Chapter Eight
Disclaimer on chapter one
Ruby did not like the idea of Severus liking Lilly.
What you thought he'd like you?
Shut up brain.
You did, you know it I know it. It wouldn't work
And why not?
Because, he isn't a school boy anymore.
I am not a school girl anymore
True, you now belong to The Dark Lord
I don't belong to anyone. Especially the Dark Lord.
Or really? I don't think he will see it the same way. Also, you know Dumbledore won't have it. You are to young.
I am legal.
You are his student.
Dumbledore said he thought of me more of as an Apprentice.
And here you are in the past, throwing yourself at his younger self. Nothing good will come of it. It will end in heartache and tears. You have to go back now.
Not yet. Please just let me stay a little longer.
You are going against your own good judgment, you know that.
Wouldn't be the first time.
Ruby felt sick to her stomach after her conversation with herself. She wasn't sure if she was making any difference anywhere.
"You are up early," Severus said coming down the stairs.
"I'm not feeling well."
"Maybe you should lie down on something better then a couch?" She looked at him a little perplexed. "Follow me." She followed him up to the dormitory. "I have homework I really need to get done, and, although I have enjoyed our talks, I need the quiet of the common room. And since you are not feeling good..."
"You want me to sleep in you bed?"
"If you want you can see if the other ones are more comfortable."
"No, it's cool."
"Fine, I will be down stairs." And with that he left and Ruby went to sleep hoping to awaken with a calmer stomach and mind.
She was downstairs working with Severus on a potion. She wasn't sure which one, but for some reason he needed her help. Then, all of a sudden, the deathereaters swept into the room.
"Severus Snape, have you made your decision," one asked in low tones.
"Decide what, Severus," Ruby asked completely oblivious to what was going on.
"Ruby, I have to go. I know you won't understand, but I have too."
"Go?"
"Yes or no, Snape," another deatheater asked pressingly.
"I'm coming, just let me say good bye," he seethed.
"You don't need her," a feminine voice said. "Especially in our family."
Ruby suddenly figured out what was going on. She hadn't saved him in anyway shape or form.
"Severus, don't go. You have a choice."
"No, I don't. I have no one here," he said looking down.
"Me, you have me!"
"Please, Severus, you no longer need her."
Then young Severus changed into older Severus.
"You made fun of me like all the other Gryffindors. What I did was to get back at them, and I'd do it again," he yelled.
"No," she pleaded, "you don't mean that!"
"It's ok, shush," said Severus's younger voice, but the image did not change.
"No, come back."
"I'm here."
She tossed a bit, but Severus held her in his arms, trying to sit her up.
"It's ok. It's just a dream, nothing more," he whispered. She whined in response and then went quiet. As he held Ruby he had his own conversation with himself.
Tonight, I have to tell them.
No, don't you think about that, live for now.
This isn't real, no girl would let a disgusting piece of filth like you hold them.
But, she is, She looks pretty when she is sleeping
Yeah, enjoy it now, she'll push you away when she wakes up. You know you have to say yes, right.
Just a little longer. I don't want to think about that now.
Why not? She isn't jabbering on. And besides, she isn't even real!
She is right now, this moment. She is the most real thing on earth.
He looked at her and her eyes fluttered then opened. He let her go.
"I thought you had homework," she asked.
"I'm done. I heard you, sounded like you were having a bad dream."
"I did."
"I'm sorry." He started to move off the bed.
"Wait," she said and he stopped. "Could you hold me, just a little longer?"
He looked at her and smiled, not the curled smile he had in the future, a more different smile. "If you want me to." Ruby nodded. So he slipped his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
