Holly
Long fingers curled about her waist and the familiar feeling pulled at her navel as she was sucked into the vortex of apparition. She bore the awful sensation by focusing on the familiar scent of ink, parchment, and soap she found by pressing herself into his robes. They were thrust into an unfamiliar street. Upon landing, she overbalanced and almost lost her footing. The hand moved to steady her by the small of her back. She glanced at Severus, starting to thank him. But he was looking ahead, black eyes pinned on rows upon rows of identical brick houses stacked close together. The neighbourhood appeared to be something of an old blue-collar housing scheme.
They stood close to a cluster of rubbish bins, Holly wrinkled her nose at the rancid odor of spoilt food and various forms of household waste. A couple of maggots wiggled free from the gaping lids of beat-up bins. A street sign stuck from the smelly pile's center.
'Spinner's End?' Holly read aloud, risking the vague question at her sullen companion.
'This way,' Severus said, setting off across the empty street. The sun tried its level best to break through the cloud bank, but only managed to throw a ruddy halo around the false priest now picking his way around skewed mailboxes and trash on the other side. One thing was clear: today was Garbage Day in Spinner's End.
Only one of the narrow, tightly packed houses had no bin put out. And Severus was heading straight for it. Without his ever-present cloak, he was much less imposing. His peculiar gate was much more prominent; he moved confidently, quickly, and almost spidery — halting intermittently as if he was perpetually counting his steps. She jogged to catch up with him.
They entered the tall, thin building and she was unsurprised to find it as drab inside as it'd been outside. He held the door open for her with a carefully composed expression, watching her. It was the countenance he favoured when teaching. She raised a brow at him as she passed by, keeping her thoughts nice and blank. Just like he taught her.
Did his lip just curl?
The interior of the house was barely furnished and had the stuffy smell of an old holiday cabin. Severus busied himself with resetting wards that they'd disturbed.
'Are you okay?' She asked when he finally lowered his wand. The tall wizard drifted closer, pale hands clasped piously in front of him. He cut the perfect image of a priest — she'd be convinced, if only she didn't know how delightfully filthy he could be. He'd visibly relaxed after the wards, but something had changed in his eyes. Something dangerous.
'Show me the Horcrux,' he said, sidestepping her question. It was quite obvious that he was not best pleased.
Is it because of me? She wondered reflexively. Or because of Sirius?
Holly pulled the Horcrux from her pocket and flipped the handkerchief open.
'You touched it? What happened?' He levitated the locket from her hand and rotated in the air, studying the golden pendant from all angles.
She nodded, afraid of what he might do. He had forbidden her to see Voldemort again. But this had been different. She'd seen him where he really was, not a vision he'd conjured to lure her in. It'd been real.
'You witnessed the Dark Lord?' He asked softly, studying her face. By the set of his jaw, she gathered he'd found his answer. 'What did He say? Where was He?'
'He was sitting on a bed. Reading. He asked if Dumbledore taught me Occlumency.'
'You managed to hold your defenses?' His onyx eyes flashed.
'Surprised?'
He froze, then sighed, 'Perhaps a little. The Dark Lord is a singularly powerful wizard, Holly—'
'I managed. Thanks,' she raised a brow in annoyance. She braced herself for admonishment but he let it go easy. Once burnt, twice shy, she thought, feeling a tinge of guilt for hurting him so bad.
'What do you think?' She jerked her head toward the floating locket.
'I've seen it before,' Severus said, frowning. 'It belonged to Salazar Slytherin. He wears it in the portrait in the Headmaster's office.'
'Well. Vol—HE is rather sentimental about his old house.'
'About Hogwarts,' Severus murmured, examining the jeweled front.
'You think he might've used more stuff from school?'
Severus set the locket down on an ancient sideboard. 'Don't touch it,' he said harshly, pointing at it before he drew closer to her. 'The book. Please,' he drawled, holding out a hand.
Holly turned Beyonde Darknesse over, feeling his long fingers brushing against hers.
