This chapter is a bit shorter, but some significant things occur. Thanks
to everyone who keeps reading and posting reviews. I look forward to them
and any suggestions you may have. Thanks!
STUPID
Written by Sarah McLachlan Album: afterglow
Night lift up the shades Let in the brilliant light of the morning But steady me now for I am weak and starving for mercy Sleep has left me alone to carry the weight of unraveling where we went wrong And all I can do to hang on to keep me from falling Into old familiar shoes
How stupid could I be A simpleton could see That you're no good for me But you're the only one I see
Love has made me a fool Set me on fire and watched as I floundered Unable to speak except to cry out and wait for you answer And you come around in your time Speaking of fabulous places Create an oasis that dries up as soon as you're gone You leave me here burning in this desert without you
How stupid could I be A simpleton could see That you're no good for me But you're the only one I see
Everything changes everything falls apart I can't stand to feel myself losing control In the deep of my weakness I know
Chapter 14
He was standing across the room, silent, taking in others' conversations, but disinterested in the small talk. Narnia didn't have to turn around to know. It would have taken Snape several strides to reach her, but at this moment, he seemed close enough for her to even hear the beat of his heart. Her own was thumping loudly in her ears and the room had suddenly seemed confined.
Molly laid a hand on Narnia's shoulder, causing her to flinch. "I'm sorry dear, I thought you knew." Looking up at her, Narnia could see the regret outlined on her face.
"It's fine, Molly....really. I'm glad you brought it to my attention."
Molly did not seem convinced and Narnia could offer no reassurances due to her inability to determine her own emotions.
"Why don't you take a seat? The meeting is about to begin and I'll take care of all of this."
"Of course." It took every ounce of her strength to turn around and face the room full of people. She kept her eyes from wandering to Snape's side of the room, but no matter which direction she looked in, he remained in her periphery. "Pull yourself together, for crying out loud. This is not the time or place. You need to concentrate on why you are here," she scolded herself privately. She took a deep breath, tried to wipe the look of shock from her face, and sat down next to Lupin. To her dissatisfaction, Snape sat down directly across from her.
The meeting was informal, just as Narnia expected and the general premise of the gathering was to bring Narnia up to speed, which Lupin had sufficiently done earlier that afternoon. She was grateful for his prior relay of information, because her current state would not have permitted her to gather all the details. Inside, her emotions were churning and she hoped she had been able to keep them from revealing themselves outwardly. An eternity seemed to pass by before they were finished and at it's end, Narnia desired to return to Hogwarts, where she could be alone.
Afterwards, several members said their good-byes and left, thanking Molly for her hospitality and reiterating to Narnia how nice it had been to make her acquaintance. She was talking with Lupin when Snape approached them, interrupting their conversation.
"I am to escort you back to the school, Professor. I do not wish to delay."
Narnia met his gaze and normally would have been angered by his manner, but offered no rebuttal. "I will be ready momentarily." She turned back to Lupin, ignoring Snape. "It was a nice day."
"Perhaps lunch in Hogsmeade sometime?" Lupin asked.
"Of course." She walked past Snape, leaving him alone with Lupin, and made her way to Dumbledore to inform him she would be leaving. She laid a hand on his arm to gain his attention. He had been talking with Arthur when she had approached.
"Sorry to interrupt, Uncle. Professor Snape had expressed his wish to leave and I wanted to say 'good-night' before I went." Narnia thought highly of her uncle, but her wish to speak with him was solely to gain reassurance that her traveling with Snape was his true intention.
Dumbledore patted her hand and offered no more than, "Good-night. I will see you at breakfast tomorrow."
More confident with the arrangements, Narnia said farewell to Molly, grabbed her cloak and met Snape by the doorway. Uncomfortable as she felt being alone with him, she could not wait to reach the solitary confinement of her room. They stepped out onto the stoop, all the while Narnia not meeting his eyes. Just as she was about to wrap her hand around his forearm, he quickly slid his arm around her waist, pulling her next to him. Her breath caught in her chest, surprised at his forwardness. Before she could react, they were on the return home.
