SEVERUS' POV:

It was two in the morning, and I was sitting down watching one of my students sleep. How in the hell did this happen?

I meant it when I said I would be here in case she had a nightmare. She knew she wasn't lying because I could see the fear in her gorgeous emerald eyes. Wait, what? Gorgeous? Stop that, Severus!

I saw her hand twitch as if she were grabbing her wand and saw her snap her eyes open.

"Clarissa?" I asked, her first name foreign on my tongue.

"Tell Dumbledore I have a message for him." A ghastly voice spoke. It was definitely not Clarissa saying these words.

"He is coming for the boy with the scar. He is coming for...HARRY POTTER!" She cackled evilly before I saw her fall back on the bed.

Harry Potter? Does that mean...? No, I have to stay focused!

I scurried over to Clarissa who was now stirring awake, unaware of what had just happened.

"Clarissa! Are you alright?" I exclaimed, holding her head.

"The Death Eaters...I know why they stopped trying to kill me." She babbled, tears streaming down her face.

"Shhh..." I whispered, wiping away her tears.

"I have to say this, Severus. I have to." She persisted. I flinched at her using my first name but didn't say anything about it.

Hell, I used her first name too.

"Go ahead."

She breathed out a ragged breath, her eyes opening and closing slowly.

"They wanted to use me to get to Harry. Be able to communicate using me." She said coldly.

That's what I figured, but I felt terrible that a mere child is facing the wrath of the Dark Lord himself. If I could take the pain away, I would.

"We must alert Dumbledore of this." I said, picking her up bridal style.

She giggled slightly, I assume because I was carrying her.

"Only for right now." I said, gritting my teeth.

"Whatever you say, Severus." She taunted me with my name again.

My only weakness.

"To you, I am Professor Snape." I stated sternly, fighting back a smile.

"Oh, right." She teased, holding out the 'oh.'

"You do have legs, Ms. Waters. I will put you down if you do not listen to me." I warned, giving her a smirk.

"Okay, you win." She surrendered, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Onward!"

I sighed in annoyance, but really, I was quite happy I was with this wonderful girl. This strong girl.

***

CLARISSA'S POV:

Standing in the headmaster's office with Severus was...I don't know, awkward? Fun? I believe it was a mix of both.

"Severus," A gravely voice stated. "what brings you to my office at this time of night?"

The great wizard appeared then, walking down a set of golden stairs, stars on his dark blue robes.

"Headmaster, I have urgent news involving Ms. Waters." He answered, slight fear in his voice.

"Well, then, Ms. Waters?" The headmaster looked at me with curious eyes, expecting me to explain.

"Well, it's a long story, but I'll try to explain as quickly as I can." I said, sitting myself on one of the red chairs.

"Go on, Ms. Waters." The headmaster beckoned me, sitting down on the chair in front of me.

Severus stood there but backed up into the corner while I started telling my story.

"The Death Eaters killed my parents and would've killed me if I hadn't ran." I took a deep breath before continuing on with my heart breaking story.
"I was tracked down and almost killed three times by the Death Eaters, but one day, I found myself wondering why they hadn't found me yet." I explained.
"I've been having nightmares ever since I was taken in by the Malfoys, but this time, it wasn't a nightmare."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with sadness, but I knew I needed to tell him why it's not safe for me to be here anymore.

"I was awake, but I wasn't. This unfamiliar voice talked, saying that he is coming for the boy with the scar, that he is coming for...Harry Potter." I described, my head pounding against my skull.
"It's not safe for anyone here if I stay at Hogwarts." I admitted, looking down at the ground.

"Ms. Waters, look at me." The old wizard ordered.

I looked up, light blue eyes meeting green.

"We will protect you from the Dark Lord, and I assure you that everyone will be safe, especially Harry."

"But...they're using me to get to Harry! Don't you see?!" I steamed, standing up and pacing around.

"Calm down, Ms. Waters." Professor Snape said softly, stepping out of the shadows.

"Clarissa," Dumbledore spoke, regaining my attention. "Severus will be helping you. He'll protect you with his life." He emphasized the last word, the professor nodding in understanding.

