Ch. 8 Quizzical bonds

Tabatha woke up the next morning to the early glow of warm sunshine on her face. Stretching her arms over her head she propped herself up on her elbows and looked out the bay window in her room. The day looked like it would be bright and crisp, the trees around the shimmering lake where giving up their green summer clothing for their fiery splendor of autumn. She looked closer down the lake and saw a tall figure in black.

Crawling down the length of the bed and onto the floor she walked over to the bay window and sat down. Tabatha leaned close to the class and her eyes followed Severus walking back and forth on the shore.

"He's not a happy man" Tabatha internalized and placed her hand on the glass, "but he has such potential to be".

Tabatha remembered how walking into this room he created for her made her realize that with utter certainly. Each piece of furniture, each book, each tile on the mantle, was given a much softer edge than anything else in the potion masters domain.

"No", she pondered, "this is not his style at all; this style was just for me."

Tabatha got up and walked over to the vase of wildflowers by her bedside, and reaching out her hand caressed the soft petals again.

"Yes, daisies are surely not his thing." The confirmation of her belief brought a smile to her face.

Folding her arms against her body she wandered back the window and again stared at Severus. The wind was blowing his dark black hair around his face, and though it hid it a bit, she could tell that he was still gazing sadly into the distance.

Her mind went back to last night when he spoke to her about making the room so he could have his room back, how small his voice sounded. How absolutely vulnerable he was for just a moment. A realization crossed her mind.

"He uses sarcasm, his aloofness, and his anger, to mask himself" she thought quietly, her hand again reaching to the glass.

Her eyes filled with tears, she was filled with complete and total empathy for this man, a man who for most of the short time she's known him has not be the nicest person to interact with. Tabatha watched as Severus sighed deeply and turned around walking back to the castle. He would be there soon to collect her for breakfast.

Tabatha went over to her uniform which was folded neatly on the desk and started to get dressed. Each physical act of dressing was done without much mental recognition; her mind was fixed upon Severus.

"For whatever reason he decided to not allow anyone close to him", she thought "He's probably been alone for a long time".

As she pulled her robes on a smile crossed her face, at that moment Tabatha decided that this dark man would not be alone anymore. No matter what he said, or what he did he would not push Tabatha away, and she had a feeling he would try to do that. Walking over to the mirror she spoke to her reflection as she fixed the green ribbon back into her hair

"Well I guess our friend Severus is going to learn just how stubborn we are, isn't he."

A soon as her fingers left the small bow she formed at the base of her neck there was a knock on her bedroom door.

Giving herself a wink in the mirror, Tabatha walked over to the door and opened it, seeing just what she expected, the talk Potion master himself standing tall arms folded, looking very proper.

"Good morning Severus "she said her hazel eyes smiling at him

"Good morn….wait.." Severus took a small step and shifted his weight and leaned his shoulder on the door frame "What did you call me?" his eyes narrowing

Quickly Tabatha smiled and ducked under his arm into the office, causing Severus to widen his eyes and turn around following her moments.

"I called you by your name silly". Tabatha walked over to outer door.

Reaching the door Tabatha looked back Severus was still standing there in what could only be described as awe. Tabatha sighed and took a step towards him.

"You know, we're probably the same age don't you think it's odd for me to address you as Professor? Isn't that over doing it much, or am I missing some big British etiquette thing they don't teach "cross the pond"?"

Severus stood up folded his arms again and looked directly at her eyes stone cold and coolly remarked back

"Well if you call being respectful to someone that has been accomplished in his life some big British thing, then yes. Evidently manners isn't something taught "cross the pond" as you say."

Tabatha's right eye brow raised and a smirk crossed her face as she walked over to Severus, stood off center to his body and tilting her head up just bit looked directly into his cool eyes.

"Well sir" her eye brow raised again "How you know I too am not accomplished" Tabatha made sure to emphasize every syllable in the world accomplished.

Severus stood there for a moment the corner of is mouth twitched ever so slightly. The then looked down at Tabatha, taking her bait.

"Oh, is that what you think" he voice was still cool but the hard edge softened up

Tabatha shifted her weight to her back leg to and look at him more directly the smirk never leaving her face.

"Yes sir that is what I think", the right side of Tabatha's smirk became wider.

Severus looked forward and ran his tongue under this upper lip and over his teeth, then pressing his lips together and slowly shaking his head back and forth a small smile formed, damn she could be cheeky.

"Well then" he looked back at her "How about bout we make a deal until the actual light of your being comes to pass".

"A deal sir?" she cocked her head again, "I'm intrigued".

"I will let you call me Severus when we're here and it's just us, but every other time you will refer to me as Professor Snape, is that clear?" Severus held out his hand for a shake.

Tabatha took his hand and smiled "Yes, Severus crystal".

The softness of Tabatha's hand in his made Severus' pulse speed up just a tad, and staring into Tabatha's eyes was getting increasingly difficult. Letting go of her hand he turned and walked to the door, opening it up he paused before going thought it.

