WINDOWS

CHAPTER 3 – THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE

DISCLAIMER – You know the drill…

AN – Updating, like I promised. The song is from Paul McCartney's latest album, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (which is amazing) and it's called "This Never Happened Before." So, yeah, go pick up that CD. And review on this chapter… of course, you don't have to…

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I'm very sure

This never happened to me before

I met you and now I'm sure

This never happened before

Now I see

This is the way it's supposed to be

I met and now I see

This is the way it should be

This is the way it should be for lovers

They shouldn't go it alone

It's not so good when you're on your own

So come to me

Now we can be what we wanna be

I love you and now I see

This is the way it should be

This is the way it should be

This is the way it should be for lovers

They shouldn't go it alone

It's not so good when you're on your own

I'm very sure

This never happened to me before

I met you and now I'm sure

This never happened before

"This Never Happened Before" – Paul McCartney

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As the seventh year students continued with their essays on lycanthropy, I gazed absentmindedly out the window, thinking about so many things. One of which was everything Severus told me. All of the things he's been through and all the things laid out ahead of him. True, the worst was probably behind him – behind all of us, actually – and he has so many things left to do. One of which was coming over to my chambers that evening for a well-deserved night alone. Friday nights were never as exciting as they were when I was younger. I remember getting myself all primped up before I even left the Syltherin Girls' Dormitory, just so I could impress the guy who saw me blow chunks after being hit with a Bludger. I smiled to myself, thinking how innocent and exciting my teenage years were. If I ever had children, I'd want them to make the most of those years because you can never relive them. You might be able to get damn close, but the moments will never be the same.

"Tr- Professor Callahan?"

I shook my head, clearing my mind of Severus and smiled at Ron. "Yes, Mister Weasley?"

"May we finish these for homework?"

"Um… I don't see why not. Your essays will be due at the beginning of class on Monday. I will not accept late work, is that understood?"

There was a chorus of "Yes, ma'am" before I dismissed the class for the weekend. It was great having seventh years as the last class of the day because, quite frankly, they were less stressful. They've already had six previous years of experience, whereas the first years (or "virgins," as Harry called them) were completely oblivious to the Dark Arts.

"What are you doing in here?"

I raised an eyebrow to the ghost who had just appeared in front of me. "I teach here, Tristan."

"I told you my name, did I?"

"We've been over this. You told me your name. I, however, have yet to tell you mine."

Tristan's eyes grew wide with excitement. "Oh, may I guess it? Please?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Go for it, my friend."

"Okay… oh, you look like a Grace."

"Nope."

"No? Very well then. I suppose I shall go with my first choice and call you Patricia Callahan."

I squinted at the ghost. "How did you know that?"

He lowered his voice dramatically and said, "I'm a psycho, too."

I had a giggle at that. "Did Severus tell you?"

"How did you know?" He asked, crestfallen. "Did he tell you that he told me what your name

is…? Oh, my, that confused me."

"Severus told me that you and he used to be on good terms."

"Good terms? The old bat saved my life numerous times." He frowned, creasing his previously young face. "He couldn't always be successful, though."

"He… he saved your life?"

"Oh, yes. He was a very kind man. He still is, actually. You see, I was also a spy for the Order, but I wasn't as clever as dear, old Severus. The Dark Lord spotted me and punished me for my unworthiness. It was after this incident that the Death Eaters bombed my house in Hogsmeade."

"Did you plan on coming back like… like this?"

"As a ghost, you mean?" He paused, stroking his smoky beard thoughtfully. "To be quite honest, I never wished to return. This world had been cruel enough so that I had plans on ever continuing to reside in it. Albus, I believe had other plans."

"So it was Albus who brought you back?"

"It was Albus who wished for me to return. Fate, in its entirety, brought me back."

"Oh. That seems quite complicated."

"It is, indeed." The ghost cocked an eyebrow at me and, for a second, I could see where Severus got it from, or where Tristan got it from. "Severus speaks very highly of you. He cares a deep amount about your safety… as well as other things."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He glanced at the clock. "Supper is in a few hours. Are you sure you want to hear my explanation now? The contents and clichés of Severus's words may make you lose your appetite."

"I'm quite sure I'd rather hear it now, if you don't mind, Tristan."

"Very well. Has Severus told you the story of why he became a Death Eater?" I nodded and he continued, "Well, since then, he has never been in love. He hasn't even come close, meaning that he's never had a romantic rendezvous since the death of Emma. And then you came to Hogwarts. You were in his House, were you not?"

"I was."

