Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.
A/N: Forgive me. I'm typing this at eleven p.m. and am tired. Thank you amanda for the small idea in here. I was able to put it in with the rest of my plannageishness. no that wasn't english. haha.
Chapter 30: Spiral Staircases Lead to Stars
The afternoon consisted of me visiting the library and reading an entire short novel before realizing it was supper time. I didn't want to miss another meal after not eating for a week. So on I journeyed to the Great Hall to see my friends and ..er..Snape.
As I walked in, Hermione, Draco, Ron, and Gwen shouted, "Happy birthday, Manic-Mara!" It wasn't the best timing since students were everywhere staring at me, the chick who blushed redder than a ripe tomato in the summer time. I sat in my usual seat, ready to eat some well-deserved food.
Immediately, Snape commented, "You're well again, I see."
"Yes, I am. I would've gone in to help you teach today, but I needed to relax today. You know, get rid of any leftover icky feelings." My attention was drawn to Hermione after my statement.
"Go to the teachers' lounge after supper," She demanded playfully, "or else we'll drag you their by your hair."
I giggled and retorted, "Alright, alright, keep your shirt on. Sheesh."
Supper passed by pretty smoothly. The only interruption I got was Draco reaching behind and around Snape to pat me on the back. Tha was the oddest moment in the history of Great Hall Suppers. No one really talked tonight. I supposed it was one of those nights where everyone is just too tired or annoyed to be loquacious. I left without confrontation with Sev or anyone for that matter, and headed to the teachers' lounge.
Surprise came at me fast when I found the room undecorated and untouched. Maybe Hermione and the gang finally respected my hatred for birthday parties. I tousled my hair a bit before sitting down and taking a deep breath. My mind knew this night would be long, but not in a bad way.
"Hey," Ron's voice reached my ears, "You're not supposed to be here yet. We have to set everything up.. Snape's going to give you a lap dance and-"
"Ronald Weasley!" The scolding voice of Hermione appeared too, "If you begin teasing her tonight, so help me, I will bind you to the ceiling."
I adjusted my dress and laughed, "I'd love to see that. Go for it! You can say it's my birthday present."
Gwen ran through the doorway and panted, "Man... Filch chased me down because..." A cake floated into the room above Gwen's head, "Well, because of that. I made the cake follow me with magic and he said it was against the rules to steal cake from the kitchen. I told him I made it with you, Mione, but he still wanted to get me into trouble."
"He's a load of bullcrap anyways," I announced, "He wouldn't be able to get you punished and you know that."
Ron and Mione sat across from Gwen and I. As we sat, Draco rushed in and shut the door behind him.
"Filch is having a fit," said Draco, finding a seat next to me.
The cake was situated in the middle of our group on a table. It lighted its own candles as Gwen moved her wand. They began to sing Happy Birthday, which brough a grin to my face. I was a year older, more mature, and ready to take on the world. After my friends seranaded me, Ron cut the cake and we all ate the heavenly vanilla treat.
"Now," Hermione smiled mischievously, "Your birthday, as we know, is not a big deal to you. However, we did get you a present. Gwen..."
Gwen got out of her seat and went behind one of the counters.
"Oh My God!" I squealed at the sight of a small, creamy orange colored kitten as Gwen brought it over.
She held it out for me to take and said, "It's a girl. We didn't name her simply because she's yours. We thought you could use some company when we're not around."
"I love her! Thank you so much guys! I'll tell you the name once I think of it." I held the kitten close and she purred. I managed to give everyone a bear hug and another few thousand thanks.
The party ended a few minutes later simply because it was a thursday night and everyone had to get back to working with their professors. I, on the other hand, had time to burn since Snape hadn't given me any orders today. But it was already eight p.m, so there wasn't much to do since cerfew was about now. I started to head for my room while thinking up a name for my kitten.
"What can I name you?" I spoke, but even my kitten couldn't hear me, for she was sleeping in my arms. "I know...Serenity. You remind me of peaceful days, so your name is now Serenity."
I entered the dungeons and sighed. Another birthday gone, but this one was just as great as the others.
Severus' door was open as I passed. I was somewhat startled as he approached me, "Party over?"
"Yeah. It's Thursday night; I don't expect everyone to not sleep because of me." Serenity squirmed in my arms like a tired worm.
"Is that," Snape towered over me, "your present?"
"Her name is Serenity." Why did I share this information with Snape? Why would he care what her name was.
He allowed a half-smile to show, "That's a nice name. I have a request of you, seeing as your party is over."
"What might that be?" I was in a playful mood. Not a good thing when Snape was added to the mixture.
"A raincheck for the other morning when you ran out of my study to relieve your stomach." He made throwing up sound so elegant.
I considered it, "Alright, but I have to put Serenity in my room."
Turning to open my door, I sighed and stepped in lightly. I knew Snape was still in his doorway, so I couldn't let him see the nerves bubble up and force my face to blush. I placed Serenity on my bed and covered her with a part of my lightest blanket. I truly didn't want to wear my short-sleeve red dress anymore because it was actually annoying me by now, but I couldn't change and not look suspicious to Snape. He might think I'm not brave enough to wear feminine attire around him. Then again, why would he give a damn? It was Snape, I had to remember this. I slightly laughed under my breath. This was probably the millionth time I had to remind myself that Snape wouldn't care about something as little as what I wore.
