The characters still aren't mine. sigh

Amy watched Professor Snape leave the room, his cloak billowing out behind him, like some sort of romantic vampire. She sighed, and quickly changed into her nightgown, black, like the rest of her clothes. Her skin looked even paler next to it, and she appeared quite frail. Amy lay down and fell asleep slowly, fearing the nightmares that always haunted her dreams.

Dream sequence

A death eater approached her, wand in the air. "Let's play a little game, shall we McGothan?" He raised his wand. "Crucio!" Amy screamed, and felt herself being shaken. "NO! Get off me, please-"

End dream

"Please...don't...." Amy was crying out in her sleep. "Wake up, Amy. Wake up. It's a dream." Professor Snape had heard her cries, and burst in, panicked, ready to curse whoever was in there into oblivion. Seeing her asleep and in one piece, he dropped the wand and shook her awake.

"Professor? Where'd he go?" Amy cried, looking around shaking and terrified. Professor Snape looked at her sadly, pity in his eyes. He sat on the bed with her, and placed his arm around her shaking body.

"It was only a dream. You're okay. Amy looked down, eyes filling with tears. "I have that dream all the time. But sometimes he doesn't use magic-"She couldn't go on. He understood, and his heart, which had been said to be of stone, softened a bit. He held her a little closer. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."

Amy lay down again, and Professor Snape slowly rubbed her back in soothing circular movements. "I can get you a dreamless sleep potion if it continues. For now, I would like it if you tried the natural remedy- positive thoughts. I know it's hard, but maybe you can do it tonight."

She sighed. "I will try. But I don't know if I'll be able to sleep again tonight." A tear fell again.

"I'll stay with you for tonight. I can sleep on the couch." He gave her a small smile.

"Thank you, Professor."

He lay down on the couch across the room, and Amy pulled the comforter up around her chin, and felt her eyes close. "It's so much easier to sleep with someone watching over you," she thought dreamily, just before falling asleep.

The next morning Professor Snape had left, but there was a note on her bedside.

Dear Miss McGothan,

You are not to attend classes with the rest of the school today. The Headmaster requested you under highest security, due to increased death eater activity. I will teach your classes, except for potions, which you will attend with your class. When I am teaching the other classes, you are to study by yourself. I will be back around nine o' clock this morning. Please ring the bell next to your bed for breakfast.

-Professor Snape

Amy sank down into her pillows, feeling very frightened. They wanted to have her under watch- did that mean she was in immediate danger?

She decided not to think about that.

She rang the bell, and a house elf appeared within a moment, carrying a platter of eggs, toast, and tea. It bowed to her and disappeared. She quickly ate it, and went to wash up.

Amy washed her hair and dressed hastily. Then she sat and waited for professor Snape to return from whatever he was up to. He turned up a moment later, out of breath.

"I apologize for my lateness. Are you ready to begin?"

She was as ready as she ever would be.

So, how did you like it? I would appreciate advice on how to make it better, flames are certainly welcome. I'm working on making my chapters longer, and if anyone could give me a tip on that, it would be great.

-Isabelle