Disclaimers: I do NOT own most of these characters. I DO, however, own Rebecca Robinson and any other character you DO NOT recognize. I would also like to thank you in advance to reading and reviewing. Please let me know how this story is working out.

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RWH

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Nine

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Becca crawled out of bed the next morning with a grumble. Her head pounding from the night before as she stumbled into the bathroom for a headache potion. All evening of that previous day she had her nose glued in her textbooks to prepare for the exams scheduled for that day. She had three tests that had to be completed before she could relax any time soon. She had missed lunch and dinner as she crammed the important knowledge needed to complete her exams into her brain. She was sure that with not eating and reading half of the night was the cause of her angry headache. Thankfully, after today's trio of tests, she had the weekend free.

She opened the bottle of headache remover potion and downed half the bottle gagging a bit as it hit the bottom of her empty stomach. Leaning forward, she rested on the edge of the sink waiting for the feeling to stop.

"Breakfast.. "

Muttering softly to her self she forgo the morning shower and instead dressed quickly and scurried down to the dining hall.

She paused at the entrance scanning the crowd of students mingling over their eggs and toast looking for a familiar face.

"Becks.. over here.. "

Looking up at the variation of her name, she smiled seeing Stacia's arm waving madly around the air. Her friend was again sandwiched between her two steady boyfriends, Strawberry blond Bobby and dark haired and handsome Greg. Stacia waved and went to join them.

"I'm starving.. Gods, I have to stop starving myself when I study."

She exclaimed while helping herself to the food as it was passed by.

"You study way to much, Becks.. you need to learn to relax more." Greg smiled at her and handed her a trey of fresh biscuits and she gave him a smile of thanks.

"I'll relax when the semester is over and I can go home."

"That's not for another couple of months you're gonna study yourself into an early grave." Bobby countered as he watched her eat with a grin.

She chuckled and spread some marmalade on the biscuit and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Don't matter, I have to do good, It's expected of me." She muttered chewing slowly and taking a sip of her juice to wash the biscuit down.

"Surely, he doesn't expect you to get sick getting good grades, I mean, he does expect you to have some fun.. doesn't he?"

"Fun? Sure, he wants me to have fun, but I'm not here for fun. I'm here to learn, to graduate and to be everything that he wants me to be."

"What about what you want to be?" Greg asked quietly leaning forward. "I mean, I've heard of Professor Severus Snape from other students and from what I've heard of him, I have to say.I don't see where you can't have some fun out here in the real world. It couldn't have been much fun living with that kind of person."

She paused as she thought about what he said. It was true that he wasn't the easiest person to live with, but she suspected that other parents weren't either.

"You claim to 'know' Severus, but let me tell you one thing.. " She waggled her fork at the others. "There isn't a better man in this or any other world out there. He took me in when I had nowhere else to go. He raised me and taught me respect and patience. I have learned a lot from the 'greasy git of Hogwart's' but I have also learned one part of him that others will never have the opportunity to see. a part of him that I saw daily living with him.. " She paused as the others leaned forward in anticipation. "I've learned that he 'can' love and that he is capable of much more than the cruelty and anger that others only seem to see. That part he shows the world but to me, to me he shows nothing but compassion and love. That is the part of him that I love and that is the part that I miss most of all."

She sighed sadly, her appetite now spent.

"Sorry, Becks.. I only meant.."

"It's all right Greg. No harm, I'm used to fending for him, It's become a habit now." She gave him a smile and reached over to pat his hand.

"Still.. " Bobby and Stacia gave him a 'shut the hell up' look and he closed his mouth with a guilty frown.

Rebecca chuckled at his expression. "Say, Tell you what. How about you making it up to me.. "

Greg looked up at her with a look of suspicion in his brown eyes.

"How?"

"Take me to a movie tonight, there's one that I've been dying to see. Take me and I might forgive you."

Greg turned to look at Stacia for her permission grinning as his girlfriend simply shrugged.

"I have no objection, Bobby and I have plans anyway." The other girl smiled and grabbed the fair-haired boy's hand.

Becca grinned and sat back picking up her cup of coffee. "Deal?"

Greg grinned and nodded, his dark hair swaying with the movement.. "Deal.. what time?"

"Sixish? Movie starts at six thirty."

"It's a date, then.. in a matter of speaking." He chuckled as Stacia started to laugh.

"Good, I'll see you then, right now I need to scram to my first exam. See you tonight."

