Wow. I can't even belive how long it took me to update. I am so sorry. Like, really, REALLY, sorry. Don't even bother to grace me with comments, I don't deserve them.

scratch that. I want comments, please!

Told mostly from Mannie's POV.

I don't own anything.

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Snape moodily watched as the girl completed her potion perfectly, and walked up to set a small vial on his desk. Since the discovery of the gargoyle Kauste, flying around with her, more than two months ago, he decided to keep a good watch on her to make sure that she was never cheating; although he already knew she wasn't. Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts, couldn't remember a student with a more perfect record. Besides the mishap of acquiring a gargoyle "brother" she did absolutely nothing other than eat, sleep, and turn in her homework perfectly completed, and on time. The headmaster had had a hearty laugh over the fact that Kauste had adopted the girl as part of his family, and said that as long as he didn't disrupt classes, he was allowed to do as he wished. Most of the time, he wasn't even with the girl, but instead flying about doing…whatever it was that gargoyles who have entered into an alternate dimension do. Whenever Snape did happen to catch a glance of him, he was to be found perched on Mannie's shoulder in a rather endearing way. Not that he would ever admit that he found it endearing. The girl was scribbling in that ridiculous notebook of hers as she sat hunched over her desk; her nose nearly brushing the paper before her. Snape irritably began to correct the essays on his desk. The foolish little chit was going to get a rotten back from sitting like that. He would have sighed to himself, had he not been vehemently opposed to self-pity. Snape was dreading the fast-approaching Christmas Break, and spending it with the girl. What in the world was he supposed to do? With the holidays coming up, he had already prepared the exams that would be taken before the students left, and he had made this year's especially hard. He didn't doubt, however, the girl would get top marks on his tests. She had surpassed even Granger in the class, and was possibly the best student he had ever had. Never had he seen someone so thoroughly passionate and excited about Potions. She applied herself willingly to even the most menial and disgusting jobs solely so that she could complete a recipe. It was astounding, and yet Snape found it singularly annoying. What in the world was he supposed to do with her?

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Mannie's head was spinning by the time she walked out of Snape's classroom; but she felt satisfied in the work she had done. She had just completed his exam before the holidays and she was sure that she had done superbly on it. She dumped her books on her bed and sighed happily. Her classes were done for the day, and snow was falling in huge fluffy flakes from the sky. Tomorrow started the Christmas holiday, and Mannie was ready for a break from school. What she was not ready for, however, was having to be alone with Snape for an extended amount of time. He always had it in for her. Even though she was at the top of the class, turning in perfect potions every time, and she almost never got an answer wrong in class. She walked out into the common room, where Harry was sitting by the fire. When he saw her he smiled and stood.

"Care for a butterbeer with me? I'll buy."

"I'd love to, Harry. Let me get my coat."

As they walked out into the hall, they were immediately accosted by a stern-looking Potions Master.

"Miss Mortacrin, please be sure to pack your things when you return from your…outing with Potter. We leave tonight after dinner."

"After dinner!?"

"I believe that is what I said."

Harry looked incredulous.

"Where are you going with him!?"

"Potter, that is neither your concern or your business."

"Excuse me, Professor, but he was talking to me."

"Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheekyness, Miss Mortacrin."

"But I—"

"Be ready to leave after dinner, I will not tolerate tardiness."

And with that, Snape exited their presence with an impressive sweep of his cloak. Mannie stood fuming in his wake, and then promptly stormed back into the common room, followed by a confused Harry.

"Mannie, what was he talking about?"

Mannie looked at him, for a moment and then flopped miserably on a couch.

"He's my guardian, and I have to go and stay with him over the holidays."

"What?!? How come you didn't tell me before?"

"Because it was making me miserable, thinking about having to spend all my time trapped in his house with him, instead of spending a happier Christmas somewhere else."

"Bloody hell, Mannie, I can't believe you didn't tell anyone!"

"I told Hermione."

"But you didn't tell me?"

Harry looked both hurt and upset, and Mannie was getting more frustrated with him my second.

"Harry, please don't look at me that way."

"How come you didn't tell me?"

"Because I knew this is how you would react. Look, it doesn't matter that much, and besides, even if I did want to actively refuse to go, it wouldn't work. Snape is my appointed ward by my deceased father, and that's all there is to it."

