Chapter 3-The Renewal of a Beautiful Friendship

The quartet reappeared in Dumbledore's office. Seconds after stepping out of the fireplace Isis crumpled on the floor, weak from pain, blood loss, and the trip home. Dumbldore and McGonagall both peered at her over the rims of their glasses and Snape stepped toward her in concern. "Severus, will you be so kind as to escort Isis to see Madame Pomfrey?" Albus asked softly, his gaze never leaving the tiny professor on the floor.

Snape acted immediately. He quickly went to her and swept his once dearest friend up into his arms. "I can walk you know." She protested as he headed for the door.

"Yes." He drawled, "You were doing such a marvelous job of it."

Isis let her head flop back with a groan of frustration. He smirked at her theatrics. "Drama Queen."

"Book worm."

He rolled his eyes at her. "You are such a child."

"Am not." She retorted indignant, but her eyes sparkled with silent laughter.

He stared at her in disbelief. "Oh right, of course not Ms. Malfoy."

"I know it's been a while Severus," she spoke quietly, uncertainty and sadness clouding her face, "but do you really hate me so much that you won't even use my name?"

Doubt crossed his features. "After the last time I saw you, I was sure I'd lost that right."

She ran a hand down his cheek. "That monster did." She admitted. "But my friend never will." She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and snuggled into his shoulder, her eyes closed against the tears she felt forming. "I missed you Sev."

He tightened his arms around her, realizing that his greatest wish had come true, she'd forgiven him. A part of him, told him he didn't deserve her. And while that may be true, he didn't care, he had her back, and he was going to keep her. "I'm missed too Izzy." He told her choking on all the emotions she stirred.

Madame Pomfrey had heard them in the hallway and met them at the door. She gasped at the professors and motioned them quickly inside. She instructed Snape to lay Professor Malfoy on the bed and then shooed him away. He sent a worried glance back to Isis, but walked towards the door as instructed. His hand was on the knob when she called out to him. "Sev?" He turned and saw her tiny hand reaching out to him. Her big eyes peered out from around Poppy. "Please don't leave."

Without a second thought he all but ran back to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed, and taking her hand securely in his. Poppy gave them a knowing smile and privacy. He sat with her as she closed her eyes, not saying a word, just watching her, trying to memorize her face, her freckles and her smile.

After a few minutes she opened her eyes again. "Do you still write Severus?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't have time Isis!" He snapped. "Besides, I stopped writing years ago."

His voice was cold, and she blinked slowly. He hadn't spoken like that to her since she'd first met him, when he'd come home with Lucius during his fourth year.

Isis wiggled under the blankets until she was lying with her head in his lap. She knew that if he felt secure, and like she was the vulnerable one, rather than him, he would open up. Snape knew what she was doing, but he couldn't keep himself from settling a hand in her hair. "Write a poem for me Severus, please." She whispered in a breathy plea. Her eyes were closed and her face relaxed as she curled up next to him and he ran his fingers through the silken strands.

"Now?" He asked in surprise. She nodded her head silently. He stared down at her for a moment, before he began softly.

"Once within my hand I held

A Goddess, a pixie, and the universe all in one

The fiery sun, her crown,

Mischief and life dancing together in the oceans that were her eyes

She floated above mere mortals

And created love and laughter everywhere she smiled.

To my great surprise she took me with her

Rose me up above men better than I

I'll never know why such a goddess

So wise and kind

Picked me

So flawed and unholy

But forever shall I love

My salvation, my love, my life.



She held tight

But I let go

And fell so fast, so far

I forgot her light

Forgot my heart

And laid right down in the devil's embrace.

But her love

More than I deserve

Gave her courage to brave the darkness

And gently she loosed the chains

I'd allowed the devil to give me

She took me up with her

Burned the darkness from my soul

And I remember love."

By the end she was asleep. With a soft sigh he eased out from underneath her, and left.