I ran into the classroom, half a minute late. "You're tardy Ms. Martin," he growled, not looking up from the paper he was writing on.

"I apologize … Sir," I whispered, flinching.

Professor gave me a puzzled look, "Is everything alright Ms. Martin?"

I relaxed, "Yes Sir. Um… what will I be doing for detention tonight?"

He went back to writing, "Assisting me in getting materials prepared for tomorrow."

I began my work, contemplating what to ask him, to break the ice. "What are you writing professor?"

His eyes skimmed towards me, "If you must know," he started, "I'm getting my lessons for tomorrow's classes started."

"And what will that be precisely?"

He sighed, "Why do you ask, Ms. Martin?"

I looked away, "I want to be ahead this year, Sir."

He looked at me for a brief second, "Very well…" He stood up and walked over to where I was, "We will be performing the Patronus charm."

I smiled, "I've heard about this charm. I know Harry can do it but I've never tried."

He smirked, "Not many people, if some, can get this spell right their first try, Ms. Martin."

I shrugged, "Can I have a go at it?"

He nodded his head, "The words are expecto patronum."

I took a breath and closed my eyes, "Expecto…Patronum!" When I opened my eyes nothing happened.

"Like I said Ms. Martin, not man-"

Just then a silvery-grey creature materialized. It was in the shape of an arctic wolf. I smiled, "I did it! Sir, I created a Patronus." He was astonished for a second before collecting himself.

"Well done, Ms. Martin."

Just then the he had a knock at the door. Dumbledore walked in.

"Severus… oh well, hello Ms. Martin."

I bowed, like I usually do to the Headmaster, "Professor Dumbledore."

He smiled, eyes sparkling like always, "Am I disrupting something?"

Professor Snape jumped in, "Not at all Headmaster. In fact, Ms. Martin was just leaving due to her detention being complete."

Dumbledore gave me a look, "First day and already getting into trouble huh? You have been hanging with Harry, Ron, and Hermione too much I see."

I laughed, "You know it Sir. Well goodnight Professor Dumbledore… Professor Snape." With that said I hurried out towards the common room to start on homework.

Three weeks later

'Forget it!' I threw my head down onto the table, annoyed.

For the past few weeks I had been receiving the same nightmares. I was having difficulty sleeping, thanks to my parents, and it was causing me to get behind in class work. I was failing DADA, Transfiguration, and Charms. I scoped the classroom, observing other students working on their Impedimenta charm. This charm decelerates an advancing object.

We were trying to slow books from falling but mine did nothing. I was irritated, "Impedimenta!" My book went airborne towards Professor Snape.

"Detention Ms. Martin!" I went red, "I'm sorry Professor, I didn't do that on purpose… it was an accident."

"Does not matter. Tonight at seven. Don't be late." He then went back towards his desk and started grading, as I tossed my head back onto the table with a moan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~That night~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I arrived at the door five minutes in advance, to make up for being late for my first detention. Before I knocked I heard a growl, "Enter Ms. Martin."

I opened the door to him at the supply closet, "You will be washing the floor tonight." He handed me a brush and a pale of water, "I recommend you begin early."

I sighed and took the brush and pale, "Yes Sir…."

A few hours later, I was partly done. I pitched the brush into the pale and sat onto my knees, exhausted.

"Mr. Martin," I heard quietly behind me. I turned to notice Professor Snape; wide eyed and watching me.

"Yes," I asked, concerned I missed an area. I looked towards the floor and saw nothing.

"Where did you acquire that," he demanded, indicating my right side.

I looked down and saw that my shirt was showing my side; my unfavorably bruised side. I seized my shirt and yanked it down. "It's nothing Sir; I was… clumsy," I whispered.

According to his face, he didn't believe me. "How did you get it?" He was getting aggravated so I said nothing; not wanting to lie yet not wanting to talk about it.

