Authors Notes:

Not my characters, just my version of the story. :) please don't sue. I want to thank the people who have left their reviews because it means a lot to me. I have spent the last couple of days reading "Muggle" by Andolyn and I recommend it, strongly.

Claribel: I am trying my hardest to avoid OC flaws by using the stories you recommended in conjunction with certain movie characters and some of the personality traits of my friends and family. Madelaine is a hodge podge.

Also: as of the end of chapter 3 there were two ways I could go with the story, either back to their time which would involve a lot of unnecessary flashbacks and such, or to remain 8 years back and work my way up, and that's what I've decided to do. So picture it: July 1992, Valencia, Spain.....



Chapter Four



Madelaine sat out on her balcony, looking over her daily issue of La Magia Cronometra. The sunny weather obviously agreed with her by lighter red hair and a bronze tint in her skin. The low rumble of the ocean, a stones throw from where she sat, had awoken her and beckoned her for a visit. Mensageiro, her owl had delivered to her her paper and flown off as if in search of something. The sky began fading from purples and reds to light pinks and finally a clear, sky blue that was empty save for the bright morning sun for miles in any given direction. The strong smell of salt lingered in the fast heated air and Madelaine retreated inside to the cool tile floors and small upright fan she had bought for her little flat in a Muggle area of town. Her long white skirt clung to her legs as she moved in front of the fan over to her small kitchen bar, where a note on parchment had been left from her mother, addressing that she and Madelaine's father had gone out early to retrieve a few things for breakfast and would be back ASAP. Her leather flip-flops made a soft "pitter-patter" noise as she opened her fridge and pulled out the bottle of milk for her cereal that she hadn't poured yet. Madelaine sighed, still somewhat tired, and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it back into what could be a ponytail if it wasn't so short. Tendrils of hair fell down by her face and she let go of her hair, swinging her arms down by her sides. Poca-una, her small white cat, sauntered through the living room and down the two steps into the cool, breezy kitchen and proceeded to rub against Madelaine's bare legs. The entire flat screamed "Verano" with it's white-washed walls and dark red floors, light wood and wicker furnishings and white everywhere. It was easy on the eyes and light on the heart, which was something that Madelaine felt she needed at that time. She had never felt worse in all of her life than she had the day she left Hogwarts. The day she had insulted Severus Snape, a man that she had truly loved but now she was sure that he hated her with more of a passion than he had shown her in the few months they were together. As she thought of him her left hand flew to her neck to finger a small golden chain as she began to pour the milk. The door opened and her mother, speaking in broken Spanish with an Irish accent and pronunciation and laden with bags from the usual morning market shopping stopped dead in her tracks and shrieked. Madelaine forced herself back to reality and realized the reason for her Mother's outburst. She still hadn't retrieved her breakfast cereal and had poured milk all over the counter and floor, much to the delight of Poca-una.

"¿Qué Haces? ¡Eso es todo nuestra leche!" Áine, Madelaine's mother, shouted at her. Áine had resigned herself to speaking completely in Spanish, so she could practice her speech all day. Her husband, Caolite, however spoke in English to his wife and just nodded absently to her replies since he spoke no Spanish and had no desire to, since his daughter was fluent and his wife was quickly gaining that status.

"Oh Mother, then I will go out this afternoon and buy more milk! It isn't a crisis. Calm down." Madelaine spoke heavily as she mopped up the milk. She had no desire to sit and listen all day to her Mother speak in simple Spanish, trying to express herself in complicated manner and failing miserably. Madelaine was tired of everything as of late and secretly wished to herself that she hadn't invited her parents to live with her. She wanted to be alone and sit and think but then, when she thought about it she realized that if she was alone she would have wasted away, never leaving the flat, only sitting in and thinking of her Severus.

"¡Vaya!" Her mother yelled again, taking the mop from her hand. Madelaine rolled her eyes and grabbed her light gray hoodie. She slipped into it and left the flat. She began down the narrow staircase into a blooming courtyard, filled with flowers of all colors and scents.

