A Room of Her Own
Authors Note: Hello and thanks for the reviews. I have returned my rating to PG13 due to a response from a reader. Thank you Moose for your feedback and thoughtful email. To QsDaughter thank you for the luck, I will need it. Don't worry that English isn't your first language. You do very well. I have had some Russian Lessons and would love to learn German. Trust me, I am way worse at Russian than you are at English. I hope my words don't confuse you, or any other readers that don't speak English as a first language.
Thank you to Sara for hanging in there. I appreciate your regular reviews. To Arsinoe, Snape and Hermione's relationship will remain safely Teacher/Student. I can't imagine Snape being interested in anything more with a student, particularly a Gryffindor. Thank you to everyone else who found the time to review. Here is the next update.
**********
Jane quickly recovered enough to escape the hospital wing, a situation that pleased both her and Snape. It was agreed that she would be moved to a room in his dungeon quarters that he had previously been using as a study. He had refurnished it for her whilst she had been ill.
In an effort not to overwhelm his young guest the room had been furnished simply. There was a bed, some drawers, a wardrobe and a table and some chairs for those times she wished to be alone. There were a few personal items, toiletries and such, which had been chosen by Hermione.
Decorating had initially been a problem. He had no idea what young girls liked, he didn't even know if Jane would like what other girls liked, given her background, but he had to start somewhere. He asked Hermione for her assistance and the clever Witch had suggested a simple scheme of white, blue and lemon. Snape was quietly pleased with the way the room looked. He hoped Jane would like it too.
He had arranged for some clothes to be provided as well. Knowing even less about what she would like to wear, than he did about picking colours for a girl's room, Hermione had had a hand in clothing selection as well. In general, the wardrobe was filled with clothing similar to that which she had worn upon her arrival, rather than the more formal style of clothing worn by the students. This time, however, it was clean and in good condition. He would provide her with alternative, more suitable clothing, later if she desired it.
He was almost as excited by her impending arrival as she was.
Making his way to the hospital wing to pick Jane up, Hermione ran up to him. "Professor Snape, is it true Jane is getting out of the hospital wing today?"
Looking around to be sure he wasn't caught smiling at the girl, he saw that her friends were nowhere to be seen. "Yes Miss Granger, it is true that Jane will be leaving the hospital wing today." He smiled. "I expect you would like to join me, I am going to get her now." He offered.
Wishing to go with the Potions Master more than anything else, Hermione realised that thrusting herself upon Jane and Snape during their first hours alone together at Hogwarts would be a mistake. They really would need some time together to grow accustomed to the new situation, and it was obvious that Snape desperately wanted some time alone with the girl who had had such a significant influence on him. Somewhat reluctantly she shook her head. "No thank you Professor. I am on my way to the library to complete my potions essay. Thanks all the same."
Snape looked appreciatively at the young Gryffindor, grateful she was able to contain her own excitement at Jane's recovery and impending escape from the hospital wing. He knew perfectly well that Hermione would already have finished the essay he had set a week before, at least he would have been surprised if she hadn't. He appreciated her decision not to intrude more than he was willing to admit. "As you wish Miss Granger." He nodded, "thank you."
Hermione smiled at him. "That's ok Professor. I won't hold you up any longer. Just tell me in class when you think Jane will be ready to commence lessons."
Snape nodded his agreement and continued to the hospital wing.
**********
When Snape arrived, Jane was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting excitedly. She smiled at him.
He smiled in return. "Ready."
Jane nodded.
Madam Pomfrey hurried over and busied herself checking the girl really was well enough to leave her care. She wasn't entirely sure that she was, but she could no longer contain the girl's desire to leave. She thought it might even be hindering her continued recovery. She sighed and straightened. "Well Severus, as you both insist that she must leave, I can find nothing to stop her from going now."
Jane looked so pleased that the nurse thought she might almost burst from happiness. The Potions Master reflected her enthusiasm with only a slight reduction in intensity. "Excellent." He looked at the nurse. "Relax Poppy, we aren't going to run away, I will bring her back if I become aware she is experiencing any problems."
"Oh, would that be the awareness you used when she collapsed in your rooms nearly a month ago?"
Snape growled, "Watch yourself Poppy. The circumstances were rather different then."
The witch looked at him, realising she had struck a nerve. "Forgive me Severus, that was uncalled for. I know you were quite unwell at the time yourself."
Snape nodded. "Are you sure you're ready Jane."
"Yes Severus."
"Really sure?"
"YES Severus."
Severus smiled and nodded at the girl's exasperation. "Let us go then." He moved to the door. Turning, he looked at the girl. "Well, come on."
Jane leapt up and ran to his side. "What are you waiting for?"
"Brat." He smiled amused at her cheek. She must have been feeling better.
**********
Well, or not, Jane was exhausted before she reached the dungeons. She felt tired and shaky but wasn't going to say anything to Snape. It wasn't until he turned to watch her following him that he realised how exhausted she had become after such a short walk. It worried him. Obviously she was still more ill than she was making out. "Silly girl. Why didn't you tell me you were feeling ill?"
"I am fine."
"Liar."
Jane looked crestfallen. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to go back."
