Chapter Sixteen

It was nearly midnight, and Severus was relieved. Midnight meant the end of the ball and the end of his torment. He'd been forced to watch them together all night, dancing and laughing together. This had irritated him so much that he'd taken points from a fourth year Hufflepuff who'd had the misfortune to run into him accidentally.

At midnight everyone's masks vanished and identities were revealed. Val's glamour on her hair faded, restoring her long silky locks to her original color. She stifled a yawn and said good night to Oliver, following the flood of students exiting the hall to return to their houses. Waving to her cousins and their dates, she headed down the hall leading to her rooms.

Severus followed several steps behind her. He didn't want to alert her to his presence, merely to watch her for as long as possible. She is beautiful tonight. It almost makes me wish I were Rhett Butler. Then she'd be longing for me too.' he thought as her skirts swished softly from side to side.

Snape turned the corner Val had disappeared around moments before to observe a surprising sight. She was struggling against a captor, a Death Eater judging by his appearance. The man had one arm around her waist, holding her against him, and another over her mouth, preventing her from screaming for help. His mouth hovered near her ear, speaking in a low tone that Snape could barely hear.

I could have just used my wand and Stupefied you, Val, but I wanted you awake. We need to have a little chat, but not here. It's not safe. So we're going to walk calmly out to the Quidditch pitch. I've stashed a broom there.

Val sank her teeth into the hand covering her mouth and jabbed her elbow into his stomach, causing him to lose his grip on her. She started to run, but the man kicked her legs out from underneath her and straddled her body, holding her wrists above her head with one hand. He slapped her across the face and growled, That wasn't very smart. You'll pay for that later. He raised his hand as if to hit her again and felt the tip of a wand in his back.

Snape had used the distraction of Val's escape attempt to sneak up on her attacker. Furious that the man had hit her, he pointed his wand at the man's heart and quietly said, I wouldn't do that again if I were you. Now get up slowly, and drop your wand on the floor.

He wasn't prepared for the sudden movement and the fist crashing into his nose, knocking him to the ground. The man looked at Val laying on the floor. Soon, Darling, we'll meet again. And next time you won't be so lucky. He vanished down the hallway, leaving Val to tend to her would be rescuer.