Ch. 10: All Hallows Eve

Tabatha stood in front of her bed room mirror and tied her ribbon in her hair. Halloween had final come to Hogwarts and she was looking forward to enjoying the evening festivities. Severus had told her that before the children came to the hall the teachers generally had about an hour of time to converse and enjoy their own merriment, though from the way he said "merriment" you would have thought he was going to a dentist appointment.

Looking herself over once more, she shrugged approval and walked out into the potions office. Severus was at his desk still correcting papers, and still attempting to disembowel them with the force of his quill.

"I'm so glad I never had you as teacher when I was younger" she laughed out loud "you'd probably give me a complex".

"Yes, Tabatha that is what I live for, the blissful idea that my reward for teaching these thick headed prats, year after year, is the hopeful wish that I am the cause of many a therapy sessions in their future." Severus said flatly without looking up.

"You know what's scary? I think you mean that." Tabatha chucked and walking over to Severus she hopped up on his desk, locked her legs together at her ankles and started to gently swing them back and forth.

Severus moved his eyes up to her and back down to his work.

"Your actual twelve aren't you."

"Yes! You found out my secret, I'm twelve and it's Halloween and I really want candy" Tabatha smirked.

Not looking up Severus retorted

"I see, trying to use brash cuteness to get to candy, what you forgot though is that I am immune to such things."

"Damn, your right I did" Tabatha hopped off the desk, walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Severus eyes followed her; yes it was true he was very immune to cuteness, when it came to everyone else. Tabatha on the other hand was a very different story.

"Well I suppose if we're going to go it's about time we do. " He sighed, dropping his quill into the blood red ink and shuffled his papers into a corner.

Tabatha smiled widely and stood up; she knew quite well that he had invited her to this function which would mean that he did in fact want to go. However, she had come to realize that Severus Snape had to wear a mask for whatever reason, and even if she was allowed a glimpse or two of what was underneath it if she pushed too hard, or reacted the wrong way she may never get to truly know her friend.

"It's a shame I can't dress up, you know push that horrid cuteness of mine to epic proportions" Tabatha shot back as she walked to the door pulled it open and walked into the corridor.

"You're already a witch what the bloody hell more do you want" Severus whispered as he pulled his arms though his robes. "To be the Queen of Sheba?"

Tabatha shot her head back in to the office "I heard that" her eyes twinkled with mischief and then in a flash took off down towards the stairs.

Severus looked up a bit dumb founded. This girl was truly nothing like he's ever seen before, she could take every sneer, every sarcastic phrase he could throw at her and she never seemed to fluster. Severus was truly amazed.

"Of course you did" Severus chuckled and followed her up the stairs to the staff lounge.

The staff lounge was festively decorated. Candles, pumpkins, every iconic Halloween object was displayed somewhere in the room. Tabatha stood in the door way for a moment, her eyes wide with wonder and a smile grew on her face.

"Oh Sev….It's amazing" she awed.

Severus couldn't help the small glow he felt watching her enjoy the room. She seemed to enjoy everything, and for a moment he felt a twang of jealous that his life had been so harsh that he also couldn't enjoy things with such conviction.

"Yes well if you like this, wait till you see the great hall you'll be amazed." He murmured and guilt flooded him about being jealous. "Well we better go in unless you want to stand in the door way all night".

Tabatha shook her head in agreement and started to walk over to a small group of teachers by the fireplace. Severus followed a few steps until he saw Dumbledore over in another corner of the room, motioning for him to go over.

"Bloody hell!" Severus thought, "He always wants to see me at the worst times".

Severus placed his hand on Tabatha shoulder for a moment.

"I'm sorry but Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to me for a minute. I will return as soon as I can" Severus watched as just a hint of disappointment crossed Tabatha's face. "I promise," he added quickly allowing a small smile.

Tabatha's eyes softened.

"I understand, don't worry I'm pretty resourceful, I see you when you come back". She flashed him one of her warm smiles.

Severus nodded his head politely and turned around. Stepping a few feet he looked back to watch Tabatha cross the room towards the group of teachers. He thought for a moment and drawing his wand uttered "arancium", in Tabatha's direction.

"I'm sorry it's not the Queen of Sheba, my friend" Severus thought to himself as he walked towards Dumbledore, "She would be nothing compared to you anyway."

