Sweet Dreams
.
The rest of the day went by much faster than Severus would have liked, and before long, it was Christmas Eve morning. The students that had stayed were spending their time outside, enjoying the snow while it lasted, or at least until supper that night. So until then, he was going to spend his time in the dungeons, doing what he did best.
Carefully watching the bubbling potion, Severus sprinkled a pinch of herbs across it while carefully stirring clockwise. Madam Pomfrey always asked him to restock the infirmary potions during the holidays, and now it was becoming so routine for him. She didn't even need to ask anymore. Sometimes, he would get any students in his N.E.W.T. class to help him out, but the only one qualified student he had been able to get was Alexander Fleming, since the young McGonagall was an absolute mess at potions, Jones wasn't interested, and Hunt's nose was buried in yet another book.
At his side, Fleming was carefully making the same potion, though he was slightly slower than Severus. His focus hadn't waver since he started - it was the one subject that he enjoyed doing. The constant focus also meant that his mind wouldn't wander, particular to his drunk father.
Sitting among the many empty seats, Alice Hammond was doing homework, her gaze often flickering to the older Slytherin, sometimes even smiling gently at Fleming before going back to her own work. The younger girl had been friends with Fleming since they were little, and they leaned on each other during the hard times, a drunk father for Fleming, and parents always fighting for Hammond. They listened to each others problems and worries, and since the middle of last year, they'd also started dating. Severus wouldn't be surprised if things went farther as they got older. At least their parents wouldn't object, since they were both purebloods.
The room was filled with the sound of bubbling and the scratching of quills, something that was almost calming. It was something that he usually didn't hear during his potions classes, with idiotic first-years, Gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs making a mess of everything, and of course, there was the constant danger that if they placed the wrong item in, or threw something in at the wrong time, the potion would end disastrously. He was glad that Fleming was a good enough student that those sort of things wouldn't happen easily, giving him the chance to relax even a little.
But it seems that wouldn't happen for long.
It was only because of years of training that Severus didn't look up immediately from his potion when the door to his classroom creaked open. Instead, he finished up the potion, stirring it the necessary number of times and waving his wand over it, letting a small part of his magic completing it. He then removed the cauldron from the fire, bottling it up in a number of glass vials before he finally looked up. And Severus almost groaned as he found who was at the front of his desk.
"What do you want?" he asked in a snap.
The smile the girl sent him was almost blinding in the dim classroom. "I wanted to see ya," she said honestly. "So Mad'm Poppy brought me here."
Glancing at the door, Severus sent a glare at the nurse as she sent a knowing look his way before closing the door. Damn. Now he was being forced to play babysitter. That just ruined his day.
"Professor, who is this?" asked Hammond, her eyes narrowed in observation. As Fleming finished his potion, he seemed to be asking the same question silently as he glanced at the girl. Said girl seemed to notice their stares, and started to shrink.
"This is our guest," Severus said without giving up too much information. "The one I mentioned earlier."
"Oh." Now understanding, Hammond smiled gently at the young girl. She was always the best with the younger Slytherin students, which was why she was made Prefect. "Hi, I'm Alice. Whats your name, dear?"
"Don't know," the girl muttered, inching her way to Severus. "Don't 'member."
"She has lost her memory," said Severus in explanation when Hammond sent him a questioning look, while the girl finally rushed behind him to hide, clinging to his dark robes. "She remembers nothing, not even her own name."
"That's terrible," said Hammond after a moment, shaking her head in sympathy. "Poor thing."
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes - for it seemed another had fallen for the girl - Severus looked down at the girl. "Let go of me, child."
Slowly letting go of his robes, the girl peered up at the cauldron. "What'cha doin'?" she asked, sniffing the air and wrinkling her nose. "Smell's funny."
"That's a potion," Fleming informed her when it seemed Severus wasn't going to. "It can be used for a variety of things - medicine, poison, and a magical enhancer that will temporarily boost strength, speed, and so on. This one in particular is to help with pain."
