A Light In The Dark

A Severus Love Story

Part Three

A Late Night

A/N" I am not sure of the time line for Charlie's school years so lets just assume I am right :)

*** Snape's POV ***

I found myself staring in the mirror self consciously for the first time in a long time. I forced myself to pull away from it. After all there was nothing special going on tonight, I was just going to be tutoring with Aurora. I decided that either way it wouldn't hurt to smell nice I put on some cologne and headed out of my office to her class room before the students started to arrive.

When I entered I found her lighting lots of candles lots of different colors with a single elegant wave of her wand, casting a kaleidoscope of colors around the room. I found it highly unnecessary yet nice looking. She saw me standing in the door way and smiled with a small blush as she followed my gaze to her candles. "I like having a bit of color in the room." she said pulling me into the room by my hands before adding in a small whisper "And to be honest I am actually afraid of the dark too. That's why there are so many."

I thought about how happy and unafraid she was of everything and found it surprising that something so small as the dark was what scared her. Yet at the same time I found it oddly appropriate too. She seemed so young and at times almost child like being afraid of the dark just sort of added to that image.

"The kids wont start coming for awhile so why don't you take a seat. I'll go make us some tea and me can go over a plan for tonight." Aurora said with a happy smile and went to his office to fetch a tray of tea and cookies. She set the tray down on the desk then looked back and cursed. "I always seem to drop something when I carry things by hand." she said as she turned around and bent over to pick up a spoon that had fallen.

I gulped and tried to look away but couldn't stop myself from staring at her um … backside. I felt my face grow hot and I quickly looked away as she turned back around. "I swear I am so clumsy if I wasn't a witch half of the things in my house would be broken." she said with a small laugh as she took a seat crossing her legs.

I found it hard to look her in the eyes now after my little … staring issue but she didn't seem to notice as she passed me a cup with a smile. "So I was thinking that we start off with asking everyone what they needed help with them splitting them into groups according to subjects. Then we can divide the classes amongst the two of us. Sound like a plan?" she said resting her head on her hand and gazing at me with those piercing green eyes.

I nodded my head trying to focus on anything but her as I sipped my tea. After about ten minutes of silence other then the sipping between the two of us she cleaned up the mess while humming quietly to herself. As she magicked the tray in front of her but stopped after a few steps and said with a small laugh "You know your not the first one to stare at my butt Sev. You shouldn't be so embarrassed. Also I would get up if I were you the kids will be arriving soon and we cant have them thinking you have any friends now do me?"

I smirked, she was sharper then she appeared. I stood up stretching and watched her disappear into her office and turned around to see a couple of first year students staring at me with fear in there eyes. I tried my best to smile but from the small 'eep' admitted from the girl I had a feeling I was doing something wrong. I turned around and sighed. Tonight was going to be a long night.

*** Aurora's POV ***

I was bending over a a students desk trying to explain the difference between two runes when I caught the whiff of a familiar scent and breathed it in deeply. I must have stopped talking because the student said "Um Professor Rose you were saying?" I shook my head and smiled apologetically before continuing on but from the corner of my eye watched Severus pace the room stopping here and there when a brave student asked for help.

Again a smile crept onto my as I watched him. I knew he wasn't exactly jumping for joy at this idea but I think he was trying his best to help. I did love a man who helped children. The rest of the night went by in a kind of a blur as student after student, subject after subject, and question after question raced by. Finally the last student had left and I sat down tiredly with a long sigh.

"Not as fun as you thought it was going to be, Aurora?" a tired yet slightly teasing voice called out to me. I looked up to see Severus taking the seat next to me. "I have to admit though seeing you with the students I think they may actually be learning instead of just staring at your beauty." he said timidly.

I laughed "I wasn't hired because I was cute Severus! I am a fairly good teacher, though I have been offered some jobs because of my looks I have to admit." I said placing a finger to my cheek thinking back to the guys who had offered my jobs before adding "Though I do think they were just hitting on me. Why is it men can never come out and just say they like you? I mean really we are not going to bite your heads off."

He gave me a strange little look as if wondering why I was talking to him as if he was one of my girlfriends. I guess it was kind of odd but I didn't care instead I looked at him expectantly for an answer. He finally after clearing his throat he said "Its not often that go go, I guess you would say, picking up girls but I think that if a guy just came out and said he liked you, you would blow him away. You probably just push him into the friend zone thinking he was wimpy." he sighed before adding quietly "All girls push away the good guys and go for the athletic black heads."

I saw a sad shadow sweep across his eyes and I placed my hands on his comfortingly. I bit my lip nervously before asking in almost a whisper "Did that happen to you?" He tensed but didn't say a word. I had a feeling it had so I got up kissed his cheek quickly and before exiting the room said "To tell you the truth Severus, anyone who passed over you was really missing out."

I was about to exit the room but I looked down the hall and gulped. It was really dark. I pulled out my wand but the spell escaped me and I found myself shaking. Suddenly a felt a steadying hand on my shoulder and turned slowly to see Severus standing beside me. "Come on I'll walk you to your room."

I stared at him graciously and as we entered the hallways I grabbed onto his arm, a bit on the tight side, and stuck close to him. The warmth of his body and the faint scent of potions mixed with cologne calmed me as we rounded yet another corner. I was surprised though to come face to face with my seventh year student Charlie Weasley. "Mr. Weasley I should have known you would be sneaking out of bed to see that girlfriend of yours yet again." Severus said with a sneer on his face. "I think a weeks worth of detention should put you in your place."

I saw a sad look cross Charlie's face and I felt bad for him. He was just trying to see his girlfriend. It reminded me of my own days at Hogwarts sneaking out to meet with my first love. I placed my hand on Severus's arm, which he had quickly pulled out of my grasp at the sight of Charlie, and stepped into the light. "Come on Severus give the poor boy a break. Cant you remember anyone you were willing to break the rules for just to see?" I asked gently and I saw his face soften.

He looked from me to Charlie then sighed with a scowl "Fine. You can go this time Mr. Weasley but don't let me catch you again understand?" Charlie nodded furiously then ran off but not before shooting me a thankful look which I acknowledged with a nod. As he disappeared behind the corner Severus said "Do you mind telling me why you wanted me to let him go?"

I blushed and looked down at my feet as I said as we continued to walk "Well when I was in school I remember sneaking off to meet my first love. He was in Slytherin and I was in Ravenclaw so it was really the only time we got together. Besides not many people agreed with our relationship since he was in the bad house. I knew better though, you cant always judge people from the outside can you?"

I saw a thoughtful look come over his face as he stopped outside my door and I gave him a hug goodnight before closing the door slowly behind me. I threw myself down with a happy little sigh. This long night had come to an end and I actually got some time to talk with Severus. I cuddled into my pillow imagining his comforting scent and said to myself a bit sadly "Oh Severus I wonder who was stupid enough to break your heart because it keeping you from being happy." before finally falling asleep his scent lingering on my clothes.