Chapter 7
Andraste was down the stairs and almost outside before she admitted to herself that she wanted company. "Severus," she said directly into his mind – causing a reaction that thankfully no one noticed. "Would you like to try that race again?"
Severus stood up, saying that he still had papers to grade, and left the room. His back was turned when the satisfied smile crossed Dumbledore's lips. "Have a good night, Severus."
He walked outside where Andraste was waiting for him. Without explanation she took the Firebolt from his hand and it promptly disappeared. "Where is my broom?" he question, not the slightest trace of irritation in his voice. Andraste couldn't help but think that gentleness suited him well; his voice had a silky soothing quality to it that was absent when he was being grumpy. "It's back in your room, you won't need it tonight," she said, taking a step closer to him. "Now stay still." He hadn't realized it before, but he was taking a step back for everyone she took forward. She closed the gap between them, and took his hand in hers. Immediately he felt his entire body wrap in warmth, and held Andraste's hand tighter as they started to float gently higher off the ground. "Severus," she said once they had risen a considerable distance. "I'm going to let go of your hand now. Don't worry, you'll be fine," she added, seeing a look of borderline terror in the usually brave mans eyes. He nodded as she let go. "Now, to move all you have to do is think about where you want to go, okay?" She moved back a few meters to give him room to practice. He moved around a bit up and down and right to left. "This is incredible," he said. Andraste was amazed by the childlike delight in his eyes. "Shall we then, to the lake and back?" Before waiting for an answer, she shot off. Flying as fast as she could, she got to the lake and turned around, seeing Severus right beside her. 'Wow, that man is a quick learner,' she thought to herself. By the time they reached the point they had started at, he was almost three meters in front of her.
He turned to her with a sideways grin. "I do believe, Miss Andraste, that you cheated, and I still won."
"Andi," she corrected. "Now stay still for a moment." She flew behind him, materialized a rubber band, and put his hair in a loose ponytail. "There, that should help."
"Indeed," he said, and then took back off towards the water. They flew around in circles for close to 45 minutes before they finally settled near where he had originally found her.
"I love it up here," she said. "It's so peaceful."
"Andi, I'm sorry about what I said early." She looked at him gratefully. She knew full well that this was not a man that liked to apologize, and he would never have done it unless he was totally sincere.
"It's over and done, Severus." She pulled her legs up under her. As odd as it was for him to be floating in midair, it was even odder to see this woman sitting indian style on... nothing. They both sat quiet as another hour passed, each lost in their own thoughts until Severus broke the silence.
"If you've always wanted to come to Europe, and you can apparate wherever you want to go, why did you wait so long?" Andraste seemed to contemplate that question for a few minutes before she spoke. "I had a lot I wanted to see in America first."
"But why didn't you just visit and then go back?" He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw tears forming.
"Because, Severus," she said, a determination in her eyes he had never seen before. "The same instinct that told me to come to England, to Hogwarts, told me I wouldn't make it back." Before he had a chance to respond she flew off, coming to rest above the opposite shoreline. Wanting to comfort her, but knowing that she needed time, he thought about what she had said as he let his body drift slowly towards her. When he reached her, he announced his presence with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Andi."
"I think its time we go back, Professor Snape," she said coolly, turning towards the school. He followed her in silence as they landed on the front steps and began the walk back to the dungeon. They reached the guest bedroom first, and Severus ventured to speak again. "Andraste, if you need anything..." She replied with a curt nod, walked into her room and gently shut the door behind her. With a wave of her had, she refilled the wine bottle that had been sitting discarded on the floor, and set about emptying it again.
Severus paced his room, thinking about the problem before him. He most certainly did not wand Andi to die, but may people had passed at Voldemort's hand, and many more would pass if he wasn't stopped. Eventually, with the clock reading close to one a.m., he headed to his bed and managed to drift into a fitful sleep.