"Hola Señorita Madelaine. Tenemos tiempo muy bien eh?" David, a young American student living in Spain, a floor below Madelaine greeted her on his way upstairs. He smiled a wide smile with straight white teeth and a few strands of dark hair in front of his eyes.

"Beautiful weather David." Madelaine smiled and zipped up her jacket. The weather was good, but a nippy morning breeze, fresh off of the ocean cooled the surrounding area down considerably. She turned and closed the iron gate, and continued down the narrow road towards a pedestrian center in town. There was a daily market, and Madelaine found this a much easier way to shop than for the week or month. A light wind rippled through her hair as she gently squeezed an orange from a rickety, graying cart and placed it into her bag after paying the old woman running the cart. The thick scent of foods being fried and baked, and fresh spices and herbs that were used on them filled the air and as the sun gently rose into the sky and the wisps of white clouds had left, Madelaine again felt how content she was there. She hadn't run away from Severus because she wasn't afraid of him, or them. She was worried about her future. She loved traveling, and if she had stayed behind with him she would be sitting around helping map out programs and curriculum for the coming school year and it was something she wanted nothing to do with. Madelaine found herself staring off into space when she noticed a shadow disappear into a narrow alleyway. She put her un-purchased produce back onto the cart and followed him quickly. The darkness of the alley way was a stark contrast to the warmth and light of the open marketplace and Madelaine shivered as a cool wind blew against her shoulders and legs. Her eyes traveled down to her feet so she could watch for raised stones and prevent herself from tripping. When she looked up again all she saw of the mysterious character was a ripple of long black robes.

"Severus!" Madelaine shouted after him and picked up her pace. A million thoughts ran through her mind. 'Maybe he needed to see me. He missed me so much!'. She wanted so much to be back in his arms, but at the same time she was disgusted with herself for chasing after him. Everything about their last encounter was burning into the front of her mind. Everything about him was there too. His eyes, his expressions, that sneer or scowl that she could make melt away with just a half smile in his direction. As she rounded the corner she forgot to pick up her back leg again and fell into a soft darkness that smelled of soap and herbs. She looked up into a pair of dark eyes and fell into forever. His strong, soft hands helped her to her feet and hesitated at letting go of her. He smiled a broad smile and Madelaine quietly wondered to herself why she had never seen him look so beautiful before.

"Who's Severus?" David asked her, trying to tuck a strand of hair behind his ears but it was to short and returned to its position in front of his eyes. "Forget that, how did you follow me?" he furrowed his brow and looked her over.

"I...I...My name is Kennocha Madelaine O'Moore. I studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am a Ravenclaw, my...my best class was potions but I was sleeping with the professor." She blurted out to David as if under the influence of Vertiserum. He smiled at her again and laughed.

"Does that explain who Severus is?"

"I can't believe I just said that!" She clasped her hand over her mouth and stifled a worried laugh.

"Hey it's alright. I'm a Salem Institute alumni myself, but I'm from New York. You, Madelaine, live above me and from the few times we've spoken, I gather you're from Ireland."

"Born there yes, moved to Manchester when I was 8."

"Perhaps you want to continue this over lunch? I'm in town to pick up a few things." David shrugged and turned to show Madelaine the sweeping view behind him. Hundreds of small wizarding shops lined the sidewalks and street vendors selling magical things made it nearly impossible to get around. She gasped and her hand rose to her mouth once again. "Didn't you know this was here?" He asked in a half-laughing voice.

"No!"

"Well now you do. Just this street alone is twice as big as the district in New York where you can buy most wizarding items. In fact, most American witches and wizards must owl-order any slightly uncommon items they may need. It's a pain, really. Very expensive for some people because most of the items come from either San Francisco or Salem, where the school is." He explained to her as they walked into Quidditch shop.

"You like Quidditch?" She asked with a very noticeable trace of disappointment in her voice.

"It's alright I guess. I'm here to buy a poster for my cousin. He's obsessed."

"Really? Which team?" She asked with a newly renewed spirit and interest. David laughed again, in fact, he laughed a lot. 'it must be nice to feel so carefree to laugh all the time.' she thought to herself.

