Author's Note: This is just so you can get some background music to the story. When I was writing this chapter particularly the day spent in town the song I pictured it to was "Breathless" by the Corrs. Other songs that helped to listen to while writing this were "Why cant I?" by Liz Phair and "You and Me" by Lifehouse. Again I do not have claim to any character except the Moonfire family and Alexandria. I hope you enjoy it :)
Chapter Seven - A Day on the Town
Severus had been feeling nothing but guilt since the day he had snapped at Alexandria. Not only had she stayed away from him the following week per his request but the week after that as well. As a matter of fact he had not seen her at all. He had tried waiting for her many times in front of her room and then her office but she never showed up. He wanted to ask Remus but after the ball he had left Hogwarts and would not be back until lessons started once again. Now that they had, he felt there was probably no need to ask since she would surely be teaching her own class. Sixth period would not come soon enough. He counted it down to the second. As soon as it did, he walked over to the Potions Class. Sure enough, she was there. Her robes hung on her loosely and her dress was as black as her hair and as tight as ever. It found its way to the floor and then went in every direction. Her witches hat was standing straight up as stars seemed to glimmer off of it in a swirl. He leaned against the doorway. How refreshing it was to see her again. He was spellbound by her beauty and her deliciously red lips. At that exact moment she turned and noticed him in the doorway. Her facial expression was serious and it did not even change for a moment. She looked away and spoke tot he kids.
"Alright, who can tell me what happens in chapter 12?" she asked not once looking his way.
Hermione was of course the first to answer. Professor Moonbery nodded at everything the young witch said. He did not really think she had paid attention to all of it. Finally she looked over at him and flicked her wand. The door slammed in front of his face. He could not believe it. Is she really still that mad? This is gonna take more than I thought. The day went by slowly after that. His sixth period seemed like it would never end. Remus stopped by his office after school asking for the young Professor but he had no idea where she had disappeared to.
"Of all people I expected you to know." Severus said putting a large red Fail on a students paper.
"Well I checked the map… I mean to see how many possibilities there could be and…"
"Remus I know about your stupid map. I'm not nearly as stupid as you and Sirius seem to think I am. If she's not on there then she must have left the grounds. Tell me does your map cover ALL the grounds?"
"No it does not cover the Dark Forest or the Lake. Why would she be there though? She must have used magic because there is no way she left that quickly on her own two feet. It sort of concerns me the way she has been acting lately. Do you know why?"
Severus did not look up for even a moment so that Remus could not see the look in his eyes. "No, but she always has been an odd one."
"Yes but an extremely beautiful and talented witch. You know she said she spent her whole break in her room. You should have taken her ice skating or something."
At that moment Severus's hand lost itself and huge line was left on some poor student's paper. "What did you say?"
"She spent the whole break in her room. Didn't you notice she was not around? I mean she told us all she would be staying at the meeting."
Severus felt his heart drop to his stomach and get a little queasy. "I looked for her but I could not find her so I just assumed she had decided otherwise last minute and left. If I had known…" if you had know… what? What would you possibly have done? Broken down her door and barged into her room? Never. I could have never done that to her. "If that is the case then you look for her in here again and I will go look in the forest."
"Are you alright Severus, you seem a little distraught now. Do you think she is in trouble?"
"No, just go and don't worry about me if I don't return tomorrow, then worry."
Remus frowned in confusion but did not question him any further. He only stepped aside when Severus rushed past him. "The whole time… the whole bloody time, she was in that stupid room. He rushed out the door and walked over to Hagrid's hut. The oaf must have seen something.
"Good evenin' professor! How can I help ye?" the giant's voice bellowed.
"I am looking for Professor Moonberry, have you seen her by chance?"
"Sure, just a few moments ago she went into the dark forest. I told her she shouldn't be meddlin' with things in there, it ain't called the Dark Forest for nothin'. She just smiled and kept walkin'. I told the Centaurs to keep a close eye on her so she should be safe as can be."
"In which direction was she headed Rubius?"
