RLTA chapter 11!!!!

Woot! anyways, I had fun with this chapter. Tons of fuzzies and other happy stuff. I hope that you enjoy.

Disclaimer: yup. This all belongs to JKR.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snape watched as the scene changed. This time, the younger version of the girl was alone, and stood in the center of the room, blindfolded, with her arms tied behind her back. Deatheaters swarmed around her, snickering as silent tears ran out from under the blindfold and dripped onto her tattered shirt. One of them pointed a wand at her.

Crucio!

The younger girl began to shake, and clench her teeth, but she managed to stay upright on her two feet. The Deatheater raised his wand, and she nearly collapsed with the effort to stay standing. Another raised his wand and repeated the curse. Again, she clenched her teeth and remained standing, but it was obviously taxing on her, and she was becoming tired. When a third Deatheater pointed his wand at her and said the curse, she fell forward onto the stone floor, and not being able to stop herself with her hands, her face smashed into the stone. She began to writhe, and finally screamed with pain as she shook and contorted on the floor. They continued this, different Deatheaters subjecting her to the curse, and then lifting it, only to be followed by another and another. All of a sudden, the younger girl let loose a violent roar that was inhuman and throaty. Something like the quills on a porcupine jutted out through her shirt on her back and arms, and her hair was raised on end. Sharp nails burst out of her hands, and she ripped her wrists from the restraints. She stumbled about, roaring and swiping aimlessly with her claws. The Deatheaters managed to restrain her, and tied her down to the floor, watching as she screamed with animalistic possession.

Snape was jolted back to reality as the memory ended.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mannie heart was in turmoil, and she felt like she was going to puke, but at the same time, she felt the tiniest bit better that she had showed him part of what she had gone through. As she raised her head back up, she closed her eyes trying to steady herself, and she began to fall, but was caught by Snape standing beside her. She raised her head to look up at him, and instead of seeing the stern, overbearingly strict face he usually wore, it was replaced by one of compassion and worry. Her bottom lip began to quiver, and her vision began to swim.

"D-d-don't l-look at m-me like th-th-that."

Snape swept her up into his arms, and held her tightly against him. Instead of bursting into tears like she thought she would, instead, only silent tears dripped down her face. She grasped his shirt beneath his robe and held on for dear life as he held her firmly and entwined his fingers in her hair. Mannie was only dimly aware of being led out of the lab and into the sitting room. She only fully understood that they were in a different place, when she realized she was sitting close beside Snape in a deep, comfortable couch, with a cup of tea in her hands. Snape had his arm draped around her shoulders, and even though some part of her brain wanted to puke at the idea of being this close to the loathsome Potions Master, she was completely comfortable beside him. She unconsciously brought the tea to her lips.

"It's very hot. Be careful."

Mannie drank it anyway, and nearly spit it back into the cup. It was hot. She stubbornly swallowed it, and tried to keep her face straight. Snape rolled his eyes and taking a tiny vial from a pocket in his robe, he put a few small drops of icy blue liquid into her drink. Mannie tentatively took another sip, and found it to be just the right temperature. She moved her lips gently against the smooth porcelain cup.

"Thank you."

From where they were sitting, Mannie could see out the window and across his yard. It was well-kept, although Mannie didn't expect anything less of the orderly professor. Her mind began to wander. She felt warm and comfortable, and safer than she had in years. Snape's voice beside her brought her back to reality. She raised her head and looked up at him.

"I'm sorry Professor, I wasn't listening."

He raised his eyebrow.

"I deduced that from your glazed expression. I asked how you felt."

"Oh. Um…" Mannie searched for an acceptable answer, "I feel fine."

Snape fixed her with such a stern look that she felt her lame answer wither.

"I am not accepting that answer any longer, Miss Mortacrin."

Mannie put her cups to her lips to avoid talking. Snape put his hand over the rim of the cup and pushed it away from her face.

"Miss Mortacrin…"

Mannie turned her face away stubbornly, but she felt Snape take her chin in his hand and turn her face towards and up to his. His eyes weren't stern, but rather kind and searching. Mannie felt her throat tighten just looking at them. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With her eyes closed she spoke in a rush.

"I don't know what I feel, ok? I'm scared a lot of the time because I don't want anyone I love to be hurt again. I'm not an idiot. I had something the Deatheaters wanted, and they went through anyone to get it. My mom died because of me, my dad disappeared because of me, Franz and Joseph…They both died, and…and…I can't control my magic well. I'm weak, and I can't…I…"

Mannie felt Snape put a finger to her lips. She stilled her voice and shuddered against him. When she opened her eyes, Snape wasn't looking at her, but rather out the window. His sentimentality was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She wasn't sure if she liked this kind compassionate Snape.

"Professor?"

"I do not want to listen to pity parties. Please stop."

Mannie fumed.

"Hey! You're the one who told me to talk about my bloody feelings! Do you think I like talking about this crap with you!?"

"Stop yelling at once! And yes, I told you to answer honestly, but whining about what has happened isn't going to avenge the deaths of your loved ones is it?"

Mannie set her jaw and narrowed her eyes.

"No."

"Well then, I guess a better plan would be for us to learn about your magic so that you can control it."

Mannie looked sharply at him.

" 'us'?"

"Miss Mortacrin, you're repeating me again, I-"

"Stop calling me that!"

Snape looked extremely annoyed.

"You interrupted me, Miss Mortacrin."

"Stop! Stop calling me that. I hate it."

"That is your name, is it not?"

"Not my first name."

"That wasn't the question I asked."

"I just hate it, ok?"

"That is not a good enough reason."

"Because it sounds so impersonal and aloof. Is that a good enough reason?"

"Miss Mortacrin, do not take that tone with me."

"Why not!?"

Snape raised his hand, and Mannie flinched. She instantly regretted it, as Snape simply pushed some hair out of his eyes, and then looked at her very sternly and worriedly.

"Did you think I was going to hit you?!"

"No...I mean yes…I mean…I don't know."

"Mandara, I will never hurt you, ever. You have to learn to trust me."

Mannie looked down at her hands.

"Trust isn't something I'm very good at."

"Well you're going to have to learn. I care about you far too much to allow you to continue to live like this. It's self-abusive and it's annoying."

Mannie almost couldn't believe her ears.

"You care about me?"

"Fifth time today, Miss Mortacrin, do not repea-"

Mannie wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him tightly. She felt no end of foolishness and childishness, but it seemed right and good, and so she held on to him, burying her face in his robes. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, She felt Snape slowly wind his own arms around her, enveloping her in warmth. He was certainly not the bony, cold, and frail body that she had always assumed he was, but instead warm and strong and safe.