The next morning, I awoke to find the school grounds covered in snow. I stood, my arms folded around myself, staring out of the large, vaulted windows at the fat flakes floating down. It had been very late by the time I returned to the hospital wing. Severus and I had sat together in his office for a long while in silence. I relished every moment I was able to spend wrapped in his arms. Eventually, we accepted the fact that I would need to head back to the Hospital Wing. The last thing we needed was for someone to see me descend the stairs leading to his office in the early morning hours. Severus wouldn't hear of me making the journey on my own after what had happened with Alecto Carrow.

I made my way down the halls as he followed at a close distance. We walked in silence, not near enough to touch. I fought against the pull to touch him; my hand desperately wanted to be held by his. Once we reached the Hospital Wing, I turned to wish him a good night, but he was already gone.

I watched the snow continue to fall on the grey morning, trying to convince myself that I should head to the dining hall for breakfast. I was hypnotised by the drifting flakes, almost as though I was incapable of tearing my attention away from the weather. A gust of wind broke the downward trajectory, blowing them off course into the window. A pair of slender arms seized me around the waist, startling me. I jumped, my head snapping to the side to find the top of a blonde head.

"Aunt Ruby," Laura greeted, "I missed you!"

I placed my hand gently on her head and noticed that Sam was close by, more reserved than his sister. "I missed you, too." Sam's eyes flicked to the entry and back to me, as if checking to make sure no one else was around to hear him, a timid smile settling on his face.

"I missed you both." I said. "Where's Thomas?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "With his girlfriend." He added a sound that suggested he might be sick.

I smiled. "I see, you tell him to make sure to visit when he has a moment."

"We tried to make him come with us, but he told us to bugger off!" Laura said indignantly.

"Oh, to be young and in love." I said dreamily.

Sam made another gagging sound. "I'll never fall in love. The faces Thomas makes make me want to vomit."

I laughed lightly. "You might not always feel like that."

"Sure I will." Sam replied confidently.

"Oh, of course." I said, shaking my head. "How could I be so silly?"

"Are you going to breakfast?" Laura asked.

I looked at the hopeful look in her eyes. "I suppose I should, shouldn't I?"

"Can you please sit with us?" She asked, pulling on my hand in the direction of the Dining Hall.

"I'm not sure," I said, giving in to her tugs and following. "Is that allowed?"

"I don't know." she blurted. Sam followed behind as she pulled me into the hall. "You could just say you didn't know if someone says anything. You're new. How would you know the rules?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Is that how you solve problems, by feigning ignorance?"

"I don't know what that means, but usually saying I didn't know and crying works." Laura said matter of factly.

"That's very manipulative." I said.

She merely shrugged in response.

Laura had stopped pulling my hand by the time we reached the dining hall. It was still odd to walk into this place without its normal din of excited conversation. It was a Saturday during the first snow and it was still quiet enough to hear a pin drop. I followed Laura to the Gryffindor table where she and Sam sat down. I looked down at them and up at the staff table. Severus was hunched over a copy of The Daily Prophet, his fingers threaded through his hair as he rested his head on his hand. Butterfly wings fluttered in my stomach at the sight of him. My eyes flicked to his side to find both Carrows staring at me. Alecto wore a mask of hatred, pursing her lips and staring daggers at me. Amycus' look was dark and filled with an intent that made my heart stab with ice. I wondered if his sister had told him what happened the night before or if the scheme reflected on his face was his own. I pulled my eyes quickly away and sat across from Laura and Sam, careful to keep my eyes away from the staff table.

"Mum wrote us a letter telling us you were coming." Laura whispered, helping herself to some toast. "She also said she didn't understand why you would come back here considering how awful we've said it is." She reached out for some jam. "But I'm happy you're here. Snape and the Carrows are bad enough, I'd have hated it if another one of their lot came to the school."

"Are they always watching you?" Sam asked, taking a few rashers of bacon. "Or do they leave you alone? I'd hate to be a grown-up and be watched all the time."

I took a sip of pumpkin juice, wincing at the too sweetness of it. I couldn't believe I used to drink this so much as a student. I made a mental note to get a coffee from the staff table before returning to the Hospital Wing. "I've been allowed to do my job with no hovering. I haven't had any interactions with any of them, apart from when Amycus tried to stop me when I arrived."

"He's horrible." Laura whispered. "What happened?"

"He smashed a few of the vials I brought and took my letter asking me to come here." I intentionally left out the part about Severus coming to my rescue, for obvious reasons. "I suppose, seeing the injuries students have come in with from him, it could have gone much worse."

"At least you haven't had a run in with Snape." Sam added, taking a bite of bacon. "He's even worse."

