*Special thanks to KnightLawn for taking the time to leave a review. It's definitely appreciated. :) I hope you continue to follow the story and enjoy. Harry Potter and all the contents of the magical world belong to JK Rowling. If you like my story or have any critique let me know! Elaine is the only character I own, so on and so forth. Let the chapter begin!*

~Snape P.O.V~

He forced himself not to flinch at the harsh words Elaine said. It wasn't an inaccurate statement. He did push everyone away, and for good reason. He would be a fool to let one silly woman undo all of his hard work. If the armor were to slip under the wrong circumstances with the Dark Lord gathering strength, he would be as good as dead.

He couldn't risk it. His own wants and needs be damned. Seeing Elaine with Remus today had cut him deeply. In many ways... it reminded him of Lily when James had stepped in.

He flinched from the memory, not of James and Lily happy, but of her still warm body slack and lifeless. This was the price he had to pay for Lilly's death. It was all his fault and he would carry the guilt and pain with him to the grave, and heaven knows that there were times he wished it would come soon. He, however, still had much to atone for.

He sank into his chair and rubbed his tired eyes. He hated this. In the beginning it had been easy to use his pain and rage to keep everyone away. He didn't want anyone. He had no use for them.

How troubling it is to realize that even with all of his careful acting, simple acts of kindness and affection could send him into such a spiral.

He had found himself craving companionship. He enjoyed sleeping with Elaine, even though they had only slept. That gentle, reassuring presence next to him. Warm in the shelter of his arms,

under the covers, sharing body heat.

He shook hinself, steeling himself against the physical reaction thoughts of her had on him.

It would do no good to lust. He would never touch her in such a manner. He would not let himself shred what little chance he still stood at maintaining composure.

He wanted to run away from her as fast and as much as he wanted to run towards her. His heart told him to make amends, his body wanting to find her soft comfort, but his mind bade him to heed reason. Being a man ruled by logic who prided himself on intelligence, he listened to that waning course of reason.

He worked on his potions quietly and did his best to silence his wandering thoughts. Elaine's potion was through, potent and enough was bottled for a little over a month if she took it once daily. Longer if she took it as needed. The nausea draught for Madame Pomfrey was finished as well, completed with hardly any thought. He was sure he could brew it in his sleep.

It was time for dinner, and was dreading it. Another meal next to Elaine. Silent. Distant. At least it would be easier... she wanted nothing to do with him now. It was for the best.

He entered the Great Hall late to dinner, intending to eat as quickly as possible and then leave. He was shocked that instead of being seated in her normal place, Elaine sat next to Remus who was making her laugh, most likely with some seemingly clever joke. A bitter stab a jealousy made him stop in his tracks. Elaine looked up at him as he approached, her grey eyes dimming and her face shutting like a gate. The sadness was choking. His resolve shattered like glass around him.

"Elaine, a word if you please?" He said, making sure his voice betrayed nothing. Remus glanced at him curiously, but thankfully remained silent. Elaine's mouth set into a thin line, an edge coming into her eyes but she rose from her seat next to Remus with grace and gave him a polite smile.

Severus and Elaine sat down in their usual spots, and Severus whispered quietly to her.

"I apologize for my behavior earlier," he began, looking around with a frown as he realized Minerva was watching them. At his withering glace, she turned away. "I was not in the best frame of mind. I do not want to leave things as they were when you left my office. May be speak more tonight?"

Elaine chewed her bottom lip, her white teeth catching the pleasantly colored flesh. "I forgive you..." she offered him a tentative smile. "should I find you or will you find me?"

"I will find you," he said lowly, his deep voice rough with a foreign edge, "are you returning to Remus this evening?"

Elaine blinked at him and then leaned forward and waved, catching Remus's eye. The werewolf lifted surprised brows, and nodded in affirmation when Elaine pointed to Severus, as if to say that she was staying there.

~Elaine P.O.V~

After dinner Elaine went straight to her room. She was still wearing her green dress from this morning, but it had gotten decidedly chilly in the dungeon despite the fire that constantly brightened the room. She changed quickly into a pair of blue fleece pajamas. After brewing some tea in preparation of company she curled up on the wine red love-seat with a Defense manual that Remus had loaned to her in order for her to become better acquainted in what knowledge he had that she didn't.

The hours passed by slowly as she absorbed the book, waiting for Severus. Her eye-lids grew heavy and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

Severus knocked quietly on the door in case Elaine was sleeping. He had been brewing all evening and it took him longer than originally anticipated. When he got no response, he slipped in quietly. The door had been left unlocked for him. He smiled a little at that, knowing that she would never have forgotten to lock it.

His face softened at the sight of her sleeping peacefully on the love-seat, her book forgotten and splayed open on her chest. He carefully removed it and laid it to rest in the bookshelf in the corner. He watched her sleep for a moment, enjoying the way the firelight turned her inky black hair to shades of raven blue. He lifted her with care, taking her into the bedroom and settling her on the bed.

Elaine stirred, but didn't awaken. He slowly peeled off his robes and lay down next to her, watching her peaceful face as she slept. After awhile of being lost in his thoughts he turned out the lights, folding himself around the pixie-like Professor. She shifted against him, pressing herself into the curve of his body. The scent of her hair and the warm softness sent a hot spike through him and his grip tightened around her waist. After a tense few moments of fighting to calm his body he fell into a deep sleep, his dreams haunted by grey eyes and gentleness.