CLARISSA'S POV:

I felt someone stroking my face and fluttered my eyes open to see Severus smiling softly at me.

"What?" I giggled, putting my hand in his.

"Oh, you're just...never mind." He mumbled, looking away from me.

I felt bad he couldn't reveal his feelings in front of me. I didn't really know why he couldn't, but I do know he feels uncomfortable doing so.

I sat up and rubbed at my eyes, feeling grateful that for once, I felt awake and energized although I had barely slept.

"You better get going if you want to get ready before anyone else wakes up." Severus told me while I was stretching out my muscles.

"Got it. See you in class?" I smirked, winking at him.

He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Okay!" I strutted out of his bedroom and to the door.

"Wait!"

"Huh?" I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Just...for your protection, don't tell anyone about last night." He said with a serious look in his eyes.

"I won't. I promise." I said before dashing to the Slytherin common room.

***

"Slippery snake." I whispered to the painting, trying to be as quiet as I could.

The door opened, and I crept in slowly, making my way to the girls dormitories.

"Clarissa." A familiar voice said.

I turned around to see Draco, his gray eyes glaring at me.

"Draco?" I whimpered, my heart pounding fast.

I knew he was mad at me.

"Sit." He ordered, pointing to a green couch.

"I would rather stand." I snapped at him, regretting it once I had said it.
"Sorry, it's been a rough night." I weakly apologized.

"Clarissa, where the bloody hell have you been?!" He shouted, his face turning a bright red.

"I-I..."
Damn it. I'm so bad at lying, but I have to.

I cleared my throat and looked him straight in the eyes.

"I had to serve detention with Professor Snape last night, and it ran late. So late, in fact, that I fell asleep. I only just woke up and decided to come back to the dormitories, so I could wash up."

He softened his glare, and his face changed back into its pale color.

"I'm sorry, Clarissa. I was just so worried about you." He said, walking over to me and grabbing my hands.

"It's okay. I should've told you where I was going, so it's really my fault." I put the blame on me since I felt bad that I had worried Draco.

"No, it's not." He persisted before giving me a hug, running his hands through my silky, blonde hair.

After a bit, we separated from the hug and went back to our dormitories.

***

I got ready as fast as I could, rushing out of the chambers just as a couple of girls were waking up to get ready.

"Good morning!" I hollered at them before slamming the door.

I realized I still had a hour or so before breakfast, so I decided to go explore. I walked down the empty corridors, only hearing the clicking of my shoes.

I crept towards the library and tried to open the doors, but they were locked.

"Shit." I mumbled under my breath.

"Hey!" An irritated voice shouted. "What are yer doing here so early in the morning?"

Filch.

"I wanted to explore a bit, get to know the place. Is that so wrong?" I asked, giving him my best puppy eyes.

He snarled at me and balled up his fists while walking away.

His cat, Mrs. Norris, rubbed up against my legs before following Filch.

I shrugged my shoulders and turned back to the locked doors, my curiosity raging.

What if I unlock the doors? No! I'll get in trouble...ugh. This is so hard!

I pulled out my wand, preparing to blast the doors open.

"Alohomora!" I exclaimed.

Blue sparks shot out of my wand and hit the doors, but for some reason, the doors deflected the charm!

I tried again with a bit more power, but that was not a good idea.

The charm reflected back and hit me, knocking me against the stone wall. I felt liquid rushing out from the back of my skull as I fell to the ground.

Must be strong magic.

"Ugh..." I groaned sluggishly, holding the back of my head.

Have to get to Severus. He'll help...hopefully.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I rose to my feet, barely able to see anything but black spots.

"Ferula!" I gasped, conjuring bandages in my hand.

"If I wrap this around, it might help with pressure." I mumbled, trying my best to wrap it around my wound.

After I had finished, I trudged along the left side of the corridor, hoping no one would run into me.

Thankfully, I made it to Severus' chambers and collapsed onto the ground, black dots attacking my eyesight.

I dragged my hand across the green colored door before passing out completely.

***

"Here." The redhead said, handing me a loaf of bread and butter.
We were in a small, wooden shack on the outskirts of the city. There was a tiny bed and a brown cabinet in it.

"I'm sorry I don't have much to offer you, but my family's very poor. I have to provide for them." He explained, his eyes full of guilt.

"Listen here, sir. You have done so much already. No one ever gave me food and a place to stay, so I thank you." I smiled, giving him a quick hug.

I felt his body tense when I gave him a hug, but soon he loosened up, returning the hug.

"You're welcome, ma'am."

He left, saying that he would be back tomorrow to check up on me, and I nodded, waving goodbye before the wooden door closed.

I snapped my eyes open, recognizing where I was right away.

Severus' chambers.

"Ms. Waters." He hissed, gliding towards where I was.
"Please explain why you came to my door with blood leaking from your head." He said, worry showing only in his eyes.

I gasped, touching the back of my head and feeling no pain whatsoever.

"What did you do?" I asked in awe.

"I used a spell that heals minor injuries." He droned. "Now, explain." He ordered me, staring me down.

I laughed out of embarrassment, trying to stall telling him what I did.

"Clarissa." He warned.

"Okay! So I might've tried to get into the library, and it kinda backfired." I quietly said, my cheeks reddening.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed loudly.

"Do I have to walk with you everywhere, so you don't accidentally hurt yourself?" He voiced out loud, running his hands through his jet black hands.

"I wouldn't mind." I said, shrinking when he gave me a dirty look.

"What if you had been attacked while you were injured?!" He exploded.

"I know I messed up." I admitted, avoiding his piercing onyx eyes. "I'm sorry."

He exhaled slowly, trying to calm down before bending down, only inches from my face.

"You're okay?" He asked, his grimace replaced with worry.

"I'm fine. You know I can take care of myself. I don't want to make you worry about me."

"Clarissa, I'll always worry. I'm assigned to protect you with my life." He smiled, which warmed my heart.

"Severus." I gushed, stroking his face.

He didn't seem to mind when I ran my fingers through his hair, chuckling as I did so.

"Come on, we're going to miss Potions." Severus joked.

What? This cold, grimacing man just made a joke and actually smiled! Not that I mind, but I wonder if he feels comfortable enough to show his true side to me. Me, for Merlin's sake!

"You're right." I said, removing my hand from his hair and sitting up.

"You may be a bit groggy for a bit, so I won't do something too hard in Potions today." He explained.

"It's fine. I can handle it." I assured him, smiling slightly.

"Oh, can you?" He smirked.

"Well, when you say it like that..." I giggled, causing him to smile again.

He pulled me up off the couch and walked together with me to Potions, staying a couple of feet away from me. I assumed he was doing it, so it wouldn't look suspicious that he was walking together with a student.

His grimace returned to his face when he caught two Ravenclaws holding hands and gave them detention.

I covered my mouth, trying not to burst out laughing at the terrified looks on their faces.

He glared at me, but I could tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he was teasing me.

I winked at him, his breath hitching in his throat. I stuck my tongue out at him and walked towards the Potions classroom, standing outside the door.

As he walked past me, he grabbed my hand and dragged me in with him.

"You, Ms. Waters, have detention with me tonight." He smirked, obviously just wanting me to come keep him company.

"Okay. 8 PM okay?"

"Make it 7:30 PM." He winked before walking to his desk and watching the Gryffindors and Slytherins file in.

Author's Note: Ooh, this chapter makes my heart sing! <3 Lol, idk...it's cool. I love all the flirting! (I'm such a dork!) Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I apologize for the late update! xx