Chapter Three: The ring, the Star, and the Serpent

After every last one of them had left, Severus locked the door, and untied me. I was still in shock about earlier. Once I was able to move around I looked at Snape, while rubbing my wrist. I was confused and tried. I sat on the floor, waiting for his voice. Instead, he kneeled down beside me and took hold of me. He laid his head on my shoulder, and I heard soft sobs. He was crying.

'This is so not normal…' I thought. I heard a soft voice repeating, "I'm sorry, Sasha. I'm so sorry… I can't believe I almost lost you!"

I took hold of him as well, and began to pat him on the back. I pulled him away from the shadows of my body. I looked into his eyes and started to calm him.

"Listen to me. Listen to me. It's all right, I'm fine. Neither of us is dead, and I thank you for that.. You don't know how much I both hate and love you for doing this. Snape; please, for the final time, tell me this is not real." I took a pause, just to quiver. "Tell me it isn't true." My tone was a bit scared of his response, but I kept my head held high. His eyes reflected into mine, they looked a little teary.

He stood up and helped me as well. Though my knees were weak, both from him and the fact I was shooken up, I stood. He held my hands with both of his. He knew that Dumbledore was the closest thing to a grandfather to me. He looked down at the floor, eyes filled with sorrow.

"It is." He simply stated. My hands fell out of his, as I looked into the face that was a murderer's. My head filled up with many things. I couldn't bear them all at once! My hands covered my mouth as I gasped at his response. I was angry and scared, and most of all, in denial.

I rushed to my room, in hopes he would not follow me there. He called out my name, "Sasha! Sasha please, let me explain!" He ran after me, almost stumbling on the steps upward. I was to fast for him; I was always the faster runner. I slammed the door and cast a locking spell upon it, one that could not be opened or cracked. It was an invention of mine, and only I knew the counter curse.

Severus slammed up against the door. "SASHA!" He cried while trying to ram the door. "Sasha please, I can explain. Just let me in! I'm sorry! I really am! Just let me in!" He rammed the door again and then again. After another try he slid down the door and tried to explain through the door. But he knew I wouldn't hear a word of it, I was sobbing my heart out! For I was in love with a murderer!

The night had past and the warm sunlight took over the crew and unfeeling tension from last night. I had cried myself to sleep that night, which was a second time I did for him. My eyes open to the sound of a knock on the door.

'Weird. Hasn't that happened before?'

I sat up, rubbed my eyes open and opened the door for Snape. He stared at me for a second with his mouth open; like he had just lost his words he was about to say to me.

Then, he found his words, "Sasha, I wanted to.. Apologize for last night, and the few nights before. I didn't mean to upset you. I also wanted to say that the fact I saved your life last night does not change the fact that you are now a servant for the Dark Lord. You are to go into Hogwarts and sign up as a teacher. I took the liberty of buying your necessary books and this." He held up a ring that had a golden band and a green stone in the center. I looked down at it with a smirk.

"Sorry, Snape, but I don't intend to marry you. At least now that I realized it was you who really killed Dumbledore. You are the reason I'm alone! You, my dear old friend have been nothing but a vile, unbearable, impossible host and con artist ever since I got here! And I dare say that it has been a great misfortune to know you!" I turned, and then remember something else. "Oh! And by the way, when I sang that I loved you telepathically, the potion had worn off. Next time you should check to see how much your victims drink." I turned to close the door, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to face him.

"Very funny, Sasha. Now listen, this is a devise that will let you know when I'm trying to contact you. It will glow when I do so, so during your classes I won't interrupt you during the daring of times. Is that understood?"

I glared at him and responded, "Crystal!" I then spat in his face, die to all my anger and desire to do so. He pushed me aside and wiped it off; I pissed him off. I could tell.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" He yelled at me, disgusted.

"Well, you wouldn't let go. Plus I was pissed at you! And if you ask me for the reasons, I swear I will slap you so hard it will make you time travel, without a Time Turner!" I slammed the door and locked it up again. Snape was his old self again, cold, scary, and a bit self-centered.

"Oh very mature, Sasha! You just can't act normal for an hour, can you?"

