A/N: Sorry for the wait. Enjoy. :D
Broken Hearts' Remains
Draco glanced towards Blaise, frowning as he sat atop of his cot in the hospital wing. He had heard his friend's words, but what he was saying couldn't be true. It didn't even seem real. Severus had been on the Order's side for years? All of his actions, all of his words were pretend? None of it was real?
"You all right, Malfoy?"
"No." The blond shook his head. "You just told me everything I thought I knew was wrong. I saw my parents . . ." He swallowed back the memories. "I watched them die, and yet . . . I feel as if they're still there with me, you know? Merlin, Blaise, I feel nuttier than . . . than anything."
"Well, you were pretty far gone, you know." Blaise cocked his head to the side. "Potter seems to want to help you. Maybe you should let him. He's, well, a good ally for a Slytherin to have these days."
"He really killed him?" He lowered his voice. "You know . . . the Dark Lord?"
"Yeah Professor Snape did. It was rather odd, though. Used a Stasis spell to contain the Killing Curses, which finished him," replied the Slytherin. "Loads of people thought Potter was dead, but somehow he was fine. He scared a lot of people when he spoke. Slytherins were thinking they were nutters too. Merlin, if that was all it took, though, a stinking Stasis spell and destroy some wicked artifacts, someone should have done it long ago."
Draco nodded slowly. He'd still have his parents if someone had. His eyes darted to his left forearm before moving his sleeve up. He frowned at the marred flesh where the Mark had been.
"Could I ask you a question?" Blaise winced then. "Why'd you do it? Why'd you join?"
"Family," quietly answered the young Slytherin. "Dad was in Azkaban, and it fell on me to get us back to our glory." He shook his head. "Wasn't worth it, though, all of the lies and broken promises."
"Yeah, but you have a chance to make up for it now, you know?"
"I know." Draco sighed. "I should be with him, Blaise. I should be on trial right alongside him."
"Are you going to take it then? The plea deal Potter got worked out for you—well, that attorney of his he hired at least? I mean, four years is pretty good, considering, Draco."
"I don't know." He closed his eyes. "Maybe . . ." Four years in Azkaban for one mistake . . .
~IL~
Six days had passed since Aurora had read that article about Severus. She couldn't deny that a part of her wanted to go see him. If he was saying her name, then something was likely weighing on his mind. He had been in Azkaban for almost two months with little to no visitors. Even if the Dementors were gone, he'd still have the awful loneliness to contend with. But she didn't care. She couldn't anymore. He took that from her, replacing it with darkness that clung to her like a lifeline now.
"There's my baby girl," stated a wizard with short dark brown hair and rich chocolaty eyes. He embraced her warmly. "I'm so glad you came. I was beginning to think you wouldn't, Aura."
"Thanks, Dad." She sighed, frowning as she pulled back.
Spending the Christmas season with her family was just what she needed. She knew her parents wouldn't bring up Severus. Her mother quite frankly wouldn't care, and her father would be overjoyed with just her coming . . . considering. However, she knew she was running the risk of a breakdown with her father nearby. There was just something about him that made her reveal all her secrets.
"Have you even been taking care of yourself?"
"Please don't. I'm fine." She turned her back to her father, glancing out the window. She knew he'd get the hint to drop it. He wouldn't run the risk of her running. He just wouldn't. However, when he spoke again, she closed her eyes, biting back her anger-filled words.
"Bull. You aren't even close to fine!" Her father shook his head in clear disapproval. "Aura, have you even seen a Mind Healer yet?"
"No." She wrapped her arms tighter. "I don't need to either. I'm perfectly fine, Dad. I don't need some shrink telling me that there's something wrong when there isn't. I've never felt better in fact."
"Quit lying. You're hurting, baby girl. It's understandable, too. Anyone would be after—"
"Don't! Just . . . don't." She backed away from her father, shaking her head angrily. The familiar ache deep within her hurt again. She felt—she wanted to run. She wanted to get away from the pain. "Don't," she said, her voice breaking. Why did he bring that up? Didn't he know it hurt? "No!"
"Aura, look at yourself. You're hurting. Please go see the Mind Healer. It'll help."
Her arms tightened around herself. She couldn't take anymore. She'd thought a visit to Windsor would distract her like everything else had. She had thought she'd forget all about it, but it didn't.