"Wicked," said the girl with a grin, standing on her toes as she tried to see the Pain Reliever Potion.
"Language," growled Severus.
"Sorry, sir," the girl said almost instantly. "Are you gonna make more? I wanna see how ya make it!"
"Children should not be around brewing potions, especially when they are prone to magical outburst," said Severus. "Its dangerous. So the answer to your question is no, at least while you're around."
If the girl had long ears - maybe like a rabbit - he could imagine them drooping in sadness as her face fell. But Severus was determined to hold his ground, for he wouldn't let her get to him like she did with others. "So, you want me ta leave?" she muttered. "Okay."
"... If you can manage to keep quiet, and keep your magic in check, you can sit at one of the desk," Severus grumbled a moment later. He could resist seeing her sad - it was reminding him to much of Lily. Merlin's balls, she just had to have her eyes.
"I'll be good, promise!" said the girl with a few rapid nods. She raced to the nearest desk and sat at attention, her hands folded on top of the desk. She looked more excited then most of his first year students.
"Mr. Fleming, let us switch to the Healing Sleep Potion," said Severus with a nod to Fleming. "It's a potion I'm sure will be on the N.E.W.T. test, and you need practice in it. Go gather the ingredients, enough for two."
"Yes, Professor," said Fleming with a nod before marching off to the nearby supply cupboard, the clinking of glass telling Severus he was pulling out ingredients.
"What does that potion do?" asked the girl predictably.
"It forces the drinker into a deep sleep, then it gives his or her magic a boost so it has a chance to come forward and heal whatever is wrong with that person," Severus explained as he cleaned out what he could out of his cauldron with a wave of his wand before calling forth a new one. "Much like a coma."
Nodding in understanding, the girl watched as Fleming returned with the ingredients, and Severus slowly started to ignore the girl as he started the potion, which would take a few hours. It wasn't a difficult potion for him, but it was for his student, though thankful, he only had to speak to him a few times, reminding him of something or asking a question about the potion.
When he did manage to glance up, Severus wasn't surprised to see Hammond talking with the girl, pointing something out on a piece of paper. He wondered vaguely if the girl had drawn something again, but his attention was soon taken by the potion again.
"Now stir three times clockwise, three times counter-clockwise, good, and finally, wave your wand over it," Severus instructed Fleming, who was finishing his own potion, which was the perfect color, a pale purple that had hints of blue. "Excellent work, Mr. Fleming. I believe we can send this batch to St. Mungo's."
At that, Fleming was beaming, and for good reason. Severus rarely sent his students finished potions to the wizarding hospital. But he also believed that Fleming would become a great Potioneer someday, and hoped this would push him to do even better.
"So, lion, eagle, badger, and snake are all ma-mascots?" Severus heard the girl say slowly. He looked up to see her frowning in concentration.
"That's right," said Hammond with a smile that he could even hear. "Good job. We've been going over the different Houses, sir," she informed her Head before she glanced back at the girl, who was staring at the paper in front of her, which had the animals drawn out on them. "Which House do you like best, sweetie?"
"...Maybe the lion," said the girl after a moment. "Cause brave people suppose to come from there, right? Wish I could be brave like that."
Severus sneered, he had guess she would pick that House.
"But the snake must be nice, right?" the girl said after a moment. "Cause you and Mr. Sev'rus come from that house."
"Not all snakes," Hammond said slowly as Fleming came to her side, wrapping and arm around her shoulder. "But yes, it's a nice house. I wouldn't choose another." She smiled up at her boyfriend, who leaned down and gave her a gentle peck on the lips.
"It's lunch time," Fleming said in a mummer. "Ready to go down?"
At that, Hammond glanced at Severus, and he waved her off. "Go, Miss Hammond. I'll be taking the girl back to the infirmary." He gave her and Fleming a look. "I trust you both will not spread the story of our guest around?"
"Of course, sir," said Fleming with a nod, Hammond also nodding in agreement.
