All's Fair; Chapter Eight

Summary:Arriving at Hogwarts as new charms teacher, Dannielle 'Danni' Prince soon finds that surly Potions Master, Severus Snape, is the least of her worries when ghosts of the past come back searching for vengeance. SS/OC
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the storyline and Danielle Prince.
Warning: This chapter rated T
Word Count: 3722
Beta: All-Knowing Alien 2

8: God's Rays

I could feel my defences crumbling as I took another, tiny step forward. I couldn't do this, I couldn't! I tried to get closer but my legs wouldn't move – couldn't move. I stretched my hand forwards to search this darkness – why was it so dark? I fingers found something smooth and broken and sticky and in an instant the spell was broken. The pressure on my mind lifted and I wondered for a dizzy moment if I would get Hives, like a deep sea diver resurfacing too quickly.

My eyes sprang open and I quickly withdrew my hand from where it had landed on one of the huge gashes in Cameron's back. The girl herself was drenched in blood and sweat and was clearly exhausted, but her brown eyes were still open and flickering all over the place. They rested momentarily on me and I thought I saw gratitude before they flicked to the doorway. Following her gaze I saw Minerva and Severus standing just inside the doorway, not daring to come any closer.

'It's OK,' I said, my voice very hoarse. 'You can come in now. The spell's gone.' I rubbed a hand over my eyes – I felt so tired!

Minerva was the first to move and she went to the girls who had been used as – what? Protectors? Guards? Jailors?

Then Severus was by the bed. 'Can you walk?' he asked.

I nodded, stood and the world swayed dangerously beneath me. Severus caught me to his side in a movement that at any other time would be described as romantic, now it was just practicality.

'Relax, Cameron. You need to stay awake, but try and stay relaxed,' I heard Severus say quietly to the girl.

Then, clasping me to his side and levitating the girl before us Severus headed out of the dormitory and down into the common room. The students greeted us in silence; curiosity, fear and weariness holding their tongues and taming them into wordless obedience. I offered them a small, tired smile which only some of them returned, and even then it was half-heartedly.

We made quick progress to the Hospital Wing, but with Cameron slowly bleeding to death in front of us it seemed to take forever and a day. When we did arrive Poppy Pomfrey was ready and waiting for us. Severus gently lowered Cameron onto a waiting bed and led me to another. I sat down heavily and watched as the woman fussed over the eleven year old. As she tried to take the letter from Cameron's hand she started screaming again. Instantly I flew across the room to her side, despite Poppy's disapproval and the frown that flicked across Severus' face.

'Cameron?' I asked gently. 'Do you trust me?'

Cameron didn't say anything, but nodded mutely after only a moment's hesitation.

'If I promise not to read it, or let anyone else read it, will you give me the letter?'

There was a long, pregnant pause and I could tell, even though they were behind me, that Severus and Poppy shared a furtive glance. Finally Cameron stretched forward and let the crumpled piece of paper fall into my hands,

'Thank you Cameron,' I said. I leant towards her and pressed a light kiss on her forehead. She smiled briefly at me and then Poppy fluttered forward so she could continue the healing process.

I turned and walked back to the bed and sat on it, this time not quite so heavily, as I had regained some of my energy.

'Well done,' Severus said to me unexpectedly.

I blinked in surprise and looked up at him as he stood in front of me. 'For what?'

'Back in the dormitories. You managed to get through to her,' he reminded me.

'Oh. I suppose you want a full recollection and written statement from me?' I said teasingly. Absent-mindedly I smoothed out the thick, creamy paper in my hands and folded it neatly.

Severus ignored my comment. 'I didn't know you could do Occlumency?' he said – at the same time asking to find out more.

'Occlumency, Leglimency and even, if I'm feeling especially talented, Telepathy,' I replied wryly, wondering how he'd take this. There were very few wizards and witches who could perform Telepathy; it was something that you were born with… and even then it required a lot of patience and practise. I had inherited it from my father, along with my older – and now deceased – brother, Michael.

'Telepathy?' he asked in shock.

Like changing from one pair of shoes to another I switched from one way of thinking to another. Now I was viewing the room through my mind, rather than my eyes. I leant my mind towards his specifically and whispered to him without uttering a single noise, You better believe it.

When I went into this state of mind I did not disregard my other senses, they were still there, they just meant less as they were overshadowed by a greater sense – that of intelligence. Therefore, when my eyes fluttered due to my exhaustion I was aware of it and immediately snapped back into the usual way of thinking. To lose consciousness in that state of utter awareness sent people over the edge into madness. It didn't always, but I didn't fancy taking my chances with insanity just yet.

