A/N: Not too thrilled with this chapter. I feel like it's lacking action. Maybe I'm wrong. Hope you like it anyway.

Thank you to my reviewers. And thank you for 1k hits!

Apologies yet again for another long wait. I really need some sort of writing schedule that I will stick to in order to update this faster. Any ideas other than 'sit your ass down and write?' Seriously, I can waste days. Also, if anyone is interested, my original inspiration for Millie's character is based off of Ellen Muth's character of George Lass (whose alias amongst the living is Millie) from the series Dead Like Me. The rest of Millie's character happened on its own.

Chapter 5- A Ruin Within

October 1990- November 1990

The feeling was bittersweet when Millie awoke on Hallowe'en morning. She was glad to have all of her first year lessons and exams out of the way and looked forward to having her other classes again. However, it was Sunday and unlike the rest of the students who would get to enjoy a blissful day of relaxation ending with the Hallowe'en feast, Millie had her first detention with Snape to look forward to. He had scheduled it for 5pm so attending the feast was out of the question.

She spent her morning and afternoon roaming through the castle's many halls, taking time to enjoy the freedom. She still found it easy to get lost within all of the dark corridors and high towers.

It had been an eventful month but she felt as though her lessons were off balance. This month's Divination lessons were helpful but served only as a social hour. She had learned little in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology was enjoyable but presented no challenge. However, her workload from Snape seemed to make up for all of that. She was anxious to get back to Charms class and she also looked forward to seeing Professor Kettleburn again but her favourite lessons would be tainted by her Sunday detentions.

Snape sat at his desk and looked over the ingredients he had set out for Ms. Fairholm to work with that evening. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with his selection. Bats, rats, snakes, mice and other various critters that he hoped would make her squirm especially when he instructed her to cut off their limbs for potions ingredients. It wold not be so rough on her if the animals were already dead.

He tapped the tips of his long fingers along his desk. He was looking forward to this punishment. He could not remember when he had last been so excited for a detention. They had become routine anymore- boring even- but this was going to be a real treat.

After a moment he grew tired of sitting and instead began to pace in front of his desk. He frowned, looking at the clock. It was five minutes 'til and she was always early. She should be here already. This isn't class though. It is a detention. Why should she be early?

Just as the thought left his mind he heard a shuffling noise near the door and turned to see her entering the room. He made a noise of disapproval in the back of his throat as she walked towards him.

"I was beginning to think that you wouldn't show," he said. "Pity."

"Would you like me to leave?" Millie asked. "Because I'm sure that can be arranged."

Snape kept his back towards her while he shut his eyes and tightened the thin line of his lips. The girl hasn't been in the room for ten seconds and she is already testing me.

She noticed the irritated pause in his stride as he walked towards the front of the classroom. He did not gesture for her to follow but as that is where she usually sat and she had nothing else to do, she did.

Walking behind him to drop her bag on the second row of desks, she turned to see what he had prepared for her to do that evening. She had been warned about Snape and his detentions by Darlene, Callum and William. They had not sounded awful. In fact, they seemed no different from the work she had missed on the farm. Cleaning cauldrons and scrubbing floors was good, honest work. Of course, voicing this opinion to people who grew up around magic made her feel even more out of place. They had all responded with silence and odd looks. Millie shrugged it off.

She walked up beside Snape and for the first time noticed the cages and jars containing creatures like porcupines, snakes and slugs amongst other things. Standing so close to him she realized how tall he was. Even his shoulders seemed broader, hands seemed larger and fingers seemed longer- not to mention his oddly shaped nose.

He handed her a small knife and pointed to each animal as he went down the table, informing her of what she was to remove from each one- fangs, wings, quills, etc. To his surprise if she was at all bothered it did not register on her face as he spoke.

"Let me know when you are done and we will dispose of the bodies," he said, hoping that then realization would dawn on her. Some of these critters would not survive the night. Satisfied that she had heard him this time. He left her standing there and retreated to his desk where he would have a full view of her as she worked. Pretending to focus on unmarked essays from his dunderhead first years, after each paragraph he shifted his gaze towards Millie, hoping to see her squirm. Never once did she give in to his hopes.

Millie became happily lost in her thoughts as they both worked in silence. She expected something more challenging from him and was honestly a little disappointed. This detention was different than the ones she had been warned about but it was not as horrendous as she had expected. She enjoyed the silent labor and it did remind her a lot of the farm. Even as a child, she was taught to pluck the chickens and kill the geese even the ones she had helped raise from eggs. One rare chance she was shown by her father how to skin a rabbit. She did not see it as barbaric but resourceful.

