Safe Harboring a Hufflepuff

Being lost between the pages of a book was nothing new for the odd Hufflepuff.
Being locked in a library however...
Glad to have eaten a large lunch, at least she wasn't ravenous -
Would anyone miss her at dinner?
Even the friendly exchanges had become meaner lately...
What had she done to deserve -?
Oh right.
The popular kids couldn't be bothered with her - as she wasn't one of thier minions - and as such, rumors and hurtful talk began.
Or was she being too sensitive?
No.
They had trolled past her earlier in the chapter. Did they even tell the librarian she was still back there?
Yet earlier that day.
"We don't make friends with book slugs -"
Worms.
So probably not.
Not that it was better. 
But if the other girls giggled too maybe there was something wrong with her...
Only the teachers at Hogwarts -
No, professors.
Had been pleased with her efforts thus far. 
At least catching up on her schoolwork gave an excuse; as to why she wasn't more social in the afternoons.
Would anyone miss her that evening? Probably not.
She would miss the food though.
And perhaps the dessert.
Though she had bribed one of the servers to always hold back, then deliver a custard tart to Snape when...
Thinking of him made her dizzy.
Lightheaded even.
The tears which formed, shone glossy in an unexpected light.
"Who's there?"
The pale face of the potions master surfaced in the gloom. A well lit and probably heavy candelabra held a few wax torches but more comforting that she saw - 
A brief flicker of relief on his face...?
"Although I do not usually condone nor usually allow myself on a wild goose chases; it would seem in my best interest to assist with this one."
"Which was -?"
"To ensure you would be found."
His hands, lean and strong; that all but completely picked her up...
The tightness of his grip already made her feel safe and she hugged him without thinking.
Snape stood rigid at first.
But then she felt a hand -?
Slap?!
No... more gentle, like softening the fluffy downy fur of a...
"It's time you were in bed."
Releasing from the embrace, the ebony folds of his cloak and glimmer in his eyes..
"I missed dinner."
A stifled laugh?
"It's just as well, the drumsticks were dry and other additives were hardly worth the trouble."
She felt she could have eaten kindling by now!
But that hadn't stopped him before.
Before...
"Did you come looking for me?"
He sighed.
Without answering, presenting an emerald apple from somewhere within his cloak.
Had they always been sweet?
She remembered them to be -
"Come along then." 
Turning on his heel, she followed, at least the fruit made her temporary mute.
Even to her sudden popularity to those wondering of their conjoined  
disappearance.
She kept a few of the apple's seeds.
Maybe it could grow into something...
bigger?
A sprout.
Something more.