Before I left my room, I took a few deep breaths to calm down. Snape shockingly wasn't standing in his doorway. I entered his classroom and saw the study door open. He wasn't in his classroom either, so I knew I had to go in on my own. His study was the same as it was the other day. I don't know why, but I half expected it to look different. Sev was standing near his couch, and gave me a strange look as I entered.
"Will you join me now?" He asked in a joking manner.
My mouth wouldn't form any words, so I nodded instead. I could tell Snape was still himself, for he went up the spiral steps first instead of having good manners and letting me up. The stairs spiraled at least three times before I arrived in Snape's 'Alcove-Balcony.' The staircase ended in the middle of a small room. On one side was an elevated area with a few black pillows scattered about. From my guess, at least three people could sit there without feeling squished. On the other side was the same type of elevated area, but instead of a wall being behind it, there was a huge window which opened from the center. The window was out a bit, so I could understand where the alcove came in.
"Like it?" Snape asked as I finally got off of the last stair.
Overwhelmingly, I admitted, "It's so awesome. Damn, times I wish I was a professor."
"I'm the only one who has this. I'm deep in the dungeons so you don't think I would be able to see the sky from here. Those stairs climb three floors, so we are almost level with the Great Hall's balcony. I spend a lot of nights up here. Correcting papers mostly, but it's still peaceful." Snape seemed to be comfortable sharing his secrets with me. Although, I wouldn't really consider a personal alcove as a secret.
"Sit," He continued as he sat himself on the elevation near the window, "I have something for you."
My eyes widened as Snape pulled a head-sized box from behind a pillow. He placed it next to him. I still hadn't sat down until just then. The window was indeed huge, but it was still closed. I glanced at the box and wished it would go away. I couldn't accept anything from Snape, unless it was a joke. But Sev didn't seem like the joking kind.
"What is this?" I pointed at the box, which was wrapped in green paper.
A short laugh escaped Snape, "It's a present. What do you mean what is it? Today is your birthday, is it not?"
Pulling the gift towards me, I carefully undid the paper. All I had left to undo was the actual box. I lifted the cover to reveal two parts to the box; One was a bundle of insense and a bottle of lavender lotion, the other part of the box held a smaller box.
"Lavender insense. Lavender lotion. For you, Maranda." Snape was talking, but I was too shocked to register any words. he added, "Open the other one."
Shaking my head, I said, "I can't accept presents from you. You're ... Snape. You don't give presents. You torture people and send them to Dumbledore's office to expel them."
"Are you referring that last statement to you?" He was right. I was letting the past bleed into my thoughts.
Taking out the smaller box, I held it for a moment before opening it. Snape opened the window before I started to see what was inside. The smaller box held a silver necklace. As I puled it out, I could see the charm clearly. Three stars clustered together with a few tiny stars around it dangled in front of me. It glittered with grace and perfection. A gift I could not accept for sure. My eyes stung. Tears leaked here and there, tickling my cheeks as they rolled down.
"This is so beautiful..." I wiped my eyes and held the necklace in the palm of my hand.
Severus moved the box over and inched closer to me, "Can I help you put it on?"
"Wait," I looked into his eyes and back at the necklace, "I can't take this, Sev."
He didn't seem to care what I said. He took the necklace, reached behind my head, and locked the latch. The necklace was now part of me, lying on my skin in hopes of engraving itself into my flesh, so it would never come off. Cupping my chin, Sev brought his lips to my cheek and kissed it softly.
"Happy birthday, Maranda." The black pools of eyes stared into mine, searching for feeling. I could sense his wonder of what I was thinking.
"Thank you," I gratefully stated, "but what have I done to deserve this? From day one all I did was argue with you. Then we had that huge explosion when you ... kissed me. Now you're giving me presents because-"
"-Because I wanted to." Snape interrupted me and pointed to the open window, "Take a look outside. It's a wonderful night. The stars are visible, probably hoping you will change your mood. If looking outside helped me keep my temper and actually feel content, then maybe it can help you too."
I scooted over to the window and stared at the stars, "So you gave me a gift because the stars made you do it?" My joking leaked out, even though it was uninvited at the time.
"I gave you a gift because you are a friend, yes I said the word friend, and it is your birthday." Snape had an even worse joking mood than I did.
He sat next to me and rested his arm on the window sill. The night ached with romance. I couldn't take it anymore.
"Look," I started to speak calmly, "I am very grateful for what you did, but I don't think I should stay up here any longer."
Those black eyes shone with disappointment, "Why not?"
My mind raced with reasons. I loved him... I couldn't stay because I loved him and would do something stupid any second. "You told me you wanted to save me from you. Remember? So how am I helping you save me from you if I'm hanging around you all the time? Hmm? Unless of course you really have a reason I should be up here."
"I enjoy your company."
"Snape!" I shouted, but returned to my inside voice, "How can I understand you if you don't let me in your world? Let me know what is going on in your mind and maybe I can figure this out. Figure everything out."
"But some things are better left unsaid." A smile danced around his lips, for he knew he used my own words against me.
A thought hit me...It was time to stop the chaos. "Severus Snape, you can be as stubborn as you want, but I can't be your friend if you're going to play with my head and my heart. Tell me what is going on. Please. I will beg if I have to."
"Alright...You want to know what's going on? I'll tell you..." He stared at the sky.
