The Sound Of Silence

Steph opened her eyes and frowned. Where was she? This wasn\'t home and it wasn\'t the Hospital Wing. She turned her head slowly to look around. Green and silver was all she could see. The bed was large and comfortable. She snuggled into the blanket. Wherever she was, she felt safe and didn\'t feel like moving.

Snape noticed her movements and sat on the edge of the bed, \"Hello little one. Care to tell me why you are out of bed?\"

Steph hid her face in the blankets and then peeked out at him She smiled slightly and then mouthed the word \"Exploring.\" Snape shook his head. \"Madam Pomfrey didn\'t tell you to get out of bed did she?\" She shook her head. He smiled. \"Stubborn and headstrong. Traits I expect you received from your Mother and Father.\" Steph bit her lip.

He looked at her closely, \"I expect you miss them, don\'t you?\" Steph nodded and mouthed the word \"Mommy.\" Snape frowned slightly, \"Only your Mother? What about your Father?\" Steph shook her head and looked for her paper. Snape summonhem hem to the bed. She quickly wrote and let him read. \"You don\'t know your father. Your Mother says he lives to far away to visit.\" She nodded. \"Is your father a wizard?\" She shrugged and wrote more on the paper. He looked at it again. \"Your Mother doesn\'t talk about him. I see. Has she ever shown you a picture?\" Steph shook her head again.

Snape nodded, \"Well, are you feeling better?\" She nodded. \"It\'s time to get you back to the Hospital Wing.\" She frowned and shook her head. Snape let his eyebrow raise, \"Do not frown at me little one. You are going back.\" She snuggled farther into the blanket. He looked astounded, \"You actually want to stay here?\" She nodded. He sighed, \"Fine. You can stay, but only until class begins. That\'s almost an hour from now.\" Steph grinned.

***

An hour found Steph grudgingly following Snape back to the Infirmary. She was still wrapped in his blanket. She kept falling behind because she would stop to look at different things. Snape finally looked back and took her hand, \"I know that being in the Hospital Wing alone is rather boring. I also know that you have finished your books. I promise that I will visit and bring other books for you after my classes.\" Steph smiled and held his hand tightly.

After class, Snape kept his word and came to visit. He found her leaning against the window sill, watching the students. He observed her for a few minutes and tried to figure out why he was fond of her. Maybe it was because she was small. Maybe it was because she reminded him of himself as a child. Maybe it was because she needed so much help. He cleared his throat and watched her face light up when she saw him. That had to be it. The joy he saw in her face with she was around him.

She came over and pulled him to the window. She pointed across the courtyard and looked at him. He smiled, \"That\'s the Qudditch pitch. The students are gearing up for a game this afternoon.\" She frowned, then nodded. He looked back at the pitch, \"Have you ever watched a match?\" She shook her head and mouthed \"Only pictures.\" He smiled and looked at her, \"Would you like to watch the game?\" She nodded. He turned from the window, \"Get your robes and shoes on. I\'ll speak with Pomfrey about taking you with me.\"

Within a few minutes, Steph and Snape were making their way down to the Great Hall She followed behind him and watched everything. They entered the Hall and Snape looked at her, \"The match starts after lunch. One of the conditions of you being able to attend was that I saw to it that you ate. Go, sit with Miss Granger and eat.\" Steph looked around the room. Mommy, Harry and Ron weren\'t there. She looked back up at him. He glanced around as well, \"Fine then. You can join me.\"

***

Hermione sat in the stands and watched the boys warm up. She frowned slightly as she remembered what Madam Pomfrey had told her. She used her binoculars to find Snape. She smiled when she saw him tuck the blanket more securely around Steph\'s legs. She looked happy with him. Maybe she would go visit them later.

Steph sat, her eyes wide as she watched. Pictures didn\'t do this game justice. There were to many things to see. She listened as Snape gave her an overview of the game. He seemed to really enjoy it. She smiled and looked across the field. She picked up the binoculars that Professor Snape let her borrow and found Mommy in the crowd. She frowned. She missed her real Mommy. She fought back tears as the match started.

The match lasted well into the night. It finally ended when Harry grabbed the snitch right from under the Ravenclaw seeker\'s nose. e cle clapped politely and looked at Steph. He smiled slightly. She was asleep against his side. Gently, as not to wake her, he carried her back to her bed. After removing her shoes and outer robes, he tucked her into bed. With a glance around, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

***

Steph woke the next morning and, after an exam by Pomfrey, was cleared to leave. The Headmaster came to walk her to breakfast. She pulled at his robes and handed him her parchment. He nodded as he read, \"I thought as much. Tonight, you can try and see if you can wish yourself back home.\" Steph nodded and went to sit with Hermione.

The rest of the day was spent sadly taking in all the sights one last time. During Potions, she sat and tried to read. She couldn\'t keep her eyes off Snape. She wanted to tell him everything. She wanted him to come home with her. She knew he couldn\'t but she couldn\'t help it. Harry and Ron were great guys. She really liked them, but she felt closer to Professor Snape. Maybe Mommy would bring her back to Hogwarts for a visit. That made her smile.