My heart skipped a beat. I looked up at the staff table. His eyes were scanning the dining hall, they rested on me for an extra beat before continuing their inspection. I furrowed my brow, he told me he was doing what he could to protect students, was he lying? "What has he done?" My voice was low and quiet, I leaned across the table to make sure my words didn't have to travel over a distance.

Sam and Laura's eyes both rested on me, wide with surprise at the seriousness of my words. They looked at each other for a moment. Laura shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but he's the leader, he has to be the worst of the lot, hasn't he?"

My eyes flipped back to the staff table. He wore a scowl, still watching out over the students. His mouth was tight and his eyes roamed the room, dark half circles made him look shadowed. I wondered if he had gotten any sleep last night. I couldn't imagine how exhausting it was to have to pretend who you were at all times. I suddenly felt guilty for taking up so much of his time the night before. "Yes, I suppose that would be logical."

I spent the remainder of the morning in the Hospital Wing, cleaning, organising, and making a list of items I would need to restock and request. The snow continued to fall as I inspected my inventory. The morning slipped into afternoon, I took a moment to get a sandwich from The Great Hall. Severus wasn't at this meal, but the Carrows seemed to relish the opportunity to be in charge. I saw Thomas as I walked by his table, ruffling his hair as I passed. I turned around to appreciate the annoyed glare I received as he smoothed his hair back down. I returned to the hospital with my lunch and sat at my desk, surveying the arched, empty space.

I continued my inventory and busy work that was mostly tidying up. I jumped with a start as something slammed into the window I was standing near. I peered outside, my heart racing from the surprise noise. I found Laura covering her face with her hands, eyes full of laughter, as her brother rolled in the snow cackling. I stuck my tongue out at him once he had calmed down, reigniting his episode. The snow had slowed to a few drifting flakes. I watched as the two of them proceeded to hurl snowballs at each other and at my window. It was good to see them acting as children. There were other students outside participating in winter activities. It was as normal a scene as I had witnessed since my return. I laughed as Laura used her wand to hurl a snowball at the back of her brother's head, sending chunks of snow down his collar resulting in a quite amusing dance as he tried to shimmy the snow out of his clothes.

A dark form approached from the side. I hadn't noticed it until Laura and Sam reacted to it. Their faces fell and they slunk a step away, cowering. I turned my attention to the figure, recognising it immediately as Amycus Carrow. Without a thought I turned myself from the window, fleeing the Hospital Wing, not even pausing as I grabbed my wand. I flung myself through corridors to the nearest door to the grounds, entering out onto the white grounds, snow filling my shoes as I ran to the spot outside the window. I could hear their cries and his unintelligible voice. I turned a corner onto the scene of the two children pressed against the wall as the imposing figure closed the distance. I took a deep breath, raising my wand.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH THEM!" I bellowed, my voice more powerful than I knew was possible. Amycus froze, several students nearby also ceased their activities to watch. Carrow spun around slowly, a wicked grin stretched across his grotesque features.

"Well," he cooed, "If it isn't the pretty healer again. Can't stay away, can you?"

"Sam, Laura," I said, not taking my eyes off Amycus or faltering my wand. "Go inside. Now!" They both gave startled jumps before they ran off to safety.

"Aww," he pouted. "You've ruined my fun. Though perhaps, you've something even more fun to offer." His eyes ran me up and down.

My skin crawled with revulsion. I refused to let him know that his words had any effect on me. "If you ever touch a single hair on either of their heads, I'll make sure you are unable to pick up a wand ever again. I will cause you such immense pain that your mind cannot even fathom of its existence. I have seen absolutely heinous things at St. Mungo's and I will utilise each and every one if I hear you have given either of them the least bit of a hard time. Is that understood?" The words flowed from my lips with such ease that even I was surprised by my threats. I maintained eye contact and a steady stance even though my insides were writhing.

"Ohhh," he moaned, running his tongue over his lips. "I do love a woman who plays hard to get. The chase is my favourite part."

"And if you come near me," I threatened. "The pain can start that much–"

"What is going on here?" A deep voice interrupted.

I whipped around to find Severus advancing on us, his face etched with annoyance.

"She's inhibiting my ability to punish students." Amycus accused.

"He was punishing students who weren't doing anything wrong!" I objected.

"They were flinging snowballs at the windows." he reported dutifully.

I scoffed. "They were doing it for my amusement, it was a game, a joke, a bit of fun."

"Vandalism is a game now?" Amycus asked.

"Oh, come off it!" I snapped.

"Quiet, both of you!" Severus commanded. "Amycus, I'm sure there are students somewhere actually causing trouble, go find one. Miss Winston," the use of my formal name in his commanding voice made me feel as though I was a student again. "I brought you here to attend to injured students, not to act as a vigilante inflicting your own brand of justice. If I hear that either of you is continuing these behaviours, there will be serious consequences." he paused, his eyes lingering on me, his expression disinterested. "Is that understood?" I nodded my head, I couldn't see what Amycus was doing but Severus seemed satisfied that we had both listened. "Good, now, get out of my sight."