"Chudley Cannons. I don't understand it though, they're so bad."

"They are. You know, there was, or is a second year at Hogwarts who also likes the Chudley Cannons for some unexplainable reason. Used to talk about them all the time."

"Really? Was he somewhat short and very thin and red haired?"

"Yeah, Ron Weasley."

"That's him alright" David laughed again and handed a short wizard 1 galleon for the poster and left quickly.

"Really?" Madelaine asked, amazed.

"Yes. His mother and my mother are sisters. Sort of. See, our grandparents wanted kids really badly, so just when they had given up and had adopted my mother, Molly Weasley was conceived. Cool eh?"

"So that's why you and Ron look nothing alike?" Madelaine said to him, immediately regretting it because it made her sound like a moron.

"Basically. That and my dad was from here." David cocked his head to the side watching Madelaine as she continued to take in all that the small town had to offer. It seemed a perfect mingling of all things magic and muggle. From small cafés lining the streets and the open air-vending down to Apothecary of various sizes and specific shops for specific branches of magic. From Alchemy and Potions to Arithmancy to Astronomy. David made a few more stops into various bookshops and finally a small wand shop that smelled like cedar and dust, to purchase a velvet wand case.
"Finally we're off to eat." He sighed and smiled at Madelaine. He was surprised to see her in the Open air market to begin with, let alone know she saw him and was able to follow him into this small corner of the wizarding world. But he loved it. He had only spoken to her once or twice before, but he never expected her to be so knowledgeable on so many different things. Nor had he noticed how beautiful she was before. He breathed in deeply again and could smell her the light scent of her body oil. David opened his eyes to look up at that clear blue sky and a hot sun that bore straight down on the pair, making tiny beads of sweat run down his face from the heat and nervousness that he felt from standing next to such a beautiful creature.

"Is this it?" Madelaine asked, looking up at him and pointing to a small café, half in the alley between the muggle and wizard worlds, and the other half in the center of the square, which was half deserted because of siesta. However it was run by an English muggle who knew of the small place because his entire family was magical, and he kept his small establishment opened all day.

("None of this mid-day nap squabble. I don't need to rest, I am perfectly fine running my business all day thank you.")

David hung the canvas pack he had been carrying with him across his chair and sat down after Madelaine had. With a small *pop* two glasses of water appeared on the table, along with silverware and napkins. Madelaine took a small sip from her water as she saw the owner, a tall, and equally round man called Smith, approach the table asking for their orders.

"I just want a chicken sandwich." Madelaine told him after David had ordered his lunch. (corned beef sandwich with saurkraut and chips on the side.**) After Smith left their sides David leaned in on his elbows.

"So, what about you? I've chatted your ear off all morning. Why are you here?"

"I needed to get away." Madelaine shrugged and for the first time since she had mistaken David for Snape, had she thought about Severus. Her eyes fell down to the table and she could feel the heat build up in her face and tears well in her dark amber eyes. "I made a mistake in my 6th year at Hogwarts. A big one."

"What's that?" David asked her. Madelaine looked up and allowed her tears to fall quietly.

"I fell in love." She started and looked back down. "He was completely off limits to me, and an asshole at that. I was sure he hated me for being one of his most brilliant students, next to maybe this annoying little first year in Gryffindor house. But he knew the difference between us, she knew what she knew because of books and reading. I could do it because of ability and talent. He was the potions master for the school. One night I was cleaning out the cauldrons for my usual Saturday detention and I heard him talking to himself over some potion, I can't remember it now, but I shouted in at him what he needed. It was very quiet then for a split second I half expected a 'thank you'" She stopped for a moment and sighed, a small smile creeping up the sides of her mouth. "But he couldn't do that so he yelled at me to get back to work. That next Friday he called me in after class and thanked me. And I got carried away and I kissed him. He's 15 years older than me David! I was crazy! But I didn't care. He never stopped me either, so I guess it was his fault. Either he liked me or hadn't gotten any in so long, I didn't know then. I started purposely getting detentions, and spending more time with him." Madelaine stopped and smiled at Smith, who had brought out their lunches. David paid for them and a little extra for dessert.

