Chapter Six

The Halloween ball was now a mere memory. Snape and Andrea were meeting up all over the school. No one knew but Carmen. And Dumbledore, but he knew everything. They didn't mean to be secretive, but they were both very private people.

They sat yet again at the staff table eating breakfast. Snape held Andrea's hand under the table. The post arrived and a dark gray owl landed in front of Andrea. She just stared at it. So, on her other side did Carmen.

"Well?" Snape asked.

"Ryan. That's Ryan's owl." Carmen stuttered.

Snape glanced at Andrea. She remained silent. He let go of her hand and took the letter from the owl. He tried handing it to her but she pushed it back to him.

"You read it," she said, finding her voice. Snape opened the letter and read:

Andrea,
I don't blame you for hating me. I hate myself right now. But please, forgive me. I need you. Just give me one more chance. I promise you won't regret it!
Ryan Leary

Bastard.

"What did it say?" Carmen asked.

"Nothing of importance. Just begging." Snape said bitterly.

Andrea poked at her food quietly. She wasn't eating. Snape took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She smiled weakly at him.

"Quill and parchment?" she asked.

Snape handed them to her and she bent down and scribbled furiously for a few minutes. Then she handed him back his quill and motioned for him to read what she had written.

Ryan,
I'm with someone new, and I'm very happy. I'm sorry, but I can't forgive you. You hurt me more than once. I don't want to b with you anymore, Ryan. But I hope you'll find someone who makes you as happy as I am now.
Andrea Taylor

Snape folded the letter and tied it to the owl's leg. He looked at Andrea. She had regained her composure, and looked much more calm. She just smiled at him and continued eating.

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Andrea turned off the shower and dried herself with a towel. Then she put on her bathrobe and headed for her dresser. Halfway there she was interrupted by a faint knocking on the door to the small sitting room that was attached to her bedroom. She wandered over and opened the door.

Hmm…no one's here…

Andrea stepped out to look up and down the corridor. She felt a smooth stick under her foot. She looked down to see a long stemmed red rose. No one was in the corridor.

that little sneak! She thought to herself, smiling.

Andrea picked up the rose and walked through the empty hallways. She saw a dark figure ahead as she reached the dungeons. She snuck up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. The man whirled around and pinned her hands behind her back. She screamed, and he covered her mouth.

"So you're happy now, eh?" Ryan Leary whispered, "Whoever makes you happy can't help you now".