Samantha landed awkwardly, the weight of Severus throwing her off balance. She struggled to let him down softly, then collapsed. Severus lost his grin and raced over to her. She lay sprawled on her front, the blood on her back plainly visible. He wondered how much it would hurt to have wings burst through flesh. He shuddered slightly – he was no stranger to pain. Poor girl. Realizing that a chill had set into the air, he took off his cloak and wrapped her in it. Deciding that the best thing to do would be to get her inside as soon as possible, he tried to wake her. She stirred slightly, then let out a gasp and sat up, shivering. He offered a hand, which she accepted, and together, they made their way back into the castle.
Back in his chambers, four cups of tea later, they were chatting together like old friends. Neither of them could figure out how they could feel so comfortable with someone they hardly knew. Severus had never had a friend besides Albus before, and had no experiences with teenagers despite snarling and intimidating them. Samantha, thankfully, kept the conversation rolling, friendly and casual, until Severus let out the question that had been nagging him since he had met her.
"So, what can you do, besides the flying thing, I noticed wandless magic…"
Samantha already knew he had enough information to make her a lab rat for life. Would telling him everything make him more inclined to keep what he already knew to himself?
Deciding this was not a decision to be taken lightly, she requested another cup of tea that she didn't really want and pondered her response.
It was getting late. Perhaps she could sleep on it and give an answer tomorrow.
She requested the time. It was eleven. She yawned and stretched.
"It's getting late…"
"Yes…"
He knew she was procrastinating, but decided not to ruin the shaky friendship they had mutually agreed upon. Pulling her luggage from behind the black sofa, he froze and mentally kicked himself. He hadn't set up her quarters yet!
He led her to his office, kitchen, and laboratory, shaking his head at each one. Maybe he could clean out his storage room. It was originally supposed to be a guest bedroom anyways. Bringing her back to the sofa, he conjured a fluffy black pillow and a black quilt. She was about to sit when he shook his head no and motioned to the master bedroom. Listening to his thoughts, she realized what a rare event it was to be offered what he claimed as his own. He didn't share easily. Biting back her protests, she accepted gracefully, and brought her luggage into the room for the night.
He gaped at the sight of his storage room. He hadn't been in it for years, as there was never any reason to enter it. Cauldrons were stacked to the ceiling, pewter, bronze, silver, gold, all with remnants of previously brewed potions sticking crusty on the interior. Everything was covered in a thin layer of grime, and cobwebs covered the ceiling. Books were strewn randomly around the room with titles such as 'Cauldron maintenance with Minnie' and 'Bubbling brews for creaky shoes'. Giving a small snort at one called 'creamy concoctions for the careless cow', he began cleaning.
At about one in the morning the room was empty and sparkling clean and the professor was covered in a thin layer of grime. His wand was protesting from overuse as he tucked it away. He didn't think it would take this long, but finally everything was washed, shrunk, and put away in his lab. He scanned the room again. Bare stone walls, bare stone roof, and bare stone floor, all magically scoured. Deciding the girl could fill it and decorate it herself, he left the room and collapsed on the sofa, forgetting to set his alarm. The night's numerous events caught up with him, and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, at daybreak, Samantha woke with a start. She had a strong feeling that she needed to wake up Severus, but she wasn't sure why. Knowing by now that her instinct was always right, she got out of the warm, cozy bed, wrapped herself in her housecoat, and set off for the living room.
A soft hand tapping his shoulder gently awakened him. He lashed out from instinct and caught the wrist. There was no resistance. He rose one eyebrow in question before remembering the previous night. Letting go of the wrist like he had been stung, he said quietly, "Samantha?"
She nodded, barely perceptible in the dim light. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "What time is it?"
She wasn't sure.
Groaning he stood and padded over to his laboratory, where a large grandfather clock stood in one corner.
"Seven o' three", he gaped, astonished. "How did you know?"
Samantha shrugged.
He was flabbergasted. He always got up at seven o' three, and he was certain that nobody save himself knew it. Maybe she checked his alarm? But he didn't hear it go off…
He decided he needed a shower to think it over, but what to do with the girl so she wouldn't snoop in his things? Perhaps she could work on her rooms, thereby leaving his alone…
Samantha grinned at that precise moment, and left the living room for the master bedroom. She returned with her luggage. "Where to, Professor?"
Composing his shock, he led the girl to her bare room.
"Perfect" she gushed, making his cheeks flush pale pink. It was only a bare room.
He left her alone and strolled to the washroom, needing time to wonder about how much this girl could do.
She evaluated the room. Stone walls, stone roof, and stone floor looking recently scoured. Fairly large, about fifteen feet by twenty. It seemed big enough for her purposes. Grinning mischievously, she set to work.
Toweling off his hair, he recounted what he knew about her.
She could fly
She could perform wandless magic
She could possibly read minds
And that was all.
He knew nothing of her family, her background. He did not know for what purpose Albus had paired him up with her. He did not know all of her powers. He didn't know why she wasn't at Hogwarts in her first year, or why she was sorted as an independent. Was she too close to all four houses for them to decide, or so far out that nobody could claim her? Why was he chosen as the best candidate to tutor her? How could Albus put such a young impressionable mind with incredible powers in such terrible hands? He examined them. Smooth pale hands, with long nimble fingers, each ending in a flat nail. He knew that each hand had done monstrous things, and was appalled. How could Albus have done it? He would corrupt her innocent mind with horrors beyond the imagination!
He clenched his fists. No, he wouldn't. He would not tell her about his days as a death eater. He would not tell her of his double agent role. If he was called by old moldy voldie, he would simply have to make an excuse, and never let on where he was really going. He couldn't wash the blood from his own hands, but he could keep her hands clean, her mind pure. He would do it! He just had to! Perhaps once he had raised and taught this child her lessons, and let her out in the world with good morals to fight against evil, maybe, just maybe, a drop of blood would be washed from his hands. He knew better than to pray for absolution, but he had to do something to make up for the evils he had done…
This was why he continued to go to death eater meetings, accepting the curses, the beatings, the punishment gashes that were now scars. There was a magical way to remove the scars, but he left them, eternal reminders of what he had done, and what he must make up for…
He never noticed Samantha peering around the corner, nor did he notice her leave and go back into her room.
So this was his big secret, Samantha sighed.
Next chapter - Samantha decorates her room while pondering what she has learnt.
Hey, everyone! I have a little question for you all! I just realized that fanfiction website stories are written by people around the world, and was wondering just how far away these people are.
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