I have a lot to learn." Nell was picking at Delia's damp hair. Delia sat down next to Severus on the couch. "Hey, I'm sorry about the tantrum I threw earlier. I can't apologize enough. I have got to stop looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. I can be a bit too gentle. However, you were right. I had to learn it. I just want to say thanks. You know what I think? I think you should teach DADA. I learned more this afternoon then I have with two years of Quirrell."
"Thank you Delia. You supposedly learn the Unforgivable Curses in your sixth year-"
"You do? New one on me!"
"But with Quirrell, HA! Do you want to know why they won't let me teach DADA?"
"I think I can guess why. They don't want you because of...you know," she said.
"No, I don't know. Enlighten me. You and I are more then friends. You can say what you like without offending me."
"Anyhow you were a Death Eater. Some people might have a gripe about that. But you want to see my point? Potions are far deadlier then DADA. There are more ways to kill or poison or harm a person then curses. Do people become conscious of this? No they don't."
"That's been my point for years. I'm glad someone is paying attention."
"See what happens when you read?" Delia laughed, "I think that's far more dangerous. Because who knows what lurks in my mind? That is something no man, woman or raven shall ever know. Muuuuhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa."
Severus looked at Delia. "You are scaring me, my dear. I don't think I'm going to give you any more reading assignments for a while."
"Where's A.J.?" Delia asked, "I've been down here and I haven't seen him."
"He's out in one of his green houses. A.J. is quiet. He prefers to study, experiment and write textbooks. He went to Durmstrang one hundred years ago.
He's been a family friend for years. We go way back."
"Cool."
"Excuse me, sir and miss," Squeaked the house elf Elko. "Dinner is ready in the kitchen. Mr A.J. told Elko to get you."
"Thank you, Elko." Delia replied.
***
After dinner A.J. returned to his green house. He claimed he was doing research on moon light plants and their behavior. It was a full moon out and many things were going on with them. Delia didn't understand. It was still raining. Before he left he said, "I presume you two can share a room unless one of you has anything against it. You are more then welcome to any wine or whatever you like that I have. If I don't see you two, goodnight." A.J. then walked out of the door into the rainy night.
Delia and Severus returned to the living room with a bottle of wine. Delia sat down on the floor in front of the fire, setting her glass next to her. Severus sat behind her wrapping his arms around her. "Now Miss Wheelrite you only get two glasses of wine, no more, no less."
"Oh, so it's Miss Wheelrite now! Ok Professor Snape."
"Your glass, Miss Wheelrite. Tell me what you think of this white wine. Since you are the connoisseur."
"Ha, I'm not!" she sniffed the wine, took a small drink. "Piesporter from Germany. From the Mosel River. Qualities of this wine are it has its own dryness only know to Mosel Piesportes and has a nose of green apple and peaches."
"Once again, I am impressed! How did you learn all this?"
"My dad is president of a wine tasters club. I used to go to the fêtes all the time. After awhile you learn. Then I spent my weekend's bartending at the Wine Bar in dad's restaurant. You learn, fast. The tips were good. Although none of the other girls got as many tips as I did..."
Severus laughed and kissed her neck, "They weren't as pretty as you."
"I don't know, there was this blonde Tami who was... well... chesty. She used to throw fits because I'd get more tips then she would! One night, I made one hundred and twenty five dollars!"
"That sounds like a good sum. Sorry, I don't understand a lot about other currencies."
"I think it equals out to be about twenty-five Galleons. I don't remember how much it exchanged for at Gringotts."
"What did you do with twenty-five Galleons?" Severus asked.
"Nothing. I didn't have time after I exchanged it. That was the day my flight was late to London. Everything was closing down. Plus, I had to get to Hogwarts. So I just left it in my account."
"Wow, how did you get that much?" he asked.
"Wore a really cute dress on a night some attorneys were having a party in the wine bar," Delia laughed. "Man, I ended up with half a dozen phone numbers, three offers for dates and ride home!"
"Oh my goodness! What did you do? Did they realize you were seventeen?"
"I threw away the numbers, turned down the dates and the lift home. Tami later told this one guy that was hitting on her that I was seventeen and the owners daughter. It later spread. Needless to say I was left alone the rest of night. These guys were like in their late thirties...not that I have anything against older men-"
"Thank you, I was about to say something about that!" Severus said with reprieve.
