Punishment

Warnings: If you don't know my warmings already, you haven't read it carefully enough- go back and start from the beginning.:)

Attn: If you don't know Harry Potter belongs to J.K.- go to church and confess your sin.

Alex stared numbly out at the lake. The landscape was just like she felt; cold and gray. She knew now he wanted her. The encounter with him told her that much. He had been drunk and being as intoxicated as he was, had admitted to her that he loved her. Not in those exact words of course, but the whole ‘Missing the sight of you, being lost in your eyes, missing your touch, your sighs, our talks. What happens when you find some one better?’ had told her that much. She also knew that he was fighting with himself and cutting her off because he thought she would leave sooner or later and he was protecting himself from heartache. She understood this also. So they would keep going around and around in circles. He would give in because he missed her and then realize what he was doing, and how much it would hurt if they were to break up, and push her away again…break up…would they be breaking up though? Can you lose something you never had? Their situation was so confusing. Alex didn’t know how long she had been standing there when a hand appeared in her sight holding yellow hard candies.

“Lemon Drop?”

“Oh! Headmaster, you scared me.” She said taking one and popping it into her mouth. The Headmaster also took one and put the rest away.

“You seem to be lost in thought and I always thought a good sucker helped in the thought process. What seems to be troubling you my dear girl?”

“Nothing…well not really.” She sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“It has something to do with our potions master, doesn’t it?” He chuckled. “So I was correct in my assumptions. Don’t be so shocked dear, seeing how there are only a handful of people here, and you seem to be catching a cold staring off into nothing, oblivious of your surroundings, and we have a very upset intoxicated Professor down in the dungeons, it doesn’t take much to put two and two together.”

“Well- I…I suppose-“

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I had thought it was lady troubles troubling him these past few months, but I didn’t think it would be a student, even though I did have my suspicions. Our Severus deserves happiness, and you are of age, and graduating in a few months- as long as you stay discreet, I have no problems with it. After all, I didn’t realize what has been going on until just now, and that is very hard to do! But Severus is a very complicated man. He has many walls around him, afraid of getting hurt. And it will take a very special, smart girl to get through them. But I see you are the one for the job, and have already done a good one at that. He may need a push in the right direction. Maybe a reminder.” He said with his eyes twinkling. “Right, well, I’ll leave you to it then. Good luck.” He remarked as he turned and left her to think about it.

Did the Headmaster really just give her permission to go after him? That it was ok for them to be together? Wasn’t he supposed to say something like, ‘I won’t allow this sort of thing to happen!’? or ‘I’m sorry to do this, but you’re expelled!’? What the hell was going on? She had some serious thinking to do, and planning for that matter.

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“Severus, I can see you’ve royally fucked things up this time.” The Headmaster said, waking him up from his alcohol-induced nap.

“Oh piss off old man, can’t you let a man drink in peace?”

“Ah, but you’re not drinking anymore, my boy.”

Severus groaned. “There’s always a loop hole with you, isn’t there?”

“If you love Alexandria, you should go after her! Not push her away, she is a bright mature student.”

Severus slowly looked up, as color drained from his face. “I do not love her Albus, she is my student. I see you’ve found out, you shall have my resignation in the mog.” g.”

“Don’t be silly my dear boy. Cheer up! Just keep on as you have been, and all will be well…Well, maybe not quiet as you have been, but I mean, keep it as discreet. Those years in the spy business have taught you well.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t. Lemon Drop?”