The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"You're Mine"

Madeline's only thought was to get to Severus  Snape as fast as she could. She needed him, needed his arms around her. She was crying and running down the corridor leading to his office. She didn't even care if anyone saw them. She just needed him to hold her and take away the pain.

He had just stepped out into the corridor on his way to the great hall when he saw her almost flying toward him, her robes billowing behind her. She flung herself into his arms, clutching at his cloak, sobbing, hysterical. His heart leapt into his throat.

Oh, God. What was wrong? Was she hurt again? Several weeks had passed since he had healed her arm and she hadn't left Hogwarts. What could have happened?

He pulled her close and she buried her face in his chest.

"Shhh. Shhh. It's alright, little one. I'm here. You're safe," he whispered.

It suddenly occurred to him that they were out in the corridor where anyone could see them and he brought her into his office, locking the door behind them. He led her to the chair near the fireplace and pulled her onto his lap. She put her arms around his neck and sobbed. He held her like a child and rocked her, cradling her in his arms, kissing her on the top of her head, and whispering to her until she finally calmed herself enough to speak.

"Madeline, please. Tell me what's wrong before I go mad with worry."

"It's my mother. She's... she's dead. An owl just arrived with the message."

"Oh, my little love, I'm so sorry." He tightened his hold as she clung to him.

"Don't be sorry. She always resented me. Hated me. Hurt me. Tortured me. And I hated her. She thought my father loved me more than he loved her and she never forgave me for it. She drank. It made her even more horrible. She was an awful woman, but she was the last family I had. I always thought we'd eventually make peace somehow, but now..."

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her face, then handed it to her.

"Shhhhhh. Hush now. It's alright." He stroked her hair while she cried into his shoulder. Sobs wracked her body and she was shaking. Finally her tears dried and her shuddering breaths calmed.

"I'm so sorry, Severus. God, I'm so sorry." She sobbed. "Please forgive me. I'm such a mess. I hate for you to see me like this."

"Hush, love. There's nothing to forgive."

"And I'm sorry for coming to you without permission. I just..."

"Needed me. I know. It's alright, my darling. You can always come to me. For anything."

"Severus, I have no one. No one left," she whispered, and buried her face in his chest.

"You have me."

She looked up at him.

"Do I?"

"Yes. You know you do. And I have you. You said so yourself the other day. Remember?"

"Oh, Severus! I love you..."

She gasped as soon as the words had escaped her lips and she covered her mouth with her hand. She hadn't intended to say them, though she certainly meant them.

"You... love me?" Snape asked, his brow furrowed in complete disbelief.

"Well... yes. I didn't mean to say it like that, but I do. I love you, Severus Snape."

He stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. How could she love him?

"You love me..." he repeated.