'How long is it since you've slept – properly?' Severus asked me sternly.

I tried to think – today was Thursday, or possibly Friday by now, I had done today twice, hadn't slept at all Wednesday because I was worried about Severus and getting fired, but I suppose I slept well enough on Tuesday so that was about three days. At least, that's what I told him.

'Three days,' he drawled. 'And you thought it was a smart idea to plunge head first into a mental defence as strong as Cameron's?'

Despite my tiredness I rose up to meet his accusation. 'Smart idea?' I asked him incredulously, 'to risk my well being to save that of sixteen under-age girls? Tell me, wouldn't you have done the same?'

There was movement in the rest of the ward as Minerva and the other students arrived, but I barely noticed it and Severus seemed equally oblivious – if not more so.

'Yes, but then I'm not a pregnant slut, am I?' he hissed at me.

At his words my heart froze. I stood slowly and although I was still several inches shorter than him I looked him evenly in the eyes. For short periods of time I felt like I could love this man – that I could overlook his flaws and accept him with open arms. But after saying that I felt my heart locking him out forever. What had I done to incur his wrath? Saved a couple of girls.

'Well, sir, if that is your opinion of me we have nothing more to say to each other,' I said icily. 'Good evening Mr Snape.' I turned smartly away from him and fairly strutted out of the room.

'Danielle,' he called sharply, but I ignored him – I would not respond to my formal name.

I wished to storm all the way to my rooms, but I was too tired to keep up that kind of an energetic walk. So, as soon as I was well clear of the Hospital Wing I slowed down, my shoulders slumped and I slouched the rest of the way to my rooms. Glancing at my watch I saw it was barely 10 o'clock. Good. I could get a good night's sleep before getting back to work tomorrow. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep – worries be damned.

The next day came and went with surprising speed. Severus tried to talk to me on various occasions and when he did, I either completely blanked him or answered in rudely short sentences – I had, after all, learnt from a master of blocking people out. I kept Cameron's letter unread in my pocket and meant to give it to her that day, but when I went to visit her after dinner she was fast asleep.

'Charmed sleep,' I remarked when Poppy took me to her.

'It will help with the recovery procedure. I'll probably only wake her Tuesday of next week, Monday at the earliest,' she replied.

I nodded slightly and kept the letter in my pocket. Perhaps I should have left it on the bedside table, but I did not trust that someone wouldn't take it and read it.

'Forgive me for asking,' Poppy said, interrupting my flow of thoughts, 'but something Severus said last night drew my attention…' she paused, uncertain of how I would react. I already knew what she wanted to ask. 'Is it true that you're pregnant?' she asked finally.

'Yes,' I answered simply. She opened her mouth to ask more, but I cut her off. 'It's early stages yet – it's only been a month and a half and, yes, Severus is the father.'

'For certain?' she asked carefully.

I gave her one long look that told her exactly what I thought of her questioning me. She smiled sympathetically and I walked out of the ward, dearly longing for the next week to be over with so I could disappear home for the half-term holiday. Why did the first term have to be so long? When had my opinion changed? For at least the first month I had adored my new job and wanted the term to go on and on endlessly. No room for that fool anymore.

Unfortunately on my way back to my room I bumped into Severus. I tried to side step and carry on walking, but he refused to let me past.

'Not until we talk,' he said without any prompting.

I glared up at him. 'I should think that you've said quite enough,' I replied scathingly.

'Surely you know that something said in anger is not to be trusted?' he cried in exasperation.

'Do I?' I questioned him stoically.

'You can't cut me out of your life.'

'I promised you one night, no strings attached and by Merlin I will see to it that that is all it was,' I swore.

He looked at me, astounded. 'But I don't want 'one night, no strings attached' anymore,' he whispered. 'I want to get to know you and have this baby with you and give it the best life I possibly can.' He was looking decidedly tortured as he continued. 'I had a shitty childhood and my parents were about the worst sort of family I could have asked for, so I never wanted a family of my own. But now, looking at you and knowing that you're carrying my baby…'

He stumbled then and couldn't find the right words again. I could feel my insides doing something wobbly and felt the first sob wrack through my body. Impulsively I stepped against him and his arms automatically slipped around me, but I caught a hold of myself and struggled against his grip.

