I hope all of you who have been reading the fic are…well…still around!!!
I apologize for taking so long…Apparently, a large majority of my brain had lapsed into a semi-'writing coma'. It's been slowly recovering. With help from my candy stash. And chocolate. Lots of it.
:) But I'M BACK!! And hopefully, I'll be able to post Ch. 5 too by the end of the week…
But that 's a BIG hopefully…
SHOUTOUT TO ALL THE REVIEWERS!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! And THANK YOU's for everyone who seemed optimistic about a Willow/Remus ficcie…::smirk:: Sorry, people, but I'm leaving Willow/Severus fics for later…
Much later…
When a sufficient plot bunny manages to worm its way into my head and give me ideas for one…
::green and silver bunny hops by::
Ah, I see one now…
:)
A/N: Oh, by the way, I need to clear up something—I am making Giles the same age as Remus/Sirius/Severus…Just because I can…If you don't believe him to be in his late 30's…Well…Then…Imagine that all the experiences he's been through aged him…Like the other men in the HP universe…Okiedokie?
Ok, enough stalling…I need to start the fic…
::horns, trumpets, and those-loud-instrument-thingies start blaring::
I COMMENCETH THE FIC-ETH!!!
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CHAPTER FOUR
"Er…Miss Rosenberg…If I may…" Remus stammered, "I believe that what Severus was trying to say was…well…erm…"
"BLOODY HELL, LUPIN! DO SOMETHING!!!"
Severus Snape. Esteemed Potions Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for nearly twenty years. Feared by every hapless little first year ever to enter the school walls. Hated by nearly every student in every House, except for perhaps Slytherin. A mysterious, sometimes creepy, but definitely dangerous man.
And he was floating.
Upside down.
Over fifty feet off the floor.
His wand being tapped against the palm of the person who did this to him.
And that person just happened to be the one woman that attempted to end the world the week before.
So, to some random passerby, Severus Snape would almost look scared. Frightened out of his mind. They would almost pity him.
But then the random passerby would start laughing hysterically once they noticed that the tall, dark, and scowling man was wearing a dark green shirt with matching green and silver boxers.
With snakes slithering around them.
Hissing.
Needless to say, Willow was about ready to fall to the floor snickering. Which would be bad, considering how she was trying to make a point. And if only the image of hissing snake-boxers would simply get the hell out of her head, she would remember what that point was.
Oh, yes.
"Well, Sevvie," Willow purred, "I would love to just set you back on your feet…But somehow I think you wouldn't be willing to do something for me—" Her onyx eyes flashed mischievously.
"ANYTHING!!! I'LL DO ANYTHING!!! JUST PUT ME DOWN!!!" Snape's once-sallow face was by now beet-red. Almost to the point of purple. A rather interesting color, if observed closely. It made quite a lovely contrast with his glossy, almost greasy-looking hair. But Willow wasn't thinking this. Oh, no. Of course she wasn't thinking about how soft that hair must feel to the touch…No…Of course not…
She arched her eyebrow. "Really? Well, then, it's quite simple. Apologize."
Remus, who had been staring at her with a sort of fascinated horror (it could've been due to her radical appearance, but it was probably because of what she just accomplished…and how easily Severus seemed to play the role of 'victim'…), turned to look at floating-Severus expectantly. 'Snape apologizing? Scowling, thinks-he's-above-everyone-else Snape? My God, I wish I had a camera…' Remus thought.
Both the werewolf and the redhead stood looking up at Snape, arms crossed. Severus, on the other hand, was busy opening and closing his mouth. Like a red-faced goldfish. It looked fairly interesting when the person was upside down.
Willow smirked. "Having a hard time, Sevvie? It's very simple if you only try. Just open your mouth, form the words, 'I…am…sorry', and you'll be back on solid ground in no time. Here, Sevvie, I'll even do it with you for prac—"
"Why do you call me 'Sevvie', Miss Rosenberg? No one's called me that since…Since, well…" Severus trailed off as he noticed the stricken look on Remus's face. He tried to lower his head to the floor. But, of course, that was impossible, considering how the floor was above him.