She did notice, however, that Snape kept a very close eye on her all the while. Is this some sort of game to him? Am I some source of entertainment since he so obviously has nothing else to get off on? I will take whatever he throws at me... no matter what.

The noises in the room created their own peaceful rhythm. As the hours went by, Millie found it hard to stay awake between the ticking of the clock, the swish of the papers he was marking, the scratch of his quill, the steady shopping of her knife and the occasional squeal from the innocent, unwilling victims. It did not help that she liked it to be cold when she slept and the dungeons stayed nicely chilled. Lastly, the warm, inviting glow that was cast about by the candles made her want to curl up on the cold stone floor.

Millie looked down at her work. She was satisfied at what she had accomplished. Snape had retired to his office at least an hour beforehand, having marked all the papers necessary and finished reading the Daily Prophet.

She walked quietly towards his open office door and knocked on the frame. He had been writing feverishly at his desk, his nose mere inches away from the parchment. His eyes were stern and glaring as he first looked up at Millie. It was almost as if he had forgotten she was there by his orders and was interrupting something. His features softened slightly as Millie smiled weakly towards him and in a sleepy voice declared that she was done. She was far too tired to be difficult.

"Are you ready to dispose of the bodies?" she asked as she watched him fold the parchment and seal it with wax. She lazily leaned her head and shoulder against the door frame as she waited for his reply.

Snape regarded her stature and knew full well that she was beyond tired. He had no doubt that her remedial lessons kept her beyond busy or at least busier than the other students. Without responding to her question, he tucked the sealed parchment into his robes and stood. He gestured for her to follow as he brushed by her. After inspecting her work he waved a hand towards her, silently announcing her dismissal.

"Is it satisfactory?" she asked.

"Yes. You may go."

"But the bodies-"

"You may go," he repeated with a tone of finality.

Millie scowled at him as she gathered her things and left. There was no sense in starting an argument as she was tired and 2nd year Transfiguration would be calling early in the morning.

Snape decided it was best she left anyway. He did not want McGonagall chewing him out the next day because she had an over-exhausted student. Furthermore, he was angry. His plan had failed. Despite the fact that it took her 7 hours when it would have only taken him between 4 and 5, she had done a fine job. She did not become sick or squeamish. She did not refuse or make up some lame excuse such as 'I'm allergic' or 'It's against my religion.' In fact she did not hesitate at all. She had met his challenge head on and pulled through victoriously. He reluctantly stored away the new supplies she had provided. Creatures and critters whether living or dead were set free into the forest and then Snape returned to the castle and readied for bed. Her next detention would have to be worse but of course there were certain rules that he could not break. It was a shame that such limitations were in place because it severely restricted his options.

Severus, think of what you're saying here. Do you really want to cause her physical harm? Or do you just want her to be punished? That old man is just pulling your chain. There is nothing special about her. She is just like every other student. 'Listen to her,' he had said. What was there to listen to? Well let's be honest, it isn't like you tried to talk to her. He said I shouldn't have to.

He argued with himself while trying to decide what to do with her next Sunday but at least one good thing came of the night. He stopped her enjoyment of the Hallowe'en feast.

Monday morning and the start of her second year lessons came quicker than she would have liked but she was happy for the fresh start. History of Magic was still boring but she took to using the class time to work on Charms or Transfiguration work. She needed the extra time and Binns never seemed to care or take notice.

To her great surprise, McGonagall taught her some of the second year material during her first year lessons which helped ease the workload of the month tremedously. As such, November soared by smoothly except for the weekly intrusion of Sunday detentions. She was counting down to Christmas by Sundays. There were eight left and the last one landed on December 24th. Christmas Eve will no doubt be a joyous occasion.

She arrived early for her next detention with Snape, hoping that if she started sooner she could finish and get back to her room before the stroke of midnight this time. However, her task this time around required a lot more elbow grease. When she arrived to the dungeons that afternoon at 4:30 she found a bucket of warm sudsy water and a sponge setting on the front row of tables. What she was to clean, she did not know. There was no note within sight. She took a moment to look around the room to see what could possibly need cleaned. Though the vials and jars seemed organized some of the less used ones towards the back were topped with dust.

A door slammed shut behind her and Millie turned sharply to see Professor Snape standing by his office door. She looked at him wide-eyed waiting for instructions.