Snape smiled at that. He understood her reluctance to be resubmitted to Pomfrey's overenthusiastic care, having been on the receiving end himself, on more than one occasion. "I won't take you back, but you have to promise me you will tell me if you are feeling ill alright?"
The girl nodded. "Severus?"
Snape looked at her. "Yes?"
"I'm feeling ill." She said quietly.
Snape laughed a little, her sardonic sense of humour and talent for understatement amused him - he knew perfectly well she would just as simply say "Severus, you're hurt," to him when he returned from his next visit to the Dark Lord. "Surprise me." Moving quickly back to her, he swept her up into his arms and carried her the remainder of the way to his rooms. She did indeed surprise him - she was fast asleep upon arrival, curled into his chest. He sat with her for a long time, holding her close, before taking her to her new room and laying her gently on the bed. "Sleep little one, pleasant dreams."
He closed the door gently, not wishing to disturb her.
**********
Dumbledore looked at the Potions Master. "How is the child Severus?"
"Not as well as she is making out." Snape admitted reluctantly.
"I see. Should she be back in the infirmary?" Dumbledore asked somewhat worried, responsibility for the safety of a Muggle was not something he was used to.
"I expect so, but I doubt she would allow it."
"Stubbornness - what a surprise! Now I understand what you see in her." Dumbledore paused. "How do you intend to progress Severus? You can hardly keep her prisoner here in your rooms long term."
"I agree Headmaster. I was planning on having Jane join me during some of my quieter classes, as soon as she is really well enough. That should provide a gentle introduction to the students without being too overwhelming for her. It will also give the students some time to grow accustomed to her presence. I am sure she will be the subject of some fairly intense speculation, at least initially, no matter how I go about introducing her to them. Most students, I hope, will accept her as my guest without too many problems. Some, most likely students from my own house, will be somewhat less enthusiastic about her presence here."
"I am glad you appreciate that fact Severus. It worried me that you may not have realised the potential for disaster that the wrong approach may have had. I can assure you that you will have no problems with the staff or with the Board. I have already informed them of the situation. Problems will only arise if her presence causes discord amongst the students."
"Thank you Headmaster, for everything."
"It is a pleasure to be able to help you Severus. You ask for so little it is a joy when you do feel able to ask a favour of me." Dumbledore's smile was returned by the Potions Master. "I shall take my leave. Get some rest Severus, I have my suspicions that you are not as well as you are making out either."
"Yes Headmaster."
Dumbledore didn't know if Snape's response was in relation to his wellbeing or his own departure, although he suspected it might have been the former. "Goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight Headmaster."
Authors Note: Hello and thanks for the reviews. I have returned my rating to PG13 due to a response from a reader. Thank you Moose for your feedback and thoughtful email. To QsDaughter thank you for the luck, I will need it. Don't worry that English isn't your first language. You do very well. I have had some Russian Lessons and would love to learn German. Trust me, I am way worse at Russian than you are at English. I hope my words don't confuse you, or any other readers that don't speak English as a first language.
Thank you to Sara for hanging in there. I appreciate your regular reviews. To Arsinoe, Snape and Hermione's relationship will remain safely Teacher/Student. I can't imagine Snape being interested in anything more with a student, particularly a Gryffindor. Thank you to everyone else who found the time to review. Here is the next update.
**********
Jane quickly recovered enough to escape the hospital wing, a situation that pleased both her and Snape. It was agreed that she would be moved to a room in his dungeon quarters that he had previously been using as a study. He had refurnished it for her whilst she had been ill.
In an effort not to overwhelm his young guest the room had been furnished simply. There was a bed, some drawers, a wardrobe and a table and some chairs for those times she wished to be alone. There were a few personal items, toiletries and such, which had been chosen by Hermione.
Decorating had initially been a problem. He had no idea what young girls liked, he didn't even know if Jane would like what other girls liked, given her background, but he had to start somewhere. He asked Hermione for her assistance and the clever Witch had suggested a simple scheme of white, blue and lemon. Snape was quietly pleased with the way the room looked. He hoped Jane would like it too.
He had arranged for some clothes to be provided as well. Knowing even less about what she would like to wear, than he did about picking colours for a girl's room, Hermione had had a hand in clothing selection as well. In general, the wardrobe was filled with clothing similar to that which she had worn upon her arrival, rather than the more formal style of clothing worn by the students. This time, however, it was clean and in good condition. He would provide her with alternative, more suitable clothing, later if she desired it.
He was almost as excited by her impending arrival as she was.
Making his way to the hospital wing to pick Jane up, Hermione ran up to him. "Professor Snape, is it true Jane is getting out of the hospital wing today?"
Looking around to be sure he wasn't caught smiling at the girl, he saw that her friends were nowhere to be seen. "Yes Miss Granger, it is true that Jane will be leaving the hospital wing today." He smiled. "I expect you would like to join me, I am going to get her now." He offered.
Wishing to go with the Potions Master more than anything else, Hermione realised that thrusting herself upon Jane and Snape during their first hours alone together at Hogwarts would be a mistake. They really would need some time together to grow accustomed to the new situation, and it was obvious that Snape desperately wanted some time alone with the girl who had had such a significant influence on him. Somewhat reluctantly she shook her head. "No thank you Professor. I am on my way to the library to complete my potions essay. Thanks all the same."
