J.K. Rowling owns HP. I own OC and the plot. thanks :)

Alone No More

CHAPTER SIX: flying

6

Severus Snape deeply breathed in the cool morning air. The sun was now working its way across the sky. The walk to Hogsmeade was very invigorating. He needed to get out of doors more often. Hovering over bubbling cauldrons was what quieted his spirit, being out of doors was what freed his soul. Staring at the clear sky above him he had a pang of desire strike him.

He missed flying.

Odd. But instead of brushing the thought away, he let it simmer some more. Again, odd. He brushed away and quickly doused the tiny flicker of connection in his mind with Lumora's presence in his life. Hmmm, some more simmering...maybe he would go this afternoon. The call of a bird shook him from his current reverie. He knew that call, it was a black eagle. It wasn't just any black eagle, it was Lumora Ollivander. He had seen Elliott heading off from Gryffindor tower, toward what he presumed to be the Order, with something tied to his leg. Anyway, Elliott's call was sharp and chilling. Lumora's was different, it sounded like a song.

Lumora flew over the grounds of Hogwarts towards the only Wizard settlement, aside from Diagon Alley, that she had ever seen. As she neared the village she noticed a black figure walking along the path below. She recognized him immediately. Severus Snape must have business in Hogsmeade. Without thinking she let out a long call. She saw him look up right at her. Deciding to let him know it was her, she dove down towards him. The look on his face was priceless as she made two wide circles around him. With a second call, she flew off as fast as her wings would carry her.

Severus stared in awe at the power of the eagle circling him. The sunlight caught the feathers causing the black-violet tint to glitter. He could see the freedom she felt in this form. He wondered why she ever walked anywhere when she could fly. He was thankful she would reach the village before him, he needed time to get rid of the smile plastered on his lips.

Despite her flying ahead, Lumora only arrived at the village a few moments before Snape. He could see her walking through the crowd towards the end of the main street. She walked past Alexander's Apothecary, pausing a moment to admire the window display. Then she went in the shop next door. He remembered there being a broom and Quidditch Supply next to the Apothecary. Curious as to why she would be looking at brooms, he decided to follow her.

He found her at the sales counter. She looked a little frustrated and unsure. "Y-yes, I am looking for a flying broom." The sales man had turned to a Nimbus two thousand two. "No, nothing too fast." Lumora chided, "Just something I can depend on and will be solid and a dream to fly." The smell of newly oiled wood filled her nostrils. It reminded her of the wand shop.

The squat old wizard behind the counter gazed at her over his half moon glasses, "Missy, I can assure you the Nimbus is perfect for a lady like you." His voice spoke of trying to make sales rather than matching owners to brooms.

Snape stepped up to the counter. Lumora almost fainted. She hadn't expected him to find her so fast. "I believe the lady wanted something more practical, Lewis." Snape said, eyeing the sales man meaningfully. "I'll show her around." With that he gently, but firmly grabbed her arm and took her away from the counter.

Lumora's cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I cancelled my appointment Professor Snape. I don't want you to think..." She trailed off as he led her through the store. They walked through row upon row of brooms, finally they came to the last row and he took her all the way to the back corner. She looked at him wonderingly.

"You should have consulted me." Snape spoke breaking their eye contact, picking up a broom. "I love to fly." He handed her a Soaring Eagle 5. Lumora stared at the beautiful piece of flying equipment before her. To anyone else it looked like an ordinary flying broom, but to her it was gold. He had let it slip again. It was easy to be himself, the real Severus Snape, around her. The real Severus Snape wasn't as hard, he was still reserved and demanding, but less harsh. For a long time it was if he had lost his spark. Slowly he could feel it reigniting inside his soul. He knew what it was, he just wasn't ready to admit it yet. She had brought him hope.

He came to stand behind her as she held the broom in her hands. Lumora ran her fingers over the handle, marveling at how soft and smooth it was. "P-professor, I-I don't know what-" her voice broke.

"Severus," He said softly right in her ear, "call me Severus." placing one hand on her hip, the other brushing away her hair from her neck. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss right below her ear.

Lumora slowly turned to face him, bring a hand up to cup the side of his face. Her eyes shone up at him. The she looked back down at the broom, her voice thick as she whispered, "It is beautiful Severus, thank you."

"Professor Ollivander, I-" Snape began, Lumora placed a single finger to his lips to silence him.

"Lumora," she smiled, removing her finger.

He took a deep breath, "Lumora, I-"

At the sound of her name from his lips she almost let him continue, but she replaced her finger across his lips again. "Later," she promised. Then she turned away from him, taking the Soaring Eagle with her to the sales counter. Proudly she placed the broom on the counter. "This one is perfect Lewis, I'll take it!"

Snape came around the corner in time to see her open her coin purse. Swiftly he stepped up to the counter, taking out a few galleons. Lumora reached out and stopped his hand before he could hand the money to Lewis.

