Disclaimers 'n' Stuff:

I do not own these characters, nor did I create the universe in which they live or the magic that they use. All I do is flesh them out a little.

I am also very much NOT British in any way, shape, or form, so if I'm not entirely accurate with anything, I apologize in advance. I do have one Brit friend (thanks much, Davenport!!) so hopefully I didn't botch too much of it.

Read on, enjoy, and please leave some constructive criticism!

About an hour later Snape realized that he should probably give the girl something to do. Surprisingly, she had just been sitting in one of his office chairs, keeping her hands to herself, while he wrote and received note after note via house-elf,his body slowly coming under control again. No, Madame Pomfrey couldn't think of any better cure than the Purgative Potion. Indeed it would be a good idea for the two of them to stay confined to his chambers, and Madame Pomfrey insists on no less than two weeks, to be safe. Yes, someone is being sent to the dungeon straight away, and the rest of the class dismissed. Yes, Albus would find someone to supervise his classes. Yes, they would use his lesson plans. Yes, they would use his exact lesson plans. Of course the house elves would bring meals to them. Of course the girl's personal items would be brought. What does she want brought to her?

Upon reading that last line, Snape looked up at the girl for the first time in over a half an hour. It seemed that he and this girl, Nicole Archer, were going to be spending quite a bit of time together. She was looking steadfastly at the floor, her arms folded across her chest. She looked like any girl could look; her hair brown, shoulder length and unremarkable, her robes plain. Snape felt a niggling anxiety in his chest while he watched her. Her lack of character was unsettling, he decided, and brushed it to the back of his mind.

"Miss Archer." Her head snapped towards Snape as he stood. "Professor McGonagall shall be sending some of your personal items. Write out what you want and I'll have the note sent to her immediately." She blinked at him. What a twit. However, it wouldn't do to rail at her now; Snape supposed she'd been though quite enough. "Come here and sit down," he snapped. She immediately followed his orders. Cautiously, not meeting his glare, she picked up his quill and started writing. Snape watched her as she scratched down her list of items. She was at least a well-kept girl, and obedient at that. Her face was unmarred by makeup, giving her a more girlish look than most seventh-years. Her eyes never strayed from the parchment as he studied her, running a finger across his lips unconsciously.

The quill had stopped moving, and Nicole glanced up at Snape, her eyes wide.

"Finished?" he asked curtly.

Archer nodded, and he snatched the parchment up. Snape raised his voice slightly. "I need this delivered to Professor McGonagall's chambers." A house-elf Apparated with a pop, took the parchment, and Disapparated just as suddenly. Snape turned back to the girl, the small vial in his outstretched hand. "Take a few drops." She did, silently blowing a green mist into the air. He followed suit, then pocketed the vial again. "I should show you my chambers. Follow me." Without looking back, he swept towards the door that connected his office to his private chambers.

A flight of descending stairs opened into his study, a large room that was sparsely decorated. A dark fireplace was set into the far wall, with a deep green couch to the left. A matching chair sat in front of the fireplace, with a small table between. The walls were lined with shelves holding books, boxes, jars, and lit candles. "My study," Snape said unnecessarily, turning to face Nicole. "You are permitted to read some of the books here, if it would keep you busy. However, I advise you to ask me before you go poking around. We don't want any more… accidents," he sneered, but his voice didn't have the same bite to it as it did in the classroom.

Snape turned away again and went through another door into his bedroom. Even more Spartan, his bedroom had only his bed, large with green and black comforters and pillows, a candle on a stand near the bed, a small table with one chair, and a locked chest. The room was large, in fact it seemed cavernous. Snape swept through the room and indicated a door near his bed.

"That is the bathroom. I suppose I don't need to instruct you on how to use it." Snape saw her gaze fall to the floor and felt absurdly guilty. His mouth was moving before he knew it. "You'll be sleeping here." He gestured to the bed.

"Oh, no… I couldn't…"

"Stop that," he spat, more acidic than he had meant to be. "It would be…" Snape paused, finding the right word, "dishonorable of me to let my guest take the lesser accommodations. You don't mean to insult my honor, I'm sure."

Nicole's mouth moved slightly, but nothing came out. How was she supposed to respond to that?

Suddenly Snape was very close to her. "Do not go through my things." Nicole took a step back, reflexively, and he likewise stepped toward her, leaning over her.. "Do not touch anything without asking me. Do not make too much noise. Do not leave these chambers for any reason." Snape realized that he had been almost yelling; the girl was shaking, almost imperceptibly. Her back was pressing against his bedroom wall; he didn't even realize that he had been closing in on her until that instant. Something about the look in her eyes set something off in Snape's mind. Seized by a sudden crazy impulse, he let his voice drop down to a silky whisper. "Besides all of that," he said softly, leaning down to her, "make yourself at home."