Disclaimer: All belong to J. K. Rowling

The Ambush

Around eight in the morning, the motel's receptionist saw the father and the daughter arrived late last night. The young man rolled his eyes, he did not want to deal with them again, especially the older man. Before he could make his escape, the man stood in front of him with his unpleasant face.

"G… Good morning… sir… How may... I help... you?" The young man stuttered.

Severus remained silent and stared deeply to the young man. He enjoyed his unusual habit of scaring off his students, now was this young man.

Lalla could sense that Severus was in a good mood of torturing the poor guy. She put the room's key on the counter and said, "We come to return our room."

The young man exhaled gladly as he heard what she said. He smiled at Lalla but refused to make any eye-contact with Severus. She smiled back and pushed him out of the motel.

"You are so mean to him," she complained as they existed the motel. "What had he done to you anyway?"

"He called me, your father," Severus sneered.

Lalla suddenly stopped and frowned at his reply. Then she laughed uncontrollably, she patted his back and said, "Well, so he earned it then."

Severus smirked knowing that she got his joke. She hugged his arm and pull him to go with her. For the first time, he did not flinch away from her touch. His lips twisted up a bit as if he was smiling. He enjoyed this companionship between them. She was odd at time, but she had an unique aroma that he started to get used to.

They took a cab and continued to the next location, Loseley Park. This was a drop-off location. Lalla was looking forward to it. She failed to get it at the last location, so they had a difficult month, forcing them to rent a room with mostly a single bed. We will have a room with an adjoining door. Her words suddenly echoed back in his head. He should glad to ease that problem, but he did not look forward to it as before.

It was more than two hours of driving. While in the car, Lalla fell asleep and rested her head on Severus's arm. He moved his arm slowly around her and let her head leaned comfortable at his chest. He looked down to her and could not resist of brush her hairs softly. She was so carefree, so trustful. He had not asked her yet of her trust in him. No one could trust him without knowing him personally. Dumbledore was the only who could completely trust him, but the old man used that trust and made him became an important piece in his plan. She did not use their trust like that. She basically just gave her life to him and asked him to protect it. Did she fail to remember of his crimes? Killing Dumbledore? Being a Death Eater? She should have run away from him, not toward him. His fingers moved slowly through her hairs. He closed his eyes to enjoy a rare moment of this unknown peace.

Then, the thought from last night appeared in his mind again, a daughter. He sighed and felt his heart ached, it reminded him of their relationship: a professor and a student. The girl was fourteen years old, she was going through a teenager's phrase. She would have acted a certain way because of her hormones. But he could not let his confused mind tricked him. He was the adult in this situation.

The cab stopped in front of the gate to Loseley Park. Lalla yawned tiredly, she woke up with a blurry vision. She stepped out of the car and waited for Severus. When he turned around, he saw Lalla was watching him. Her eyes tried to read him. Did she notice his feeling?

"Where will we go now?" Severus asked while following behind Lalla.

"To the back of the mansion," she replied. "Do you want to share what you are thinking, Severus?" She noticed his mood changed. She wanted to know what caused it.

Severus stopped and looked at her. He opened his mouth but the words came out were not the same as he was thinking, he lied, "I was thinking of your DADA."

"Oh, why?" Lalla made it sounded surprise but he could sense she did not satisfy with his answer. She knew.

"With the Aurors came into the play, you needed to more practices in fighting spells. I was trying to remember how was you doing in my DADA's class," Severus picked up his speed as Lalla increased her pace.

"I did fine in your class, but in real-life situation, I never actually fight," she said.

"What did you mean by never actually fight? How did you survive those months without me?" Severus got surprised at her answer.

"Run, hide, and run," she scratched her head, nervously replied.

"Oh Merlin, and I thought you was trying to be sarcastic when you said you ran out of luck," Severus put a hand on his face. "You should have told me."

"Told you what? Professor, I am so suck at fighting, may you tutor me while we're running for our life?" she now sounded sarcastically and pissed off. "My priority at the time and even now are to get the fucking box. Did you fail to notice that we barely have time to stop and rest in the past month? I... believe in your ability to protect me," her voice trailed off in the end.

