Remember: He is only a mortal. It doesn't matter what he thinks of you…you don't need to be his friend, you just need to work with him. So relax…collect your thoughts…be yourself…
"Kaida? Is something the matter?"
Professor Snapes voice draws me back from my silent oration. I look at his tired face and had I not known better, I would have sworn that he had a look of concern in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Professor, I must still be half asleep… Will you give me a moment to get ready?"
"Of course. I will wait for you outside…"
Honestly, there isn't much that needs to be done on my part to get ready. I just need to change my robes-they're a tad crumpled from being slept on. I suppose that is one benefit to being a vampire. You see the vampire largely uses their aesthetic appeal to ensnare their prey; so logically vampires would have to be quite attractive. Even the most comely of mortals is transformed into a dark Adonis. It is essential for a vampire to look their best at all times, for they never know when they will catch the eye of their next meal and that is why evolution graced the vampire race with the gift of perfection. I could be caught in a storm, be drenched to my very bones and still look serene and alluring. Which in my case is definitely an advantage, as I never learned how to properly "primp" as most girls do.
The puddle of candlelight that usually pools at the base of my crypts door has evaporated. Professor Snape must have taken the liberty to extinguish the candles in the corridor. He knows how I prefer to walk in the shadows. I open the door gingerly, to see Professor Snapes form on my doorstep.
"Shall we go, Professor?"
"Before we go, Kaida, may I ask you for a favour?"
"Of course, Professor…"
"If it won't be too troublesome on your part, would you please guide me through the corridor? I'm afraid I can't see too well in the dark…and please call me Severus…"
I smile at him and then realize that he can't see me.
"It is no trouble at all, Severus."
He offers me the crook of his arm in response. I rest my hand on his forearm. It quivers at my touch-must be due to my cold skin. As we walk down the all-to-familiar corridor I hear his heart quicken. You must think it unusual for one to be able to hear another's heart beat but when your very existence is dependant on that person you make it your business to notice any change in them.
I can see perfectly in the darkness-it is to me as bright as daylight is to you and although Professor Snape is mortal, through my experience he is able to see quite well in the dark. It is odd that I did not detect his loss of his night vision prior to this evening. I can usually sense things of that nature-that's more women's intuition then a dark vampire gift. It is definitely odd.
His footsteps echo through the halls while mine make nary a sound. I've always wondered why vampires were always associated with bats. If anything vampires are more like cats. We are swift-footed and silent. We see perfectly at night. And although we are not as strong as other creatures of the night, we are agile. Another mortal misconception, I guess.
"Watch your step there, Severus…" Huh, he seemed to have shifted slightly to his left before I could warn him. But then again, that's not exactly surprising-we've walked these corridors countless times in the past, he must have remembered that the carpet curled slightly here. Or perhaps he sensed it. I remember reading somewhere that when one loses their sense of sight the other senses become more acute and compensate for the loss of vision. Amazing things, mortals are.
"We've arrived, Severus"
"Kaida, I believe the Headmaster would like to speak to you alone…"
"Will you be alright on your own, Severus?"
"I will fine, Kaida…"
As I remove my hand from his right forearm, I can see the other slowly moving towards my retreating hand. Is he trying to hold my hand? Perhaps not. It's funny how mortals think that the darkness will protect them when they make themselves so vulnerable with intimate gestures. I'm sure the professor just wanted to provide me with solace. Perhaps he can sense my apprehension….
Ah, I see the Headmaster has been so kind as to light black candles. Their blue flames cast an aura of illuminating darkness onto the walls of the circular office.
"Thank you for coming so quickly Kaida." His eyes twinkle as he smiles. "As you may know, Professor Lupin arrived earlier this evening. I'm sure you have much to discuss with him so I have arranged for you to meet him in his office to review and possibly revise his lesson plan for tomorrow."
"Yes, Headmaster…"
"Oh, and Kaida, before you go, I realize you are no longer a student and that you may do as you wish but I strongly advise you to stay indoors this school year. As a result of Sirius Blacks escape from Azkaban, the ministry has posted Dementors at every door and I doubt even your wit or beauty could warrant any pity from them…"
"I will keep that in mind, Headmaster…"