Chapter 11: Nightmares and dreamscapes.
Skye's POV
Yesterday I told Severus about my fears. He probably thinks I'm a silly little girl right now, but he's the one that had wanted to know. Last night I had a nightmare again. But not the usual one.
-Flashback-
Darkness… endless darkness… I didn't know where I was… then a light went on. I looked around. The room was so small that if I stretched my hands out, I would be able to the touch the walls. Then the room became bigger and it was filled with spiders and snakes… slithering and crawling over one another… then a thousand crows swooped in from a place unknown to me…
I yelled.
I was woken up, by Severus.
He sat down on the bed next to me.
He told me to clear my mind.
I couldn't succeed.
Normally I did, but last night I couldn't.
He stayed with me the whole time, which was nice of him.
-End of flashback-
He actually stayed with me the whole night, because when I woke up, he was asleep in a chair next to my bed.
I immediately closed my eyes again. I didn't know what his reaction might have been if he knew that I saw him.
Minutes later he woke me up.
"Get up."
Wasn't he extremely polite? I thought sarcastically.
I groaned and pulled the covers above my head.
"Skye, we have to go get your schoolbooks."
"Did the owl come?"
"No, but I'd rather we do it early, as I have to accompany you."
"Okay." I sat up and swung my legs of the bed. He had left already. I went to my wardrobe and pulled put the neatest muggle clothes I had: black, faded jeans and a blue T-shirt.
There was a knock on the front door.
I heard Severus bustle outside and went to open the door.
"Good morning, Severus." The voice greeted.
"Morning, Minerva."
"Might I come in?"
"Of course, just give me a moment."
I heard him move down the hall; then he knocked softly on my door.
I opened it slightly.
"I'll be quiet." I promised. He nodded. I closed the door as quietly as I could.
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Severus' POV
"I'll be quiet." She promised. With a nod I walked to the living room where Minerva was waiting for me.
"Do you have a guest, Severus?" Minerva asked me.
"Yes."
"Who is it?"
"Minerva, I am not obligated to answer that question."
She look I received would've killed me if it was possible. I, however, remained under a cool facade and looked at the older woman.
"Minerva, we both know that this is not a social visit, and I would appreciate it if you would cut to it."
"One of your students has gone missing."
I cast a non-verbal mufflatio on the living room door before waiting for Minerva to continue.
"Skyler Night."
Go figure.
"I was at the Orphanage. They told me that her father had picked her up."
Tension was building up as I not only remained quiet, but kept eye-contact.
"They said her father's name is Severus Snape."
Still, I waited for her to talk. I was not going to blow my cover as heartless Potions Master just yet. It's much too fun.
"Severus, did you go get that girl?"
I was saved from answering as another knock on the door sounded. I excused myself and almost ran to the door. Narcissa and Draco were waiting outside. I opened the door quickly and grabbed Draco's arm before Apparating him to Skye's room. Before I returned I motioned for him to remain quiet.
Narcissa looked flabbergasted when I arrived again with a soft 'crack'.
"Morning, Cissy." I said pleasantly. I motioned for her to go inside, but as she passed me I whispered into her ear that Draco was in Skye's room and that she should pretend that she'd come to pick him up.
"Morning, Sev."
She was the only person, apart from Lily, that I had ever allowed to call me that. She feigned surprise when she saw Minerva.
"Morning, Professor McGonagall."
"Morning, Madam Malfoy."
"I apologize for intruding, but I'm here to collect Draco…" In the second part of the sentence she looked at me. I felt that she was trying to come inside my mind, so I allowed it. She saw that I wanted her to pretend that she had adopted Skye. "…and Skye."
I would've kissed her just there and then had it not been that she was my friend's wife.
"Skye? Are you speaking of Skyler Night?"
"Why, yes, we are. How did you know?" Narcissa pretended to be surprised.
"She went missing a few weeks ago…"
"Not at all, professor. She's just visiting."
"Whom is she visiting?"
"Draco had told us so much about her that we felt pity for the girl. It wasn't an easy decision, but Lucius and I decided that no Slytherin should have to live in a place like that, thus we invited her for the summer."
