I made some changes to the chapter after rereading it and brainstorming some future ideas for the story. Sorry it has been so long since I updated but don't worry…I am finally working on the story again!1 The muse has returned:)

Chapter 11

"Miss Harper!" a voice called out to Alex, interrupting her walk around the grounds. She had been released from the hospital wing a few days ago but still had not see hide nor hair of Severus Snape. She obviously knew where he was, locked away in the dungeon, but she wasn't about to go and seek him out. What Snape had revealed to her a few nights ago had been a shock to them both. Honestly, Alex was grateful for the time alone to sort out her own feelings.

Lia's daughter, Ayla, ran up to Alex followed by Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley.

"How are you feeling, Miss. Harper?" Hermione asked once they reached her side.

"Much better, thank you." Alex smiled.

"Is it true what everyone is saying?" Ayla blurted out. She was very much like her mother; when she wanted to know something, she asked. Neither Ayla, nor Lia, bothered with small talk.

"And what's that?" Alex grinned, highly amused at the curiosity the girls had.

"Did Professor Snape really save you?" Ginny asked, shivering lightly in the cold air. It was the middle of November and it looked like it was going to start snowing any day now.

"Now where did you hear that?" Alex laughed, not very surprised that the entire school had already found out what happened. Nothing really stayed secret at Hogwarts.

"I heard my mom and dad talking about what happened." Ayla admitted. It was her that had started to spread the rumor, though not on purpose. Ayla just couldn't help but talk about it with a few Gryffindors, and then word had spread like wild fire.

"I see." Alex stated, putting a stern look on her face. "You shouldn't eavesdrop on your elders. Or at least listen long enough to hear the entire conversation. Then you would have heard that it was I who saved Professor Snape's life in turn for him saving mine." The girl's looked wide-eyed at the former student teacher.

"Don't look so surprised." she laughed. "Now go along. I believe you all have a rather long Potions essay to write for tomorrow's class." Ginny and Ayla both made a face at the thought of doing homework, but it didn't bother Hermione since she had the essay already written for several days now.

"I do not believe that providing that information will make the rumors cease." Snape stated, approaching from the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

"Well I couldn't let them go and make a hero out of you, now could I?" Alex smirked, turning towards him. "How could you possibly instill fear into their hearts, if they, heaven forbid it, actually had respect for you?"

"Yes, heaven forbid that." Snape mocked, rolling his eyes at her.

"Collecting ingredients for class?" she asked, indicating to the black pouch attached to his belt along with the dragon hide gloves.

"If you must know, these are for my private stores. It seems that some students find it amusing to sneak and pilfer my ingredients for their own use." Snape answered. He had spent the entire morning out in the Forbidden Forest collecting what ingredients he needed. Others he would have to order in from the apothecary in Hogsmeade.

"At least they are showing interest in potions." she grinned. Snape just shook his head at her.

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Oh not you too!" Alex sighed. "I refuse to be cooped up in that bed any longer. Besides, I feel fine!" Poppy had released her from the hospital wing a few hours ago, but many people had it in their minds that she still needed rest.

"Indeed." He replied, and they started to make their way towards the school. It was getting late in the day and dinner would be served soon. They walked together silently, both unsure of what to say as both minds turned to the conversation only a few nights before.

"Severus, may I ask you something?" Alex finally asked, glancing up at him. They both stopped walking, standing in the middle of the lawn, halfway up to the castle.

"If this is about the other day…" he started, turning and facing her.

"It is." Alex interrupted. "I want to know if you were telling the truth." Even though she had heard say that he was in love with her, she still couldn't believe it. Snape studied her for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't know what to tell her. Over the past few days he had hidden himself away from her sight. For hours Snape had mulled over what he had told Alex. Finally, he accepted what he said as truth, but had no idea what to do about it. Snape had never been one for courtship, preferring books and studying over relationships during his time at Hogwarts. The only true experience he had with the opposite sex was during his time as a Death Eater, and that he wasn't very proud of. The idea of him falling in love was almost beyond comprehension.

"Yes, what I said was true." Snape finally spoke a loud, but his face was a mask, refusing to show any emotion.

"Oh." Alex said softly, half expecting him to lie and deny ever saying anything. After a few minutes of awkward silence, she shook her head. "We are two grown adults. Something like this should not be this awkward!"

"I don't know what you want me to do." Snape stated plainly. He didn't know what she expected from him and was unsure of what to do concerning their relationship.

"I don't know either, Severus." Alex sighed and turned and walked away, heading into the castle. Snape stood watching her, inwardly yelling at himself to go after her. Of course, he didn't listen and made his way to the dungeons to put the ingredients in his private stores.

"Now for new business, I believe that we need to address the situation concerning Alex and Severus." Dumbledore stated, bring full attention to himself. The meeting for the Order of the Phoenix had been going for almost a full hour, with all the different reports that had been coming in from all the members.

"Severus will not be able to continue his mission any longer. With the events that happened last week, it has been decided that it would be too dangerous to keep him in that situation." Dumbledore continued. "Alex will also no longer be able to continue with her undercover work. Her new role will be heading up the computer research and keeping in contact with the other aurors back in America."

"We actually have been making progress with the computers. It seems that several of the Death Eater groups have been corresponding together using websites and mailing lists. They are encrypted, of course, but we have been working on breaking the code." Lia commented. She, along with several members of Alex's team, had been working steadily on the project.

"I also spoke with my boss, Johnson, today." Alex chimed in. "With what happened with Scott, it seems that he would like me to bring my team back home."

"What!" Several people cried out.

"But we need you here." Tonks declared.

"I told him that, even with the Scott incident, we will be staying." Alex smiled. "Don't worry, I managed to convince him." It seemed that a huge sigh of relief went through the room.

The meeting continued with a new set of assignments being given out. Part of Alex's team was still stationed in Diagon Alley, as well as in Hogsmeade. Snape had also been assigned work, dealing with potions, such as providing medical curatives and some defensive potions that he had been working on.

It was very late when Alex was finally able to retire back to her room. Through the entire meeting it seemed that Snape wouldn't even look at her. He acted as if they were strangers, but then again, she hadn't made an effort to talk to him either. Maybe she would tomorrow.

As she entered her room, she immediately recognized that someone had been in there since the wards were down. Alex drew her wand and carefully crept into the room. What she found inside was the most beautiful bouquet of white roses on the table. Her favorite flower! Picking up the card, she read the words 'Forgive me' written neatly. It was not signed but Alex knew whom they were from. Yes, she would definitely talk to him tomorrow.

Next Chapter: Working with the computers and repercussions of Snape being revealed as a spy!

Please review and let me know if anyone is still reading the story :)