Author's note: in this chapter you might feel there would be some OOC and too fluffy (but hey don't sue me for that, it's been a while when they both have a scene together!). might as well enjoy these while it last shall we? –Winks-

The italized words were still Renee's thoughts. And I still don't own HP or any of its characters (pity).

Enjoy reading!

Chapter twenty seven:

Diagon Alley with a touch of promise

It's been days since Sirius left and Snape had replaced him. Renee signed heavily as she laid her head on her study table. She just received Sirius letter a moment ago (for a second I thought he was going to send buckbeak in sending his letter to me) and began to read his letter.

Dearest Renee,

Hope you're fine as you received my letter. Harry is doing fine now for he was not having dreams like that for days though a bit disturbed and worried for what is happening. He was trying to fake that he's okay now, though I could clearly see as a sun that he isn't. The Weasley's and some members of the order are going to spend the Christmas on my place. I actually offered my place for the order's headquarters which is the only thing I could do for them anyway.

I really hope you and Isabel could join us here on Christmas.

How is the Snivellus treating you now? I hope he didn't chop you into bits and made you as a potion ingredient. Give him a hard time for me, will you? Though I know you will just lock yourself on your room and read your bloody books. You should loosen up sometime, but I'm sure you will not do that. You're too stubborn for accepting my advice. What would you like for a present anyway?

Harry asked me to send his 'love' to you –winks-

Write soon, I miss you already

Sincerely,

Your God-father

She reread the letter a few times before deciding to write back. The letter made her smile; it was just days since Sirius had left and she misses his immature antics. He just proclaim me as a goddaughter already, she thought and smiled broadly as she started to write her reply.

Dear God-father,

When do you become my god father? The last thing I remembered I still don't agree how you match me with your god-son. Or did you register me as your goddaughter already on the ministry without my consent? (Another lame joke, I know) The house was terribly quite when you left, and I have completed all of my homework because the person who always interrupt my work was already gone, haha. Though I do miss those times when we were strolling outside and your antics sometimes.

Do persuade Harry to finish his homework too, for sure he hasn't touched it ever since he resided on the Burrow. Glad to hear that he's fine already, I must say I wasn't surprised that he was faking that he's in perfect shape. That's Harry for you; he don't want to make people around him worry, especially you. Give him some time and space, he will eventually open up to you. Also glad to hear in offering your house for the order, now I'm not worried that you might be all alone after the vacation, or will you join Mum here on the house after the vacation?

Fortunately 'Professor SEVERUS SNAPE' hasn't done that to me yet. He confined himself on the basement, and it was only on meal times that I could see him. I do actually foresee it (note: not using my ability to predict) that he will be locking himself on the basement, like he always do at school.

Speaking of predicting, I had already foreseen the apple (yay for me!). It seems that Mum had brought back the borrowed fruit on the Burrow and the fruit had already eaten by some Fred Weasley by now. As for the gift, anything would be fine, except for those things the Weasley twins were inventing.

There is only a small chance that I might go there, so might as well not dwell on it. Just send my "brotherly love" on the boys, will you?

Miss you too! Hope to see you soon

Sincerely,

Renee

P.S. Is your house elf always like that? He was like angry to the world (for he was muttering words as he left the house after giving the letter to me).

I'm bored, she muttered to herself as she finished the letter.

She had finished her homework, read her books and managed to get the vision of the apple. Now Renee knew where Isabel did place the fruit (or where did she get it from), with those red headed people (some were not even familiar with her) she saw in the vision it was clear the place was Ron's house.

Renee let out a hasn't gotten any moment to talk to their new guest, as she could only saw him on meal times. Isabel had been leaving the house everyday, leaving the two of them alone on the house. But it was like she was the only one person there, as Snape have been locking himself on the basement on her disappointment and obviously avoiding her like a plague.

It's not like I could do anything about it if he's avoiding me. I'm a nuisance to his rest day after all.

Renee went downstairs with a heavy heart, her heavy footsteps were echoing through out the house. She gazed on the basement's door and signed, Snape had been locked himself again there, even though his room had already been transferred across her room. She gave the letter to Toby and asked to deliver the letter to Sirius at Grimmauld place.

She plumped on the couch, opened the Television and aimlessly flicker the channels; desperately trying to find something to stop her boredom. But her focus wasn't really on it; she signed and turned off the TV set. She really can't blame him for locking himself on the basement.

He should be relaxing himself on his own home, not babysitting.

Renee gazed on the window as she curled up on the couch, hugging her knees. It was cold outside but not enough for them to have snow. If I wasn't bloody confined on this house I would be going outside, buying the largest coffee and drink it on the park… She signed; there is no way in hell she could go outside without an escort. And with Severus Snape guarding her, asking him to accompany her is like asking for the moon.