"After you" Severus stepped back and made room for Tabatha, who walked on ahead.

Breakfast had already begun in the Great Hall by this time, and each of the tables were filled to the max. Hundreds of children ages eleven to seventeen were there, all sitting, eating and talking. The sound, though not ear wrenching, was still quite high, and even the teachers at the high table were enjoying a living conversation. This noise was a sharp contrast to the empty void that filled the room moments later when the large doors swung open, and the two most oddly paired people walked in, together.

Standing next together even Dumbledore himself could see the contrast. Severus was standing black and tall, his brooding mask pulled down tight, his eyes glaring at the tables in mistrust and distain. And to his left there was another figure tall and also in black but her face was soft, and gentle.

As Tabatha and Severus walked down the hall towards the high table Tabatha caught sight of the boy with the lightning bolt scar, who was looking up at her with a huge grin. Tabatha returned the grin and then saw another boy with red hair lean over and whisper something in his ear and motioned over towards her and Severus with a giggle. Severus never turned his head but stopped quickly in front of the two boys

"Mr. Wesley!" Severus's voice made the two boys jump.

Turning his gaze slowly to the two boys he continued.

"Do you and Mr. Potter find something amusing?" His voice was soft but carried the coldness of ice.

Tabatha stopped too and watched the interaction her brow furrowed with concern.

"Nnnnnn..No Pp…Professor S…ssnape" the red haired boy quivered.

Severus eyed each boy for a moment, scrutinizing them under his gaze.

"Well then keep your eyes and your remarks to yourself" and with that Severus turned curly and started to march towards the high table.

As Tabatha started to move away from the boys as well she looked sympathetically at them and mouthed "sorry". She had only gone a few feet, when Severus who was still walking forward added

"Oh by the way, ten points from Gryffindor. "

The whole table groaned at once and without missing a beat the Potion Master spat

"Ok then make it twenty".

The table didn't make another sound.

Tabatha had a confused look on her face when she finally took her seat next to Severus. Stirring her tea cup slowly she cocked her head and leaned over to him.

"Um can I ask you something?"

Severus brought his tea cup to his lips and took slip, and then glaring his eyes smoothly over to her he raised his own eye brow.

"I'm not sure Ms. Rewolf can you?"

Tabatha's give a low chuckle let the tip of her tongue touch her top lip.

Softly she purred "very cute Professor". Severus gave her a tiny smirk.

Tabatha sat up straight and folding her hand asked in her most polite voice.

"May I ask you a question Professor Snape, sir?" her eyes flashing with mischief.

Severus put his tea cup down and turned his head towards her and wondered why he was "playing" with this girl, and more so wondered why he was enjoying it.

"But of course you can Ms. Rewolf."

Tabatha leaded in and looking around the room whispered "what's a Gryffindor?"

Severus looked at her in confusion for a moment and then recalled she had no idea about much in the world of magic.

"Well" he finally said "I suppose that means we should get you on your studies doesn't it".

Tabatha's eye lit up and she smiled.

After breakfast Severus lead Tabatha up to the library on the second floor, walking into the room Tabatha was stunned. There were what seemed like miles and miles of books going on and on in every direction. Tabatha's jaw was a gasp as she turned slowly around; she felt she was in heaven. Severus turned around and watched her for a moment.

"Really" he said to himself, "she likes books that much too aye". A small feeling of comradely formed in his stomach.

Tabatha looked at Severus eyes like child on Christmas "there must me millions of them" she whispered

Severus walked over to her and gazed up with her for moment enjoying the spender of the sea of knowledge and then in the same whisper and tones as Tabatha responded "No, billions".

Tabatha looked at Severus and for a minute. The innocence in his face and the lack of ice in his eyes and voice made him look and sound at least fifteen years younger, for a moment Tabatha found herself thinking how very handsome Severus was. Catching her thoughts she blushed and looked down, but Severus who was still looking up smiled.

"This way" he announced as he started leading her to the quite section.

Once they got there Severus was more or less back to his old self, but his eyes were still warmer then Tabatha had ever seen them.

Excusing himself for a moment he returned with a seven high stack of books, and placed them on the table before Tabatha.

"Well" he said looking around "there we go, the text books you will need for your lessons"

Severus took the top book of the stack and handed it to Tabatha. Taking it from his hands she looked at the title.

"The History of Hogwarts", she read from the top cover.

"Yes, I think you'll find all your answers about what a Gryffindor is and many other far more fascinating subjects" he said coolly. "Now I have classes most of the day and a meeting with Dumbledore during lunch, so I will come back for you around dinner" He spoke like he was directing a class.

Tabatha looked up and furrowed sarcastically "aye aye sir"

Severus looked nervously, he wasn't use to being polite to students and he didn't know what to tell her.

"W..well… well ok then, I'll see you then?" The upturned tone of his voice made the statement sound like a question, which made Severus even more self-conscious.

Tabatha looked coolly at him and opened the book "You shall".