Once they had returned to the outskirts of Hogsmeade, Narnia broke the physical contact between them, surveying the ground that separated them. She looked up to probe her location and gathering her bearings, made for the castle, moving quickly. Snape said nothing and followed closely behind. She slowed her step to keep him at her side, intent on surveying him, despite her desire for his absence.
Upon entering the castle, Narnia made to break from his company, heading straight for her quarters. He followed and when she arrived at her door, she turned to face him. He halted only inches from her increasing her uneasiness.
"Good night, Professor. You have seen me safely to my quarters and I'm sure my Uncle will be grateful." Her voice faltered.
Snape studied her and slowly advancing, backed her against the door, placing his arms on either side of her, allowing her no means of escape. "You are no longer irritated with me. What a pity."
Narnia raised her eyes to meet his, unable to look away, despite the conflict raging inside of her. Her mouth was dry and rendered her unable to speak. Her lips parted slightly and she hoped he did not misinterpret this as an invitation. His gaze wandered to her neck and he lifted his hand to touch her. Her traveling cloak had loosened and he made his way to her collarbone, tracing its outline with his fingertips. He then looked back up at her.
Her body was betraying her. Part of her wanted to give into him, but her mind quickly recovered and she jerked away, adjusting her stare to a fixed point on the wall behind him. A change in his demeanor startled her. He lowered his hands back to his side, but did not immediately step back from her. He leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"Perhaps you seek attentions from the werewolf," he stated menacingly.
Narnia had not expected this from him and felt a slight shift in advantage. "Honesty is what I desire," she hissed at him, her anger returning. Leaning back, he met her stare and seemed to instantaneously comprehend her meaning. He widened the space between them and stood there analyzing her.
They remained in silence, briefly, before Narnia turned and entered her room, leaving Snape in the corridor. Shutting the door, she slid to the floor, quietly releasing her turmoil, her body still shaking, while warm tears began to carve a pathway down her face. After his footsteps died down, she gave way to overbearing emotions and began to sob uncontrollably.
STUPID
Written by Sarah McLachlan Album: afterglow
Night lift up the shades Let in the brilliant light of the morning But steady me now for I am weak and starving for mercy Sleep has left me alone to carry the weight of unraveling where we went wrong And all I can do to hang on to keep me from falling Into old familiar shoes
How stupid could I be A simpleton could see That you're no good for me But you're the only one I see
Love has made me a fool Set me on fire and watched as I floundered Unable to speak except to cry out and wait for you answer And you come around in your time Speaking of fabulous places Create an oasis that dries up as soon as you're gone You leave me here burning in this desert without you
How stupid could I be A simpleton could see That you're no good for me But you're the only one I see
Everything changes everything falls apart I can't stand to feel myself losing control In the deep of my weakness I know
Chapter 14
He was standing across the room, silent, taking in others' conversations, but disinterested in the small talk. Narnia didn't have to turn around to know. It would have taken Snape several strides to reach her, but at this moment, he seemed close enough for her to even hear the beat of his heart. Her own was thumping loudly in her ears and the room had suddenly seemed confined.
Molly laid a hand on Narnia's shoulder, causing her to flinch. "I'm sorry dear, I thought you knew." Looking up at her, Narnia could see the regret outlined on her face.
"It's fine, Molly....really. I'm glad you brought it to my attention."
Molly did not seem convinced and Narnia could offer no reassurances due to her inability to determine her own emotions.
"Why don't you take a seat? The meeting is about to begin and I'll take care of all of this."
"Of course." It took every ounce of her strength to turn around and face the room full of people. She kept her eyes from wandering to Snape's side of the room, but no matter which direction she looked in, he remained in her periphery. "Pull yourself together, for crying out loud. This is not the time or place. You need to concentrate on why you are here," she scolded herself privately. She took a deep breath, tried to wipe the look of shock from her face, and sat down next to Lupin. To her dissatisfaction, Snape sat down directly across from her.