"I'd say northwest. Toward the lake. Why is somethin' the matter?"
"No, I just need to have a word with her is all. Thank you Hagrid."
"Anytime professor," the cheerful man said waving him off.
"Why? Why would you come in here? There truly are things dwelling here that even I wish to avoid…" he mumbled to himself. Before long, the sun had set and the only thing he was left with was the illumination coming from the end of his wand. He felt foolish for even thinking he could come in here and find her easily. It was like looking for… he stopped his thoughts. It was too cliche to say a needle in a haystack. Still, there were so many trees in the forest and he was looking for a sorceress who wished not to be found. "Alexandria! Come out of this blasted forest at once!" he shouted not caring who or what heard him. A branch snapped to his left at that very moment. It was her, he knew it. He could feel her presence. It was rather warming. He followed it as it grew hotter. Finally… this would be over soon. A clearing could be seen ahead and a cloaked figure stood in the middle of it. He stepped in. "Alexandria… stop now."
Silence. It was so silent as a matter of fact he suddenly felt fear. He looked around him and made sure nothing was there. He was a powerful wizard indeed but even he was not invincible. She turned to look at him slowly. He could see the blue glow around her. It grew as the moon lifted itself higher in the sky. He did not move or utter a word. "What do you want Severus?"
He stopped and thought for a moment. The truth, thats what he wanted to say. He wanted her. Somehow though, the thought slipped his mind that it was not something she would want to hear. "I want you to stop being mad at me."
"No. Leave me alone."
"I wont. You know that."
"It's what you asked of me, now I ask it of you. You don't care about anyone but yourself so just get the hell away from me!"
"You're wrong! I do care!"
"About WHO? Narcissa? She's a married woman you continue to love even though she will never be yours. Don't you ever think that maybe out there, there is a woman for you who cares about you and give you all those things that you try so hard to keep away? That you don't have to be scared because she will be everything that you need her to be? That will do anything to make you happy? Real women exist you know. And yes I realize we may all be crazy and needy but, think of putting up with it as the little you can do to make us happy enough to give you the world. Money does not mean everything to every woman. And a title? What's in a name? As Juliet said it best, 'it is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man.' "
He recognized the line well. A soft smile came over him, because until that moment never had he felt his heart warm up to her that way. "No… I do not care for Narcissa any longer. It has been a while since I've even really known that I loved her. For months I've questioned myself since she came back…"
"I don't really care Severus. Go away!" she shouted tears streaming from her eyes suddenly. What had he said that was wrong? "Go away or I'l curse you!" she yelled with her wand now pointing directly at him. He stepped back a step but did not leave. "I said GO!"
"Do you really think it wise to threaten me?" he asked a bit troubled as to why she was still this upset.
"Severus… this is the last time!"
"And I said no. So throw your spells now, I dare you."
Her eyes formed slits she was glaring so hard. He saw anger like he'd never seen it before radiate from her. "Ictus!" she shouted. He felt a blow to his chest and flew back against a tree. He gasped for breath and realizing what she had just done pulled out his own wand.
"Expelliarmus!" He shouted. She took the blow but was not forced backwards as she should have been. "Not possible…" he whispered staring at her. Her clothes and skin had felt the blow but she had forced herself through it. "Vulnero!" he shouted, wishing he hadn't.
A pain came over her and she fell to her knees. She stayed on her hands and knees for a moment and pulled herself up with much difficulty. Severus wished he hadn't thrown his wounding curse at her and wanted to help her but in her rage getting that close to her was dangerous. Her gaze fixed on him as her body stood a bit hunched and one arm across her stomach. "Fodium!" she yelled the magic from her wand shooting towards him like a thousand stinging needles. She fell to her knees again. He looked to see his clothes had all been cut and his flesh slightly. It was similar to his Sectumsempra but a lot less blood involved. He would never use that on her. Yet the burning he felt was like a thousand parchment cuts all over his skin. They had just grazed the top causing the nerves to be exposed making the pain just that much worst.
