A/N: Text in italics indicates a flashback…

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

Snape watched his daughter disappear into the fireplace. Once the green fire had morphed back to the normal hues of a magical, fireplace fire, he turned to face Dumbledore. "Has there been any sign of Katrina?"

The old man looked very old at that moment as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, my boy. I wish I had better news for you, but there has been absolutely no sign of her. Voldemort hasn't called you in a while, has he?"

"You don't think he has her, do you Dumbledore?"

"Anything is possible, Severus. Of course, I hope that isn't the case."

"And even if it is, there's little we could do is what you're trying to say," he snapped.

"We have no evidence either way. You should go back to your rooms and rest, Severus. Tonight is the leaving feast and no doubt your Slytherins will be up to all hours celebrating their win of the House Cup."

Snape nodded and silently left Dumbledore's office. He entered his rooms and immediately felt the quiet of them in a way he hadn't before Maggie's stay in the castle. Where once the silence had been comforting, it was now oppressive.

His mind on Katrina and Maggie, he pulled out his photo album from his school years. Glancing at the very first picture of him and Katrina together, he remembered back to their fifth year when they'd truly 'met' for the first time…

-- --

Severus sighed in contentment as he entered the quiet corner of the library which he considered his personal Eden. His spot was well concealed from view and in a section of the library that no one ever bothered to venture near. No one ever bothered to look for books for History of Magic, so he never had to fear anyone invading his haven. He had had another run-in with that vile Sirius Black earlier in the day and it was with great relief that he now had the time to retreat to the calming silence of the library.

He took his assignment for Transfiguration out of his bag and began trying to compose an essay on the "Practical Theory of Animagus Transformations". Fifteen minutes of frustration later, a voice interrupted his concentration.

"Oh! I'm sorry; I didn't realize anyone would be back here."

The voice was familiar, but he couldn't place a name to it until he glanced up. His eyes locked with a pair of hazel eyes framed by wisps of auburn hair. He immediately recognized her, his eyes narrowing in anger as he realized it was a Gryffindor who had found his little hidey-hole.

Katrina Stonesmith – Kat to her sniveling friends – was a fifth year like himself. They had never had reason to speak before and he had no real desire to do so now.

Angrily grabbing at his scrolls and books, he began to repack his bag.

"Wait, please," she said softly, reaching out to place her hand over his. "I didn't mean to chase you out of here."

He yanked his hand out from under hers. "Don't touch me," he hissed at her.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "Uhm, may I call you Severus?"

He blinked at her, his mind taking a couple moments to process the polite question. "Why would you want to?" he snapped.

"Because, in a polite conversation, it's considered proper to address someone in a manner that makes them comfortable. It's also quite rude to answer a question with another question."

He read her expression carefully, trying to gauge if this was some sort of Gryffindor trick. Not seeing any signs of deception in her open expression, he snapped, "As you wish, Miss Stonesmith."

She laughed lightly, "Oh please, none of that! You can call me Kat if you want to." She paused and her voice softened as she continued, "I really am sorry I intruded on your studies here. I found this spot the other day and I didn't realize I wasn't the only one looking for some peace."

"And what reason would you, a pure-blood Gryffindor, have for hiding in a dark corner of the library?"

"Perhaps not for the same reasons you have, Severus." Her gaze drifted to the scrolls still on the table. "Well, maybe for a few of the same ones. May I… may I sit here and study? I promise I will be silent. I just need some place quiet to actually get some work done."

Snape hesitated before answering. As loath as he was to share his spot with anyone, he couldn't deny the part of him that was screaming 'The prettiest, most desired girl of our year wants to spend time in your presence!' The opportunistic part of him was thrilled that he would have access to one of the best students in Transfiguration – admittedly his worst subject.

"If you are silent, you may stay," he finally said, making room for her at the table.

She flashed him a brilliant smile, "Thanks, Severus you won't regret it."