Please note, that I do not own the character of Severus Snape, or any other magical lingo.

This is a Severus/OC story.  Samantha is my own creation.

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Chapter 5:

            Samantha felt her body slowly drain of sleepiness.  She awoke suddenly, gasping a deep breath.  The unfamiliar room around her was warm, dark, and quiet, expect for the muffled sound of rain pelting outside the window.  She slowly sat up, gathering her senses, trying to remember what happened and where she was.

            Her memories of the day before flooded her.  The Death Eaters, the storm, Severus…She jumped out of bed and looked around the room.  She covered her eyes with her hands as she tried to think of what to do.  She's already endangered this poor man.  She should leave.  She needed to get away.  Dumbledore.  Severus said she needed to speak with Albus Dumbledore.  The name was familiar to her; she knew he was a great wizard.  Taking another deep breath, she cleared her panicky thoughts. 

            Hesitantly, Samantha approached the door slowly and opened it.  She peeked her head out and listened carefully.  The storm was still brewing outside.  She stepped gingerly into the hallway, leaving the door to the room open.  The window at the end of the hall flashed with lightening.  Samantha jumped and pressed one hand to her mouth and the other to her chest.  With her eyes wide she turned toward the staircase.

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            Samantha made her way done into the only other room in the house she had seen, the library.  Though she knew it was early morning, the dark gray sky outside deceived her.  The room was dark and cold.  The fire was put out hours ago, by a house-elf, no doubt.  And the tall windows allowed small amounts of gray light to enter the large room.

            Samantha walked towards the wall of shelves on her right.  As she came closer she noticed it was hard to read the titles properly.  She fingered the golden spine of one of the books and pulled it out.  She could make out the word Potions in the dim light.  She put it back and looked at the other books.  They were a collection of books: some plain, some old, and a few gilded.  She pulled another book out and tried to read the title.  She could make out the words Art and Shadow.  Samantha sighed, wishing that it was a little bit lighter in the room.  She crossed the room to a table cluttered with a few books and parchments.  She picked up a parchment and was able to make out the dark ink on the stark-white parchment.  It read:

Softly simmering cauldron…shimmering fumes…delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins…bewitching the mind…ensnaring the senses…

            So poetic, Samantha thought.  She continued to read:

Potions Week 1

-- 1st years:

Swelling Solution

Antidote:  Deflating Draught

-- 2nd years:

Confusing Concoction

-- 3rd years:

Forgetfulness Potion

-- 4th years:

Memory Potions (be sure to order more Jobber knoll feathers for this lesson)

-- 5th years:

Shrinking Solution (need more leech juice)

-- 6th years:

Wit-sharpening Potion (Merlin knows they need it)

-- 7th years:

Veritaserum

            Samantha smiled slightly at Severus' note regarding the 6th years' wits.  It would appear that Severus was a teacher.  He seemed to have a love for potions.  She smiled again, thinking of the passion with which he must teach.

            "What, may I ask, is so amusing, Miss Smill?"  Samantha spun around to see the shadowy presence of Severus near the door.  She turned and set the parchment on the desk, and took a step towards the center of the room, calming her startled heart.

            "Just looking at your lesson plan, Severus."  She tried to remain casual.  She feared that he'd think she was snooping around.  Which, she supposed, she was.

            "Indeed.  What are you doing up so early?  Did the Sleeping Draught not help?"  He arched an eyebrow, watching her start to shiver.

            "No, no, the potion worked perfectly.  A little while ago, I awoke, and I…well, I came down here to distract myself.  I didn't want to think about what happened yesterday."  Samantha looked down at the carpet, following the patterns of red and blue, while wrapping a strand of her hair around her fingers.  She noticed that it was finally dry.  She straightened her nightdress using her other hand.

            "Miss Smill, I suggest that you prepare for today."  Severus took a few steps toward her, his shadowy figure still hidden by the soft gray light of the room.  "I shall have Buttercup draw a bath for you.  Please sit here by the fire until she is ready."  He gestured toward the fireplace, which was still cold and dark.  Samantha looked at him once again, and watched him draw his wand and use it to light a soft fire.  The warmth was inviting and the light was like a beacon.  She sat down softly in the same chair she occupied the evening before.  She heard Severus walk slowly from the room, closing the door behind him.

            Samantha sat back in the chair, drawing her feet up under her.  She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, absorbing the warmth radiating from the fireplace.  In her mind flashed the image of hooded Death Eaters.  She saw five muggles.  She had watched them struggle.  No one came to their rescue.  She saw the hooded monsters surround her.  She had struggled.  No one came to her rescue.  She felt the pain burn through her body, as it had a day ago.  She felt helpless and alone.  Suddenly an image of Severus flashed in her mind.  Poor Severus.  He doesn't realize what he's getting himself into.  He's alone here.  Alone and probably safe.  She mustn't stay with him long.  She had better leave today.  To Albus Dumbledore.

            A soft knock on the door disturbed her thoughts.  She stood slowly, as she heard Buttercup enter the library.  Samantha walked towards the elf and arranged her face into a small smile.

            "Good morning, Miss.  I prepared your bath," Buttercup said in a soft voice.  Samantha smiled genuinely at the house elf's sweet nature.

            "Lead the way, sweet Buttercup."  Buttercup beamed.  Samantha followed her upstairs, once again, and through the hallway leading to Severus' old bedroom.  They passed the room, whose door was still open.  Samantha peeked inside to see two small house elves, one making the bed and the other arranging a set of clothes on the chair near the desk.  Those are probably for me, Samantha thought to herself, catching up with Buttercup. 