"Baby girl, please," her father begged. "Aura, love, listen to me. Baby girl, I'm afraid if you don't, then the next funeral I'll attend will be yours instead of—"
Unable to take his words anymore, she turned on spot, Disapparating instantly. She didn't need him to remind her about that. She'd close her eyes, and there it'd be . . . her heartbreak once more, the pain and the loss.
When she reappeared, she stumbled slightly, catching herself against the stone wall. She noticed the wizard heading towards her with his wand drawn. She, however, made no visible reaction.
"Miss, what are you doing here?" The wizard's pale green eyes narrowed on her, likely noticing her emotional distress. "There are no visitors to be here tonight. It's Christmas Eve. Go home and come back in a few days."
"No." She shook her head, raising her wand towards him as she glared at the wizard. She wordlessly summoned his wand, holding it a moment later. "Not then. Tonight. I want to see that bastard tonight . . . I have something to give that slimy git." She wanted to scream, cry, and break things. She'd do it too if it meant that the pain was gone. She hated it. She hated the heartache, the pain, the loss she felt now. "Take me to him. Take me to that lying, murderous son of a bitch!" Her voice cracked as the familiar sallow face swirled about her mind. Her tone was cold and heartless, though.
Somehow knowing exactly whom she was raving about, the wizard nodded, motioning for her to follow. There weren't many wizards left in Azkaban that'd provoke that sort of reaction, though, except one. They stopped in an abandoned, dimly-lit corridor, and he pointed down the hallway, sighing.
"He's down there. Can't say he talks much," the wizard stated quietly.
Aurora glanced towards the wizard before flicking her wrist and sending him flying against a nearby wall. He wasn't needed anymore. She clenched her teeth, her knuckles white as she gripped her wand with all her might. She stepped up to the bars, a curse on her tongue intended for the broken man that lay silently on the cot.
~IL~
With his eyes closed and his breathing even lying on the cot in his cell in Azkaban, he dreamt of that night, that terrible June night when his world came crashing down yet again. After all, there wasn't much else for him to do. He was alone, utterly alone with just the three witches whom he damned, whom he hurt, whom he wronged.
~IL~
The rich scent of raspberries and strawberries filled the air. The little light from the candles danced across the walls. His heart beat quietly in his chest, and nearly skipped when he felt the gentle hand on his arm. He swallowed at the kindness Aurora was showing him.
"Severus." Her voice, so soft, practically caressed his name.
"I was a Death Eater, Aurora." He added in his head, I've done terrible things. I don't deserve this, any of this kindness, from you. He then closed his eyes. "I am not good." If I was, then I wouldn't even consider doing this to you, hurting you like this.
"You're not bad either," the witch argued, her dark eyes holding his. "You made a mistake, Severus, but you're not him anymore. You're not Death Eater Severus. You've lived your life, helping the Order. You're not him."
"Then who am I?" His heart thundered in his ears as he waited.
"You're Severus Snape, the current Head of Slytherin in addition to being the Defense against the Dark Arts professor. You're an extremely wise individual who knows his limits but frequently tests himself to surpass them. And when you make a mistake, rare as it is since you pride yourself on not being an idiot, you learn from it, usually through loads of pain."
"So then I'm a masochist?"
"No. Quite the opposite in fact," she answered quietly. "You don't enjoy the hurt and loss that comes from your mistakes. But the reminder that you're human puts you at ease, though. I'd imagine because it reminds you that you're alive, that you're still here with us."
Closing his eyes, he inclined his head. If that was all it was, then he'd sleep better now. With a frown, he reopened his eyes and glanced at her. He could see the love she had for him written all over her face. He knew if he just asked her to join him, she would. He felt sick, staring at her. However, he forced himself to remain staring into those warm brown eyes full of kindness and love, all of which he didn't deserve.
"What are you thinking so intensely about, Severus?"
"How beautiful you are." His voice was rich and full of silk. He caught her eyes glancing down instantly and the slight color to her face in response to his words.
"So you keep telling me." Her soft red lips went to her glass once more, taking yet another small sip of the sweet elf-wine.