"Bye-bye, Alice," said the girl said, waving to the couple as they left the room, both waving back. "Do I really have ta go back, Mr. Sev'rus? Its boring in there."
"Yes, you will," said Severus firmly. "And I will have a talk with Madam Pomfrey to let her know that you are not to be taken to me whenever you feel like it. Now come along."
Giving a sad nod, the girl followed him as he swept up to the infirmary, not even going ten feet before she grabbed at his robes again, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around the fabric. This time, he left her to cling to him as he led her back to her temporary home.
~o0o~
The supper that evening was calm, or at least compared to how it would be tomorrow. Finishing his meal quickly, Severus made his way back to his quarters, ready to have a quick drink before he broke in a new book that he had bought before the holidays started. But it seemed that wouldn't happen.
Just as his was pouring himself a glass of scotch, the voice of the Salazar Slytherin's portrait spoke out. "Severus, you have guests, so I suggest you put the alcohol away."
Groaning, Severus left the kitchen and marched into the living room. "Who is it?" he snapped out.
"The nurse and a young girl," Salazar informed him. "I believe the nurse is explaining to the girl how portraits can move and talk."
Now growling darkly, Severus nodded to the portrait to let them in as he ran a hand through his hair. Would the girl ever give him a moment's peace?
"Good evening, Severus," said Madam Pomfrey almost cheerfully as she came inside his room, the girl right behind her, looking around with wide eyes. "Glad that I caught you before you decided to head off to bed."
"What is it you want, Pomfrey?" Severus asked in a growl. "I don't have time to play babysitter, I'd rather get some sleep."
"Oh shush, Severus, you and I both know that you won't be going to bed for hours." Pomfrey 'tsked' unhappily. "Not a healthy habit, but I won't force you to change that anytime soon." Looking back to the girl, who was now staring up at the portrait of Salazar, she gave her a nod. "I need you to take care of her tonight," Pomfrey said, ignoring the glare she was getting, "and probably tomorrow, as well. I'm spending Christmas day with my family, and I'm leaving very early in the morning - won't be back till the twenty sixth."
"No," said Severus firmly, crossing his arms as he glared down at the short witch. "I'm not going to be a bloody nanny."
Crossing her own arms, Pomfrey gave her own glare, her brown eyes suddenly hard as ice. "Severus Tobias Snape," she said in her 'listen and obey or pay the price with your life' voice that she'd been using on students for years. "You will let this poor girl stay the night with you for tonight and tomorrow, and you will treat her as if she was your own Slytherin. That means with kindness, as much as you can muster, and understanding of her situation. Is that understood?"
"..." Nodding once, Severus hated how Pomfrey suddenly smiled brightly in success. Blasted woman. At least he had a guestroom, though Queenie would have to make it up. Some Slytherins slept there when they were going through a rough time.
"Excellent. Just call the house-elves if you need anything for her." Pomfrey turned to walk away, but paused for a moment. "Remember, Severus," she said softly. "You're not the only one who's had it rough." Reaching the door, she patted the girl on the shoulder, who jumped in surprise. "Behave for Professor Snape, dear. I'll see you in two days."
"M'kay. Bye," the girl said shyly while waving the nurse good-bye, the portrait swinging shut after she stepped through it.
"Meddling old woman," Severus growled. "Queenie!" he snapped out, and a moment later, a house-elf appeared in front of him. "I need the guestroom made up and a nightgown for her," he said, nodding towards the girl. "And get me a cup of your strongest tea." It wasn't like he was going to bed soon.
The house-elf disappeared with a squeak, probably sensing how angry he was quickly getting.
"How can they do that?" asked the girl, looking at the spot the house-elf had once been.
"Magic," Severus snapped out simply, and the girl - for once - winced. "Now listen here, it seems you're to be staying in my quarters tonight. You'll be sleeping in my guestroom that I'm having Queenie fix up. I don't want to hear a word out of you about how you don't want to stay in there. Too bad. You'll go to bed, and you'll stay in bed till the morning. Is that understood?"
