Thank you to the following for leaving such wonderful reviews on the last chapter and not crucifying me for the dark content: CygnusRift, stubs1101, Guest reader, Ussmaple, Cat2k10, Lizzybeth74, Tobiramamara, pineapple-pancake, d'elfe, Ladyxx, and szaboalexandra1991.

Here is the next chapter - I hope you enjoy it :)

"Concentrate, Miss Ward," Severus snapped, shooting Lauren a look of pure exasperation as he lowered his wand to his side.

They had been practicing Occlumency every Friday evening for a little over a month now. In the beginning, especially after what had happened, the situation had been tense and awkward. Gradually the dust had settled, though, and they had slid back into their respective roles of annoying student and infuriating teacher; in other words, they had reverted back to their grudging 'friendship' (a term that Snape still would not admit to).

The first step in her Occlumency lesson had been to clear her mind of all thoughts and emotions. It was reminiscent of meditation and Lauren found it all rather tedious. She, admittedly, had very little patience for these hippy-age exercises that centered on core well-being and Zen, but she bit her tongue and endeavored to do so.

The next step, though, was proving a bit more difficult. Once Snape had been satisfied enough that she could at least master her emotions, he next had her maintaining the mental blank slate within her mind whilst he used Legilimens on her.

Lauren was but a beginner, Snape had explained, and could not be expected to delve into the more advanced theory of Occlumency just yet, which dealt with the more complex practice of implanting false images and memories to throw off a Legilimens attack. From what Lauren understood, these faux memories were used as a method to redirect or deceive a Legilimens; surface memories that, if implanted successfully enough, would lead a Legilimens down an alternative path of deceit and thus keep the true memories safe from discovery.

That, unfortunately, required extensive skill; a level of skill Lauren most certainly did not possess at this very moment.

So, for the time being, she was required to clear her mind of all thoughts and emotions and try and keep Snape from glimpsing her memories when he entered her mind.

But Snape was electing not to enter her memories, per se, just her mind during their sessions, though.

Lauren had felt his presence like a dark shadow on the outskirts, patiently waiting for her to either erect mental barriers, or somehow cast him out. Lauren suspected that this was mainly due to the fact that Severus was in no hurry to enter and view her memories again, accidental or otherwise.

His mental presence should have unsettled her, but like with their magic bond, there was an underlying warmth that tingled within her subconscious.

Lauren sagged in her chair and rubbed tiredly at her forehead, where a throbbing headache had formed.

"I am trying, goddammit. Just give me a moment," she muttered, resisting the urge to snap at him.

An uncontrolled mind ruled by emotions - a weak mind in other words - will make one more susceptible to a Legilimens attack, came to mind. They had been Snape's exact words.

Lauren closed her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose, willing herself to relax and her emotions to seep away like the rivulets of melting snow.

She blinked open her eyes and stood up, giving Snape a single nod and indicating that she was now ready. He regarded her for a few heartbeats with those dark eyes of his, silently assessing her.

Then he slowly raised his wand, giving her enough time to prepare herself.

Severus really didn't need his wand, this Lauren knew, as he was greatly skilled at casting nonverbal and wandless magic. The fact that he was choosing to use his wand showed that he wanted Lauren to see exactly what he was doing and that he was not going to spring a sudden attack upon her. This was his way of showing that he wasn't going to abuse her trust. Lauren trusted him regardless, but appreciated the gesture, nonetheless.

"Legilimens," he uttered, his incantation low and deep.

Lauren braced herself and soon she felt his presence slither into her mind and settle within.

There was poignant poise and she sensed a tendril of curiosity emanating from him at the image of a deep calm lake which she had conjured within her mind; the surface still and mirror-like.

I don't recall teaching you about mental visualization, Miss Ward, he said, his silky baritone sounding within her head.

Lauren drew in another deep breath and it took every ounce of concentration to conjure up the image of the Occlumency book Snape had lent her. In her mind the book flew open, the pages flipping in a speedy blur until it stopped at the page she sought - a chapter dedicated to erecting visual images that acted as mental shields or barriers. The purpose of these visual shields was to protect the mind against a mental attack in which a Legilimens would have to exert considerable effort to break down, and would also afford a person enough time to hide certain memories from sight.

She could literally feel Snape raise a brow at the image she had conjured.

Hmm, he murmured to himself. I see you've been practicing.

