Chapter Seven: An Unexpected Storm
Dorrin didn't know what was happening when he grabbed his arm and bit his lip in order to suppress a scream. Snape keeled over and nearly fell to the ground, but luckily Dorrin's reflexes went into effect and she rushed to catch him. The air in the room became dense and ghostly. The flames of the candles flickered as moans came from the man clutching his forearm. His contorted in fury and pain as Dorrin led him to his chair and sat him down.
"Are you all right?" she could have slapped herself for asking such a dumb question.
"I'm fine. It's just a cramp."
"Let me see it." The professor's eyes widened a little as the elf tried to roll up his sleeves.
"NO! I said I'm fine," he shouted, still grasping his arm, "I think you should leave."
"But if you will only let me see--"
"Please leave. We are finished here Miss Cham--" another sharp pain hit and this time he could not hold back a scream. A bolt of lightning lit the office as an unexpected storm blew in. Dorrin paused a moment, wanting to help but agitated at his refusal.
"Professor please, let me help you. I can ease the pain that he inflicts upon you." Beneath his robes, through the many layers, a faint glow could be seen radiating from his skin. Severus Snape looked into the elf's eyes and did something that he had never done before. He took off his robes, rolled up his sleeves, and exposed his Dark Mark for her to see.
Dorrin placed both her hands on the mark, still glowing and pulsing with every beat of the man's racing heart. Then, without warning, she pulled his arm to her lips, kissing it gently. When she released the glowing subsided. Snape pulled his arm away from her and gaped vacantly.
"Explain yourself, Miss Chambers." Dorrin rolled her eyes.
"Elvin saliva is known to possess an enzyme which holds a great healing power," she paused, then said, "Tor néyo."
"Pardon?"
"Elvin for 'your welcome'," she said with a smirk.
The man was a little taken back by her statement, but after comprehending it replied, "Thank you." Rain pounded against the window and thunder shook the castle walls as Professor Snape and his elf student lapsed into a most uncomfortable moment of silence. It was Dorrin who broke it first.
"He's near, isn't he?" she asked as she headed to the window.
"Yes."
Dorrin watched the storm a moment, and then turned around. A brilliant light emanated from the bottom drawer of Snape's desk.
"Professor?"
Snape followed her gaze. He let out a heavy sigh and said very quietly, "He calls for me." Dorrin had known that he was a double agent for Dumbledore, and so understood his undertones that told her it was really time to leave.
"Then I shall go." She gathered up her things and drank a sip from one of the bottles that lay scattered across his desk. Her pure white hair faded back to the dull brown it once was, and her ears returned to a human form. As she headed toward the door, Snape followed behind her.
"Your secret is safe with me, Miss Chambers," he said as he pulled open the door for her. Before letting her go he asked, "Speaking of which, I am presuming your name is not Dorrin Chambers?"
"No respectable elf would name their child Dorrin Chambers. My real name is--" she paused. It wouldn't mean anything to him—just some unpronounceable title. But knowing something that he didn't know had a slight appeal to it. "Räénh Clothéos dal Stèlaã," she recited in her native language. Severus coughed to hide his confusion.
"Well, that is quite…interesting. Though I am afraid I would not be able to repeat it so accurately." The girl smiled to herself, then looked thoughtfully into Snape's eyes as she rubbed her chin.
"Reign. Call me Reign." Then she slipped out the door and into the bitter cold blackness that was night.
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