"Why did you not contact the school with this decision?" Minerva asked her.
"We did. The headmaster knows."
"And… are both children here, now?"
"Yes, we thought they would enjoy the night with Severus." Narcissa lied so easily.
"Is that so?"
"We thought that Skye, poor dear, should have freedom too, and Sev here was just too happy to take them on an outing."
"Can I see them?"
"Do you not believe that they are here?" I asked in monotone, but, then again, I only had two tones: Loud and soft.
"Of course I believe you, Severus, I just wish to see the children." The older woman sure knew how to fish for information. I caught Narcissa's eye. Obviously this was what she was thinking, too. I removed he charm I had placed earlier.
"Very well." I led the way to Skye's room – and then remembered that Skye had decorated her room. This would take explaining, as Potter and his fellow Gryffindors were on the wall. I knocked on the door softly.
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Skye's POV
I sat on my bed as Severus went to the living room. The one second I heard every word said in the conversation, the next nothing. So it surprised me when Severus and Draco appeared in my room, Severus motioning for Draco to keep quiet and then disappearing again. Draco and I looked at each other before greeting.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"That was awful."
I smiled. Awful wasn't what I used. But, still, rather suffocating darkness (Which I hated) to spinning uncontrollably (which was something I hated even more).
"It's better than flooing." I said with a shiver.
"I prefer the floo to… whatever I just did."
"Apparating." I explained.
"Oh."
"Is McGonagall still here?" I asked.
"I think so – I'd heard her voice before I was brought here."
"Hmmm… I wonder why Severus brought you here. Wait!"
"What?" He sounded irritated.
"McGonagall doesn't know I'm here… and I heard something about a student going missing… that's it!"
"Please return to English."
"Severus brought you here, because McGonagall can't know I'm here, and, this way, if she decides to go through the house and finds us – we can say that you're visiting him, I'm visiting you. It's genius!"
"That is genius!" Draco sounded a bit surprised.
"Let's make him think we're geniuses too, then." I said, Draco looked at me from the corner of his eye.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's take off all of the decorations in the room; otherwise it will be fairly obvious that I am not just a visitor."
"Skye, you're whiz!"
"No, no, no, I'm a witch."
He looked amused, but he didn't laugh or even crack a smile.
"Look, I realize I'm not funny, but would it kill you to smile at me?" I demanded of him. He only raised his eyebrows and began to pull the photos from the walls and bedstead. My books were pushed into the cupboard. After all that Draco and I sat down on the floor and started playing Exploding Snap with a pack of cards that he'd had on him. This would look like we were bored and waiting for Mrs. Malfoy to come pick us up.
A soft knock on the door.
Draco jumped up to open it, and he opened it widely. I saw Severus' eyes wander over the room, and I thought he almost smiled.
I realized that the men in my life weren't keen on being happy. Well, I'll change that. At least Harry, Ron and Blaise knew how to laugh.
"Hi, professor." Draco said politely.
"Draco, darling!" Mrs. Malfoy exclaimed and she threw her arms around Draco. I stood up and approached the door.
"Skye, dear." Mrs. Malfoy pulled me into a hug too.
I stood frozen.
What the hell just happened?
"Hi, ma'am." I said tentatively, and then I turned to the teacher. "Hello, professor."
"Good morning."
"Do you believe now that I did not kidnap the child, Minerva?" Severus asked her, his voice held a little irritancy.
"Yes, I shall be leaving you in peace now. I just wished to give the young Miss Night this." She handed me some letters. I took them and thanked her.
Severus escorted her out.
When he returned to my room, he seemed to be fighting an inner battle. After what felt like hours he looked at me and Draco.
"You two were brilliant."
"Thanks!"
"Thank you."
"As were you, Cissy."
"Anytime, Sev."
"Mum, we should tell him why we're here." Draco said.
"Yes, yes, we should. Severus, Draco has told me something very upsetting."
"What would that be?"
"That Skye desperately needs new clothes." She said tragically.
Severus turned to look at me.