They hovered a moment, staring at each other. 'I have to think,' he declared finally, turning away and heading for a door beside the dusty staircase, cassock flaring.
Damn introvert. What am I supposed to do now?
'Is this your home?' She asked, loud enough for him to hear.
His hand paused on the doorknob, 'Hogwarts is my home. This used to be my father's house. Make yourself comfortable,' he said, disappearing into the gaping doorway.
666666
Feeling fatigue settle in, Holly decided to take a nap in the cramped living room. The seating consisted of a mixture of a dull fabric sofa and two leather chairs. She choose a two-seater by the window delighted in the way seemed to swallow her body when she settled in. A few cigarette-sized holes dotted the armrest, but she was too tired to really care where she laid her head.
She drifted into a light sleep, dreaming of having tea with Hagrid and Aragog in the Room of Requirement. Hagrid was offering her a tin with Aragog's homemade baked fly biscuits when a soft pressure on her shoulder woke her up. Severus was leaning over the back of the couch, holding her glasses out toward her. A few sun rays peeped through the blinds by her head.
'Hungry?' He asked, looking down on her as she donned her glasses and blinked away sleep. His hair was still tied at the back of his neck, a few strands hanging into his eyes. The dog collar was gone now, but he still wore the priest's cassock.
'Starving,' Holly answered, yawning. 'I like your hair like that,' she smiled up at him, touching his smooth chin.
'I like you sleepy,' he chuckled silkily. 'Much less dangerous.'
His finger traced a shape over her collarbone, eyes unreadable. She stretched her arms above her head and he took the opportunity to slip a hand into her shirt to first pinch the nipple, and then cradle a breast. Holly gasped, grabbed hold of his arm, and kissed the inside of his forearm. Only then she realised she'd kissed the Dark Mark. The green-inked snake roved around in front of her nose, suddenly energised. Severus swore and snatched his arm away. The tender moment was obliterated.
'Sev—'
'Fuck,' he hissed through gritted teeth, gripping his arm. 'Seven hells, it burns. Come on. I heated croissants.'
The kitchen was small and well-used, a round table taking up most of the space. He'd set the table for them: a glass of water each, a bunch of grapes on a cracked plate in between the two plates filled with croissants and cheese. He offered some half-hearted explanation about buying the food along with the Prophet at a corner shop in London. They ate by the light of a low-burning candle and Severus produced tiny packets of butter from somewhere, which made the pastries much taste better. Holly wolfed down her share of two croissants and the unidentifiable cheese.
'You're upset,' Holly observed as she watched Severus push flakes around his plate with a butterknife. When he made no reply, she went on; 'It all comes back when you're here, doesn't it?' She always felt like that at Privet Drive.
He sat still and quiet as a statue. A statue of a despondent priest. Withdrawn, quiet, brooding. A timebomb. Very much unlike the snarky, hellbent man she'd come to know.
'I fear you do not know the half of it…' he sighed, laying down the knife carefully. He was trying to control the shaking. She could see it in his gaze lingering on the fingers that seemed to adore betraying his passions.
'I can guess,' she said. He looked at her for what felt like the first time since she kissed his Mark. 'You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.'
'Thank you,' Severus reached across the table with his left hand. 'For everything,' he said sincerely. She met his fingers with her own, tracing the lines of his calloused palm.
'How about we open that Firewhisky in the cupboard?'
'We?' He asked, raising a brow.
'What better time to have a drink together?'
He raised a brow but got up to fetch the bottle after very obviously weighing the risks. 'One,' he specified sternly as he passed, holding up a long finger.
Holly gathered the plates and piled them by the sink as he wiped cobwebs — and one spider— from the tumblers before pouring them both a stingy tot of the amber liquid. Their eyes met when he handed her a glass. The black ones were heavy with troubles.
They drank the whiskey in the sitting room. She coughed from the strength of it. It tasted smoky, briny, and way too strong. They sat next to each other on a narrow couch, knees not quite touching.
'Can I ever go back?' He asked the room in general, finally breaking the silence.
'Where?'
'Living.'
