"Hurry up! We will be late!" Tonks ran her hands through her shocking pink hair, looking in the mirror. "The train to Hogsmede will be leaving soon!" it was Saturday now, and Tonks had decided that Procella's first week had been stressful enough, so a treat was in order. And it would be a great excuse for them to bond. Shackles was doing her shift today. "We can go shopping for a while down the main streets, say hello to the Weasley twins, they always save a box of erotic chocolates for me, and we can get together in the three broomsticks for lunch."
I have several comments on that. 1, I have never really been shopping for the fun of it. It sounds fun. 2, erotic chocolates?
"Heh heh, well."
Never mind. I don't even want to know. And 3, get together?
"Oh yes. Well, you are a new teacher and you have had a rough week…so we thought it would be nice, Remus and me, to throw you a welcoming party. It's only a drink in the pub, but all the teachers have been invited."
How thoughtful. Thank you so much Nymphadora.
"Gosh, don't call me that." She giggled. "Call me Tonks. Everybody else does." Tonks fixed her hair again in the mirror, and looked over her appearance. She wore black high heel boots, ankle boots with witch laces, bright pink and black striped long socks, a knee high black skirt that came out at the ends, (puffy), a black corset top with long black sleeves, and the ties of the top were pink across the chest, and a long black cape tied around her neck. Her hair was short today, and her bubblegum pink hair was flicked out off her face at the ends. She wore black mascara, and see-through lip gloss. Her witch hat was black, with a pink belt around the base, and a silver wolf and moon buckle in the centre.
Tonks looked at the time, and squealed girlishly. "Are you ready yet?"
Yes, just. Procella opened her bathroom door, and held her arms out for inspection. "Nice, very nice." Procella did a twirl for her, and chuckled. She wore an exact copy of what Tonks was wearing, with a difference.
Her boots were scarlet, she wore semi transparent red tights, her puffy skirt was red, as was her corset top. But she didn't have pink ties, she had thick red straps clipping over with a silver square buckle. There were eight all up the front. Her neck and cleavage were bare, and she wore off the shoulder straps, and elbow long scarlet gloves.
You could tell Tonks had dressed her. Especially with her lips painted blood red, and her long lashes black. "Now close the cape so no one can see." Procella nodded, and closed her black cape. "Ok, let's go." The only thing you could see other than her cape, was her long wavy golden hair, and her curly fringe covering her right eye. The two women walked out of the castle, and into the waiting crowd to get on the train to Hogsmede.
Are you looking for someone? Tonks blushed and stopped scanning the crowd. "Who me? No, not at all."
Legilimenst here. "Oh, yeah, heh heh…I might have been…" Procella raised her blonde brow at her, as they got on the train. "Alright, I was."
Who?
Remus
Ah, thought so. Procella chuckled. But Tonks cheeks were bright red. They walked down to the teacher's section of the train, and Procella looked inside their carriage.
Her heart sank, her eyes widened slightly and she forgot to breath. There, sat with his nose in a thick novel, was Professor Snape. But Lupin was there to. "Right in we go. Oh, there is only one seat left."
I'll sit somewhere else. Procella quickly replied. After using her Legilimency, Snape looked up and saw her. "Oh come on, we can squeeze in." Tonks chuckled.
No, you sit with Remus. I will sit somewhere else. Oh I'll be fine. She assured with a smile, and couldn't leave quickly enough. That was obvious, and Snape noted it.
Great, now where to sit? She asked no one in particular, and looked through carriage doors. They were all filled with students, and she full accepted she would have to stand up all the way there, when…
"Professor?" Procella looked back, and saw Harry Potter stood half in an half out a carriage.
"Are you lost Professor?" His red head friend popped his head out.
"I bet she doesn't have anywhere to sit." Hermione appeared stood over Ron, and Harry seemed to beam at her.
"Well come sit with us Professor!" he said eagerly, and Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron just snickered, and jabbed him in the ribs playfully. "Ouch." Procella nodded with a smile, amused by their antics. She entered their carriage, and the door shut. As soon as she sat down, Harry swarmed her with questions. "Are you alright Professor? How long was it before they let you out of the infirmary?Did you tell Dumbledore about it? Did you come alone?"
