Just his luck! Severus thought for a change, he'd go on the train ride with other staff and the students. Albus didn't really understand why, but shrugged off the idea, hoping it will help his son build a changed image of himself.
Severus' compartment was like any other, except for the seats being black and more comfy. Furthermore, it had a charm on it, to keep out or in any noise. That meant after the girl shut the door behind herself, it was silent.
Neither could hear as the train was moving on the tracks, or the other students' loud chatter.
Eventually, the trolley lady made them jump in their seats.
"Anything from the trolley dears?" a kind older lady's head popped in, then she fully pushed the door open.
"I'm f-fine, thanks." Candice replied quietly.
Severus eyed the girl with curiosity, as she was deep in thought. He heard her scold herself for not eating breakfast and not knowing what time it is now. When she looked up at him, his long awaited decision was made. He turned to the lady still at the door, waiting for his response.
"I would like two chocolate frogs, please."
Candice's widened at his sudden politeness. Turns out she was not the only one in shock, as the trolley lady also froze for a moment, but quickly regained her genuine smile and gave him the food.
"Thanks. Keep the change." Severus said, handing her what he counted to be double what it actually cost.
"Are you... Are you sure?" the lady took the money hesitantly.
"Yeah. It's no problem." the professor gave a small smile with a nod.
Smooth start Severus, smoooth, he thought.
The lady slowly shut the door, while thanking him another six times, then it was back to their silence.
Candice went back to staring out the window, thinking that the Potions Master was going to go back to his book he previously got out, but she was wrong.
"Care to eat a chocolate frog?" Severus stretched out a box, in hope of doing the right thing.
He wanted this to work. He wanted this change. And practicing his new self on a Black seemed fitting. Candice looked like she was about to refuse when her stomach grumbled. Her face heated up, which made Severus chuckle and throw the box at her.
It was a friendly gesture, he reassured himself, looking at her taken aback face. She did catch the box however with ease, unlike other girls would do and let it fall.
Accidently, Severus slipped into her mind and heard her say something about being proud of not putting her hand up as a shield. Candice saw the clear dadness and anger flash across Severus' face. Despite it disappearing just as fast as it appeared, and returning his face into a neutral frown.
"Well what are you doing?"
"H-huh?"
"Open it already. I don't want you starving."
To his surprise, the girl burst out laughing at his choice of words and ate. Severus shook his head and opened his. He couldn't believe he just brought two chocolate frogs, nor that he was currently eating one. He had a firm grip on his magic food, whereas the girl seemingly hadn't.
The professor looked up as he heard Black give a squeal. He frowned at the sight of her trying to catch the half legged, jumping frog. She wasn't very... Successful, Severus thought. He got his wand out and shot a stunning spell, which hit its target perfectly in the chest. The chocolate limply fell, and Candice just sat there watching it land on the ground.
"Well that was a waste of chocolate." Severus scowled at her lack of attempt of catching it.
"S-sorry." the student shook her head and turned to face the window again.
The Potions Master still had half of the his frog left and he knew Black was hungry. He sighed, before wordlessly levitating it in front of her face. Candice turned to the professor with a questioning look. For some reason, her half raised eyebrow made him grin.
"You need it more than me. Come on. Eat."
The girl took it as he let go, not wanting to refuse. Severus had a chance to sneak a peak at her, as she drifted into a daydream.
She definitely looked like a Black, Severus thought and almost sneered, but instead he tried to take her advice of not prejudicing. The professor then was able to realise her dark brown hair that was neatly arranged and hung to just below her bony shoulders. She was skinny. Perhaps a bit too skinny, the dark man noted. Then he remembered her hands. Cold, soft, but scarred. The Potions Master shook his head. He shouldn't think to much into this. Black was his student, whether he liked it or not.
Her green eyes met his black orbs and he had to look away, not wanting to invade her mind again without permission. She had finished the food, not that it was much. Severus decided to pick up his book again, even if he couldn't concentrate on reading.
After staring at the same page for a few minutes, he looked up again at the girl. She was simply looking out the window. Another thought crossed his mind.
"Do you like to read?" he tried without his facade.
Just a genuine question, he thought, no big deal. Candice's slowly moved her gaze to him and nodded.
"Erm, would you like a book to read? I have plenty, and the train ride is very long."
Severus didn't understand why his nerves were eating him from the inside. He hasn't felt this since... Since he met Lily. Although, he didn't want to think of Lily now. He noticed Candice was nodding gently, and he took his chance and leaned down to open the hidden compartment below his seat. He hasn't reached in there since... Stop Severus, he thought. Forget the past. A new start. Stay in the present.
Candice saw the dark man get out 3 books. She smiled as she realised they were all muggle books.
"Uh.. I only have these. They-"
"M-my favourites." the girl interrupted and he gaped.
"You know muggle books?" he questioned with curiosity.
"Erm y-yeah. I g-grew up in the muggle w-world." she blushed, not knowing why she told him that.
Severus nodded at the new information. Strange, he thought. He assumed that Black wanted to protect his daughter and hid her away from the Dark Lord and everyone else. His hand mindlessly traced the arm with his dark mark.
"A-are you okay, Professor?" the girl said looking at his actions.
The Potions Master snapped his hand away, and focused on his original task.
"So you've read all these before?" he asked completely ignoring her question.
She nodded, he frowned, but then she quickly spoke up.
"B-but it's okay! C-can I read one n-now?"
Candice didn't want him to frown or be angry with her. Instead she quickly took one he offered and got into reading. Severus looked at which she took out of the three: The Handmaid's Tale. He groaned at the thought of that story. It was one of Lily's favourites, and she left it with him to read. He did of course, and never had a chance to return it. He shivered at the thought of the plot, and Candice seemed to have shivered to as she began reading.
"You don't have to read that, you know." he assured, but Black seemed to shrug him off.
"Fine then." he added, but as he saw was completely ignored by the bookworm.