"Of coarse I can't! I was, and always will be something that no other witch or wizard can! Unless, Merlin forbid, I have a child, I will always be"

"Don't you dare say it!" He shouted back. "Don't you dare say what you are, unless you wish to die! I can't risk saving you again, Sasha. Not for what you are!"

"Then why do you love me, Snape? Uh? Did it ever occur to you that if we both felt that way about each other, then we would have to look out for one another? Did it? Or are you scared of the commitment? Scared that you will have to choose between your love for me and your obedience for Voldemort, and if you pick me then it would mean that he would come looking for you? Is that it?" I was getting sick of his little game. "You know you can't do both! And you know as well as hell, that I would die before joining your side. I WOULD DIE!"

His voice came through the door, softer and gentler then I ever heard it before. He did not cry and he did not cower before me as he had once in school. But I could tell that it had been a while since he was this kind.

"Listen to me, Sasha. Open the door, I have something to tell you that might be of great importance." I slowly walked toward the door, my hand shaking, and opened it. He took my right hand and pulled me down stairs. He sat me down on the sofa and sat next to me.

"All you need to do is just look for his bits of soul and then come back here. Now he may kill you, but if he doesn't, then that means that he can rule and we can be together. As friends or lovers, I don't care! But as long as you are safe, then that's victory enough for me. I saved you because I didn't want to lose you. If you die, I die. And the thought of you leaving my sight is hard enough as it was seventeen years ago, just to do something I don't think you should do. Yet I trust you, Sasha! I trust you to be safe and to stay well during this journey into Hogwarts. I need you to deal with me now. But if you want to walk away from this all, I understand. Just remember that I may not be there to save you. Is that clear?"

I looked into his eyes and knew he spoke the truth. He normally did with me. I sighed and smiled at him. "Call me Professor." I simply said. I wanted to embrace him, but he stood up and held his hand out toward me.

"Shall we go pack?"

"And where are you going?" I took his hand.

He smirked at my remark and answered, "That is non of your concern."

We took off into our own rooms and packed, me going to Hogwarts, and Severus going somewhere else. A spiral vortex of dust began to swirl in my room and dissolved as a small melon green house elf appeared. He wore a pillowcase on his torso and had big, simmering blue eyes; ones that seemed worried that I would hit him as soon as he spoke. His ears were that of a vampire's, once transformed, and his nose was pointed as he looked down at the floor and looked up at me again.

He bowed down to me as low as possible and took a few steps forward. "The master has sent me in here to assist you, if you ever shall need it, Miss Moon. He has calmly asked Jasper to make sure you come down stairs the instant you are done packing. That won't be a problem, miss, would it?" His tone seemed unsure of how to act towards me. I gave a nod in expectants. "No, it won't, Jasper. But do give the master my regards that I do not need a house elf to help me pack. As you can see, I'm already ready." He stepped back and took another deep bow, understanding the boundaries.

"Jasper has heard a great deal of things about you, Miss Moon. Most came from master, himself. Tales of you're smarts and bravery and beauty, but Jasper never thought that he would get to meet such a wonderful witch as yourself!" He looked behind his shoulder, and then turned to me, as if about to tell me a secret. "If you shall ever need me, Miss Moon, just call out my name, and I shall come to you." He snapped his fingers and disappeared…

Once packed, I rushed downstairs and found Severus waiting there for me. He stood up immediately after I walked in. He wore a hooded cloak and carried a small bag with him. I had a briefcase and of coarse a suitcase for my clothing. He and I both knew that I would be going for the Defense against the Dark Arts job. Word is, it was jinxed. Though I planed to stay alive this year, then again I had no other choice but to.

"Shall we go then?" He asked in the darkest tone I ever heard him say.

"Yes, I do believe we shall." I replied. "Oh, and by the way, how are you going to walk into a place that might have security looking for you?" Though I did sound a bit snappy, I was concerned.

"I'm not going through the veil onto the platform. Do you think I would be that stupid? I'm just going as far as the veil, then I'll leave you to the train. No sense in letting it leave without you. Then what would I do with you? The whole plan would be wasted." He snapped back at me.

"Then why are we still here?" I snapped back again. We would sometimes spat a bit back at school, but would always make up later that week.

