The Things our Heart likes, without our Brain's Consent - A Severus Snape Story

Chapter Eight - You don't understand.

Solstice was coming, bringing winter with it. Gall was going home for the break and he heard Professor Twill was too. The first Severus Snape was happy about, but the second - he didn't know what to think about it.

Severus Snape was walking resigned to his office after the end-of-term meeting, when there was a scream and the sound of water breaking on the floor, followed by the cackling of Peeves the poltergeist.

He forced out a sigh and turned, his wand at the ready, but someone else got there first.

"Peeves, put that bucket down this instant!"

"Don't wanna!"

Irene Twill had her hands on her hips and was glaring up at the outline of Peeves, who was clutching a water bucket. A student was standing dumbstruck beside the puddle of water, drenched.

"Move along, Peeves. Ingrid, go and get changed." She said to the second-year. "I will explain to Professor Flitwick why you are late."

The student turned and scampered off before she could get drenched again. Peeves made a show of tilting the bucket of water.

"I can't move along, the water's nice and cold. It would be a shame to waste it..."

"Peeves!"

"Oh, but I'm not a student, little Professor Twill. You cannot tell me what to do..."

Severus stepped out from behind the corner.

"Peeves, I suggest you make yourself scarce and do what Professor Twill asked you to, unless you wish to find out what it feels like to be petrified."

Peeves jumped and yanked the bucket of water back. Professor Twill turned and looked at him mutely.

"Ghosts cannot be petrified, Professor Snape." He drawled, but he did not look certain.

Snape drew his wand out and inspected it, twirling it around in a circle. "You really wish to find out, do you."

Peeves said something very rude, then threw the bucket and whizzed away through the wall. The bucket fell, its water escaping over its rim, straight over Professor Twill, who too late whipped out her wand and tried to step back-

"Immobilus."

The bucket froze in place, inches away from Professor Twill's face. Severus got rid of it with another flick of his wand, then bowed his head and made to turn.

"Professor Snape, wait please."

He turned back. Irene Twill was looking up at him with her eyes sparkling strangely. She swallowed, sighed, then stepped forward and sent him stiff with shock because she took him tightly by the arm.

"Let's go for a walk."

Too stunned to speak, he merely inclined his head. They made their way out of the castle, out into the fields and stood at the same spot as they did last time, the hill which overlooked the grounds.

She didn't speak until they stood. Still, she didn't let go of his arm.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," she started, her eyes fixed on the view. "And after a few good months I managed to put two and two together."

She laughed a shaky laugh, sounding a bit crazy.

"I'm perfectly sane," she replied to his look. "It's just relief, you know? I really don't like tension."

"Me neither," he managed. "And don't worry. We're all deranged here, at Hogwarts."

"Even you?"

"Especially me."