'I can't Sev, I can't,' I sobbed, turning my face away from him as his arms fell back to his sides. 'I'm shit scared and I can't – I just can't…' I couldn't find any words anymore. All that came babbling out of my mouth was can't, can't, can't, can't again and again, the mantra that was coiling around my neck and slowly choking me – or was that my tears? I pushed past him frantically and this time he let me go, standing in stunned silence. Why did this, this hurt so much? More than seeing him the morning after, more than finding out I was pregnant, more than the way I had finally told him. Before I turned the corner I couldn't help but glance back and through my swirling, glassy vision, I saw his eyes pleading with me to stay – to let him comfort me. But I didn't. I couldn't. I made my way as quickly as I could back to my room, tripping over my own feet on numerous occasions, but not really caring or even noticing.

When I got to my rooms I changed quickly into my pyjamas and curled up in the middle of my big, comfy, empty bed and cried myself to sleep over a carton of orange juice, because I couldn't have anything stronger.

I woke early that Saturday, but didn't go for my usual jog. Instead I strolled down towards the lake and stood on one of the shores, watching the wind ripple across the surface. The day was grey and overcast, reflecting my feelings. I picked up a stone from beneath my feet and skimmed it across the water's surface. I waited a long time to see if Severus would see me and come down and we'd talk things over and work something out. But he didn't come and it started raining, so I headed back indoors.

As I went back in I was greeted by a couple of Ravenclaw students who said a cheerful good morning and walked with me to the Great Hall. I felt myself drawn into their conversation and by the time I left them for the high table my morose mood had all but left me. Looking along the table I saw that Severus wasn't here yet, which brought a flickering grimace to my face – I wasn't looking forward to my next conversation with him.

I finished my breakfast with lazy slowness and – despite my misconceptions – decided to brave the school brooms and go for a fly. I knew it would irritate me that the brooms were so old, but beggars can't be choosers so I headed off towards the Quidditch pitch. On my way I ran into Sir Nick – quite literally. As I apologised and shivered Nick gave me some bad news.

'The headmistress and her deputy would like to talk to you in her office,' he said, cheerfully enough.

'Oh.' I wouldn't have been so worried if it weren't for the 'and her deputy'. 'Thanks Sir Nick,' I said, for his sake, before turning around and going in the opposite direction.

I was eager to get the meeting over and done with so I travelled as quickly as possible and didn't hesitate as I had the first time I had been faced with the heavy wooden door. Knocking smartly I entered to see not only Minerva and Severus, but also Poppy. Immediately my thoughts turned to Cameron – was she alright? Judging by their sombre expressions alone I'd have said no, but we hadn't met in the Hospital Wing – surely that was a good sign?

'Minerva, Poppy… Severus,' I greeted each of them.

'Danni,' Minerva started. 'We've called you here to ask you for a favour.' She paused so I inclined my head, indicating she should continue. 'For whatever reason Cameron Black seems to trust you. If you could try and get her to talk to you we would greatly appreciate it. Poppy?'

'Ah, yes. We have reason to believe that Miss Black is being abused by her guardians,' Poppy took over.

'Her guardians?' I questioned. I was very aware of Severus' inspection of me and was trying my best to ignore him.

Nevertheless it was he who answered my question after a sidelong glance at Minerva. 'Cameron Black is the illegitimate child of a known criminal. Although her father is an unknown, her mother, shortly before her death, placed her in guardianship of a couple who are not exactly law-abiding.'

I nodded slowly and scowled. 'Why can't you just take her from the couple then?' I asked.

There was another considering pause and sideways glance. 'We've tried,' Minerva said. 'But there is no hard evidence against the couple, despite the Ministry and our suspicions.'

I nodded again. Basically they wanted me to get a report from Cameron for evidence of her abuse. It sounded simple enough, but I knew it wouldn't be. Why would Cameron tell me, her Charms teacher, about something she probably didn't want to think, let alone talk, about? The frown stayed firmly sat on my forehead. Something here – despite their explanation – didn't make sense. Oh sure, what they had said did make sense, but it was like looking at a Jigsaw puzzle with only the outside pieces filled in – there was a lot they weren't telling me.

'Would you like to go now to her?' Poppy asked me.

'Now?' My eyes grew wide. 'But I thought you said she wouldn't be recovered enough to rouse until at least Monday?'

'I know,' Poppy said significantly.

My mouth formed an 'o' of realisation. That was what had confirmed their suspicions. If a person was given certain potions and charms drunk and said at exactly the right times they would heal extraordinarily fast. It was extremely difficult to pull off and had been made illegal a good thirty years ago due to certain dodgy potion ingredients and dark magic needed. I had studied it at NEWT level and had found it fascinating. But for it to be actually used when there was such a high chance of it going wrong!

