Maybe
Disclaimer: I only own my plot and characters. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Within minutes of the train stopping students flooded from the train, Jade being on of the first to go back through the platform to meet her parents. Her mother rushed to her side and gave her a huge hug. Her mother was an elegant French woman as was her father a handsome French man. Both still had faint accents of French but the years of living in England had taken most of them. Her father slowly followed her mother and gave her a hug as Remus arrived to them.
Remus had been living with her family since right after his first transformation. Her mother's sister's child, Remus was sent away from the Lupin home as a child almost to the state. However her father stepped in and gained guardianship of him and they left for England right after the case when she was only five years old. He was a part of their own family now and they never spoke to her Aunt Yvette and her husband David again, not even after she had more children. Jade had never met the rest of the and never planned to see any of them in her life.
The DeVeau's took 2 cabs' home. One for her parent's the other for Jade and Remus to their home in English country side. Her family had some money, yes, but not as much like the Potter's and such. Jade took to her room soon after coming home and unpacked before returning to her family. Remus and her father, Henry, were sitting in the parlor talking. Her mother, Katia, was reading in parlor, tuning out what the men were saying. Her mother often did that to keep her sanity.
Jade entered the parlor and took a seat next to her mother on the couch. Both her father and Remus were studying Jade, yet she wouldn't raise her head and look them in their eyes. Her mother broke the silence however. "Stop staring at her as if she was an alien honestly, both of you!" she directed to both of the males pointedly.
"Thank you mother" Jade whispered to her mother and her mother winked at her.
That night at dinner Jade had a huge surprise from her mother and father. Christmas Eve there was a ball for higher pureblood families that were now in England. The DeVeau's would be attending and the day being December 21st.
"Mother, do you know any of the families going?"
"Oh yes, The Potters, The Blacks, The Malfoys, and The Snapes. People like them darling."
"Wonderful" Jade commented voice full of sarcasm.
"Yes it is and we will be shopping tomorrow for both of you."
"Yippee" her voice had a note of dread in it.
The next morning with the ball being just 2 days away, Katia set off with Jade and Remus in tow to find each a presentable outfit. The first stop was Madame Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. There they found silk black dress robes for Remus within ten minutes of entering the store. Jade on the other hand was going to be more of a trial because she was on a refusal of wearing dress robes but as it was allowed to where a muggle evening gown. Thankfully the store had some in stock if only for Katia's sake.
Jade found a cream dress with sleeves from the medieval era that almost fell off the shoulder. The trim around the edge was gold and at the neckline and edge of the sleeves. The bottom of the dress barely touched the ground and the skirt was semi-full. The waist and neckline was perfectly hugged her body as if made for her and gave the image of elegance to the normally ungraceful girl. After they purchased the clothing her mother went hunting for accessories.
Remus stayed back with Jade, they both feared her mother at that moment searching for perfection. In the shoe store Jade found heels that were barely 3 inches, open toe and were strappy. Then they went handbag hunting for which Jade was barely able not to kill her mother as she tried to find one to perfectly match the dress. Her mother finally found it, a perfect match in cream color with a gold chain. Finally their day of shopping was done.
Jade stormed up to her room, thoroughly pissed at the activity called shopping that her mother apparently loved. Her mother brought up her things and told her that tomorrow they were going to have their nails done. She had learned at a young age that this could leave her scarred if she didn't fight it but it still had left some scars on her memory from the last time she had gotten them done with her mother last summer. She shook at the memory of that salon.
The next day came and after lunch jade and her mother left for their appointment for their nails. It was a magical salon and Jade had a deep hatred of the place. The woman who would be doing her nails was burned into her memory of last time; she had done her nails then too. She first had the nerve of telling Jade to stop biting her nails before washing her hands. After that she magically charmed her nails to accept the artificial nails in an instant. After the long fake nails were on her own and they wouldn't go away for the next two weeks. They were a plain French manicure with a rhinestone at the tip of each nail.
Jade hated not being able to chew her nails which was an unhealthy habit of hers and was angry at her mother for making her have them done. That night her father had teasing told her that she was losing her touch with fighting with her mother. She had stuck out her tongue at him and told him to that she just wanted to keep her sanity then fled to her room. That night she hoped that the next day would never come and that she wouldn't be forced to go to this ball. Her hope didn't come true.
The ball was to start at seven on the dot. After lunch, Jade knew this was going to start the rest of the day's insanity. She bathed and after her bath found her dress lying on her bed, waiting for her to put her on. Slipping into the dress, it felt so soft and delicate against her skin that it made her spine tingle like the brief kisses she had shared with Severus. Her heels were slipped on, showing off her gold toe-nails. She slipped in her pearl earrings and the pearl necklace around her neck.