"And what's your star sign." Ron added with a chuckle, and Harry elbowed him back painfully. They were wearing their jeans today, and Harry wore a large red coat, Ron a blue one, and Hermione a pink one and a woolly pink hat and gloves. She gulped, and pulled out her pad and paper. Again. I hate using these darn things. Procella wrote down her answers with a smile.
I am very well Harry, thank you for your concern. I have been 'released' a few days now, and I think you of all people should know that the headmaster is well informed about everything that happens in his castle. And I did not come alone. My friend Tonks, you know her I believe, an assigned Aura, is in the teacher's carriage. But there wasn't enough room so we spilt up.
"Good thing Harry was well on alerts for you. Ouch!" Harry hit Ron over the head, and gave him a meaningful look. "Yeah, alright." He grumbled.
"Boys." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"So, we're off to Ron's brother's joke shop. Want to come with us?"
"Actually, Tonks said something about us going there later. The Weasley twins?"
"Wow!" Harry and Ron jumped as Hermione spoke out, in her own voice, answering for Procella. "Neat trick."
"Thank you. But it is no 'trick'." Hermione looked to Procella. "Is this a mild state of possession?" "Yes Hermione, it is." She answered herself. "Fascinating. Where did you learn it?"
"Now I know that was Hermione." They all laughed at Ron. "But seriously. It's Saturday. Leave that for school Herm."
"Oh fine." She pouted. "I think Hermione's interest in her education is very inspiring." "Thank you professor." "You are quite welcome."
"Wow, stop, confusing." Ron blinked as he tried to keep up with the one way one way conversation.
"This is odd. I feel perfectly normal, and yet my mouth moves and words form, and I dint feel it." "That is perfectly normal Ms Granger."
"So." Harry interrupted. "If you are going to the Weasley's wizardly wheezes, maybe we could meet up?"
"We shall see. I fear Ms Tonks wants to take me shopping for the most of the morning." She chuckled herself, and Hermione continued for her. "Though if we do meet up, I will be sure to stop and say hello." Procella chuckled and looked out of the window. "Gosh this train is fast. I could have sworn we had only just left Hogwarts a moment ago."
The train pulled up to the station, and they got off the train. The students were released first, and Procella bid the trio goodbye through Hermione. As the swarm of students bustled past her, she looked over their heads to look for Tonks. But as of yet, her bubblegum pink hair, that was very distinguishable, was no where in sight. Even if she had her hat on, she would have stuck out. But she couldn't see her.
She's probably not off the train yet. Procella stood, waiting patiently in her long black cape and her visible emerald eye scanned the crowd again. It got bigger and bigger, and she could no longer stand still. The hoard of people pushed her back and she couldn't call out for them to stop of someone to help her. She had to grab onto the side of a shop and pull herself into the doorway, before she could break free.
At least, she breathed easy and watched in awe/horror as they filtered out of the train and deeper into Hogsmeade. Procella looked up at the shop, and raised a brow. Honeydukes Sweetshop hung on a sign out front, and her nose was enticed by the sweetest aromas. Procella's feet grew a life of their own, and she walked inside the shop.
"Why hello there!" A Jolly man that most knew as Ambrosius Flume, the owner of the sweet shop, welcomed her from behind the counter. His great smile was contagious, and drew Procella further into the shop. "Well, what a lovely young lady. Why don't you come and try these tester chocolates Mmm?" he lifted up a silver tray of small milk chocolate, dark, and white chocolate balls. "Chocoballs. In all the chocolates, filled with strawberry mousse and clotted cream. The best I have ever had in stoke, and you can try one if you like." Procella walked up to the desk, drinking in all the rich, delicious smells from al around her. She looked down at the tray, and smiled to him. She then nodded, and looked back to the tray. "I have always believed that chocolate can be used to define who you are. Go on, pick one." Her hand hovered for a moment over the tray, while she decided which she wanted. "Ah, good sir. Why don't you try one of Honeydukes finest Chocoballs you have ever tasted? Free!" she froze as a strong, pale hand took the nearest dark Chocoball, and she looked up, the chocolates forgotten. Severus Snape looked the ball over like he would a pupil, with scrutiny, and then (reluctantly from the look on his face) put it in his mouth. He chewed it, and swallowed. "What do you think? Don't you think the Pretty young lady should try one?"
"They are very acceptable." He said calmly. "Try one if you wish." Procella forced herself to look back to the tray, more than shocked to see Snape in this kind of shop, and finally took one. A white one.
