Chapter Three
The cloaked figure sighed and looked on at the sleeping girl. He never really knew why he always came down here to check up on her every night. Remus was never a close friend of his and he, in the beginning, had no intention of following out his will.
But then, he had finally given into curiosity and had checked on the little Gryffindor chit. What had started out as a one-night check up had become a nightly ordeal. He seemed to be captured by the life of this girl.
Which brought him to where he was now, gazing out of the one-way mirror like a love struck teenager. He looked back at himself with loathing. What had happened to the Hogwarts fearsome Potions Master? The war, he thought grimly.
With the defeat of Voldemort and the discovered identities of his death eaters, Severus had to go underground, under the belief that he had been killed during one of the battles.
This kept the ministry officials satisfied and Dumbledore was still able to keep a man who could brew him up those horrid muggle drinks. Or at least, that is what the Headmaster had told him. Severus personally thought that being turned in would have been the better choice, although he did not care for going to Azkaban prison.
Severus scanned the room again, making sure that everything was safe, briefly glancing over the music box, the monkeys symbols slowing as the music winded down. He shook his head and swept down the hallway.
During the two years that Albus had hid him here, he had explored the castle when he became bored with the projects he had repeatedly assigned himself, so as not to become idle.
Severus was surprised to discover many new hidden passageways, rooms, and corridors. There was no end to some and others ended in locked doors, heavily guarded with heavy wards. He had always mused on what was on the other side but was wise enough not to try to break the spells.
Now he was striding down one particular corridor that ended in a fork near the astronomy tower.
He took the hallway to the right and the corridor became damper and colder. Severus stopped in front an oak door with no doorknob and complex patterns seemed to weave through the wood.
A face appeared in the intricate workings. "Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I?" Severus gave the door a look and said, " You are fire." The face nodded it's head, dissapeared into the wood, and opened the door.
Severus pushed through and descended down a few steps to land on a narrow stone docking area. It was caked in slime and the lake's water lapped up against it.
Carefuly, he edged towards the small gondala boat that was provided for his usage, lighting up the lamp that hung at it's end with a tap of his wand. He was thankful to Albus about this. The wand was unregistered and therfore, he was still able to preform magic.
Jumping into the boat, he grabbed the pole and pushed off the dock, gliding into the mist. As he guided the small vessel through the water, he heard a beautiful voice calling to him and a pair of blue tinged arms gripped the edge of the gondala. He bent down and whispered down to the creature, " Leave me be, being, I am the master of this lake." He tossed a gallion to tho the water and the arms imediatly left towards the coin.
Severus smirked and continued to push through the relenting waters. The siren was an extra precaution for intruders. The headmaster, Minerva McGonigal, and one other teacher, knew how to get past the door and the lake's guard.
Finally, his boat hit dry land and he jumped onto the grass surrounding the island, making sure not to touch the water, not wanting to provoke the other creatures that lived in the lake. Tying up the boat, he passed through the front gardens and into his stone domain.
Severus removed his heavy black cloak and hung it up upon the enchanted coat holder. With a wave of his hands, candles were lit and he walked into his library, beginning to prepare a shot of brandy.
He sat sat down in front of the crackling fire and held his face in his hand as he sipped his drink. " How long are you planning to stand there Minerva?" he asked quietly to shadows behind him.
The tabby cat behind him blinked and transformed back into the Head of Gryffindor House. " I will never know how you do it Severus." She said and imediatly went and sat to his right, leaning her cane against the arm of her chair.
Severus sighed again and swallowed all his brandy, letting the amber liquid burn down a trail of fire down his throat. He remained silent and Minerva looked at her ward carefuly.
When Albus had told her that Severus Snape was still alive, she did not believe it for one minute. Then, when he had brought her here, intrusting her with the secrets of the House on the lake and its sole occupant, she had come to realize not only that the rumors were not true, but that Severus Snape was a changed man.
After the war, he became more dark and brooding. He had become less trusting and it was very rare to get a smile on his face.
Her job was as his caretaker, a secret keeper if you will, for his own safety. At first, the House rivalry had kept them distanced, but as time past, they had grew closer and now he was like a favorite nephew to the Transfiguration teacher.
Lately, he had been out of the vicinity of the lake, one of the taboos Albus had place upon him, so as to prevent discovery. A while ago she had needled the truth out of him and it had shocked her to the core that he had been visiting Hermione Granger during the night.
Her first reaction was to protect her student's honor but he had informed her that his excursions to the Head Girl's room were only done because of Remus Lupin's last wish. She had relaxed a little after that, but was still worried.
If he was caught, he would be turned into the Ministry of Magic and taken to Azkaben, and the fierce highlander woman would let herself die before she would let that happen.
" So Severus, how are things with Miss Granger?" she looked at the black haired man as he got up to pour himself a drink. " Fine," he answered gruffly, downing another shot of alcohol then pouring another. " She has recieved a new music box of some kind, it seemed to excite her." He sat down again and gazed intot he fire.
" Ah, so that's what the commotion was about earlier at dinner." She muttered. Catching the comment, Severus was silent, and Minerva took this as a sign to continue. " She recieved it from the De Chagney's hawk. It seems to me that Miss Granger is about to find out about her roots."
Severus remained motionless except to down his glass again. " Mr. Potter made quite a ruckus about it too. Made the lass storm out of the hall, that he did."
At Harry's name, the former potion master stiffend, still not over what the sire of the lad had done to him, or, so Minerva thought.
He rose to get more brandy, but the Scots woman placed a firm hand on his arm. " You've had enough, lad. To bed with ya now."
Severus scowled but then a small smile lit his face. " You are treating me like a child, sending me to bed without dessert." Minerva chuckled at that and stood up, cracking her back in the process.
He handed her her cane and she patted his hand. " Ye are a good boy, me lad. Just be careful with ye self." He frownd at the endearment but cracked a smiled for his adopted aunt. When she was about to pat his cheek, he stalled her hand. " Go Minerva, you look like death on feet." The aging matron of Gryffindor grinned and hobbled out the door.
" Goodnight, Severus." " Goodnight."
He closed the door and waved his hand again, extinguishing the flames. He then walked to his bedroom, calmly warded the door, and threw over his night table.
He whirled through his room, like a tornado, ripping curtains, kicking over furniture, and knocking over pictures. He finally came to his looking glass and before he threw it over, he tore off his mask, showing the raw and red skin that had once had been normal. " Damn, damn it all to hell." He then smashed the mirror, the shards flying every where.
Well, here is the third chapter. I am sorry for the delay. I just came back from holiday and I am now getting ready for school. Since I am starting school, new chapters may come at later times. Once I again, I am sorry for the delay and thank you for all the reviews! They really help me out!
Goddess bless!
Mother Goose
