Mona slowly woke from her sleep and blinked against her blurred vision to recognise the faintly familiar environment she was in, it took her a moment to deduct her location but her memory started to reform as she inhaled the deep scent of wood and spices which surrounded her. It smelled familiar, comforting. A faint smile flickered on her lips at the sense of safety that the scent created, it made her feel comfortable and she couldn't prevent the smile now plastered on her face. After a few more moments of blissful ignorance she remembered why she had settled down on Severus's bed and jumped up to scan the room more thoroughly but to her displeasure it was absence of her Potion's Master. Nervously she pulled her legs up to her body and sighed in annoyance, the covers collapsing against the mattress around her, forming an isolating barrier against the rest of the world and the faint chill that had started to creep into the room. Now she was unsure of what to do, he had promised her that he would be back and the bright light streaming through the window was a painful reminded that he had failed to fulfil his promise to her, she fiddled with the strands of hair which fell in front of her face and sat, attempting to stay still but finding herself unable. With a sigh she stood, albeit somewhat shakily, she hated sitting in one place forever and began to pace the room. Her eyes studied the plain objects that spanned the room until they dropped onto a small black book which sat on top of his table. Edging towards it her fingers stretched out in front of her, as if to grab it. When she reached it she gently ran her fingers along the side, enjoying the texture of the cover, it was leather and she appreciated the quality that Severus demanded. After a few moments she flipped the first page open and started to read the elegant writing, her lips moving softly as she read, her hand pulled out the chair and she sat down, the book finding its way back to the table. Her fingers carefully turned the pages, enjoying the soft noise as it shifted under her fingers, for a moment her mind wandered through the pages, oblivious to the world around her, so absorbed in the world she found herself in that she didn't hear any movement going on around. The words lulled her into a new world, somewhere she wasn't abandoned in the middle of the night.
'Mona' a silky voice called in her ear seductively, she jumped and the copied her actions, falling to land heavily upon her hand=. She heard a chuckle behind her during these events but she still leapt up as normal.
'SEVERUS' she almost shrieked, practically launching herself at his neck, her arms wrapping tightly around him as she buried himself against his chest, happy to be evoked in his warmth. The book, having been knocked by the overexcited girl, jumped with her landing roughly on the floor, its spine exposed to the air and the pages folding against the stone floor. Severus winched as he caught her and he set her down on the floor quickly, masking the pain which ricocheted through his body from the sudden impact. 'Took you long enough' She huffed when her feet reached the ground but her eyes and wide smile betrayed how pleased she was that he had returned. Hers hands fell from his neck and twisted into his fingers.
'I'm sorry' he drawled his voice heavy with tiredness; his eyes had black rings imprinted under them. 'I got called away' he offered by way of response before collapsing onto the bed, although he remained in the sitting position, his long, black cape billowing out around him and laid on the bed like another cover. Mona settled herself besides him immediately, curling against him with curiosity imbedded on her features, her eyes studying him.
'Are you okay?' she asked, her concern betrayed by her voice. Severus sighed and lay back against the bed, shutting his eyes as he did so and blocking out the overly bright light which streamed through the window as if the walls themselves did not exist. 'You can't sleep, it's nearly breakfast time. Why is it so bright in here anyway?' Mona asked looking down at him, her attention span waning slightly as the unusual brightness distracted her. She folded her legs under her body and stared out of the window into the light. 'Aren't we underground?' she whispered, although she knew that he would hear.
'And you shouldn't be in my room, but yet here we are' He whispered, his lips twisting up slightly in a smile as he spoke, his dark eyes opening to look at her for a moment before shutting again. Mona also smiled at his comment before following in lying down, her fingers traced along the soft fabric of the bedding, enjoy the feel of it as it ran through her fingers, something she could not have done the night before out of stress and panic. She loved the texture of it, although she did not recognise it. 'It is bright because it is charmed to do so.' He slurred opening his eyes to study her carefully, she looked at the ceiling, her hair sprayed out around her like a sheet and he smirked. 'Why did you wait for me?' he questioned twining their fingers together as they lay, his black eyes staring at her nimble fingers. She shrugged, albeit with some effort before pressing herself against his shoulder with a delighted sigh.
'you said you would be in'
'Sorry' he whispered again running a finger across her jaw line affectionately. 'You have to go now' he sighed sitting up again and letting go of her hand. Mona sighed as well and followed suit, the fabric of the bedding still grasped in her hand.
'And if I refuse?' She teased with a smirk, letting the fabric slide through her fingers. Severus smirked back and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips.
'go' he commanded, she looked crestfallen as she stared up at his, her brow had developed a crease as she thought.
'They are hurting you, Severus; you need to stop going to see them'
'I was hoping you wouldn't notice.' He half smiled at her, his black eyes mimicking her sadness. He didn't want her to know of any of this, but it couldn't be helped.
'Good day, Professor' she whispered as she walked out the room, she threw a last glance at him as the door shut and she was outside in the cold dungeon air. She stood for a moment enjoying the cold before continuing to the main hall, to breakfast.