'The Crepuscular Procedure°?' I asked. The expressions on their faces and the tense little nod I got from Poppy confirmed this.

Poppy made to leave the room so I turned to open the door, but Minerva stopped me.

'One moment please,' she said. 'Am I right in understanding that you,' she addressed me, 'and Severus have had a brief affair?'

Brief? Oh, does half an hour count as brief? I thought sarcastically.

Minerva was obviously trying to remain unbiased, but it wasn't hard to notice the disapproval she felt. We both simply nodded. 'I'm only going to ask that you keep your private lives and jobs separate,' she requested.

'I'm afraid that in seven months time I will be asking for maternity leave,' I apologised. Minerva frowned and waved the three of us from her office without saying anything else.

As soon as Severus, Poppy and myself were well out of hearing distance of the stone gargoyle guarding Minerva's office, I groaned and rolled my eyes. 'If that's what she's like, what's my mother going to say?' I moaned.

I felt the weight of a sympathetic hand on my shoulder before Severus turned away from us with a great billowing of his cloak.

'Dear me,' Poppy said, 'what have you done to the poor man?'

'What?' I replied, rather incoherently.

'He cares greatly for you, can't you tell?'

I snorted. 'Yeah, I can tell how much he cares about me, given that every time we talk to each other we end up insulting each other.'

'Yes, but he doesn't even bother talking to anyone else unless he absolutely needs to,' she pointed out.

I opened my mouth to argue, but stopped. There was some gravity in her words. And the last two times, at least, it had been Severus who had really started the conversation. And, really, the only times the insults had really hurt me was after I had told him I was pregnant with his child. Had his knowing somehow changed how I felt about him?

As we stepped into the Hospital Wing all thoughts about mine and Severus' feelings were pushed from my head. For Cameron was sitting up in bed, as happy as could be – for her, anyway – catching up on the work she had missed yesterday.

'Hello Cameron,' I called to her.

She looked up immediately and my heart warmed at the ways her eyes lit up and a small, shy smile tugged at her lips.

'Hi, Professor,' she said quietly.

'I hear you're feeling better?' I asked, smiling and taking the seat beside her bed. 'You certainly look better.'

'Yes, I am. And… thank you. For saving me.'

I heard Poppy draw the curtains around us and I pulled Cameron's letter from my pocket. 'Here, this is yours,' I said, giving it to her. She took it silently and slid it between the pages of one of her school books without looking at it.

'Did you read it?' she asked me.

'No.'

'Did you want to?'

'Yes.' I saw no point in lying to her.

Cameron looked at me for a long moment and then seemed to accept the answer I'd given her. 'Thanks,' she said simply.

'They want me to talk to you,' I said.

'About what?' Cameron said, not even asking who 'they' were. Was she truly as ignorant as she pretended to be of the Headmistress' attempts to have her removed from her guardians' care?

'The Headmistress seems to think you're being abused by you guardians.'

At my words the girl turned very, very pale. I leant forward to take her hand, but she snatched it away from me. 'Do you believe her?' she asked in a harsh whisper.

'Cameron, the school won't even tell me who your guardians are – who am I to judge?' I assured her.

She relaxed a bit at this and let me take her hand, but I could see in her eyes that the slightest wrong word at this point would send her running for the hills. Maybe the direct approach was not the best idea, so I changed my track completely.

'How are you doing with your other subjects so far?' I asked at random.

Cameron blushed and muttered the 'OK' of someone who is doing far better than their friends.

I grinned at her. 'Not just excelling at Charms, then?' I teased her lightly. 'What about the holidays?' I persisted, when she refused to give me a reply. 'Doing anything exciting?'

At this Cameron grinned. 'What, with my abusive guardians?' she joked.

I saw the shadow that flicked across her face when she said that and it made me wish a court needed nothing more than a couple of looks and blood draining away from a face in fear to prove if someone was guilty or innocent. And then I had a brainwave. What Cameron really needed was a holiday. Away from her guardians who I knew by now, with out a shadow of a doubt, physically and probably mentally hurt her. Away from Hogwarts and school work and the endless gossip. And away from awkward teachers asking awkward questions.

'Cameron?' I asked. 'How would you like to go to Wales?'

°Crepuscular rays are, ironically, 'God's Rays' or specific rays or sunlight.

Written: Unknown
Chances of continuation: nil

Feel free to use this piece of writing for whatever the hell you want, so long as you credit me (either this account or my main one - Calistabelle) and let me know what you do with it.

Much love,
Cal