Disclaimer: I still haven't been gifted with Severus Snape. I still don't own any of the Potterverse...heavy sigh...but at least I get to play with it. Next chapter I am a naughty panda...tease tease tease.
AN: Thanks to my new reviewers. Thanks to my beta Midnight Lilly...although I was in to much of a hurry to post to wait for her to proof the next two chapters...so please be kind with the grammer errors.
Chapter 25 Catch a Falling Star
For when your troubles startn? multiplyin,
An' they just might!
It?s easy to forget them without tryin,
With just a pocketful of starlight!
Catch a falling star an? ( Catch a falling . . . ) put it in your pocket,
Never let it fade away! ( Never let it fade away! )
Catch a falling star an? put it in your pocket,
Save it for a rainy day!
( Save it for rainy day! ) Save it for a rainy day!
Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance "Catch A Falling Star"
Snape joined Alexis at breakfast the next morning. She was looking slightly worried. As they ate she explained that Ginny Weasley had been the one to set off the alarm. Her nightmares were getting worse. After what she had been through last year it would give anyone nightmares. Ginny had agreed to go see Madame Pomfrey. It she couldn't help her maybe she could suggest something that might.
Snape had decided to put his plan to get Alexis to fall so deeply in love with him that she would agree to marry him without realizing that she could do so much better. Gifts always seemed to make women happy so he had transfigured a few things for her this morning.
"How much longer until it is time to leave for the Quidditch game?" Alexis asked. She was excited about seeing her first game. Maybe I can get Severus to make a small wager on the game? If I win he has to do whatever I want him to do for twenty-four hours. I wonder what he would want if he wins? I have a feeling neither one of us could lose.
"We have about thirty minutes. There is something in my quarters I would like you to see," Snape was acting nervous.
Alexis waggled her eyebrows at him, "Do you really think thirty minutes will be enough time for you to 'show' me something?"
"Yes, it shouldn't take longer than ten minutes unless I have to make some adjustments."
Alexis was grinning as they walked down to the dungeons, "I'm sure there will have to be some 'adjustments', but I will help you with them."
"I don't believe you have ever handled adjustments of this type before," Snape was so nervous about how she was going to react to his gifts that he was totally oblivious to Alexis's double entendres.
Alexis was having to much fun to stop, "I am a quick learning and very talented with my hands, I'm sure you can teach me whatever I need to know about adjustments."
"Your magic has come along nicely but it would be quicker for me to make the adjustments by myself," Snape didn't want to hurt her feelings, "although I do appreciate your offer." He wondered if Alexis was having another allergic reaction, her face was turning red and she seemed to be trying to hold something back, like a sneeze.
"If you would rather make the adjustments yourself can I at least watch," Alexis asked carefully not looking at Snape.
"Of course you can watch. Next time I will allow you to help."
As they walked into Snape's quarters, Alexis was able to say, "That is very thoughtful of you."
Snape seated Alexis on the love seat and then disappeared into the bedroom. When he came back he had two large beautifully wrapped presents. The paper was Slytherian green while the ribbons were silver.
"I just wanted to give you these small tokens of my esteem," Snape had practiced this speech all morning.
Alexis was touched, "Thank you Severus."
She carefully unwrapped the first box and moved aside the silver tissue paper with green serpents scattered across it to reveal a bunch of black nylon looking material. She couldn't tell what it was supposed to be. It looked like a small camping tent.
"Take it out of the box and let's see if it fits," Snape said anxiously.
Alexis lifted the item out of the box and shook it out to reveal a huge rain poncho. She figured that not only would it cover her but Hagrid and one other person might be able to share it with her.
"I was afraid it might be to big," Snape took the poncho from Alexis and urged her to her feet. He threw it over her head. Alexis was immediately in pitch black darkness, she had a sudden emphatic moment for Jonah when he had been swallowed by the whale.
She could feel Snape pulling and tugging on the material trying to find the hole for her head. Finally there was a patch of light and she was able to thrust her head out. Taking a deep breath of air she looked down at herself. I can't laugh! I will not laugh! I will NOT laugh!
