Snape followed the class at a short distance, paying little attention to Katrina's class, though Umbridge seemed all ears, her notepad in hand. He kept his eye on the stragglers, forcing them to keep up and pay attention. Hours had passed and he was growing tired of this. He was glancing out over some large cats when a voice at his side startled him.

"Those tigers are gorgeous, aren't they?"

He turned to find Maggie standing there, staring out over the pair of cats sunning themselves. "Yes," he replied honestly, "They are."

"They are the most powerful of the big cats," she continued quietly. "They're also the largest. They depend on deep cover in order to get close enough to their prey to bring it down."

"You mother said you know a lot about animals," he said quietly, still watching the cats.

"Oh, yes," Maggie replied. "I plan on working with animals when I'm older." She glanced around and dropped her voice, "Mum's even taught me about the animals of your world. I can't even imagine how cool dragons must be."

"Your mother has taught you a lot about our world?" he asked quietly, finally turning to look at the girl.

"Well, she's taught me what she could. Only the theoretical stuff, obviously." Maggie shrugged and turned to face him, "It's interesting to learn it, but it's not very practical."

He was surprised by the depth of the girl's thinking, "Indeed, it wouldn't be very practical for you. Perhaps, though, I could arrange with your mother to take some of your studies beyond the theoretical."

"Oh?" she questioned quietly.

"There is no reason that you couldn't learn to brew potions, for example," he responded, surprised at his own words. What was he thinking? Didn't he just walk out of Katrina's life? How could he possibly think she would allow this? "Of course, your mother would have to approve it," he said quickly.

"Of course," Maggie replied seriously. "I don't know how keen she would be to let me learn anything like that, though. She would probably think it too dangerous."

"It can be dangerous, but I would never let my –" he hesitated as he'd been about to say 'daughter', "student come to any harm." He mentally shook himself, "I will speak to your mother about this later."

"Well, sir," Maggie said with a small smile, "I appreciate the offer, in any case."

-- --

Katrina finished speaking about the elephants the class was observing, when she realized both Maggie and Severus were not in sight. She slowly made her way around the class, keeping her eyes on them, as she looked around for her daughter. There, at the edge of the tiger exhibit, she saw them. She hurried over, "Maggie, come along. You shouldn't bother Professor Snape." She didn't spare him a single glance as she spoke.

"She is not bothering me. On the contrary, she was enlightening me on these magnificent tigers," Severus said smoothly.

"Nonetheless, you need to stay with the group, Maggie. I need your eyes to help me keep an eye on the class." Katrina wasn't sure why she felt so uncomfortable having her daughter around Severus, but she was.

Maggie simply smiled, "Sorry mum. I didn't mean to drift off." She turned and ran to join the class by the elephants.

"That was unnecessary," Severus snapped.

"No," Katrina retorted, "It was very necessary. You made yourself quite clear yesterday. You wish to have nothing to do with us, and that is fine. It works both ways, though. I will not have Maggie becoming attached to you in any way."

"Perhaps I was too hasty," he replied quietly. "Maggie is a remarkable person. I…" he trailed off, his eyes dropping to his arm. His right hand was unconsciously rubbing his left forearm and Katrina didn't miss the significance of the action.

She inhaled sharply and her eyes widened. Her heart was racing. "So, you are still going to him," she said slowly, as calmly as she could manage.

He glanced up sharply at her, "I must leave. You should bring the class back to your house as quickly as you can."

"Go," she said shortly, angry and fearful. "I… I'll think of something."

He turned quickly and hurriedly strode away. She knew he would apparate as soon as he was out of sight of any muggles.

She slowly walked back to the class, her mind awhirl.