Please note, that I do not own the character of Severus Snape, or any other magical lingo.
This is a Severus/OC story. Samantha is my own creation.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Chapter 4:
A flash of lightening pierced the silence in the room. Samantha nearly jumped, but using all of her strength, she gripped the right arm of her chair instead. She blinked away the tears in her eyes, clearing her blurred vision. Looking into Severus' eyes, she felt a sudden warmth and tenderness. He looked concerned and hurt. And within a moment, she could see him struggle to not show any sentiment, clearing his eyes of any emotion. He looked at the mark on her arm once more, before gazing into the fire. After the thunder bounded into the room, there was a soft tap at the door. Samantha slowly pulled down the sleeve of the sweater, as Buttercup came bustling into the room with a tray of tea and crackers. She set it down on the small table between the two large armchairs by the fireplace. Smiling, the small house elf opened her mouth to say something, but seeing the looks on their faces, she thought it best if she just bowed deeply and walked out.
"Thank you, Buttercup," Severus whispered shakily over his shoulder. They sat in silence for a long moment. Samantha turned her stare from Severus' now red face to the fire. He reached over to pour the tea, with his hand shaking violently. Tea was sloshing everywhere and before he finished filling even one cup, he threw the teapot into the fireplace. The shattered teapot caused Samantha to jump from her seat. But as she stood up, she firmly placed her right foot on a large, sharp piece of porcelain. With a yelp of pain she sat back down. Severus, looking upset with himself, quickly used his wand to clear up the mess. He knelt before Samantha, and with shaking fingers he pulled the shard from her foot and used his wand to heal the small cut.
"Sorry," he muttered. Still kneeling before her, he dropped his head to his chest, breathing deeply. Samantha sat, confused and worried that he was angry with her.
"Severus…" Samantha saw him peek up at her from under his dark lashes. His hair hung around his head, like a dark curtain. His mouth was set in a deep frown. Gathering her courage, she asked, "Do you want me to leave now?"
Still watching her intensely, he stood up slowly. After taking a few deep breaths, he willed himself to sit down in his seat, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Only if that is what you wish," Severus replied. A spark of concern wrinkled his forehead. Samantha glanced through the window to see the rain coming down hard. Heavy wind whipped through the trees. She closed her eyes, feeling warm and safe inside. She looked back to Severus, and shook her head.
"But you are going to turn me in?" Samantha asked, still wondering what had caused his outburst. Well, obviously, having a Death Eater in your home isn't a good thing, she told herself. He's probably angry that he even let her in his home. His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Please, Miss Smill, can you explain what you were doing in this storm?" his voice was quiet, but hard. When she looked at him, afraid of seeing anger in his eyes, but instead was comforted by concern.
"He has made me one of his minions. I now serve Him. After what seemed an eternity of watching the others torture captured muggles, I was initiated. This meant that each attending Death Eater was allowed to perform the Cruciatus Curse on me. When I had passed out from the pain, I was left stranded in the middle of nowhere, without my wand, or any idea of where I was. This storm was charmed to follow me. They somehow found out my greatest fear and used it against me..." She shivered slightly. She looked away to the window, fearing a flash of lightening. "After walking for hours in the storm, I finally found your mansion. It looked…well, deserted, from outside. Unkempt…."
"That is to keep visitors away. Though, it did not seem to stop you," he said, with a hint of a sad smile. "Please, continue."
"Are you going to turn me in?" Samantha pressed, afraid of telling him anything more. Severus pondered her for a long moment. They each sat thinking, listening to the crackle of the fire.
"Please, Miss Smill, continue." His voice was commanding. Samantha looked into his eyes. They were harsh and piercing. She feared he had reverted back to his previous dark self, the person she met when she first arrived. She could feel his eyes studying her, searching her. Samantha took a deep breath and started.
"Since I was a young girl, I've always been interested in Dark Arts. My parents thought it was only a phase. Afraid of the Dark Lord, they sent me to Durmstrang, hoping that'd keep me safe and far away. There I learned much about the Dark Arts. I began to research intensively. I found the subject so intriguing and I wanted to pursue it, I just wasn't sure how." Uncomfortable with his gaze, Samantha looked at her feet, still hanging inches above the thick carpet. "My parents, both Aurors, greatly disapproved of my intent. They thought I would use my knowledge to aid in the fight against the Dark Arts. I, however, had hoped to use such knowledge to gain power and respect. After several rows about my sense of loyalty, they disowned me." She shifted in her chair, feeling his eyes burning into her. "So… After my graduation, I was alone. And since, for the past three years, I've been researching and studying on my own. Finally, I found the opportunity to join the Death Eaters."
Samantha's breath caught in her throat when she said 'Death Eaters.' What she had learned of the Dark Arts was far different from what she had seen practiced. Those men were so violent and careless. They didn't understand the powers they possessed, nor were they concerned with magnitude of their strength. She shivered, thinking about what had happened to those helpless muggles. Five dead bodies. She closed her eyes, bringing a hand to her cheek. She tried hard to clear her mind of those memories. What has she done? What will become of her? She couldn't spend her life doing things like that.
