Chapter Ten- The House Elf

"Libby will show Miss to her room," Libby squeaked, pulling Andrea's arm.

"She'll stay with me"

"But Master said he is not to marry" Libby said.

"Well, we--"

"Miss will not share Master's room!"

Snape started to object, but Libby shot him a motherly look. Andrea allowed herself to be led t an elaborately decorated room, laughing all the way.

"The bathroom is there, Miss" Libby squeaked, pointing at a door.

"Thank You," Andrea laughed as Libby left, shooting Snape a warning look as she passed.

"Acts like she's my mother…" he grumbled, "My room is down the hall four doors to the left."

"Why do I need to know that?" Andrea said innocently, "You heard Libby".

"Ugh!" Snape groaned, leaving the room and muttering, "Women!"

"Men!" Andrea called down the hall after him.

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Andrea got up the next morning and Libby showed her to a large dining room. Snape was sitting at the head of the table, looking disgruntled. Andrea sat next to him. Libby served breakfast and left them.

"She put a charm on your door!" Snape growled, "I couldn't even knock!"

Andrea saw the look of indignation on his face and burst out laughing. She was finding it hard to breathe, and this seemed to make him even angrier.

"It's not funny! I'm a grown man, in my own house, and I can't even spend the night with--"

"With who?"

"With the woman I love." he said unembarrassed, and Andrea turned red.

"Master can when Master is married!" Libby squeaked as she entered the room.

"We should have went to your house," Snape muttered.

"I live with Carmen." Andrea grinned.

"Damn."

"Master has an owl," Libby squeaked, carrying the bird in.

Snape tore the letter from its leg and read the first two sentences, turned bright red and shoved it at Andrea. "It's yours"

Andrea,
Having fun shagging him silly? Why do I even ask? Anyway, I sent your present and it's jinxed so I wouldn't open it early if you like your hair the way it is. I know you're "busy" and all, but there's a new club right around the corner and I'm waiting for you 'cause that prison wasn't very clean and I know you'll keep me out of trouble!
-Carmen Rain

"Typical Carmen" Andrea laughed, "Wait till I tell her your mommy makes us sleep n separate rooms"

"Not funny." Snape muttered.

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"Happy Christmas" Snape said as Andrea's green eyes fluttered open the next morning.

"Happy Christmas" she mumbled.

Snape handed her a small red box with a silver ribbon. Libby came in and saw the box. She burst into tears ran from the room. Andrea glanced at Snape curiously, but he just shook his head.

"Open it."

Andrea pulled the ribbon off and opened the box to reveal a diamond engagement ring. She froze.

"Marry me?" Snape asked, "This is why Libby was crying by the way…it was my grandmother's and then my mother's. She recognized the box."

Andrea turned to him and nodded furiously. He laughed at her and called Libby into the room.

"That is a yes, right?"

"Yes" Andrea whispered, finally finding her voice.