"Ah, I thought so. White. From the moment I first saw you I knew you would pick that one. Chocolate can say a lot about a person. You are sweet, bubbly, soft and creamy. Not to mention fruity." She blushed slightly and smiled. "And the gentleman beside you is harder, with a misleading dark appearance. Where the where a secret delight hides for those who dare to crunch." The man chuckled. "Please, do recommend this new batch to your friends, or even strangers! Could I interest you in a box, Miss?" He offered her a red love heart box, with a white ribbon tied in a bow on the front. "Only 3 galleons! 2 if you by another box! That is a saving of 4 galleons!" Procella was still sucking on her sweet, lost in heaven as the smooth milky chocolate, cream, and strawberry mixed and melted on her tongue. "Too good for words, ay?" He beamed, impressed with his own goods.
"You could say that." Snape placed a hand on her back. "We shall surely remember our visit here and we must unfortunately take our leave. Consensio." Procella nodded thanks to Ambrosius Flume, and followed Snape out of the shop. "I saw you made the common mistake every fresh blood makes when emerging the express train with the overzealous children." He droned, paying more attention to holding her arm and guiding her through the busy streets somewhere. And she could have sworn he was looking out to make sure they weren't being followed…or even just seen. "Always wait 15 minutes as the minimum for them to leave the train. Or get dragged in the undertow. I saw you amidst the students. Next time, I advise you wait." He pulled her into an alley, where they were very much alone. The light seemed to have become dull, and the people around her were horrifically grotesque. They were dressed in rags, and Snape had to death stare one of them not to haggle them into buying what looked suspiciously like human fingers… windows were smashed, and the hobble paving beneath her feet was harsh and a lot bumpier than the main street she had been on.
Snape dragged her down a set of steep steps, where it all got worse.
It looked like an underground. "You will stay by my side and never leave it. You will do as I say at all times, and keep up." He ordered, again concentrating on getting her to their destination, not his voice or her. Procella pulled against his arm, wanting to go back. But when she saw his stern eyes look to her, she froze, and became far easier to drag down the street. No one seemed to care a tall man in long black robes dragging a young woman down the street with one iron grip hand on her upper left arm. At last, he pushed her into what looked like a run down pub, and she went stumbling forwards first.
It had dark mahogany bar side, silver and wood bar stools, round wooden tables and lots of hooded drunkards sprawled over them.
Why on Earth would Snape bring her here? Procella instantly turned on her heels to leave, when she collided smack bang into the rock hard chest of the man who had brought her here. She stepped back and rubbed her nose. Snape rolled his eyes, and grabbed her elbow. Procella yanked it back, and again, tried to leave. She didn't like the look, the smell, or the feel of this place. She wanted to go back to Honeydukes, safe, warm, bright and cheery Honeydukes. But Snape hooked both his arms under hers and bared them over her shoulders. He dragged her, mutely kicking and screaming into a back room. It looked to be the restaurant section of the pub, as these people were not drunk, but eating. And they were all sat upright, still in black hoods, but conversing like civilised people over their meal. It was close to lunch, she thought. There was a classical British composition playing melodically at just the right sound level, and the lighting here was almost…romantic. She then noticed that the floors were a well kept green carpet, and people were sat in twos on the round black wood tables, and classy looking cushion chairs. This was like nothing she saw before, nothing like the front of the pub. She didn't get to just look for long, as Snape deposited her on a chair in the very back of the room in a deep corner, and then shoved the table. It pinned her in the corner, cornering her in the perfect sense of the word. "Now, hood up." He pulled his own up, and raised a brow when she didn't. "Hood, up." He growled sternly, and she couldn't pull it over her head quickly enough. "Good."
"How can I help you?" A tall woman with long white blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail, in a black and white waitress outfit, but with black slacks, no skirt or dress, asked. She held a note pad and hovered a quill above it, waiting for their orders. "A drink while I get your menus?"
"Two empty glasses. I will produce the water."
"Mr Snape, you never order drinks." The waitress chuckles, and batted her grey eyes at him. She was stick thin, and had very high cheek bones. She obviously thought herself pretty.
"My dear, you are very young. You should know not to address your customers by their name, nor their title in this place." He reprimanded her like any student at Hogwarts. But he always looked to Procella. She however, was watching the waitress.
"Oh, I am terribly sorry sir." She bowed her head with a cheeky smile, and wrote down the order. "Two empty glasses for table 7." She then walked off to the kitchen.