Tabatha smiled as she approached the lively group of teachers. She could see Professor McGonagall having a wonderful time chatting with Hagrid and Professor Flitwick. Professor McGonagall looked over and seeing Tabatha waved her over.

"Hello there Ms. Rewolf, do you look in the spirit!" McGonagall smiled pointing to Tabatha's hair.

Tabatha looked back at her a bit confused "Pardon?"

"Your stockings and your headband, why there orange for Halloween" The older witch commented looking a bit confused herself.

Tabatha looked over towards the mirror over the fire place and seeing the orange head band touched it lightly knowing immediately who caused it.

"Oh, yes of course I forgot all about that" Tabatha looked back to McGonagall with a large grin.

"You do look lovely if I say so me self" Hagrid piped up.

Tabatha was truly fond of Hagrid, he was always pleasant and their Saturday teas were something she looked forward to all week. They would talk of hours about the creatures he cared for or what seemed like dozens of other magical topics. He was a friend she held very dear.

"Thank you Hagrid," she flashed her warm smile "you look very handsome too, as always".

"Oh your too kind ma'am" The sweet giant blushed.

From behind Hagrid came a stuttering voice.

"I..I..I….. would…agree.. very… fff..festive."

Professor Quirrell, the new defense of the dark arts teacher stepped out from behind Hargid and was addressing Tabatha.

Tabatha didn't know much about Professor Quirrell, Severus never talked much about him except to say they were a fool not to give him that job. Evidently Severus had been trying to get that position for years, which Tabatha honestly thought was a little silly since he was so gifted in the potions department.

Quirrell was a peculiar man she thought, he always stuttered, though she heard that was from his practical work with in his field. She also found it a bit odd that he wore at purple turban all time, but who was she to judge.

"Thank you Professor" Tabatha gave Quirrell a quite smile.

"yyou must be coming along in your ssstudies, it can't be easy lllearing so late in life". Professor Quirrell said nicely.

Tabatha nodded her head slowly.

"No, it's not easy. There's so much to learn and it can be overwhelming at times".

Professor Quirrell stepped closer to Tabatha.

"Rrrumor has it that your pppretty pppowerful".

Tabatha looked at the man before her, is voice was nice enough, his demeanor non-threating, but his eyes didn't look right at all when he said the word powerful. Tabatha didn't know why but she felt very uncomfortable for a moment. She was about to respond when she heard something behind her.

"You know…"

A cool dark velvety voice stepped up next to her and for a moment laid his hand on the small of her back causing Tabatha pressed her lips hard together. This protective gesture made her breath catch in her throat and she was a bit saddened when he quickly removed it.

"Rumors are as good as assumptions and you know what happens when you assume don't you Professor Quirrell?"

Professor Quirrell looked quit taken back.

"Wwwell I would ttthink your right Ppprofessor Ssssnape." Then turning to the rest of the group he added "iiiff you please excuse me, I need to make sssure that my lessons are ready for ttomorrow."

With that Professor Quirrell walked off.

Moment later Dumbledore announced that it would be wise to start to head to the Great Hall; the Prefects will be bringing the houses up shortly.

The Great Hall was nothing less than amazing, just as Severus had stated. The ceiling had transformed to a thundering night sky, there were bats and carved pumpkins floating everywhere and each of the long tables had more food than Tabatha could have ever imagined. Sitting up at the High Table with Severus, Tabatha had a pile of sweets in front of her.

"Oh my goodness" she exclaimed eyeing over the mound of food "I don't even know where to start!"

"I thought you said you were twelve, any self-respecting twelve year old would have inhaled half of that by now, maybe you need some pointers" Severus gestured out to the rows of children who were gorging themselves.

Tabatha looked over at him and started laughing "I guess your right", and with that she picked up a piece of chocolate and popped it in her mouth.

A few minutes had passed before the Great Hall was stunned quite by the doors being flung open and a very distraught Professor Quirrell rushing in.

"TROOOOOLLLL". He screamed running up the center aisle. "THERES A TROOOL IN THE DUNGON!"

Professor Dumbledore stood up quietly and watched Professor Quirrell run up to the Hightable and proceed to faint. The whole room burst in screams, Tabatha looked around not knowing what do. Then Dumbledore boomed the word "SLIENCE" and the whole room again was quite. He orders the Prefects to take the children back to their dormitories and that the teachers would accompany him down to the dungeon. Tabatha stood up her breath still quickened; suddenly she felt Severus hands on her shoulders turning her towards him.

