AN; Hey guys, sorry it's been a while.. My life has been hella hectic at the moment. I bet you're all excited at Pottermore opening to all? It's all I've been doing all weekend haha. Feel free to add me; AshMahogany26689.. Enough about that. Enjoy the chapter! I know it's a bit short, but bear with me. Thank you so much for the amazing amount of views and reviews you guys have given me. It's overwhelming.
DISCLAIMER; All HP-Goodness belongs to the epic Queen Rowling, Plot and OCs belong to yours truly
CHAPTER NINE; THE NIGHTMARE
"Oh Professor Snape, you scared me," Eleanor said holding her chest.
"I apologise but Molly sent me up here with your food," Professor Snape said pointing to a tray of food on a desk.
"Oh, thank you," Eleanor said, suddenly embarrassed at her state of undress. She walked over to the tray and sat down on the edge of her bed with it. She picked at her food, she didn't have an appetite and still felt nauseated after the day's events.
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Professor Snape said sitting down on Eleanor's bed, at least a metre away from her.
"I-I'm not that hungry," Eleanor said quietly.
"You need to eat something. You're just going to get weaker," Professor Snape said with an air of concern.
"It's fine I, I'm not hungry," Eleanor said a bit louder. She started to feel irritated.
"Eleanor please," Professor Snape said softly.
"I'M NOT HUNGRY!" Eleanor snapped, flipping the tray on to the floor with a crash and standing up. Eleanor held her sides and began to feel tears form in her eyes. Professor Snape silently cleaned up the mess and sighed.
"Sorry," Eleanor mumbled. Professor Snape got up and stood in front of her. She was mentally preparing herself for a verbal beat down but when he folded his arms and looked at her calmly she was thrown off.
"It's okay," Professor Snape said tenderly. Eleanor felt all the resolve in her break and without thinking, flung her arms around Professor Snape's thin waist and started weeping into his surprisingly muscular chest. Professor Snape stood there awkwardly before slowly putting his arms around the sobbing woman.
"Just try to get some sleep," Professor Snape said quietly.
Eleanor felt consoled. Whilst his hug was not as passionate and tender as her late fiancé's she felt a certain warmth from him. She noted that he smelt of sandalwood and aftershave and found it strangely comforting. She reflected back on the evening and appreciated that he had been highly protective of her, snapping at Tonks for hurting her arm, he was there for her when she was sick and readily scooped her up into his arms when she could no longer stand. She realised he was there for her and at that point he was all she needed.
He felt strange, usually if anyone cried in front of him he shoved them away, he thought it was a sign of cowardice. He felt differently about Eleanor though, he knew what it was like to lose somebody he loved dearly. He felt sorry for her, he wished there was someone to be there for him when he lost Lily, but he had no one. He felt a new sense of determination to be there for Eleanor, it took him by complete surprise.
Eleanor eventually broke the embrace, and sniffled.
"I guess I should get some more sleep now huh?" Eleanor murmured quietly.
"That would be a good idea yes. I understand Molly told you about tomorrow?" Professor Snape asked.
"Yes. Are you going to be there?" Eleanor replied, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than ever.
"Of course. I do work there after all," Professor Snape said with a hint of sarcasm. Eleanor rolled her eyes and yawned.
"Go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning," Professor Snape said with a hard edge to his voice. Eleanor nodded sleepily and climbed into bed.
"Goodnight Professor Snape," Eleanor said quietly. Professor Snape stood in front of the door and turned to look at the weary woman before him.
"Goodnight," Professor Snape said softly, before closing the door quietly after him.
Eleanor yawned and pulled the covers around her knowing fully well her dreams would be plagued with nightmares.
Eleanor stared up at the ceiling, deciding that it would be best to let exhaustion take over her than force herself to sleep. Her head pulsated with thoughts, feelings and general confusion about what had happened. Part of her refused to accept James had died, that she had almost been taken to the Malfoy Manor. She wished that everything was instead a nightmare she could wake up from.
Eleanor watched as her fiancé relaxed in front of the TV. He stirred as he heard a succession of four loud bangs behind him. He looked up to see four figures dressed completely in black and with their faces covered with intricately designed masks.
"Excuse me?" James said in confusion, slowly getting up from the couch and approaching the four figures.