Procella clicked her fingers, and a parchment and quill appeared before her. She then grabbed it and wrote furiously into the parchment. Showing her mood…
She thrust the paper at him, and he read to himself.
Where are we, what are we doing here, and what am I doing here?
"My dear, you are my wife." He smirked evilly, and looked to the side. Procella had her mouth open. "Don't the other couples here look happy, darling?" he whispered to her, and she gripped her fists on the table. He then chuckled. "Oh, a little game of hangman. Very well, I will play." He then wrote down on the paper, and gently slipped it back to her.
We are in the secret section of the Atrum Amor. Where only the purebloods and 'union members' are permitted. We are having a meal, and you are here to act as my wife. As you have no doubt observed, only married or courting couples are permitted entry.
Procella looked up at him, hoping this was one big joke. But when he didn't show any sign of smirking at her and saying something Snarky like 'you fool, you fell for it'…she gulped.
He was serious.
And she thought again on the note. Union members? Members of what?
She wrote again on the note, and handed it back a little nicer than before. He noticed and nodded. "Ah, you are winning my dear. I am terrible with continents." He read the new message.
Why am I here as your wife? And what union?
Snape chuckled as he read this, and covered the paper up just in time for the waitress to return.
"Sir, your glasses." She placed them before Snape, and threw a dirty look towards her. She must be smitten with Snape something rotten.
"Thank you."
"And your menus sir."
"Good. Now please, I wish to be…alone with my wife."
"A special occasion sir?" She pushed her breasts up into his view slightly, and Procella looked away and rolled her eyes. What? She could have Snape if she wanted him. Procella didn't even want to be here. She looked back however, when Snape passed her the glass. She reached out for it, and Snape quickly, but gently held her hand in his. She realised this was some sort of signal to the girl to leave him alone, as he was 'taken'. But she waited for his answer, even when he muttered 'aguamenti', filling her glass. When he refused to let her hand go, Procella brought the glass to her lips with her left hand. Her free hand. "Sir?"
"Yes, my wife's pregnancy." Procella almost gagged on her water, and gulped it down painfully. "Are you alright dear? Did it go down the wrong hole?" she spluttered slightly, but nodded to him with a smile. It was a fake smile, but that didn't matter.
"Well, I will give you three, time to order." The girl left, and Procella looked to his eyes, almost demanding for an explanation in her silence. She bushed and looked down defiantly when he snickered and chuckled evilly at her situation.
"I had to get rid of her. He will not come unless it is just the two of us." She raised her brow, giving him all the question he needed. "You shall see soon enough who I mean." He then saw her looking at him strangely, as if waiting for him to do something. He raised his own brow, and didn't understand. That was, until she blatantly looked to their hands. He was still holding her hand in one of his. He then smirked evilly, knowing what she wanted. "We have to give a good show, dear." She blushed with an uncomfortable scowl, and looked away from him to the wall. She tried to tug her hand free, but his grip on her hand tightened at just the right time, and stopped her. "Dear." He warned once, and then looked over the menu. "Are you a vegetarian or anything ridiculous like that?" she shuck her head, still looking away from him. "Good. I will order for you. You have to be careful what you order here. Thus our empty glasses." He bluntly, and scanned the silver menu with his eyes.
How could he? How could he drag her down here, to be her wife, for some guy to come over to them? Who was he waiting for? Why did it even matter? Why her! Was it because she was conveniently there? She wondered why Snape would go into a sweet shop. He had been looking for her.
But then…why her? He wouldn't have come into the shop, and dragged her all that way, when he could have dragged anyone from the order or the teaching staff, or at random!
Wait…of course. I can't blow his cover! I can't talk! That bastard! I can't talk, so he has me as his accomplice, because I can't contradict anything he says or let anything important slip! Bastard! She scowled to the wall, and didn't like the way he suddenly started to rub circled into the back of her hand. Even through the silk red glove, it was strangely soothing. And that disturbed her more than anything.
"Can I take your order now sir?" the girl was back, and she had undone a few more buttons of her shirt. Little slut. She spat mentally, and wished she could just grab the girl, make her sit here in her place, and run for it. But that was another reason she was complying. She had no idea where here was, or how to get back safely. Procella needed Snape to keep her safe.
"Yes, two bowls of tomato, basil and leak soup please."