"Professor, I will buy my first broom. You may buy my next one. A Nimbus two thousand and three perhaps?" She smiled and gave him a saucy wink, handing her money to Lewis and taking the broom. He again had to take her joke off balance. A lady usually did not refuse a man's financial help. Then he remembered that this was her first broom, and the sentiment over rode the cost.

"Enjoy it Miss Ollivander, its a real beauty." Lewis said as the pair walked out of the shop. causing them to stop in the doorway, which Snape held open for her from behind.

"I know he is," she whispered, looking over her shoulder to stare up into Severus' eyes. Then she replied so the shop keeper could hear her, "Thank you!"

Severus almost tripped on his own feet. He was sure she said...NO. He must have heard her wrong. Doing his best to compose himself, he followed her into the Apothecary. He felt a little odd as she trailed along behind him, watching him pick up vial after vial. She seemed genuinely interested in what he was doing. Maybe he could teach her something about potions since she was allowing him to help with duel. He found himself watching her in the reflection of the gleaming bottles and jars on the shelves. She was gazing around herself in wonder, thoroughly taken with the sights and sounds around her.

A soft "Oh," caused him to turn and look directly at her. His eyes followed her gaze. There on the wall were dozens of black eagle feathers. Some of them shimmered blue, green or silver. He then understood what had really caught her attention. There was a few of the feathers that shimmered violet, just like her. Her hand had come out to caress it. He realized that she had never seen herself when in eagle form. Handing the storekeeper his goods, he went over to her. "They are beautiful," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. She blinked them away, running the back of her hand over her eyes. Severus stilled her hand, "Wait," she said, whirling to face him, "C-can you take one from me?" Severus gaped at her. "These are expensive," she explained motioning to the price.

"Yours are priceless." He whispered, guiding her away from the collection of feathers to the counter. After paying for his things, he quickly got her out of the shop.

They walked down the street and began to take the path back to school. Lumora glanced at her watch and gasped, "We are going to be late." She looked at him, he had not brought a broom, but she had wings. "Take my broom."

"Professor Ollivander," He began but seeing her hold out the broom to him he caught sight of her watch. They had five minutes until the whistle blew. It was at least a twenty minute brisk walk back to the grounds. He took the broom and mounted it.

Lumora quickly bent to tie her coin purse to her ankle. Then she was off and running. She spread her arms out like wings and then she was flying. He quickly pushed off from the ground to follow her. The Soaring Eagle 5 felt like a dream. It turned with just the slightest touch. It felt like he could just think of what he wanted it to do and it would comply. Flying along side of Lumora was sort of surreal. She looked over at him, her big violet eyes piercing his. Then she gave a loud melodious call that nearly made him fall off the broom. Soon the Quidditch field came into view. Severus brought the broom down close to the backside of the stadium, near the Slytherin tower. He watched as Lumora came down, first as an eagle and then about six feet from the ground she changed back. Her arms swooped down, tucking themselves swiftly under her cloak against the cold.

"Meet me in the Astronomy tower after the match. I'll have your broom." Snape said, his breath coming out in little clouds in the chilly air.

Lumora nodded and they parted ways, she ran to the left, and he went right. They climbed the steps to find seats high above the arena. Lumora was excited to see the match. She loved Quidditch, mostly because it involved flying. She wasn't allowed to play Quidditch while at Hogwarts. The other teams were afraid she would change and use her Animagus as an advantage. She found Professor McGonagall and took a seat. The field was a magical as she remembered it. It looked like the entire school had turned out to see the match. Of course the Slytherin and Gryffindor game was a highly anticipated battle. She happened to look over at Slytherin's box, her heart lurching at the sight. Severus Snape was not looking at the game, he was looking directly at her.

"Lumora! How are you?" Minerva said excited to see the new teacher, then she realized the young witch was distracted.

Lumora could barely take her eyes from Snape's. He was looking at her so intently, she could barely breathe. "I'm well, and you?" she managed to keep her voice even. Tearing her gaze away from his to look at Professor McGonagall, she managed a tight smile.

"Well, thank you." Minerva replied with a warm smile. Lumora glanced back at Slytherin's box with relief, he had shifted his attention to the field. The match began and Slytherin scored the first goal. Gryffindor came back quickly and scored as well. The teams seemed to be well matched so the game was very intense.

Minerva was watching Severus Snape in Slytherin's box. He kept glancing over at Gryffindor's box. She soon realized he was looking at the witch beside her. Lumora Ollivander, usually completely composed, had a slight blush on her cheeks and sparkles in her eyes. If Minerva didn't know better, she was sure that Severus and Lumora had been snogging earlier. Why else would Severus be looking at the young witch that way? It was as if he wanted to devour her. Slightly amused at the prospect of Severus being head over heals for someone, she smiled. Minerva returned her attention to the match just in time to see Gryffindor's seeker, Harry Potter, catch the golden snitch.

Dearest Readers,

Oh no! Gryffindor beat Slytherin! Hopefully Snape can see past this little hiccup and focus on the upcoming conversation. Lumora is beginning to have an impact on him. please review and let me know what you think :) thanks for reading! Up next is "nose stuck in book"

xoxo

Lumora the White