Snape did not notice her at first. He carried a piece of parchment in his hand that was folded down the middle and went to place it near the bucket when he saw her out of the corner of his eye. Millie supressed a smile when he paused in his stride and stared at her for a moment. That was probably as close to scared as she would ever see him.

"I did not realise you were here," he said.

Millie stepped towards him and gestured towards the note. "Is that for me?"

He looked down towards the note then back up to her. "You're early."

"Should I leave and come back at 5?"

"Don't. Start. With. Me."

"I wasn't."

"Enough!" he barked.

Millie cast her eyes down towards the floor. She was not even trying to be irksome at this point and he was already biting off her head. A familiar but odd pain began in her head again. It was the same intrusive feeling she had on her first evening here at supper- like someone was knocking around in her head. She looked up at Snape to see that he was holding the parchment out for her to take. She grabbed the paper with one hand and used the other to massage her temple. The pain in her head stopped as quickly as it had started but Snape would not let go of his end of the parchment.

He squinted his eyes at her in suspicion before he spoke. "These are your instructions. I have a staff meeting to attend. So read it now and ask any questions while I'm still here." He finally released the paper from his grasp but his eyes watched her carefully.

Millie unfolded the paper and read over his elegant script. His letters were formed just as he was- tall and lean. They were written by a confident and purposeful hand.

Ms. Fairholm,

Your task this evening is to scrub the entire floor, the tables and my classroom desk using that which I have provided. No magic allowed. You may not leave until I have dismissed you.

S. Snape

"Any questions?" he asked with raised brows as soon as she was done reading.

"No," she said tentatively, not having the energy to test him. The dull ache returned to her temple and she went to massage it again.

"Something wrong with your head, Ms. Fairholm?"

"Just a headache. Feels sort of like something is knocking around in there," she admitted as the pain worsened. "I don't suppose you have a potion for it?" Millie looked up and was surprised at the expression she saw on his face. She expected him to accuse her of making up an excuse to get out of detention but he did no such thing. Instead, he looked at her as though he had just been insulted or slapped in the face.

"How often has this occurred?" he asked, tight lipped.

"Once during my first dinner here and then just now. Why? Do you think its something bad?"

"Does it hurt now?" he asked.

"No. It's gone." Christ, what is this? I tell him I have a headache and he becomes all curious and still looks like he wants to murder me.

"How about now?" he asked and just as he did, the pain grew in Millie's head.

"Yes!" she said clutching her skull and dropping to her knees. It was worse that time than it had ever been. ...And he knew. "What the hell are you doing?" Millie shouted and rose to her feet.

"Your language, Fairholm!"

"You've been yelling at me since I got here when I've done nothing to deserve that sort of behavior and you're obviously doing something to my head. Language be damned!"

"Twenty points from Ravenclaw for your insolence," he said with a sneer.

"Twenty? My insolence?"

He lowered his voice as he stepped closer to her. "You're lucky someone has taught you Occlumency."

"Taught me what?"

"Don't play coy with me. You know good and well what I'm referring to."

"Uh, no. I really don't."

The clock began to chime before he could question her any further on the subject and he swore under his breath.

"You've made me late for the meeting," he said with a quick turn on his heel.

"I've made you late?" Millie said to his back.

"We will continue this discussion later," he said and briskly made his way out of the dungeons.

"Unbelievable," Millie muttered as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just happened. She wasted no time in getting to work on the desks and the floor. The sooner he could dismiss her, the better.

After an hour and a half of discussions revolving around everything from curriculums to quidditch, Snape was more than happy to return to the dungeons. He needed to have a good talk with Ms. Fairholm. He had made it a point to ask Dumbledore after the meeting if she was trained in Occlumency. He was absolutely sure that Dumbledore would tell him she had but was a mixture of surprised and disappointed by his answer.

"Severus, I doubt she even knows what the term means," he said with a pat on the shoulder.

It had certainly given Snape a lot to think about on his walk back to the dungeons. Then how does she know I'm trying to gain entry? Surely I haven't lost my touch. I shouldn't be able to be detected! And what's worse- I've gained nothing. Every time I try her mind shows up like a ruin in the middle of a dense jungle. Her mind is unfocused and scrambled like a dream. There are walls where walls aren't meant to exist. It's like nothing I've ever seen. I don't understand.