"You could have told Dumbledore."

"The headmaster already knows." Mannie turned away and spoke softly. "Harry, it looks like I can't join you for that butterbeer, now; I'm sorry."

"What?! You're not leaving until much later! Pack when we get back!"

"No. I just…I.."

Mannie fled the room, unable to finish her sentence, and to distract herself, threw her whole mind and body into packing her things for the holiday.

Dinner for Mannie was a quiet and somber affair, as she bid her friends good-bye until January. She could see Snape moodily waiting for dinner to be over, as he seemed eager to leave. As soon as dessert was over, and the plates disappeared, Snape rose from the teacher's table, and raising his eyebrow at Mannie, walked outside. Mannie groaned inwardly, but kept a smile on her face, as she bade everyone a final goodbye, and began to leave. She hadn't talked to Harry since that afternoon, and as she looked at him, he turned away slightly. She began to leave, but as she reached the doors, Harry caught up with her, and smiled awkwardly.

"Er…Have a good Christmas, Mandara, and I'll see you soon."

Mannie felt a smile wind its way around her face as she looked up at him.

"Am I forgiven, then?"

Harry chuckled, "Well, it's hard to hold a grudge against someone like you."

Mannie's heart beat a little faster in her chest as Harry hugged her gently. In a moment of courage, she softly kissed the cheek next to her. As Harry pulled away, she saw that his face was just as red as her currently felt.

"I..uh…"

"Bye, Harry!"

Mannie hurriedly ran out the door to an angry professor.

"I've been waiting."

"I'm sorry! I was trying to make my—"

"Excuses tire me, Miss Mortacrin. Let us be off, I wanted to be home ten minuets ago."

Mannie opened her mouth to give a sharp retort, but then thought better of it, and shut her mouth again. Snape looked down at her,

"I do hope that you have traveled by apparition before?"

"Only once."

Snape looked really quite annoyed and took her hand. Mannie resisted the urge to pull away when he touched her, but instead of his hand feeling cold and slimly like she was positive it would, it was strong and warm, and enclosed her hand firmly inside of his larger one.

"You might have a slightly unpleasant feeling…"

Snape's eyes concentrated on something else rather steadily for a moment, and suddenly, Mannie felt the uncomfortable sensation again, as she and Snape apparated to his home. They arrived in front of a large, well-built gothic mansion, with a black metal gate that had a large 'S' written on it. Three house elves opened the gate and bowed low before them. Snape seemed to relax slightly now that he was home. He let go of Mannie's hand, and gestured to the three house elves. There were two boys, and one girl. The boys were both wearing clean, pressed pale green shirts with black slacks, and the girl was wearing a black dress with a clean starched pinafore on top.

"Miss Mortacrin, these are my house elves. This one," he pointed to the first boy, with interesting orange eyes, "Is Jethro, This one," he now nodded at the girl, "Is Melda, and the last is Elliot. If you need anything, they will get it for you."

All three of the house elves bowed low before Mannie and smiled. Mannie was used to house elves being treated poorly, and was slightly surprised that the ones working for Snape should be as happy as this. She nodded and smiled.

"It's nice to meet you all. My name is Mandara Mortacrin."

Inside the house, Mandara was awestruck at the rich interior. Rich carpeting and furniture decorated the inside, and everything was immaculately clean and tidy. Snape led her through the rooms and began to rattle off a long list of rules.

"There will be no running around in the house, I don't want anything broken. You are more than welcome to use the books in the library, but you must put them back exactly as you found them. Breakfast is promptly at eight o' clock, if you wake up late, then you go hungry until lunch. I do not appreciate snacks, but I will tolerate you to have one a day, if it is necessary. You will do as I say, when I say it; just because we are no longer in school does not mean that you can treat me with any less respect." He turned so suddenly to face her again, that Mannie nearly collided with him. "Do you have any questions?"

Mannie smiled wryly.

"How loud am I allowed to breathe, professor? That is, assuming that I am allowed to, in your house."

Snape fixed her with a cold stare.

"After breakfast tomorrow, you will write on how sarcasm is unbefitting a young lady, and then you will do the dishes. Do you have any more questions?"

