Beauty and the Beast

Dinner that night was slightly awkward with each of them fumbling their way around the other as they settled into the new terms of their arrangement. Conversation was lagging with long stretches of silence between them. With the dinner finished they cleared the table. The dishes were dispensed with quickly, and a final glance around the kitchen showed all was in its proper place. Their eyes caught each other, and a small smile curled upon her lips.

"Well, I'll be in the parlour watching a movie," she said and hesitated before adding, "If you are interested, you are more than welcome to join me."

He nodded his approval and lingered a bit longer in the kitchen. The television she brought sat precariously atop a small table. Grabbing the remote, she flicked the power on and grabbed a small box from her belongings. Opening the box, she removed a small disk and inserted it into the DVD player.

Her small frame bounced excitedly onto the couch, curling her legs beneath her. He entered the room as the opening credits of the film filled the screen, a hot cup of tea in each hand.

"I made some tea for us," he said as he handed hers over carefully.

"Thank you, Severus."

They sat back, and Severus raised a skeptical brow.

"What in the world are we watching?"

"Beauty and the Beast," she responded sheepishly. "It is my favourite fairytale."

He scoffed lightly. "Indeed, it's a rather far-fetched story."

"Well, of course it is. It is an American Muggle fairytale, full of magic and obstacles, which of course, leads the way to love."

"A beauty would never love a beast," he stated bluntly.

"Says who?" she challenged.

A silence stretched between them, neither one knowing how to bridge the gap that had seemingly emerged between them.

"I'll be right back."

She was out of the room before he could respond. A few moments later, she returned her hands full with a large bowl of buttered popcorn and two beers. She sat down, handing him one of the beers and shifting to sit closely by his side. He reached out and accepted the beer from her, his eyebrow raised speculatively. He took a tentative sip, tasting the bitter beverage, and found the taste quite palatable. His hand dove forward into the bowl, grasping a handful of popcorn, and popping it into his mouth.

"What is it about this particular film that makes it your favorite?" he asked, his eyes absorbing the obvious delight displayed upon her features.

"When I was younger, I lived with my nose in a book. It didn't matter what it was, I would read whatever I could get my hands on. I loved them all, but especially fairytales. When I started at Hogwarts, I found myself immersed in text books and focused solely on learning about the magical world. Now I rarely have the time to read something for simple enjoyment, and although I love all books, I miss losing myself in a great story. Belle, I always thought, had the same passion for reading as I."

"Well, you are certainly as kind-hearted as she," he added, his voice soft. "Perhaps, I should call you Belle."

She smiled beatifically, and their eyes met. She reveled in the unfamiliar warmth that emanated from the depths of his inky eyes. The intensity of his gaze caused her cheeks to flush brightly. She looked away, focusing her attention towards the television, trying to control the mass of butterflies fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

Conflicting emotions warred within her as she contemplated the enigma of Severus Snape and his sudden ability to invoke such feelings in her. He had been true to his word and shown her a side of himself she was quite sure very few had ever experienced. Shame flooded through her at her failing Gryffindor courage. The battle over when to disclose her identity warred within her. She was equal parts excited and terrified at the prospect of coming clean. How would Severus Snape react if he knew that she was the Know-It-All who tormented him with endless questions for six long years? If anything, she was sure that the knowledge would toss him back into the bastard Potions master mode she was familiar with.

The movie ended and she stood, stretching the kinks from her body. "That was enjoyable, Severus. Tomorrow, I'll be going out in the morning. Leave a list on the table of anything you may need."

"Thank you. Are you going anywhere particular?" he inquired.

"No, I have to meet someone." She bit her lip nervously. Her discomfort over the subject was apparent. She turned and walked tiredly from the room, stopping just as she crossed the threshold. "Goodnight, Severus."

"Goodnight," he replied softly.

For over an hour Severus sat in the quiet dark of the parlour... his thoughts drifting over the circumstances he found himself in. One month since the final battle. Two weeks in a coma, another two weeks awake regaining his strength. He felt better each day as the pain faded. The only real reminder now was the appalling scars that littered the side of his neck. The inflamed red of the scars contrasted prominently with his alabaster skin, making them appear even more horrid. It amazed him each time 'Belle' tended to him for she never grimaced or turned away in disgust. She accepted his scars and, for some reason, her quiet acceptance of his scars, and his sacrifice, warmed his soul. With those last lingering thoughts, he turned in for the night.

The next day dawned brightly. A note left on the kitchen table caught Severus' attention.

Severus,

I should return around 1:00 p.m. for lunch. If there is anything you need, use the Galleon.

His dark eyes scanned the kitchen, his gaze shifting over the various foods stored in the refrigerator and pantry. Selecting his ingredients and setting them along the counter, Severus began preparing the chicken he selected for roasting. Once the chicken was seasoned and prepared, he set it aside and moved onto prepping the potatoes and carrots. He cast a stasis spell on the items and stepped outside into his gardens. He had a little over forty-five minutes before he needed to start cooking the chicken so that by the time she arrived home from her meeting, lunch would be ready.

The clock ticked slowly towards one o'clock. Twenty minutes before she would be returning home, the lunch was finished, and Severus found he was anxious for her return. He remembered from the previous evening that she was not particularly looking forward to her meeting. He wondered briefly if it had turned out the way she desired. He stood when he heard the front door slam close and an angry march of footsteps approach. The footsteps reached the kitchen doorway, and the smile faded from his face as he observed the witch. Emotions radiated off of her as she stood trembling. Hesitantly he approached her, her tear-stained face turning up towards him.

"Come here," he said, his arms opening up to her.

She closed the short distance between them, burrowing her head into his chest as his arms wrapped around her tightly.

He rubbed her back soothingly until she could cry no more. "Come and sit. We shall eat, and if you would like to talk about it. I am here to listen."

One arm remained wrapped about her small waist as he led her into the kitchen. "Severus, this is amazing," she gasped. The table was set with two plates of roast chicken, mashed potato and carrots. "I love roasted chicken."

She settled herself at the table while Severus poured them each a glass of wine before placing the bottle on the table. Both seated, they ate their lunch quietly. She was undeniably upset, and more than anything he found himself wanting to reach out to her again. Her eyes were red-rimmed and wet from the obvious tears she had shed.

"What happened to get you so upset?" His quietly spoken question elicited a fresh batch of tears to well up in her eyes.

"My boyfriend and I broke up, and it's not that really. Before we dated he was one of my very best friends. All of our friends are shared. Everyone we knew expected us to be together." Tears fell from her eyes. "After all the loss, the hurt and pain of the war... I just don't want to lose any one else. Especially my best friends now that we survived."

Shifting his chair closer to her, Severus reached out, slowly cupping the side of her face in his warm, calloused hand. His thumb gently wiped away her tears. "If your friends walk away from you over this, then they never deserved your friendship. As far as your boyfriend is concerned, he is a fool."

He removed his hand and stood, clearing away his plate and glass. Taking one final look at the distraught witch, he turned and waved his wand wordlessly over one of the panels. A door appeared. Twisting the handle, he descended down the basement stairs. The door remained open in a silent invitation, calling to her insatiable curiosity. Standing up, she shook off her depressive thoughts and turned her attention into finally entering the sanctity of Severus' private lab.

Review please!

Thanks to Mel for the wonderful beta work!