Things were slightly changed, now. More and more I would find Professor Snape in the library, and we would talk. I hardly realized it, but I was slowly being drawn to him. I would glance at him during meals, and every now and then I would find him looking at me. I began to think of him as "Severus" in my thoughts. During class I took every opportunity to watch him: the way he moved, his expressions, his manner of standing or sitting. I was glad of our friendship, if it could be called such. I needed him, needed just to talk to him. To hear what he thought of things, to listen to his opinion. He was always so reserved, so grave. And there was still that feeling deep within my soul, that I carefully avoided. I didn't know what I was feeling for him, and I began to understand my fear of him. It was not so much a fear of him as a fear of my feelings for him. I was frightened that I cared for my professor, a man almost old enough to be my father and dark as night. His black moods, what little I saw of them, disturbed me. Nonetheless, the feelings I had for him grew.

It was after the break before I ventured into the halls for a nocturnal walk again. I'd never been punished for being caught out after curfew, but I hadn't wanted to push it. I truly wasn't sure why I hadn't been punished and I'd never had the courage to ask Severus. I missed my time by myself, though, so when I woke one Friday night and saw the stars glittering, I knew I had to wander the corridors, if only for a bit. It was cold so I felt about for something to wrap in. I wore a black nightgown with long sleeves and a low neck, gathered at the sides with black lacing to give it form; it was warm but not warm enough for a walk in the cold corridors. I found a shawl that belonged to my roommate, I knew she wouldn't mind if I borrowed it. Slipping barefoot into the hall, I ran to the east wing and stared out at the trees and snow. I curled up on the window-seat, thinking, trying to sort out my feelings and thoughts concerning Professor Snape.

This time I heard him coming, but there was nowhere to hide. Professor Snape loomed over me, his expression unreadable.

"Hello, Miss Jade," he said. Surprised, I could only answer with a hello of my own. "Have you ever seen the view from the top of the East tower?" he asked abruptly. I shook my head, astonished. "It's forbidden to students except when accompanied by a teacher." He crossed the hall to a door I hadn't noticed and opened it with a key he produced from his pocket. Glancing over his shoulder at me, he ascended the stair behind the door. I sat there a moment, utterly bewildered, then ran lightly across the hall and up the stairs.

I glanced about as I reached the top and found him, standing at the window behind the opening in the floor. "Look," he said, and I cautiously skirted the hole to stand beside him; there was no railing around the opening to the stairs, and it was a bit disconcerting. The valley around Hogwarts stretched before us, shimmering with moonlight and stardust. It was very late and the moon seemed to be sinking into the lake as it set.

"It's very beautiful," I said, and looked up at him.

"Yes, it is," he replied, and noticed the jade pendant at my throat. He traced the chain with one long finger, over my collarbone and to where the pendant rested, just above the neckline of my nightgown and the swell of my breasts. He lifted it up and studied it.

"It was a gift from my grandfather," I told him. "I've never taken it off, I couldn't if I tried. He put it over my head when I was a baby and it wouldn't fit now." He turned it over and looked at the runes on the back.

"What do these mean?" he asked.

"I don't know," I told him. "Grandfather died before he could tell me, and my father doesn't know what they mean, either. He has his own pendant, given to him by his grandfather, who told him the meaning of the runes on his 18th birthday. It's a tradition of our House, the jade pendant." Suddenly I missed my Grandfather horribly and reached to touch the pendant. Severus still held it, and I wrapped my fingers around his, holding the pendant and his hand. I looked up into his eyes. They were dark and shadowed and the look he gave me was intense. I was a little frightened and I took a step back from him, forgetting the hole in the floor. I remembered mid-step and, confused, stumbled and stepped closer to Severus, who caught me. We were scarcely a foot apart. He still held the chain, as did I. Slowly, he pulled me to him by the chain and my hand; slowly, he lowered his mouth to mine; slowly, he kissed me.

I trembled all over when his lips touched mine. I didn't know what to think. I knew this shouldn't be happening, he shouldn't be kissing me, I shouldn't be kissing him back. I slipped my fingers into his hair. I shouldn't be doing this. He ran his fingers over my neck and throat. I should pull away. We kissed deeper. I knew then what I felt for him.

Slowly we pulled apart. His hands were still on my neck, framing my face. Looking over his shoulder, I saw the sky had turned light grey. It was just before dawn.

"You should go, Isolde," he said. I nodded. He picked up my shawl - it had fallen to the floor - and wrapped it around my shoulders. He kissed my forehead, and I left.


Author's Notes:

Much love and thanks to my three reviewers! It gets rather lonely at times, writing, wondering if anyone's reading...

anonymous- Thank you, darling. Your thoughts will be a comfort when I'm sitting at the lonely computer screen, late in the night, wondering if what I'm writing even makes sense to anyone...

WhatsShakinBacons-Professor Snape junkies are the best there are. Happy to be your "dealer"! (I love your name, by the by.)

Kamila- I'm so glad you love it! I have every intention of continuing. Thanks!

I have this story thought through in my mind, it's just a matter of finding the time to write it out. Spring break is over. Monday I go back to college. Damn. But this is a short story, and it should be finished soon. I feel rediculous for saying so, but reviews would mean a lot to me, and to how soon I work on this. Even a short "Woo-Hoo!" So please review, if you have even a second. Thank you!

Miena