A Light In The Dark

A Severus Love Story

Part Two

An Unlikely Pair

I let out a frustrated sigh as I walked into the teachers lounge. How is it that there could be so many idiotic students in one class? My mood improved slightly though as I heard a familiar humming and caught a flash of silvery curls. I took a seat next to her quietly not wanting to disturb her reading. She looked up at me through her rhinestone glasses and gave me a warm smile. Aurora poured me a cup of tea with a flick of her wand and handed it to me saying "Looks like you had rough day. Drink this it will help calm you nerves."

I took it gratefully and sipped it slowly. Oddly enough it did calm me down and it must have showed on my face because she said "Its my mothers recipe. She use to give it to us as children after we had nightmares. Feeling any better?" I nodded my thanks and took another long sip. It was weird we were only through the first half of the school year and yet it was like Aurora had been working by my side for years. My stomach ave an odd little flip as I thought about this.

She gave me a quizzical look but I brushed it off and said with a sigh "I don't see how you are so patient with these damn kids sometimes. Though maybe I should take a leaf from your book since your kids actually seem to enjoy paying attention to you." She hid a laugh behind her hand and I shot her a glare, though less harsh then my usual ones, and said "Whats so funny."

She smiled at me innocently and cooed "Oh don't get your robes in a bunch Sev. I was just imagining you in make up and some cute girly robes." I scowled at her and she threw her hands up to tell me to wait before she continued "Because that's a pretty major reason why the boys pay attention to me. But since I cant see you playing the whole 'hot for teacher' look I have just one bit of advice. Lighten up! You are so hard on your students like you don't believe they can do it. If you put a little bit of faith in them they must just surprise you."

I looked her over for what must have been the hundred thousandth time and I could see why her looks would capture the eye of any of the young men at the school. She always wore bright colorful robes that made her green eyes seem to glow and her silvery blonde curls made her look almost like an angel in the right light. I shook my head of these thoughts. It seemed that the longer I knew her the more often these bizarre thoughts would creep up on me. I had to find away to control these. "I think you have more confidence in these children then they deserve at times." I said under my breath as I finished off my tea.

Aurora simple shrugged as she got up tying her hair back into a pony tail before saying "Maybe but sometimes all they need is someone to believe in them. Just remember Severus try to be a bit gentler." Before she left the room she touched my cheek warmly then left in a swish of bright blue robes. I touched my cheek where her hand had just been. It was still warm and an odd thing happened, I smiled. I shook my head, I couldn't let this women get to me.

*** Aurora's POV ***

"Ok everyone your homework is to pick one of the creatures we have studied so far and write an essay on it. The essay can be what ever you like about the creature such as why it is dangerous, spells to protect yourself, or even its habitats and ways to avoid them. Now have a good weekend everyone!" I called to my students just as the last bell rang. When I saw the last student left I let out a sigh. I loved teaching but boy could these kids could be a handful.

I then heard a knock on my door and I turned around to see the shy face of Patrick, one of my third years. I motioned for him to come in as I tidied up my desk and he approached me slowly with a timid little smile. "Professor Rose?" he said and I nodded waiting to hear more "You told us that you were a really good potion brewer at the beginning of the year. Well I am doing really bad in Potions class and I was wondering … would you maybe tutor me?"

I was touched by his request, many students asked for my help but in another class that was really sweet. I flicked my wand and papers soared neatly into my bag as I said "Im sorry sweetie I am but I am busy trying to help students with my own class. Why don't you ask Sev … I mean Professor Snape I am sure he would be more then willing to help you in his spare time. Why don't you just go and ask him nicely?" A look of terror came across his face and then I remembered that Severus wasn't as kind as I was to my students. I walked across my desk and put a comforting hand on his shoulder "Maybe it would be best if I ask him. I am sure I can work something out." I said gently with a wink.

Patrick let out a relieved sigh before thanking me and running off to dinner. I took my team walking to the great hall trying to think of the best way to approach Severus with this request when, just like the first day we met, I ran head first into him. "Watch where you are going you little … oh its you Aurora." he said saying my name softly maybe even … fondly?

"Oh Severus! Just the wizard I wanted to see actually." I said batting my eye lashes at him cutely and said "I had an idea to run by you concerning the students." His eyes narrowed as if he expected what to come but I took a deep breath and told him about how I thought he should start a tutoring program for the students. His cold glare was answer enough. "Oh come on Sev! I know you may not have high tolerance for children but they are still your student and it is your duty to see that they pass." I said more fiercely poking him in the chest.

He let out a long sigh thinking about it long and hard. "You make a point but I just don't think I have any more patience to put up with them more then I do. I would need help." he said shooting me a hopeful glance. Now I know that for most people his dark cold eyes would be off putting but I liked them. I could see more to them a pain and sadness and maybe somewhere even deeper then that a kind and gentle light. I chose to see that part of him, not the one others usually saw.

I clapped my hands in delight and exclaimed "Oh that's a wonderful idea Sev! We can have a tutoring club thing and we can help the students in whatever class they need it in. Oh I knew you were secretly a softy." and gave him a quick hug before running off to make the plans.

*** Severus's POV ***

I watched her run down the hall dumb struck. That was not at all what I had had in mind. I had only meant to combine Potions and DADA not the whole entire school curriculum! I sighed though running my fingers through my hair. Of course I could tell her thats not what I meant or even just refuse to but … I couldn't. Her eyes had glowed with happiness and she had shown me that award winning smile of hers. How could I destroy her happiness like that. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh we would definitely make an interesting pair. The dark, cold, ruthless teacher and the bright happy kind and caring teacher. This would be interesting if not in the least start some rumors but I didn't care. I think it was all worth it just to see that happy glow around her and of course that hug didn't hurt a thing either.