"Listen to me, follow Slytherine house downstairs to the potions office and whatever you do please do not leave." Severus voice was a bit shaky "Promise me Tabatha... You will NOT leave the potions office no matter what".

Tabatha looked Severus deep in his eyes.

"Yes of course I promise".

Severus let his head drop a bit.

"Thank you, No go and stay with the house, do not stray from them until you reach our chambers."

Tabatha quickly walked down the row of tables and found the Slytherin Prefect and they all made their way down stairs.

Sometime later Tabatha's eye flew open. She had been laying on the sofa I the outer office wrapped up in Severus' Slythern quilt for what seemed like forever. She looked at the clock four hours had gone by.

"Where the hell is he" Her thoughts raced. "How long did it take to find a troll, and do whatever it was they had to do to it to get it out of the castle?"

Tabatha felt her nerves start to fray; she got up and started to pace back and forth. "Should she go and look for him?" No, she promised she would not leave the office, she gave him her word. Tabatha's mind however was not letting that rest finally the waiting and pacing got to be too much.

"Damn it!" Tabatha raced to the office door and flung it open.

What was behind that door made Tabatha gasp. Standing there was Severus, her Severus… he was holding on to the door frame and covered in blood.

"Tabatha.." Severus called out weakly and fell forward.

Tabatha rushed and caught him just in time "Oh my God Severus" her voice started to crack, "what happened!"

Severus didn't answer, and fear filled every pour on Tabatha. She quickly took his arm, wrapped it over her shoulder and with all her strength she half carried him to his room and laid him on his bed. It was then that she saw that his left leg was completely mangled, blood was pouring out. Instinctively she reached out and applied pressure to his upper thigh.

"Ssseverus.." She stammered. "Severus hunny what happened".

There was no answer she looked up at his face, his eyes were rolling back and his color was draining fast.

"no.. no .. no you don't, you're not leaving me you hear me".

Tabatha quickly pulled the ribbon from her hair and started to wrap it around his leg as tight as she could. Once finished with that she took the other three tie-backs from his bed and also tied them tight around his upper thigh.

She looked down at him, his color was very pale but at least the massive blood loss seemed to stop for the moment. Though she bought some time she knew she had to do something and fast. She ran into the main office, she was witch damn it there had to be something she could do, there had to be a blood clothing potion here somewhere. Tabatha tore Severus large potion books from their shelves and flipped through the pages quickly. It was no use, she had no idea where it would be, the books were too big and this was taking too much time.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", she screamed as she threw the book against the wall.

What freaking good was it to be a witch when she couldn't do anything to help her closest friend? Rage started to fill Tabatha's being, her eyes started to darken she took her arm and cleared the desk with one swing. Her friend was dying in the next room and she was useless. What Tabatha was failing to notice was that as her rage grew her body started to glow more and more golden. Her screams where becoming primal and finally she picked up an empty bottle and hurled it at the wall.

It was during that last out pour of rage that everything in the room turned gold. The next thing Tabatha knew she was standing in the middle of a pure white plane of existence still in the stance she had while the bottle left her hand. Standing straight up she looked around.

"Were the hell am I?" she said out loud.

"Tabs…You're here!" she heard a voice call behind her, and turning around all she saw was a blur before it collided with her in a tight embrace.

Looking down at the figure in her arms she could tell it was person, Tabatha pulled back to get a better look. Before her stood a teenage boy, a boy all dressed in all black, a boy with long black greasy hair, and a very distinguished nose. Tabatha stepped back in awe.

"S…Sev…Severus?" her voice was small and meek.

"Yes!" The boy answered and again flung his arms around her holding her tight. "I knew you'd come Tabs, I just knew it".

Tabatha's heart flooded for the boy and she hugged him back tightly for a moment, and then stepped back.
"Severus were am I?" she looked deep into his eyes

"You're in my head" he answered looking intently at her.

"How did I get here Sev?"

"I don't know Tabs, but I know that I wanted to see you so badly, I was so afraid I'd never see you again".

Tabatha's legs got weak under her. She knew on the outside of where ever she was Severus, the living breathing Severus didn't have much time left, or worse, didn't have any left at all. Small sobs came to her voice.

"This is not fair" Tabatha buried her head into the boy's shoulder "I care so much for you".

