"Aah Severus! what are you doing here this fine evening?" Dumbledore beamed as the dark cloaked wizard entered his office. "I need to speak with you Albus, it's about Elira Argolli." Snape replied, taking a seat opposite the weathered wizard.

"I see, what seems to be the problem?" The old man asked with genuine care in his voice.
"She told me what happened today and how you are planning to get her father involved... Albus do you not think that you're being overly dramatic about the situation? Surely we can come to some kind of arra.." Snape insisted before being cut off by Dumbledore.

"Severus, I cannot allow a student to play truant in their lessons, I don't know what is going on between Elira and Gwen but whatever it is it has no place here at Hogwarts." Dumbledore pressed, staring intently at Snape over his half moon glasses.
Snape pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in frustration. He couldn't find the words to reply.

"I gather that you know more about the situation then I do Severus, and so, would you care to fill me in on the situation?"

Snape didn't want to break Elira's trust, but he knew that telling Dumbledore would be in her best interests.
"She refuses to speak with Gwen because Gwen betrayed her father, and honestly I cannot blame the girl for wanting nothing to do with her." Snape explained honestly.

"Severus, is this to do with the situation between Elira and Gwen or is it because of your personal dislike towards Gwen? I do know what happened with Lily dear boy." Dumbledore asked outright, swallowing nervously as Snape rose to his feet and stormed towards the door.

"Albus, I do not deny that I detest Gwen Rhys.. or Argolli. Whatever she calls herself these days but I can assure you that my concern is purely for Elira. As you're unwilling to help with the matter I will return to my potion brewing and allow you to continue with the latest fucking knitting pattern, Good night." Snape scowled and stormed out of the room.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Elira was with Harry and Hermione in the Gryffindor common room. They had been chatting away for hours happily until Hermione asked about the hostility between Elira and her mother. She told Hermione exactly what she had told Harry, some details did not need to be public knowledge.

"So, Snape is going to speak with Dumbledore? That can only be a good thing right?" Hermione smiled cheerily, "let's hope so." Elira sighed.
"I'm sorry but is nobody else bothered by the fact that Snape is being overly nice to her? That he consoled her in a disused classroom? No? Just me?" Harry rolled his eyes.
  "Not everything Snape does has an alternative motive." Elira sneered defensively,
Hermione smirked at Harry and Elira arched an eyebrow sceptically.

"Hermione...?" Elira quizzed, causing the wild haired know it all to blush.
"I think, well.. I'm just going to ask you outright. Elira, do you have a crush on Professor Snape?" Hermione whispered while Harry was otherwise engaged with Seamus.
Elira was lost for words, she felt her palms getting sweaty and her heart began to race.
Hermione scanned her friends face as the pink hit her cheek at lightening speed, "Ohhh! You do! Merlins beard... Wow."
"He's just been so nice to me Hermione, it's just a crush. I'm not looking for anything after Bogdan." Elira insisted, as if trying to convince herself.

"Hmm whatever you say, but I will say this.. I get the feeling he feels the same way. Harry might be on to something." Hermione winked, and excused herself to get on with some studying. Elira sat and thought to herself, 'Gosh, I have feelings for my potions professor..' She gulped.