Chapter 7: The Key

About two weeks after the incident in the infirmary, Alex had walked to Hagrid’s cabin to give him a new book on dragons.  The weather was beautiful that day, for a change, and she decided she had to get Severus away from the castle for the afternoon.  Her friend, Susan, had sent her a few bottles of great California wine and Alex had discovered that the elves in the kitchen didn’t mind if she did her own cooking once in a while.  She had made particular friends with Dobby, the house-elf.  She asked Dobby what kinds of things Severus liked to eat.  Dobby had all sorts of useful information.

Alex walked back to the castle and bounded up the front stairs in a great mood.  She walked through the castle on her way to Dumbledore’s office, looking at some of the amusing pictures on the walls.  “My lady,” she heard a voice from one of the paintings on the wall.  “You must give me a token of your affection so that I may bravely continue on my quest.” 

“Stuff it, Sir Cadogen,” she said to the portrait of the strange knight with the fat pony and hurried on.  As she rounded the corner by her office, she ran into the object of her reverie.  Snape reached out to steady her and mumbled his apology.  Alex felt that sudden slam back to reality one feels when awakened from a daydream.

“Severus, do you need something?”  she asked.

“Alexandra, I was hoping to speak to Professor Dumbledore.”

Alex motioned him into her office and looked at the clock.  “He’s just finishing up a conference with the Weasley twins.  He’ll be done in a few minutes.  Please, sit down,” she said to him.

Alex knew that Severus would be done with his classes at noon.  “Sev, are you busy this afternoon?”

“Well. . . “

“If you can spare the time, do you want to go on a picnic with me?”

“A picnic?” he said as if she were speaking a foreign language. 

Oh, for crying out loud, she thought, Do they have some weird word for it over here that I don’t remember?  She smiled at him and said, “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to catch you off guard.  It’s such a beautiful day.  I thought it would be great to take a ride and put the top down on the car.  Please say yes.”

“Well, I was planning to compose a particularly difficult test for my fifth years . . .”

She sighed impatiently.  “There’s a fun time.  Sure beats driving out in the country with your girlfriend, who by the way is not a total troll, and having some good food and nice wine.  But I guess understand if you think sitting alone in a damp dungeon is the better choice.”

A look of playfulness came over his face, “Did you say drive this car, meaning that I might be permitted to drive?”

“Whatever it takes, cowboy.”

“In that case, how can I refuse?”

They heard the Weasley twins on the moving staircase.  Fred and George winked at her as they passed her office, eyeing Snape with much interest.  She really liked Fred and George, and was hoping to put them in contact with someone in Florida to help them market their Wizard Wheezes. 

Alex grabbed a roll of parchment from her desk and motioned for Snape to follow her.  They went up the spiral staircase together.  She knocked on the office door and then opened it.  “Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape would like to speak to you.  Here is the budget report you asked for.”  She placed the parchment in front of him and asked, “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, thank you, Miss Lennox.  Severus, please sit down, “ said Dumbledore. 

*  *  *

Professor Snape had an odd look on his face and Dumbledore suspected it had something to do with Alexandra.  Since the incident in the infirmary, Dumbledore had observed a change in Snape.  He seemed to care more about his appearance and dress.  Dumbledore also noted the increasing number of furtive glances Snape cast in her direction at the head table each night.  He knew they were spending time together, but was reluctant to discuss anything with Snape, knowing that it might not be well-received. 

As Snape sat down across from Dumbledore and began to talk, there was a faint knock at the door.  Alexandra entered carrying a tray with tea and scones.  “Miss Lennox, I see you have been spending time in the kitchens again.” 

“Busted!” she said with a smile.  “Will there be anything else, gentlemen?”

“No, thank you.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled at her.  He found her unique Americanisms quite refreshing, and was happy to see that the years since she had left school had not worn her spirit down, especially considering her line of work.  She struck him as someone who had a very strong drive to live a fulfilled life and to have no regrets.  Very wise for one so young and for someone who seems rather reckless in a way, he thought.

*  *  *

Alex left them to her conversation.  Who knows what he wants with Dumbledore, she thought.  Her brother had told her that the picture of her from the Daily Prophet had generated some interest in Voldemort’s inner circle.  She was waiting for instructions on how to proceed with trapping Peter Pettigrew and looked forward to helping prove that Sirius Black was innocent. 