"Yes," the girl whimpered. Tears were building up in her bright green eyes, but she quickly turned away, trying to get rid of them without him seeing. Only a moment later, though, she turned back, smiling brightly even though he could see tear streaks on her cheeks. "I understand, Mr. Sev'rus."
Two small pops interrupted Severus before he could say anything as Queenie and another house-elf appeared. "Here being your nightgown for your young guest, Master Severus," Queenie squeaked. She was his own personal house-elf, and had been since he arrived at Hogwarts. "And the guestroom be done in moment!"
"Excellent," Severus said. glancing at the girl, who had stepped away from him. He'd finally made the girl fear him, and now he felt bad about, though he most definitely wasn't going to show it. The other house-elf sat his tea down on the table next to his chair and disappeared with a bow.
"Is this for me?" the girl asked Queenie as she handed her the nightgown, and the house-elf nodded, ears flapping. "Thank you very much!" she said with a smile as she hugged the nightgown to her chest. "That's really nice of you!"
Queenie sniffed. "Misses is too kind to Queenie!" she said tearfully. Severus had long broken her habit of bursting into tears whenever he thanked her, but she still got teary sometimes.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" said the girl, trying to calm Queenie even though she didn't know what she did wrong. "I didn't mean to make you cry!"
That caused Queenie to cry even more, and the girl looked to Severus for help.
"Enough of that, Queenie," said Severus firmly. "Go back to the kitchens." He almost smirked in achievement when Queenie nodded once and disappeared with one final pop. "Now," he said, pointing to his bathroom, "go and wash your face and brush your teeth. There should be a spare toothbrush in the cup - take the white one. Change into your nightgown as well."
Nodding, the girl sprinted off and practically slammed the door shut before he could tell her not to run. Huffing, Severus took the cup of tea and marched to the kitchen, the tea could use some scotch.
When he came back a few minutes later, Severus wasn't surprised to see the girl back, sitting on the floor with her back against the second armchair and her knee's pulled up to her chest. She was staring into the fire, the light in her green eyes dancing with the flames. She looked up when she saw him come in, blinking in surprise.
"Go to bed," Severus ordered sharply as he sat down in his armchair, summoning the book he wanted with a flick of his wand.
"But I'm not tired," stated the girl.
"I don't care," growled Severus. "Go to bed," he repeated.
"...Can I look at one of your books?" the girl asked, pointing at his bookshelves. "Please? I'll be quiet, promise," she pleaded.
"Fine," snapped Severus. Anything to get her quiet. "Just pick a book from the lowest shelves." That's were he kept his first year school books and anything basic.
Practically glowing, the girl bounced over to the bookshelves, kneeing down so she could read the titles. Not even five seconds went by before she pulled out a book that Severus recognized as Plants and Their Magical Uses. Racing back to the armchair, she glanced at Severus, silently checking to see if he would protest before she scrambled up it, fidgeting for few moments before she laid her legs out in front of her so she could rest the book on her thighs. Her feet dangled over the side, not even near the ground. He didn't have to worry about her getting cold, she was close enough to the fire to stay warm. So with the hope that she'd keep her promise and stay quiet, Severus turned to his own book.
For awhile, the only sound was the crackle of the fire and the sound of pages turning. In fact, it went on for so long that Severus almost forgot about the girl. It wasn't until the clock struck midnight did he finally look up from his book, placing it to the side and standing up, rolling his neck to get rid of the kinks he'd gotten from reading for so long. He gave a small yawn, his jaw cracking, before he looked to see how his guest was doing.
Deep asleep, the girl's head was lolling off to the side, resting on the chairs arm. Her hands were still clinging to the book, which was still laying across her lap. Severus then decided he liked her better when she was asleep - much quieter.
Taking the book from her hands, Severus placed it on top of his own book before he glanced down at the girl. Madam Pomfrey would murder him if she ever found out he had let a child sleep in a chair all night. Huffing, he picked up the girl with ease, cradling her against his chest without even thinking about it.