The light had illuminated the sky and everyone back at the castle was wondering what was going on. Fearing the worst Minerva had all the students go back to their quarters as she and Hagrid would go check it out together. It took the two a while to find it because upon entering the forest. The lights so clearly seen outside were no more. When they found the two dueling professors, Severus was on one knee gasping for breath. Alexandria was holding on to a tree for support also trying to catch her breath. Minerva could not be sure if she had a bloody lip or not because her lips looked like blood as it was. Hagrid was about to step forward when Minerva stopped him. "Wait Hagrid I want to see for myself what is going on here."
Severus pulled himself to both his feet and fell back against a tree. "Stop now Alexandria. I wont let you win."
"Let me win?" Again she repeated that Ictus Curse he had never heard before. It must have been one she made up. His body was pulled forward and then slammed against the tree again. He fell to both his knees and then completely not being able to breath.
"What do you want me to do?" he gasped. The pain was tolerable but still bad. Suddenly it faded and he looked over just in time to see her finish mumbling to herself. Had she cured him? What for if she was the one inflicting pain?
"Let make it interesting, shall we Severus? Lets take an Unbreakable Vow. He looked up at her in that moment and saw her take a few steps forward. "Nothing too serious of course. Lets say, if I win… you spend a night on the town with me. Not in the wizarding world but in the Muggle world. Without, any complaints, whining and magic. What say you?"
"And if I win?" he asked rolling over and lifting himself.
"Whatever you want."
He looked at her surprised, "whatever I want?"
"Thats what I said, is it not?"
He thought for a moment and smiled, "I'll surprise you with something because I cannot possibly think straight after hitting my head on every solid object around here," he said with a half smile.
For the first time a smile came over her own face. The smile he dearly loved to see. The smile that made his heart skip a beat… Oh Merlin… you're in love with her Severus. No, I cant be. She's Moonberry. And she hates me. His face dropped. Why do I always fall for the ones that don't care about me? She probably looks at you like Narcissa and thinks how pathetic you are. Just look at you now. He wished she would just Avada Kadavra him so he could stop setting himself up for disappointment. He watched her walk closely and then he snapped out of it. "Calastrum!" he shouted. She stopped dead in her tracks. She felt around herself and realized that she was in a clear magic cage. He did not think it would do much but it kept her at a good distance.
A smile came over her. "I win… Adstringo!" she shouted lifting her free hand at him. Severus felt his feet snap together and his arms and hands become bound to his body. It was like someone had just lassoed him together and tied him so tight he could not even hold his wand. It fell to the floor beside him and he fell also, not being able to stand straight with his feet so close together on the uneven ground. He had fallen backward so he could not see her and his silent magic was useless. He had hear of Petrificus Totalus but what was adstringo? He could still move but he just looked like a worm wiggling all over the floor so he decided against it.
"Let me out of my cage!" she shouted to him.
"I cant. It requires the flick of a wand."
He felt his breath come to him entirely and his hands arms and feet separate from one another. She had won. If she had wanted to, she could have left him like that probably all night. "Now let me out?"
"No." he laughed picking up his wand. "I like you better in the cage." he looked at his hands the had red lines on them as if they had been bound by invisible ropes. "Did you make that one up?"
"Yes, now let me out or I'll put you back in it!" he walked up to the cage and flicked his wand. She reached forward and actually touched him. "Oh. Ok good. Ouch…" it slipped from her mouth, he could tell because she covered it and fell to her knees.
"Alexandria, are you…"
He did not get time to finish his sentence as she hit the floor hard by his feet. He dropped and turned her over. She was still conscious but he saw blood falling from her lips now. She coughed and it came out in greater volume. Her wand fell from her hand beside her. "Severus… help me yeah?"
He nodded.
Minerva looked at the professors and stepped out from behind the trees. "Severus, you need to get her to Madam Pompfrey, now!"
"No, I did this to her, I'll cure her."
Minerva shook her head, "No I cannot risk it! I will not risk it!"