She then went to find her mother to do her hair and makeup. She found her already looking impeccable in her room waiting for her. She sat at her mother's vanity and felt her mother brushing her shoulder-blade length hair. Jade's mother pulled her hair up in a tight bun, tying a gold ribbon around the bun. She pulled a few stands of hair out and curled them to frame her face nicely.
Her mother's face was in a smile as she did her daughter's make-up. It was light, because she wouldn't have looked right with heavy make-up. Her eye shadow was cream with evened skin-color by foundation. Her lips were with a light pink lipstick. She then spritzed her lightly with a lavender perfume. A subtle touch for Jade as to make a horribly smelly statement for her was not going to go over well.
That night, they arrived to the ball by carriage to the hall it was being held at in the English country-side, where they were surrounded by nothing but woods to keep muggles at bay. It was bursting with people talking and dancing with tables reserved for each family. Remus went off and joined Sirius and James at the Potter's table to talk to his best friends. Jade sat at her family's table while her parent's mingled. She knew unless something good happened this thing would be miserable and stifling.
Soon after she sat at her table, her good thing arrived in the form of billowing black robes. It was Severus and he sat next to her while she moped at her table. Once she saw it was him she smiled at him and took in his appearance. His robes were black and looked soft. His hair wasn't oily and it was tied back with a black ribbon, like men did in the earlier centuries. His eyes were still inky black and could have you spilling all you secrets within moments of staring in them.
"Hello Severus"
"Hello Jade. My I offer the fact that you look lovely."
"Thank-you. May I add you look dashing in your robes, they hold the grace you have while making your potions."
"I must take that as a compliment then. Would you care to dance with me?"
"How tall are you?"
"What- ah six foot two."
"Alright. I will dance."
"Why did you
ask, dear Jade?"
"With three inch heels I am five foot twelve and it would look pretty funny
even though the image of such brings a tear to my eye of dancing with a short
Severus."
"I am sure it does, Miss DeVeau."
Jade took his outstretched hand as she rose and let him lead her to the dance floor. Even though she wasn't a great dancer but she also wasn't horrible either and slow dancing would be ok. Severus apparently understood her confusion at dancing and whispered to follow him as they danced. Her skirt swished around her legs and she saw James pointing to her and Severus dancing. When the three Marauders saw her dancing with him, their mouths were agape until Mr. Potter shut them all and bringing their attention back to reality and Sirius' hurt face stung Jade in the heart for a brief moment before she took to the idea of Severus' arms around her.
Jade smiled in a contented way as she continued to dance with Severus. She buried her head in his shoulder and smelled the scent of burned wood in his clothes which intoxicated her. His arm around her waste and his hand in hers was heaven to her. This was what heaven had to be like, forever with the person you care about and want to stay like this till the end time. At the end of the fifth song, they broke apart and went to leave for the balcony. Before they made it there a man who Jade took to be Severus' father stopped them.
"Hello father, may I introduce Jade DeVeau to you. She is a friend of mine. Jade this is my father, Marcellin Snape."
"It is a pleasure Miss DeVeau to meet you."
"As it is mine also to meet you Mr. Snape."
"Enjoy yourselves children, the dancing between you was superb."
Then his father walked away leaving the two to continue their way to the balcony. It was empty when they found it and Jade rested her arms against the edge of top. She looked out into the forest the darkness sweeping upon it. Severus joined her by her side and his long fingers covered her own. She turned her head to stare at him as he watched the forest. His eyes were as emotionless as they always had been; never revealing what he was feeling. His lips never smiled before to her and in all honesty Jade never expected them too. In some part of her she rather like that darkness that was Severus Snape and loved his sarcasm, wit, and cat-like grace.
"Severus why did you agree to help me in the first place?"
"I have seen you before and knew you needed help. The other reason I will not tell you as of now."
"I will accept that."
The two teenagers stood next to each other in a stony silence. Neither of them spoke, each in their world of thoughts, one of an admiring girl, the other a damned boy who was trying to figure out a way to keep her an arm's length away from the dark consumption. However the young man could not ponder that as he felt he warm hand place itself on his cheek. His face turned to meet her and they leaned closer together.