"Hmm. I guess so. We were just on our way out…"
"No, no, no, Sev. You will be taking Draco with you today, and I shall be taking Skye shopping. Is that clear?"
I couldn't stop from laughing. Here was someone giving the notorious Professor Severus Snape an order. Everyone looked at me.
"Oh, come, on! Don't tell me I'm the only one that found that funny!" I said exasperatedly. With that Narcissa turned to Draco.
"She thinks I'm funny."
"Why, Skye, I believe that you've crept into my mother's heart." Draco said with a hint of surprise in his voice. I smiled at her again.
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Mrs. Malfoy proved to be a great shopper. She insisted on paying for everything – much to Severus' dismay when he later found out. She told him that he shouldn't feel bad, because she's got enough money to buy the whole Diagon Alley. She also has great taste. She bought me jeans, T-shirts, some cute frilly shirts and skirts, and also jackets with random colored socks and shoes. I couldn't stop thanking her.
The day turned out with Draco staying with us again.
It turns out that Severus had dragged him about everywhere. When I entered my room I was surprised to see that a bookcase had been added.
"Do you like it?" I jumped as Severus spoke behind me.
"Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
"Thank you, Severus."
He left me to my thoughts. I thought about my nightmares. Why did I keep dreaming about the same kind of darkness? Why was there always rustling next to me?
123
Severus' POV
Cissy and I were standing in the kitchen, I was trying (and failing) to make dinner. Skye was probably packing her books away.
"Sev, you need to talk to that girl."
"I know that, Cissy."
"Why don't you do it, then?" She asked me. I slammed the knife I was using to cut potatoes with on the sink.
"For the main reason that I don't know how to do it, Narcissa. My father was never around – so how am I to know what to do?"
She put her hand gently on my shoulder.
"Sev, it'll come naturally to you."
"Cissy, she keeps having nightmares."
"About what?"
"Darkness. At first there's a little light, then it grows smaller and colder… and every time there's a noise to her one side… then she waked up, screaming."
"What do you do?"
"If she's not awake, I shake her awake. I then tell her to clear her mind, and she's fine after that."
"What?" She was outraged.
"Cissy?"
"Sev, if a little girl or boy has a nightmare you have to ensure them that they're safe!"
"I don't know how to do that!" I had given up on slicing the potatoes by hand and waved my wand – the knife began cutting on its own accord.
"Sev…"
An ear-piercing scream filled the air. I ran to the source… wand at the ready…
I found Skye against the wall… she was screaming at nothing in particular, but from her eyes I could tell there was something wrong…
"Skye?"
Her response was to scream… Draco appeared out of nowhere…
"It's happening…" His voice was soft.
"Draco, what's happening?" I asked him.
"That thing that was supposed to happen on the 18th of April."
Skye's birthday.
She was supposed to have transformed that day – but something, I didn't know what, prevented it from happening.
"Skye? Skye, child?" I walked towards her slowly.
"It… hurtsssss…." She screamed. I saw her eyes turn from green to red… her facial features turned from human to canine ever-so-slightly… I grabbed one of Narcissa's and Draco's arms. I pushed them out of the room.
"Go get my Potion bag." I instructed Draco before going back and closing the door behind me.
"Skye?"
"Se.. ver..usss…"
"I'm here, child." I let my hand slide over the side of her face. I felt that she had a very high fever.
"Youuuu… hav… tooo.. geeeeeeeet… awayyyy frommm…. meee…" She screamed as she pushed herself against the wall. She dug her nails into the wall.
"No."
"Sev?" Narcissa knocked on the door.
"Open the door!" I yelled, when she opened it a little I yelled "Accio Potions Bag!"
"Sev…."
"Hush…"
I forced a Calming Draught down her throat, another few minutes passed… her features returned to normal… her eyes from red to green… her nails became shorter and she pulled them from the wall… her screams died down… until they finally stopped completely.
I sighed with relief.
She was okay… sort of.
"Skye?"
Her eyes found mine.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Yes." The word was breathed out, not said. I picked her up, cradling her to my chest, and put her on her bed, gently.
"Sev? Is everything all right?" Cissy called from the outside.