I looked away for a brief second and next thing I knew Professor Snape had his wand pointed at me, "How… did you get… the bruise?" I still said nothing.

Next thing I knew I was blacking out…

Smack! I fell onto the floor, trying to not shriek.

"Damnit Sam!" I turned and looked at my mother, who was in front of me, rolling her eyes, "I've told you before that you have to fold your father's clothes a certain way or they will crease."

"I'm sorry," I whispered getting up, "I had to get started on cooking and since I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school I have to do everything manually."

My father was furious, "What good is it then to have a witch in the house? I didn't get invited to the work party because of you; little bitch!" He smacked me hard in the stomach, causing me to scream.

I realized it was my mother's scream that I was hearing instead, "That's another table you ruined!" I looked at the side table that was in the hallway, I was lying on from when I was smacked across the room.

I started crying, "I'm sorry…but I'm going to move out!" Mom and dad started snickering, "Move out?"

Dad grabbed me, "You have no money. How will you be able to afford a place, huh?"

I cringed, his hand constructing around my arm, "I'll…get a job."

Mom started chuckling harder, "A job? I'm sorry but prostitutes don't make that much money in this town."

"Plus, you don't have the body for a stripper. You'll starve to death," Dad finished.

He then threw me into the bathroom tile; the bathroom door is next to hallway. I felt blood trickle down my lips and I heard the bathroom door being shut.

"Clean yourself up," mom murmured through the door…

I blinked and realized I was back in the class room. I got up off the floor, from where I was positioned, and looked around the room. Snape came over and bent down, "Here, let me assist."

I glared, "I don't need your sympathy Sir," I sniffed as tears began to form, "I can take care of myself." I took his hand anyway.

When I was in front of him I turned towards the door, so he wouldn't see me weep, "How dare you! You have no right to force yourself into my mind like that!"

"You're right… I apologize, Sam." He softly murmured. I felt a hand come to rest on my shoulder. "I wish I could take your pain from you," Snape whispered.

I smeared away a tear that was declining down my cheek, "You should be!"

The hand that was on my shoulder jerked me around, "I was just doing my duty. I don't want to see you get hurt."

I laughed, "Get hurt? Why would you care about me? I'm a Gryffindor! You don't owe a debt to my family like you did Harry."

He looked deep into my eyes, "That is true but it doesn't mean I don't care for your protection Samantha."

I felt my long, brown, hair collapse into my face, concealing my blue eyes. His hand came up and moved my hair behind my ear, "I care too greatly for you if anything."

I couldn't take it, I fell back to my knees, letting the tears of so many years of abuse, loathing, and fear flow. I was crying for what seemed like years when I felt the same, strong, hand rubbing my back.

"Let it out, you will feel much better. I give your word." He was right; it did feel nice to cry. I cried till my tears vanished.

When I was calmer I stood, turning towards my professor, "Sir-"

"Please, call me Severus," he smiled. This wasn't his customary smile, more like a lover's warmhearted smile.

I smiled gently, "Severus… did you mean what you said?"

He was hesitant, "I… I love you. Samantha, I love you so much that it destroys me to see you in pain."

My heart stopped beating, 'He….loves me?'

I looked into his eyes and pulled him closer, "I've loved you since the day I found out you saved Harry from falling in his first year."

He sighed, "I couldn't let him die; I have a duty to watch over him."

I laughed. Next thing I knew I was jerked into his chest. I stared into his eyes again as his lips demanded mine. I deepened the kiss, savoring his taste; his tongue against mine. It was a quick kiss, but passionate none the less.

"As long as I am here, you will be free from all the pain you've felt."

I smiled as a tear slipped down my face. My heart was lighter than I was use too; no more unhappiness; no more beatings. I knew that from then on, I was going to be pain free, loved, and most of all, protected.

He placed his hand on my cheek and wiped the last of the tears away, "I will always protect you. ALWAYS." And as any promise should be, it was sealed with a kiss.