I wonder what would have happened if I had reached out to Peter in those days.  We spent a lot of time together at James and Lily’s.  Maybe I could have saved him from going over to Voldemort.  I don’t know.  There was always something so calculating about him.  I never really felt I could trust him.  She shook her head.  I never felt like I got to know him very well.  Now look who’s got me on a hook and he’s the one everyone thought was evil. !

A few minutes later, Snape came down the spiral staircase.  “What time should I meet you?” he asked her.

“Let’s see, it’s 10:00 o’clock now.  How about 1:00?  And Severus, if you’re uncomfortable about the students seeing us leave together, I can pick you up outside the gate.”

“Good idea.  Do you wish me to bring anything?”

Just those dark smoldering eyes and those wonderful lips, she thought, feeling her face get hot.  “Oh, no.  I’ll take care of everything.  Bring a book if you like and your appetite.  Muggle dress is probably safest.”  You idiot!  Bring a book?!  Oh, yeah, bring a book because I really want you to read to me!

“All right.  See you then.  I’ve got to teach one more class,” he said, and gave her a shy smile.

*  *  *

Snape felt a little nervous as he looked into her eyes once before leaving.  He was frustrated with himself for feeling so insecure.  He wanted to be with her, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he would fail to make her happy.  She was so energetic, which could be both good and bad.  He also found her attractive and he knew that others did too.  She was not beautiful as her sister had been, but she was appealing in her open and friendly manner. He was particularly worried that Sirius Black would come back into her life and wondered what their relationship had been.    

Then, there was the feeling that he could never compete with Eric in her eyes and in the eyes of her family.  How can I ever be better than everyone’s idealized memory of this poor dead man?  Even I feel a bit sorry for him and that rarely happens. . 

He hated to admit this to himself, but he was desperate not to lose the only glimmer of affection he had had in so many years. 

*  *  *

Alex, on the other hand, was ready to plunge into a relationship with him.  From the time they had been in school, she knew that there was something more to him than the evil public image he projected.  He had often been mean and sarcastic to her when they were young, but she knew he liked the fact that she stood up to him time after time.  After a while, he had accepted her as a friend.  Of all things, he had become protective of her.  Alex had also been protective of him, much to the amusement of Sirius and Remus.  As she had told Harry, it was she who had tipped James off that Sirius planned to play that dangerous trick on Severus, luring him to the Shrieking Shack during the full moon.

Alex recognized that Severus was not what most people would call great looking, although she felt that he made himself look worse as means of keeping people away.  She liked the way he looked.  He was almost a foot taller than she was, which she liked.  She liked his slender build.  His dark flashing eyes really captivated her, and she thought his mouth was nice, if he wasn’t sneering. 

She was amazed at how brave and intelligent he was.  She had always thought that her brother was the smartest man she knew.  Severus was every bit his equal in knowledge, skill, and intelligence, and that really captured her attention.  She was a little afraid of what was behind those eyes, but part of her was dying to find out.  Given his past, she knew that her friends at the agency would disapprove, but she didn’t let herself worry about that.  The whole package is quite a challenge, she thought.  And I may kick myself for even thinking this, but I’m ready to do some unwrapping.

*  *  *

Alex took the spiral staircase back up to Dumbledore’s office and knocked on the door.  “Come in,” she heard Dumbledore say. 

“Here are the latest supply requests from all the faculty.  This should take us to the next term,” she said.

“Splendid, Alexandra.  You have us on course, I think.”  He paused and then said casually,  “Severus tells me you are going on an outing together this afternoon.”

“Yes, Professor.  In fact, I wanted to tell you that I’d be gone.”

“Good.  I don’t think Severus has had anything to look forward to in a very long time.  This will be good for you both.”

She thought this would be the perfect time to bring up what happened in the infirmary.  “Professor Dumbledore, do you think he’ll ever get over what happened in the hospital wing?”

Dumbledore chuckled a little.  “Yes, it was rather unfortunate that we all chose that particular moment to visit you.  Be patient with him.  He has kept a lock on his heart for so long, he simply doesn’t know what to do, and he is definitely not comfortable expressing his feelings in front of others.  I do believe, Alexandra, that if there is anyone who holds the key to his heart, it is you.”

“I’m sure there’s no point in telling you this, Professor, since you already know, but I really want to open that lock.”

“In that case, you will find a way.  Have a good time this afternoon and don’t worry.”  Alex gave Professor Dumbledore a smile and almost skipped out the door and down to the kitchens.