Am I really going to be locked up here on the house for the whole vacation?

Renee let out a sign once again, gazing far away on the window. Her mind was occupied on her daydreams of going outside that she didn't even noticed faint footsteps towards her direction.

"Miss Matte" the icily voice make her jumped in surprise. She looked up and saw him standing beside her with his arms crossed on his chest.

Renee stood up in a rush at the sight of her professor. The intimidating looks of him made her thought if she had done something wrong.

He looks like he was going to deduct house points from me, not that he could do that to me now…but still…

"Is there something you need professor?" Renee asked politely as she looked at his eyes for a moment. His face still betrays no emotion, so much in her dismay.

"Follow me" he boringly said as he made his way to the basement, not even waiting for her to follow.

She anxiously followed him, straightening her oversize shirt on her way downstairs. She found him on the lab table and noticed the two vials with unidentified liquids inside. She stopped a few meters from him, as she know he doesn't like people get too near on him.

"Professor?" she looked up to him with a questioning look.

"Apparently, I do need some ingredients that your cupboard doesn't have and I don't trust the house elf would have the ability to pick high quality ones like I do…" Renee wanted to argue to the potions master, Toby do know how to distinguish fresh ones! What is he implying to?

"…you're going with me on Diagon Alley" he said on his bored voice to her.

Her face lit up as he mentioned the place. I haven't visited the place since I was…what eleven years old?

"How are we going to do it? I mean…we couldn't let anyone see us together…" she tried to straighten her face again, though her eyes were beginning to beam in excitement.

Snape pushed the vial on her side.

"This is a de-aging potion. I hope that it satisfy your question and won't barging me on another one, Miss Matte" he tapped his fingers impatiently as Renee picked up the vial.

"One more question sir" Renee asked sheepishly

"What is it?" he barked.

"When are we going?" she asked and swore that she could feel her eyes twinkling like the headmaster.

…

Renee almost flew to her room as she exited the basement to get ready. He had given her an hour to prepare herself. Her cabinet's door almost flew as she opened it and began to scan for suitable clothes for their outing. She finally chooses clothes with neutral colors only. Navy blue jeans, dark green blouse and cream colored coat. She nodded on affirmative on her choice of clothes and dashed on the bathroom to take a bath.

After an hour, Renee was already well groomed when stepped out of her bedroom. Her hair was nicely tied on two ponytails and her clothes were nicely fitted on her body. Since she was going to be a kid again, she didn't bother to wear any make up, except from her loose powder and lip balm.

Snape was already on the living room waiting for her. She stopped on the sight of him. His greasy hair (which is less than before, did he washed his hair?) was tied behind him which made her get a better look on his pale face. He was wearing black jeans and white shirt underneath his black coat. But what surprised her more is that she was facing a younger Severus Snape.

Oh my…she was speechless, dumbly staring at the scowling potions master.

For some reason, his scowling on his younger body was much less threatening than his current age, she chuckled within her.

Snape raised his eyebrows approvingly on her appearance, which made her blush.

Glad I didn't wear anything colorful

"Drink this" he offered the vial on her and she obediently swallowed the contents.

Renee suddenly felt that she was going to be sick as she could feel her body shrinking more that she anticipated. Her clothes became too large for her. Snape raised his wand on her and clothes became fitted to her like a glove.

He raised his wand once again and murmured some incantation. Must be notice me-not-spell, she observed. The two began to walk through the street, and Renee was quite happy about going outside again.

Now the only thing that is missing is a tail and then I will really look like a dog going to a stroll, she thought sarcastically.

The place was more chiller than she anticipated, but the thought of going outside again after days of locking inside the house made her forget all of that. Her thoughts were cut again as his hand suddenly grab her arm and apperated.

Apperating would be the death of me! She shouted on her head as they landed somewhere unfamiliar to her. She thought all of her insides where left on the apparition point. Renee looked up to the boy next to her and gave him a reassurance smile that she was okay.

"I'm fine" she grumbled, swallowing all the building urge of vomiting…get a grip!

Snape just nodded and started to walk on the crowded street. She started to follow him, silently cursing her short legs for slowing her down.

The place was full of people. She noted as she tried to squeeze herself on the crowd, trying her best not to lose her sight on the disguised potion master. It was only then she noticed the Christmas decorations all over the place. Her eyes lit up on the colorful designs, since she had always love the Christmas holidays.

Everyone seems to be always happy on this occasion, she thought about her reason with a smile on her face.

Snape looked back at her, looked as irritated as ever. He must detest the crowd, she thought. Renee swore he was about to say something but changed his mind a second later. He did slower his pace though; she smiled as she knew it was his gesture for her to catch up on him.