"But before you went all wacky I was about to point out something. Dating a younger woman in the Muggle world is looked at as weird. Back in Kansas they really aren't open to it an eighteen year old dating someone twice her age. Although, here in this realm people seem to be more open to it."
"That they are. It's more common then you think. Witches prefer their wizards mature, I guess. Boys are still immature until twenty-five or so. Girls are ladies by the time they are twenty. The ladies don't want to talk Quidditch, beer and racing brooms. I have to say this; young wizards have one thing on their mind when they are with a young witch. Take my word for it. I was once there! Young witches prefer something more on an intellectual level. Plus, older wizards are just as good-looking, refined and feistier!" Severus started kissing Delia's neck. Delia wasn't in the mood all of a sudden.
"What do you mean by 'take my word for it?'" she asked rather sternly.
"God! Delia, you make it sound like an offence! I was twenty-three. My girlfriend at the time left me for an older wizard. She claimed I wasn't mature enough; all I could talk was Quidditch, beer and brooms. Also she claimed all I wanted was she and not what type of person she was. She claimed I didn't love her. She told me what an immature idiot I was and left. She was wrong. I did love her for who she was. I really didn't care that much about Quidditch, beer or brooms. She had been seeing this guy behind my back."
"Ouch, sorry," Delia said with a wince on her face.
"Don't be. If she hadn't left would I have met you?"
"Well, yah, you would have. I mean you might have been married to her or whatever but you still would have had Koosh Balls thrown at ya!"
"So that's what those things are! Do you know I have a boxful?"
"I figured as much." Delia laughed, "Many hours spent in detention over Koosh Balls. Let me just say I am sorry for all the hell I have caused over the years. I was a little monster."
Severus laughed, "My god your first year was awful. Remember when you got annoying in class I used a Silencing Charm? Then you banged on the table. That didn't work, so I had to tie you to a chair."
"That is still vivid in my mind, " Delia said with a laugh. "I hated it then, but now it's funny. Why didn't you throw me out?"
"Because that's what you wanted. Do you honestly think you would give you what you wanted? Me? Never. Remember that time your second year where you were serving detention and you did something and I hung you upside down on the ceiling by your shoes?"
"Yep. I slipped off my shoes, grabbed hold on the pole you used to dry stuff on a flipped down. I recalled my shoes down and walked out."
"I wasn't going to keep you up there long, just enough for you to get the point. B I had never seen a student use their mind to get out of a situation like that! I was flabbergasted. I knew I was dealing with someone who was quick. Then you got older and calmed down."
"Sorry, if I've taken your fun away," she said as if it were a bad thing.
"Or have you?" he asked and then playfully kissed her. "Nope, you haven't. I can still hang you from the ceiling! Then I remember your `yes, master phase'. You kept saying, `whatever you want master, anything for you master', and you said it in this weird voice. Mhh you can call me master now that I think about it." Delia smacked his hand teasingly, "Ow! Ok you don't. I think it's I that shall call you master."
"Damn straight!" she replied in her Kansas accent, "You know it too!"
"I'm whipped. What can I say?"
"Say anything you like," Delia said. "It's a free country."
"I love you."
Delia was silent. She wasn't expecting this. It caught her completely off guard. She had been loved, but not in the way Severus was talking about. Severus had just said the hardest words in the world to say and Delia couldn't say anything. Everything was happening so fast. Everything she had ever known was crashing down in front of her, her parents splitting up and now this. Delia rose from the floor with her wineglass in hand. She turned around and looked at Severus.
"So you love me," she said. "You know love is one of those funny little things. But the question is do I love you?"
"That's only a question you can answer for yourself. I'm not asking for an answer now."
"I know. But do I love you? How can I love you? You are weird. You wear a lot of black. You have a mysterious life in which no one knows anything about. You are mean, cruel and seem to be a cold, heartless bastard. You also have this disgusting habit of spitting when you are angry. Your teeth are this awful shade of yellow. Your teeth aren't even straight! You should see an orthodontist. You must drink a lot of coffee. According to some your hair needs a good washing. For some reason or other you never seem to get enough sunlight and you look pale and ill. Oh, how can a thing like me love you? What is there to love?"