I felt numbness setting in as I didn't respond with anything. I just stood up and walked out the door.

I slumped down onto the ground, my body trembling with fear.

I really am in danger.

I heard whispering from behind the grand door before Professor Snape stepped out and looked down at me.

"Come now, Ms. Waters." He droned, holding out his hand.

I gladly took it and struggled to keep up with him, having to stop a couple of times.

"Come on, Ms. Waters. We don't have all night." He moaned, turning around to see me collapsed on the ground panting.

"O...kay...com...ing." I huffed out, closing my eyes out of exhaustion.

"Ugh, you're hopeless." He stated, standing right over me.

"I know." I laughed.

He bent down next to me and helped me get up, picking me up bridal style, again.

"I'm starting to think you like this." I smirked at him.

"Well, maybe I do." He teased.

Wait...what? Does he actually like carrying me?

"Do you really?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"We should get going." He deflected my question while starting to walk back to the chambers.

Hmm...he's defensive. I wonder...

"Wait," I said once we walked past the Slytherin dormitories. "where am I going to--"

I was interrupted by him putting his finger on my lips.

"Filch is coming." He sneered, gently putting me back onto the ground.

"I know exactly what to do." I grinned.
"Lumos!" I whisper-yelled, my wand lighting up at the tip.

Snape raised an eyebrow but didn't question my motives, not yet anyways.

"Hey!" Filch shouted. "What are you doing out past curfew?"

"I was coming back from detention with Professor Snape." I glared at him from the corner of my eye without Filch noticing.

On cue, he flew in besides me, narrowing his eyes at Filch.

"What's happening here?" He asked slowly.

"Nothing, Professor Snape, just doing my duties as caretaker, that's all." Filch explained.

"Ah, well, I'll escort Ms. Waters back to the dormitories." He said.

Filch just nodded and walked away, grumbling about how stupid students are.

"He's...something." I said at a loss of words to describe the bitter, old man who had hobbled away with his cat, Mrs. Norris, in his arms.

"Yes..." Snape held out the word, seemingly thinking of something to say.

"We're going back to your chambers, aren't we?" I guessed, putting a hand on my hip.

"Yes."

He walked away then, gliding down the corridor full of paintings.

"Hey, missy!" One of the painting yelled. "Turn that bloody light off!"

I rolled my eyes and turned my wand off, walking quickly to account for me not walking after Severus right away.

***

SEVERUS' POV:

I puffed out my cheeks as I was waiting for Clarissa to catch up. The door to my chambers were already open, and the heat was starting to seep out. Once she did come, she seemed a bit angry, so I decided not to push her on how long I had waited.

"Ugh." She groaned, smacking her face.

"What's troubling you?" I asked, feeling worried she was again in pain.

Wait...why am I afraid for her? Why does she seem so beautiful even when she's mad? I haven't felt this way since...Lily.

"I just, I don't want to fall asleep again, but I'm just so goddamn tired!" She cried out, covering her flushed face with her hands.

"As much as you don't want to, Clarissa, you have to." I said.
"I'm not the best at...feelings and stuff like that, but I want you to know that I'm here when you're hurt, scared, or whatever else. So trust me, Clarissa." I held my hand out to her, giving her a soft smile.

"Thank you, Severus." She smiled back, tears streaming down her face. She put her hand in mine and gripped it, making me shiver at the exchange.

Her hand was so warm.

"Come on, I'll make another Sleeping Draught for you." I led her to my bed, nudging her to lay down.

"Where will you sleep?" She asked.

"I can't tonight. It's almost dawn anyways, and I still have paperwork to get done." I answered honestly, hoping she wouldn't push on the subject anymore.

"Okay." She said as I walked over to get a vial.

When I came back with the potion, she drank it all up before I could even blink.

"Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Clarissa."

Author's Note: I apologize for not updating on time, but I've been very busy! I'll make a chapter about it in "Skye's Life Bio" soon. Hope you enjoyed this chapter since I feel it really demonstrates their relationship! :D