Disclaimer: Not mine.

The Uninvited

Chapter 4

Severus turned on his heel to head back to his chambers where he finished dressing. He donned his school robes even though class was no longer in session, he found comfort in the familiar and seldom varied his routine or his dress. Resetting his wards, he proceeded down the long dark corridors toward the Great Hall, hoping for lunch.

He almost made it. He had the door in sight, when he heard Albus call to him. Stopping in the middle of the hall, he turned to see the old wizard striding quickly towards him.

'Severus, we are having some difficulty in the infirmary. If you would be so good as to join us. It seems our young guest is intent on leaving without first tasting our hospitality," he smiled at the younger wizard. "Perhaps, if you spoke to her. She has not so much as given her name."

"I did not bring home a lost dog. She is not mine," he sneered at the Headmaster.

"You are the one that found her, and you share knowledge of the Dark Lord. Perhaps these two things combined will bring her to trust you."

"I am the one who just lied to her Albus. I am sure Minerva has given you the details of her capture?" he said tiredly, feeling yet another meal slip away.

"Yes yes, my boy, however, anyone from the Dark Lord's court would have expected that, would they not Severus?"

"Fine." He spun on his heel and strode toward the infirmary, letting his voice carry back down the hall. "Dinner better be good old man, it better be the best damn dinner I have had in a long time"

The slamming door announced Severus to the Hospital Wing. With the sound of his heels resounding off the floor and his robes billowing behind him, he strode up to witches bed, pulled back the curtain and glowered at her.

"Talk witch," he sneered. "Don't stop until we know who you are, why you have come here, and when you plan on leaving. I am tired, hungry and in no mood for nonsense."

The witch looked up at him then threw back the blanket and stood to face him. Closing the gap between them until she was toe to toe, she brought up her right hand and pointed her index finger at him.

"Don't you dare, dare, talk to me in that tone. You lied to me you big git. You ..."

"Enough witch, watch what you …" he tried to cut her off only for her rant to continue.

"… have the nerve to stand there and fake innocence. I did not come here. I ended up here. I went to the Forbidden Forest, not Hogwarts if I remember correctly. So it was you that brought me here." She thundered at him and lifted her chin higher.

"Witch, if I had not brought you here you would have been dead before the sun could touch you," he said, through clenched teeth.

"That is how I planned it. You arse! Why else would I have hidden in the Forbidden Forest?" she snapped at him and took another enraged step forward, forcing him to back up. "You even screwed that up!"

The silence that greeted her outburst hung in the air until she returned to sit on the edge of the bed. And then it was she that broke it.

"I need clothes and then I will leave," she cried then stuck out her bottom lip.

Poppy closed the curtains waving Severus to go with her back to her office. Minerva followed them in silence. The three entered the tiny room and Poppy closed the door, waving a silencing spell around them.

"Well," Minerva started, "this is a fine start to garnering trust, is it not? Whatever are we to do with her? I cannot just let her leave now, not after that statement. She could be dead by morning."

"Minerva, she needs time to heal, I will keep her here until she is better, she needs food and rest," Poppy said firmly.

"The big plan is to feed the witch. Perhaps I should become ill," Severus snipped. "Perhaps that is the only way to get fed around here."

"Oh sweet Merlin, will you stop already?" Minerva rolled her eyes at Severus.

"I have had two meals in three days now. I have had one shower in four days. I am tired, and now I am asked to tend her? She is not an infant." Severus shot back at her.

"No-one has asked you to tend this witch," Minerva said sharply.

They heard the doors close in the infirmary and Poppy put her head out to see the Headmaster approach.

"It's only Albus," Poppy said.

"Here it comes Minerva," Severus sneered at Minerva. "Is he wearing both shoes? Or is he getting ready to drop one?"

"Well," Albus beamed, "I see everything has quietened down."

"Indeed Albus," Severus said with his arms folded. "It seems that I am a git for not allowing her plan to die unattended in the Forbidden Forest to come to full fruition."

"Ah, I was afraid that a young witch in the forest at that time of night would have had that on her mind," Albus shook his head sadly. "You had no idea as to what had been planned yesterday evening my lad?"

"None Albus, I was not even informed that there was to be a Revel. I cannot easily ask around. If I feign too much interest, I could alert the wrong party. You saw how she was dressed as Poppy undoubtedly kept the dress to show you. I have no idea who to trust for this information."

"Perhaps a word with the witch is in order," Albus mused.

As the two wizards approached the witch, she stood and began looking around her as if for a way out.

"Now my dear, nothing to worry about," Albus smiled putting on his best grandfather act. "We offer you protection. Hogwarts is a haven to any one fleeing from the dark side. You are welcomed here for as long as it is needed."

"Are you going to lock me up?" she demanded to know.

"Lock you up my dear? Why no, we would never do that. You will be safe here as long as you stay inside the school. Whereas the grounds are safe, we would ask for you to avoid the more public areas, for your own safety." He continued smiling, waving his hands as he spoke.

"You would let me go outside?" she asked, her brow coming together in concentration.

"Yes my dear, of course," Albus looked to Minerva intrigued by the witch's question.

"After a while, if things appear safe we shall take you into Hogsmeade to purchase you some clothes, in the meantime I am sure we can find some for you," Minerva said gently.

"Can I go out in the day time?"

"Yes." Albus peered at her. "Child, have you been kept indoors for a long time?"

The witch looked from face to face uncomfortably.

"I do not know any of you, how would I know you speak the truth?" she questioned looking directly at Severus. "He lied once already."

Poppy introduced both herself and Minerva to the witch, and then Severus. When she introduced Albus Dumbledore the witch's eyes grew large, as she stared at him.

