Elaine awoke suddenly, fear piercing her like ice. She had been dreaming again, that's all. She was safe here. She wrapped her arms around herself and wept into her pillow, doing her best to muffle the sound.

She wished she could just disappear, but she wasn't a coward. Running like this was her only option. How could she live with constant reminders? Back in California she couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. Couldn't teach her young students. She had dropped about fifteen pounds too many for her slight frame. Her ribs were so prominent and her hip and collar bones were sharp from hunger.

The feast last night had been her first real meal in a long time. She was finally able to relax enough to eat, and thankfully she didn't get sick. Elaine snuck a glance at the wall and sighed. She still had a few hours before the day officially started. She decided that she'd slip into her classroom and arrange it how she liked it after she bathed and dressed in clean robes.

Feeling refreshed, she quietly opened her "front" door. The door identical to hers remained shut and no sound could be heard within the chamber.

"Lumos." She whispered, sliding her wand out. At once it began to glow, lighting up the area. Nodding to herself in satisfaction she left the dungeon, once more allowing her sense of direction to lead her. The steady light of her wand was comforting as she roamed the castle, even as the paintings groaned at her approach. She made sure to cup the light to dim it.

After a short while of searching, she found her new classroom and set to work getting it and her introductory lesson ready for her new students. The morning light streamed into the room, making it appear less foreboding and more homey. She smiled at it, a sense of lightness falling over her. It was good to feel comfortable.

A soft sound, between the clearing of a throat and a sigh jerked her from her thoughts. Professor Snape stood in the doorway, his face devoid of any emotion.

"Good morning, Professor." She said politely, rearranging her quills and parchment on her desk. He said nothing for a moment before he entered the room, his presence suddenly invasive.

"I have been sent to fetch you for breakfast. I, at first thought that you must be resting still. It took some time to find you..." he said, in his slow drawl. He glanced down curiously to her desk where she had begun fiddling with the objects resting on top and frowned. "There is no reason to feel nervous, Professor Chapel. Come join us in the Great Hall at your leisure then."

He turned to leave. Elaine fell into step behind him, but he never looked back to see if she was following. He had a long stride and so she had to practically jog to keep up. The Great Hall was already bustling with activity. Children visited each other and enthused about the school year while they ate their breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, ham, and just about any other breakfast item one could want.

They sat at the staff table, as always in their unofficial spots. Dumbledor spoke quietly with Minerva. Flitwick and Sprout seemed to be having a debate of sorts. Over what, she had no idea.

Snape tucked into his breakfast eloquently, eating with the same measured control he seemed to do everything. She picked at her toast, ripping small pieces off. She ate one, and then she discarded one next to her untouched eggs and bacon. She continued this pattern all through breakfast.

"Picking at your food will not accomplish anything, Professor Chapel. Are you not hungry this morning?" Snape asked after watching her for several minutes, his fork arrested mid-motion.

"I haven't had a very good appetite. I haven't been feeling very well lately..." She blushed, embarrassed to have been noticed. Snape stared at her for a moment in silence before returning to his plate.

"Perhaps you should see Madame Pomfrey in the infirmary. She is an excellent medi-witch."

Elaine nodded sadly, her normally warm grey eyes turning to storm clouds. "I'm sure what's wrong with me, even she can't fix." She said softly, picking up her pumpkin juice and staring into it's contents. She was sure Snape heard her but he said nothing as he finished his meal. Minerva had finally taken notice that she was only picking at her food as well and bade her to eat her eggs and finish her juice at the very least. She complied, even though it left a sickening lump in her stomach to do so.

After breakfast was through, she ran to her rooms before her morning classes. She had barely burst through the door and into the bathroom when her stomach emptied its self of all contents. Tears stung her eyes and she sobbed as she was sick a second and third time, but at least this time it was in the toilet. She was shaking by the time she was finished.

"May I assist you?" A voice asked from behind her. She hadn't latched the door and both it and the bathroom door were wide open. She hurriedly wiped her mouth on her sleeve and looked away in shame. With a wave of his wand, Snape cleaned up the bathroom and flushed the toilet. With another wave, a small glass of water came to her. She took it, rinsing her mouth out.

"Thank you, Professor." She whispered. He nodded in acknowledgement.

"Perhaps I could make you a potion that would take care of your nausea. What is the underlying cause?" He asked, all business.

"Something happened that has been very upsetting. That's all." She said. He raised a brow.

"Anxiety then?" He asked.

"It's as good a word as any." Elaine smiled weakly at him, thankful that for now the chills had subsided. Snape offered his hand and pulled her to her feet. A worried look crossed his face but it was quickly doused and reproach replaced it.

"You are incredibly light, Professor Chapel. While I understand that anxiety and sickness can take a toll on the body, you seem to have neglected yourself to the point that you've compromised your health. I will brew you a potion to aid your anxiety, but for now I recommend going to Madame Pomfrey."

Elaine sighed, "I will on my free period. I really must get to my class. They'll be there any minute."

Anger clouded Snape's eyes. "As you wish, Professor, but if the problem is not rectified I will get the Head Master involved," then he added with a sneer, "what use could you be as a teacher of defense when you're hardly strong enough to stand?" He didn't wait for her reply, he turned and left, closing the door on his way out. It left her more stunned than had he slapped her. The way he had gone from concerned to nasty was jarring.

Elaine sank to the floor again, her head in her hands. This was just perfect. Maybe it wouldn't be any better here than it was at home.