He scowled at me and then turned towards the broom closet. "I thought that we might fly there. You can have first pick." He opened the door and revealed two broomsticks. One of which was the Shooting Star. The other was the Feathered Serpent, my favorite.

"I think you know which one I want, Severus. The Feathered Serpent's mine, you know as well as I. I gave it to you when I left." My voice rose, but I couldn't help but wonder.

"Why did you keep it after so many years? Why haven't you thrown it away already?" He stared at me like the answer was obvious. "Because I wanted you to find that something didn't change while you were away! I sorry if you find my kindness odd!"

"Oh right, Severus. So my guess is that muggles are fine with witches and wizards on brooms now? Or were you planning an invisibility spell?"

"Actually, I was. Now get on before I hex you." He threatened. I narrowed my eyes and sat upon the broom, my broom, really. He flicked his wand and did the same with himself. We walked out of the doors, brooms at hand, after we shrunk our things and flew off into the sky.

I almost wanted to cry out in excitement. But I knew I could not, for what would the muggles think? As we drew closer to the station, Snape stared to fly closer to me. For although we were invisible, we could still see each other. Once we were there we rested in an ally and became visible again. Severus walked me to the stopping point and stopped me, pulling me away from the portal.

"Do you have everything?" He asked me like some guardian. I sighed in aggravation.

"Yes, yes I have everything. My things are in my pocket safely tucked, and my broom is with me here. My wand is at my side and powder for contacting you is in the other pocket. Now may I please go now?" He glared at me for my sarcastic remark.

"Do not make me kill you, Sasha." He stated, word for word wile poking his wand at me. His tone then changed. "Besides I have something else for you." He replied, trying to pull something out of his pocket. I then heard something, like a whistle.

'The train!' I thought. And though I hated to push him away, I had to. "No time, Severus. I have to go. Just send it to me by owl or something. The train will be leaving soon." I explained while whispering his name softly.

"But," He started to say. I pressed my fingers against his lips. "Now is not the time! I'm sorry, but I really must get going. But I will always have time for this." He looked at me with confusion then in shock as I jumped into him for one final embrace. This time it was different. It was warm, loving, long and welcoming. And as much as I loved that moment in time, I had to break it off. I could tell Severus didn't want it to end, for he was speechless.

I smiled at him and then responded with a thing I might, and did say, just to liven up the moment. "I hope you won't expect a kiss as well." I said with half a laugh. He smirked and then replied back, "Oh very funny, Sasha. Like I never thought you might say that!"

He laughed at what just happened weakly and then just smiled at each other.

"Go on then. You have a train to catch!"

I looked back at the portal quickly and then back at him. "Yes well, you'll call me later. Won't you?" I asked in stupidity, for I already knew the answer. "Why do you think I gave you the ring? To get married, as you said before!"

I blushed at him. "Right, right. Well, goodbye." I turned around and rushed toward the train. I climbed up the steps and showed the ticket to a conductor. I rushed toward an empty compartment and sat down next to the window. Though I knew he was not out there, I still wished I could wave to him and watch him vanish in the distance. Seeing an old place with no old friends can make one feel very lonesome.

I whispered his name softly and I could feel he did the same with mine. My feelings for him were mixed up indeed. 'Should I love him like a friend? Or, dare I say it, as a lover?'

I pushed those thoughts aside. Though he was stubborn and a bit bitter, he was also equally kind and sweet. Though I did not want to think about that now. I had to worry about school! 'At least I'll be back home, where I truly belong.' A knock came at the door after I placed my things away, and in came three young wizards. One of which I should have looked out for, even thought I was not a Death Eater.

With him were two others. One male, the other female. "Mind if we sit here?" He dark haired boy asked me. "No, Not at all." I answered gesturing the seat next to me.

The boy wore glasses, round ones and looked a lot like the bully, Potter. But instead of his eyes, he had the eyes of Lily Evens', one of my lesser friends. Instantly I knew whom it was, the one who made him weak during that year of the deaths. The one who did the most magnificent things at the school I once belonged to. This young man, who was sitting next to me was non other then Harry Potter!

End of Chapter Three