Their lips met in a kiss but they did not break as usual after their usual meeting. It went deeper then it had before and Jade's lips parted and Severus' tongue entered her mouth. It explored her soft mouth and retreated a while afterwards. They then broke away to breathe as humans they had to do and Jade felt herself wrapped in Severus' arms and leaning her head against his heart. She stared at the new moon in complete fascination of the face of the moon or what was of it during the phase. While she stared, Severus was absent-mindly playing with the strand of pearls around her neck. However he soon noticed the fact that she was becoming colder the longer they stayed on the balcony. He pulled Jade inside without her really even noticing completely till the warmth flooded over her.
She smiled at Severus in gratitude. Then took his hand and they went back out on the dance floor. They once again danced to the classical music taking over the hall and stayed in close proximity. Jade noticed that the three Marauders were all dancing with a girl and thought that at least for a moment the plan to kill me would be set aside that she knew would be coming sooner or later. They retired form their dancing escapade to her family's table where her mother sat and smiled at them.
"Hello Jade. May I ask who this is?"
"Mother this is Severus Snape and Severus this is my mother Katia DeVeau."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. DeVeau" Severus said shaking her mother's hand.
"Yes, well excuse me dears I must go find Henry."
Jade smiled at her mother as she walked away and turned to a still emotionless Severus. She wondered why he had never said anything about his parentage. She knew that he knew that both of her parent's were alive and well but she on the other hand did not know about his own family, much. "Severus is your mother here because if so I would like to meet her."
"My mother doesn't often leave the house anymore" he said it in a sharp tone that told Jade not to inquire any further.
"I'm sorry Severus, I-"
"I know you don't know. But don't inquire further in my life."
"Yes, Severus" she whispered to him and closed her hand over his.
He flinched at her touch for a moment but never pulled away from her. Jade wanted him to trust her but inside she knew that any activity that could gain his complete trust would be tedious but would be worth it in the end. She watched him and watched a bit of hair fall out of his ribbon. She reached up and tucked the hair behind his ear; he nodded in gratitude to her before returning to his own thoughts. "Severus, may we complete one last dance before the ball ends?"
"Yes, shall we?"
He took her hand and they waltzed together for the last dance of the night. As the dance closed he bent down and brushed Jade's lips. She kissed his forehead as parted from the dance floor. Severus walked her to her carriage where her parents were waiting for her and Remus' return. They hugged and kissed briefly, a tingle going down their spine. He helped her in their carriage before taking his leave.
Jade smiled at her parents and waited in a happy silence for Remus to come to the carriage. He came minutes after she had sat down and barely looked at his cousin. However a look of disgust braced his face as he sat next to her and never spoke a word to her. Jade cast her cousin a sad glance as the arrived home nearing the time of one in the morning. She went up to her room, memories of that night haunting her sleep.
When she woke she rushed down to the parlor where her parent's and cousin were. They had already been opening their gifts and nodded to her as she down in front of her gifts. Her favorite of her gifts that she received that day was an onyx tear-drop necklace. It hung right slightly above cleavage and drew attention to her neckline. She took her presents up to room and placed them away. Soon after her laying back down a tapping came to her window. A raven holding a letter in its beak was there. Jade opened it and it flew to her desk. The letter was from Severus to her in his perfect script.
Dear Jade,
How is your holiday going along? I expect it to be well as you looked in prime health last night. I was pondering if you would like to join me this Saturday in Diagon Alley with a few of my friends. Please send your reply back with Morrigan. If you decide to come meet us at the Leaky Cauldron at noon, it would be nice if you to join us.
Severus
Jade sat the letter down and then went to find her mother to ask if she could go. Once she did find your mother and asked her mother was delighted because it seemed that her daughter was finally losing in inward personality. Her cousin Remus however heard and followed Jade back upstairs. She wrote a quick answer to Severus saying that she would meet them with his raven who she personally thought was gorgeous.
Remus stood in her doorway and continued to look unhappy with her and disgusted. Jade turned and gave her cousin and inquiring look. He ignored it before he spoke in anger even on what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of the year. "Jade, how can you associate with such scum? Especially since Sirius still wants to date you and he is a better choice that future any future Death Eater."
"I am sorry dear cousin but Severus isn't scum, he is one of the most interesting and graceful people I have ever seen. The way he moves sets my heart on fire; it is an honor to me to see him making a potion with such specificity that I found myself enticed by him. Besides why would I what to date Sirius I have always found him childish and cruel when he shouldn't be."
"That is amazing that you say cruel as if your precious Severus is not cruel himself."
"It is different for him; you and your stupid friends started this feud. I have seen your friends attack him and you do nothing. Half the time he is robbed of his wand! Do you remember last year at the end of our DADA OWLs? That was sick and you are a prefect and let your friends get away with everything!"