"Please Minerva…" Alexandria said looking at the older woman, "I don't want to wait for Madam Pompfrey."
"If I may headmistress, we are a long ways away from the castle. I have herbs that can help make a cure." Hagrid said pulling out little bags of herbs from this and that pocket. "they ain't gonna taste any good, but its a good for ye. Yer mighty lucky to have Professor Snape here. He's the best of the best at what he does, he is."
Severus hardly heard anything the two said. He had already conjured up a cauldron and a small fire. He was shifting through all the bags that Hagrid had dropped. Even he was surprised at how quickly he was working. He was not sure which spell he had cast that did this to her but blood from the mouth, unless its a bad bite, was never a good thing. The potion was finished in no time and he slipped it down her throat carefully. She turned without a choice and vomited up the potion.
"Oh my…" McGonagall said turning away from the site.
"The potion has already cured you." Severus said rubbing her back as she vomited. "What you are getting rid of is the blood in your stomach and lungs that are not supposed to be there." When she finished he pulled her to him and gave her a bit more just in case. This time she did not throw anything up. "Good, that means you're all better."
Alexandria smiled softly and leaned back. "Well that was fun…"
Minerva shook her head and walked away taking Hagrid with her. "We will leave the both of you now. And if I ever hear of another fight like this again… both of you will be suspended from teaching."
As soon as the headmistress disappeared, Alexandria sat up and looked at Severus giggling. "Did you make up some of those?"
He nodded, "Yes some are of my better design though, I must say I never imagined using them on a young lady. But you know, you attacked me first right?"
She nodded, "Yes well I'm sorry about that. I just get so upset sometimes there is no containing it. And sorry about the door in your face earlier too…"
He did not replay to any of that but instead asked her the same question she had asked him, "Did you make up some of those?"
"All of them. Its actually quite easy if you study Latin. I mean who would have known that are magic is so reactive to these Latin words?" she let out another giggle.
Amazing. She makes up her own magic just like me and she just said she studied Latin. Perhaps she is worth your time Severus. "One more question… How did you stand being blown of your feet by the expelliarmus? How did you evade that?"
A smile came over face, "I put a grounding charm on myself cause I figured you would want to throw me like I threw you. Thats why I never fell off my feet except when I came down on my knees after I think you broke 2 of my ribs and pierced my lungs slightly with your vulnero curse thing."
"Its actually called the vulnerion curse, and its meant to wound you opponent though probably less damaging when you arent resisting it," he said standing to his feet. "We should be getting back. Its dark now and we are still in the middle of the dark forest. Its gonna be a long walk back."
"Not a problem. Come with me." He followed her out of the clearance into the forest and in no time at all the found… the lake?
"The Lake? Again? Its forbidden!"
"Oh Severus where is your sense of adventure? Honestly?"
He sighed and decided to let it be seeing as he had almost just killed her, and he still managed to lose… Pitiful business. Which meant he would be spending a day with her in the muggle world. He cursed under his breath. "Ok now what?"
"Well I could teleport us back or we could walk across the lake. You choose."
"Teleport? You can teleport with two people? How did you manage to acquire that kind of power?" Again a smile came over her. This time she shrugged and repeated herself. He did not want to be anywhere near the lake really so he risked her teleporting. "I suppose I will have to go with teleport."
She took his hand and stepped close to him wrapping one arm around his neck and snapping her fingers. He saw the world behind he fade and become the 2nd floor corridor. He looked around himself and then noticed the trio he could stand the least sitting on a bench. Ron looked over and gasped. A look of horror had come over his face which meant they were probably doing something they weren't allowed to do. Alexandria smiled at Ron and then snapped her fingers again. The three faded from Severus's view and instead potion bottles seemed to fill the room. He looked around. It was his office. "Ok we're back." She said letting him go and walking to the window. "And we even made it before McGonagall." Severus looked out a small window and saw the headmistress walk back onto castle grounds.