Willow looked to both men, who were busy trying to look everywhere other than where she stood. She frowned. 'Gee, I wonder why they look so…sad, I guess…Like they lost someone they loved…Maybe I should stop calling the poor man 'Sevvie'…if only to get rid of the lost look in Remus's eyes…' she thought.
She craned her neck to look at Snape plastered to the ceiling. "I apologize, Professor Snape. I will only limit myself to calling you 'Professor', 'Snape', 'Scowl-Boy', or any other creative name I can come up with in the future." She grinned, and sighed inwardly in relief when faint smiles appeared on both men's faces.
"Yes, well, I'm sure Severus will greatly appreciate that," Remus drawled out (as Willow secretly melted). "Isn't that right, Sev?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Joy…I look forward to all the nicknames you will invent, Miss Rosenberg."
Willow smiled. "Please, Professors, we're all going to be colleagues. Can you both at least call me Willow?"
"Fine, if you insist."
"Sure, but only if you call me Remus."
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, but it was quickly broken when Severus blurted out, "Well, now that we're just dandy with each other, Willow…DO YOU MIND GETTING ME OFF THIS BLOODY CEILING??!!!!!"
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"Albus, how do you think Willow will do in Hogwarts? Should I be worried?"
"Rupert, I do not believe she will have any problems." Dumbledore glanced to the office door. "In fact, judging by what just happened beyond this door, I think she will fit in just fine…"
Rupert Giles, for once, looked at someone bewilderingly. "Albus…?"
Dumbledore smiled. "She has just been introduced to Remus and Severus—"
"WHAT??!!!" Giles jumped out of his chair, the teacup he had been holding in his hand crashing to the floor. "You must be joking, Albus…Did you just say Severus? As in, Severus Snape? My fellow Slytherin? As well as a Death Eater??!!!"
Hagrid, who had been watching the two men converse, finally spoke up. "Ruper', like I said, it's ben awhile since you wer last in da wizardin' world…"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Indeed it has…A good twenty years, if I'm not mistaken…" His twinkling eyes soon hardened, however. "But I must say, Rupert, I'm surprised at you. You certainly are one to talk…You and Severus ought to compare your pasts and see who had it the worst…I'm positive you two will have quite a close tie.
Giles smiled sheepishly. "As always, you are right, oh Wise One…" Dumbledore smiled. "I should not be so self-righteous, what with the past I have…But I am still somewhat concerned. You know how I treat everyone in Sunnydale as my own children. I fear for Willow's well-being. She has gone through more trauma than a young woman her age ever should. Probably even more than anyone will ever realize. To be in contact with Severus could be dangerous—"
"Ah, but you do not see the benefits," Dumbledore stated. "Out of everyone in this school, Severus is probably the only one here that can commiserate with her plight. He has tasted just as much darkness as you and Willow…Probably more, considering how he still has to face it everyday. I know that he and Willow will get along just fine. It's actually Remus I'm more concerned about…Willow can probably handle an ex-Death Eater, but another werewolf? She will eventually realize what he is, and I worry about her reaction to him."
Giles sighed as he slumped back into his chair. "I realized that too…"
Hagrid looked between the two of them. "I'm sorry to pry…But exactly what happened last week?"
Giles frowned. "I'm afraid it is not my story, Rubeus…Plus, I was not actually there when everything happened. You are likely better off asking Willow herself."
Hagrid shook his head as he stared at Giles incredulously. "Are you kiddin' me, Ruper'?"
"Actually, I think he is right, Rubeus," Dumbledore stated. "Willow is a strong young lady. She is healing quite nicely so far…A good year here at Hogwarts, and I am confident she will be the same vibrant woman she once was. As a matter of fact, Remus and Severus are sure to bring her back to normal."