"Yes, every night" she answered aloud, her voice quivering at the strain of trying to maintain the mental shield whilst holding a conversation simultaneously. It was draining, not to mention distracting, and Lauren knew she wouldn't be able to hold it much longer.

Then Lauren detected an emotion that was decidedly not her own. A pleased, rather proud sensation.

At least you are capable of putting into practice what you have learned…Shall we test out the strength of your shield?

"You mean…you want to try and enter my memories?" she asked, unconsciously clenching her hands into fists at her side at the thought.

Yes.

At least he was giving her a choice this time. Lauren sensed that Snape had no desire to relive any of her memories again, but in order to teach her and test the strength of her mental shield it was inevitable that he was going to have to do so.

Lauren exhaled slowly, steeling herself. "Okay."

There was another pause, almost as though Snape, too, was preparing himself.

Then she felt pressure compressing against the surface of mirror-like lake, gentle at first then gradually becoming more insistent. The surface of the lake began to ripple as Snape exerted more force, and Lauren knew she wouldn't be able to withstand his attack for much longer.

Suddenly the image gave way, the hard surface now morphing into the water it represented, and then Snape was in her mind. But instead of diving in, he held back; a spectator silently viewing the memories that floated and shifted before him

"Try and repel me from your mind," he instructed quietly as indistinct images flitted in and out of focus, some rising to the surface only to sink back into the murky depths once more.

"How?" she asked.

"I am merely in your mind, Miss Ward. You have free access to your wand, I believe, and should make good use of it," he stated.

It was an odd sensation, being stuck in her mind yet still being aware of her physical body and surroundings. If she concentrated, she could look beyond what was playing out in her mind and see him standing before her in his study, his eyes boring into her and his wand still drawn as he maintained the connection.

Lauren was just about to reach for her wand and do as he had instructed when an image rose to the surface, catching her attention. It was a very familiar face; one that brought both joy and longing, as well as sadness to her heart.

Lauren refocused her energy on bringing the memory into focus and she sensed Snape tensing up. But she was not particularly worried about him seeing this memory - at seeing her.

The memory rippled and then came into sharp focus, revealing an older woman who was in her late forties, her auburn hair streaked with grey and laughter lines heavily wrinkling her kind eyes. Her face was rounded and pleasant, an inner joyous light shimmering in her warm whiskey hued eyes.

She felt Snape edge closer to the image, curiously studying the older woman before him.

Lauren waited until she was sure his attention was solely focused on the image. Then she raised her wand and pointed it at his chest.

"Stupefy!" she cried out.

Instantly Snape was torn from the depths of her mind as he severed the mental connection, hastily deflecting her spell to the side. The spell, unfortunately, was thrown into the lamp on his desk, shattering it.

Lauren gaped openly at him, for Snape had reacted so fast that she had barely seen him move. She decided right there and then that she never wanted to duel this formidable opponent, especially if he could react that fast while appearing otherwise occupied.

Snape, for his part, still had his wand pointed at her, silently gauging and waiting to see if she was going to attack him again. His eyes were narrowed and guarded, his stance rigid and tense and poised to defend himself.

Lauren blinked at this realization and then lowered her wand, Snape following suite shortly after and straightening up to his full height.

He regarded her shrewdly for a few beats. "That was clever, trying to distract me before launching an attack."

Lauren ignored the compliment completely, which was highly unusual as she rarely passed up the opportunity to point out when Severus Snape praised her. "You have to teach me to duel like that!"

Snape shot her a patronizing look. "I'm already investing quite a considerable amount of my free time teaching you Occlumency as well as Potion brewing."

"And?"

"And I don't have to do anything," he replied tartly. But Lauren could tell that the idea was now implanted in his mind and was being considered. She resisted smirking at him.

Snape's features morphed into thoughtfulness. "Who was that woman?"

Lauren tucked her wand back into her pocket. "My foster mother, Jennifer," she replied, her voice tinged with fondness, yet intermingled with sorrow. "She took me in shortly after that…last memory you saw."

Snape studied her for a moment before turning on his heel and making his way to his desk, settling composedly into his high back leather chair. He motioned for her to take a seat and, after a moment's hesitation, she did so.

"What happened to her?" he enquired once Lauren was seated.

"She died from a brain aneurism shortly after I completed high school. I…" Lauren paused, drawing in a steadying breath as she tried to will down the pain that this specific memory conjured. "I went off the rails. My life was pretty much a mess for a few years after that, until I started to get it together and get back on track. Then I met Deacon two years ago and, well, you saw how well that ended."