"Thank you. Anything else sir?" She turned her back to Procella, and leaned her hip on the table, in front of Snape.
"No, thank you." He said through grip teeth, and Procella chuckled at him. This earned her a death stare, which quickly shut her up and look down at her lap. "Darling, are you in pain? From the baby?" he forced a voice of concern, and she looked up. He still held her hand. "I hope you like soup." She saw him pass the paper back to her, with a response.
You are here as my wife, as you are the perfect candidate for the moment with my resources. Procella knew what that meant. She had thought of it while he looked over the menu.
And look at me. You will see of which union I speak. Procella raised a brow, and looked up. Snape released her hand, and pulled the sleeve of his left arm up.
Until she could see the start of his dark mark.
She gasped, and Snape grabbed her hand again with both of his this time. "My dear, does it hurt? Did you take your stomach easing potion this morning?" Procella forced a nod, and looked away.
The death eaters. Everyone in here are death eaters and their family! Procella looked cautiously around the room. It would make sense, as to why the waitresses couldn't say the customer's names, and why they all wore hoods. Death Eater tradition and all that. She then flicked a finger at the paper, and another message appeared, after vanishing everything else. She needed the room.
And why on earth are we, meaning you and ME, in a room with death eaters? At that Snape crumpled up the note, and placed it in his pocket. "We are here to eat to the health to our child, not play games honey."
"I wish my wife was as playful." A deep voice chuckled from behind him, and Procella grew ridged with fear…
She knew that voice… "A many good returns Snape."
"And you. Come, join us." Procella kicked him under the table, and Snape snapped his gaze on her. She was shacking her head at him, and he was shocked. She was a coward. What would make her hit him? Even if under the table. She was terrified of him.
"And I will." He was rather rotund, and hidden in a black version of a medieval monk's robes. "My wife will be along shortly, if we take long."
"We will not." He assured Procella more than anything, as she was now holding onto his hand for dear life. That worried him…
"Good good. And it is a pleasure at last to finally meet the wife of one of the most inspirational, loyal members of our little family." He chuckled as if he was some sort of friar, and pulled up a chair between Snape and Procella. But closer to Snape. "You can call me Avery." He held his hand out to her, but she didn't take it.
"My wife is feeling under the weather. She has begun the morning sickness cycles and unfortunately it has continued throughout the day. As you will see we have only ordered soup. And she has tonsillitis. She isn't supposed to speak, to save her tonsils before we have them removed." Snape came to her rescue, and tried to get Avery's attention. But he was looking at Procella. Thanks to the hood, only her blood red lips were on view, and a curly lock of her golden hair.
"What is your wife's name?"
"Pr-" Procella kicked him hard under the table. And this time it hurt. "Prudence. Prudence Snape."
"Well well well. You know, I never imagined you to be the settling type. Not after what we got up to in our early days, ay Severus?" he chuckled heartily. "You know, I went to school with your husband." She smiled weakly, and her hand shuck as she took another sip of her water. "Severus, I do believe your wife is worse than you thought. Is it natural to be that pale? And her hands are shacking."
"She will be fine." Snape gave her hand a squeeze. This was not as comforting as Procella needed. Because it meant 'hand in there'. When she would have much preferred 'let's go'. "As for our past escapades, what news is there from the Dark Lord?" Avery looked to Snape now, letting only Severus see Procella shuffle silently as much against the wall as she could. And as far away from Avery as possible.
"The Dark Lord? You want to talk about that, here, in front of your wife?"
"I assure you, she will tell no one." Technically, that was true.
"Very well." He drew himself closer to Snape, and they talked quietly. But Procella could hear them. "Well, he has contacted Grayback's pack, and they have officially sworn allegiance. And Mulciber has successfully gained the services of the south Lake merpeople, and a large Welsh clan."
"Of Merpeople?"
"Of Banshees." Procella spluttered on her water again.
"Steady dear. I swear she doesn't take her medicine." Snape gave her hand another supportive squeeze, and then turned back to his old school mate/fellow death eater. "And how exactly did he get the Banshees to agree to an alliance with the Dark Lord? He would be dead before the end of the first welcoming sentence."
"Well, he got them to write down their demands, and read the ones of the Dark Lord with the Imperius curse. He I bloody brilliant at that."
"I have heard." He glanced over at Procella, who did indeed look very pale. "And has the Dark Lord any orders for me?"