"Can I tell them to come in?" I asked her. She blinked at me – I understood it as yes.
"Come in." I called back.
The door opened and they entered.
Draco ran to the other side of the bed and grabbed her hand.
"Mum, can I stay here tonight?" He asked instantly.
"What happened?" She ignored him and looked at me.
"She fell asleep and sleepwalked." I said. I knew Draco wouldn't have told his mother about Skye being a shape-shifter, he had promised her that he would keep it quiet.
"Mum, can I stay here tonight?" Draco repeated.
"If it's all right with Severus, of course you may."
I felt their gazes on me. I just waved my hand at them, knowing they would take it as a yes.
They left the house to go get Draco's things. I stayed with Skye. She kept looking at me with pain in her eyes, she was lying still, but she was in pain.
I remembered that Cissy had told me to make a child that's had a nightmare feel secure.
Well, Skye's in a living nightmare.
How does one do that?
I watched her. Then I carefully reached out and touched her hand – like Draco had done. I felt her fingers relax and I watched her eyes close. Soon she was asleep.
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"Sev?" A hand gently shook my shoulder. I woke up and sat upright. My back was killing me. I looked around. Where was I again?
"Sev, you awake?"
"No, Narcissa, I'm obviously still asleep." I said, stifling a yawn.
I saw that I was still holding Skye's hand, Narcissa had noticed this too, but she ignored it – something I was grateful for.
"Draco's asleep in the spare bedroom. I told Lucius that he and I should have a quiet night at home… to talk."
"Thank you."
Narcissa looked at the girl.
"She deserves to be cared for."
"I know." I said dryly.
"Do you know how surprised and thankful she was for the clothes I had bought for her?"
"I would be too, Cissy, it was a boatload."
"No, Sev, I'm talking about normal clothing."
"You should remember that she grew up in an Orphanage."
"So should you." She said, "She's been starved of affection her whole life. All she wishes for is a father."
"Cissy…"
"I'll see you again, Sev."
She placed a hand on my shoulder again.
"Go get some sleep."
After that she left. I was reluctant to leave Skye alone, but Cissy was right. I did need some sleep. I got up and went to my room. It was the first one on the left – the one next to Skye's. I settled into bed and soon I was asleep.
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"Severus, wake up!"
Someone was shaking me.
"Severus, please!" It was a terrified voice. It was Draco's voice.
I flew up and as I did so, I knocked Draco down.
Roughly, I pulled him up and demanded to know why he had awoken me. He just whispered one word: "Skye."
I ran to her room. She was thrashing around again.
"I couldn't wake her up." Draco said from behind me. I went to her side and shook her – as I always did to wake her. Her eyes flew open, they found mine. Tears welled up in them… and before I could stop myself or even stop to think I sat down next to her and put my arms around her.
I'd surprised myself.
But I had already started… and I'm not going to stop now.
I moved my hand up and down her back soothingly. I felt her arms hug mine carefully…
"It's all right, you're fine now." I kept whispering.
"Draco, go get my Potions Bag."
I heard him leave the room.
I wonder if this happened at the Orphanage too.
"Sev?"
"Thank you, Draco." I let go of Skye with one arm, and I forced her head backwards before throwing a Dreamless Sleep Potion down her throat. I lied her down gently on her pillow. She looked at me again. I wondered vaguely if there was something on my face.
"Did you have nightmares at the Orphanage too?"
She shook her head.
"What about at school? Did you have them there?"
Again, she shook her head.
"Would you allow me in your mind?"
She frowned.
"You know how I tell you to clear your mind every time before you go to sleep?"
She nodded.
"While I did that, I taught you some Occlumency. This is something that will prevent anyone from entering your mind. The opposite of Occlumency is Legilimency. This is an art that will one to enter another's mind."
She looked less confused.
"I will try to get behind the source of your nightmares by entering your mind. But I will only do so if you allow me."
She seemed amused, but nodded.
"You can sleep now. You won't dream."
She nodded and closed her eyes.
"Wow."
"What, Draco?"
"I never thought I'd see that."
I hid a smile from him.
