Chapter 20

For the Love of Severus Snape

(Next day)

I thought the dreams had stopped. I woke up with a hollow feeling in my chest, but as memories of last night rushed back, humiliation seemed to bubble inside me. I knew what I had done and I wished I could take it back.

I had told Professor Snape that I loved him. I showed him weakness and vulnerability. The things I said last night, I would never be able to take back.

At least after today I probably will never see Professor Snape again. As I thought of this, I felt a sense of loss and I knew very well why. I did love Professor Snape. Had it really come to this? Had I really become so desperate for a family that I had to love Severus Snape? But as little sense as it made to me and as much as tried to deny it, I loved him.

That didn't mean I necessarily had to like him. Quite frankly, I did not really enjoy spending time with him at all. His general lack of kindness frustrated me to no end and his nonexistent hair care regime still disgusted me. But I knew the moment that I leave he would be all I could think about. I knew that I would worry about him every moment of everyday. And I knew if it came down to it I would gladly give my life for him. I loved him with all my heart.

I slowly got dressed, dreading facing my cousin. But eventually I would have to go downstairs.

I began my descent.

I smelt eggs, as I reached the downstairs landing. I followed the smell into a small kitchen just passed the sitting room.

Professor Snape was cooking. It was odd to imagine the professor doing anything other than skulking around or yelling at students. So seeing him doing something as normal as cooking a meal seemed unbelievable.

I cleared my throat. The professor turned around from what he was doing. "Morning," I said awkwardly. He gave a curt nod of response and then returned to the stove.

I looked around at the windowless room. The tiny space made me feel a little claustrophobic. A stove, icebox and sink were crammed into one corner of the room. A bitty table and one chair were pushed in another. I leaned against the patch of wall closes to the door to stop the feeling that the walls were closing in on me.I guessed that Professor Snape didn't throw many dinner ridiculousness of the idea made me smile slightly.

"Eat," said Professor Snape as he placed a plate of scramble eggs on the small table.

I sat. "Thanks," I told him. He said nothing, but began cleaning his dishes by hand. He could have done it by magic much quicker, but I knew he didn't want the awkwardness of having to talk to me. And for that I was grateful to him.

I looked at the slimy eggs in front of me. This was not what scrambled eggs were supposed to look like. They tasted just as slimy as they looked. They slithered down my throat disgustingly, and I was left with the taste of rubber in my mouth. For someone who was supposed to be good at potion making, one would think said person could prepare something as simple as scrambled eggs, but apparently not.

I made sure Professor Snape was not looking before I vanished the eggs with my wand.

There was a knock on the front door.

"Get up and go upstairs," the professor ordered in a fierce hiss. "Do not make a single sound once you are up there."

I obeyed.

Severus looked up the stairs to make sure the girl was completely hidden before he opened the door just a crack to peer outside.

A hooded figure stood just beyond the entryways. "Draco," Severus greeted, opening the door wide enough to allow Draco Malfoy to slip inside. "And what do I owe this pleasure?"

"He sent me," Draco said trying to sound brave, but seemed to go paler as he thought of his orders.

"Ah," said Severus. "And what does the Dark Lord care to relay to me."

"He wants the girl today, He wants Al-Alex Snape now," Draco's voice shook.

"What are his reasons for wanting her now, for I was going to bring her to him in only two short days?"

"The Dark Lord does not need a reason," Draco said.

"Very well, I need to fetch her from the orphanage," Severus said.

"The Dark Lord gave me orders to go with you," Draco said quietly.

"Very well," Severus said darkly.

They were just about to apparate out when Draco said, "She's here."

"What?" Severus hissed, freezing on the spot, but then he saw what had given it away.

"That's her book bag," Draco's voice was an octave higher in pitch.

She had brought her bag down to show Professor Snape those stupid pictures. Severus said nothing.

"That's Alex's, I specifically remember," Draco remembered Alex's purple backpack placed on the tiled floor of the boy's bathroom as they sat beside each other in silence. Draco looked wide eyed at Professor Snape. "Where is she?"

"Right here," called a voice from the top of the stairs. Both Severus and Draco turned around to see Alex Snape come in to view.

Dear Readers,

This chapter is the start of a series of events that will change the stories tone to be darker. There will still be plenty of funny awkward moments between Alex and Professor Snape. Draco will be coming into the story a lot more to add to those awkward moments, but the story is about to get much darker. What are your thoughts on this? Do you like the story so far? Do you have any ideas that you would like me to add? Please review.

**Thora Jane**

P.S.

Thank you so much for reading this far.