The following weeks turned out to be strangely easy in comparison to the previous ones. My fear and annoyance disappeared, even though I could not hide that I was more and more bothered by my having parted ways with Neville, who had been my best friend from the very beginning. However, he did not seem to look for my company, therefore I did not bug him too much. We only exchanged casual courtesies.

I could not help but wonder who might have cast the Imperius Curse upon him... and why it was I who was supposed to be his victim. It made no sense at all. Of course, according to the ideas of the Death Eaters I should be eliminated as a "person who acquired magical powers by force", but if that was the case, should not all of the people from non-magical families be protected? And yet, no other attack had taken place; no-one except for me had been hurt.

Fortunatelly, though, even I had not been attacked again. Despite that, Snape still insisted on my living in his room and not going anywhere by myself, unless it was absolutely necessary. Moreover, every evening we had classes during which he taught me Potions. Soon, though, it turned out that they went beyond the initial framework – his admiration for the Defence against Dark Arts was too strong, but I could not complain. Because although after every lesson I was simply exhausted, I felt myself getting stronger.

Slowly, the snow began to vanish from the castle grounds. Spring was fast approaching, and the whole world seemed to be reminding us about it; however, along with spring came preparations for the exams, and the whole school was suddenly overcome with some strange rush which always appeared somewhere around Easter. On one hand, I could not understand it, on the other, though, I was quite glad, because it meant that even the students who usually put everything off until the very last moment, now would get to work and somehow pass the exams.

Yet it meant one more thing for me: I had more and more work on my mind, and because of that, even less spare time. Less time for classes with Snape. Less time for having any life outside work. Sometimes it happened that I came back to the chamber right after dinner only to start correcting students' essays and finally fall asleep with my head on them. That was when I discovered one more of Severus's traits: whenever he saw me with my face on the desk, he carried me to my bed and put me to sleep. At first I admittedly woke up a bit confused, but soon, those memories began to put a smile onto my face.

At the beginning of April, now officially as the Head of Ravenclaw, I went with a scroll of parchment to the tower to take a list of the names of the people who wanted to stay at school during the Easter break. I, of course, planned to stay, too, because now I was responsible for my Ravenclaws. Besides, there was nowhere else I could go, since I still was not ready to meet my parents. I decided it would be better if I came back only for the summer holidays.

The day before the break I gave all the students one more homework, and after the lessons I sat in the chair behind the desk with a deep sigh, then hid my face in my hands.

The semester would soon be over. I knew that only two months were left... two months of work, some exams, and then what? I was afraid of what was to come. Going back to the Muggle world. Looking my parents in the eye, when they did not understand that one could prefer working at Hogwarts than in one of the local shops. After all, it was not a normal job! That was not what they wanted me to be like! What would they tell the neighbours?

A quiet knocking on the door brought me back to reality.

"Enter," I said in a strangely tired tone, rubbing my eyes and glancing towards the door. Seeing Snape I was not surprised; he always came to me after my classes, so he could safely bring me to the Great Hall, where we ate meals together, and then returned to his chamber, where we worked or had additional classes.

"We're going, Shirley," said Snape, his voice sounding just like the Snape I knew: hard and despotic, and I did not even have the power to protest. I gathered my books, put them all into my bag, then stood up, heading towards the door.

I wondered if my emotionless acceptance of that state was connected to the fact that I had already got accustomed to my slavery, or that I did not really want to fight anymore. I did not even allow myself to think that I could want to give up on a part of my freedom for that sense of security. Even after what had happened on the Valentine's Day.

Frankly speaking, Snape and I never went back to what had happened on that memorable Saturday. Yes, we had managed to get close to each other, but it was nothing more but friendship; even though warm, it was not passionate. He still seemed to treat me as though I were a school girl, and I accepted that without any reservations. Besides, we had no time to get any closer to each other – for some time I was even convinced that it was enough for me.

"You're silent," noticed Snape as we were halfways to the Great Hall, and I glanced at him hesitantly. "Usually, you babble about everything that has happened during the day, and now, you don't even deign to greet me properly."

I blushed softly, because I realised he was right. I did not do that out of rudeness – I was simply exhausted.

"I'm sorry," I said finally, rubbing my temples with my fingers. "I'm so tired and confused... I was thinking about Easter. Since I started my job here, I haven't seen my family, and... and honestly, I don't even know if I want to see them."

Snape looked at me inquisitively, frowning slightly. I felt weird, because I was sure he would now scold me for what I had said. Until now, I had never mentioned my family when we had talked, knowing that home and family were his sensitive spots. Most probably he did not understand my approach to this subject – he would possibly tell me not to play a fool and be grateful for the family I had...

I had already started preparing a response in my head, so I could explain why I was not ready to see my family, when he suddenly spoke.

"You are not even going to try to get back home for holidays." I was surprised by his extremely brusque tone; as though he was not acknowledging at all that I could desire anything but staying at Hogwarts for the next several weeks. But on the other hand, had he not told me that I had no right to go anywhere without him?

"I've already told you that I'm not going anywhere," I answered slightly irritated. After a long day of work it was not hard to annoy me. "I'm staying..."

"That is not what I'm saying," interrupted me Snape, suddenly coming to a halt. I could swear that I saw some weird amusement in his eyes. The fact that I did not quite understand what might have amuse him in such a sitation made me frown, expecting any answer. "You are not staying in the castle."

Those words shocked me so much that I blinked, looking him in the eye. Millions of scenarios rushed through my head; one was even more unbelievable than the previous. Because where was I supposed to go for Easter if not home?