'You're alive now, aren't you?' She bumped into him to emphasise her point. 'And why not? I would if I were you. Just pitch up again. Stranger things happen every day.'
'I've injured a ministry official, damaged school property, and committed forgery. That's without adding you to the equation. No,' he shook his head, twisting the glass in his hands. 'I cannot.'
'If we can solve their evil wizard problem. They might reconsider,' Holly said.
Severus sighed heavily, 'Too much is left to chance.'
They continued to drink in silence. When her glass was empty, he collected it and returned it to the sink. She heard him pottering about in the kitchen, doing the few dishes they'd accumulated. Holly stood up, following the sound of splashing water and clinking cutlery.
He was moving about the double sink, brows low and thin lips tight. She sidled up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his upper back. He paused, as if startled for a moment, and then continued washing up.
'No magic?'
'No,' he answered, voice reverberating against her ear.
Holly played with the lapels of the cassock until he finished, took her hand, and gently lead her up the stairs.
He avoided what must be the master bedroom at the end of the hallway like the plague and instead took her to the first door. Inside, he cast a Scourgify before enlarging a single bed with thin grey bedding as much as the narrow room allowed. Holly perched on the edge, taking in her surroundings. The room smelled dusty and distinctly male. The ceiling was full of nicks and marks, probably caused by spell practice.
The wardrobe door had a fist-sized hole going through it, and a few articles of clothing were visible inside. A low bookcase stood next to the bed, cup stains dotting the top and a dead plant curling on the corner. She could imagine a broken boy cooped up in his room during holidays, waiting for school to start again.
Almost like my summers.
'Used to be my room,' he said awkwardly, sitting down next to her.
Holly hugged him closer with one arm, and, when he did not oppose her, she pulled him toward her, settling his head on her lap. She loosened his hair from the tie and stroked his head gently, humming. Severus folded his over her leg and shut his eyes.
'Is that the Hogwarts anthem?' He asked, glancing at her when she reached the 'teach us something please' phrase.
'Do you want me to try another one? I know a few Weird Sisters bangers.'
'You don't say…' he droned, eyes drifting closed again.
She continued holding him, stroking his hair, and humming Do the Hippogriff until she messed up the chorus for the third time with a yawn.
666666
Holly was woken by sudden, white-hot pain during the night. Something had hit her in the face. She doubled over groaning and holding her nose. Hot blood dripped over her chin.
Severus was mumbling in his sleep, flailing about as if holding a wand and threatening some invisible enemy.
'SEV!' She yelled while trying to balance her glasses onto her bloodied nose. She shook his shoulder, but that only earned her another blow — to the arm this time — because she dodged the headshot it would've been. 'Wake up!' She took hold of his face. He twisted away from her bloody grip. 'It's just a dream!'
'Lily?' He asked, voice cracking. She'd never been jealous of her mum before this moment, and it was a fleeting feeling. But it existed for a brief moment.
'It's me, you dolt. Holly,' she said, catching her blood with a cupped hand. 'I think you broke my bloody nose.'
'Salazar,' he hissed, bolting upright and almost hitting her with a headbutt on the way up. Were it not for her Seeker reflexes, she'd surely have sustained more injuries.
'Be careful!' She exclaimed. Deep inside, she was only too glad not to be the one having a nightmare for once. The Dreamless Sleep had that going for it.
Dim sunlight outside overpowered the moth-eaten curtains and made the blood on her hands look black in the grey dawn.
He took hold of her chin and turned her to the light, 'Fuck. I'm sorry. I hurt you. Forgive me. Let me get my wand.' His hands were ice-cold and shaking, the window at his back shrouding his features in darkness, 'I'm so sorry,' he chanted, over and over again. Only his high cheekbones were highlighted by the light, but Holly knew him well enough to see his pained expression in her mind's eye, the deep frown, the worried line cutting into his forehead. She'd seen that look too many times before.
There was a sharp pain, and then only an ebbing throb as his spell did its job. He was still apologising after he'd healed her nose.