"They do not get away with everything! He is evil, Jade and I don't want to see you become dark."
"Interesting, that is what Severus said to me but amazing I still choose him over Sirius. And for a matter of fact there is no good without evil, as there is no evil without good. Now go Remus. Think about what you have said and leave my choices be. I know you love me but this is what I want."
"I just don't want you to become evil because of that git."
"He isn't a git to me Remus, and that is what matters to me."
With that said she closed the door to her room and only appeared at the Christmas Dinner. As the day was Wednesday she would be bothered only the next few days of what she was going to appear as. She knew as well as everyone else that Severus' friends were different, evil but she also knew that he wanted to keep her from dark consumption but wanted her to see a small sliver of his world. She would willing take any pieces of the puzzle that was Severus Snape to have a hope of figuring him out.
The next few days passed before Jade's eyes without a word spoken to her by her cousin and they were spent day-dreaming about Saturday. When Saturday morning came she rushed around to be ready by noon. After a quick shower she dressed in blue jeans and a royal purple long-sleeved shirt under her black robes. Her hair was let down and the front two pieces of hair were slightly curled. Her lips were glossed slightly and her eyes were accented by a bit of mascara. After grabbing her money bag and wand, she ran to the fireplace and threw some floo powder into it, saying 'The Leaky Cauldron' as she stepped into the fireplace.
She fell out of the fireplace onto to her feet right on time. After dusting off the tiny bit of soot she had collected, she spotted Severus waving her over. She walked over a tiny bit afraid of meeting his friends. She sat down next to Severus at the table they were sitting at and looked around the table, fear slightly peaking through her eyes. He reached over to her hands to her lap and clutched one to let her know everything would be alright.
"Everyone, I would like you to meet a dear friend to me, Jade DeVeau. Jade these people are Avery, Wilkes, Bellatrix Black, Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange."
"Hello everyone" she barely spoke.
"Hello deary. So you are the wonderful girl who turned down by cousin for a Slytherin, and that one being Severus. I must congratulate you for turning down the sorry sap with complete dignity" Bellatrix spoke, choosing her words carefully.
"Yes, well thank-you."
"So let's go, everyone. We have some fun to complete in Diagon Alley."
Jade went with the rest of the group to Diagon Alley and stayed close to Severus. Her hand was still in his and she made no move to pull it away. They headed into the Apothecary, and she was a bit weary but Severus pulled her forward with a smirk on his face, the closest thing to a smile she had ever seen grace his face. The shop was interesting with things in jars that for moments fascinated Jade but slowly she lost interest. She however did not speak a word of this as she wondered through the shelves. They stayed in there for a while before they left, heading towards different stores.
Jade broke apart from Severus saying she wanted to see something in the bookstore which he nodded to. Once inside she walked through the shelves fingers tracing along the bindings of the books. One book in particular caught her eye and she took it from the shelf. The cover was blood-colored and the lettering in gold. The title was 'The Ancient Art of Deception and Evil in Magic'; she knew she had to take this with her. It might hold something that could be useful later in life. Before she could leave to pay, a tap came upon her shoulder.
She jumped around to find Severus standing in front of her. In his hand was a red rose with the thorns cut off. It touched her that he had given her something so simple and yet it was so elegant. She took the rose from his fingers and gave him a hug. "Thank-you for the rose Severus. It touches me, it really does. And the thorns are gone."
"So you don't prick your fingers and bleed."
"I appreciate it."
Jade held her rose close to her heart and paid for her book quickly. The man at the register barely looked at the two of them; fear was evident in his eyes. It had probably came from the fact that the Snape's were known to be highly violent. As they walked from the bookstore, the rest of the group joined them. They walked around Diagon Alley a few more hours before heading back to the Leaky Cauldron, to floo home. As Jade went to leave, Severus turned her around and in front of Bellatrix and Evan, kissed her briefly before she steeped into the fireplace. She smiled gracefully and watched their faces as she flooed home.
Jade tumbled out of her fireplace were her mother was laying on the couch reading. Her mother nodded and Jade swept upstairs in a good mood. Laying her book on her desk, she admired her rose, having decided to press the rose to keep it forever. After finding wax paper, she'd placed it in a hard back book, and placed back on her book shelf to let it dry.
The rest of the holiday went by quickly for Jade. Before she left she took the now dried rose and placed in a glass frame and put it in her trunk. The moment she went through the platform she found Severus, and he greeted her with a nod before she sat next to him in his compartment.