Sorry this is late, college is kicking my butt :( Why did i decide I wanted to learn Chinese as a second language?
Penny found Harry asleep in the common room, his glasses sliding off his nose. Grabbing a blanket, she crawled onto the couch with him, squirming her way next to him. He stirred behind her, his face pressing into her hair.
"You have some explaining to do," he murmured into it.
"Are you terribly angry with me," Penny replied, quietly.
"I was worried and Snape refused to tell me anything," said Harry, wrapping his arm around her so they fit better on the couch together.
"Of course he did," Penny said with an eye roll, " it's been a strange two days, Harry, but I don't even know how or where to begin."
"A common excuse of yours lately. Just start, you'll find it gets easier, it's not good to keep it inside and expect to deal with it all yourself. We've always told each other everything, stop shutting me out," Harry said, running his fingers through her matted hair.
"I know you're right, I just don't know why it's felt so hard lately."
"I hate to say it, but you've never been abnormal, Penny. You could always explain and understand everything about yourself, even in the magical world. You've spent all your time using your normality to ignore my abnormality. Truth be told, when we found the wizarding world, it was. . .weird. I didn't know what to think of myself. You helped me figure it out, but now I need you to believe it's okay to be the one who needs help. I promise I can handle it."
"Does this mean you'll do my charms homework for me too?" Penny grinned.
"Stop deflecting," Harry said, and instead of prodding her in her back as she expected, he prodded her mind with his own.
It was something Penny had been missing without realizing it. In her avoidance of Harry, she'd been trying to keep her mental space to herself, afraid of what Harry would see, afraid of how he'd react. But it was a foolish fear, her twin was not like Snape, and he would not abandon her no matter what she was hiding in the recesses of her brain.
"I'm sorry for shutting you out," Penny said, taking a hold of his hand and pulling it close to her chest.
Closing her eyes, she opened the little door that existed in the back of her mind that connected her to Harry's own. His presence was very different from Tom's, who felt like an intruder. No, Harry walked through gently, his every step inward soothing Penny's fears. He was able to move through her thoughts and memories as if he were a part of them, the two of them exchanging every event and thought that they'd experienced in the last two months without opening their mouths. Harry's mind was so unlike Snape's, which she had a hard time interpreting. Harry's was as familiar as her own, his every thought processes laid out for her. His current thoughts and concerns were centered around the events of the evening, why Barty Crouch had arrived on the grounds seemingly not all there and in desperate need to see Dumbledore. Bizarrely, when Harry had gone to retrieve Dumbledore, Crouch had disappeared and someone knocked Krum unconscious.
Between everything going on and his hurting scar, Harry was convinced Voldemort connected somewhere into it all, but he could not pinpoint where, nor could Penny, who really did not want to believe Voldemort was anywhere near coming back. Penny and Harry both knew the first thing he would do upon his return would be to find Harry, and that thought frightened Penny more than anything else.
Harry expressed his bewilderment at the events that had taken place, but pulled Penny in closer, chuckling at the image of Snape almost busting her with weed. The two of them fell asleep like this, their dreams intermingling with the others'. Until a group of giggling girls woke them the next morning, whispering about how 'strange the Potters are'. Penny fully expected weird speculations about their relationship to make its rounds through the castle. After growing up in a cupboard under the stairs with their aunt and uncle, Harry being the only human who made life bearable, she did not care if her and Harry's comfort with sleeping next to each was weird to anyone else.
Walking groggily through the Great Hall, Penny felt a hand grab at hers. She looked down at a too-handsome-for-Monday-morning Cedric Diggory, who pulled Penny into his lap and kissed her cheek with great enthusiasm.
"How I've missed these cheeks," he said, repeatedly planting kisses on both her cheeks until Penny was laughing.
"Are you trying to get us detention," Penny said, attempting to sound reprimanding, but she failed miserably.
"No one's noticed us yet," Cedric complained as Penny tried to wriggle free to no avail.
"The entire Hufflepuff table is staring at us," Penny said, turning herself around to face him.
Looking down at the full, pouting lips before her Penny could not help but press a small kiss on them, which proved to be a mistake because it sent excited whispers flinging along the table. Cedric's eyebrow arched and his pretty eyes took a hold of Penny's green ones.
"Is this your way of trying to get out of telling me where you disappeared to? There are some wild rumors circulating about you at the moment," said Cedric.
"GET A ROOM," someone yelled from the Slytherin table.
Penny rolled her eyes and slid off Cedric's lap before one of their professors decided to walk by them.
"What can I say, I live an exciting life," she said, sardonically.
