Unexpected Desire

Severus decided to go to his chambers after all of his classes for the day were through. A total of seven cauldrons were destroyed, four from the same class. He groaned at the thought of his students growing careless, if not more idiotic, each year. He had about two hours before dinner, to continue reading a book he started, The Woman in White. A fairly known novel from muggle literature; it was proving to be quite intriguing. After closing his door and setting a ward, he paused at the sight before him. He wanted to say something, but the ability to speak had been stripped from him. What was she doing here?

A timid voice greeted him, “Hello.”

“What are you doing here?” Severus hissed, almost a whisper.

Constance shifted in her seat uncomfortably, “Well… I didn’t know what to do after I was healed by Poppy and given some clothing,” she looked down in disgust at her plain dress, “Albus suggested it would be best to stay in your quarters, since I am your – your, guardian.” Severus narrowed his eyes at the intruder of his safe haven.

“Tell me, Miss Roderick; are you truly okay with this little farce? Honestly! I am not going to share my chambers with a complete stranger, even if you are my so-called ‘guardian’. I do not need you here nor do I want you here. We will need to find someplace else for you to inhabit. The idea is absolutely absurd. To think Albus would allow it.”

He stared at her pale face. He never got a chance to really look at the girl, covered in blood and whatnot. She had pale, unblemished skin, which appeared gold in the glow of the flickering flames of his living room. Long, black tresses resting down to her hips accentuating her slender features, topping it off with a button nose, full rosy lips and piercing dark hazel eyes. Her features seemed feathery soft, almost as if they were painted on her face as if it were a canvas. This fragile girl was meant to protect him?

A sudden crack of the fire heating his room had brought him back to reality. He realized the girl was no longer looking at him in timidity, but giving him a rather cold, hard glare, her soft features disappeared. He held his breath slightly; he was in for it now.

“You plucked me from my life, destroying everything I had…” She paused looking at him even more sharply, “and you won’t even give me a place to stay?” Severus felt intimidated by her sudden change in character.

“It is just that… Constance,” trying out her name, “I do not believe it would be wise for you to stay in my quarters. I am a man, you are woman; I do not want to give off the wrong impression, something I would really rather not do.”

Constance narrowed her eyes as she stood from her seat, striding towards the potions master with such ferocity in her eyes, that she had made him trip back into an armchair. “You really are a bastard.” Severus flinched at her insult. “I am trying to make the best out of my current situation. I am the one stuck in the past, a past that no longer exists to me! I do not have parents to rely on, a friend’s shoulder to cry on, or someone to love!” Constance paused to take a couple of deep breaths, holding back the tears.

“I don’t even own a fucking cat anymore… You may have saved my life, yes, you have my gratitude for that, but my memories are now fiction. I could have died knowing that those relationships, memories, and dreams of mine were real, not being rewritten. I would have been starting middle school this year, but here I am, trying to convince you to let me stay in your rooms.” Severus felt a pain in his chest; he actually felt guilty.

Constance hardened her gaze once more and began again, “After all that you have done, deliberately or not, you are going to try and deny my existence?” She scoffed, “I think not; you are not getting away that easily. I was summoned here, taken away from everything I loved, that I ever knew, for what? To protect you. I plan on fucking doing that, as well as annoy the fuck out of you in the process, you twat,” the girl hissed.

Severus grimaced at that last bit. “Watch your language, girl.”

“I’ll say what I bloody fucking want,” the girl retorted, mimicking his accent.

Regaining his composure, plastering a scowl on his face, he asked, “Why is it that you want to stay in my quarters? I do not see why I need to be protected by you or the importance of you being so close by. I am a grown man and a fully functional wizard. If you only knew what I have been through for the past 20 years, I am quite positive I can take care of myself. I certainly do not need a teenager telling me what to do!” She rolled her eyes at the man’s attempt of displaying his machismo.

“Listen, I don’t know why I wish this either, but I think it is due to the fact that I am your familiar. I feel I need to make sure you are safe and sound, within my reach, to fulfill some responsibility as your guardian. This is something I discussed with Albus. I lied, I was the one to ask to stay close to you, he suggested otherwise. I grew rather irritated at his attempt to persuade me to stay in another room. I realized then that I desired to be by your side, purely out of fear of the possibility of harm coming your way, due to the fact I wasn’t there to prevent it.” Severus gaped at her with wide eyes to her response. Even Constance seemed genuinely confused by her feelings over the matter.

“I realize I will not be able to go home. This is something that is entirely out of Albus’ hands. I understand that. As hard it is, I’m willing to let go.” She exhaled sharply, as if a huge load was lifted from her. “And I do know what you have been through for the past 20 years. I’m a stubborn person; I could barely rest while Poppy healed me. I had a lot of questions about you, about... everything. I know of your situation and the danger you put yourself in everyday, all for this – this wizarding world of yours and the rest of the world.” She smiled softly at Snape, who was still looking at her dumbstruck.