Snape glanced around the room. He saw Miss Vance staring at him. He frowned and motioned for her to come forward. As she approached, he cast a silencing charm around his desk, \"Is there a problem?\" She shook her head. \"I\'ve noticed you\'ve continued to stare at me since the beginning of class. May I ask why?\" Steph wrote and let him read. He looked up, his face slightly troubled, \"You\'re leaving?\" She nodded. \"When?\" She wrote. \"Tonight? Where?\" She shrugged and scribbled that the Headmaster was going to be helping her. Snape nodded, \"Very well. Back to work.\" He turned back to his papers. Steph smiled sadly and then walked back to her chair.

***

Later that evening, Steph sat in the Common Room and stared at the fire. Hermione was reading. Ron and Harry were in their room. Steph pushed the parchment to Hermione. She looked up, \"Leaving? But you\'re not better! How can Madam Pomfrey release you?\" Steph took the paper and wrote again. Hermione read and nodded, \"I guess I would miss my family too.\" Steph nodded. Hermione looked at her, \"You will come back to visit won\'t you?\" Steph grinned and scribbled that they would definitely be seeing each other again. Hermione smiled. \"All right. As long as I know that. Do you know when this is going to happe Ste Steph shrugged.

Dumbledore stepped into the Common Room followed by McGonagall. He smiled, \"Come Miss Vance. It\'s time to go.\" She stood and looked at Hermione.

She nodded, \"Of course I\'m coming with you.\"

Harry and Ron came down the stairs. \"What\'s going on?\" Harry looked at everyone.

McGonagall spokeMissMiss Vance is going to attempt to return home.\" Hermione nodded sadly at the boys.

Ron came over and stood by Hermione, \"We\'re going too.\"

Dumbledore nodded, \"Very well then.\"

They headed back to the Dungeon room where she first arrived. Snape heard the group and stepped from his office. He frowned, \"I suppose it\'s time?\" Steph nodded. He closed the door and followed them. Hermione frowned and watched him. Steph smiled but bit her lip at his troubled face. She fell in step with him and tugged his robe. He frowned at her. She gently took his hand in hers.

In the room, Steph looked at each of them. She gave McGonagall a hug, then Ron. Harry was next and the Headmaster bent down for a kiss on the cheek. Steph stopped in front of Hermione and handed her the parchment.

Hermione read it and frowned, \"Why would you want to know that?\" Steph motioned for her to say it anyway. Hermione shrugged, leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Steph smiled and kissed her on the cheek. They hugged each other tightly. Hermione kissed her cheek, \"Come visit us ok?\" Steph nodded.

Snape watched her saying good-bye to everyone. He stood in the shadows and tried to sort out his feelings. He knew that she would be leaving, he just didn\'t expect it to hurt him so much. He watched as she took the parchment from Hermione and made sure it was clear. She scribbled something on it and folded it in half. Steph walked over to him and handed him the paper. He started to open it, but she stopped him. He nodded and placed it in his pocket.

Steph smiled sadly at him and then hugged him tightly around the waist. He was shocked that she would show him affection in public, but he surprised himself even more by returning her hug. He kissed the top of her head, \"Be careful little one. Return to us safely.\" She looked up at him and nodded.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, \"Miss Vance. It\'s time.\" She nodded and walked away from Snape. She stood in the middle of the floor and smiled. She focused on her Mommy and closed her eyes. She wished with all of her might that she would be home and felt herself slowly fading.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Thanks again to my beta Lily Malfoy.

Shemhamforash: I wish he would read to me in bed too. Of se, se, I would\'t kick him out if he didn\'t want to read anything. :D I\'m glad you\'re enjoying the story. Don\'t worry, you have properly motiovated me! Thanks again!

Deb: Thank you for your review! When I started this story, I had no idea how anything was going to work out. Still don\'t. I\'m just glad that so many are enjoying it. Thank you for your kind words. Look for more updates next week!

Rilla: Thank you again for your comments. I was glad that Severus wanted to read to Steph. I have this fantasy of him doing the same thing for me. Of course, Hermione would love anyone who had a love of books like she does! I really meant what I said in my last comments. I\'m looking forward to more \"House of Fallen Angels\"!

jenbachand: You are welcome for the updates! Well, Hermione actually does know how to sign, but in the future. Stay tuned to the story, things will work out. Promise.

Jenn: I love Severus in the Daddy role too. I might consider having kids if he was the father!

Red: And I love your stories. I promise, next saturaday, another chapter!

JC1207: Thanks! Hope you enjoy!

Euridice: Wow. I\'m so glad you think this is original. I was worried that I had read this idea somewhere before. As I said, it was a dream.

Sai-chan: I plan on seeing this one to the end. There might be some lags, school and everything, but I will finish!

PhoenixFeather7: Thank you for your review! I\'m glad you\'re enjoying!