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Chapter 14- You're Safe

Tonks replayed what had transpired on repeat. Snape's absence from duty the past few nights was convenient for Tonks, or maybe he was avoiding her. Regret and humiliation filled Tonks when she would think about that night. Mainly that she could have destroyed the only relationship that saved her from herself. Tonks was thankful that Snape had been such a respectful gentleman; however, it didn't take away the humiliation of trying to seduce him in the first place. She was unable to process the fact that she was desperate enough to kiss Severus Snape, her most hated past professor. If she told anyone about the other night, they would think that she was under the influence of the Imperius Curse. Even though it was absurd to imagine having intimate relations with him, she couldn't help but think about how it felt to have his body against hers. It was insane that she was even thinking about it, but Snape was actually a great kisser and it felt great to have her mind on someone other than Remus.

It was a dark, freezing night. The only sounds were of heavy snowflakes hitting the frozen ground. The Hogwarts grounds didn't feel cheerful and full of life like usual. There was a dark fog of darkness clouding the usually merry atmosphere, but not just at Hogwarts, everywhere as well. Lately it seemed everywhere she went someone was spying on her, or it might be that she trained under the most paranoid auror of all time. Two years ago walking alone in Hogsmead Village was one of the safest places to be at this time of night, but now it was probably the most dangerous. Hogsmead was the closest apparition spot near Hogwarts since Dumbledore increased the security perimeter.

Tonks was alarmed when she heard a snap in the woods near the Three Broomsticks. She whipped out her wand, and a light ignited the tip revealing a falling tree branch that had obviously been weighted with snow. She shook off her adrenaline rush and cursed under her breath, "Damn Moody!" blaming him for making her skittish. As she grasped the door handle to the Three Broomsticks, she heard a "POP" in the distance. With her wand at the ready, Tonks went into full auror mode. She quietly crept closer to where she heard the sound and weaved through the trees. When she peered around a tree, she saw a dark figure on the ground. All Tonks could make out in the darkness was that it was definitely a silhouette of a person.

Tonks remained silent and alert just in case the figure wasn't alone. A couple of silent minutes passed and she walked over to the black figure lying on the cold, snowy ground. She walked closer to the figure, and before her very eyes laid Severus Snape's unconscious body. Tonks couldn't believe it. She kneeled down next to him and immediately responded by checking his pulse. He was alive, but he was clearly unresponsive.

Lumos illuminated out of her wand, and she pointed it to assess his state. As she moved her wand across his body, she discovered the bloodbath that stained the pure white snow beneath him. She couldn't tell where the source of the bleeding was coming from due to Snape's all black clothes. Without hesitation she unbuttoned his robe and ripped open his undershirt exposing his naked torso. Tonks couldn't help but cringe at what she saw. Snape's pale chest had vast knife gashes across it and a few stab punctures. She went to feel how severe and deep the punctures were. When her cold, bloodstained hands grazed his chest, Snape grabbed her wrist aggressively. Tonks stated calmly, "Severus, its Tonks." She placed her wand on the ground and used her other hand to gently brush his hair out of his face to calm him.

Snape barely opened his eyes to make sure it was truly her. He whispered, "Nymphadora."

"Yes, it's me. You're going to be alright. You're safe." She reassured him. Snape closed his eyes and released her wrist. Tonks thought he either lost consciousness again, or he relaxed because he felt safe. Since Tonks was an auror, she always had potions and things to help aid on dangerous missions, so she decided that it would be best to bring Snape back to her room to get him stable before sending him directly to the hospital wing.

Expecto Patronum A sliver wolf leaped out of Tonks' wand notifying the castle that she found Snape unconscious, and she had the supplies to get him stable.

Wingardium Leviosa

Snape's body levitated into the air and floated along with Tonks toward the Three Broomsticks. Tonks knew that Snape wouldn't want everyone to see him unconscious, so she went through the back door. As soon as Tonks walked into the pub with Snape floating behind her, Rosmerta gasped worriedly at the sight of him, "Merlin's beard! What happened?"

"I wish I knew. I found him like this. I already notified the castle that I have him."

"Do you need my help?" Rosmerta asked desperately,

"I think I've got it covered. I'll let you know if i do."

Tonks finally made it to her room and placed Snape onto her bed. She opened his dress robes and applied dittany to his major cuts and gashes. She raised him up and removed his top completely to check for major wounds. There were a few more on his sides and back. "Accio towels" The towels appeared on her end table just in time, and Tonks cleaned off the blood on his back. Looking at this horrible sight, Tonks realized just how much Snape did for the Order, and how lucky it was to hear him apparate just in time to find him. The dittany was helping and the wounds were healing nicely. She lifted his head gently and poured some pepper-up potion in his mouth, and he swallowed the potion naturally. She laid his head back down and turned her wand to the bowl next to her as water poured from her wand filling the bowl. Once the bowl was full, she whispered, "Focillo" and steam rose from the water. She dipped the towel into the warm water in order to clean him up. While washing his torso, Tonks was shocked to discover that Snape had a rather formed body. Thinking to herself, who would've thought Snape would look this fit under all those buttons. Earlier she was too distracted by his wounds to notice his toned physique. She shook off the random thoughts about Snape's naked chest and began washing his face. For a second he didn't look like the Snape she knew. He seemed peaceful and stress free with a completely relaxed face. No forehead or frown wrinkles were present as she lightly caressed his face with the warm towel. As she moved her way to his arms, Tonks did a double take when she noticed the Dark Mark on his forearm. She couldn't help but stare at it. She knew he had to have the mark, but actually witnessing it on him was shocking. Seeing the Dark Mark so close was spellbinding. It was like the slithering snake was putting her under some kind of hypnosis tempting her to touch it. As her fingers neared the dancing serpent, Snape startled her by grabbing her wrist forcefully.