Snape's lips pressed together in a thin line at the mention of Deacon, his eyes glinting like shards of glass as he stared at her. Then he averted his gaze, the emotion suddenly gone just as quickly as it had appeared.

"I take it she treated you well?" he deflected.

"Yes," Lauren said with a nod, her lips curling into a sad smile. "She basically pulled me from the rubble and showed me what it was to be loved unconditionally." Lauren sighed as she recounted more of her life with Jennifer. "Jennifer provided a loving and stable home and I, in turn, gave her grief - especially in my teen years. But not once did I feel unwanted or unloved. She tried her best to repair the damage my father had done, and it was slow going for a while. But I finally started to trust her and eventually even call her my mother. I don't think she ever realized it, but Jennifer saved me in more ways than one." Lauren's voice cracked, but she stilled the tears that now glimmered in her eyes.

Snape was listening intently. "And your biological mother?" he asked softly, his gaze still averted, but Lauren sensed that he was awaiting her answer with keen interest.

Lauren gave a derisive snort, anger filling her. "She was weak. I suppose she had once been a loving mother, but by the time the beatings got really bad and Child Protection Services were finally called in, she was nothing but a shell of…uselessness. She couldn't even stand up to that bastard to protect her own child."

Snape gave a slight nod of his head and Lauren knew he was relating to what she had gone through. They were very similar in that respect: both had been cast from the same mold and had endured similar childhood traumas and, as a result, had grown into hardened adults.

But Lauren's path had diverged from Snape's own. She had been shown love and kindness in the end, whereas Severus Snape had never known such sentiments. The emotional scars her father had inflicted upon her would forever be there, though, but the love Jennifer brought to her life had softened the hard edges of Lauren's persona and had instilled a sense of empathy within her.

Lauren studied Snape, wondering if his life would have turned out differently if just a bit of love and kindness had been present in his life. But that hadn't been his fate and before her now sat the end result: a man bearing the many and unimaginable scars of his upbringing. The bravest man she would ever know.

Maybe it was just as well his path had led him down this road, otherwise the wizarding world wouldn't stand a chance in hell of winning this war without him.

"What about you?" she ventured, wanting to learn more about the man that sat before her. She wasn't really expecting an answer as Snape kept his innermost thoughts and secrets well-guarded.

Snape slowly turned his head to meet her enquiring gaze, and Lauren was surprised that there was none of the deflective disdain that she had expected. Rather, there was a quizzical look shadowing his features.

"Do you not know?"

Lauren shook her head. "Not all the details. I know that your mom was a witch and your father was a Muggle. I don't know too much about your earlier childhood, except that you, too, grew up in poverty and there were hints of childhood abuse."

His dark gaze bore into her. Lauren held her breath as she waited for him to either chuck her from his study or hex her for daring to ask such a personal question.

"My history is much alike to yours, though I never had…a savior." There was neither bitterness nor resentment in his tone – just mere acceptance. Snape was not one to wallow in self-pity.

Lauren was stunned that he was even sharing this much with her, but she didn't dare push for more answers. A large part of her didn't want to know the details, especially if his past was anything like hers.

Instead she let out a sigh and then shot him a conspiratorial look, hoping to change the current mood. "I don't know about you, but I could do with a drink right about now."

"No," he stated almost immediately.

Lauren grinned openly at him for this had become their weekly ritual; she trying to wheedle a glass or two of Firewhisky from him, and Snape always denying her.

A smile of his own playing on his lips, Snape rose to his feet, indicating that their session was now over. "I really can't wait for Professor Quirrell's term to end so that I no longer have to walk you back to your room. It's becoming quite tiresome."

Lauren frowned, gasping when the true meaning of his words smacked her right in the face. "You know about the curse?"

His smile morphed into an arrogant smirk. "I suspected; you just confirmed it."

Lauren closed her mouth shut with an audible snap, pressing her lips firmly together.

His smirk broadened. "The jinx has been in place since before I started my schooling at Hogwarts, Miss Ward. No Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has lasted more than a year, to my recollection."

"If you know this, then why do you keep applying for the position?" she asked, unable to hide her incredulity.

"It has become a habitual game between Albus Dumbledore and myself: I will request the post and he will deny my request."

Lauren shook her head thinking, not for the first time, that she would never fully understand men. "You really need to find yourself a new hobby," she said, rising to her feet.