"How? Tell me how? The castle doesnt allow teleporting/apparating,"
She just shrugged, "So lets do my outing on Saturday ok? See you then." With the snap of her fingers she was gone.
Severus fell into his chair and groaned in pain. He pulled out a small bottle from his drawer full of them. The pain washed away. Saturday… In the muggle world. Its gonna be a long week for you Severus…
Unfortunately, the week seemed to go faster than ever. And before he knew it, it was Saturday. He ran his fingers through his hair. A queasy feeling had come over him. He was fidgeting and he could not help himself. A knock came to his door. "Come in."
Alexandria walked in. "Hi there. Are you all set?"
"No, do I have to do this?"
"Unless you want to die, then yes…"
"But I…" he stopped short when he saw her in his mirror. For the first time he was seeing her in normal clothes… even though some of her dress ups were normal… Ugh, he meant casual clothes. He turned. Jeans that stuck to her nicely up top and flared slightly to the floor. They sat low on her hips but not too low. Her shirt was green v-neck tank top with hanging, stringy fringes on top. He couldn't help but take a glance at her cleavage. Her shape was beautiful, she looked like a model but healthier. That was when he noticed her holding a bag on a hanger. "What is that?"
"Colthes for you to wear complimentary of some famous muggle designers. Salvatore Ferragamo insisted you wear these shoes." She said waving her wand as black shoes appeared before him. I know you like black so its all black. Just change and lets go."
He hesitated for a moment and then took the bag from her. "There's nothing wrong with my clothes. They are just formal."
"Yes, well I want you semi formal if I'm gonna be in jeans." She said leaning against the now closed door. "Hurry up."
He frowned and walked into the lavatory. It took a while but he walked out in the black slacks and black button up shirt. "I feel ridiculous. If you were gonna take me out you should let me go out in my own clothes so at least I know how to handle myself."
"Yeah…. No. And if I may…" she walked straight up to him and unbuttoned the very top button. "It's just the very top one. I swear. Now turn so I can look at you completely."
"What?"
"TURN!"
He turned and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Well?"
"Very, very nice… Ok lets go." She took his hand and walked out with him. He let her pull him as he kept his other hand in his pocket. A few students lingered the hallways already. It was still a bit early and it was to be expected. He knew she would parade him around for everyone to see. "Oh wait here. I have to give our wands to Hermione. She's the only person I trust with them. Err… never mind. I will go give them to Minerva. I'll be back in a sec." She said snapping her fingers.
Severus looked around, every student who walked past him looked at him in shock. "Yes?" he asked a small group who all turned to walk backwards while looking at him. They nodded and walked away.
"Hullo professor." He heard Hermione's voice. "I see she dressed you up too…"
He looked at his young pupil and then away, "Did you need something?"
"No… not at all."
"Bloody hell!" he heard Ron Weasley's voice. "Where's he going?" he asked Hermione who pushed him into a room.
Severus stood there for a moment and then realized they should not be in the classrooms on non-instructing days. He sighed and walked over but found himself turning and leaning against the wall.
"Honestly Ronald are you so dense?" Hermione scolded. "It's his day out with Professor Moonberry. He lost a wager so they are gonna spend today in the muggle world." Great everyone knows...
"Professor Snape? In the muggle world? Oh yeah, I'm sure she'll have loads of fun with him."
"You dunce! Don't you know by now that she likes him?"
"Who? Professor Snape? Why would anyone like Professor Snape?" he asked more confused than ever.
"I'm not sure what she sees in him but she asked me about him the first time I asked her to look over one of my papers. I told her all I knew but it wasn't much. She said she had run into him in the hallway. Then, I don't really know but she's been crazy about him since. Don't you ever notice the way she touches him and tries to get his attention?"
"No… why would I notice that. I think she's crazy to like Professor Snape. Evryone knows he's an agent of… you-know-who. The man's a bloody death eater!"
"Stop it Ronald. I've said it before. Dumbledore trust him entirely and so should we. There are things about him that nobody knows and I think that draws her to him. Or maybe, I don't know. My theory is, she's a loving person. I think when she see's people like that have had some pain in their life she's drawn to them. I don't know how she knows but look at the way she adores Neville. Now that we know about his parents and everything. She must see it in Snape too."