"No, I don't believe so. He is still contemplating his next move against the order." He leaned on the table with a sigh, then, looked up in sudden memory. Oh, but there was something he wanted you to tell me. Apparently, there is a new teacher at your school." At that, Procella lowered the glass and held both of Snape's hands.
Please don't tell him about me, don't tell him, please don't. She begged in her mind, and looked up at Snape, who had seen her silent plea. "What do you know about them?"
"Weak. A coward. Worse than Quirrell when acting. Not in the order, withdrawn. Not ever talkative. No real concern in the slightest."
"But is it true she can do powerful magic without a wand? His Lordship was very interested when that rumour reached him."
"Well, she teaches None verbal magic. But I have not seen her teach, I wouldn't know."
"Oh, well Malfoy reported she was very powerful. But actually, he said she was spineless too. So maybe that was and underestimate." Avery leaned forward on the table again. "So no real strengths? There was a rumour that she hospitalised a teacher."
"Well, she has. But it was an accident. She is incredibly blunderous."
"Ah, never mind then." He sighed, and looked over to Procella. "So, pregnant? Had a gender scan yet?"
"It is still very early." Procella was still looking at Snape.
And Avery gasped.
"Why is that you?" Snape discreetly pulled his wand from his robes under the table. "Oh, the Dark Lord will be pleased. We thought we lost you years ago. Are you still under there, little swan?" he leaned forward, and grabbed her hood. Procella backed up as much as she could, but he yanked it down. "Why, I forgot just what a beauty you were, Procella." He smirked evilly now.
"You are mistaken." Snape said calmly, as Procella whimpered against the wall. "My wife's name is Prudence."
"Is that what she told you?" he chuckle evilly, and showed off his yellow teeth. "Yes, the Dark lord will be pleased when I tell him his pet has been captured. I dare say you will be greatly rewarded for finding her again Severus." Snape pointed the wand at him under the table, ready. "Wait…pregnant?" He raised a brow, and frowned. "Merlin, that's not good. You were meant to have his…" his head lolled forward, and Snape reached over the table. He pulled Procella's hood over her face, and sat back down calmly.
"You thought Avery was good with the Imperius? Well, now you will see how skilled I am. I don't even need to verbally command you, to make you do as I please." Avery sat up straight, and was very quiet. "Darling, it is time for us to leave. You are in too much pain to stay." He told her, and all three hastily rose from the table.
"Your soup is-sir? Leaving so soon?"
"Yes, my wife needs medical attention." He grabbed Procella from behind, one hand on her shoulders, the other on her hip. "Hold you stomach and look in pain." He spat by her ear, and Procella grasped over her womb with both hands. "Avery will help me." The man from her past followed them obediently out through the pub, and they briskly walked through knockturn ally. Procella was whimpering, and not because of a fake child. Avery had seen her, recognised her. It wouldn't be long before he came after her again. That stupid fool Snape. She told him she wasn't a death eater. But he was so stupid he didn't think there would be another reason why she had the dark mark on her back. And not on her arm. She sobbed, as Snape pushed them both into a back alley. Avery walked forward like a zombie, and stood perfectly still about 5 feet away. "Consensio, stay here. Don't, move." He said coldly, and walked with Avery down the alley, and around a corner. Procella whimpered against a wall, bit her lips. She did that when she didn't want to cry.
A few moments later, and Snape was back.
Alone. "Come, we are leaving." He grabbed her elbow as roughly as ever, and dragged her through secret alleys until they reached the steps back to diagonally.
It was like a dream. The sin was shining again, people were smiling and perfect, and it was like nothing in the word was wrong. Snape still held her elbow, but lightly now. "You have been a great service to the order." He whispered to her ear. "But you must never speak of what you have heard. And I have yet to question you on a few matters. But not now. Now…you have done enough." He released her. "Go." He spoke normally, as cold as ever. "I have reason to believe that you are expected at the three broomsticks." He then turned to leave her, and walked a few steps. But upon looking back, Procella hadn't moved. it was as if she had been stupefied to the spot.
Snape had come back alone.
Had he killed Avery? Or let him go back to Voldemort? Was his body lying in the back streets of that wretched place? Or sat blabbering all he had discovered to the Lord himself?
That meeting, with Avery…it brought back a lot of memories. Memories, she would have sooner wished to forget. "Consensio?" he waved his hand before her face, but she didn't respond.