His eyes trailed down her. Everything was close to perfection with her from what he could see. Her beautiful brown eyes were so full of emotion; her lovely ashen skin, so porcelain-like as if a doll. Her luscious lips were so enthralling, and her full breasts, hidden underneath her midnight blue robes, seemed to him as if they were just demanding to be touched.
"Now what are you thinking about?"
Not answering, he rose from his chair, dinner long forgotten. If it had been any other witch, he'd have held out longer, but the look . . . Here was a witch who didn't find him hideous, who didn't find him to be unworthy of her. Who was he to deny her, to deny himself if he were honest?
His long pale fingers brushed back her feathery soft hair before he leaned down to capture her lips. The moment he felt her kiss back, he closed his eyes, knowing that he had just damned her. Her arms encircled his neck, drawing him in more which he wholeheartedly accepted. He could feel her emotions, swirling around in her mind. She wanted this . . . wanted him . . . badly.
Pulling back, he drew in a quick breath, noticing her momentary confusion instantly. He could feel her love, her happiness . . . her everything she had for him. She had bared her soul, and he would be the bastard to rip it in half. But he had to in order to keep her safe, to keep her alive.
He held a hand out to her palm up, his stomach clenching when she grabbed it without a second of hesitation. He felt her warmth, her quick heartbeat against his skin. With his eyes holding hers, he slowly moved his arms underneath her, sweeping her up of her feet before he carried her towards his bedroom. She would be the first witch ever to be invited in there . . . and she would be the last.
Placing her gently atop of his bed, he swallowed back the regrets, the doubts, the fears. He had to see this through to the end. It was the only way. His lips brushed over her soft ones once more, deepening it a moment later when he heard the delicious moan escaping her lips. Her hands slid in between the opening of his robes, her fingers seeking out his naked skin and finding it soon after. He couldn't help but smile against her lips when her hands tore open his robes and roughly shoved the offending clothes of his shoulders.
He was rather thankful that he had just worn his robes today and not the usual white undershirt. He then sucked in air when her hands found the waistband of his boxers. Clearly, she wasn't one for taking it slow. Though, he guessed he should have assumed that, considering how strong her feelings were for him.
His hands moved to her silky hair, twirling a dark curl around a finger before he moved down the rest of her body. If she wasn't going to take it slow, then why should he? There was a schedule to be had after all. His fingers found the fastenings for her robes, banishing them a moment later when they only led to frustration.
A moment later, he felt his arousal increase when his hands came in contact with fleshy mounds of delight. He chuckled inwardly at the realization that he had been a bit more . . . enthusiastic with his Banishing Charm than he had previously thought. He felt her arch up against him as he caressed her, hearing her soft moans of pleasure in response. The sounds coming from her only fueled him even more. He rarely had a witch who was so aroused by just his touch.
Watching her face of pure enjoyment, he moved his hands lower, his fingertips brushing her skin as they headed south towards the dark curls that hid her sex from him. His heart beat even faster when her legs suddenly wrapped around his waist as her body arched up to meet his. He could feel himself pressing against her opening, the warmth coming off her and the delicious wetness that started to coat the tip of his erect member. He swallowed back the groan that nearly left his throat. She was so ready for him. All he had to do was slide into her, and she'd be his.
His hands rested on her hips as he held her for a moment. He waited until she opened her eyes again before pushing himself slightly into her wet folds. He felt the warmth instantly and heard her low moan as he continued to enter her slowly. Once he was as far as he could go, he stopped with a shudder as he felt how wonderfully tight she was around him. Pressing soft kisses against her neck, he waited as her body became accustomed to his size.
"Sin—" he breathed out, unable to finish saying her name as a jolt of pleasure struck him.
"Severus," she whispered against him, kissing him tenderly a moment later. Her tongue traced his lips lightly before she hesitantly slid it in between his part.
Their tongues then dueled, each wanting to assert dominance over the other and not giving the other any leeway. When the lack of oxygen started to affect them, they quickly pulled back. Both panted, their chest heaving and pressing their flesh even more against one another.
"I . . ." He drew in another deep breath. "I don't want to . . . to hurt you."
"So don't."
A/N: I might have a present for you tomorrow if you're good. I wanted to show you the entire betrayal of that night in its entirety, but I'm not certain how many of you want to see that in this story or in an one-shot. You tell me, peeps.