"So she pities the man but that doesn't mean she has to like him!"
Hermione sighed, "Its not pity Ron, its love. Its love for those who need it most. You are SO dense."
"Whatever… lets go find Harry and head over to Hagrid's."
Severus pushed himself off the wall. "Severus, are you ready?" He heard Alexandria's voce.
"Yes." He said anxious to get away from the door. "How are we getting there?"
"Magic." She snapped her fingers.
Severus looked around at the living room of what he assumed was her flat. "Do you live here?"
"Yes, I do actually. Its not much but I prefer this than buying a palace for myself," she said looking at his reaction. Just as expected he shot her his gaze.
"You're joking right?"
"No, my sister has a few and one here she offered me but what am I gonna do in a palace by myself? Perhaps I'll show it to you sometime."
"Sure, this is a very nice flat though. Are those original paintings?"
"Some… I don't spend that much money on art. I spend it more on clothes. A guilty pleasure."
He nodded, "Alexandria, before we go. I need to ask you something," he said thinking of everything he had over heard.
"Yes?" she asked holding both her hands behind her back.
"Do you pity me?"
A frown came over her. "What kind of a question is that? No, I don't pity people. I find I can do without it at times so I would prefer not to do it myself."
"Pity? You? Why would anyone pity you?"
She seemed to get rather uncomfortable and look around, "Lets go. All the shops will be opening soon."
"Wont you be cold?" he asked looking at the sleeveless shirt she wore.
"Yes… that is why… I have a jacket." She said pulling a small beige coat from a closet by the front door. "The snow melted a couple of days ago and I know its still really cold but we'll live. Odd really that the snow melted so soon. It will probably snow again during the week and stay well into March."
They walked out of the grand building her apartment was located in. He stepped out with her and back a moment to let his eyes adjust to the bright sun. She laughed at him and yanked him out. He looked as she walked in front of him with her hand in his. Her hair blew in the wind. He was not sure exactly how they got to where they were but he could not take his eyes off of her. The smiles she had to so many different things and the funny faces she made at others. They took the tube to Piccadilly Circus. He had been a few times with his muggle father but he never paid much attention to anywhere his father took him. She just walked around passing most of the stores.
"What exactly are we doing today?" He asked curiously.
"I did not quite think that one through. I figure we'll just go and see things around London. Right now though I want coffee and ice cream."
"Coffee? With ice cream? Do you realize that it is about eleven degrees celsius out here?"
She turned in front of him where he almost ran into her. She brushed his hair away from his face and he found himself doing the same to her. "Yes I do," she turned and ran into the ice cream shop. It was not empty when he walked in but he was sure it was because they sold drinks as well. She ordered some sort of mint chip ice cream and he refused to have anything. They sat in a corner and he watched her amusingly eat the ice cream. "You want some?" she asked.
"No thank you. Plus you licked the lot of it so it is now covered in your spit," he said seeming a bit disgusted with the thought. She leaned forward and put a bit of ice cream on his nose. He gabbed a napkin and wiped it right off. "I ask you to please not do that."
"Very well," she said running her lips over the ice cream.
"You know you have to open your mouth to get it inside." he said sarcastically.
She stopped and laughed out a bit, "Yes I realize that."
Again she leaned forward but this time she placed her lips on his and then backed away. His heart skipped a beat and he looked up at her. The ice cream was gone. Blast. Its all over me isn't it? Instead of wiping it off he went ahead and licked it off. It was rather good he thought. His hand releaved hers of the cone. He took a few licks and gave it back to her. She giggled at the ice cream he had left on his lips. He stood up and walked over to her kissing her cheek and walking out of the parlor. She gasped and wiped it with a napkin and running after him.
"I could have thrown my ice cream at you right now but I didn't."
