Thank you all for sticking with me this far. Please leave a review if you have the time! As always, I do not own the rights to Harry Potter in any shape or form, the only character that is of my own creation is Elaine.*

Elaine awoke to the gentle sensation of someone stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and blinked blearily, but it was still pitch black in the room due to it being in the dungeon and not having windows. She gently pressed against the body beside her, inhaling the scent that clung to him.

Severus.

She hoped that if she pretended that she was still asleep, the moment would last. He did not seem to suspect her yet, and so she wrapped her leg around him and snuggled deeper into him. His hand was gentle and kind in her hair, running the strands through it with obvious tenderness, the way she thought a lover might. She blushed at the thought, grateful for the darkness. She had never had a proper lover. She was twenty-four, fresh out of College and was only in her first year of teaching when the attack happened. She was a virgin before hand. In a way, she thought that that's what made it worse. Having been robbed of what could have been.

Elaine tried not to dwell in the thought. Severus's gentle touch was soothing and comfortable. It felt natural. He was an enigma to her. A complex and paradoxical being. She knew that someone had to have hurt him deeply. He was so reserved during daylight hours. To his students he was cold, mean, and nasty. To other staff members he was polite, but detached. She wondered if she was the only one to have seen this side of him.

The gentleness of hands in her hair, sheltering her with his embrace. Working all night and day on a potion that could help soothe her fears. He never spoke to her much, but his actions told her much. She refused to believe that he was nothing but a vicious bully.

She sighed in aggravation, hugging him hard. Severus's hand froze, his body tensing.

"Are you awake, Elaine?" He whispered. She thought about lying, pretending to still be asleep.

"I am," she said, dismayed as he withdrew from her. She allowed him to get up. He waved his wand and lit the sconces in her bedroom. Elaine blinked, recoiling from the sudden brightness.

Severus stood by the bed, watching her with an odd expression that she couldn't name. "How long have you been awake?" He asked.

Elaine blushed, "For a few minutes..."

"I have matters I must attend now." He said, gathering his robes and slipping it on. He redressed quickly, his hands trembling. Elaine suddenly wondered if he regretted sleeping beside her last night. They'd not done anything other than sleep, but he seemed almost ashamed.

"Thank you for staying with me, Severus." She whispered, reaching across the bed to run a hand down his back. He paused while tying his shoe and turned to look back at her. His mask had been carefully replaced, the daylight Snape had reign.

"Indeed. Take your potion, Elaine. I trust you will not need me to coddle you again tonight."

Her face fell. "You don't have to be that way towards me, Severus. I see you for who you are on the inside."

At her words his lip curled, his eyes hardening like obsidian. His voice was haunting as he whispered, "You haven't an idea of who I am or what I've done, Professor Chapel. It would serve you well to cease your affections immediately. They are not welcomed or reciprocated."

Stunned into complete silence, Elaine sat unmoving. She watched as the potion's master left her bedroom. In the space of one breath and the next he had held her like a precious thing and then left as though she meant nothing.

She bit her lip. Her eyes clouding with unshed tears. Elaine tried to tell herself that Snape didn't mean it. It was just his defense. But that doesn't stop the pain, does it?

Being the weekend, Elaine had no classes to prepare for. With a miserable sigh she reached for the small vial Severus brought to her the night before. She unstoppered it and downed the contents, pleasantly surprised that the taste wasn't as bad as anticipated. The scent of lavender and chamomile was pleasant, which was good. The scent would cling to her for awhile.

She tried not to let her thoughts be too preoccupied by Severus, but it was hard. She wondered what he was doing today. How he was feeling. What he was thinking. The man was hot and cold, frequently at the same time. She wondered if he'd avoid her all day, or for days like he had previously.

She decided that instead of sulking, she'd explore the grounds. Perhaps take a walk around the loch. Hogwarts was situated in Scotland, and the terrain and weather were beautiful. The sweet highland air was refreshing.

She dressed quickly, it being the weekend, she chose a simple green dress and black flats. She pulled her long dark hair up into a clip and carefully applied a small amount of eyeliner and mascara. It didn't do much, as she already had thick dark lashes, but the movement was familiar and routine and so for whatever reason she did it anyway.

She was walking through the corridor when she happened upon Dumbledor. He was escorting an unknown man through the castle. His face looked tired and worn.

"Ah, our very own Professor Chapel," he gestured towards her as they came to a stop infront of her. She smiled brightly at the two. "she is our newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Pleasure," the man said, holding out his hand. She lifted it and he placed a charming kiss on the back of it. She tried not to giggle. The man had a very charismatic and laid back quality that assured her this was just part of his personality.

Dumbledor smiled, pleased by the interaction. "This is Remus Lupin. He will also be instructing students in defense, Professor. The ministry has ordered Dementors onto the grounds since Sirius Black's escape."

She nodded, "I can see how extra instruction would benefit the students."

"Brilliant, I had hoped that you wouldn't be offended. Perhaps you two should go over the schedule and sort them?"

They both agreed and when Dumbledor left, they stood together in silence.

"So, Remus..." she began, turning to him. He perked to attention. "Would you like to to take morning or afternoon classes? Shall we cycle them or come up with a plan together?"

"I should like to rotate the classes, if that's alright with you. I do believe we should coordinate our teaching plans to where we are building upon each other's lessons. Perhaps I'll take morning classes one week and then afternoon?"

"I think that sounds great. It would be better for them to have a well-rounded Defense knowledge. I'm sure you know many more spells than I do."

He chuckled, "Because I'm old?"

"No! That's not what I meant..." She stammered, blushing and looking away. He beamed.

"I'm only joking with you, Professor. Shall we go and plan our lessons?" He offered his arm chivalrously and she wrinkled her nose at him and smiled.

"We probably should."