"Miss Smill," Severus started, shaking slightly, but uncontrollably, once again, "Can you please tell me what you plan to do?" Samantha looked up into his eyes. It was as though he could read her thoughts. Could he help her? She could at least confide in him now, after sharing with him her darkest secret. Unsure, she looked nervously back to her feet.
"Oh, Severus. What shall I do? I'm too young to serve the Dark Lord. I'm only 22 years old. I was foolish to think I could gain power by joining his ranks. I need help. I need help to get out," she whispered. She felt her eyes burning with tears. She watched as Severus' shaking slowed and soon he was sitting calmly in his chair, thinking.
"Miss Smill, there is only one man I know who can help you. His name is Albus Dumbledore. He is one of the greatest wizards in the world. I can put you in touch with him tomorrow." Severus stood from his seat. "Let me show you to a room where you can rest tonight." He offered Samantha a hand, which she gratefully took, standing up. She winced at the sharp pain in her right foot. Severus noted her discomfort and offered her an arm. Samantha looked at his arm and gently wrapped her right arm tightly around it. She dwelled a moment on the warmth radiating from him. She eased some of the weight off her foot, smiling softly up at Severus. He was staring at her, unconcerned that she raised her eyebrow in curiosity. Finally, he cleared his throat and looked away.
Severus slowly led her to the grand stairway. Slowly they ascended the stairs, and he led her down the broad hallway. Intricate wallpaper lined the walls and hardwood floors peaked out under the edges of the thick designed rugs. A window at the end of the hall rattled slightly from the storm. He opened a door on the right, walking into the same room where Buttercup led her earlier.
"This was my room before...I inherited the manor." Severus looked around the room and gestured toward the bed. "You will be comfortable here for tonight. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you." He turned and looked over at the young woman standing uncomfortably at the door.
"Miss Smill? Anything the matter?"
"I just want to thank you, Severus." She looked down to see herself subconsciously wringing her hands, nervously. She looked up when she heard Severus walking toward her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded. Slowly he took out his wand and blushing, he transfigured her clothes into a soft white nightdress. The gown tickled her ankles and the sleeves kept her arms warm. She glanced to her right at the mirror to see herself. Her hair still damp and her tan skin warm and soft, she looked less distressed. The white nightdress was buttoned tight around her neck, and it covered every inch of her skin, but it failed to hide her soft curves. She smiled inwardly, thinking about Severus' blush when he saw her in that black shirt.
Samantha looked back up at Severus who was watching her intensely. She heaved a deep sigh.
"I'm sorry, Severus."
"For what?"
"For putting you in danger, like this. I'm sorry that you have to get mixed up in all of this." Severus stared at her a few more moments, before lightly placing his warm hand on her shoulder once again.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow I will talk to Headmaster Dumbledore. Good night, Miss Smill." His eyes lingered a moment on hers. His deep dark eyes weren't expressionless, but full of emotion. He looked scared, angry, and worried. Slowly, the emotions cleared from his face and his typical impassive appearance took over. Samantha inwardly groaned, wanting desperately to know everything about this young man. Nobody had ever intrigued her this much. But instead of betraying any emotion, she moved toward the bed. She sat down and contemplated asking him to stay and talk.
"I won't be able to sleep. I have too much on my mind." She admitted. She bit her lip, hoping he would want to talk. Severus considered this for a moment, and muttered something. He approached one of the bookshelves and looked around. Within moments, from a high shelf, he pulled down a small flask of clear blue liquid.
"This potion will help that. Sometimes I cannot get to sleep either." Severus grabbed a small vial and filled it. He handed her the vial and went to place the flask back on the shelf. Samantha looked at the vial in her hand and raised an eyebrow, mumbling to herself. Next time, she'd try being more straightforward. She drank the liquid, feeling warmth and sweetness in her mouth and throat. Severus turned back to her and took the vial from her hand. Slowly, Samantha lay down, feeling a heavy drowsiness creep into her limbs. Her mind was shutting down, but she felt Severus wrap an arm around her, rolling her, so that he could pull the covers out from under her. Laying her back down, he smoothed the covers over her body, letting the edge rest right under her chin. Samantha moaned and dragged an arm up to her neck.
"I'll choke," she mumbled, sleep slowly taking her. Severus' warm fingers slowly unbuttoned the top two buttons, revealing her collarbones. She felt him tremble and slowly pull his hands away. Rolling onto her side, she heard his footsteps echo in the room and the door softly closing.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Alright, so the story's finally making progress. Sorry I've taken forever! Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter. Basically some character development. Next chapter: Severus contacts Dumbledore, and is contacted by Voldemort. What'll happen?
Also I made this page with some pictures, to help you visualize the characters:
www.lorddave.com/storm
Thanks for the reviews! Keep reading and enjoy. Please let me know what you think. Any questions? Any suggestions?