"Is that what you call a date to Paris with Professor Snape?" Cedric said, eyeing her from the corner of his eyes as he filled his plate.
"Date!" Penny choked, spitting most of her tea out on the table. "Honestly, how do people find this stuff out? It's impressive, too impressive. . ." Penny went on sourly, wiping the table clean.
"So you were-"
"I was meeting a journalist for the Daily Prophet in London, when we were finished, Professor Snape decided we were going to Paris, because that's just how Snape is," Penny corrected Cedric before he could finish his accusation.
He turned to examine her as though uncertain whether to believe her or not, to which he received a scowl in return that caused him to grin.
"I was just asking Penny, I've been at Hogwarts long enough to know that you and Professor Snape are. . .strange. I was only jealous because I had hoped to spend the day with you," Cedric said, filling Penny's empty tea cup.
Penny reached for Cedric's hand and clasped it in her own and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Can we do something this weekend? And every weekend together until June?" Penny asked.
"Are you sure you can fit me into that busy schedule of yours?" Cedric teased.
"Says the most sought after man in the school," Penny said, kissing Cedric's neck teasingly.
"How about we go somewhere else where I can repay you for that," he said, taking her hand and pulling her from the table.
Heads followed them as they tried to act casual fleeing from breakfast for a quieter spot. Cedric dragged Penny down a couple of unused corridors and then pulled open a broom closet and ushered her inside. It was surprisingly clean, which made Penny think plenty of students frequented the spot for some middle of the day privacy.
With an effortless swish of his wand, Cedric lit several candles hanging above them, casting a romantic glow over the two of them. He then turned his attention to Penny, stepping into her personal bubble, causing her to feel suddenly overwhelmed by the intent in Cedric's eyes. They hadn't had a moment like this, alone, since the astronomy tower, and the recollection sent blood rushing to her cheeks. Her back hit the wall behind her as she took a step back and her breath caught in her chest as Cedric placed the palm of his hand just beside her head.
"Aw, does Penny not like an even playing field?" Cedric asked his voice husky and his eyes on her lips.
"It's never been even, you've always had an unfair advantage," Penny said, grasping a handful of his shirt.
"No need to sulk, Penny, I promise to play nicely," Cedric said, his lips stopping just shy of her own.
"You call this nicely?" Penny breathed, finally looking away from his lips to read what his eyes said.
He smiled and tapped her bottom lip with his pointer finger and then caressed her cheek gently. "Can I kiss you?" he whispered, sending a shiver up her spine.
"Who could ever say no to this face?"
With a small grin, his wonderfully soft lips engulfed her own, his hand moving from the wall to her hair. Penny's own hand grasped for his hip bone in an attempt to pull him closer. He obliged her with an approving moan. Their mouths were so blissfully entangled Penny was certain the feelings being elicited could not get any better, but then his strong hand took a firm hold of her waist and squeezed, causing Penny to gasp into his mouth.
The tingling spreading from his hand sent an urgency through Penny, who wanted to make him feel what she was experiencing. Except, unlike his polite hand, she yanked his shirt from his trousers to allow herself access to the silky skin and chiseled abs hiding beneath. Goosebumps burst into life beneath her hands and Cedric began to kiss her more forcefully, desperately pulling her nearer him.
"Ahem," came from the doorway that both of them had been too preoccupied to notice had opened
Penny jumped and Cedric immediately put three large steps between them as they both turned to face their visitor. To Penny's horror, the probing brown eyes of Lupin watched her from the door. He took in her visible embarrassment for a moment and then turned his gaze on Cedric, looking over his disarrayed clothing while trying to hide his amusement as he massaged the bridge of his nose.
"Professor-" Cedric started, but Lupin put his hand up to stop him.
"Mr. Diggory, I am no longer a Professor at this school, you owe me no explanations, but I encourage you to get moving to class before you owe one for your tardiness," said Lupin.
Cedric nodded, gave Penny an apologetic smile and then made his way past Lupin, tucking his shirt back in as he went. Lupin watched him, the lines in his face getting more prominent as he did so.
Penny was too mortified to say anything. All she wanted to do was escape the closet because it felt like it continued to damn her, but she was unwilling to face Lupin in order to make it to the door, afraid he would not let her off as easily as Cedric.
"I thought it was you I should worry about when I saw you two come in here, but evidently it's Cedric who wasn't prepared for you," Lupin sighed, looking uncharacteristically stressed.
"I-it-you could have made yourself known before we made it in here," Penny said, darkly, deciding on making a break for it.
Unfortunately, he was not letting her off that easy and caught her by the arm before she cleared him, pushing the door closed behind him. He looked down at her with a knowing look that sent heat shooting into Penny's face.
