Airiala awoke, slowly adjusting to her unfamiliar surroundings. This was a place she had never seen before, and it seemed quite dark, but not unpleasant.

"Ah, you've awakened," a baritone voice said from behind her. She turned to face Snape with a smile.

"Of course I am, you brewed the potion perfectly."

Snape nodded. "It was a challenge, but I figured it out."

Airiala began looking around the room. In front of here was a fireplace that was currently unlit with two bookshelves on each side, covered with books. On the mantle was two oil lanterns flickering light into the room. She was sitting up on a dark green sofa before a deep mahogany coffee table with a matching green chair on each end.

Behind Snape was a couple oil lanterns, both lit like the ones on the mantle of the fireplace. Between them was an open door leading into a well-lit potions workroom.

"Where am I?" Airiala asked quietly.

"My private quarters."

Airiala looked at Snape with wide eyes. "Really?" she said before glancing around the room again. "It's nice."

"This is only the sitting room," Snape said. "It connects the rest of my rooms, my office, and private labs together."

Airiala looked around the room in awe. "Impressive. Are the other professors as lucky as you?"

"They have similar set-ups. The Headmaster wished to see you."

Airiala nodded before she moved to stand. However, her legs were weak and she fell right back onto the couch.

"I guess my legs haven't gained their strength back yet," she said with a slight smile. "I guess Dumbledore will have to wait."

"He wanted to see you as soon as you awoke," Snape said moving to stand before her. He offered her his hand. "Come, I'll help you."

Airiala raised an eyebrow at him with a smile attached. She was amused at how he was acting. "you are being extra kind to me dear professor. Whatever for?"

"Twice now you have saved my life when most wouldn't have bothered. For this reason I have decided to be more…humble…towards you in the future."

Airiala smiled. "I'd like that," she said before taking his hand and allowing him to help her stand. "Maybe you'll use my name now."

She was on her feet steadily when he released her. Almost immediately she fell forward, right into his arms.

"Apparently you are going to need some help getting to the Headmaster's office."

"Yeah," Airiala said still leaning on Snape. She looked up at him and her eyes connected with his. She couldn't tell you how long she stood there, just staring at him, but it wasn't until he cleared his throat that she realized what she was doing and quickly looked away.

"Let's get going," Airiala said before moving away from Snape's body. "Don't want to be late."

Snape nodded before giving her his arm, which she took for balance, and gracefully lead her out of his quarters.

The walk to the Headmaster's office was filled with gasps, whispers, and gossip provided by the students, but between the two walking there was nothing but silence.

When they reached Dumbledore's office door, Snape released Airiala. "I must leave you here," he said.

As he spoke the phoenix statue moved to reveal the stairs to the office.

"Okay," Airiala said. Snape walked passed her on his way back to the dungeons. Airiala watched until he turned the corner and disappeared from her view.

"Thank you," she said before carefully walking up the stairs into Dumbledore's office.

Snape stopped at the door to his quarters and sighed.

"Thank you…Airiala."

To Be Continued... Next Story - As the Rain Falls.