Chapter 4

When I arrived at Snape's office on Friday, it was empty. I knew enough to do as he had told me to do three days back. I walked into this private room. Just looking at the bed caused images of that night to flash in my mind. I had come to believe that I, too, liked it rough and that Snape had simply opened my mind to the idea of it. Not that it mattered; it happened once and it was done.

I opened my bag and removed the smaller, personal hygiene bag and took it to the bathroom. I noticed a side of the counter had been cleared for me and there was a note there:

Miss Weasley,

Please keep in mind that I'm used to everything being in order, so govern yourself accordingly. You may put your things on this side of the counter. I cleared out the second dresser drawer for your clothing. When I'm not there, please remain in the private rooms, as anyone could be with me when I return. You may work on any assignments you have due, or you can read.

Keep in mind that I need to create some more memories, so when I return, play along with what happens.

S.S.

I did as I was told. I was reading a Muggle book Hermione had given me for my birthday while curled up in the chair that was in the corner of his room when he returned. He swept in like he did everywhere else. He was over top of me in a second, took hold of me like he had done this a hundred times before, and kissed me passionately.

No one had ever kissed me like that before! I felt like I was being claimed as his, but I played along as if this was normal. When he broke away, he spoke, "Two weeks of being able to shag you senseless whenever I choose!" His arms still held me and I felt his hand give me a gentle squeeze, as if encouraging me to play along.

"Well, I am your sex toy," I smirked back as if it were normal.

He took the book from my hands and looked at it for a second. "You brought a Muggle book into your Death Eater lover's room?" he questioned, tossing the heavy book aside. He then took hold of me and tossed me onto the bed. "You're going to be punished for that."

I was surprised; he said we wouldn't have to do anything. Then he stopped, nodded, went into the bathroom, and shut the door. I then caught on; a memory had been made. I got up off the bed and picked up my book. Upon looking at it, I was saddened; pages were bent and the spine was damaged. When I have something that's new, I treat it like gold because new things are such a treat. It could be repaired with magic, but it would never be the same. "Bloody git!" I mutter.

"What?" he snapped from the doorway.

The book was still in my hands. I shot back, "It was brand new and you broke the spine and bent the pages!"

He looked down at the book and then at me. "Are you not a witch? You can repair it."

"It's not the same after." I could feel tears stinging my eyes.

Something in his face changed. "I'm sorry. I will replace it," he offered.

Being poor does two things; one, it causes an insecurity that many confuse with pride. You don't like others to give you things because you feel you should be able to get things yourself, but hate that you can't do that most times. And two, it makes you not want to waste money.

"No, it's fine, sir," I said.

He steps closer towards me. "I will be more careful of your things."

"Thanks." I'm still mad and don't want him to see me cry, so I turn away from him. I fight with all my might to remain in control and not cry over a book. but I also know that this book is just the final straw for me. I miss my family! I have no idea what's happening with them! Until three days back, I expected to be heading to see them right now. Any of them could be killed or sent to Azkaban at any second! We were at war! I had sex with my Headmaster to protect him because he was protecting me, and now I had to spend two weeks living with him! He was never even kind to me. I just felt like a little girl! wanted my mother to come hug me and comfort me.

He stood between me and the bathroom door. I had no escape to hide the fact that I was about to start bawling like a baby. I felt my body shake with the first two sobs and then heard him bark at me, "I didn't know the damn book meant that much to you!"

I thought at the time that was the closest to a 'sorry' I would ever hear from him. "It's not… just the damn book."

"I'll give you a moment to collect yourself, then come into the office."

I heard him leave and still fought with my emotions. I didn't want to be a cry baby. I finally came out a few minutes later. "I didn't mean to get emotional."

"You're a sixteen year old girl. You wouldn't be the first I have made cry," he states dismissively. He points to the seat in front of the desk and I take it. "While you're here, there may be times when you have to remain in the other room and not make a sound. I know that it's in your nature to do what you can to find out what's happening, but Ginny, for our protection, you should try to avoid that. There are things that you're better off not knowing."