"I recall a conversation a year ago when you told me Diggory was nothing more than a friend and you've made no attempt to rectify that stance, so when I expected to follow you to your class, you can imagine my surprise when you turned into the most renowned snogging cupboard in Hogwarts," Lupin said, giving her a purposeful arch of his brow.
"Frequent here in your younger years, did you?"
"No, it was usually occupied by Sirius and his latest love interest," Lupin said, flicking her cheek in a playfully reprimanding manner.
"I didn't even know this place existed until today, but I think I'll be spending much more time here," Penny said, deviously.
"This day wasn't supposed to come this soon," Lupin sighed, releasing Penny's arm to run his hand through his hair.
"Please don't tell me you're about to get all 'you must protect your virtue' on me are you?" Penny said, sitting on the edge of the desk behind her and crossing her arms.
"Yes, and clearly you should give it to me because I am the only one worthy of it," Lupin said with an eye roll.
"Since you asked so nicely," Penny winked.
Lupin gave her a disapproving look before taking a seat beside her.
"I can see why the Diggory boy was taken off guard by you," Lupin said, accusingly
"That's unfair, Cedric provoked me! And anyway, that six pack of his was begging for my admiration, it would have been rude not to," Penny shrugged.
"Oh naturally. How reminiscent your argument is to the thousands I heard Sirius make," Lupin said with a shake of his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I don't know if that's a compliment or not," Penny frowned.
"You could ask Sirius but I wouldn't advise doing so. It seems he has grown more conservative in his old age and was thoroughly scandalized when he saw Diggory pull you out of that lake," said Lupin.
"Just what I need, a sex talk from Sirius," Penny groaned.
"Perhaps it would be better if we didn't broach this topic from him, he might not be the best person to go to for. . . useful . . .information on the topic."
"To that, I can wholly agree," said Penny, reclining against the wall.
Lupin turned to watch her, a small frown playing on his lips.
"I'm not saying there is anything more going on, but if, you, you know, want to talk about the topic, if there are things you'd like to know, or share, you can come to me," Lupin said, shifting uncomfortably.
"Only if you promise not to cry about my lost virtue," Penny grinned.
"No slut shaming, wizards honor," Lupin said, placing his hand on his heart as he did so.
"Perhaps you can explain how Cedric knows how to be so damn alluring. Sometimes, it feels like I'm helpless against his. . . abilities ," Penny said, searching awkwardly from a word to describe what Cedric did to her, "and sometimes I'd just like to return the favor, ya know?"
Surprisingly, Lupin burst out laughing and placed a hand on Penny's leg.
"I never took you for being the unobservant type, Penny."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Penny scowled.
"It means I am confident you are equally as alluring to Mr. Diggory, and judging by his composure, or rather, lack there-of, he was very much at your mercy," Lupin said in a more serious tone, though his brown eyes still looked very amused.
"If you say so," Penny sighed. "My professors are going to kill me, I'm so late for class," she added, rubbing her face with both hands.
"You are in luck then. I was coming after precisely to inform you that you do not have class today! Dumbledore has arranged it so I have the day to teach you and Snape some pertinent things about your connection that I think might help you."
"You sound far too optimistic for the reality of this situation," Penny pointed out.
Snape's mood today would be a dice roll. If she were lucky, he would be reasonable, but even if he was, she did not imagine his feelings from the night before would just evaporate and would eventually make an appearance again,
"Things are. . . complicated, yes. But I have to believe Professor Snape has always had your best interest at heart. In time, things will make more sense," Lupin said gently.
Penny heard Lupin but could not help but sulk. Those things were easy for him to say when he wasn't the one trapped by fate to be tied to Snape.
"Cheer up you little sook, as with Diggory, you are also oblivious to your impact on Professor Snape," Lupin teased, poking Penny's cheek.
Penny's eyes narrowed and she grabbed the finger poking her cheek and pulled his whole hand until it was cradled against it. "Why couldn't it have been you," Penny whispered, pressing her lips against the top of his hand gently.
Lupin's eyes softened and he looked almost sad. His hand pressed against her lips as though asking her to stay, if just for a moment and watched her, making no reply. With a small sigh he forced himself away from her and his cheek, taking her hand instead to lead her out of the closet. Silently, they walked hand in hand down to the dungeons, still clinging tightly to each other even when they entered Snape's classroom, eliciting a sneer from Snape when his eyes naturally found their way to their intertwined fingers. Yet, he made no remark, just tapped his wand impatiently against his side.
