How Can I Protect You?
Author's note: All characters belong to J.K Rowling. A Snape/OC character starting during The Goblet of Fire. Always looking for a challenge, I wanted to create a story that would extend to the end of the series that involved Snape discovering how to love again after Lily. The challenge was to write in a character that wasn't already there, so I hope the continuity fits. If anything is off, please let me know.
Summary: Snape meets a young woman who slowly breaks through his barriers, and he is torn between being who he wants to be, and who he has to be.
Chapter 1 - Comfort Zone
"So how can I protect you in this, crazy world?
It's alright, yeah, it's alright." -Alabama 3
Snape sat alone in his classroom, the general good spirits of Hogwart's during the Triwizard tournament fouled his mood more than usual. Half-heartedly he flipped through papers he knew he should grade, his mind elsewhere. He shivered. Too distracted to work, he decided to walk down to the great hall for a cup of tea. The chatter of excited students echoed through the halls and quickly diminished as they approached Professor Snape. His reputation sparked fear in the first years and many of the forth and fifth years as well. He simply had to sneer, as they scrambled to get out of his way. The great hall was almost empty, except for a young woman with deep plum hair tied back in an elegant bun. As Snape approached her he realized they were tiny braids with multicolored beads threaded through them. Her back was facing him as she poured herself a cup of tea from a kettle sitting on one of the professor's tables. He didn't recognize her but she was too old to be a student. Cautiously he moved forward, displeased at the idea of making small talk. He wanted to turned around, go back to the comfort of his classroom, but he was drawn to her slender frame. She was wearing deep green robes with gold accents that curled up her back like ivy, only accenting her petit waist more. The warmth of the room, the glow of the candles and the sweet smell of spices enchanted him and when she turned to face him, he found he could not speak.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't hear you behind me." She laughed, obviously startled. The tea splashed over the sides of the porcelin cup and Snape came back to reality.
"Let me." He averted his eyes and picked up a napkin from the table. Focusing on the cup of tea hard enough to burn a hole in it.
"Thank you." She smiled and he dared to look up. Cold dark eyes met vibrant hazel ones. She had a petit face, tiny nose and large expressive eyes. Snape felt a twinge in his heart when a familiar face came into his mind.
She couldn't help but notice a flcker of sadness in his dark eyes. He stood tall, quite a bit taller than her. With broad shoulders he held himself with an air of dignity. He had an odd look on his face, like he was trying to process a million things at once. He was wearing long black robes, fitted around the waist with long sleeves that covered his hands.
"You must be Professor Snape. I'm a new Auror, the Ministry sent me here to watch the school for a few weeks. I'm training under Alastar Moody." She felt the heat rush to her cheeks. "My name is Odillia Pepper."
"Charmed." Snape answered in his usual monotone voice. As she took the napkin their fingers brushed.
"How did you know..." Snape started to speak softly.
"Alastar mentioned you were apart of the Order, from the way he described you, I just knew." She looked at him slightly puzzled at the tone in his voice.
"I meant no disrespect..."
"Of course not." He responded coldly, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"No one ever does."
Sarcasm. Without a second glance, he quickly turned on his heels and left the Auror standing alone in the great hall. Retreating to his room he slammed the heavy wooden door. Snape was irritated at the fact he had nothing to be irritated about. He practically slammed the cup on the table and paced back and forth. Shower. He threw his cloak onto a chair and unbuttoned his shirt, throwing it on top of the cloak. Pushing the curtain aside, he turned the water on. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror as it started to fog up.
"Fool." He whispered, removing the rest of his clothes. He stepped into the shower and breathed in deeply. He was definatly calmer now, but still agitated. He closed his eyes and leaned against the cool wall. Deep green eyes, petit sensual body. He rubbed his temples. A soft groan left his lips. He needed some kind of release. She had entered his safety zone. She had gotten to him, and she hadn't said more than a couple words. And he had over-reacted. Severely. Absentmindedly he let his hand drop to his side. Slowly he grasped his member and squeezed. He was aching for release. The feeling was so intense, he leaned forward and braced himself against the opposite wall.
"Faster, faster..." He whispered. Her eyes, her lips. The image brought him over the edge. Stars exploded in front of his eye and he opened his mouth in a soundless scream. Emptying himself on the wall, his knees buckled, and he leaned back, breathing hard. Alone again, the water beginning to turn cold. He straightened himself up, rinsed his body off, and exited the shower. Cramming his feelings down, he slid into bed and turned of the lights.