"Maybe," he mused. "And what of your hobbies?" he asked as he strode towards the door, holding it open for her.

Lauren flashed him a mischievous smile. "Well, this summer I plan on learning to brew some moonshine, seeing as you won't share your stash and I have no other way of getting my hands on any alcohol."

As she passed him Lauren could see the corners of his lips twitching. That oddly pleased feeling resurfaced, seeping into her chest, and Lauren found that she rather liked that she could amuse Severus Snape.

~oOo~

Winter soon gave way to Spring, the white snow thawing with the gradually warming days. With the shift of seasons came the subtle hint of change, a crisp and clean freshness clinging to the air of the Scottish Highlands.

It was close to the end of March when Tracey informed her that they had less than twelve weeks before end-of-year exams were upon them.

Lauren slowly lowered her book that she had been reading and eyed her friend with weary trepidation, wondering if Tracey was going to become a frenzied version of Hermione Granger at the prospect of the upcoming exams.

They were currently sitting on the lush lawn overlooking the Black Lake and enjoying the rare afternoon sunshine.

Catching sight of the look Lauren was shooting her, Tracey laughed. "Oh come on! I'm not that bad. You should see the timetable Hermione Granger has drawn up. I'm actually quite impressed."

"You bring a timetable like that near me and I assure you it will suffer the same fate as that planner," Lauren grumbled, raising her book once more to resume reading.

She heard Tracey chuckle good-naturedly and both girls stretched out in silence, letting the sun's rays warm their bodies.

After a few moment's silence, Tracey spoke up. "Did you do something to make Professor Snape angry?"

Lauren lowered her book, confused. "What?"

"He's been in a rather foul mood these last few weeks."

"And you think I'm the cause of it?" Lauren asked, not sure whether to feel offended or not.

Tracey pressed her lips together, but Lauren could see that she was struggling not to grin. "You have a knack for pushing all his buttons the wrong way, if your ongoing detentions are anything to go by. It's been what, three months now? I just figured you might have done or said something…"

Lauren's frown deepened. Now that Tracey had mentioned it, Snape had been in a rather tumultuous mood of late. Well, more surly than usual. And she was most certainly not the cause of it, as far as she knew. That left only three other options: Quirrell, Dumbledore, or Harry Potter. Personally, her money was on Harry Potter.

"Nope. For once I am innocent," Lauren replied, trying to ignore the look that Tracey was giving her that clearly stated that she did not believe her. "Oh, shut up."

"I didn't say a word," Tracey replied, finally grinning openly.

Despite herself, Lauren felt herself smiling along with Tracey. But she made a mental note to get to the bottom of what was troubling Snape during her next 'detention' with him.

~oOo~

"Okay, out with it," Lauren snapped as she stirred her potion. Snape now had them alternating their private lessons, with Occlumency being one week and potion brewing the other.

Snape was pacing around his classroom, tension roiling off him in buffering waves and his scowl more pronounced than usual.

Today's Potion lesson had been brutal, with Snape all but snarling at every student, even reducing a few to tears.

Snape paused in his pacing and shot her a withering look.

"Something's got your knickers in a knot, and I want to know what it is," Lauren stated matter-of-factly as she turned her attention once more to her cauldron.

She could feel his dark glare boring into her, but she ignored it.

After a few moments silence, Snape drifted into her field of vision, coming to stand on the other side of her workstation.

Lauren glanced up at him, arching a brow as she silently waited for him to tell her what was really aggravating him.

The seconds ticked by.

Finally Snape broke the silence, his tone bitter and resentful. "The Headmaster has requested that I referee the next Quidditch match."

Lauren halted in her stirring, gaping in surprise. "You know how to play Quidditch?"

It was Snape's turn to arch his brow as he stared down at her, managing to make the look patronizing. "You seem surprised."

Lauren shook her head and hastily resumed her stirring. "Sorry. It's just, you don't seem like the, uh…athletic type."

The other brow raised to join the other, and Lauren flushed, dropping her gaze.

"I, um, I mean…you seem more…academically inclined."

"Academically inclined?" he sneered.

Lauren's flush deepened. "That's to say…um…your physique…" Lauren let out a groan. "I'm digging myself into a hole, aren't I?"

"By all means, please do continue," he drawled, his tone bone dry.

Lauren cringed. She hadn't meant to insult him, but Snape didn't come across as someone who was athletic or sporty. In fact, she was fairly certain that underneath all those layers of black, Snape wasn't harboring a chiseled physique at all. A life of academic pursuit did not leave one with a body to rival that of Dwayne Johnson himself.

