Fighting for love - Severus Snape fanfiction (BOOK TWO of A Magical Muggle)

Chapter 23

After the heavy encounter in Minerva's office, Ana remained locked in her laboratory, sleeping in some chambers the headmistress offered to her temporarily. The house-elves who were helping her find whoever might hold Dirk's vial were also thoughtful enough to bring her lunch, diner, and some snacks, even though Ana told them they did not need to be so kind to her. 

During the day Ana would work with the elves, searching through every student's records - even though they had no idea what to look for. The big books the headmistress had in her office contained not only personal details such as names and age but also information about entries and exits of each student. Ana searched for anything that might be a clue. At night, Ana was in her laboratory, analyzing her blood, searching for something that might help her find a cure to the poison Dirk had given her. In her laboratory, she had the finest tools and if there was something she could do, she would certainly find it in there.

Several times, Ana wondered if Severus could help her analyze the blood. He is a Potions' Master after all. He knows about things Ana can't even imagine, even though she had turned out to be an amazing healer and scientist, so, logically, he could be a great help. However, she was well aware she wouldn't have the courage to ask him. It also meant she'd have to spend time with him, and that would kill both inside. Being so close and distant at the same time...

No, she couldn't hurt him like that.

"Ma'am," one of the elves said on the second day they worked together. Ana looked up from the page she was reading. Ana used to sneak into the kitchen in the middle of the night, when she was hungry and the elf would serve her with delicious food and would talk with her about everything. She spent hours talking to her. Nikki was the elf's name, and she was very shy, but when Ana was around, Nikki simply opened up. It seemed like it all happened in another life. "May I zpeak?"

Ana's expression softened a little.

"Of course, you can. You don't need my authorization to speak," she said, showing a weak smile.

"Uh - I azk you why you zo sad," Nikki asked.

"I wish I could tell you, Nikki," Ana replied, caressing Nikki's head.

"'Dat iz why you changed your hair?" She pointed at Ana's shorter and blonde hair. "Pretty."

"Do you like it?" Ana asked and Nikki nodded. "Thank you... I'm sad because something bad happened and I don't know if I am going to figure it out. I have put my friends in danger. But I didn't want to."

Nikki climbed up to Ana's desk just to be able to caress her cheek and wipe the single tear that rolled down.

"Don't be zad. You will be ok," Nikki said, making Ana smile more this time.

"Can I ask you something?" Ana said, and Nikki nodded. "If anything bad happens to me, will you make sure you find out who's the person we're looking for and hand this to Minerva and this one to Severus?" She took two sealed envelopes from one of her drawers and handed them to Nikki. "You can only give it to them if something happens to me before we find out who it is we are looking for, otherwise, you will destroy it, deal?"

The elf agreed and soon after, Ana was back in her laboratory, back to her research to find a cure for her own condition.

It was the second night she investigated the blood in her laboratory, but an idea popped into her mind. An experiment she learned while working with Alba and Johnny - she missed working with them and remembering that she could never work with Johnny again made her interrupt the silent night with a sudden sob she didn't know she was holding. Not only was the world paying because of her, but one of her dearest friends had been murdered because of some sick personal revenge.