There came a soft knock on his Door and he lifted his eyes to it.
"Come." He growled...and was not suprised to see Albus walk into his rooms.
"Hello Severus. How are you feeling?" Was the bright greeting from the ever irritating Headmaster. Snape gave an eloquent shrug.
"I am fine Albus. Was there something you wanted?" He asked with a brow raised.
Dumbledoor nodded and sat down. "Ive come to talk to you about your relationship with Danielle." Snape gaped and then pressed his lips together in an angry grimace.
"There is 'no' relationship Albus. She is simply my student." He growled through clenched teeth.
Albus only smiled, that ever knowing smile. "Its alright Severus, she is a woman grown, and you a man, Its only natural for these things to transpire."
Snape shook his head and rose, angrily stalking to the window. "There is nothing there to have transpired! She is the most irritating, obstinate, self-sacrificing, captivating harpy Ive ever had the misfortune to ..." He growled and shut up.
Grudgingly he had to admit there was something there and his shoulders sagged.
"I am not made of Stone Albus! All things aside, I am still just a man!"
Albus rose and moved to stand beside him, a gentle hand rested upon his shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with that. You've been alone a long time, and you've never been able to heal the wounds you carry. Danielle is special. She will become a great influence in her homeland, her ability to help others will change the face of the American Wizarding World. Just follow what your heart tells you. That is all you can do. Follow your heart." With another gentle pat upon his shoulder Dumbledoor left Severus to his thoughts.
Soon after he left Severus stormed out of the Castle and walked the grounds, trying to clear his head...the sun was due to set very soon...the distant sound of music distracted him from his thoughts and he followed the soft sound of an Acoustic Guitar.
Danny had decided that today, would be a day of relaxation and reflection.
Taking her guitar with her she walked the grounds and let her thoughts wonder.
She had a rather cryptic letter from Draco this morning, and worried about the boy.
He sounded, in the letter as if he were dancing around a subject he wanted to talk about, but just couldnt. The students would be returning in less than a Month, and she couldnt wait to see them again. She'd received numerous letters from the students, and made each of them small dreamcatchers...all to be waiting for them on their beds when they returned.
Her mind moved onto her latest obsession. Or more like, her latest troubles. Severus Snape. She was suposed to heal him, but heal him from what? He still hadnt opened up to her, or told her anything that could possibly lead to her knowing what it was she was suposed to heal! It was the most irritating situation! She knew he was suffering from prolonged lonliness, that much was obvious. But when she got too close he backed off, and often he would sulk for days. It was maddening!
Not to mention that she was having feelings for the man. He was old enough to be her father! And she didnt care. If she had been told a few years ago, that she would fall in love with a man twice her age, who was the snappiest man in all existance. She would have told them where to shove it. But...wait a minute, in love? Oh hell!
She lit a ciggarette and sank onto the grass, settling her guitar into her lap...resting against a tree. She strummed a few chords idly, then tuned the guitar silently as she brooded. She had to be, damnit all to hell. She swore she wouldnt fall in love ever again. She began to tick off the reasons how this could possibly happen.
He was incredibly intelligent, which appealed to her. He wasnt handsome, if anything he was very gothic and grungy. In America he would have been considered very very Emo. She chuckled softly at that. But still, he had a flair to him, and a confidence that she appreciated. And his voice. Yes, she especially enjoyed listening to him talk...his soft baritone was stirring, especially when he wasnt growling or snapping. But...mmm...she loved it when he got angry. The emotions in his eyes would stirr something deep within her. But when he got that sad look in his eyes...it hurt. It hurt to see him like that...hurting and refusing to let her help him. She entertained many naughty thoughts of him in the beginning of their aquaintenceship. But as their aquaintanceship grew to a begruding friendship, she felt something deeper than simple lust and attraction. Affinity. Kindred.
She closed her eyes and shook her head, beginning to play a song she had heard in America and learned because she loved it so. Gregory and The Hawk - Boats and Birds.