"He told me that he found you to be a very interesting and promising young girl. By your sixth year, I believe he was already in love with you." I opened my mouth to speak, but Tristan held up a transparent hand. "Severus can see things in others that they have yet to see for themselves. He saw that you were a smart, courageous, and beautiful woman. Every night, over a nice glass of brandy, Severus would tell me every word you uttered, every frustrated sigh – he was smitten. As you may have noticed, his demeanor changed when he spoke to you. Rather than being the greasy git, other students portrayed him as, he became almost gentlemanly. After you graduated, however, he retreated back into his closed shell and pulled his cold mask back over his face.

"Ever since your return, I've noticed him becoming the man he once was. He smiles, for Merlin's sake! Do you know the last time I've seen him smile? I sure as hell don't!" Tristan laughed. "Oh, dear me, I'm sorry for that last outburst. But, as you can see, you've changed our dear Severus for the better. You've done more for him than even I could do and, for that, I thank you."

I looked down as I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. "Thank you, Tristan."

"No, my dear, thank you. Now I believe there is a man waiting for you in the Dungeons…" With a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows, Tristan disappeared, leaving my face a burning crimson.

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Whoever said falling in love was hard on the knees has never fallen in love on a couch, obviously. As Severus and I lounged on the couch in my living room, arms wrapped around each other, hearts beating in unison, I fell in love. Right then and there with no question about it. It didn't take a huge romantic gesture or a string quartet; rather, it took the look in his eyes. I've always been an eye girl, deciding my future just by looking into someone's eyes. That night, as I gazed into the onyx eyes of Mr. Right, I felt my heart flutter and my stomach flip flop, and I knew that it was love. I melted in his arms and, for the first time, wasn't afraid.

"Severus?"

"Hm?"

"I…" I sighed, this was going to be harder than I thought. "I…"

"I know." He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes and half-smiled warmly. "The feeling is mutual."

I closed my eyes and snuggled against his chest, feeling as happy as I've ever been.

"Come."

I shook my head groggily when Severus moved out from beneath me. I watched him with confused eyes as he made to exit my rooms. He noticed my hesitation and beckoned that I followed him. I took a deep breath and lazily rolled off the couch, letting him lead me to his chambers. Though I've been in them many times, they still cease to amaze me. The deep mahogany woods and bookshelves full of, oddly enough, Muggle authors were not what I imagined to furnish his rooms. I figured the furnishings would be stiff and uninviting, rather than the warm and welcoming textures that greeted me upon my arrival.

I followed Severus to a heavy maple door, where he turned to me and said, "I have never shown anyone what I'm about to show you and I would deeply appreciate it if you told no one - not even Tristan – of what lies behind this door."

"Of course."

"Good." He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and opened the door, revealing a beautiful hippogriff. The creature's nightmare feathers and emerald eyes entranced me as I dared to go even closer to the magical beast. I glanced away from the creature and froze in my tracks. There, right in front of me, was the largest window I've ever seen. I turned to Severus with wide eyes and began shaking my head, muttering "No, no… no…"

"Trish?" His voice held a note of concern. "What's wrong?"

"Severus, I… I have to go." I rushed past him and collapsed on the deep velvet couch, burying my face in its plush pillows.

I saw Severus kneel beside me and place a warm hand on my forearm, stroking the skin softly. "Are you okay, love?"

I shook my head, feeling like a five year old. "I'm sorry."

"Do not apologize." I was enchanted by his deep voice, speaking so softly. "Tell me what's wrong."

"It's too hard." I wiped the back of my hand over my tear-filled eyes as I sat up. "It's too terrible."

"I've seen it all, my love. You need not protect me from terror."

I sniffled, realizing he was right. "When I was eight years old, I looked out my window and… and I saw my parents die, right in front of me. And then, years later, I saw Malfoy kill LP, also through a window pane." I laughed bitterly. "I used to love windows. Just gazing out of them, watching the people below me. Now… now I want to break every single one and hear the shards crash."

Severus said nothing, just stared blankly at the door he just led me through. I followed his gaze and saw the hippogriff prancing down the stairs, its eyes sparkling. I smiled as it nudged my hand.

"What's its name?" I asked.

"Corbett."

"He's pretty." I stroked the hippogriff's beak and he clucked his approval.

"You know," Severus started softly, "I don't ever think this has happened to me before."

I looked up at him curiously, my breath hitching at the light in his eyes.

"I don't think I've ever fallen this deeply in love. This is… this is new to me." He took my hand in his and ran his calloused thumb over my knuckles. "This is the way it should be."

AN – Sorry this one's a bit short! I promise the next one will be longer. I just wanted to get their relationship into that, you know, lovey dovey stage so then something can screw it up. That's what always happens, huh? All right, well, reviews would be appreciated!