Renee couldn't be happier when they reached the apothecary. As much as she liked being on Diagon Alley, she didn't like the idea of being on that crowded street that she thought she would be drown herself there.

She let her eyes followed Snape as she was engrossed on selecting several pieces of Boomslangs skin. His eyebrows almost met on the middle because of his concentration. Even on a body of sixteen years old, he radiates the aura of being superior and the way he holds himself was like an aristocrat.

Renee ripped her eyes away from him, fearing that she might meet his eyes once again. She tried to focus on the bottles in front of her. In a matter of minutes, she found herself indulge on inspecting the vials, fascinated on some ingredients she had never saw before. Renee didn't even notice that Snape was already behind her and almost dropped the bottle of leth river water as she jumped on his voice.

The two of them found themselves on the crowded street again, and Renee swore the people got doubled on the street.

Am I really that short when I was young? She wondered as she always bumped into people's backs (and to her dismay, into people's bums) along the way. A sudden hand grabbed her on the wrist to guide her through the thick crowd. She looked up to him and saw Snape let out a growl but didn't say anything. She smiled on the small gesture he was giving to her again, and can't help but stare on the slender had on her wrist. He's wearing…no is that really my…she keep staring on the gloved hand and wondered if that was really her gift on him. His grip was stern but wasn't hard enough to straggle her.

They reached Florish and Blotts in no time (in her dismay). Renee felt disappointed when Snape let go of her wrist (I was beginning to enjoy the warmth of hand…) as they both entered the store but soon replaced by amusement as she gazed on the stack of book that reaches the ceiling. Her eyes lit up in excitement as she started to look into books (while Snape went into the counter to ask for his order). She chuckled as she remembered how Sirius told her on the letter about her habit of locking herself on her room with her books. Her eyes wandered on the copy of a certain advance potion's book, but not their prescribe book on Hogwarts; which made her more interested on the book.

"Isn't that book too complex for you dear?" Renee jumped on the voice behind her.

"It wasn't that complex for…I mean it's a gift for my sister" Renee instantly took back what she had said and silently scolding herself for almost blowing her cover. She made her voice sweeter on the sales lady, praying she will leave her alone. Act like a real kid, she reminded herself.

"Your sister must be very bookish if she will love that" she commented again, oh just leave me alone will you?

"Yes, she is very…bookish" she replied again on her fake sweet voice. Am I really that bookish? Geez…Sirius must be right after all.

"We also have books for you, you could take a look over there" she pointed the right corner of the store.

"Thank you ma'am, that's very kind of you" she said and made her way on the children section with a scowl as she turned her back on the sales lady.

She looked at the children's section with a distasteful look on her face. Renee would really like to browse more books about charms if that bloody sales lady didn't bother her. She gazed on the titles of the display books, which were all comic books that covered the whole shelves.

What's with the stupid title anyway? She scowled at the sight of one comic book's title 'the adventures of Martin Miggs, the mad muggle'.

I'll rather read a bloody fairytale than that…thing; she distastefully thought and looked around. Snape was still on the counter, while the salesman was still looking for his order. He really looked so impatient, she noted as Snape tapped his finger on the counter. She signed again, it's seems like I'm stuck on this corner while the bloody saleslady is still rooming around.

She randomly picked a book swearing she will not touch those comic books. Her eyes fixed on one certain book; it still does have a weird title. Well what can I really do about it, really? But despite of the weird title, it has interesting stories that made her decided to buy it along with the potions book. She also snatched a Quidditch book on the last minute before heading on the counter. This should do for Sirius gift.

Snape didn't spoke as she went on his side to purchase the books, though he eyed at the three books especially the Quidditch related one.

They exited the bookstore with their purchases on their hands. Snape grabbed her wrist once again, but much vigor on it on her surprise. Renee looked up on him, his face was neutral again. But…something's wrong.

Renee looked at the direction Snape was looking a moment ago. As usual, the street was still crowded as ever, but there is a certain person was very well spotted on the mass of people.

He looked so familiar…but I don't think I've seen him before; she wondered but never got the chance to have a second look as Snape pulled her and blended through the crowd. They entered the nearest café and Renee noticed how stressed his look was (even for just a moment). She was about to ask what was wrong but stopped when he asked what she would like. She pointed a piece of strawberry cake, blueberry muffin and a large serving of cappuccino. He just nodded and ordered the food (along with his tea). Renee noticed how he became so guarded all of the sudden, not even letting go of his wrist. She wasn't surprised when she saw their ordered food on packed; well I don't really imagine he would sit under those colorful umbrellas anyway.

