The Branded Skin
This story is rated T for a reason - suggestive adult themes… just warning you if you haven't worked out where my story was leading… hope you like this chapter and I welcome any feedback with open, grateful arms. There is plenty more to come still…
'Hold still… calm down'
'It… h-hurts'
'It will do… come here...'
He lent her against the cold ridge of the sink, his thigh pinning hers, though this was not necessarily intentional.
A ragged piece of cloth lay near the soap dish… he doused it with icy water and held it to the bloodied, livid bruise rising across her left cheek-bone. She grimaced, shaking with silent sobs… he ran his thumb across her lips, sensing another outburst and silencing it…
Raw, smooth skin emerged unblemished beneath the layers of grime as he gently cleaned around the wound, unconsciously pressing closer against her and enjoying the new found intimacy… all the while those glassy eyes peering shyly up at him…
'Listen… What is done is done. You cannot undo it'
She opened her mouth to say something, found herself momentarily speechless, instead gaping at him. 'There is no doubt that the Dark Lord is well aware of your true allegiance, I believe he may have even been humouring you tonight. But you have much to learn and prove to him… I'd thought better of a young Gryffindor. You yielded so easily to his wishes…' his words were harsh, edged with a bitter tone, yet his hands could not have been more gentle. Her skin ached, inflamed as a result of the Cruciatus Curse, occasional spasms of pain causing her to twitch nervously. Inwardly, she marvelled at the precarious situation at hand, literally… yet another emotion surfaced as her nerves reached their peak -
'What did you want me to do… the order need more time to-'
Severus sneered coldly, fixing her with an incredulous gaze and sobering slightly as he caught sight of the tortured look rising in those glassy eyes…
'Dumbledore's dead Miss Granger… whatever salvation you were hoping for I guarantee will never come' With that he threw the rag back in the bowl of water and made to turn toward the door, caught by her hand clutching his wrist…
'I k-know you d-didn't… Dumbledore knew there was no other way… he did… Don't look at me like that. You… You've saved Harry before… so many t-times-'
His breath caught quickly in his throat… a burst of cold anger… he caught her wrists and shoved her roughly against the wall. She let out a small scream 'No…'
'Professor please. You can h-help me I know you can' her eyes pleaded with her words, words so full of hope and innocence that he felt himself soften slightly…
'Listen… Miss Granger. Do not attempt to understand me… do not attempt to get close because it is a lost case'
'But you care… I KNOW YOU CARE. You… you've been there. After Wormtail…' she broke off, took a deep breath 'you stopped him - and you held me… when I thought you were going to h-hurt me, you helped me'
His gaze averted back to the sink, dark hair falling over those glittering eyes. She took a deep breath, steadying the wave of nausea 'Hold me again' her voice was soft and her breathing shallow. But he heard, oh yes…he heard. Slowly, his grip slackened around her wrist.
She collapsed against him, breathing in the intoxicating smell of smoke and spice… Her head throbbed achingly, but the tight knot in her stomach loosened slightly as she felt him give in and pull her closer…
It was at that point that immense grief and guilt seemed to surge painfully in her small form… she needed him to say something…
'Please sir… call me Hermione. You've never called me that before…' she felt his shoulders tense beneath her hold and tightened her arms, hoping he would not pull away… It may have been her imagination, but it felt as though he was swaying her slightly… she closed her eyes against the harsh, neon light…
'Your not the girl you used to be… Hermione… you've changed somehow'
'Can you hardly expect any different? I… I think you've changed as well… I think I like it when you hold me' his body blazed with heat… his chest restricted slightly at her words, before he let out a small sigh that tickled her neck.
'I think I like holding you' a small squirm in the pit of his stomach sent warning signals off inside his head, but he ignored them…
'Sev…' she cleared her throat 'Severus… I love them all so much… Harry and the others… I c-couldn't bear to lose anyone else. I need your help… to help them'
'You need sleep more than anything…'
'If not them… then will you help me' she enquired, ignoring his attempts to break away from the conversation and her embrace, raising herself to press her lips against his cheek. Instead of returning the kiss as she had hoped, he instead inclined his head and whispered into her hair 'Sleep… and we shall discuss this in the morning'.
The bed was strewn with pillows and blankets… flat and lifeless and devoid of any real comfort. But her body craved rest, and even as she climbed beneath the musty sheets, she found herself casually glancing over to where she knew he stood. Or rather lent, rather jauntily, against the doorway.
He turned to leave, satisfied that she was at least calm, when…
'Don't go…'
'Why..?' again that churning feeling in his stomach -
'Stay with me… I don't like the dark much anymore'
He contemplated her with an icy expression, then almost absent-mindedly waved his hand - the candlelight grew dimmer - just enough for her to make out the sharpness of his outline. Her stomach contracted slightly as he lowered himself to perch beside her on the mattress, his right hand moving to stroke her face, fingers running over her lips… then hesitating 'Don't stop' she pleaded quietly.
Without much thought, she kissed the calloused yet elegant fingers, eyes lifting to meet his gaze as he lent closer over her. His hand twitched beneath hers, before gently tracing the skin of her throat and travelling slowly toward her chest.
She remembered only to well the clumsy effort Ron had once made towards her, and how awkward and embarrassed she had felt. This was different, Severus did not hold that sort of interest with her. To her immense relief his hand merely sunk into the mattress just above her hip. Clearly his intentions were to watch over her until she fell asleep.
He made not a move, nor spoke a word, but calmly sat in thought, eyes averted to the floor so as not to make her uncomfortable. Was there a slightly darker tone in his complexion, was he indeed blushing? His dark hair hung so limply around his face it was hard to tell, though she strained her eyes she could make out nothing more than the stiffness of his shoulders… she closed her eyes, trying to ease the tense pain in her shoulders as she fought to lay still.
But she couldn't… not with him this close…
Instead, she drew her hand from beneath the sheet and found his.
He fixed her with an unblinking stare 'I can't do this… it's not right'
'Its not wrong either' she argued pointedly -
'Are you sure this is what you want?'
'I'm not sure of anything anymore… but… people don't see you the way I do. I like you, I think I maybe always have… its not a silly schoolgirl crush, I've had them, they're different' She saw the pure astonishment and embarrassment in his face, she could almost see the battle waging behind those entrancing glittering eyes…
Then he spoke 'Your so young…'
'Your not that old yourself… put aside all of that. This is just about us…'
Growing slightly impatient, she pulled her hand free of his and twisted her forearm, revealing the tattooed mark… 'Look at this. We're the same now… whose to say I wont be rejected same as you when this gets out. I'm not giving myself to you…'
He raised an eyebrow at this remark…
'Severus… we could be dead tomorrow'
I hope this chapter explains a few things about Hermione… but as duj pointed out… emotions are deeper and more apparent when they are sparse… and Hermione had to think quickly… she made her choice…
To all those that have reviewed… (warning soppy content) thank you it means a lot to me. It makes this work seem justified… I've just started college and I always feel guilty spending all my time writing when I should probably be studying or something… but there you have it… keep reading and I'll keep writing…
XxPeridoxx