Severus just stared at her and decided to walk away. His face was darken. Lalla shook her head and cursed under her breath. She had no idea why it came out so wrong. Did the mission finally wear she out? She shook head, not knowing what to do. He looks hurt. She run after him, trying to apologize, "Severus! Sorry for snapping at you."

However, Severus remained silent. Lalla sighed and stepped back. She bit her lower lip and said, "You stay here and wait for me. I will be back soon."

Severus was confused as much as Lalla. He knew the stress of the mission finally crashed on her. That was something he was aware of, but hearing those words from her, it was unpleasant. He felt hurt. Nonetheless, he had a job to do whether he was upset or happy, he made a promise to her.

"Hey, Lalla," he turned around and tried to catch her, but she was not there anymore. Damn it!

Severus saw her small form moving far away from him, soon she disappeared behind the mansion. He rolled his eyes and chased after her. Unfortunately, he heard her scream when he was halfway there. The blood of his face completely drained. He rushed to the place and saw four masked men cornered Lalla.

Lalla walked away from Severus with a very unstable emotion. The early conversation kept repeating in her mind. She did not pay attention to her surrounding. When she took the turn, and walked absent mind to one of the statues. Suddenly, a chill run down her spine, she knew something was wrong. Yet, it was too late.

Lalla turned around just in time to see a bright light flew directly to her. The spell hit her right into her ribs, breaking the bones and cut a deep wound on her flesh. Her body crashed to the wall and dropped down to the ground like a death meat. She tried to get up, but the pain was so strong, she could not even move. Then someone grabbed her by her throat, and lifted her up. She could not breath. It was then she sensed him.

Severus saw one of the men grabbed Lalla by her throat and brought her up. His wand pressed hard at her throat. He was saying something to her. Her small hands tried to take the man's hands off, but it was useless. Severus quickly scanned the surrounding to adjust the situation.

Severus yelled out Expelliarmus and disarmed the four masked men's wands at the same time. He took them by surprise. Crusio. Another spell dispatched from his wand and hit the man who held Lalla, caused him to lost balance and released her throat. Severus took the opportunity and stepped in front of Lalla with his wand pointed at them. His back was to her.

"Snape!" One of the masked man recognized the attacker.

"Constable," Snape acknowledged the man, who lost one of his arms.

"Well, so the rumor is true. You actually escort a young girl. So does she enjoyable?" Constable sneered while taking off his mask, knowing they had no chance to win against him. At least, he could get some information out about why Severus went with the girl.

"None of your concern, Constable," Severus warned. "Take your man and leave now. Or you can fight me and die here."

"Fine, but you know we will go after her again," Constable chuckled. "Does it worth to get yourself in the middle of this?"

"Like I said before, none of your concern," Severus repeated.

Constable was not foolish to push Severus further. He gestured at his men and they disappeared, leaving a few black dust behind.

Severus checked the surrounding one last time before turning around and looked at Lalla. She was on the ground, unmoved. He checked for her pulse and it was still there, but weak. He frowned and quickly unbuttoned her coat. Inside, her blood soaked her white t-shirt into a crimson color.

"Is there something wrong?" Someone approached Severus from behind. "Is that… blood? What had you done the girl?"

Severus moved in a flash and before the man knew, he was unconscious on the ground. He picked her body up and apparated out of there. He had no time to think. She is dying…

[Flashback]

"Hey, Professor."

"Huh?"

"I want to show you something before our mission begins."

"And?"

"Lean your forehead down… good… touch mine… can you see it?"

"A mansion?"

"My safe house."

"Why do you show it to me?"

"If something happens to me, please bring me back there. Will you?"

"I will."

Author note: First of all, best thanks to my two reviewers. You guys definitely made my day. Secondly, after chapter 3, I will try my best to update the chapter soon, but it may take to a week or two due to Vietnamese Holidays. Besides that, enjoy the story. Love.