Snape had found her right hand and pushed about three yards of material up onto her shoulder to free it and was now searching for her left hand. When he had freed both hands he took a step back to look at her.
"I think you might want to make those adjustments Severus," Alexis said. She had managed to keep a pleasant expression on her face through a major force of will power. All she wanted to do was roll on the floor. Although she felt there was the very real threat that she may never be seen again if this monstrosity swallowed her.
"Reductomostova" Snape waved his wand and the oversized poncho started shrinking. When it was the correct size, Snape waved his wand again.
"Now open your other present," Snape urged Alexis.
Alexis picked up the other box and opened it to reveal a pair of galoshes. Looking up with sparkling eyes, "Thank you Sev. This was very thoughtful of you."
"Well, with the weather being so bad lately and this being your first Quidditch match I wanted to make sure you stayed dry."
Alexis took his hand and pulled him down for a kiss, "Thank you, this is the nicest present anyone has ever gotten me."
"Try on the galoshes and see if they fit."
Alexis removed the boots from the box and putting them on found that they were a perfect fit.
"I believe that I am now ready for my first Quidditch match," Alexis proudly told Snape.
"We have just enough time to make it to the stands before the game starts."
Snape grabbed up his rain cloak and a large umbrella and offered Alexis his arm.
When they were about to step out into the storm, Snape reached over and pulled the hood to Alexis's poncho up over her head and tied the strings under her chin. Alexis just looked at him with a soft smile on her face. She couldn't believe that people actually wondered why she would choose this man.
"What?" Snape asked suspicious of her smile.
"I love you."
"Good." Snape snapped open the umbrella and slipping an arm around Alexis led her out into the dark stormy day.
After five minutes outside, Alexis realized that however unromantic a gift Snape had given her, she wouldn't have traded it for a diamond heart pendant or two dozen roses. She couldn't see anything. If Snape hadn't held her so firmly she would have slipped, slid and maybe even been blown away. The wind gusts were astounding. The rain at times seemed to be falling horizontally.
Snape helped her to a seat in the teacher's box. He was having a hard time holding on to the umbrella. Not that it was doing much to keep the rain off of them.
Alexis tried to look around and see what was happening. All she could see was rain, clouds, and the top of the umbrella of the person sitting in front of her. Snape directed her eyes straight up and she finally saw the players as they rose on their brooms to begin the game.
Alexis found what she could see of the game to be very exciting. She was amazed at the way the players would maneuver and the speeds that could be achieved.
Snape wasn't watching the game. He was finding more enjoyment out of watching Alexis's expressions. When Alexis caught him watching her she gave him a big grin and hugged his arm. Just then the crowd gasped as another goal was made and Alexis returned to the excitement of the match.
There was a great crack of lightning and a roar of thunder. Alexis had found Harry Potter in the air. She was watching him intently. Snape felt her hand tighten almost painfully on his arm, turning to see what held her attention; he felt a sudden drop in temperature. Along with the icy coldness, it was if he was suddenly underwater, all the noise of the storm and crowd was strangely muffled. And then a great dark despair seized him, he could hear again the screams of the people he had seen tortured when he was in service to the Dark Lord. The cries for mercy and anguished wailing of his own many victims surrounded him, dragging him under. His chest tightened as if a giant hand had reached in and grabbed his heart. Looking back at the field he could see about a hundred dementors standing and staring up intently. Even though their attention was focused on another, he could feel the darkness creeping over him.
He felt warm hands on his icy face. Someone was calling his name; he could just barely hear it over the screams and cries of the damned souls of his nightmares. Suddenly, he was released from the torment of his dark memories.
Looking around he saw that everyone else's attention was focused on the field. Everyone's except Alexis's. Her hands were still cupping his face. Her eyes were filled with concern and worry for him.
"What happened?"
"The dementors came onto the field. Harry Potter fell off his broom; it must have been about fifty feet. Dumbledore ran onto the field and waved his wand slowing Harry's fall and then turned and ran the dementors off with a Patronus Charm," Alexis explained still searching his face.
"Come on. I am getting you back to your rooms and into a hot bath," Alexis slipped an arm around Snape's waist and was trying to help him up.