Snape looked appreciatively at the young Gryffindor, grateful she was able to contain her own excitement at Jane's recovery and impending escape from the hospital wing. He knew perfectly well that Hermione would already have finished the essay he had set a week before, at least he would have been surprised if she hadn't. He appreciated her decision not to intrude more than he was willing to admit. "As you wish Miss Granger." He nodded, "thank you."
Hermione smiled at him. "That's ok Professor. I won't hold you up any longer. Just tell me in class when you think Jane will be ready to commence lessons."
Snape nodded his agreement and continued to the hospital wing.
**********
When Snape arrived, Jane was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting excitedly. She smiled at him.
He smiled in return. "Ready."
Jane nodded.
Madam Pomfrey hurried over and busied herself checking the girl really was well enough to leave her care. She wasn't entirely sure that she was, but she could no longer contain the girl's desire to leave. She thought it might even be hindering her continued recovery. She sighed and straightened. "Well Severus, as you both insist that she must leave, I can find nothing to stop her from going now."
Jane looked so pleased that the nurse thought she might almost burst from happiness. The Potions Master reflected her enthusiasm with only a slight reduction in intensity. "Excellent." He looked at the nurse. "Relax Poppy, we aren't going to run away, I will bring her back if I become aware she is experiencing any problems."
"Oh, would that be the awareness you used when she collapsed in your rooms nearly a month ago?"
Snape growled, "Watch yourself Poppy. The circumstances were rather different then."
The witch looked at him, realising she had struck a nerve. "Forgive me Severus, that was uncalled for. I know you were quite unwell at the time yourself."
Snape nodded. "Are you sure you're ready Jane."
"Yes Severus."
"Really sure?"
"YES Severus."
Severus smiled and nodded at the girl's exasperation. "Let us go then." He moved to the door. Turning, he looked at the girl. "Well, come on."
Jane leapt up and ran to his side. "What are you waiting for?"
"Brat." He smiled amused at her cheek. She must have been feeling better.
**********
Well, or not, Jane was exhausted before she reached the dungeons. She felt tired and shaky but wasn't going to say anything to Snape. It wasn't until he turned to watch her following him that he realised how exhausted she had become after such a short walk. It worried him. Obviously she was still more ill than she was making out. "Silly girl. Why didn't you tell me you were feeling ill?"
"I am fine."
"Liar."
Jane looked crestfallen. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to go back."
Snape smiled at that. He understood her reluctance to be resubmitted to Pomfrey's overenthusiastic care, having been on the receiving end himself, on more than one occasion. "I won't take you back, but you have to promise me you will tell me if you are feeling ill alright?"
The girl nodded. "Severus?"
Snape looked at her. "Yes?"
"I'm feeling ill." She said quietly.
Snape laughed a little, her sardonic sense of humour and talent for understatement amused him - he knew perfectly well she would just as simply say "Severus, you're hurt," to him when he returned from his next visit to the Dark Lord. "Surprise me." Moving quickly back to her, he swept her up into his arms and carried her the remainder of the way to his rooms. She did indeed surprise him - she was fast asleep upon arrival, curled into his chest. He sat with her for a long time, holding her close, before taking her to her new room and laying her gently on the bed. "Sleep little one, pleasant dreams."
He closed the door gently, not wishing to disturb her.
**********
Dumbledore looked at the Potions Master. "How is the child Severus?"
"Not as well as she is making out." Snape admitted reluctantly.
"I see. Should she be back in the infirmary?" Dumbledore asked somewhat worried, responsibility for the safety of a Muggle was not something he was used to.
"I expect so, but I doubt she would allow it."
"Stubbornness - what a surprise! Now I understand what you see in her." Dumbledore paused. "How do you intend to progress Severus? You can hardly keep her prisoner here in your rooms long term."
"I agree Headmaster. I was planning on having Jane join me during some of my quieter classes, as soon as she is really well enough. That should provide a gentle introduction to the students without being too overwhelming for her. It will also give the students some time to grow accustomed to her presence. I am sure she will be the subject of some fairly intense speculation, at least initially, no matter how I go about introducing her to them. Most students, I hope, will accept her as my guest without too many problems. Some, most likely students from my own house, will be somewhat less enthusiastic about her presence here."
"I am glad you appreciate that fact Severus. It worried me that you may not have realised the potential for disaster that the wrong approach may have had. I can assure you that you will have no problems with the staff or with the Board. I have already informed them of the situation. Problems will only arise if her presence causes discord amongst the students."
"Thank you Headmaster, for everything."
"It is a pleasure to be able to help you Severus. You ask for so little it is a joy when you do feel able to ask a favour of me." Dumbledore's smile was returned by the Potions Master. "I shall take my leave. Get some rest Severus, I have my suspicions that you are not as well as you are making out either."
"Yes Headmaster."
Dumbledore didn't know if Snape's response was in relation to his wellbeing or his own departure, although he suspected it might have been the former. "Goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight Headmaster."