Chapter 7
Scarlet's eyes were filled with sadness as she gazed at the horror on his face.
"Severus, I-"
"Why are you here," he demanded. She couldn't speak. All she could do was breath. Her heart ached and she could hear it beating. "Why are you here?" Severus asked trying to hold himself back from yelling. "Yes, I'm an Auror." She looked up at the black figure that stood before her. "So you were sent here to kill me?" He asked holding back tears. "No! No, I was sent here to collect information….on – on you." Scarlet tried to pull herself together.
"Why? So you could help send me to Azkaban? So that you could get rid of me?" He had now changed his tone to distain. "Did you not hear the conversation my father and I had? I knew you were standing there the whole time. You followed me from the castle, I know you did." Scarlet was not going to allow him to make her feel even more guilty than she already did. "Answer me!" Severus had now lost his temper. He had hidden and controlled his emotions and his thoughts, yet she still sensed him.
"Yes! Alright! Yes. I was sent here to spy on you and collect evidence that you're a Death Eater. I know you are Severus, but I also believe Dumbledore. Lily's death changed you. You are working as –"
"Don't, mention, her name," he said sternly, pointing his finger at her. "You are a liar. You manipulate. How are you any different than I am? No. You are no different from me." His voice had lowered and disappointment washed over his face. "No, I'm not. Everything after that day in your storeroom; everything has been real." Scarlet looked at him, her eyes softened and so did her voice.
"You're afraid….you're scared of what could happen. Severus, I just betrayed my father and my family.."
"To protect me?" He interrupted.
"Yes. I cannot be a part of my father's plans any longer…" Her voice cracked.
"I thought you were kind, gentle, and honest. You've betrayed me. How do I know everything wasn't a lie? How do I know you are not lying to me now?" Severus demanded answers. Scarlet turned around and walked to the nearest brook, she took out her wand, "Lumos." A light appeared at the end of it. She walked through the thick forest as she felt his presents follow her. They arrived at the brook and she melted the ice with a fire spell. Severus asked, "Why are we here? Answer me." Scarlet took a step toward the rushing water, she closed her eyes and took a breath as she remembered her happiest memory. "Expecto… Patronum." She waved her wand and out of it came a corporeal patronus; it flew onto the water. Yes, she was able to produce a patronus and on the lake sat a swan, eluminated in a blue and white light. A tear ran down Severus' cheek. He knew what this patronus meant; everything she was, everything she had shown him, was pure. Scarlet turned and looked at him with tear filled eyes. "Look for yourself," she gestured with her wand towards her patronus. They stood in that familiar silence, gazing at each other. Suddenly, Severus started to walk towards her keeping his eyes in contact with hers. As the gap between them got smaller Scarlet's mind became emptier with each step he took. They were now face to face; closer than they had ever been. Severus reached out his hand, placed it under her hair, wrapping his fingers around the back of her neck and pulled her closer. He kissed her passionately. Scarlet's body relaxed and she dropped her wand on the snow covered ground. He slowly pulled away, both their eyes were closed and their breath could be seen in the cold air, becoming one. Scarlet opened her eyes; she had decided. She wrapped her arms around the shoulders of the man she had once hated and kissed him. As they stood in the forbidden forest, it went dark while her patronus faded and they were enveloped in each other's' arms, locked in a kiss. They slowly opened their eyes, gazing at each other they disappeared.
They looked around and found themselves in Severus' quarters. Scarlet could hear a heartbeat, but this time, it wasn't hers. As she gazed into the black eyes before her, she knew it was his she heard, but she didn't care anymore. No more secrets, no more lies, no more hatred. She ran her delicate hands under his cloak and slid it down his back. The black fabric dropped to the floor and Severus knew he could no longer hold back. He removed her cloak and running his hand over her waist he walked behind her. Scarlet could feel his breath; she closed her eyes revelling in every sensation, every touch. He leans in and gently kisses her neck. She could feel his cracked lips pressing against her soft skin. Severus started to untie the lace of her dress and loosened it. He ran his hands over her shoulders, sliding her dress down just above her elbows. He was shocked at the sight. Her back was scarred as if something had once melted her flesh. Scarlet wrapped her arms over her chest; she knew what he saw and why he had stopped. She turned her head to the side and softly uttered the words, "Leave it be…" Severus scanned the scarred damaged skin. He didn't care, nothing mattered anymore. He slid the silver dress down. It dropped to the floor and Scarlet was exposed. She had now allowed herself to be what she had always feared; vulnerable. "Severus…", she moaned as he ran his hands across her waist, over her chest releasing her arms from their tight grip. His hands found their way down her thighs. Her body quivered from his touch. Scarlet turned around, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him intensely. She could feel him part her lips with his tongue. His breathing had become shallow and his hands warm. She starts to undo all those buttons. As his tight jacket started to part his bare chest revealed itself. Severus, refusing to break the kiss removed it himself. Scarlet pulled away with intent and grabbed his hand. There it was, the mark she had been dreading. She wasn't scared, nor was she ashamed. She felt his hand leave hers and take her waist, pulling her closer. He started to kiss her neck again, caressing her skin with his warm breath and wet tongue. Walking forward pushing her gently towards the bed behind her, she fell onto the black cotton covered mattress. She felt a sensation she had never experienced before. His hand was between her legs; caressing, stroking, touching. Scarlet moaned and ran her fingers through his raven coloured hair. Severus couldn't take much more. He pushed her further back towards the wooden headboard, he undid his belt buckle. "Severus…" Scarlet needed to hear his voice. "No more words," he whispered placing his brow against hers. Scarlet caressed his back; rendering him breathless by her touch. She liked it; he was just as vulnerable. With one slow thrust, the bond was made. There two pale bodies moved in sync with one another. He rested his head on her shoulder and she held him close, wrapping her body around his. A sensation starts to build inside them. Hearts were pounding; lips were shaking. He gripped her skin between his teeth and groaned. Scarlet's body shivered in ecstasy as the sensation ignited inside her; her hips thrust upward as she moaned loudly. The room was quiet, filled only by the sound of two breathless beings trying to catch air.
They lay there in the moonlight….close…closer than they had ever been to anyone, with her hands in his hair and his cheek pressed against her chest. "I can hear it…" he said softly. "What?" she asked in a whisper. "Your heart."
Scarlet sat in the four post bed with her body covered in black. She replayed the events of that evening in her mind. She closed her eyes, reliving his touch, his warmth. Beside her lay a sleeping Severus peacefully. She gave a small smile and lay beside him, turning her back to him. Staring at the stone wall, there were no regrets. Suddenly she felt his hand caress the mark that she was so ashamed of. "What happened?" He asked in a gentle tone. "Does it have something to do with that memory?" Scarlet closed her eyes as a single tear ran down her cheek. She nodded, she was ready to let him in completely.
