Snape's Room in the Basement

It's very hard to balance being a concerned boyfriend with being both a teacher and a double agent spy, but Snape's trying his best. Please read and review.

"Ms. Weasley?"

"Ms. Weasley?" Professor's Snape's voice rang loudly through the dungeon classroom, yanking Ginny back to the present. It was her first day back from the Christmas Holiday and she could not wipe the image of The Burrows on fire from her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see her beloved home engulfed in flames.

"Yes Professor Snape?" She answered softly.

'Ahhhhhh. So good of you to join us." He sneered. "Please see me after class."

"Yes Sir." She whispered, refocusing her attention on the cauldron on front of her.

When the class had ended, Ginny slowly cleaned her area and repacked her belongings into her bag. She watched as the rest of the class filed out, leaving her alone in the room with Professor Snape.

She glanced up at him as he flicked his wand, closing and locking the dungeon door. "Come here." He said his voice husky with emotion as he pushed his chair back from his desk and held his arms out to her.

Ginny practically ran up the aisle to settle herself on his lap, his strong arms wrapping around her, pulling her tightly to him.

"Are you okay?" He whispered into her hair. "I was so worried."

She nodded her head against his neck. "I'm fine."

"And your family? No one was injured?"

"No. Every one is okay. But the house was destroyed."

"I'm so sorry, Ginny." He said, squeezing her tightly. "So sorry."

Ginny placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed herself back so she could stare into his face. "Did you know? Did you know that they were going to attack my home?"

"Not until after the fact." He said, a haunted look passing over his face. "When I heard what had happened, I, I…" His voice cracked as he pulled her to his chest again. "I was so worried. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."

Weeping quietly, Ginny buried her face against his chest and allowed him to soothe her, his large hands rubbing gently across her back. Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his long black hair.

Sitting back up, she swiped at her face, wiping away her tears.

"Did you make an unbreakable vow to protect Draco Malfoy?" She stared into his face, watching his reaction carefully.

His eye darkened and his lips thinned. "Where did you hear that?"

"I heard them discussing you over the Holidays. Apparently Harry overheard you speaking to Draco at the Christmas Party. He heard you say that you had sworn to protect him."

"Potter." He spit out softly. "And who was involved in this discussion?" He asked, struggling to keep his voice mild and calm.

"Remus, Tonks, my father and Harry."

"And what was said?"

"Harry believes that Voldemort has chosen Draco for some mission and Remus believes that you're to be trusted because Dumbledore trusts you. Does Dumbledore trust you?" She asked suddenly.

"Too much sometimes." He muttered. "But what of you Ginny?" He asked piercing her with his eyes. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded her head slowly. "Did you make an unbreakable vow?"

"I did."

"But, if don't protect Draco, you'll die."

"I have every intention of honoring my vow."

"Ginny." He said, placing his fingers on her lips and silencing her next question. "Please understand. I cannot discuss these things with you. There are things happening that you must not know." His eyes pleaded with her to understand. "All I can ask is that you please remember your promise to me. Do you remember?"

"Yes." She whispered her voice husky. "I will always believe in you."

"No matter what?"

"No matter what." She repeated.

He pulled her to him and kissed her tenderly, his tongue rubbing softly against hers.

"Come on." He said, breaking this kiss and easing her off his lap. "We are late for lunch. You go on ahead. I'll be there in a moment."

Severus watched her walk up the aisle and leave the dungeon, his fingers gently massaging his temples as she closed the door behind her.