The meeting was informal, just as Narnia expected and the general premise of the gathering was to bring Narnia up to speed, which Lupin had sufficiently done earlier that afternoon. She was grateful for his prior relay of information, because her current state would not have permitted her to gather all the details. Inside, her emotions were churning and she hoped she had been able to keep them from revealing themselves outwardly. An eternity seemed to pass by before they were finished and at it's end, Narnia desired to return to Hogwarts, where she could be alone.
Afterwards, several members said their good-byes and left, thanking Molly for her hospitality and reiterating to Narnia how nice it had been to make her acquaintance. She was talking with Lupin when Snape approached them, interrupting their conversation.
"I am to escort you back to the school, Professor. I do not wish to delay."
Narnia met his gaze and normally would have been angered by his manner, but offered no rebuttal. "I will be ready momentarily." She turned back to Lupin, ignoring Snape. "It was a nice day."
"Perhaps lunch in Hogsmeade sometime?" Lupin asked.
"Of course." She walked past Snape, leaving him alone with Lupin, and made her way to Dumbledore to inform him she would be leaving. She laid a hand on his arm to gain his attention. He had been talking with Arthur when she had approached.
"Sorry to interrupt, Uncle. Professor Snape had expressed his wish to leave and I wanted to say 'good-night' before I went." Narnia thought highly of her uncle, but her wish to speak with him was solely to gain reassurance that her traveling with Snape was his true intention.
Dumbledore patted her hand and offered no more than, "Good-night. I will see you at breakfast tomorrow."
More confident with the arrangements, Narnia said farewell to Molly, grabbed her cloak and met Snape by the doorway. Uncomfortable as she felt being alone with him, she could not wait to reach the solitary confinement of her room. They stepped out onto the stoop, all the while Narnia not meeting his eyes. Just as she was about to wrap her hand around his forearm, he quickly slid his arm around her waist, pulling her next to him. Her breath caught in her chest, surprised at his forwardness. Before she could react, they were on the return home.
Once they had returned to the outskirts of Hogsmeade, Narnia broke the physical contact between them, surveying the ground that separated them. She looked up to probe her location and gathering her bearings, made for the castle, moving quickly. Snape said nothing and followed closely behind. She slowed her step to keep him at her side, intent on surveying him, despite her desire for his absence.
Upon entering the castle, Narnia made to break from his company, heading straight for her quarters. He followed and when she arrived at her door, she turned to face him. He halted only inches from her increasing her uneasiness.
"Good night, Professor. You have seen me safely to my quarters and I'm sure my Uncle will be grateful." Her voice faltered.
Snape studied her and slowly advancing, backed her against the door, placing his arms on either side of her, allowing her no means of escape. "You are no longer irritated with me. What a pity."
Narnia raised her eyes to meet his, unable to look away, despite the conflict raging inside of her. Her mouth was dry and rendered her unable to speak. Her lips parted slightly and she hoped he did not misinterpret this as an invitation. His gaze wandered to her neck and he lifted his hand to touch her. Her traveling cloak had loosened and he made his way to her collarbone, tracing its outline with his fingertips. He then looked back up at her.
Her body was betraying her. Part of her wanted to give into him, but her mind quickly recovered and she jerked away, adjusting her stare to a fixed point on the wall behind him. A change in his demeanor startled her. He lowered his hands back to his side, but did not immediately step back from her. He leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"Perhaps you seek attentions from the werewolf," he stated menacingly.
Narnia had not expected this from him and felt a slight shift in advantage. "Honesty is what I desire," she hissed at him, her anger returning. Leaning back, he met her stare and seemed to instantaneously comprehend her meaning. He widened the space between them and stood there analyzing her.
They remained in silence, briefly, before Narnia turned and entered her room, leaving Snape in the corridor. Shutting the door, she slid to the floor, quietly releasing her turmoil, her body still shaking, while warm tears began to carve a pathway down her face. After his footsteps died down, she gave way to overbearing emotions and began to sob uncontrollably.