Mannie angrily shook her head, and let her bangs fall in front of her face as she did so. Snape nodded.

"Good. I will show you to your room, and you can get ready for bed."

"For bed!? It's not even nine yet!"

"It is important to get a full night's rest, and besides, you have work to do tomorrow."

"Work!?"

"Miss Mortacrin, I must demand that you stop repeating me, as it is rather tiresome. And yes, work. I do not believe that learning stops after school is finished. We will begin lessons at ten tomorrow."

He swept up the stairs, leaving no room for argument as Mannie stomped up the stairs after him. In addition to the homework she already had, he would continue to teach her?! It was almost more than she could bear, except that she loved Potions, and it wouldn't be so bad if she had to learn more about them.

Snape lead her to her room, which turned out to be just as luxurious as the rest of the house. A dark purple carpet covered the floor, and in the middle of a room, stood a huge, queen sized bed, with thick comforters, and a draping canopy. A dark wood bureau stood against the wall, and a closet occupied the opposite. A door beside the bed led to a small, neat bathroom, with a bathtub and toilet and sink. It was beautiful, and Mannie barely knew what to do but murmur a small thanks.

"You're welcome." Snape gruffly replied, and headed for the door. "Get ready for bed. I'll be up to check on you in ten minuets."

Mannie was about to demand why he should need to 'check up on her' but was overtaken by a sudden sleepiness, and only wanted to climb into the bed that looked so inviting. She changed, washed, and had just finished putting on her pajamas when Snape knocked on the door. As soon as she said, 'come in' she regretted it. She stood in front of Snape in a silly pair of pajama pants that had lions dancing around it, and a shirt that had a picture of a Comet broom, and bore the inscription: 'Sweep away the competition.'

Snape raised an eyebrow at her attire, but said nothing. He crossed the room over to her bed, where he turned back the covers and looked at her expectantly.

"What?"

"Get in."

"You don't have to tuck me in! I'm not a little kid."

"I don't remember saying that you were. Get in, and go to sleep. Now."

His tone of voice meant that if she didn't she would be receiving more punishment that that which she had already procured, and with a near audible snarl of embarrassment, slid in beneath the covers that Snape drew around her shoulders. He turned out the light, and paused before the door.

"Good night."

Mannie hesitated before half-sitting up and looking at him softly.

"Good night, professor."

"Try to escape, will you, young witch?"

"Stop! Franz! Where's Franz?!"

"The little one will suffer enough. You should be more worried about your own fate…"

The cloaked man dragged Mannie by her hair, as she struggled and cried in pain. He bore her to a huge pit in the floor, where he held her above it.

"Do you see the snake, little girl? Are you afraid?"

Mannie's eyes watered and her hands shook with fear. The man laughed and flung her down into the pit. It was dark and dank down there, and her hand throbbed painfully. It had been broken in the fall. Her legs and arms were also in acute pain as she struggled to stand up and see her surroundings.

A silky hiss shattered the eerie silence.

"Noooo!"

"Help! Save me! Please!"

Mannie was awake and drenched in cold sweat, her hands and arms shaking violently as she cried. Snape was with her in an instant, and suddenly, she was not afraid any longer. Snape seemed to be all around her. She was sitting in his lap, his arms were around her, his chin was resting on her head, his long, pale fingers rubbed her back firmly. Mannie hiccupped softly, and grasped his shirt in her hands as she buried her head into his shoulder.

"Mandara, sshhhh…It's alright, I'm here. I won't let anything hurt you, ever. Sssshhhh, I'm here, no need to be frightened, I'm here, I'm here."

His soothing words made her breath slow down, and Mannie's eyelids drooped. Snape carefully lay her back down in bed, and tucked the covers securely around her. He made to get up and leave, but Mannie caught hold of his hand as he stood. Her lips trembled as she tried to speak.

"Wait…please…I-I'm scared…I want…p-please…"

Snape sat down on the bed and gently pushed her back onto her pillow.

"I won't leave, sshhh. Go to sleep, Mandara, I'm protecting you."

Mannie nestled back into her covers, and felt Snape rub her back and talk to her soothingly. His soft mutterings relieved her, and she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.