"I understand," I reply.

"Tonight, I want to create the memory of a sensual dinner. Can you handle that?"

"Sensual, how?"

"Feeding each other. There will need to be some touching."

I shifted. I didn't expect this. "And this is something he would expect to see?"

Snape almost smiled for a second. "It fits with things from my past, Miss Weasley."

"Um, sir, if we are claiming to be shagging, perhaps we should use each other's first names. Unless it fits with other things."

"Using 'sir' does fit, but yes, it would seem odd for you to never use my first name."

"No odder than…" I trailed off.

"Than what?"

"Than all of this! Sorry, I'm just adjusting to having to react like everything is normal and common place for me."

He nodded. "I can see that, but you're doing an amazing job of it." He paused. "Ginny, you might not realize it, but I do now owe you a life debt."

"No, sir, I think we are even. You did put an end to what Carrow was doing to me," I reminded him.

"Severus."

"What?"

"My name is Severus. Try it out; get used to saying it."

"I will, Severus." I smiled.

"Am I, or Professor McGonagall, going to receive a Howler from your family?"

"It will depend on whether Neville unpacks tonight or not." I had slipped a letter for Mum into Neville's bag when he wasn't looking.

"What did you tell them?" he asked.

"That I was helping with something and not to worry because I was safe."

"Your mother wouldn't agree. You understand we will be sleeping in the same bed, correct?" he pointed out.

I nodded. In truth, I expected a mat on the floor.

Dinner was a fondue. I had never had the treat before, but I enjoyed it, even if it was with Snape. Even if he was feeding me at times. That night, I didn't sleep much. I had, in the past, slept in the same bed as a friend, but trying to get used to laying next to my professor was so odd. At least he didn't steal all the covers.

Once I finally fell asleep, I slept like the dead. I don't think I moved at all. Once I woke, I got up, headed to the bathroom, took care of my personal needs and grooming, then came out. I saw the door to the office was open, o I walked over to it and saw Severus sitting at his desk. I cleared my throat.

"Good morning, Ginny."

He was nearly pleasant. "Morning, Severus," I said as I stepped into the office.

He pointed with his quill to the chair in front of his desk. "We have four students staying here over the holiday, not including yourself, so I would suggest you don't leave here today. Carrow is on patrol of the corridors. I have matters outside of Hogwarts to attend to. You can call a house elf if you need anything." He then rose and took his cloak. When he reached the door, he stopped and turned towards me. "You haven't had a chance to leave the castle. Do you require anything?"

There were a few things I could use, but I would never ask Snape to pick them up for me. "I'm good, but thanks for offering."

He nodded. "Go into the private rooms. Once you lock the door, only I or a house elf can enter."

I spent the day reading. It took every ounce of willpower to not snoop in his personal things. The fear of his reaction should I be caught kept me from doing it. Today was the first time I took in the decor. I guessed this wasn't to his taste, because instead of everything being black, the room was done in earth tones. That and I'm pretty sure that being a spy in a war didn't leave you with much time to decorate.

Around noon, the time I spent awake in bed the night before was catching up with me, so I took a nap. At about six, I summoned a house elf to bring me dinner. Around eight-thirty, I started wondering where he could be, so I took a bath to pass the time. I had read a chapter and a half when there was a knock on the door. For a second, I panicked, not sure if I should reply or not.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm back," came Severus' voice through the door.

"Um, thanks for letting me know." I finished my chapter. I had spent only two days in these rooms and I was going insane! I needed someone to talk to, so I drained the tub, dried myself off, and got dressed in a Holyhead t-shirt Fleur and Bill gave me and a pair of pj pants. I didn't care if I wasn't wearing a bra. Snape had seen me totally naked already. I wandered out to find him. He was at his desk, reading the paper. "Severus?" I said.

He glanced up from the paper.