No One Mourns The Wicked
Prologue
Present Day
She was dying, that much he knew. Her once beautiful storm grey eyes were nowblack and shot through with blood. Everything about her seemed decaying, nearly lifeless.Her skin had become tinged with blue and violet hues. And every few moments she raised herhandkerchief to her blackened lips to keep him from seeing the blood she was continually coughing up. Dying, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.
"I'm sorry, love...I didn't think to put on any make-up." Even at a time like this, she could still find humor in the situation. He tried to laugh, but found his voice cracked. She smiled and he thought he saw a flicker of her old self return.
"Let me get you somewhere warmer, Mina. Hold on for a few more hours. The cure is almost finished. I promise..." She raised her hand, stroking his face lovingly.
"We both know that I don't have a few more hours, Severus." He lifter her easily and carried her to his study, looking longingly towards his lab as he set her on the sofa and knelt beside her. He cradled her fragile body close with a tenderness that was so unusual for the cold and bitter man.
"I could help you..." He tried again, almost pleading with her.
"No you can't, Severus. It's just...time for me to go. You know that even if you're not willing to admit it yet. You can't keep me here forever, as much as I'd love to stay with you. You have to let me go, Sev." Her eyes fluttering shut, he struggled to find the words for her. If only there were more time.
"I love you." He finally said, and leaned closer to give her a final kiss. She put a finger to his lips.
"And I you, but I don't want you to remember me this way. I want you to remember me as I was before all of this happened." He smiled at her, thinking back.
"I will, everyone will." She looked as though a burden had been lifted as she drew in her last breath.
"Don't forget me?"
"Never."
He sat, holding her for a long time after that. Death had done what
life could not do
for her. She merely looked as though she were sleeping. But that
couldn't be, he knew, for
her dreams had been haunted too.