"Albus Dumbledore? You knew my mother. She spoke of you often. This must have been where she went to school."

Albus smiled. "Well, I am glad to see she thought so highly of me. And what was her name my dear?"

"I don't think you would remember her Headmaster, it must have been many years ago."

"Now that you know all of us, would you be so good as to give us your name?" Albus tried again.

The witch looked up to Albus. "It is Doris, Doris Bradley."

"Fine Doris Bradley, now we have a name. Such a nice start. Now dear, we have work to do, so I am afraid we must leave you with Poppy here. You rest up, eat your lunch, and as soon as we are able to we will fetch some clean clothes for you, and we can talk again." Albus smiled brightly. "Then perhaps you would like to take a walk outside."

"Thank you. That would be nice." She smiled back at him transforming into a happy young witch before their eyes.

"That is not Doris Bradley, and you know it Albus." Minerva sniffed as they walked down the hallway back to the Headmaster's office. "If she is a day over twenty- five I will eat the sorting hat."

"If that's what they are serving for dinner you are in trouble," Severus muttered.

"Stop," she hissed at him.

"Indeed, Albus why did you not address her lie at once?" Severus sneered.

"Now, Minerva, and you of all people Severus," Albus clicked his tongue at the pair, "she is obviously scared and ill at ease with us. At this time yesterday, she was preparing for a wedding to a Death Eater she obviously had no intention of marrying and then shows up at our door nearly dead. Of course, she is reluctant to give her real name. She fears we may return her."

"Hogwash," Minerva snorted stepping onto the first step of the moving staircase. "She is hiding more than just her name."

"I don't agree Albus," Severus said. "If she were turning to us as a blood traitor she would be proud to give her name. If she planned on returning she would threaten us with it."

The three sat around the fireplace in Albus' chambers as he ordered a tray of tea from the kitchen. They sat in comfortable chairs around the small coffee table, each lost in thought until the tea appeared. Minerva sat forward in her chair indicating that the service was to be placed in front of her, and began pouring Albus and Severus hot steaming cups of the dark rich tea. Reaching for the biscuits, Severus opted to take the whole plate of them and placed it on his lap.

"You'll ruin your dinner," Minerva said reaching to take it back.

"I've killed for less." He held onto the plate and glared at her.

"Severus, what would you think of taking Miss Bradley with us to the Order Meeting tonight?" Albus thought aloud.

"Don't see how you can trust her Albus. She will not even give you her true name," Severus scowled.

"Albus may be right about this Severus," Minerva said thoughtfully. "She is obviously on our side or against the Dark Lord at any rate, and someone may recognize her."

"If all you want is her identity why not drag her down to the Ministry?" Severus sneered.

"Severus, the Dark Lord had plans that he would not share even with you my friend. Perhaps she could offer some valuable information," Albus said over his spectacles.

"What if she decides to return to her betrothed?" Severus spat.

"In that case a simple memory charm would be in order, would it not?" Albus grew stern. "We will take her with us. In addition, Severus, I want you to accompany her today. Take her for a walk outside, collect her for dinner and gain her trust."

Severus glared at Albus, and then stood ready to leave.

"That Minerva, is what I meant by tending babies," he said as he strode for the door.

Severus returned to the hospital wing to find Doris sitting in the chair by her bed looking much better than earlier. Poppy had found a dark green dress that seemed to fit despite the fact that she did not wear outer robes. She was however, modestly covered and appeared in much better spirits than before.

"I see you are prepared for a walk outside."

"Yes Professor Snape I would enjoy that," she returned stiffly.

Offering his hand to assist her to stand, she dropped to a short curtsy and took up his arm. Together they walked down the hallway back towards the main doors.

Severus was taken aback by her sudden proper manners and complete decorum. She walked straight with her chin up, not looking from side to side. She lay her hand on, but did not rest it on his arm. She matched her steps to his, and his stride shortened automatically to accommodate hers.

She was a study in contrasts. Now so calm, so proper, so obviously raised in pureblood taste and old-fashioned manners, whereas an hour ago she had stood toe-to-toe, ready to do battle with him. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, studying her for any hint of discomfort from the previous night, or any pain she might have felt from the clothes rubbing on the fresh scars, but found none.

They stopped in front of the main doors when she released his arm and smiled, waiting for him to open the door. As he did so, he reached a hand back to her to escort her outside and noticed the slightest hesitation, fear registering in her eyes. The smallest shadow crossed her face but she quickly swallowed and stepped forward wearing a now false smile.

The sunlight hit her full on, turning her auburn locks to a bright red fire. Her hand came up to shield her eyes but not before he saw the most dazzling smile cross her face. He sucked in his breath and silently chided himself for his reaction, as he realized he was staring at her, not moving. Mentally shaking his head, he offered her his arm as they began to walk.

Albus watched the couple from his window and smiled contently. They made a fine looking couple, he tall and lean, her coming even with his shoulder. His hair black and lank while hers was red and full. He smiled turning from the window, already wishing his potion master well.

He was more than aware that Severus' biting comments and cutting assessments of others, were a mask to hide his bitterness. He was shunned by those he worked to save. The very wizards that used his information to fight the Dark Lord did not trust him and took every opportunity to let him know it.

Albus had complete and utter faith in the lad. After more years then he ever thought he would have the man in his employ, he had found no reason to lessen this trust. He considered Severus a friend and a confidant, and it bothered him to see him alone and unwanted. Therefore, if walking the grounds of Hogwarts with the witch on his arm could give him solace for one afternoon, then Albus was glad.

Thanks to my beta Hebe GB who is taking time from her own story to help me clean this up... give her story a peek... very nice and well written