The Love Of A Wizard

The months seemed to slip right by. October to November and November to December. The only truly interesting thing that happened during this time, other than Remus’s mysterious disappearances about every month, was something Claudia learned about Harry. He was competing in a TriWizard Tournament at his school. Remus told her something was very wrong with this and explained the restrictions put on the tournament, but the problem was that Harry was entered anyway. This was another one of those things Claudia did not understand about what was going on. However, she was reading the books Molly brought to her. She was getting schooled on a number of things in the wizarding world, namely, the dark wizards. The wizards that went wrong somehow.
It was amazing that no matter where you went, there were always those who wish to bring chaos and pain to others. “The muggle world is no different“, Claudia explained to Remus. “There are those out there that murder and destroy for no reason other than personal gain. Those people must be stopped at all costs. If they are allowed to run amuck around the world, life as we know it will cease. Thank God there are people willing to do the dirty work.” Claudia spent the remaining evening telling Remus about certain notorious muggle tyrants who had caused devastation around the world.
Entering the month of December, a hail storm of owls flocked around Claudia’s house. All bringing news to Remus from various people around. Mostly, they concerned the first task that Harry had to get through in the tournament. Dragons. Claudia honestly did not know what to make of the revelation that there were real dragons around. But, as Molly pointed out, how could she possibly not believe anything anymore.
A week before Christmas an owl came to deliver yet another letter. But this time it was not for Remus, but for Claudia. When the owl landed in the kitchen next to her as she prepared a chicken, she didn’t know what to do. Remus came over and untied the letter from the bird’s leg and seeing it had Claudia’s name on it promptly handed it to her. She looked from the letter to Remus and wondered who it was from. For the writing was not Sirius’s, it was written in elegant, swooping letters. She opened the think parchment and read:

My Dearest Ms. Moore,

I hope this letter finds you well. First, let me say that Sirius is doing well and I am in constant contact with him. Second, when our term is over and we break for the holidays, I will be sending a personal friend, who is also a professor here at Hogwarts, to you for more intensive protection to your home. I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas.


At your service,

Albus Dumbledore


So the week before Christmas came and Claudia was busy decorating the house with Emma. Remus helped by magically lighting the tree with little baubles from his wand. Of course, he did this after Emma was in bed. Emma had gotten into the spirit too. Every owl that came to deliver a letter, not only received treats from her, but also a piece of tinsel tied to it’s leg.
After Emma had gone off to bed and Remus was drafting a letter to someone, Claudia sat by the fireplace and read. As always, before someone travels by Floo powder to her home, her fire turned green and a person was spinning in her fireplace. It was a man dressed in long flowing black robes. He had long, stringy black hair and he stopped spinning directly in front of where Claudia sat. He didn’t utter a word at first, and neither did she. She sat with her legs curled under her and her mouth slightly apart. She couldn’t take her eyes from him.
“You must be Ms. Moore.” This was said in a low, deep voice. His face was expressionless and he stared into her eyes. She felt the hairs standing up on the back of her neck and her arms were covered with goose bumps. This was something new, she thought to herself. He was absolutely the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, in an artistic sort of way. He raised his eyebrows and she realized he was waiting for her to speak.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I’m Claudia Moore.” She reached her hand out to shake his, but he just looked at it. Claudia in turn raised her eyebrows. Really? He wants to come here with that attitude. Slowly, a pale, long fingered hand appeared from the folds of his robes and lightly grabbed hers for only a moment before he released it. “You are?”
“Severus Snape. I understand Headmaster Dumbledore told you of my coming tonight? I will need you to show me the boundaries of your property.” All of this was spoken in his hushed tones that once again sent shivers down her back. Yes, she thought, this is going to be interesting. At that, Remus appeared in the doorway.
“Severus! So Dumbledore sent you here too. Do you need some help with anything?” It appeared to Claudia that Remus’s presence made Severus Snape look even more intimidating. His eyes turned into slits and his lip curled just slightly. Remus looked, almost sad.
“No. I am perfectly capable of performing magic Lupin.” Claudia was sure he snarled as he said ‘Lupin‘. “I only require Ms. Moore here to take me on a tour of her land.”
“Claudia, do you want me to go with you?” Remus turned to Claudia as he spoke. His eyes were large and he was looking a little nervous.
“No Remus. Why?” She asked, confused by what was going on.
“Why indeed Lupin?” Severus was looking even worse with this question, so Claudia quickly put on her boots and coat.
“Let’s go ahead and go, shall we?” Claudia led Severus out the back door. She showed him the pool and then led him to the back. The vast land was sprinkled with clumps of woods that Claudia had left alone on purpose. It was a haven of sorts to have so much nature around. As they walked, in silence, Claudia thought of the man next to her. He was dark and lovely. He had an aura of mystery about him that she found tantalizing. If it weren’t for his personality. She walked him in a circle around the main land. They stopped a little ways from a large area covered in trees.
“Well, that’s about it really.”
“Is it?” He turned to her and fixed his eyes to hers. She felt like her legs were turning into jelly right then and there. But no…he couldn’t know. She wasn’t going to tell these people everything.
“Yes. It is.” Claudia felt like he was drilling holes into head with his stare. They stood that way for long seconds before she looked around and then down at her feet. A few seconds later, she forced herself to make eye contact again. She could not let this man intimidate her. “It’s cold. Do you need me anymore?”
“No. I think I can find everything on my own now.” With those words, he strode off into the darkness leaving Claudia standing alone shaking. Not from the cold, but from what was going on inside her. As she turned towards the house she tried to get herself under control. Severus Snape was something to reckon with. For reasons only God knew, she couldn’t shake the feeling she had when he looked at her. It felt as if he invaded every fiber of her being. By the time she made it into the house, rid herself of coat, gloves and boots, she was ready to be alone. However Remus met her in the hall.
“Claudia, oh Claudia I am so sorry! I should have known it was Severus Dumbledore was sending. I could have warned you.”
“Warned me? Whatever for?”
“What for? Severus can be...well…he can be difficult.” Remus was leaning on the wall as he spoke.
“Yes well, I figured that out all on my own. Don’t worry about me. I can handle him. I’ve handled worse. Far worse, trust me.” With that she waved her goodnight and closed her bedroom door.
As she dressed for bed, she couldn’t help but wonder where Severus was. Was he still out there? She peeked out the window facing the back yard, but saw nothing but blackness. She settled herself in bed, and tried to invite sleep to come. But her mind was filed with thoughts of this new development in her life. The magical, dark, serpent tongued man named Severus Snape.


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A/N: Enter the sexy Severus Snape. Hmmm..she seems smitten with more than one of these wizards...