"Wow. That's...wow. Continue if you want."

"I don't know." Madelaine shrugged. You probably hate this."

"No, I like hearing about it. I mean... well, it's like a soap opera, I'll give you that, but I think it's an interesting story." Madelaine laughed at him. Really laughed, like tingles in your toes kind of laugh. David smiled as she continued.

"Well, then summer came. I was 17 and my parents decided to leave me in the house that summer so they could go on some cruise for 2 months. Which of course I was OK with. I owled Severus and told him and a few days later he showed up on my doorstep. I didn't know what to do then, I mean, I had invited my Professor to come over and let's face it, only one thing was bound to happen and it wasn't sit around and discussing books. Afterward, I felt disgusting. He stayed the week and when he left I just wanted to scrub myself clean of it. Not him, just the idea. My 7th year I dropped all my potions classes and took study halls instead. I avoided him as much as I could, but during Christmas break, when I stayed in the castle, it couldn't be helped." Madelaine paused again, swallowing the last bit of her sandwich. David had been listening intently. She didn't care that he was mostly a stranger, she needed to get this off of her chest to someone, anyone who would listen.
"Well, that Christmas, at the foot of my bed I found a small pile of gifts from my parents and friends and a small box wrapped in blue wrapping and tied with a silver ribbon. He never told me he loved me, but when I opened it I know he did. I went to see him at once, I didn't know what I was going to say, I just stormed in on him in his classrooms in the dungeons and I broke down and I cried. I told him what I thought of him and how he made me feel and I didn't know why. Then I threw his gift at him and gave him a nice shiner."

"Oh My God!" David started laughing over his vanilla ice cream. His eyes were squeezed tightly together and he began to get a headache from the mixture of laughter and cold. As they finished and rose, David wiped his face and eyes and grabbed his bag. "I'm sorry. It's just that I can totally imagine you throwing this box at your potions professor. I think it's rather funny." David smiled at her again.

"Yeah, well, just be thankful you weren't on the other end of that ring box."

"I think I'd like to meet him."

"No you wouldn't. I'm sure he's gotten even worse now. Those poor 3rd year Double Potions students." Madelaine said with a smile of satisfaction.

"True, I mean, considering what I hear from Percy"

"Percy Weasley?"

"Yes."

"He's going with Penelope Clearwater. I had quite a fancy for him myself in my 5th year."

"Really?" David asked curiously.

"Yes, but he pays to much attention to the rules." Madelaine laughed.

"And from what I know about you so far, you'd rather throw them to the wind."

"I'd be much happier if I could just do that." She laughed again and the pair strolled, single file down the dark alley way again and made their way to the iron gate at the front of their courtyard.

"Well this is my stop." David smiled. "I hope I get to talk to you again sometime."

"Hey, just holler, I can hear you remember." She smiled at him again and he kissed her on the cheek, making her blush.

"I'll see you later then?"

"Of course." She turned and began to walk up the steps into her flat. Her Father greeted her at the door.

"Maddie where's the milk? Gone almost 6 hours and no milk?"

"I'm sorry dad, I was sidetracked." She smiled at him and went straight to her room and closed and locked the door. She pulled a small, leather bound journal with her initials on it from her desk drawer and opened it, and began to write. A light breeze wafted into her room but this time it was warm, smelling of patchouli and ginger. A familiar and inviting smell, one that she felt, made her insides stir.

'Severus' was on her lips, but as she moved to the window the warm breeze was gone. She sat by the window for most of the evening, watching other people who lived in the building come and go and she sat and thought of what she told David today. About Severus. And for the first time since she left she felt that longing to be with him again. Just to be in the same room, or same area. She needed him.



**oh yeah! Who knows what I'm talking about here! Woo-hoo Reubens! Sorry...sometimes I get a little carried away with food, but hey, he's American.

Please, please, please review! I really appreciate it.