Snape caught himself before he smiled. He looked down at the diminutive witch who resembled a small tug boat trying to steer a large ocean liner. He allowed her to help him up and then together they walked back to the castle.
As Alexis entered Snape's quarters she tossed the still dripping umbrella into a corner by the door and started undressing Snape. She quickly striped him of his rain cloak and had started on his frock coat when he grabbed her hands to stop her, "As much as I enjoy you taking off my clothes, you are dripping on my carpet."
Alexis gave him a fierce frown, "I'm not worried about your carpet; I'm worried about you. Now get into the bathroom and when I come in there you better be in the tub chin deep in hot water. Move it mister."
Snape gave her a surprised look. She had never been so forceful before, he found it rather sexy. Giving her a mock bow he headed into the bathroom.
Alexis went to the fire and called for Slinky. When he appeared she ordered a hot lunch and a hot toddy to be delivered as soon as possible. Alexis stripped off her own wet outer clothing and was wondering what to do with the sodden mess when Slinky popped back in with a large tray of food.
Giving Alexis a disapproving look, Slinky placed the tray on a table and held out his hands for the wet clothes, "Mistress hadn't 'outta be cleaning up. That is Slinky's job. Slinky is happy to be Slytherian's house elf and happy to serve Professor Snape and his lady."
Alexis gave the clothes to the elf and indicated the other pile of wet things by the door. "Thank you Slinky. When you have a chance would you bring me some clean clothes from my rooms?"
"Slinky is happy to bring clothes but Slinky is telling mistress it would be easier if mistress would just move into master's rooms. Then Slinky wouldn't be having to get clothes for mistress all the time."
Before Alexis could think of a response to that Slinky had popped out.
Picking up the tray, she headed into the bathroom.
Snape was chin deep in hot water…with pink and lavender bubbles that gave off the scent of vanilla and roses.
Alexis just raised a brow at Snape who looked slightly defensive, "I thought it was an herbal potion to promote healing. How was I to know you put a bottle of bubble bath in here?"
"It was going to be a surprise." Alexis looked around for a place to put the tray.
"Believe me it was a surprise. Here I am just sitting in the water and all of a sudden bubbles!"
Alexis put the tray on the chair by the bathtub and then settled on the floor. Snape pulled his wand from the edge of the tub and transformed a towel into a large comfy pillow for her to sit on.
Alexis lifted the domed lid and discovered two big mugs of hot soup, several grilled cheese sandwiches, a large plate of fruit which had been cut into bite sized pieces and hot apple cider.
She handed Snape one of the mugs of soup and poured him a goblet of the hot cider.
"So, would you like to explain what happened outside?" Alexis asked staring into her mug of soup.
"No," Snapes reply was short and to the point.
"OK. Would you like a sandwich?"
Snape looked over at Alexis. She was perusing the tray as if trying to decide what to eat.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"That's fine with me. Would you like a sandwich now, or would you rather finish your soup?"
"You can't make me talk about it," Snape was almost petulant in his response.
"I agree. Now, how about some of this nice fruit?" Alexis was at her most reasonable.
When Snape opened his mouth, Alexis filled it with a piece of melon, "Yummy isn't it?"
Snape's glare should have frozen the steam rising from his bubble bath. He was having trouble chewing the rather large piece of melon she had given him.
"When you are ready to talk we will talk. Until then let's just eat."
Snape nodded a reluctant agreement as he finally finished chewing the melon and swallowed, "If you ever do that again, I will put you over my knee and spank you like the naughty child you resemble."
"Promises, promises," Alexis teased as they finished their lunch.
They had just finished lunch when Alexis heard her name from the fireplace in the sitting room. Getting to her feet, she went to see who could want her now.
Alexis found Dumbledore's head in the fire.
"My dear, Harry is in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey wants to keep him for the rest of the weekend for observation."
"Yes, Headmaster, I will get my things together and go sit with Harry."
"If that is what you want Alexis, I have no objections. However, I thought you might to take a break from guarding Harry and have the rest of the weekend free."
Alexis just beamed at the Headmaster.
"Now, I believe you have left something soaking…." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling outrageously, "have a nice weekend." Then he was gone.