He laughed heartily and looked at her as she still touched her face with her hand. He took it away and into his again. "Where to for coffee? If we're going to see London we cant stay in one parlor for too long."
"There is only one place that makes the greatest frappuccinos. Starbucks Coffee."
"What may I ask is a frappuccino?" he asked looking up at the green sign. He had not recalled seeing this here years ago.
"You will see," she said handing him the half eaten cone. Severus looked down at it and threw it out the moment he saw a trash bin. Alexandria walked out with a clear cup that was stacked with whipped cream and cinnamon. "This is an espresso frappucchino."
Unknowingly her took the cup and nearly dropped it. "Its cold!"
"Its supposed to be, its blended with ice." she said taking it back. "Boodly hell, what did you think I was gonna order a hot coffee? I suppose I would but not really all that often."
He shook his head and took her hand as they walked down the streets of London. "So then where are we going now?"
"Well we'll walk down toward St. James Park and then go see Buckingham palace. From there we can walk to Westminster easily and… OH, the London Eye, I love that thing."
"London Eye?"
"You don't know what the London Eye is? Do you ever leave your house?"
"My house is just outside of London, thank you."
"Well you'll love it."
It took a while for them to get to Buckingham Palace but they got there and Severus watched as the head guard was about open the gate for her but she shook her head and put her finger to her lips as if she was undercover. "They know you here?" he asked a bit astonished.
"Severus… my sister is a princess in their world."
"Making you a princess as well."
"No! I am… ugh… lets not go there. I'm tired of Buckingham Palace… off to Westminster!"
They spent a little time there as well and then went by Parliament over the bridge to what he assumed was the London Eye. It was a large Ferris Wheel with clear globes for cars. His head fell straight back to see the top from the bottom. He stopped her from paying and pulled out pounds he usually kept only at home but decided would be necessary for their trip. He paid and they got on. "How long does it take to go around? It doesn't look like its gonna get any faster."
"Half an hour. Its really wicked though. You wont regret it."
She was right for the most part. It was rather breathtaking but not as much as the woman who stood beside him. He had watched her closely the whole time and realized how much more to her there was than just a Professor of his former Potions classroom. She was everything he was not. The smiles, the laughs, the adventure… everything.
When they walked off she had already run over to something else. He followed slowly and kept his hands in his pockets for the most part when they weren't holding hers. When she wasn't in sight he was shocked to see how many women walked past him and smiled his way. They even turned back to look at him more than once. He looked around himself making sure he didnt have anything on his clothes. Nope, nothing. A light haired woman walked past him and openly smiled at him as she brushed her hair back behind her ear. He gave her a half smile out of courtesy but that was all.
"Wow Severus, what a ladies man you are when you get out." Alexandria said laughing a little. He had not even notice all the looks he was getting from women, his focus had been fixed soley on her.
"I hadn't even noticed till now."
"Sure…" she said with a smile and turning away.
His hand shot out and pulled her to him, "I'm serious Alexandria, I haven't noticed a single woman… but one." His hand rested on her neck and his thumb grazed over her cheeks. He hoped Hermione had not been lying about the way Alexandria felt for him. He actually saw her stop breathing for a moment.
"What are you saying?" she asked looking him in the eyes.
"I'm saying you've…" he stopped, he couldn't.
"Severus?" her hands ran up his chest.
"Nothing. We should get going. What were you looking at?"
Alexandria stepped away from him and looked around. "Um…" she couldn't remember. "I don't recall but lets get on down to the tube and head for Tower Hill." He watched as she made her way down the stairs leading to the Underground. The ride over was relatively silent. He should have told her but could not bring himself to do it. Her head fell on his shoulder. "It's rather boring taking the tube."
He chuckled, "I couldn't agree more," he said kissing the top of her head. One thing he had noticed besides her were all the men that looked at her. She was so beautiful how could they not? Severus found himself wondering why she wasnt with anyone and how a woman as beautiful as she was had come to notice him of all people.