Penny let go of Lupin's hand and moved to take a seat on a stool at the table nearest Snape. She peered at him, but he seemed to be purposefully avoiding her gaze which she suspected had a lot to do with his strange outburst at the portrait hole.
"Thank you for cancelling your classes today, Professor Snape," Lupin said, inclining his head.
"That does not mean I have given you my entire day, Lupin. I'd prefer to expedite this process," Snape said, curtly.
"Have it your way, but I will be doing some explaining before we begin the actual practice, for Penny's sake. She deserves to know what she is consenting to before we embark here," Lupin said, his voice unnaturally stern and shoulders stiff.
Snape made no response, which Penny assumed must indicate his agreement. Lupin seemed to think so as well.
"It is generally unusual, Penny, to find one's coordinate so early in life. The odds of the bearer of expression and its coordinate to be student and pupil within the same school, muchless be born in the same country are very low. Dumbledore and Grindelwald were actually considered a peculiar case because they met at 18, though Dumbledore did not become aware of this connection until much later," Lupin said, pulling up a seat beside Penny. "Due to this early exposure to your coordinate, it is my belief that you and Snape formed an emotional attachment before your own connection with your expression could be established, and it seems your expression's connection has opted to link to your feelings for Snape, instead."
"I don't think I understand," Penny said, distracted by Snape's sudden stiffness. Though he was trying very hard to pretend he did not care what Lupin had to say, she knew he was listening as intently as she was.
"For the last three years you and Professor Snape have maintained a relatively simple relationship. Think about it as a Professor and favorite student."
At this, Penny snorted with laughter and Snape grunted, his eyes rolling. Lupin meanwhile, waited patiently, refusing to budge on his stance.
"Right, so now I'm no longer the favorite? Is that what you're saying?" Penny asked, somewhat sarcastically.
"On the contrary, you two have come to care for each other as much more than just student and professor, but this change seems to struggle against the reality dictated by the fact you are professor and pupil. It doesn't help that you two share a liking for less-than ideal communication styles," Lupin said with a smirk, glancing at Snape, who crossed his arms, his features betraying his irritation.
"I did not realize this was going to be a therapy session, Lupin, if I had known I would have brought my diary," Snape sneered.
"If you feel that I am off the mark, Professor Snape, then please describe to us in your own words, what Penny is to you?" Lupin challenged.
It was funny seeing Snape's features shift as he realized he'd trapped himself. There was no way he was going to tell the truth while Lupin was in the room, but not doing so meant he would be forced to concede to Lupin's point. The conundrum made Penny smirk, which garnered her a glare from Snape. However, he remained silent, prompting Lupin to continue.
"As your feelings for Snape strengthened so did your expression's link to those emotions. This, I wager, meant that your relationship strengthened the magic that draws the dyad together, but that change in your relationship doesn't come without difficulty, and other emotions were added to the mix; confusion, anger, pain, heartbreak. These more volatile emotions, which drive you two apart, seem to be the trigger for your loss of control, Penny. This is my hypothesis, at least."
"Awesome, so my wellbeing is dependent on him not pissing me off? Great, real great," Penny said, flopping backwards hopelessly..
"That would be the case if we were not to address the actual root of the problem," Lupin said, trying hard not to chuckle.
"How revolutionary, you actually intend to address the problem? And here I thought Ms. Potter and I were going to have to listen to your ill perceived musings all day," Snape added, his voice dripping with disdain.
"I am glad you are so eager, Professor Snape, but you'll have to forgive me for believing Penny's willingness to move forward requires an accurate understanding of the situation," Lupin said, cooly.
Snape turned away from Lupin and took a seat at the table across from them and crossed his legs. Lupin returned his gaze to Penny who was despairing externally, features mashed together in unhappiness.
"It is possible to build your own connection with your expression and remove its dependency on your relationship with Snape. I believe if you can do that, you will find your magic will no longer be triggered in these ways, but doing so requires understanding the consequences of your dyadic relationship, which is. . .complicated. . ." Lupin said with a frown.
"A word you seem to like to use today, Lupin. Pray tell, what is this complication?" Snape said, silkily.
"Using this method will inevitably tie you two even more closely than you are now, drawing you nearer a tying that cannot be undone. The dyad united will allow you complete access to Penny's energetic highways, or meridians as we call them. Once you are able to do this, you will have a certain amount of control over her magic, that is-as her coordinate you are able to access her expression and help her control it, and you'd be able to redirect it until she can do so herself. However-" Lupin said, looking reluctant to go on.
"Oh don't stop now, you've just made it to the good part," Snape said sardonically.
"You will have an extraordinary amount of control over her magical abilities. You could say that the coordinate is immune to it once connected. This opens the door for manipulation. You could make Penny do a great number of things, never require her consent and never experience any resistance," Lupin said, fixing Snape with a hard stare.