“I was summoned here for a reason. Whatever reason it may be, I plan to see it through accordingly. You will let me stay in your quarters, end of discussion.” Severus blushed immensely at her rash decision and began to sputter his rejoinder, but she cut him off with, “Dear God, man! It’s not like I am going to be sharing your bed. I plan on sleeping on the damn sofa!” Constance looked the man over, straightening her back, placing a scowl on her delicate face. She reminded Severus very much of himself… Then it dawned on him. She was bloody mocking him!

“Fine,” he hissed, “You can stay here, you insufferable little brat.”

“Manners, sir,” eyeing him warily, “What should I call you: Severus, Professor… Master?”

Arching an eyebrow to her, he muttered, “You may call me ‘Severus’ in my – our quarters. ‘Professor’ shall do amongst my colleagues and students. However, I should hope you will not have to interact with anyone else, save for myself and Albus.” He felt disgusted with himself that he was defeated so easily by her. The way she took control had certainly caught him off guard.

Holding her chin up high, “Now, that we have settled that issue… I think it would be best for you to get that stick lodged up your ass out before we go see the Headmaster.”

Narrowing his eyes to sharp slits and in a low voice, Snape replied, “Watch your tongue, girl.”

“Watch yourself. I may have to protect you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t beat you within an inch of your life.”

Severus scoffed, “I’d like to see you try.”

“I should warn you, other than being stubborn; spontaneity is another one of my quirks.” She winked at as she lunged after him.

Merlin’s balls! Severus jumped to his feet and grabbed her wrists to still the young woman, yet another mistake made by the Potions master; he left his manhood for the taking. She brought her knee to his crotch in one swift blow. My balls…

“Motherfucker cunt bitch,” Severus hissed from clenched teeth, breathing raggedly as the nausea rose up in him. He growled after hearing her laughter.

“That’s a start, Severus. We’ll have you spewing expletives in a week’s time.” She bared him an evil, toothy grin as if she were a rabid dog baring her jowls. He was certain now; her face was a canvas as she wore an expression he felt she shouldn’t be able to make.

He grabbed her waist in surprise and pulled her over his lap as he sat down in the armchair. Holding her securely down, he spanked her. Hard.

“What the FUCK do you think you’re doing spanking me like that, you fucking bastard?!”

“Watch your tongue, Constance, or you will receive more. Honestly, do all Americans emit profanities every few seconds?” He chuckled. Within a flash, Constance struggled to get a hand free and with all her might slapped him, looking truly infuriated.

Taken back by the action, he pushed her off of him. He deserved it. Dear Merlin, forgive him. What had come over him? In the disconcerting haze of his actions, he got up from the armchair to pace the length of his room. How could he lose control like that, so suddenly? This was not like him. It’s just that, this girl brought out the anger in him too quickly, too easily. Perhaps, he was too stressed out today, but when is he never stressed?

Sighing, Severus turned to Constance, “I apologize for what I said and did to you. It was wrong of me and certainly not what a gentleman would do. So please, let bygones be bygones and let’s see what Albus has in store for us.”

Her eyes softened to him and nodded in response. Severus grabbed a handful of floo powder, enough for two people to travel at a time, and dragged Constance over to his hearth. The man to her side muttered, “Dumbledore’s office; Lily’s Lovely Licorice,” and flung the powder down in front of them. Constance looked at him in total horror, “Trust me,” he demanded, as he pulled her into the emerald fire. After spinning around violently, Constance found herself clinging to the Potions master, breathing raggedly in the hearth of the Headmaster’s office. Severus cleared his throat, signaling her to release him from her clutch. She quickly removed her hands and coughed as she smoothed her dress.

“I understand the two of you have come to a conclusion about Constance’s living situation?” Dumbledore asked, motioning them to take a seat. “I hope it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.” His eyes twinkled in amusement.

Damn the man, he always knew. Severus and Constance glanced at each other shaking their heads. “No, no… She will reside in my quarters. Except,” Severus paused, “How exactly are we going to explain Constance’s presence to the entire school? Especially if anyone were to find out her living arrangement; how do we explain that?”

“For starters, while you took Constance to Pompfrey’s care, I took the liberty of obliviating your potions class of the incident and assigned them a simple homework assignment,” Severus looked a little put out, “As well as explaining your absence was due to an ill stomach.” Severus scoffed at the idea of him not showing up to class due to a measly stomach ache. “… And explosive diarrhea.” Albus smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

Constance broke out laughing, but quickly tried to stifle it. Severus shot her a threatening glare and then switched to the Old bloke, “Dear Merlin, man! Are you trying to ruin my reputation here at Hogwarts? Dear Gods… If I hear one student giggling about this, I swear Albus I will-”

“I think we are getting a bit off topic,” Constance interjected as a means to silence Severus, “Please, continue.”

Albus nodded and started again, “After obliviating your class, Professor, I made Poppy swear to a Wizard’s Oath. In doing so, we can introduce Constance as your new Apprentice.”
Constance’s mouth dropped open; Severus’ hand slapped his face as he sunk further into his seat. The girl was meant to protect him, not kill him with a simple potion gone wrong. The old man has definitely lost his senses as well as his marbles this time. He sat back up and ran his hands through his lank hair, ready to protest until Albus raised his hand to silence the Potions Master.