She grinned at Greg then tossed the others a smile before leaving the dining hall leaving an amused trio behind her.

~~~

Severus apparated to the gates of the University and fished around in his pocket, searching for the box he hid away making sure the bottles were still intact. Satisfied that they were. He headed onto the campus heading straight for Rebecca's dormitory. It was a rather small campus for a University and he covered the area in only a few minutes, finding her building easily enough and entering, heading up to the third floor.

He paused at her door for a second, there were odd sounds coming from behind the wooden barrier and he momentarily wondered if he should interrupt, It sounded like someone was having a rather loud fit. After a moment's hesitation he knocked lightly and waited. A scurrying was heard from the other side and when the door finally opened, he saw, to his relief, Becca's roommate peering out, sheltered behind the massive wooden door. He raised an eyebrow at her, she was flushed and breathing heavily.

Thank Gods it wasn't Becca. He didn't think he could handle that.

"I.. uh.. Is Rebecca in?" He queried as he saw the young woman glance behind her.

"No.. no she's not.. she uh.. had a date.. went to a movie."

"A date? Oh.. I see.. Well then.. " He cleared his throat and stepped back intending to leave quietly.

"Wait.. " Stacia raised a hand and closed the door only to open it back up a minute later, dressed in a pink fuzzy robe, behind her he could see a young man slipping on his shirt.

"I don't want to.. intrude.. " He protested taking a step back.

"Oh, don't worry, Bobby was just leaving.. " She threw her boyfriend a smile and indicating for Severus to enter. The Potions professor nodded and took a step in as the boy stood up and grabbed his shoes.

"See you later baby?" The boy asked and kissed her gently.

"Yes, Later.. I promise.." She grinned and closed the door behind her obvious lover and turned to smile shyly at the tall man standing uncomfortably in the room. "Please, take a seat. Becks should be back in about thirty minutes. The movie will be out by then. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, Thank you.." He replied taking in the room they were in. There were two beds on opposite sides of the room, one made up properly in lavender and rose satin, throw pillows tossed tastefully at the head of the bed, a chair sat beside it along with a nightstand and lantern. A bookshelf lined the wall with dozens of texts sitting casually inside. On the other side of the room, the other bed's blankets were piled onto the floor where, he assumed, they were unceremoniously tossed earlier. He didn't have to wonder which one belonged to this young, disheveled girl. He took a seat in a plush chair and laced his fingers together trying not to notice too much.

"Was Becca expecting you? I thought you visited last weekend." Stacia spoke as she started the fire for the tea.

"No, she wasn't expecting me. I just thought I'd drop in and surprise her. I didn't know she was dating."

He frowned at that unsettling thought as Stacia brought him a cup of tea. He took the offered cup from her fingers when she held it out to him. He couldn't face her, she was grinning ear to ear.

"Well, Its not a real date. She's with Greg, my boyfriend."

He raised an eyebrow at that and glanced to the mussed bed where she and that other boy had obviously been wrestling around.

Stacia caught his glance and blushed slightly. "Oh, That was Bobby, my.. uh.. other boyfriend."

"I.. see.. " Severus felt his face flush and lifted the cup to his lips, taking a sip. "Does.. I mean.. Do they.."

She grinned. "Oh yes, they know about each other, as a matter of fact they're best friends."

He choked a bit at that and sat his cup down. "I.. see.. that's very.. uh.. convenient."

She smiled and sat down across from him. "I suppose so, but it's hard to chose only one of them. I love them both."

He frowned at her slightly, unable to comprehend such a relationship. "A bit dangerous though don't you think?"

"How so?"

"What about the future? Do you plan on being with them both in the long run?"

She sat her cup down and smiled at him sweetly. "Well, its not like they asked me to marry them, and its not likely that either of them will. But.. I try not to dwell on things like that."

"To bad.. you seem like a nice young lady."

She smiled again and shrugged. "I am.. I can't help it if I love two men at once. One cant chose who one loves."

"I suppose.. " He took another sip and let his eyes cast over the room. "Has Becca dated much since she moved in?"

"Becca? The Nun of Cabot University? Please.She's more saintly than Headmistress Goldive. She only does things with us." She smiled and gave him a small smile. "Meaning, myself, Greg and Bobby, so you don't have to worry about her. She's a proper young lady."

He nodded and drained his cup before glancing up at the clock.

"It's nearly nine. I shouldn't have called so late. I really should be getting back."

"But, she should be back any minute. Can't you wait?"

"I don't.. " He stopped as laughter caught his ear and he turned in time to see Rebecca walk into the room with a dark young man following behind.

"SEVERUS!" She yelled as she caught sight of him and ran to embrace him.

"Hello, Love, enjoy the movie?"

"Oh, yes.. it was so.. " She paused and frowned. "Hang on.. Oh! Wait. What's going on here?"

Her eyes glanced over the mussed up bed and frowned, The beds were perfectly done when she left earlier, certainly Stacia.. and Severus didn't. She turned cold and narrowed eyes to her roommate.