The younger version of Severus cradled her in and stroked her hair "I care so much for you too, no matter what my conscious lets on, please remember that when I'm gone. Severus pulled her in tighter and his own voice cracked. "Tabs… oh Tabatha I l.."

"WAIT!" Tabatha cut him off. "I'm in your head!"

Severus looked at her confused "yes you are, why?"

"You're the potion master!, you know every potion there can be and by heart too I bet!"

Severus blushed "yes I'm pretty good I guess"

Tabatha put her hand on Severus shoulders "Then you need to show me right now how good you are! I need to know how to make a potion to clot blood, and I need to know it now!"

Severus's eyes lit up "Yes of course!" He closed his eyes for a minute and riffled though his mental data base. "We will have to mix the Wiggenwelt Potion and the Blood-Replenishing Potion, you need to get Flobberworm mucus, Wiggentree Bark, the oil of the feathers of nobnob bird, and the fangs of a vampire bat." Closing his eyes he thought deeply again "you need to boil it all the juice of the dornwelt fruit for 2 minutes, no more, no less"

Tabatha listened intently and made sure to apply every word to memory, as soon as Severus opened his eyes Tabatha raced over and hugged him tight. "I'm going to see you very soon!"

Severus eyes filled with tears, "I hope your right."

Tabatha's heart ached for him and placed a kiss on the top of his head "I promise Severus I promise" With that she hugged him again tightly and once again the room filled with gold.

Glass smashing on a wall was the next sound Tabatha heard as her eye adjusted again to the dim light of the Potions office. Looking around for second to get her bearings she quickly raced to the cauldron pulling out her wand she spoke her first spell.

"Inflamarae!" her voice was direct and determined and at once flames sprung from underneath.

Tabatha took no time to praise herself for learning a spell simply from reading about it in a book, and ran over to Severus many selves pulling out each ingredient carefully.

She delicately poured each ingredient in the cauldron, each one being treated as if it was more precious than any earthy gem. When all the ingredients were in and the liquid started to bubble, Tabatha felt like she held her breath for the whole two minutes, counting every second. In precisely two minutes she removed the cauldron from the fire and scooped a cup of it to a bowl.

Walking as quickly as she could into Severus room, she saw that her slap dab tourniquets had held, and she was overjoyed that she could see the small yet still present movement of his chest as he breathed.

"Thank God" she whispered and sat next to Severus.

"Severus… Severus please open your eyes" She placed her hand under his neck and lifted his head, slowly his eyes opened, he tried to speak but she stopped him.

"shhh don't talk; just drink this" she lifted the bowl to his lips an she watched as he sipped every drop down"

Tabatha then lowered Severus head back to the pillow and walked over to the other side of the bed. Crawling next to him she notice Severus eyes were closed, and she slowly brushed her fingers slowly though his hair over and over again.

Tabatha watched for hours as his color started to return to his face, and the wound on his leg got smaller and smaller. Finally close to dawn, she got up out of his bed and went into the bathroom, returning with soap, water, gauze and bandages. She carefully washed and wrapped his leg making sure that each open wound was covered. She then went out into the office and cleaned up the mess she created from the night before. Finally when all her tasks were done she walked over to Severus and again ran her fingers though the locks of hair across his forehead. Leaning down she kissed him quietly and softly on the lips. She then turned and made her way to her own bedroom and finally fell asleep.

Much later that day Tabatha stumbled out of her bedroom into the office yawning.

"Well I see we finally joined the land of the living" a cool voice called from across the room.

Severus was sitting at his desk, again grading papers. Tabatha looked up at him and flashed her warm smile.

"Yeah I guess last night really drained me".

Severus looked up at her "I hope I didn't worry you too badly, that troll took longer than we thought".

Looking back at him, Tabatha smirked "oh yeah? What happened to your leg?"

"I don't know I must have caught it on something, you know I don't even remember wrapping it up last night" looking back down at the papers before him.

"I see we both had some night" a smile crossed her face again "Well I'm going to get dressed dinner must be soon", and with that Tabatha walked back towards her bedroom.

"Tabs…." Severus called after her still looking down

Tabatha turned around surprised "yeah?"

"Would you like to go to a Quittage game with me? It's Gryffindor versus Slytherin, I should be there to support my house, but I would like it if I got to keep your company as well".

Severus then raised his head and locked his eyes with hers.

Tabatha cocked her head and smiled, she saw those same eyes last night when he helped her save his own life.

"Yes Severus of course I would love to".