“You will do as I say, Severus. She will appear as your Apprentice, she does not have to actually succeed if you so wish it.” His gaze hardened at the man dressed clad in black before him. “But that would be foolish of you not to, especially in her condition.”

“What could I possibly teach her?!” Severus roared looking rather sinister. “She has no magical ability whatsoever. Whatever potion she produces, if she could produce anything for that matter, would have an exceptionally weak magical effect; thus making the potion worthless. What is the point? She is a magic-less muggle.” Pleased with his explanation he calmed down. Surely the old fool realized his mistake.

Albus smiled with a twinkle in his eyes, “On the contrary my dear boy, she may be a muggle, but she nevertheless is a witch.” It was Severus’ turn for his mouth to fall open, slightly shaking his head in disbelief.

“What the fuck?” Constance croaked out. She was a witch… But how? No, no, no. She couldn’t be. Impossible. She was at a loss for words, except for a few. What the fuck?

“How? How is this possible?”

The Headmaster chuckled at her response and looked at her thoughtfully, “My dear, you possess a very unique magical ability, one that we rarely see except every several hundred years. You possess Null Magic. That’s why Severus, when you were not able to cast a simple spell on her; her power had merely overridden yours.” Severus opened his mouth just to close it again, nodding for the old man to continue.

“I wondered why when you brought her into my office, I suddenly felt suffocated. She was in unknown territory and highly suspicious of us. She was forcing her magic on us, which had ‘nulled’ ours. I didn’t know if you noticed the pressure, but you were already under a lot of strain with a nude girl popping up in your classroom and all.” Constance blushed and immediately steadied her gaze down at her hands in her lap.

“The pressure increased when you had left leaving only Poppy and I to attend to Constance. I explained to Poppy my theory of ‘null magic’ possibly within the girl and encouraged her to approach very cautiously. Constance was very hesitant until Poppy made clear that her intentions were pure and only desired to heal her. After a few moments, the pressure constricting us had gone away and Poppy was able to cast a few spells to clean and tend to her wounds. This is amazing Severus! She can actually control the magic within her.” Severus broke his gaze to look at the young woman at his side; so fragile and oblivious to the powerful magic inside her, until now.

“A few of the greatest warriors in wizarding history possessed Null Magic; it proved to be a very effective feature, as they were considered the “Ideal Warrior”. However, possessing Null Magic was considered a gift and a curse; you are protected from every curse, even from the Unforgivables, allowing you to get close to your enemy, but if you should be harmed in any way, a friendly spell to heal you was not possible, that is why those warriors were so skilled.

“Now, I hope you understand this, Constance, you are not able to cast magic, you dispel it. But the fact that you can decide who casts magic and who does not is a phenomenon in itself. So much magic within you, it’s remarkable. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that we could not reach you before when you were younger, due to the fact that you were muggle-born. If at least, one of your parents had magic, then…” the Headmaster gazed at the girl in disappointment, almost apologetically. “I hope that we can make that up to you as you reside here in Hogwarts.”

The girl swallowed her fear and lifted her chin and accepted the proposal put down before her. Severus looked at the girl in an entirely new light. She didn’t seem so helpless after all. He had to concede his defeat and accepted the scheme Dumbledore had given him to work with. This will definitely be a challenge. One he hopes to survive unscathed.

Albus cleared his throat, “I suggest you brace yourself, Constance. Dinner is approaching and soon you will have an audience to attend to.” Oh, bother.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Great Hall had stirred slightly after seeing a young woman emerge behind Snape from the staff entrance, settling down for dinner. Constance felt the eyes of hundreds of students on her. She had just got out of high school herself a year ago and now she found herself thrown back into it. Oh joy. She waited for Dumbledore to silence the dining hall (not that he needed to) and gather everyone’s attention. Even her soon-to-be colleagues were eyeing her in the most incredulous manner. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

Clearing his throat, “Children, I hope your holiday was wonderful and that your first day back at Hogwarts has not dampened your moods, but rather improve them! Before moving on to dinner, I would like to introduce Professor Snape’s new Apprentice, Constance Roderick, whom one day aspires to be as powerful in potions as Professor Snape and possibly pick up where he left off.” Albus added with a wink. “She will be addressed as Madam Roderick or Madam Apprentice,” It was silent for an unusually long time for such a large hall.

“‘Opefully, she won’t ‘ave a scowl permanently plastered on her pretty lil’ face!” someone yelled out in the crowd, breaking the silence. Laughter flooded the hall which was quickly followed up with applause for the blushing young woman. Severus sharpened his gaze, no doubt searching for the dunderhead who had openly insulted him.

“Good! I am glad everyone is pleased with her. Let’s get on with dinner then!” Immediately, the table overflowed with food. Constance nearly fell out of her chair, there was so much. Letting out a nervous chuckle, she reached for a roll, poking to see if it was real. She heard Snape snort at her actions. She couldn’t help but laugh in response.

__________________________________________________________________________

There’s the idea. :^)
Null Magic was mentioned in the very end of Ms_Figg’s story, “It Happened One Hallow’s Eve”.
Ya… Hope you enjoy it. If it gets confusing, tell me. I’ll try my best to clear it up.
As always, helpful hints are always appreciated.