"Mm..." The girl shifted in his arms, a frown on her face. For a moment, Severus wondered if she would wake up in his arms. He was rewarded a few moments later when she stayed asleep.
"Stupid girl," Severus grumbled to the girl as he carried her to his guest room, even though he knew she couldn't hear him. She should have just gone to bed, then he wouldn't have to do this.
Shifting the girl so he was holding her with one arm, Severus opened the guest room door. It was plan, with a bed and a nightstand as the only furniture. Queenie had changed the blankets and sheets, and had even given the room a quick cleaning. Pulling back the blankets, Severus gently laid the girl down, who almost instantly curled into a tight ball, her hair falling over her face.
With a sigh, Severus reached out, and pushed her hair back with his slender fingers. When he realized what he was doing though, he pulled back with a flinch, as if she had burned him. He had only done that once before - when Lily was still alive and he still had a silly crush on her.
Yanking the blanket over the girl, Severus got out of the room as quickly and as quietly as possible. He needed sleep. Now.
~o0o~
Familiar laughter filled the air. A young Lily, maybe seventeen, was dancing under a large tree, the multicolor leaves of fall drifting around her like snow. She was smiling brightly, and lifted her hands high in the air as she tried to catch one of the many leaves. "Come join me, Severus!" she called out to him. "Its fun!"
For a moment, Severus couldn't move. At seventeen, Lily had already broken her relationship with him, and spent most of her time with Potter and his gang. She had grown up, into a beautiful young woman that still had innocence in her eyes - who hadn't seen the horror of war, and had watched as her friends died around her, and who wasn't praying for her children's safety against a madman.
"Severus?" Lily was suddenly at his side, taking his hand as she looked up to him, worried. Her small hand fit in his perfectly, and when he looked down at her, confused, she smiled sweetly. "Don't be such stiff!" she said teasingly as she tried to drag him to the tree, whose leaves were still falling even though the tree remained full. "Come dance with me!"
"Lily..." Severus wasn't sure whether to enjoy the dream he was obviously in. He didn't deserve to spend even his dreams with her.
"Don't worry about it, Sev," said Lily, as if she could hear his thoughts. "Just enjoy the moment, okay?" She pulled him under the tree, and to Severus' disappointment, let go of his hand to twirl around.
And he did just that. Severus watched Lily for what seemed like hours as she enjoyed herself. He couldn't help but notice the red, orange, yellow, and brown leaves that rained on her. They never touched her for more then a moment before falling to the ground, to crunch under the always moving feet. Severus almost smiled. Autumn had always been Lily's favorite season, and it always reminded him of her.
Giggling, Lily kicked the leaves, sending them flying. "I haven't had that much fun in - what is it now, four years?" she said cheerful. "James always used to pile the leaves for me at home, and I jump into them." Then, she sighed heavily. "I bet Harry would love to do this." She looked to Severus, who hadn't moved at all. "How is Harry, Sev?"
Mouth going dry, Severus tried to clear his throat. "I... I don't know," he admitted. "I've never seen him." He had never checked in on the Boy-Who-Lived. Dumbledore had assured him that he was fine, hidden from those who might want to hurt him - like Death Eaters that might to get revenge for their fallen master.
Tears filled Lily's eyes. "My poor baby," she said as tears ran down her cheeks. "I tried to protect them, I did, Sev. But he was too strong. I barely had time to place the charms."
Charms? That wasn't right. Dumbledore had told him that Lily had protected Harry with her love for him, a mother's love, which was one of the strongest loves out there.
"And then.. he had to..." Bringing her hands up to hid her face, Lily sobbed. "And now he - he... he'll never be normal," she choked out.
Severus hesitated for a moment before he wrapped his arms around Lily, pulling her close. Even in his dreams she smelled of orange and ginger, the smell of her favorite shampoo. "I'm sorry, Lily," he said quietly. "I'm so sorry."
