Moving On

A Conversaton With Albus

"Pardon?" Snape said, gawking at her with his jaw wide open.

"You heard correctly. I would like for you to consider living with me as you have mentioned that you do not have any relative to go to."

Snape kept on staring at her, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. Silence overtook them.

"I should have known that you wouldn't agree what was I---" she started, only to get cut off by the boy.

"I'll come." He said.

"I don't have anywhere to go and..." he trailed off, taking a breath,"I'll probably die soon, with you I think I'll be slightly more safe."

The fact that he said it would only be slightly more safe stung a bit, she would not deny but that was drowned out by her relief. He actually agreed. True, it wasn't because he trusted her, as his statement implied, the option she provided him with was slightly more appealing although not optimal. It did not make her happy, but she could deal with that.

"Thank you, your safety will be guaranteed  " she said. "I was hoping for you to move in today," she continued.

He just nodded slowly at the statement, "I'll start packing." He said, before leaving the room.

^_^^_^^_^

A week had passed in the house of Minerva Mcgonagall, and she was already regretting her decision! Her housemate and student, Severus Snape, was giving her a hard time. She was struggling to get the boy to open up to her, all her efforts had proven to be futile, she should have known that his unusual compliance would not last long.

He was always locked up his room save for when she called him down for food and when he needed to use the bathroom. He made sure to keep his distance, and said a few words or none at all. He tried by all means to erase his very existence in the house. And it was starting to drive her insane.

"Severus," she said, after breakfast. The boy looked up at her, it seemed as though he still struggled with the prospect of her saying his first name. She had decided upon it in order to make him as comfortable as possible. It almost seemed to do the opposite though, for he tensed slightly whenever she said it.

"I'd like for us to go shopping today," she said. He quirked an eyebrow at that statement. She sighed, she never requested he go with her before. She did all the grocery shopping on her own, but she wanted him to go with her to purchase new clothes. She had enough money to meet her general expenses as well as his, so she decided to buy him new clothes, she noticed how little the boy owned, his clothes barely fit him, and she could not have that, particularly if he was to live under her care. She wanted to make his life as smooth as possible, for a variety of reasons, but the largest probably being guilt.

"No, I'd rather not," he said, while standing up with his dishes aiming for the kitchen.

"But I insist, I would honestly appreciate your company Severus," she replied.

"What do you need me for anyway? You never needed me to go with you so why now? You seemed just fine without me!"

"As I said, I'd appreciate your company."

"No! You're hiding something from me! Tell me the truth!"

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, this boy really was a piece of work. It was not the first time she had him suspect her of having ulterior motives, no in fact he'd been like that the moment he stepped into her house.

He was not afraid of showing his suspicion either, his eyes were always full of distrust, trying to watch her every move when he came down for dinner, he watched her and only served himself from the dishes that she served herself from. Leaving those she did not serve from untouched, claiming that he did not like them even if the longing in his eyes said otherwise. She often swallowed it down however, opting to give him a tight smile. The same behaviour followed everything else that he did in the house.

"I...I would like for us to go shopping to buy new clothes... for you." She said.

He grit his teeth, "I'm fine thank you for the offer."

She steeled her nerves, she knew that the result of his parents financial position was not an easy topic to breach with the boy. Most people used it to insult him, thus making the boy extremely bitter about it.

She looked him in the eye," There really is no option Severus, you will go with me and you will co-operate."

She stared at him, while he stared back in defiance.

"You already know of my financial situation! I hardly have any money left!" he snarled. "Where do you expect me to get clothes cheap enough, so that I can buy the books needed for school?" He continued.

''I do not expect you to purchase anything," she continued at his look of confusion, "I am going to buy them for you." she emphasised.

He recoiled at her statement, then looked at her accusingly.  "What?" He asked.

He continued after she did not respond, "Why? Why are you doing this? I didn't even ask for it, my clothes are just fine. I'd rather you keep your charity." He said the word with disdain.

She sat up straight at that, "Severus!" She reprimanded, feeling indignant.

"Don't act like that isn't true."

"That's enough Severus." She ordered, holding up her hand.

"I do not expect you to pay for anything! I will be paying from my pocket. All I need is for you to join me and behave." She said.

She sighed, "Think about it as a gift..."

"You could repay me in the future, when you have completed your education and have a stable job." She continued when she noticed him open his mouth to interject. 

She stared him for a moment, he stared right back, he seemed to be analysing her face, he must have found what he was looking for because he conceded with a sigh,"Fine, I'll join you."

She smiled,"Excellent, be prepared in thirty minutes, we'll leave then."

He grumbled before going on with her orders, she mentally pat herself on the back, maybe there is hope.

Author's note: What are your thoughts on this chapter? By the way, I welcome constructive criticism. Don't forget to stay healthy, vote and comment. I'll have the next chapter up soon, I had fun writing it, and I hope you'll have fun reading it.