Unwelcome advances
'Dare you endanger the Dark Lords Plans…' Hermione watched, frozen where she stood, as Snape advanced over the cowering, cringing man.
'Severus… y-you promised..!'
'Have you not heard I word I have said..? The Dark Lord has plans for this one…'
Then Snape turned toward her… surveying her with a cold, unblinking gaze.
She did not move quickly enough, and in three strides he had crossed the room and seized her upper arms. Trembling and ashen-faced, her glassy eyes brimming over, she swayed slightly where she stood-
And then she fainted.
'No… NO! Please..!'
'Calm down Miss Granger'
He fought for control as she kicked into a frenzy, half dragging her up the darkened stairway, leaving a sobbing Wormtail in the midst of the trashed study.
'Let g-go off me…' Severus did just as she said, shoving her toward the peeling, dishevelled bathroom door. She stumbled forward as it gave way, her hands instinctively gripping the rim of the sink for support, she whirled around, matted hair flaring wildly around her face as she moved quickly as far away from him as possible.
'Clean yourself up' He hissed at her, eyeing the state of her torn, bloodstained clothes with distaste. Then he pulled the door closed with a snap.
She shuddered as her eyes found the broken mirror hanging above the bare sink. Perhaps it was just the dim greenish glow washing over her from the opaque window, but the reflection that shone back at her seemed shallow, her eyes glassy and deadened in a way that was so - familiar..?
She let out a dry sob, clutching her throbbing head and running her bruised, bloodied hands through the matted tresses of hair hanging limply past her shoulders, then pressed her tender palms, slick with icy sweat and grime, over her eyes…
A forgotten face suddenly loomed up in front of the swirling black patterns beneath her eyelids, a face drawn so taut, with once haughty high cheekbones now jutting painfully, emaciated from a horrific combination of trauma and starvation… Sirius…
Her sobs echoed up through the house, reverberating loudly from the smooth, bare walls of the bathroom. Severus contemplated many actions, the first on his list to flay Wormtail to within an inch of his miserable little life, the second to break into the bathroom and silence the girl… grimly, he perched on the edge of the sagging mattress, dowsed in total darkness and considered each prospect - weighing up the effectiveness each would have on his mission.
Her aching hands protested as she unscrewed the single stainless steel tap, encrusted with mould that crumbled in her grasp, and shoved her hands under the flow of icy water. She rubbed hard until fresh, raw pink skin emerged from beneath the layer filth and then started on her face.
Her shirt had fused with dried blood to the tender wound on her shoulder and she could not find the strength or courage to try and peel it away… instead she gingerly patted the area with water and was distracted as the sound of the handle releasing the catch drew her attention to the door.
'Come… you need sleep' Severus noted the torn clothes that now hung limply as she brushed past him, heading toward the door she had been locked in before, when his hand caught her upper arm painfully.
'This was Granger…' he pushed her ahead of him, toward the master bedroom, feeling her tense as it dawned on her where they were going.
'Its nothing special…' Snape motioned toward the sinking bed, surveying her coolly through narrowed eyes. In her apprehension as she stared toward the mattress, she failed to notice his approach until he was towering over her.
The marks Wormtail's sharp grasp had made were clearly visible, her torn shirt hanging limply off one shoulder. Her breathing was fast and shallow, her gaze hard and emotionless as she met his stare, no longer pleading…
He had not meant for it to happen, it was out of his control, her hands had found the front of his robes and pulled him close. She clawed desperately for his embrace, pressing her split lips to his and rendering him helpless. He grasped her shoulders, albeit gently, but forcefully pried her away 'That's not what I had in mind' he told her with a sardonic smile.
But her hungry eyes implored into his… how could this be..? Severus Snape powerless against her foolish, desperate advances… 'Just… just h-hold me' she murmured, her arms entwining around his slender waist and her head pressing against his neck before he could twist away, refusing to let him go.
She woke with a muffled sob against his chest. Her breath stopped short as harsh orange light seared against her eyes, forcing her to retreat against his warm embrace, burying her face in his collar and breathing in the comforting smell of stale smoke that lingered on the black material. She could feel the muscles around his ribs contract and relax with each deep breath, he gave a slight groan and stirred slightly, the cushions sagging with the change in weight. Great gushes of fresh air trailed down her bruised windpipe as she beckoned for the heat of his body
For however long it may have been, she lay curled up with her new found love, until her cramped position finally grew painful and she was forced to stretch her legs out on the sinking cushions, entwining with his.
Not all that sure about this chapter… some feedback on your thoughts would be really appreciated…