Snape entered the classroom just before 7pm. The tables and his desk had been scrubbed clean and Millie was working in the back corner on the floor. She did not hear him enter so he backed up a few steps and leaned on the door frame to watch her. She had secured the top half of her hair back and out of her face but the knot kept giving. He watched as she would sit back on her heels and resecure her hair, all the while singing lightly to herself. He closed his eyes and listened carefully, trying to pick up the words amongst her scrubbing.

Say you're sorry
That face of an angel
Comes out just when you need it to
As I paced back and forth all this time
Cause I honestly believed in you
Holding on
The days drag on
Stupid girl,
I should have known, I should have known

I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale,
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet,
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town,
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down,
Now it's too late for you and your white horse to come around

"You like music?"

Millie jumped about two feet from the floor and kicked the bucket of dingy water, spilling it all over the place. "Um."

Part of him wanted to make the point that she certainly was not a princess but the song she was singing was a little depressing and the last thing he wanted was for her to burst into tears in front of him so he tried to keep the mood light. "Play any instruments?" he asked while entering the room and inspecting her work.

"Guitar," said Millie as she stood and tried to wipe the mess from her clothes.

"Did you bring it to school?"

"No," she said, eyeing him with suspicion. "My parents sold it before we came to England." Why the fuck is he being so nice?

"Pity. Not a bad voice." He looked at her as he spoke, having finished his inspection. A deep blush spread across Millie's cheeks and she looked away from him.

"Thank you," she said, looking everywhere except him. Those dark eyes go from one intensity to the next. There was an awkward silence that ensued just afterwards and it became more awkward when both of them tried to break it at the same time.

"This is the cleanest-"

"Why are you being-"

Snape gestured for her to go first.

Millie crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"

Snape shrugged. "Thought we could continue that conversation from earlier."

"The one where we were yelling at one another?"

"Yes. That one." He walked towards the desk that was nearest where she stood and leaned against it. When he did not say anything further, Millie prompted him.

"What were you going to say?"

"That this is the cleanest I've ever seen the dungeon floors scrubbed by a student."

"Is that a compliment?"

"You must be used to scrubbing dingy floors."

"I enjoy manual labor."

"No one enjoys manual labor," he argued.

"I do."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Sensing another argument coming on, he dropped the subject.

"So," said Millie, as she moved next to him and leaned against the same desk. "Occ-you-man-see."

"Occlumency."

"What is it?"

"Occlumency is the act or ability to block your mind from a Legilimens."

"Legili-what?"

"Legilimens," he repeated. "It's a spell. A wizard trained in Legilimens can use that spell to access another's mind. Getting inside someone's head can reveal their past, their memories and sometimes even things that they don't remember. Occlumency is the art or act of blocking a Legilimens from doing that."

"So you were trying to get into my mind?" Millie asked, annoyed.

Snape nodded.

"That is really rude and intrusive, you know? You could at least knock first or something."

"No point in knocking when your mind is completely locked."

"My mind?"

He nodded. "Couldn't see a thing."

Millie's frustrations subsided as she considered what that might mean. "Is that bad? Does that mean there is something wrong with me?"

"I'm unsure."

"Are you sure it's locked? Maybe it's the wrong door... or the wrong key... or maybe you don't need a key but a password...or maybe its a fake door and it's-"

"It isn't a matter of keys and doorways. You're mind is blocked. The real question is that if you don't know Occlumency than how is that possible?"

Millie sighed. Just what I need- something else to seperate me from the masses. On the other hand, it is actually kind of nice to sit down and have a normal conversation with him. "So what now?"

"I'll need to do some research... talk to Professor Dumbledore."

"You think it's serious?"

"I don't know."

Millie snorted. "I bet that's something you don't say often," she said softly. As though a switch had been flicked, Severus stood and the nice, normal conversation was over.

"You are dismissed," he said.

Millie gestured towards the toppled bucket and the half clean floor. "But I hav-"

"You may go," he said as he walked away from her. With a flick of his wrist the mess was gone and the rest of the classroom floor was cleaned.

"Way to make me feel worthless," said Millie as she realized all of her hard work could have been completed in mere seconds. She watched as Snape retreated to his office without another word. "Weirdo," she muttered with a roll of her eyes as she gathered her things. She paused in the doorway of the room and looked back. "Seven more to go," she said, then shut the door quietly behind her.

A/N: Hope that wasn't too OOC for you guys. I figured he had too many other things on his mind to beat around the bush with her so he went straight and to the point. I'm sure something like that would really bother him but also, at this point he has not needed to spy for some years so his defenses might not be as established...not as guarded as he is once Harry is in the school. Hope that helps.