A loud hissing issued from her potion, saving Lauren from answering, and she hastily cut the flame before the potion had a chance to boil over. She mentally cursed herself at becoming distracted and flustered like that.

Snape nonverbally vanished the ruined contents within and turned his attention once more to Lauren.

"As you were saying…"

"Nope. I didn't say a thing," she quipped.

Lauren relaxed when she spotted a hint of an amused smirk flittering across his features. Snape leaned his hip against the workstation, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Tell me, Miss Ward, what do you know of the sport?" he asked conversationally, but Lauren wasn't fooled.

She gnawed on her bottom lip, thinking. "There are three goal post on either side of the field. The Quaffle is used to score goals, which the Keeper on either team has to prevent. The Beaters job is to bat the Bludgers away from their teammates and try to send it to their opponents, and the Seeker tries to catch the Snitch, and by doing so ends the match. The Snitch is worth one hundred and fifty points, and whichever teams has the most points at the end of the match wins."

Snape sneered down at her. "Very good, Miss Ward. Now if you, of all people, are able to grasp the basic concepts of the game, what makes you think that I wouldn't know a thing or two about Quidditch?" Condescension practically dripped from his voice.

"Touché," Lauren finally conceded. "So why is Dumbledore making you referee the game?"

"To protect Potter, of course," he growled, his surliness returning tenfold. "Between you and Potter, I don't know who is more of a magnet for trouble. I haven't had a moment's peace since you two started school."

Lauren grinned at his acerbic tone. "Well, we're keeping you busy and stopping you from getting bored. Plus, my sunny disposition makes it all worthwhile."

Snape shot her a withering look, which only had her laughing out loud as it had lacked any real heat.

"Time to head back to your room," he stated.

Lauren spied a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and it sent that odd pleased feeling seeping back into her chest again.

"You know, Harry thinks that you're after the Philosopher's Stone," Lauren mused beside him as they made their way back to the Slytherin Common Room.

"Shows what an idiot he is," Snape replied with his usual aplomb.

"Well, you've hardly given him reason to think otherwise," she pointed out.

"And I don't plan to. Now can we stop talking about Potter. It's bad enough that I'm forced to ensure his safety…" Lauren thought she heard him mutter something about 'paying his bloody debt'.

Sympathy shot through her at the thought that Snape was not only ensuring her safety, but trying to protect Potter as well. Added to the fact that he was also teaching her Occlumency and potion brewing in his spare time, well, he really did have a lot on his plate right now.

Lauren knew that he didn't have to do any of these things for her, but he was doing them, nonetheless. It showed that, in a way, Snape did care. He just chose to show in more unconventional ways.

~oOo~

Soon the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff was upon them, and Lauren made her way to the stands with the rest of the school, Tracey at her side. An excited buzzing permeated the air as students hustled and bustled to their seats, jostling each other playfully as contagious anticipation coursed through their veins.

Lauren and Tracey sat down on one of the benches, Lauren scanning the field in the hopes of getting a glimpse of Snape. Quidditch held very little interest for her, but she really wanted to see Snape on a broom, for it was a sight she knew she probably wouldn't see again. Plus, she wanted to see for herself that he really did know how to play the sport. Part of her was still doubtful about his claims.

Then she spied him marching towards the two teams assembled on the field, a vision of roiling thunderous black. His scowl was as vicious as ever as he eyed each team member, his gaze lingering on Potter longer than necessary and no doubt blaming the boy for his ill luck of having to referee this match.

Then he mounted his broom and soon the game kicked off. Lauren was in awe as she watched Snape flying with an expertise she had not known him to possess. As with everything he did, there was a distinct finesse to his flying skills.

The game progressed, loud raucous cheers permeating the air whenever a goal was scored. Snape was hovering in the air on his broom, his dark eyes scanning everything around him with scrutiny. But as the match continued, it became evident that Quirrell was going to behave, especially with Dumbledore now present.

Something caught her attention and Lauren turned to see Draco, Ron, Crabbe, Goyle and Neville wrestling in the stands nearby.

She rolled her eyes, realizing that Malfoy must have been up to his usual trick of trying to rile up the Gryffindors and, by the looks of it, Ron and Neville were putting up a good fight.