"DON'T TOUCH IT." He commanded angrily.

"I'm sorry; I was just cleaning you up."

"Don't touch me." Snape released her and asked, "Where am I?" He was looking around the room disoriented.

Tonks explained, "You're in my room at the Three Broomsticks. I found you unconscious in the woods and brought you here."

Snape looked frazzled and rushed. "Why did you bring me here? You should've just left me there." Snape retorted.

Tonks was confused. Did he really expect her to just let him die? "Why would I do that? You were stabbed multiple times and bleeding all over. I healed you." She added.

Snape was not himself. He felt as though he had been thrown under the Knight Bus. "Did you not think that maybe it was for a good reason?"

"No, I saw you dying and responded accordingly. " Tonks explained with a hint of hurt in her tone.

Snape had too many things on his mind to be dealing with this debacle. He was just stabbed by Bellatrix because Draco failed to kill Dumbledore, and using the cursed necklace was clearly her idea. Bella obviously blamed him for the reason why Draco was postponing the murder and convinced The Dark Lord as well. Snape seemed to be getting chilly and looked down at his topless body. He blushed and asked rudely, "Oh and I suppose stripping me of my dignity was also part of the plan?"

"Plan? Surely you're joking? I had to find the source of your bleeding. I didn't strip you for my own volition."

"I find that unconvincing seeing as just the other night you tried to seduce me." Snape stood up and grabbed his blood drenched shirt from the floor, and he noticed the state his shirt was in. Snape then realized how bad off he truly was. He was too proud to thank her, plus he was still extremely angry at the fact that Draco was lying to him and making plots behind his he put his shirt on, he was baffled that his buttons were ripped off. Rolling his eyes he stated, "I suppose you didn't have time to unbutton my shirt properly."

"Usually men like it when I rip off their shirt, you're welcome." Tonks stated cheeky.

"Clearly you don't have that effect of me." Snape confessed while turning around and storming out of the room with his shirt open. Tonks could not believe how prideful and dramatic he was. His reactions made her blood boil with fury. She followed after him to make sure he would be alright considering what he had just went through. She made sure to not let him know she was checking on him.

She heard Rosmerta voice shout with joy, "Severus! I've been worried sick!"

"Ah! Find someone else to worry about, will you!" Snape snapped at her and left the Three Broomsticks as fast as possible.

Tonks took a deep breath to relieve her frustration and sat down at the bar. "I will never understand that man." Merta said under her breath seeming offended.

To help get her mind off Snape's rudeness, Tonks ordered politely, "One Butterbeer, please."

"I'm sure you need one after dealing with him, aye?" Rosmerta laugher.

"Yeah, well I'm sure he's just angry that someone actually saw him topless for once." Tonks joked.

Merta looked guilty and didn't laugh at Tonks' joke. "Mighty fit under all that black. Surprising isn't it?"

Tonks choked in embarrassment and inquired, "How would you know?" Merta had a sly, guilty grin on her face. Tonks took one look at her expression and added, "Never mind, I don't want to know."

Rosmerta confessed, "When Severus first started teaching here, he came here to drink his demons away. He struggled to hold his liquor in his younger days. Now I suppose he gets lonely from time to time."

Tonks could not believe what she was hearing. Snape…Severus Snape frequently had relations with Rosmerta the barmaid. After she thought about it, it really wasn't much of a surprise. Rosmerta was attractive in her own way, but what bothered her more than anything was that he would hook up Merta, but not her. She figured it was mostly because of her age and their involvement with the Order. Between being angry, sleepy, and grossed out, Tonks yawned, "I guess I'll be going to bed now, thank you for the inescapable vivid images in my brain." Tonks got up and headed up the stairs.

While lying in bed, many absurd thoughts stormed her mind. She didn't know why it bothered her so much that Snape turned her down the other night. Why did he behave that way about her saving his life? And the most insane reoccurring thought being how surprising attractive his body was. She thought to herself, I must be out of my mind!

As soon as Snape walked out of the Three Broomsticks fuming, he apparrated to the Hogwarts Gates. He tapped his wand to the gate and it allowed him access. He walked straight to the headmasters office. Dumbledore was awake unable to manage the pain his hand was causing.

Dumbledore was glad to see Severus was alright. "Ah, Severus! I'm glad to see that Mrs. Tonks was able to come to your aid. What in Merlin's beard happened to you?"

Snape couldn't help but rant angrily, "Well it seems that not only has Draco been lying to me, but he is seeking outside help from Bellatrix. We both knew that Draco was behind the attack, but since he failed, I had to take the punishment. To make my punishment even more severe, Bellatrix told the Dark Lord that she had to intervene due to the fact that I have ignored Draco's endeavors to kill you."

"This is unfortunate to hear; however, it is not unexpected. It will be best to remain calm with Draco for the time being seeing as though he has been communicating with Voldemort's right hand." Dumbledore informed.

I almost died tonight! How am I to remain calm?" Snape shouted.

"You have no other choice. If you push Draco away then you will die due to the vow. You must be the one to kill me Severus, not Draco. It is crucial that you get that credit with Voldemort if tonight didn't prove that enough. He obviously doesn't trust you, and this is the only way to prove you are a true follower."

With a look of defeat, Snape agreed. "I understand what I have to do. I'll talk with Draco." He didn't know when or how he was going to speak with the little prat, but he knew that he had enough for one noticed that Dumbledore looked tense and was holding his hand. "Do you still have a vial of potion left? I can sense you're in pain." Snape added with concern.

"Do you need to go see Madam Pomfrey so she can look you over?" Dumbledore responded humorously. Snape rolled his eyes. "I didn't think so. Goodnight Severus."

Snape turned around and left without another word. He headed to his chambers to prepare for another miserable day in his melancholy life.