He gazed up at her from the floor, "You have spent the last two minutes stating the obvious. Tell me what I don't know."
"It's going to sound crazy, weird, wacky and out in left field. For some reason or other I do love you. I bet that's something you didn't know." She sat down on the floor next to Severus, putting her arm around him. "I love you, Severus Snape. I must be sick, twisted and demented. I deserve to be thrown out of the stands."
"That should be Master Professor Severus Snape to you!" he exclaimed in his silky smooth voice.
"You can keep on dreaming! That'll never happen-" Before Delia could say anymore Severus had silenced her with a long kiss. It would have gone on longer is Nell hadn't been cawing from her cage.
"I think Nell is hungry," Severus said standing up from the floor. "I'll feed her." He left for the kitchen as Nell came flying out onto Delia's shoulder. Delia reached up and scratched Nell's head. Severus returned with the raven's food. Nell went flying back to her cage. Severus filled the raven's dish and shut the cage door for the night. Severus yawned, "Pardon me. Been a rough day."
"I agree. It has. It's still raining. I can hear it hit the roof. Wonder where A.J. is? Man, it must be late." Delia looked at the clock on the mantel, "After midnight."
"I am going to bed. You can stay down here if you want."
"No, I'm tired too. I tag along. I've had too much to mess with today. My brain is fried. I'll put the screen over the fire."
Severus started up the stairway and Delia followed behind a few stairs later. They went to one of A.J.'s guest bedrooms. Their bags were already in the room. Delia went over and pulled out her fish pajamas. She dug around looking for her toothbrush and toothpaste. She sighed and began taking out all of her stuff. Severus shook his head and asked, "How do you fit all of that in there?"
"You would believe me if I said magic."
"Yes, I do. Out of all the things you use magic for is your stuff. Delia did you have to bring this stuffed frog?"
"Hey, leave Francis alone!" she said in defense.
"Kooshballs, CD player, laptop, ice skates, four books, a yo-yo...what are doing dumping out your bag for?"
Delia dumped her yellow bag out covering the bed in useless junk every now and she would throw something out of the way. Severus looked lost. Delia dug and tossed around amidst the books, Koshballs, Super balls, lip-glosses, CDs, candy, clothes, notebooks, PDA, a half eaten Snickers, markers, pens, paper clips, various make-up items, make-up brushes, earrings, body washes, peanut butter crackers, bottle of Evian, Happy Meal toys, body glitters, stuffed toys, hair spray, brushes, hair clips, half finished cross stitch projects, home made bracelets, rubber bands, safety pins, candles, hammer, screw drivers, nails, head bands, shampoos, conditioners, mouth wash, kitchen sink, cell phone candy holder, pager candy holder, tennis ball sized gum balls, allergy medications (left untaken since her return to school), car keys, Game Boy Advance, game boy games, Game boy Color, flash lights, date books, radio, magazines, tennis rackets, crocket set, ping pong balls, half knitted
sweater, portable TV, Portable PS1, lug wrench, car jack, key chains, umbrellas, camping tent, sleeping bag and beads. She finally found her toothbrush, but not the toothpaste. She sighed and stuffed everything back in the yellow gym bag. She set her bag on the floor and headed for the bathroom. Severus followed behind with a tube of toothpaste that he had found in the pile. Delia took it from him. She brushed her teeth ignoring Severus. She washed her face and looked in the mirror for zits. She found one and was about to pop it.
"Oh disgusting Delia!" Severus shouted.
"What! Who said you had to watch my beauty routine? It's just a zit."
"Don't you have any zit remover?"
"In my bag-"
Severus let a heavy sigh escape, "I'll go find it," and stomped off down to the bedroom. He returned with a small bottle. Delia had taken the opportunity while he was gone to change into her fish pajamas. The fish were swimming through the fabric. Delia took the zit remover and applied some to the zit. She removed her fold up hairbrush from the pocket in her robes and brushed her hair. She stuffed everything into the pocket, picked up her clothing and left. Once in the bedroom she set her wand on the nightstand, pulled back the duvet and laid down. Severus returned wearing his grey nightshirt. He placed his wand next to Delia's and got in beside her. He placed his arms around her as she laid her head down on his chest. "I love you," he whispered softly, stroking her hair. Delia smiled and whispered, "I love you too."