I strided past him, making my way along the school back to the steps leading inside. I knew he was keeping up appearances but being spoken to like that by Severus irked me. As soon as I entered the school I was seized around the waist by Laura. Sam stood nearby looking concerned.

"Are you both alright?" I asked, checking both of them for physical injuries.

"We're fine." Laura insisted. "What about you? We passed by Snape when we were running inside. Are you in trouble?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so. He accused me of being a vigilante and told Amycus to find someone who's actually causing trouble."

"That's it?" Sam asked.

"He must have had more important things to tend to." I said with a shrug. "I'm assuming he'd have been much harsher if he hadn't."

"You're on some sort of list." Sam stated. "You have to be. The next time you do the littlest thing, that's when he'll strike."

"Do you think so?" I asked, amused by his theory.

"I'd be careful if I were you." he warned. "Do grown-ups get detention?"

I laughed, "I'd rather not find out."

I spent the rest of the afternoon alone in the Hospital Wing. Sam and Laura went back up to their common room after the events that took place. I stopped directly by the kitchens to get something to eat for dinner so that I could avoid the Carrows and their hate filled glares. The elves, too generous as always, weighed me down with Cornish Pasties, sandwiches, and a variety of desserts. I left with my arms full knowing there was no way I would ever be able to finish all that they had given me and wondered what I was going to do with the leftovers.

I ended up eating two of the pasties, half a ham sandwich, and a sticky toffee pudding. I looked at the several remaining pasties, sandwiches, the bread pudding, and the shortbreads feeling overly full but also guilty about the waste. I ended up bringing the tray back to the kitchens. The halls were eerily quiet and too empty for the time of night. I wondered if the curfew had been adjusted under the new headmaster or if, perhaps, students no longer wanted to roam the halls for fear of who they may run into. I returned to the empty Hospital Wing, fixing a crooked pillow on the way back to my desk.

I set to work writing a letter to Susan letting her know I had arrived and how different the school feels. I told her about Amycus and Alecto, though I left out the event of the afternoon. It was possible Sam and Laura would write to her but if they didn't I didn't want Susan to worry. I did tell her about my run in with Alecto, altering the reason I was out in the hall so late. I made sure to include the mercy Severus had shown me, again leaving out details of what happened after he told Alecto to leave his office. I wished I could scandalise her with mention of kissing and the feel of his arms wrapped around me, but, considering her current thoughts on Severus, it wouldn't be a scandal so much as reason for her to come to the school and make a scene, likely ruining all of Severus' work. I sighed as I realised how much I missed being able to talk about who I was in love with, especially since he was an interesting, complicated, selfless, enigma of a man.

"I have a question." A voice stated, pulling me from my letter with a start. I snapped my head up to find Severus leaning nonchalantly against the foot of a bed. "Am I unreasonable?"

I smiled up at him. I hadn't expected to see him and I was happy he was there. "Depends on who you ask." I offered.

"What about you?" He asked. "Do you think I'm unreasonable?"

I paused, the smile fading from my lips. "This is a trap, isn't it?"

"I ask two things of you," he continued, moving himself from his relaxed stance and approaching my desk. "To stay safe and to not get into trouble. I think both of those requests are quite reasonable and certainly neither one is impossible, yet you seem to not be able to manage either."

"If you want me to apologise and promise to never do it again," I said, "You're going to be disappointed."

He made a noise of angry frustration. "For crying out loud, Ruby! Amycus could have killed you. Do you think there is anything that would've stopped him from doing so, apart from me? There are no rules for people like him or his sister. You're completely reckless and–"

"Have I not been able to survive without you for the last fifteen years?" I asked, interrupting him. "You act as though I'm some defenceless petal, as if I haven't been able to navigate for myself–"

"Yes," he said over me. "I'm sure you've been fine navigating a world of helping the injuries of others, but that hardly makes you skilled in the art of defence!"

"I'm skilled enough!" I argued.

"I'm sure you would flourish against an average person." he spat. "However, Amycus is not average. He has made a career out of pain, torture, and death." His face paled as he said his next words, making the circles under his eyes appear more pronounced. "If anything happens to you, it's my fault. Do you understand that? I brought you here, you would not have any of these run ins if it weren't for me. I didn't foresee how much added worry I would have with you in the school. I stupidly assumed that I would be able to monitor your safety better and not worry about if anything was happening to you in London, but now, I find myself worrying even more about the troubles you could run into in the halls. Last night with Alecto," Severus clenched his fist and tightened his jaw. "Then this afternoon with Amycus."

"Don't make me leave." I whispered.