"Even so, Albus," Giles stated. "Would you mind if I stay here for awhile? I would feel much better if I could keep an eye on Willow. Besides, it will be nice reacquainting myself with the school and the teachers."
Dumbledore's eyes, previously dull, returned to their sparkling blue hue. "I would be honored if you can stay, Rupert. I will call the house elves to prepare a room for you. They are still fixing Willow's room, as well as the new librarian's."
"Ah…So Madame Romano retired?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Oh, goodness, Madame Romano left us more than a decade ago. Madam Pince took her place. Unfortunately, she had to quit due to family circumstances."
Giles stared at him knowingly. "Voldemort?"
The Headmaster sighed, and it was at this moment that he seemed much older than his century-plus years. "Yes."
Giles chose not to press the subject. "So…Who's the new librarian?"
This time, the Headmaster's smile seemed almost impish. "Oh, you'll see…I have a feeling you know her…And Willow as well…She is meeting her now, actually…"
Knowing Dumbledore would reveal no further, Giles changed the topic. "I will just have to wait until she shows her face to me too…Now then, you must tell me all about…"
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Severus and Remus had nearly finished showing Willow the basic tour around the castle, and they were going to conclude it at the library. Both had the feeling that she would personally enjoy this spot of the castle the most.
'She is definitely more intelligent than I gave her credit for,' Severus thought. 'Granted, I'll never tell her that…I've only known the girl—no, woman—a couple hours, yet I can predict much teasing in my future if I gave her a compliment…'
For the first time in years, he was actually comfortable with a woman. 'Hell must have frozen over…I can now talk to a woman without biting her head off…much…' But Severus realized that it was…fun arguing with Willow…Partly because she could fight back…And that gave her a lot of respect in his eyes. It reminded him of another woman…From long ago…But before his thoughts could hope to turn dark, he squashed them as he glanced at Willow's happy face. 'I'm intrigued as to what her reaction will be when she sees the library…All those forbidden books will most likely be digested within the coming week…'
Remus's thoughts were slightly different.
'Her eyes are so sad…I'm dying to ask her what happened last week back in America…But I have the vague feeling there will be another man plastered to the ceiling if she were ever asked that question…' He glanced at her face surreptitiously every five seconds. Or so it seemed. But she fascinated him.
'Breathtakingly beautiful…But in a fragile way…Like a porcelain doll…But with the temper of a proper redhead, THAT'S for sure…Gee, why does that sound awfully familiar?' he thought wryly. 'It's another Lily Evans Potter…Except darker…Much, much darker…All the more reason to be mesmerized by her…She's the perfect contradiction…I can only hope that I can get to know her better—' His thoughts were cut off as a fresh wave of guilt washed over him. A tiny voice, sounding eerily like Snape on helium, screamed in his head:
'My, my, my…So quick to forget her, aren't you?'
'SHUT UP!!! HOW DARE YOU ASSUME THAT I CAN EVER FORGET HER??!!!! MERLIN'S BEARD—'
As he continued to inwardly yell at the voice in his head, they finally reached the library.
But there was someone else there.
Willow, who had been practically bouncing as she realized that her two new friends were taking her to the school library, rushed to the library doors. She threw them open and ran in, completely ignoring the two men casually strolling in behind her, shaking their heads in amusement.
She noticed the new occupant of the room when she accidentally ran into her, sending them both sprawling on the floor. Her on top of the stranger.
Who, when Willow recognized the hair and the eyes, was no longer a stranger.
Willow gasped as tears sprung to her own eyes.
"…Tara?"
Tara smiled. "Hey, Willow…Long time, no see?"
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MWAHAHAHAHA…Were you expecting that? HUH??!! Please tell me I threw in a nice plot twist…Or two dozen…
Who is the woman that Severus and Remus refer to? ::smirk:: You'll just have to wait and see…It's my own character, thank God…I will eventually have a character of my very own…::sniff sniff:: It looks to be one of my crowning achievements…
REVIEW PWEASE!!!!