She was lead to the end of the hall where there was a white door.  She entered the bathroom, which was misty and warm.  Buttercup showed her the cupboard of towels and the cupboard with the different soaps.  The elf told her that a fresh set of clothes are in the bedroom.  Before Buttercup left, she hung a thick green bathrobe on the doorknob. 

When the door closed softly, Samantha slowly undressed, pulling the white gown up over her head.  She removed her underclothes and left them in the wicker basket in the corner.  She went to the cupboard with the soaps and pulled out a jasmine bath potion and a bar of jasmine scented soap.  She turned to the cabinet of towels and pulled out a thick green towel, setting it on the floor near the tub, and also pulled out a few small washcloths and sponges.  She set these items down on a white wicker stand near the tub. 

She noticed the antique quality of the tub, as she poured the jasmine potion into the hot, steaming bath.  She ran her hand through the water, getting her body used to the heat.  Slowly she lifted one leg into the tub and pulled herself in.  She sank into the tub, lying with her head rested on the rounded rim.  She closed her eyes, letting the heat sink into her body.

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            Feeling refreshed, and wrapped in the green bathrobe, Samantha emerged from the bathroom.  The cold air in the hallway was a refreshing blast to her damp skin.  Her hair was still wet, though she tried hard to towel it dry.  She bitterly wished for her wand, once again. 

She stepped slowly down the hall, jumping only once, when the lightening flashed from the window behind her.  She found the room where she had slept to be refreshed and brightly lit.  She stepped inside and closed the door.  She approached the chair, where she saw a small house elf leave clothes for her. 

Samantha slowly pulled off the bathrobe, letting it fall to the floor.  Her wet hair felt cold on her shoulders.  She shivered slightly, and pulled the clothes from the chair.  She found a set of underclothes similar to ones Severus conjured.  She briefly wondered what had become of her old clothes.  She pulled on the black lingerie.

Curious, she lifted the remaining garment.  It was a black dress.  She pulled it on, and rushed to the mirror, eager to see herself in Severus' creation.  It was a beautiful dress, fitting her perfectly.  The sleeves feel to her elbows, and the neck was shaped like a deep V.  The empire waist of the dress flattered her slim figure and the hem fell just to her ankles, folds gathering around her legs.  She smiled at the image. 

She had never been beautiful.  She never thought about it.  She never craved it.  But now, for some reason, she desired it.  She wanted Severus to see her as beautiful.  Her smile faded, and she buried her face in her hands.  What was she thinking?  No need to ruin his life.  Try not to think about him, Samantha.  You silly girl, she thought.  He hardly knows you.  You hardly know him.  But that's the trouble, isn't it?  She smoothed the dress over the curves of her body, looking herself over once again.  She pushed her wet hair over her shoulder.  She noticed that her boots were set by the cupboard, dried and ready to wear.  She sat down on the bed and was about to pull them on.  She looked up when she heard a hard loud knock at the door.

Severus entered.  His dark hair was pushed back behind his ears.  His clothes were formal and black.  He looked at her with his black eyes.  Samantha froze.  She was leaning over pulling one boot on over her left foot.  She looked up at Severus from under thick lashes.  She saw him try to look away.  He seemed mesmerized by her.  She cleared her throat and straightened, letting the boot slip to the floor.  She stood up, barefoot, but dressed.  She pushed her wet hair over her shoulder.

"Allow me, Miss Smill."  Severus pulled out his wand.  Confused, Samantha frowned, as he pointed the wand to her head and muttered a charm.  Her hair seemed less heavy, so she tentatively raised a hand to her head, to feel the thick black hair was dry.  She smiled at Severus in appreciation.  She bent to pick up her boots.  She walked to the desk chair and sat down lightly.  She pulled the boots on, and stood.  She walked toward the mirror and looked at herself.  Her dress was perfect, her boots adding to its allure.  Her hair, finally dry and full, rested softly on her shoulders, cascading down her back.  She gave a small smile, as she saw Severus' reflection also observed her.  He was inhaling the jasmine scent from her soft hair, when she turned to him.  His eyes widened, surprised that she'd noticed him watching her.

"How do I look, Severus?"  Her voice was quiet and unsure.  Her smile faded as she waited for his response.  His dark eyes went blank, but they never left her body.  He looked at her quaint black boots.  His eyes roamed over the chiffon and cotton dress that he conjured, the sleeves a sheer black, a thick cotton belt tying around the empire waist in the back.  Her black hair tumbled over her shoulders, caressing the soft tan skin of her neck.  He sighed as he admired the justice she did the dress.  He looked to her face and saw her eyeing him intently, hoping for encouragement.  He cleared his throat and furrowed his brow.  He looked away sharply.

"I'm afraid that dress will have to do.  Breakfast is ready, Miss Smill.  Then we will contact the Headmaster.  But for now, let us eat and discuss what you will be prepared to do."  He turned sharply and walked out of the room.  She followed him, feeling slightly rejected, nothing more than a dirty Death-Eater.

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I know I promised an encounter with Albus Dumbledore and also with Voldemort, but I'm afraid that this is all for right now.  A little bit of character development and I'm starting to veer towards a more omniscient point of view, which is more fun. 

The dress, by the way, is something I saw in The Mummy, worn by Rachel Weisz.  The black dress was sheer and flowy, and she wore knee-high black boots with it.  Was very cool, I'll try to find a picture.

Please review and I'll have more up soon.