"What other choice do I have?" he sounded defeated.

I stood up from my desk, walking to him and taking his hand gently in mine. His fingers were cold, his eyes were tired, and his expression was sad. "I promise I'll be good."

He shook his head, "I've heard that bef–"

"If," I interrupted. "You promise to get some sleep. Look at you, you're completely exhausted." I lifted my free hand, cupping his cheek and ran my thumb gently along the circles under his eyes. He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch. I slid my hand from his cheek to his chest and down into his other hand. Holding both hands, I pulled him along, he came willingly.

"Where are we going?" he asked, continuing on where I was taking him.

"To bed." I said.

He stopped, his eyes wide with surprise. "It's far too early. I have things that need to be done."

"It's dark out." I said. "Everything can wait until the morning. You need sleep and I am confident that you can come up with an infinite number of excuses for why sleep is not a priority."

"Ruby." His voice was feather-soft. "I…"

"It is my opinion as a medical professional that you need rest." I said as I pulled him through the door of my chambers. "I'm prescribing one night of monitored sleep." I let go of his hands and closed the door, locking it behind me. I ran my hands up his chest, slipping them under his cloak and pushing it from his shoulders. It fell to the floor in a whispering heap.

"Is your plan to add to my exhaustion?" he asked, lifting his hands to my waist.

"Certainly not." I said, shaking my head and beginning to unbutton his shirt. "These clothes are far too rigid for sleeping." I could feel his chest rising and falling against my fingers. His hands slid down to my hips and came to rest. I lifted my eyes from my own fingers to his face. His cool black eyes exuded heat as he stared intently at my face, his lips relaxed and slightly parted. The fire deep in my belly burned low and hot. My fingers began fumbling over his buttons as I returned my attention to his clothing. "Stop that, I'm trying to be professional."

"Is something stopping you?" he questioned, tightening his hands on my hips. "Also, I'm not sure how professional you can claim to be while undressing me."

"You know damn well what you're doing." my voice was breathier than I had intended and sounded more seductive than accusatory. I unfastened the final button, his shirt fell open revealing a loose fitting linen undershirt. I moved from his grasp, strolling behind him to pull his robes from his shoulders before draping them across a chair in the corner. I turned back to him, looking every bit like the cover of a romance novel. Long dark hair, intense gaze, linen shirt hanging slightly open over his chest. "Take off your shoes." I instructed trying to slow my heated blood. "And your belt."

He made quick work of the removal of those two items. Crossing over to me still standing next to the chair where his robes were draped. His hands reached for my waist, sliding around to my back where he pulled at the strings of the apron I had over a sage green cotton dress.

"What are you doing?" I asked, feeling the strings loosening around my waist.

"Your clothes are no more suited to sleeping than mine." his voice was low and something within me came undone at its sound.

"Who says I'm going to sleep now?" I asked, as he pulled the neck loop over my head, throwing the apron to the side.

"I do." he whispered, leaning in and gently pressing his lips to mine. I was putty in his hands ready to be moulded into a masterpiece by his touch. His fingers walked over the fabric at my hips, bunching my dress in his hands before pulling it gently over my head. He tossed it onto the chair with his robes. His eyes brushed over me, making me hot with their gaze. He turned suddenly away. "You should put on your night clothes."

He kept his back turned to me as I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out an oversized t-shirt. I wasn't sure if it was an act of respect to give me privacy or if he was attempting to maintain control of himself. If it was the former, I was thankful, if it was the latter, I was extremely flattered. I removed my bra and shrugged the t-shirt on. I pulled my hair from the collar before creeping up behind him and wrapping my arms around his torso. He covered my hands with one of his own as I buried my head between his shoulder blades inhaling deeply of his scent.

"Shall we?" I asked into his back.

"You're serious?" he said, unclasping my hands and turning to face me. "You're actually going to make me go to bed? Like I'm a child."

"Of course not like a child." I insisted. "Like an adult who won't place their own wellbeing in front of literally anything. Now, go on, get under the covers." I said, motioning to the four-poster bed. I became acutely aware of how hard my heart was beating. I'd never shared a bed with Severus, we'd shared a floor and accidentally shared a sofa for a portion of a night, but never a bed. I put out the lights and we walked to opposite sides of the bed, pulling back the covers before sliding under. I nestled in, pulling the duvet over my shoulders and turning to face him. I could feel the warmth of him radiating into my skin.

"Now what?" he asked, his eyes holding mine.

I shrugged. "Turn over." He obeyed without objection. I scooted myself closer to him until my body was pressed against his back, wrapping my arms around him. He held gently onto my wrist, his thumb rhythmically stroking over my skin. I pressed my lips to his shoulder. "Goodnight, Severus."

"Goodnight, Ruby." He whispered.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep next to the security of Severus Snape.