Suddenly, hands gripped at his robes, and Lily looked up at him, her eyes burning like bright green flames. "You have to help him, Severus." she said firmly, even as tears continued to run down her cheeks. "You've already been helping her, help him too. I can't let them fall into their hands."
"Wha-" Severus didn't understand. Who was she talking about?
"I tried so hard to keep her hidden, but they still found her." Shaking her head, red hair flying, Lily's grip on his robes tightened. "Promise me, Severus." The air was starting to get heavier, almost suffocating. "Promise me you take care of them! I know you promised before, but I need to hear it again!"
"Promise?" Severus whispered, his head spinning. What had he promised her?
"Please, I don't have much time left," Lily cried as the sky began to darken, the clouds turning dark gray. The leaves, now all black and gray, fell away, leaving the tree branches bare as the tree bark turned dark. "Just promise me you'll take care of them!"
"I-I promise!" forced out Severus "Whatever you want, Lily, I promise!"
Relief washed over Lily's face as blackness started appear at the edge of his vision. "Thank you, Severus. You don't know how much this means to me..."
~o0o~
Waking up with startled gasp, Severus woke up to see his bedroom ceiling. Groaning, he ran a hand through his now sweat soaked hair. "Lily, what do you want me to do?" he mumbled to the air. Who did Lily want him to protect? He didn't understand it.
Of course he was to protect her son, Harry. He had promised that years ago. But who else? And protect them from who? The Dark Lord was dead. There was no immediate danger in the young Potter's life.
Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, Severus decided to put that away for later. He reached for his wand and mumbled a Tempus spell, bright red numbers telling him it was six 'o' clock. Not feeling like going back to sleep, Severus shoved his blankets aside.
It didn't take long for Severus to get dressed, and half an hour later, he knocked on the guest room door and opened the door part way. "Wake up," he called out. "I want you to get ready for breakfast."
No answer.
Frowning, Severus opened the door further. The bed was made and the nightgown was sitting folded at the end of it, probably the house-elves cleaning up after his guest. That left the question of where was his guest.
"Where are you, child?" growled Severus as he resisted the urge to slam the door shut. Instead, he decided that he need coffee - it was too early to function with out it. The smell of coffee was strong in the air, it seemed Queenie had brought him breakfast already.
"Please, Misses, this be not Misses' job!" Severus heard Queenie squeak from the kitchen. "Oh, Queenie shouldn'ta listened to Misses!"
"Its okay, Queenie, I know what I'm doin'!"
Wondering with brief horror what was going on in his kitchen, Severus quickly made his way over there, only to stop dead in his tracks when he reached the door.
"Good morning, Mr. Sev'rus!" said the girl cheerfully, still in her nightgown. She was standing on a stool that seemed to have placed in front of his stove, the one he never used, making coffee. Already on the table was two plates full of bacon, fried eggs and tomatoes, and toast. "And Merry Christmas!"
"What do you think you're doing, girl?" said Severus. "Get down from there - you'll hurt yourself."
"Queenie told Misses," the house-elf cried, twisting her ears, "but Misses wouldn't listen!"
"I'm okay," insisted the girl as she carefully climbed down. "I woke up earlier. But listen, Mr. Sev'rus!" she said excitedly as she rushed over to him. "Saint Nicholas came last night! And left you presents!" She grabbed his hand, tugging Severus back to the living room. "Come and look!"
"Foolish girl, there is no..." Severus felt an eye twitch coming as he looked over his living room, which he hadn't noticed before in his effort to find the girl. Standing in the corner of the room was a large fir tree, decorated with a number of simple round ornaments - red, gold, green - and even a few fairy lights that Severus had seen Flitwick make for the Grand Hall. Garland was strung about, holly and mistletoe hung along the roaring fireplace, and colorful looking blankets were sitting on the armchairs. Sitting underneath the tree was presents - one from each teacher was what he expected each year, but this year there was double the amount, probably for the girl, who was looking at the scene with wide eyes.
"Meddling old fool," Severus grumbled under his breathe. He was going to have more then a word with Dumbledore later.