Eyes closed, she began to sing softly...her thoughts of Severus Snape.
"If you be my star, I'll be your sky
you can hide underneath me and come out at night
when I turn jet black and you show off your light
I live to let you shine
I live to let you shine
but you can skyrocket away from me
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here with more room to fly
just leave me your stardust to remember you by
if you be my boat, I'll be your sea
a depth of pure blue just to probe curiosity
ebbing and flowing and pushed by a breeze
I live to make you free
I live to make you free
but you can set sail to the west if you want to
and past the horizon till I can't even see you
far from here where the beaches are wide
just leave me your wake to remember you by
if you be my star, I'll be your sky
you can hide underneath me and come out at night
when I turn jet black and you show off your light
I live to let you shine
I live to let you shine
but you can skyrocket away from me
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here with more room to fly
just leave me your stardust to remember you by
stardust to remember you by.."
She played on letting the music just carry her...and she sang it again..a sad smile on her lips. She was a fool. What would Severus possibly want with her, if he'd wanted something from her, he would have made a move. He's a man after all. Ruled by their passions. She sighed sadly when the song ended and opened her eyes... to see Severus standing across from her, his expression was deviod of emotion, but his eyes were filled with longing, sorrow, denial and pain.
Severus had followed the music till he saw who was playing it, and as she began to sing...each word pulled at him like a rope, drawing him closer. Her words hurt, they filled him with longing, he wanted to know to whom she sang the song...who was she thinking of? Then he shook his head angrily when he realized he wanted it to be him that was on her mind. Ridiculous! She was half again his age! What could she possibly want from an old man like him, save to torment him on occassion? She was cruel to do this to him...he wanted to hate her, but found that he could not.
He wanted to flee, and couldnt move. When she ended the song, she opened her eyes and saw him...delicately she settled her guitar down and stood. Silently she made her way to him and stared darringly up at him.
"Why do you look at me like that?" She asked softly.
He couldnt find his voice and shook his head...she reached out and brushed a lock of his hair from his eyes.
She favored him with a sad look and cupped his face with both hands. "If you dont talk to me, I cant know how to fix what Ive done wrong. Sometimes I rather wish you would shout at me as you used to, atleast then i knew what you were feeling."
Her thumbs brushed his cheeks delicately... "You arent the only one who hurts Severus. "
He struggled with himself for many moments and growled through clenched teeth. "How can you say the things you say to me, do the things you do, and expect me not to want something. Its wrong Danielle. Im you're Teacher. I shouldnt want anything from you...and you shouldnt want to give it." He turned away from her the loss of her touch was almost painful.
She made a soft sound. "Ooooh. " As if that explained everything. She shook her head and grabbed his arm, spinning him around to face her. "You are the most stubborn man Ive ever known. Under normal circumstances, It would be wrong. But Im not a child. Im not some simpering little flutterby who cant possibly know what she wants or is offering. You are the most irritating man Ive ever known...ive been wracking my brain trying to figure out what was wrong with you, and now I come to find its because you feel ashamed to want something with me because Im your student. " She sighed and shook her head.
"I swear Severus, sometimes I wonder if you arent just a tad emotionally masochistic. I care about you, you stubborn man. And there's nothing you can do to stop that. " She tilted her head to the side.
"I dont care that you are older than me. Age is such a trivial thing these days, especially when the minds of those involved are so matched. Stop wallowing in pain and share it with me!" She shook him for emphasis!
"I Swear to god you could try the patience of a Preis..." She was seized in his arms and silenced by an angry pair of lips pressed to her own...she relaxed in Severus's arms and trailed her fingers comfortingly down his back...As abrubtly as the kiss began, it ended and he growled at her, brow resting against hers.
"For once in your life Danielle Silvermane, shut up." That only caused her to smile as her guitar dissapeared, and Severus, with Danny in his arms, Apparated.