Stacia looked around the room wondering what was wrong. Her eyes fell to her own bed and she realized what was on her friend's mind. She raised her hands to her mouth and burst out laughing, raising her other hand in a wave of defense.

"Oh.. Gods no! Becks.. Bobby.. "

Severus gave Stacia an odd look before it dawned on him what it must have looked like to Rebecca. He sighed heavily and cast a deep frown at his ex- charge. "Really, Becca.. "

"Sorry, I just know the voraciousness of my room-mate." Becca's face turned scarlet as Stacia laughed louder causing Becca to turn away as her face darkened even more.

"Well, I came to see you, do you have a bit of time for me?" Severus stated getting to his feet, wanting to put this odd bit of discomfort behind him.

Rebecca took a deep breath and turned back to him, her face still red but at least her ears weren't still ringing from her embarrassment.

"Sure, Uh.. how about a walk? Can you stay long?"

He reached out, took her arm, and led her to the door. He tried to hide his smile, inside he was amused that Becca would think him capable of bedding a girl he barely knew.

"Only an hour or so. I promised Albus that I would talk to another student in the morning and I need to be briefed on the subject before hand."

"Is it serious?"

"Could be, if not handled properly."

She smiled and walked out with him, arm in arm.

"If anyone can help him. You can."

"I'll certainly do my best. Love. That's all I can do."

She smiled at the new form of adornment he used for her.

"I like that."

"What?"

"You calling me Love. It's much better than the old nickname."

"Well. I kind of got used to my head being on my shoulders after all these years. I got tired of reattaching it after each time you bit my head off when I called you Child. I had to find a different term of endearment if I wanted my head to stay attached." He smiled down at her teasingly. "I really don't want to start the appearing in the headless hunt along with Sir Nicholas.

She chuckled at that, "I like Love. You may keep your head."

"I'm glad." He laughed.

She let her hand slide down to lace her fingers with his letting their hands mingle together.

"I brought you something, actually it's more headache potion. I know you're going through mid tests and I remembered how you always got such bad headaches back home from to much studying."

She smiled as he produced the box and handed it to her.

"Thank you, I was going to owl you for more."

"I figured as much."

They strode on for a little way more in silence before she stopped. Severus found them standing in the middle of an arch of a bridge, underneath a small rolling stream ran quietly. Severus turned to lean against the railing looking down into the dark running water watching the stars reflections on the waters.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

"About?"

"Earlier, I'm sorry for.. jumping to the wrong conclusion. I mean.. with Stacia."

He turned to look at her, the moonlight bounced of her dark eyes as he held open his arms to her which she promptly moved into.

"It's all right, you don't have to apologize."

"I was just.. jealous."

He pulled back to look down at her.

"Jealous? Whatever for?"

She sighed and brushed her face against his chest. "I just.. just didn't want to think.. that you could.. with someone.. else.. "

He sighed and pulled her again into a tight embrace.

"Don't you worry about me, Becca, I can take care of myself."

She sighed, once again he didn't understand what she was saying.

"No.. I mean." She turned her eyes up to his and took a deep breath, it was now or never. She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips.

He allowed the kiss only for a moment before pulling gently away.

"Becca.. "

"No.. I know. . don't say it.. Please." She sighed and turned to look into the waters.

A few moments later.

"I should be getting back now."

She nodded and turned to walk back the way they came.

"Will you be back next week?"

"I don't know."

She sighed and looked back at him, He hadn't moved from the railing.

"It's all right, you know. I'm still me."

He smiled and moved to take her hand, walking along side of her back to her dormitory.

"I know, Love, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I love you."

He smiled and stopped her at the front of her building.

"I love you too.. I'll see you soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

She leaned forward to kiss him once more, this time on the cheek.

"Bye, Severus."

"Goodbye, Rebecca."

With a loud crack, he was gone. She turned and walked into the building and into her room only to end up cursing finding Stacia and Greg in mid coitus.

"DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?"

~~~

A/Ns and Acknowledgements:

D.J. Bitter: Aw, now I don't know about Goddess.how about Titan of Fan Fic? LOL. I'm glad you found your way over here to my other story. I have many more in the works and I hope you will like them all. Thank you for taking the time to let me know how much you are enjoying my stories. See you on the other side, Gothicmuse!

Dragonsdaughter: I hope you liked this part..more coming up.

Magdellin: Ah, Hey that's cool. I don't mind being put on your list. I just hope I'm worth it. :D

yokiyen: Ahh, Severus already knows all about his own feelings, but he wont let it out for some time yet. Im glad you like the softer side of Severus. I wanted to show that he can care, specially if given the chance.keep reading.

Cathryne: Honey. I love your reviews. Thank you, I tried to get into his head. But being female, it was a chore. I have to romanticize EVERYTHING! LOL. Aw.This really makes you think of the old B&W romances? That's great.best compliment I've ever had.Thanks.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW.. I'M BEGGIN YA'

RWH