"Do you already bought everything you needed?" he asked her.

"Yes, are we going home now?"

He just nodded and she didn't argue anymore. Who's that person anyway?

...

The two of them apperated again on the familiar woods and was quite surprise when Snape took the opposite direction to the house, though she followed him anyways.

Where are we going?

They reached the park and were surprised when Snape sat on her favorite spot. Renee anxiously sat beside him, making sure she wouldn't touch him.

"Thanks for um…walking me" Renee gave him the brightest smile she could offer to convey how much she appreciated the trip.

Snape just scowled in response, which made her smile even more. His scowl wasn't really scary on his teenage face, she thought.

Renee gazed on the playing children on the swing. She didn't thought (even in my wildest dreams!) that she would gone to diagon alley with him and be on the park, let alone be on his teenage face!

I wished I didn't change too young on the potion, she thought.

She nursed the drink on her hand. It was really quite between them, but she wasn't bothered much about it. Just his presence beside her made her feel fully contented.

"Professor?" she called him, maybe this is the perfect time…

"I really apologized from what happened on the potions lab. That was very impolite of me, I'm sorry…and…" she looked down on her cup as she could feel her face getting warm again.

"And?"

"…And for shouting at you last Halloween. Though I still think you deserve it, no offence sir!" she added quickly, cursing silently her blunt mouth.

She peeked on the surprised potions master beside her. He looked back and gazed far away though she could see a small amusement look on his face.

Well I don't really think he would actually apologize to me too.

Renee signed in relief as she glanced back on the swings. At least he didn't shout at me, she reminded herself as she got no response from him. Her mind wandered on what had happened last Halloween, his pleading voice for Lily still haunts her over the months. Although she could still feel a little jealousy on it, she couldn't help but feel sad from what had happened to Snape's past love.

"You must be really love Lily, don't you?" she suddenly voiced something she shouldn't have,

Renee consciously glanced at the stunned Severus Snape. She could easily see the hint of sadness on his eyes as she mentioned Harry's mother. She was sure he was about to shout at her, and leave her alone on the park.

But he didn't. He looked at the playing kids on the swing instead, with a quite obvious softness on his eyes.

"She was…my childhood friend" Renee almost thought he was about to cry, but he was still boring his neutral face.

"We attended Hogwarts on the same year" he continued and a small smile creeps on his face, obviously remembering their old times together.

Renee could feel the tightness of her chest but didn't dare to show anything about it.

"We were the best of friends until one day…" he trailed and his eyes narrowed.

"Something happened and she didn't talk to me anymore…and she…and that Potter became close" she could tell he was struggling on his words. She had heard from Harry before that he and his father wasn't really on good terms before, no that was understatement…they were formidable enemies.

She knew he was leaving something on his story, though she didn't pushed it anymore. Saying this to someone was already overwhelming for him.

"And when they died…you oath on her memory to protect him?" she asked quietly and saw him nodded on response.

"I understand" she spoke and took a sip of her coffee, trying to calm herself.

"I mean…how special is she to you professor, for you to risk you life for protecting her son…especially for someone who is very adventurous" she tried to lighten the mood. She looked up to him, he wasn't looked amused. It was like he regretted everything what he had said.

"Don't worry sir, I wont tell anyone about it. Even on the trio, I swear" she promised though she wanted to add that she doesn't know anyone on the daily prophet to announce his secret. No, he will not appreciate my joke, he might obliviate me on the spot if I say that; best not to take any chances, she decided.

Snape wasn't looked convinced, and was gazing his beverage like he had detected a poison from it.

"Do you want me to do the unbreakable vow for you to believe me?" She looked into his black orbs.

Snape shook his head, as much on her relief. That vow was really dangerous; I really thought he will made me do it, glad he didn't take my offer.

Renee doesn't know if it was because of the drink or the atmosphere that she decided to be bold for once. She placed her coffee on the bench, shifted her weight on her right arm and reached for his hand and curled her left pinky finger on his left pinky one.

I'm a kid right now, best to act like one.

"I solemnly swear not to tell a living soul…or a dead one about it" I promised that I will never judge you again too soon, she added to herself. Snape was a complex man, that he has too many several layers before you could really see his true feelings. And to openly confess his deepest secret was really something.

I will never do anything to break your trust on me

She grinned sheepishly on the surprised man…Renee blinked several times and finally realized that he had finally come back to his original state of body. Her face reddened and recoiled as fast as she could when she also notice that he potion have also wore off too.

Damn damn damn!

Renee slowly looked up to him and saw him smirking playfully. She grinned shyly on him knowing they had already made up.

...finally

A/n: Well? Told you, he's a bit OOC at some point there.

Review?