Always

Chapter 5: Rarest of Roses

Weeks turned to a few months as the summer air turned chillier. Severus Snape had offered much of her expertise in potions to Elizabeth as he could, and as of October 20th, she became his "little helper". She continued to thrive as the Magical Cooking professor and after her class, she would be Snape's assistant in helping with the students. Some of the students had caught on that Snape treated Beth a little.....differently. He seemed much kinder, though he never showed it nor laughed again. When students were not present, he would slightly smile at her when she would smile back at him. They had talked for a while now, and she never mentioned to anyone about the Hogsmeade events that took place, as promised. She had woken up on October 25th, just 6 days until Hallowe'en. She rubbed her eyes as she got up and opened the window to feel how cold it was. It was a chilly 40 degrees, and she shivered a bit before closing the window. She changed into black pants and a white blouse, before putting her robes on. She then walked to the Great Hall as she greeted the professors. Snape walked in soon after and he did not seem to look at the other professors as he sat down for breakfast.

"Good morning Miss Washington." He spoke softly as he sat down. Minerva was watching them becoming curious and she was deeply smirking along with the other professors. "Good morning Mr. Snape." She joked as he smirked deeply and the professors were shocked by this. "Did you rest well?" He asked her quietly. "Yes I did, and what about you?" She asked as she smiled. "It was alright.....the weather is getting a bit chillier so it was a bit cold." He spoke as Minerva stood up and looked at them ready to address who was in the lead for the House Cup. "What are you looking at?" Snape said lowly with a snarl to her as Beth giggled. Minerva shook her head with a smirk and she tapped her glass to get everyone's attention.

"Students, good morning. It is a beautiful Monday morning at Hogwarts, and I would like to start off the morning with the House Points. Don't forget, the places can change at any time of the year. In fourth place, Ravenclaw with 380 points." She spoke as the Ravenclaw table gently clapped and Beth saw Yui in the front and she smiled up at her professor. "In third place, Gryffindor with 418 points." Minerva said as the Gryffindor table slightly clapped in disapproval. "In the second place, Hufflepuff with 529 points." She said as the Hufflepuff table was super happy that they were in the top two. "That leaves us with Slytherin with 720 points! Best of luck everyone, and let us eat!" She concluded as the young Slytherins cheered loudly and boastfully. "Not bad Professor." Beth smiled at Snape as he looked at her. "Do I sense envy? It isn't a good look at you Miss Washington." He joked as he turned to her and gave her a subtle smirk. That smirk was something that told the other professors that Snape was changing as a person. Because of Beth. "Uh, no it is not. I am just complimenting you and your house." She said with a joking huff. "If you insist." He said as Minerva waved her wand and the breakfast appeared. Beth started eating and she asked "Are you available for more potion making? 4 pm as usual?" Snape looked at her and nodded. "Naturally." He spoke but with carefulness and softness that she had not heard before from him. "Then it is a date." Beth said in a whisper as the two continued eating.

After breakfast, she walked down the halls with the students and many had asked her about Professor Snape. She joked around with them but she never thought he cared for her. She never saw it like that. She saw them more as friends and that he just watched over her because he needed to. She walked to the basement and she felt it. That strange sense of being watched. She had felt it on and off again but when she or Snape mentioned any of it, it was somewhat dismissed. She got out her wand and looked around. Some students were down there as well, but they were heading into their Slytherin house. She gulped as she asked "Who's there? Show yourself at once." She wasn't expecting a reply but out of the darkness something spoke out. "Well that tone isn't very nice, now is it?" The deep voice said.

A dark shadow about 8 feet tall came out and stood in front of her. She pointed the wand at it shaking. "Elizabeth Renee Washington...I have been observing you since your arrival at Hogwarts......I must say, you add love to this dungeon, and it must leave." He hissed as he swiped at her and she moved away. "What are you? Who are you?" She demanded as she still had her wand to him. "My identity is not your concern.....your love and care is poisoning the dungeons, and I can not survive without darkness and evilness.....consider this a warning Elizabeth. We will rise and conquer when the time is right....." He chuckled as he disappeared into the floor and Elizabeth was shaking and scared. She heard someone walking towards her and she turned around pointing the wand at whoever it was with her eyes closed screaming.