"Don't go near me, filthy muggle," one of the figures said, clearly disgusted. James perked a brow.
"What did you just call me?" he asked, clearly taking the word offensively. Two of the figures chuckled mirthlessly.
"Poor muggle doesn't know what's in store for him does he?" One of the figures said mockingly.
"Oh. Muggle," James said with clarity. Eleanor had explained to him some magical terminology.
"Yes, that is what you are," another figure said condescendingly.
"What are you guys doing here? Do you know my fiancée? She's a witch too," James asked, still puzzled.
"This is just cute. Poor muggle all alone without his pretty little fiancée here to save him," another figure said with a sing-songy quality to their voice.
"Is this some sort of trick?" James asked, his voice still full of befuddlement.
"I can assure you, muggle that this is all perfectly serious," the first figure said with mirth.
"I'll call the police, I-I can fight. I'm a black-belt," James said, stammering slightly. All but one of the figures burst out into rapturous laughter.
"This is just too good, the muggle thinks he can defend himself without magic," the second figure said holding their sides as they continued to chuckle.
"Enough," said the fourth figure who had remained silent during the tête-à-tête. The fourth figure stepped forward, their wand pointing straight at James' still beating heart.
"What are you doing?" James asked, panic starting to swim in his hazel eyes.
"I'm doing what should have happened when we first arrived Avada-" the fourth figure started before they were interrupted by James.
"Wait," James said, "Before you kill me, promise me you won't hurt her," James said, tears starting to form in his eyes.
"Hurt who, your fiancée?" One of the other figures said before collapsing with laughter again.
"Yes, don't hurt her. You can kill me, but don't hurt Eleanor," James said bravely. The fourth figure lowered their wand.
"Eleanor?" the fourth figure asked, before raising their wand once more.
"Eleanor Leveson-Browne, the love of my life," James said trying to dislodge the lump in his throat.
The fourth figure nodded solemnly. "I promise to never hurt her," the figure said sincerely. The figure removed their mask to reveal a man with black curtained hair, sallow skin and a hooked nose. James' eyes widened in recognition.
"Avada Kedavra," the fourth figure said quietly as a shot of green light came out from their wand and hit James square in the chest before he could open his mouth to speak, instantly James crumpled to the floor, dead.
Eleanor shot up in her bed, tears streaming down her face and screamed.
"NO, JAMES!" She shrieked, completely grief stricken.
"NO, NO!" Eleanor continued to screech until her throat became hoarse. She could hear panicked footsteps above her as they rushed down the stairs.
She watched as the door swung open to reveal Tonks with her trademark lavender hair and mismatched pajamas.
"Ellie, are you hurt?" Tonks said as she took in Eleanor's pained appearance.
"He-he killed him," Eleanor said, her voice becoming angry and confused.
"Who killed who Ellie?" Tonks asked, approaching Eleanor slowly as if she was a wounded lion.
"He killed my James," Eleanor said accusingly before tears started to fall down her face.
"Who killed James?" Tonks asked tenderly, trying to pry information from her friend.
"Professor Snape, he killed my fiancé," Eleanor croaked as her tears became sobs. Tonks tutted in concern.
"I'm sure he would never do such a thing Ellie, he's one of us. He's a good guy," Tonks said as she sat down on Eleanor's bed. Eleanor wrenched her feet under herself curling into a ball.
"He killed him. He was wearing Death Eater robes, I saw it," Eleanor said shaking her head.
"Are you sure you didn't just dream it?" Tonks asked softly, putting a hand on Eleanor's knee.
"No, it happened. It felt so real," Eleanor whispered, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to recall her nightmare.
"I'm sure it was a nightmare Eleanor, you know what Professor Snape is like. He would never kill anyone. Come on, I'll make you some hot chocolate and calm you down," Tonks soothed, holding her arm out to Eleanor. Eleanor reluctantly took Tonks' hand and the two crept down the stairs.
AN; I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I was a bit weary about writing this one, especially the interaction between Eleanor and Severus.. I know he probably wouldn't have hugged her back.. But we can all dream right? PLEASE Review.. Just if it's one word or whatever. Continue your love and support and I will continue posting! Ciao for now bellas! xoxoxo