They spent the rest of the day at the Tower of London which she seemed to enjoy, Tower Bridge and then Greenwich, which they took a boat to. He laughed as they sat on a bench in the royal observatory and a spider crossed her path on the floor. The screams she threw were priceless. He was sure she had scared the old man at the counter. He lifted her up in his arms and walked out with her. "Come, its a long walk down through park."
"You're always welcomed to carry me." she said with a big grin.
"What if I trip and we roll down the hill together?"
"Never mind. Put me down. Lets get the tube back and head towards the British Museum. That will be our last stop."
"Will it? I thought you were gonna show me your palace?" he said raising an eyebrow.
"Oh… I guess we can do that but we have to travel with magic because anything else will take too long."
The British Museum was as fascinating as it had always been when his mum took him. It was his favorite place in London as was apperently hers. She immediately walked over to the Egyptian section which did not surprise him at all. They looked around for hours until the speaker told all remaining visitors they were closing. It was eight o'clock. Severus walked out hand in hand with her and looked around him. The street lamps were all lit and the sky was dark with clouds that seemed to promise snow.
The walked silently both enjoying the others mere presence. Severus could not remember the last time he had felt so happy. Alexandria smiled to herself thinking how lucky she was to have spent the day with him like this. They walked into her apartment and she tossed off her coat and high heels he had not even noticed were on her feet.
"You were walking in these all day?" Severus said staring at the high green shoes.
"Yeah they bloody hurt too," she said standing in the middle of the living room. "Well are you coming or not?" He walked over to her. Her hand slid around his waist and with a snap of her other hand they were in a dark room. He felt her back way from him and suddenly a fire was going in a massive fireplace. It was the longest one he had ever seen. Severus looked around and then at her as she waved her hand by every lamp she came by lighting it up. "Follow me," she said walking down the hallway. He watched as she lit up the way with every step.
They found themselves in the large kitchen. Food was the last thing from his mind but upon walking in he felt his stomach grumble. "Do you cook?" he asked.
"No, I have a hired house elf. She was looking for a job so I hired her as the housekeeper. I don't doubt when I'm not here she just jumps on the furniture all day." A warm smile came over her and he found himself smiling as well.
"Where is she now?" Severus asked.
"Probably jumping on the bed in her room."
"Not true Mistress… Tula is right here. She heard noises and came down to see what it was. Mistress has a guest. Tula will prepare food at once."
"Tula, I want you to meet Severus Snape."
Severus looked at the small elf as her eyes got big and she backed away. "Mistress invites bad man in her home?"
"He's not a bad man."
"Oh yes mistress, Dobby told Tula one time that Master Snape had dealings with Mister Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy treated Dobby bad and was bad man so Master Snape bad man too."
Severus began to feel uncomfortable. "My dealings with Lucius were a long time ago. Not anymore."
"See Tula, say sorry to Severus."
She approached him and seemed to be taking precaution. "Tula apologizes sir."
"Its fine really. Just don't mention his name anymore."
Tula nodded and began doing multiple things at once with her powerful magic. Severus sat and watched as Alexandria sat on the counter telling Tula of all the things they did today. Many times he caught her looking at him while she spoke. A blush came to her face and chest every time. It drove him crazy inside and out.
When dinner was over she showed him around the palace a bit more telling him the history of certain things. He kept pulling her close to him but every time she changed the subject and walked over to something else. She opened the curtains to a large window and showed him the extensive garden. That was it. The moon shone in hitting her completely. He watched as she looked up at it and breathed in the cold air. He could tell she loved every second of it. He came up behind her and turned her slowly.
"I know its getting late Severus and you probably want to go home. I just hoped that maybe if you liked it enough you might stay just a little longer. I know its selfish but… but…"
"But what?" he asked trying to look her in the eyes but she looked everywhere else to avoid that.
"I had so much fun today I just didn't really want it to end," she whispered finally resting her eyes on one of his buttons.
His hand found her chin and pulled it up gently. "I don't want to leave." A smile said coming up on the left side of his mouth.
"You… you don't?"
"No. Not in the least."