Author's Note: Here's another chapter... Please review


Chapter 6

Alan and Clara

After being acquainted to the Muggle World for nearly a month, Snape felt at ease for the first time in his father's old house. He inherited the house after the death of his father. He never enjoyed there but he finally made peace with the house.

He felt really alone. There was no Dumbledore, students, and his beloved Hermione. He sacrificed everything he had for his soul-searching. But at that moment, he had not found yet his calling in life. Everything was a blur. He needed to start over.

Morning came inside his gloomy house. He woke up and dragged himself to the kitchen. He made himself breakfast and read the newspaper. He decided to get himself a job so that he could fit in the Muggle world and so that he could support his basic needs.

He checked the Classified Ads and found out that the public library needed a librarian. After he ate his breakfast and took a shower, he went to the library to apply for the job.

After days of waiting, he was called by the head librarian that he got the job and he should start the next Monday.

So when Monday came, he went to the library to start his new job. He entered the library and he approached a middle-aged woman in the book check-out counter.

"Good morning, I am here to start my job as a librarian," said Snape smoothly.

"Oh, you must be Mr. Dawson," the woman said brightly. "I am Nora Rose, the head librarian." Snape shook hands with her.

"Where do I start, Mrs. Rose?"

"You really seem eager for the job," said Nora, her eyes twinkling. Great, she reminds me of Dumbledore. He thought sourly.

Snape forced a smile. Nora took Snape's smile as a friendly grin. "You can start with these." She pushed a cart towards him. "Please put them in their proper shelves."

He nodded. "Don't worry, you're not doing all those things all the time," assured Nora. Snape let himself a chuckle. He received a warm smile from Nora.

This job isn't so bad after all, Snape thought. Though he missed being control of the students, he felt relaxed in this environment. He had no worries of the castle being blown every Potions class. He smiled at the thought.

He was nearly done with his work. He reached the last shelf when someone bumped into him. "Watch where you're going!" he snapped. He turned around to see who caused it.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" said a woman who was crouching over her fallen books. Snape sighed as he bent down to help her.

"It's okay. I'll help you," muttered Snape. He helped pick up her books without looking at the woman. They both stood up and Snape allowed himself to look at the woman.

He felt as if his jaw dropped. The woman was beautiful. She has soft brown eyes, rosy cheeks, red lips, and long straight brown hair.

"Thank you so much. I'm such a klutz sometimes," she babbled. "You must be the new librarian Mrs. Rose told me about," she said smiling. Snape nodded numbly.

"Do I have something on my face?" she asked noticing Snape's transfixed stare at her.

"Uh, no. I'm sorry about that," said Snape quickly.

"I'm Clara Wood," she said extending an arm.

"I'm Alan Dawson," Snape said. He shook her hand and he was instantly reminded of Hermione.

"Hey, would you like to grab a coffee after work?" asked Clara cheerfully.

"Sure, if I finish it by now," said Snape.

"I'm so sorry for the hold up," Clara blushed. Snape smiled inwardly at her blush.

"It's okay. I'm nearly finished anyway."

"Great! See you after work then," said Clara. She smiled at him as she went to the other section of the library. He did not know why but he felt as if Hermione was around him.

After work, Clara took Snape to a nearby coffee shop. Clara ordered two cappuccinos while Snape stared outside the window. He remembered that after his classes, Hermione would go to his quarters and they would drink coffee together. They also read books while enjoying each other's presence.

Clara went back to their table and sat on the chair opposite Snape. She scrutinized his glazed look. "Earth to Alan! Hello? Is anybody there?" called Clara while she waved her hand in front of his face.

Snape's eyes snapped back to her and he smiled lamely. Clara giggled. "So what are you thinking? You seem lost in your thoughts," said Clara.

"Well, I-…"

"Two cappuccinos for Clara," the man from the counter called.

"Hold that thought," she said, raising a finger.

Clara returned holding two tall coffee cups. Snape took one from her. "Thanks," he said. She smiled in return.

"So, what were you saying?" she pressed on.

"I'm not trying to be rude but I don't think I can tell you what my thoughts are," said Snape brusquely.

"Oh," said Clara, somewhat dejected.

"I'm sorry. But I'm a private person. I don't even know you so I don't see the sense in telling you my feelings."

"I understand completely. I'm sorry too, for being insensitive," said Clara softly.

Snape waved her apology. "Don't be. Let's not waste this day for saying sorry's."

They drank their coffees in silence until Clara could not take the quietness anymore. "Uhm, Alan, maybe you could tell me more about yourself," said Clara timidly.

"What do you want to know?" sneered Snape.

Clara noticed his tone. She scowled. "I'm being nice here. Maybe you could try to be polite," she said crossly.

"I told you. I'm a private person. If you're bored with your own life then don't badger me!" he snapped.

Snape expected Clara to dump her coffee on his head or to leave him alone but instead she sat there, her scowl never leaving her face. Mostly women would do those things, except Hermione and now Clara. He was taken aback.

"Aren't you going to leave?" Snape asked coldly.

"No," said Clara determinedly.

"Why?"

"I know what you're doing," she smirked. "You're pushing me away. You want to be alone and your past is suppressing you to move on."

Snape gaped at her. Clara simply smirked. "Can you read minds?" asked Snape finally.

"I studied Psychology. I'm not reading minds, though."

Then her expression became solemn. "I want to be your friend, Alan."

Snape regarded her. "You don't even know me."

"This might sound silly but I felt as if I've known you before. When I bumped into you, I felt a connection between us. I don't know. I really can't explain it," said Clara quietly.

"Clara?"

"Yes?"

"Can I confide in you?"

"Of course."

"I'm running away from my past. I'm new here. I've been through a lot and I'm here so I can find myself again," said Snape, looking in her eyes. He noticed that her eyes began to water.

"What is it? Do you want to talk about it?" asked Snape softly.

"I've been through a lot, too. My fiancé died two months ago. I was so devastated by it. And now, I'm starting over. I want to move on." Tears fell from her eyes. Snape brushed her tears away.

"Maybe we could help each other out," said Snape.

"By being friends?"

"Yes, Clara. By being friends," said Snape as he put his hand above hers. She smiled at him.

From that moment on, Snape and Clara became friends. Everyday after work, they would go to the coffee shop to talk and to read books. Snape came to realize that his friendship with Clara was a bluff. To him, friendship meant honesty to each other. He was not completely honest with her because after all, he was not really Alan Dawson but Severus Snape. But those concerns were fading away because Severus and Alan are different. Severus Snape lived in the past, in the Wizarding world while Alan Dawson lived in the present, in the Muggle world.

I intended to make Severus's other name to Alan. :) And my name is derived from Clara. :D