"Where are you planning to send me?" I asked after a while, not even realising how rude my words might have sounded.

"Well, well, Shirley," answered Severus warningly, but the way he looked at me had not changed at all. "A little more politely, please."

I was not sure, though, how I could ask that question more politely. I knew, after all, that in my current situation I could leave the castle only when Snape decided to send me somewhere, and I did not really have much of a choice. As he had noticed it before, my protests only made his job harder, but they would change nothing. If he had planned something for me, he would always make that happen, no matter if I wanted that or not.

"Where are you sending me, Professor?" I repeated a bit ironically, but this time I tried my best to sound as politely as I only could. My tiredness and annoyance really bothered me; I would rather like to be all alone now.

"I am not sending you anywhere, Shirley," replied Snape, frowning in a way characteristic to him. I did not understand what he might have meant; if I was not bound to stay in the castle, he had to send me somewhere – instead, he denied that. I had already opened my mouth to ask, when he added, "I'm taking you with me."

My heart stopped beating for a little while, and I could have sworn that I got pale. I did not know what to say.

"I know that the teachers rarely leave the castle for the breaks... but I thought that it would be safer for you if you got away from here for a while," he explained. I was glad that there was no-one to be seen, because the tone he used while speaking was meant only for my ears. It soon began to soothe me, too; especially when Snape's thumbs gently caressed my fingers, and I had already noticed that his touch brought some strange kind of comfort. "I didn't want you to go all alone... and I didn't want you to go God knows where. Because you wouldn't be safer in the Muggle world. Quite the opposite."

I sighed deeply, then looked up into his eyes. I still wondered how I could have ever thought they were cold; yes, the way Snape expressed his feelings was completely different from what I knew, but his eyes were not dispassionate. Ever.

"So... have you found the one who cast the curse on Neville? Or have you discovered why it was me to be attacked?" I asked hesitantly.

This time it was Snape who sighed, shaking his head a bit.

"We're still working on it. But believe me, as soon as I get to know, that person will regret it bitterly." His hands clenched on mine; I was sure it was an involuntary reaction, because he always did that when he was annoyed. And the thought of someone wanting to hurt me was enough for him to get vexed immediately. "We know, however, that the Death Eaters have perfectly mastered mingling with the crowd of Muggles... this way they can eliminate Muggle-borns."

I did not say a thing. I looked down and glanced at our hands; his fingers were long, thin and pale, a bit like spiers. However, when they were interlaced with mine, they did not resemble any frightening creatures.

"So where are you taking me?" I continued after a moment, not wanting that silence to last too much.

"Cokeworth," he answered without hesitation, and I looked up, surprised. That was the last thing I had expected, and I did not quite know how to react. "My family house."

I knew perfectly that it was what he had been trying to achieve for the past months; he wanted to have me by his side in his house, very much. However, it was a subject so sensitive that we never got back to it. I had been convinced that he would not try to start talking about it again, and even if he would, he would be delicate; instead, I was faced with the fait accompli, and could not do much anymore.

"But..." I started hesitantly.

What was I supposed to say now? That he imagined too much? That he should have told me about it sooner, so I would have some time to think if I wanted it at all? Still, I knew he did all of that just for my well-being... or at least so he thought. Yes, I did need the change of environment, but I was not ready to go with him to his family house.

Indeed, I had been living with him for several months now, so I should have already got accustomed to his presence by my side all the time. But that situation was something completely different, since there were many other people at school: students, teachers, other staff... But if I leave the school along with Snape, and then go to Cokeworth, we would be all alone for a week, and it was a place I did not know at all, so I did not even have any idea where I could hide, just in case.

The only logical solution to that seemed to be Disapparition – but would Severus not feel offeded if I run away from him like that? Besides, where would I be able to run away? I could not get back to school, because it would mean questions. I did not want to get home, either...

"It's just a couple of days, Shirley," said Snape finally, slowly losing his patience. "Don't act as though I was taking you there forever."

Once again he was right; it was just a week. I could be afraid of it, but it was not such a long time so I would not be able to survive it all alone by Snape's side. It was going to be just like during the Christmas break...

"Thank you that you care for me," I answered, hoping that it would sound natural, but the tone of my voice turned out sour.

So I regretted my words almost immediately. I slipped my hands from Snape's grasp and hid my face in them, shaking my head. I needed some rest, and I really did not want my bad mood to influence him. He did not deserve such a treatment. All he did, he did for me. For my well-being.

"I'm sorry," I muttered only, but Snape had already turned back and made a couple of long steps; his cloak fluttered behind him, like wings of some enormous bat. I felt an unpleasant sensation in my stomach.

At that moment, he surprised me even more. When I thought that it was the right time to go away, so I would not stand incongruously in the middle of the corridor, Severus came to a halt and looked at me over his shoulder, raising his brows a bit.

"Are you coming, Shirley?"

I did not answer; besides, it was not a question, but a command. I felt myself blushing, more and more with every step, and my heart began beating even faster, making me feel dizzy. I was not sure what to think.

I was going to Cokeworth. To Severus Snape's house. I was almost sure that until now, he had never left Hogwarts for holidays – however, he was ready to do that for me, only because I needed some change.

I wondered what else was hidden in that man. That man I had once considered to be cold and without any emotions... which of my judgements would be the next ones to turn out to be wrong? Because I was sure that in the house in the mysterious town of Cokeworth Severus would reveal even more secrets that he had no courage to reveal when he was at Hogwarts.

There, in his home, he was not Professor Snape. There, he was just Severus.