'It wasn't your fault. You just had a nightmare. I know what that's like, Sev,' she said, caressing his chest. 'Stop saying sorry or I'll break your nose too.'
'You should.'
'Don't be ridiculous,' she pushed at him. 'I'll have you pay some other way.' She stuck her tongue out at him.
'Princess, I'm terribly—'
'Sorry. Yeah, I know. You've said it a million times already.'
Severus scooped her up and rocked her against him, her head tucked under his chin. Her nose didn't hurt anymore. She laid very still, feeling like an oversized baby and loving it. His strong heartbeat thrummed against her ear and his breath stirred her hair. This was bliss.
666666
'You do it,' Holly said, handing Severus the basilisk fang.
He stood looking at the tooth, frowning.
'You broke my nose,' she said, shaking it at him.
He paled visibly. Which was quite the achievement for a man of his pallor.
'I'm just joking. Merlin, you're an easy tease, you know that?'
'Your father thought so too…'
'Hey, I didn't mean…' she started, but he held out a hand. She bit her tongue, pushing the fang into it.
'I want you to do it because I'm afraid I'll visit him again…' Holly whispered. 'And you're stronger than me.'
'Fine.'
'Remember, it will try to save itself. Don't pay attention to it,' she warned.
Severus opened the locket on the scratched-up kitchen table and flipped the fang in his palm.
'Just stab it with the pointy part,' Holly said, hanging over his shoulder.
'Any more suggestions, Princess?' He sighed, but raised his arm and brought it down on the locket without hesitation. It sprang out of the way as if sentient.
A black cloud billowed from the Horcrux, an image of two figures forming in the vaporous mass.
It's me, Holly realised, peering at the couple forming in the smoke. And Tom Riddle. Wait, are we… snogging?
The figures were now entwined, kissing fervently.
Voldemort's voice echoed through the cramped kitchen. 'She will leave you. She will leave you as her mother left you. Everyone abandons you. You know this to be true. She will find someone younger. Someone handsome. Someone powerful. Someone that can offer her a future,' the serpentine voice hissed.
Severus was looking up at the mirage of magical energy, transfixed. The fang still in held in a raised fist.
The young Riddle was now being pleasured by the phantom Holly, the vaporous doppelgänger kneeled in front of him and suck lovingly on his cock as he stroked her hair. It was strange to see herself like this. The fake Holly's breasts were notably larger than her own. It made her feel strangely self-conscious.
'She cannot love you. She is the Chosen One, why would she choose you? You are unlovable. Your own father rejected you. Your own mother chose a deranged Muggle, above you.
Holly found a worn denim mitten and held the locket down. 'Stab it! Stab it, Sev! IT LIES!' But he'd lowered the fang, staring at Holly allowing the handsome young Tom to use her mouth.
'—Your best friend chose someone she despised above you. Who do you think you are? You came from nothing. You are nothing. Holly Potter will set you aside—'
He's not listening to me… He was entranced by his deepest fears, watching the phantom Holly enjoying herself with another. Someone young and handsome. Someone that wasn't him.
'I love you, Severus!' She yelled. His pained black eyes snapped to her. 'I love you. Only you,' she said. 'Destroy it. For me. For us.'
He stared at her for what felt like a small eternity.
Then he dove forward, driving the fang into the open locket with all his might. Black smoke swirled about them and swallowed the visage of a young Tom preparing to mount Holly from behind.
'I will kill you in front of your whore for defying YOUR. TRUE. MASSSTER!' It shrieked with its dying breath.
There was silence. Timber cracked, and the sound of the old house returned. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the kitchen. Somewhere in the distance a refuse truck roared and beeped.
'He's right.' Severus said, slumping against the table. 'You will leave me. Again. I can never be enough,' he stared at the broken locket in defeat. Hand shaking violently.
Holly gripped the sides of his face and forced his eyes onto her own, 'It lied, Sev. He lies. You did it. We're another step closer.' She clamped him into a bear hug. Holding him above the broken remains of the locket and scorched floor surrounding it. 'I'm here. Let me love you.'