Snape's Apprentice (Severus Snape Love Story)

Chapter 4

I am greeted by Headmaster Dumbledore. He seems like a sweet man, and my father’s battles aren’t mine so I will just come up to my own conclusion.

He greets me not with a hand shake but with a firm hug.

“My dear its been ages since I have seen you Clarina.” I look up at him surprised.

“I am truly sorry sir, but I don’t recall us ever meeting.” He frowns for a quick flash.

“The Malfoys never told you?” He asks tentatively. I look at him questioningly.

“Tell me what Headmaster?” I say unsure of the answer I will be receiving.

“You, Clarina Fey Riddle are my daughter’s child... you are my granddaughter.”

Now it’s my turn to blanch, I had no clue. They never told me... my father never told me... no one ever told me. Why? What could it have possibly hurt for me to know that I had other family besides that of my ghost of a father? I calm myself before I lose it.

Taking a deep breath and time to respond I think upon my answer. He, Dumbledore, is looking at me reassuringly.

“No they never told me. It is nice to know that I have someone besides my father.” He looks confused and I feel as though I could face palm.

He pretends to not notice the fact that I answered as though my thought to be long defeated father was still present in my life.

He holds his arms out and beckons that I go forth.

“My dear we shall go up to my office and discuss your position here at Hogwarts. Professor Snape would like to meet you.” I smile gracious that he ignored my previous comment. As our seemingly long walk progressed I took in my surroundings.

Hogwarts is truly a beautiful place. The stone brick walls seem to absorb and reflect the torchlight in order to illuminate the hallways. Amazing painting lined many walls in the hall, they moved and some weren’t just portraits. It smelled of magic even... which is hard to explain but I will try. It’s like smelling fresh crisp fruit, sparkling cider, spices, and nature in one. This description honestly isn’t even close, but it is a unique scent in and of itself. The hall echoed our foot prints, there was no need to speak I was in wonder and that seemed to make Headmas- my grandfather happy. I traced my finger gently upon the stair banister that lead up to the entry way of his office. We finally get to a gargoyle and my grandfather tells him the password, which happens to be sinclair as in the pastry. We walk in and I see the man from the train sitting in a comfy red cushioned chair, yet somehow manages to look stiff at the same time. My jaw drops and he sneers.

“Who is this?” I ask, not bothering to include a proper title since I am unsure now of what I should call him. My grandfather smiles with a twinkle in his eye.

“This, my dear Clarina, is Professor Severus Snape. He is the one that you will be apprenticing under.” I am so confused, and then I become slightly nervous. I thought he would be a she... I only took the job because I thought he would be a she! If I knew that I would have to spend such an amount of alone time, or time at all under a man’s tutelage I would have refused and asked for a different position.

Men make me nervous, I am only used to being around Lucius and Draco... and other death eaters. Honestly all of these are questionable characters with questionable motives. They all try to get close to me, to get my father’s favor and to marry me. Which is bad enough that they vie for my attention because of the power my father holds, but I am not blind I know that I have a pleasing enough figure which draws them to me even more. Unwanted attention. It hasn’t been only Lucius that has approached me in such ways.

“Professor Snape is not a woman?” My grandfather chuckles and Snape scowls.

“Unless I have been completely oblivious to my own... extremities, I assume that I am not a woman.” He says snidely amusement now sparkles in his black eyes.

“Okay.” I say numbly. I take a breath. “So where are my chambers? I am quite tired, despite my brief nap on the train and wish to get settled and organize my supplies.” Snape looks as though he is measuring me up. He stands and with my grandfather’s nod of permission Snape leads me out.

We are silent the whole walk and I am trying to not have a panic attack as he walks beside me or close ahead of me in the now constricting hallways. Okay, so they weren’t really constricting, but it bloody well felt like it! We move down further and further in the levels of Hogwarts until we come across turn that leads to a dungeon. Its cold dark and murky. I would far more enjoy this, if it didn’t mean that I was so close to the man.

I need to get over myself. I will be spending much more time with him than this. I am so screwed right now. I managed to keep my breathing mellow and my frightened feel from my exterior.

I am jolted from my thoughts and internal battle of wills as we come to an abrupt stop. I bump into him and he reaches out to steady me. I use the wall instead and his arms retreats, thankfully. He glares.

“This is the way that leads to your chambers.” He gestures to the plain brick wall. “Say your password, and twist the torch.” I look up to him questioningly. “Headmaster said you would know what it was.”

I pause for a moment, and whisper...

“Will.” Then I twist the torch and the bricks shift and slide away revealing and room with green and silver décor, and black brick walls. There is a small sitting area and further on a small corridor that you just see the end of a four poster bead. I nod my head. “Thank you Professor and I am sorry for the inconvenience we have caused each other at our previous brief meetings.” He nods and turns on his heel to swiftly walk away. I turn and walk into the chambers.