Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the invention of Ms. J.K. Rowling. I don't own the characters in any way, shape, or form. I do, however, claim Armina Wilkins, her family, random students, and the plot.

A/N: Now, we're fast forwarding to October, and, from experience, Snape hasn't given Armina anymore detentions. This will be interesting, however, because we are getting more and more involved. Mwahahahaha! (clears throat) Sorry about that. It seemed appropriate. You will see what I mean. Poor tormented little man may make a revelation, or not :). Read on!

Dismal Photographs of Yesterday

Chapter 7: What is This Feeling?

Snape sat in the Three Broomsticks, solemnly sipping his brew. He stared blankly out the window, imagining all the ways his life could have turned out. Was he being punished for once supporting the dark side? Was this Wilkins child his punishment? Lastly, why was she even brought up in his thoughts?

"Professor!" exclaimed that annoyingly cheerful voice that he was quickly coming to loathe.

Snape looked up to see Armina bustling toward him. Her hands were laden with several bags from various stores. She flashed him a toothy smile, her freckled cheeks rosy from the chill of the October air. She took a seat beside him, placing her bags on the floor.

"What in God's name do you want?" he asked monotony, eyes flicking about to see who was watching.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's my day off."

"Oh! I see. What are you planning on doing today?"

"Getting away from my students was at the top of my list." The vein in his forehead was beginning to throb.

Armina laughed. "Hey! I've got an idea! Why don't you come shopping with me?"

He eyed her precariously. "You can't be serious."

"Of course I am. C'mon, Professor! It's better then just sitting here all day, right?"

"I greatly doubt it."

Before he could object any further, Armina had gathered her bags and was pulling him out of the pub. Snape sighed and put up little resistance, believing his efforts would be futile in the end.

"Let's go up to the Shrieking Shack, Professor! I've never been, and they say its the most haunted place in England."

"Is it, really?" he asked with mock interest. He had been to the Shrieking Shack thousands of times and knew its true secret all too well. In fact, he had nearly been killed by it on several occasions.

Armina dragged him up the hillside, determinedly marching toward their destination. People pushed passed them on their way back down, many students offering a curious look. Snape sneered at them as they went by, wishing that he could stop himself from following her.

"Here we are," she announced as the odd pair came to a halt beside the wire fence that surrounded the Shrieking Shack.

Snape stared at the large building looming ominously in the distance. His eyes narrowed in irritation at the memory of his last visit. He looked over at Armina, who seemed to be enchanted by the dilapidated site of the once grand building.

"Wow!" she breathed, closing her eyes. "It so beautiful."

His eyebrow raised. "What are you looking at?"

"What do you mean?"

Armina peered up at him inquisitively. He hadn't really noticed it before, but she had the most amazing, expressive aqua blue eyes hidden behind the elliptical wire frames that where perched upon her nose; it was like staring at the ocean on the clearest of days.

Wondering what else had evaded his acknowledgement, Snape examined her appearance. Her fair, freckled complexion was well compliment by the sandy blonde locks that spilled over her shoulders. She was about a head shorter than he with a rather petite frame. She wasn't anything spectacular when it came to looks, but her eyes were very alluring. One could easily get lost in them.

"Is something wrong, Professor?"

"What?" Snape snapped back to reality. "What was that?"

"I asked you a question, but you didn't answer me. Then, you were looking at me funny. Is everything all right, sir?"

"Yes, fine."

Armina appeared skeptical, but decided not to argue. She knew all too well how easily his temper could be triggered, and she didn't want to be on the receiving end of it. She looked back at the Shrieking Shack and smiled.

"Can you imagine how beautiful that house used to be? I bet it has like a hundred rooms."

"Actually, there are only about fifteen, but they are rather large. Dreadfully drafty though," he commented under his breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Noting at all."

"You know what, Professor? You are really easy to talk to. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"No."

"Well, you are. At least when you aren't yelling or getting angry with me that is. It's really nice to have someone to talk to."

"Quite."

"Hey, what do you say to some ice cream. My treat! My way of saying thank you for tolerating me for the day. I usually get really lonely on these visits. Not today though. Thanks, Professor."

Snape didn't say a word. He watched as Armina began to walk away, inner turmoil threatening to drown his senses. Why were his thoughts so distorted by confusion? He couldn't shake the strange feeling rising in the pit of his stomach.

"Professor Snape? Are you coming?"

Snape snapped back to reality abruptly. Armina stood feet from him, her gorgeous eyes boring into his dark soul. He shook off her gaze and looked back at the Shrieking Shack. Why does it feel wrong to talk at her?

"Professor?"

"Go on," he spat. "Get out of here."

"Aren't we going to get ice cream? If you don't want any, that's fine. We could go do something else." She took a few steps toward him, but Snape turned his back on her.

"Do what you want. Leave me alone."

"Are you all right, Professor?"

"I said be gone!" he growled, turning back to her. He sneered at the concern on her face, the lump in his stomach growing by the second. It seems like a sin to even look at her? "Stop looking at me like that!"

"Professor Snape, why are you pushing me away? Is it that hard for you to talk to anyone?"

"I said get out of my sight!"

Armina began to back away. "All right, Professor, but I'm not going to leave you alone. You need someone to talk to more then I ever imagined, and I am not going to abandon you!" A fiery passion washed over her face. "Do you hear me? I am not abandoning you!"

Snape was completely stunned. No one ever spoken to him in such a manner. He had no idea how to react. He watched her retreat, his heart pounding against his chest. What is this feeling that she gives me? I've never felt like this before. Why do I feel this way? Is it her? Is it Armina? His thoughts stalled. He had called her Armina, not Wilkins, not girl, but Armina. Suddenly, his mind felt dreadfully unclean. How does she do this to me? What is this feeling?

A/N: No real changes to this chapter, which was nice. It means I can get to bed sooner. It's 12:48am and insomniac Chevious has one more chapter edit before moving on to something new, or going to bed, which ever comes first. I finally figured out what the hell I've been listening to while editing. It's Inu-Yasha - The Movie 2 - The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass. I've seen it a few times and the end makes me feel all good. Anyway, on to the next chapter. Review please. I've been doing French all day and it's quite nice to read English.