Oh great. She's in shock. He rolled his eyes, and hooked her arm. Snape walked her down the main street until they were outside the three broomsticks pub. He released her, and waited. "There, go. Your ridiculously chipper friend will be worried." He waited, still she didn't move. "Consensio?" this was worrying. She didn't even look like she was breathing… "Procella!" he caught her just as she swooned forward, her body now limp and her eyes closed. People stopped their walking and watched the potion master tap her face to rouse her. "Damn it, wake up!" He pointed his wand at her. "Ennervate!" But she didn't wake up. And her lips were turning blue from lack of oxygen. He pulled a vial of potent smelling salts from his pocket, and held them under her nose. Still nothing.
"Professor!" Hermione knelt down next to them. "Have you-"
"Smelling salts and revival spells. Not working." He spat. He didn't have time for this. He had to get her breathing again. "Ennervate!" "Muggles use something called mouth to mouth resuscitation. It forces air into the lungs." When Snape looked to her, she continued. "Push down on her chest, seal your mouth with hers, blow air into her lungs, wait 5 seconds, and then push down on her chest over her heart 5 times, once a second." Snape lifted her up and held her head off the ground. He blew air into her lungs, and then waited for 5 seconds. He then pushed on her chest hard like told, and waited. She still wasn't breathing. "Do it again." Hermione was panicking now. her vast mind wasn't coming up with anything she hadn't already seen him try. Again, Snape forced air down her throat, and pushed down on her chest.
"What in the name of Merlin!" Lupin pushed through the crowed, followed by Tonks.
"Procella!"
"Stand back!" Snape ordered, whilst pushing on her chest. "Magic hasn't worked." He stated, so they didn't waste him time in asking what he was doing. He thumped on her chest, and sealed his lips to hers one last time. Procella gasped in his mouth, and her hands scrambled up as an automatic defence reflex. She grabbed his shoulders, and her green eyes snapped open. Their eyes locked, and Snape slowly pulled away, until their lips were barely touching. Both were panting, and Procella couldn't believe it. Her body had just shut down from the stress, and Snape had brought her back. "Don't you ever, do that again." He was still on his knees in the middle of the street, and still looked to her eyes with his. He then sat up, and pulled her up with him.
"Procella…" Tonks pushed through with Lupin, and stood behind them. "Are you ok? What did you do!" Tonks pulled her wand out, and Lupin had to pull her arms behind her back to stop her jumping the potion master.
Snape however, was still looking at Procella, uncertain of himself.
"It appears Ms Granger has saved you." He tried to sound curt, but it wasn't working. "Her knowledge of Muggle procedure was actually useful. And next time, remember to breath." He released her arms, and she wobbled on her legs. He had to grab her again, before she fell. "Oxygen depravation can be cured with a visit to the infirmary. Or one of my Oxy Potions. My Dungeon is closer." He lifted her up like a bride in his arms, and made his way through the crowd.
"Wait a minute!" Tonks tried to go after them, but he had moved too quickly.
For the second time that day, they entered Honeydukes sweetshop.
"Why, welcome again. I-"
"We shall be using the passageway in your cellar. I am Severus Snape, teacher at Hogwarts. And this is Procella Consensio, also a teacher at Hogwarts." He didn't wait for a response, as he glided down the steps to the basement.
All the way back to Hogwarts, through the passageway and through the castle, Snape carried her in his arms. When they reached the dungeons, Snape still held her until they walked into his classroom. Procella didn't even look up, until he placed her on the back desk. "I have the potion in my store cupboard." He walked off, leaving her in a half trance. He returned with a long blue bottle, and uncorked the top. He poured a measure into a vial, and handed it to her professionally. "Drink it slowly. Give it time to infuse into your blood system." He then took the bottle back to his store room, and shouted back. "I will have to give a detailed report of our mission to Dumbledore before nightfall. You may accompany me as I am sure he will wish to converse upon our findings, and tell me my next task. You may be involved again. You were useful…" He placed the bottle back in its place, and lowered his hand in thought. "I may have to use you in future missions." He slowly walked back to the classroom, his robes billowing behind him. in a fashion, he was famous for. "Perhaps now, is the time for me to enquire why Avery knew you and referred to you as…" but she was gone. The door was open, an empty vial stood on the table, and she hadn't heard her leave. "…little swan. Damn."
