Chapter Twenty

It had been two months since the attack, but Val still felt like Edward was going to leap out at her from any dark corner she passed. It didn't help that she was given a brooding, sarcastic, downright snarky Potions master as her guardian.

Snape was her shadow. Where she went, he followed, and frankly, it was starting to wear on Val's nerves. She knew that Snape wasn't much of a conversationalist, but she was getting tired of spending so much time in silence. There were other times when she would have been happy for the lack of conversation, since the only time they did speak to each other was generally to trade some sort of insult. It usually went something like this:

Well, Professor, I wasn't aware that the quality of potions training in the States was so low. Surely you must have been taught the proper way to prepare that ingredient.

Of course, Professor, I must bow to your superior knowledge. Tell me, on the Potions Master application, does it list overbearing and obnoxious as desirable qualities? If so, I can see why Albus hired you for the job.

At this point Snape usually scowled at her and ignored her for the rest of their time together. Not all of this time was wasted, however. Val was assisting in Snape's research on a binding potion to hinder Voldemort's power, so that he could be captured by the Ministry's Aurors. She'd already spent hours in the library, pouring over various texts under Madame Pince's watchful eyes.

It was uneasy but comforting to be constantly under scrutiny. On one hand, it would be harder for Edward to breach Hogwart's security again, but Val was beginning to crave solitude. She was starting to feel smothered by the staff.

Today Val sat at the large wooden table in Snape's laboratory, taking notes as she leafed through the pages of some of the books she'd just borrowed from the library. She rubbed her temples absently as she worked, trying to ignore the growing throbbing that signaled the onset of another headache.

She glanced at the clock and noted that it was time to stir the cauldron that was simmering on the fire across the room. As she rose from her seat she faltered, her head spinning as she tried to regain her balance. Strong hands grasped her by the elbows, preventing her from the inevitable collapse to the floor.

Snape guided her slowly through the room and into his office, where he placed her in a small armchair. He crouched in front of her chair to look into her face and seemed alarmed at her pallor.

Professor, are you feeling poorly? Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing? he asked with concern.

Val met his eyes as she lifted her head upright again.

No, thank you, but I'll be okay in a moment. It's merely a headache. I need some fresh air to clear my head, she explained.

Would you like to take a break and go for a walk on the grounds today? We've both been working too hard lately, he offered, extending a hand to her to help her out of the chair.

Surprised at his polite tone, Val placed her hand in his and stood up. He offered his arm for support and she linked one arm around his. They proceeded quietly through the dungeon hallway and out the doors of the Great Hall.

Unable to stand the silence any longer, Val decided to say something. She stopped in the middle of the path and dropped her hold on his arm, causing Severus to halt as well and glance at her in question.

She cleared her throat and said, I just want to thank you for all you've done Professor. I know that you would prefer to be working on your own on this project, and that watching over me wastes precious time. Since we are spending so much time together I would like us to be friends. She extended her right hand to him, waiting expectantly for his reply.

Snape's dark eyes glittered in the sunlight as he stared at the outstretched hand, as if waiting for something to happen. Disappointed, Val started to pull her arm back to her side. Before she could move he had grasped her hand in his. Their eyes met, and something quite unusual happened. The Potions Master smiled at her and said, My friends call me Severus.

Val grinned at him and laughed, replying, Well, my friends call me Val. So no more of this Professor stuff, okay? Now, let's go down to the lake.

She took his arm once more and they continued down the path, now feeling free to discuss more than the latest developments of their research and their opinions on the work, and without the open hostility of the last months haunting each word spoken between them.