A collective gasp drew her attention away and she gasped herself when she saw a blur of scarlet zooming towards Severus. Snape turned around and was narrowly missed by Harry, who was diving spectacularly for the Snitch.

The stadium erupted in cheers as Harry held the Snitch up triumphantly in his fist, the golden wings fluttering between his fingers.

Snape landed on the ground, looking downright murderous. He stormed off the field, but Lauren noted with curiosity that he was not heading back towards the castle, but rather to the Forbidden Forest. Lauren decided it best to give him a few hours to cool down and she would check in on him later tonight.

~oOo~

The Gryffindor victory was met with bitterness within the Slytherin Common Room, and most of her housemates had elected to call it an early night.

Lauren was seated in front of the fireplace, revising her Transfiguration notes in preparation for the exams that were still weeks away. Tracey had insisted and Lauren had finally relented, though Tracey had left about half an hour ago for bed, leaving Lauren alone to study.

The doors opened and in stormed Draco, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. All three looked rather rumpled and disheveled.

Draco spied Lauren said something to Crabbe and Goyle. They nodded and went to their room. Draco eyed her for a moment and then took a seat beside her.

"Ward."

"Malfoy."

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

"So, who won?" Lauren finally asked, unable to help herself as she briefly eyed his appearance.

A sour look passed over his features, but of instead of answering, he muttered, "They're up to something…"

"Who?" Lauren asked, not in the least bit interested as she tried to concentrate on her notes.

"Potter, Weasley and Granger. They're always sneaking down to that oaf's hut."

Lauren stilled, casting her memory back and trying to recall what was supposed to happen next in the book.

Ah, the baby dragon…

Lauren shrugged. "Why don't you just follow them and see what they are really up to instead of sitting here speculating."

Draco drummed his fingers against the armrest. "I may just do that."

Yeah, and enjoy your detention in the Forbidden Forest as a result, she thought vindictively, hiding her smirk.

"So, my godfather thinks highly of you," Draco finally stated.

Lauren looked up sharply at him, wondering what the hell he was getting at.

"I highly doubt that considering he has given me detention indefinitely," she remarked.

Draco shrugged. "He told my father so."

Lauren eyed him. "Why would your father and Professor Snape be talking about me?"

"It may have come up that you are a descendant of Bethany Ward. My father was rather curious about that and spoke to my godfather. Severus admitted that you possess the same talent as you ancestor."

Lauren stared at him, choosing to remain quiet.

"Then there was that thing you did to those three Gryffindor boys," Draco exclaimed with a gleeful chuckle. "That was brilliant!"

Lauren sighed and placed her notes on her lap, giving Draco her full attention now. "Okay, out with it, Draco. What do you want?"

Draco eyed her contemplatively. "I could do with someone like you in my group..."

Lauren blinked in disbelief at the blonde-haired prat who had taken a sudden interest in her. She had expected an array of things from him, but this was almost laughable. It was such a childish request - Draco wanted her to join his little gang of miscreants in the hopes that it would up his esteem.

Lauren wanted nothing more than to shoot him down and possibly reduce him to tears, but a sly voice that sounded distinctly like Severus Snape cautioned for her to approach this with prudence.

Draco might prove to be the key in all of this. Best not to make an enemy of him just yet…

Lauren mulled over the implications of those sly words. Draco and his family were close to Severus and, if she played her cards right, they might be used to change the tide of Snape's fate. How, she had no idea, but the idea held possible merit and promise.

"Draco, you really don't want me in your group," she finally replied.

"But I do."

Lauren shook her head. "Think about it, Draco. I'm not a follower and I most certainly won't take orders from you. You're better off with Crabbe and Goyle, who are more than willing to follow your every command. Me? I'd just tell you to piss off and do it yourself. No, you and I get along better apart than we do together, don't you think?"

Draco looked a bit petulant at her rejection, so Lauren hastened on.

"I like our cordial…understanding the way it is right now, Draco. Do you really want to mess that up?"

"No, I suppose not," he finally conceded, and although he was clearly disappointed, he was in agreement. "What are you doing?" he asked, finally taking notice of the papers she held in her hand.

"Studying."

"For what?"

"Our exams, which are in a few weeks."

Draco eyed her and then shook his head. "Yeah, I think it's just as well you're not part of my group. I didn't take you to be one of those studying types" he said with a shake of his head before rising to his feet. "Well, good night, Ward."

"Good night, Draco," she murmured, turning her attention to her notes once more.

