"Here we go." Dumbledore said, looking at the statue of Gemini the two headed dragon.
"Are you sure we have to stay here?" Parvati complained.
"It's not for that long of time." Dumbledore reassured her, releasing the wards on the stone wall. "You will be in here for a maximum of a month. Right now it's safest for you to just be here in soletude. I am sure that you will find your quarters to be satisfactory. I really must run off now. I'll be back in the morning."
"Here we go." Harry said, stepping up the four wide marble steps. Parvati, Ron,
Harry, Hermione, Aissa, Draco, Ginny and Severus stepped up and surveyed the common
room in front of them. The walls were white with white marble on the floors and plush, furry
white rugs were everywhere. White leather furniture was scattered about the room in a
circle facing a large white creekstone fireplace that was burning merrily.
"Nice." Parvati said, nodding.
"I know." Ginny breathed, stepping towards the open way into the kitchen. She instantly saw the large refrigerator and stove.
"Great. Since we can't use magic we're going to have to learn how to cook." Draco said. The light green tile on the floor was punctuated with mosaics of the seven people and Aissa sharing the chambers smiling cheekily, exept for Severus who was scowling deliciously. The white cabnets and appliances were mounted on the walls that were charmed to look like green waves on the ocean.
"Damn." Ron said, pulling his finger along the island bar with three stools next to it. The seven went through the door to the north side of the room and found a pale blue walled, white carpeted room with a large white table and eight chairs. It was a really small, cozy room. Leading back into the common room, the girls went through the doorway to where their rooms were indicated.
"Wow. Dumbledore outdid himself!" Hermione cried, as she slumped on the bed with the warm quilts and the bookselves built over it.
"I know." Ginny said, taking the bed next to her's, a yellow bed with yellow fleece blankets and the wall behind her bed was charmed to look like a sunset.
"Where is Aissa staying?" Parvati asked.
"In here I suppose." Hermione said, closing her eyes.
"Great. A baby." Parvati laughed.
"Don't bother her. She's almost asleep." Ginny said, pulling the quilt around her friend.
"Thanks, Gin."
"Any time."
~*~In the boy's rooms.~*~
"So, Professor, can I be safe to say that you and Hermione are together?" Ron asked, blanching white as Severus took Aissa from Harry to put her in his bed.
"I think that would be safe."
"At least he's not a death eater." Harry pointed out.
"Well." Ron said, looking at Draco for help.
"Sorry, Mate, I think it's brilliant."
"Well, I guess I have to get used to it. Just don't tell us what you do with Hermione. Please."
"Point taken, Weasley." Severus said, taking off his shirt.
"Professor!" Ron cried, shielding his eyes.
"I suggest you get used to it, Mr. Weasley, we are sharing a room." Severus said, laughing a little.
"Well, what do you wear to sleep?" Ron asked, blanching.
"What do you sleep in?" He rebuttled. He was thouroughly embarassing a 17 year old man and enjoying it.
"Boxers." Ron said softly.
"Well, I am proud to say that I sleep in more clothing than you do." Severus said, tucking Aissa into his bed, pulling the covers around her little body. "Draco?"
"Yeah, Sev?" Draco said, pulling his t-shirt over his head, revealing a lithe chest with
several scars criss crossing his back.
"Watch Aissa for a while. I need to talk to Hermione."
"Sure." Draco said, settling onto Severus' bed and hugging Aissa close to him.
Severus walked out of the room and through the common room and into the girls room. He knocked lightly. He heard Ginny Wesley whisper.
"Come in." he opened the door and looked at Hermione and Parvati safe and sleeping in their beds. Ginny, however was sitting up in her nightdress on her bed.
"I was just checking on Hermione." Severus said as way of an excuse.
"It's all right. She's very tired." Ginny replied. "How is Aissa?"
"Asleep with Draco." Severus smiled and walked to Hermione's bedside. He knelt and
looked at her face.
"You really love her, don't you?" Ginny asked softly.
"Yes. I really do." he replied. Her skin was soft around her eyes and her dark eyelashes made black gashes on her cheeks and her peachy color skin. With that he scooped her up in his arms and sat up, leaning against the head board, he held her.
"Severus?" Hermione said sleepily.
"I'm here."
"Don't leave me." Hermione whispered and closed her eyes again.
"I never will, darling." Severus stretched out his legs as Hermione curled up against his chest. Severus Snape had never been called broad shouldered, but the one he loved was comfortable enough.
Severus sighed and listened to his mind and closed his eyes.