Once she heard him leave, she glanced around and was pleased to note that she was the only one left in the Common Room. Shoving her notes in her pocket, she made her way to the portrait and uttered the password. The door swung open and she stepped in, making sure to close the door behind her.

Casting the Lumos spell, she traversed the passageway until she reached the portrait leading to Snape's study. Swinging it open, she stepped out and blinked when she saw that Severus was seated at his desk, nursing a glass of Firewhisky in his hand.

He turned his dark gaze towards he and seemed unsurprised to see her. Lauren watched as he raised his glass to his lips, swallowing the contents down in one go.

Lauren made her way over to one of the chairs and sat down, studying him. His usually pale cheeks were flushed and, as her gaze wandered, she noted the half empty of Firewhisky sitting on his desk.

"Normally I'm not one to say this, but do you think it's a good idea to be getting drunk?" she finally asked.

His derisive snort was answer enough. "I've had a trying day, Miss Ward. Do not add to it," he snipped, the warning clear in his voice.

Lauren didn't want to know how he planned on dealing with the insurmountable stress he was going to endure in the upcoming years, though she had a feeling she was going to deal with a drunk Snape more often than not.

"Well, the match went well. Nothing bad happened to Harry," she ventured.

"Because I was there keeping an eye on Quirrell." Snape replied disdainfully as he refilled his glass, sloshing some of the liquid onto the surface of his desk. "I had a private word with him in the Forbidden Forest…"

"Oh?"

"Yes. I warned him to stay away from you," he growled, taking another sip from his tumbler.

Lauren blinked in surprise. This was almost possessively protective of Severus Snape.

"I appreciate that," she finally stated.

Snape made a dismissive sound in the back of this throat as he took another sip of his Firewhisky.

Lauren impulsively reached for the bottle, figuring that he was too drunk to either care or react.

The sharp smack on her hand told her otherwise. Lauren snatched her stinging hand away and cradled it against her chest, shooting Snape a dark scowl. A sardonic smirk curled his lips.

"Ow! That hurt!"

"It was supposed to."

Lauren decided right there and then she never wanted to receive a spanking from the Potion Master. Ever.

Leaning back in her chair, Lauren decided to speak to him about what was playing on her mind, seeing as how he wasn't as drunk as he had first appeared.

"I had a conversation with Draco not too long ago."

"Pray tell, what is my godson up to now?"

"Oh, the usual. He wanted to recruit me into his little gang."

Snape seemed neither perturbed nor surprised.

"He mentioned some things…I should warn you not to reveal too much about me to the Malfoys."

Snape shot her a condescending look. "I revealed nothing that was not already known, Miss Ward. I am not an idiot. Draco overheard your conversation with Miss Davis, revealing your family ties to Bethany Ward. His father also heard from him that you are markedly skilled in potions – something I merely confirmed when pressed."

Lauren nodded to herself. Her secrets would remain safe for now. If there was one person whom she trusted to keep them safe, it was Snape.

"It's time for you to get back to bed, Miss Ward," he stated pointedly.

Lauren sighed and rose to her feet. Snape was in no mood for conversation, nor sharing his drink. There was no reason for her to linger.

But another thought struck her. "You're quite an exceptional flyer. Did you ever play Quidditch in school?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Snape sighed heavily, laying his glass down on his desk with a heavy thunk. "I did attend try-outs, but the Marauders ensured that I…failed."

Lauren's heart twisted that those boys had been so cruel to him. Coming to a decision, she channeled her Occlumency and willed her magic down.

Cautiously she reached over and brushed her hand over his, which was still clutching his glass. There was a slight tingly response to their magic as their bare skin touched, but nothing compared to the all-consuming power it could manifest into.

Snape, who had tensed at her touch, looked up at her with an arched brow. Lauren ignored him and curled her smaller hand over his much larger one, noting that he didn't try to pull away.

She remained silent, but in that simple touch she conveyed her thanks, as well as her regret and sorrow of what he had gone through. Snape would otherwise reject any words of sympathy or thanks, so Lauren was resorting to simple touch to convey these emotions.

She slowly withdrew her hand and let it drop to her side.

"Good night, sir."

Snape stared at her with dark eyes that swirled with unreadable emotions. Then his gaze sharpened, and he gave a curt nod of his head. "Good night, Miss Ward."

His dark eyes stayed on her until she left the room via the portrait, and still he stared at the spot she had left through for quite some time afterwards, lost in his thoughts.

Please review, fave and follow :)