Snape's features darkened as he considered Lupin for a moment. Then he looked away, tracing the outline of his lip with his pointer finger, thoughtfully.
"This is why Grindelwald and Dumbledore. . ." Snape muttered to himself as he got from his seat and began pacing.
Penny stared at the man, who looked unnerved and conflicted. It was a far cry from the stony features he had adopted earlier.
"But, Moody told me a united dyad is virtually required because there are so many negative side effects when it's-what did he say? I believe he referred to it as being 'at war.'" Penny said, wracking her brain to recall that conversation. It was strange how it already felt so far away from her. "Anyway, I don't really understand what there choice is?" Penny asked, her brows furrowed.
"Moody was correct, to an extent. . . As I said before, it is unusual for the pair to find each other so early. Most individuals that history has recorded having expression found their coordinate much later in life, and the symptoms of a dyad at war are described as only appearing once the pair come into close contact. I suppose you can think of it like two stars orbiting each other, who's gravitational pull slowly brings them closer together. However, the closer they get, the more they accelerate, until they reach a point of being unable to escape each other's pull," said Lupin, the bags under his eyes heavy, making him look much too tired for one his age.
Penny was feeling mildly perplexed looking from one man to the other, both seemed to be overly bothered by the information being presented. Penny felt like she was missing something, or perhaps the analogy had failed to convey its intended point, because she did not seem to view the situation as gravely as either of them.
"Am I missing something? If this is inevitable why aren't we just doing it to solve my current problem?" Penny asked.
"You are far too young to fathom what it is you are suggesting," snapped Snape.
"Then try enlightening me?" Penny said, irritated.
"If you have not the ability to imagine your life outside of this moment, I see no point wasting my breath," said Snape, coldly.
"You know what-" Penny said, getting to her feet, but Lupin stopped her, getting between her and placing a hand on her chest.
"Penny, you are young and still have yet to experience many things. This bond will make certain things more difficult for you, particularly romantic relationships," Lupin said, hesitantly.
"What? Why on earth-the right person to understand, I mean it's not like we chose this?" Penny said, bewilderment evident on her face.
"There will be no one you feel closer to than Professor Snape after this. No matter what you do, nothing will compare to the connection the two of you will share. And while I'm certain someone is capable of understanding, I think you will find locating that someone somewhat frustrating, and it's possible you will struggle to feel connected with another."
Penny took a step away from Lupin feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the situation before her. Would this situation bother Cedric? Would her own feelings for him change because of it? The apprehension in Snape's eyes made Penny feel like they were both speeding towards something neither of them had any control of. She wanted it to slow down, she wanted her uncomplicated life back, where the worst things she had to face were summers at the Dursley's. It was like her world was getting smaller, that she no longer got a say in what happened to her.
"It's my life who gave this fate or magic the right to dictate it to me?" Penny said angrily. "I don't want this, any of it. I want another option, give me another option."
"Finally, something intelligent. Well, Lupin, you have her answer, now what?" Snape said in a cutting tone, stopping mid-pace.
"Then it's up to you, Severus to confront yourself and address those things in your relationship that seem to be causing turmoil between you two, because there is no saying what will happen to Penny the next time this happens," Lupin said, matter-of-factly.
"You expect me to babysit the emotions of a 14-year old?" Snape spat, his lips curling at the corners.
"No, I ask you to believe Penny deserves a life of her choosing and to help her make it happen because you are the only one who can."
Snape's hands balled into fists and his eyes flashed. But then he looked down at Penny and his features appeared to shift. His mask was slipping, his dark eyes becoming pained.
"Good, I'm glad to see you understand the gravity of this decision. Now, even if the bond isn't formed now, there may be a way for you to access Penny's meridians, in a limited capacity that could help her, but I can make no guarantees. It will be up to the two of you to determine whether it is feasible."
Both Penny's and Snape's eyes flashed to Lupin, who forced a smile, and beckoned Penny forward, asking her to lay down on the top of the table.
"Severus, I'll need you over here. I can only describe what you will be doing, but you'll need to find the points yourself," Lupin said to Snape.
Snape hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenching and unclenching several times, and then with a swish of his robe, he stood before Penny, though he did not look down at her.
"Professor Snape will need to reach beneath your shirt, Penny because the contact must be skin to skin," Lupin said, apologetically.
Snape shot Lupin a dirty look but made no objections.
"Several meridians converge in the upper chest. It's the easiest spot to connect to her magic from, you can do it elsewhere, but it requires much more skill," said Lupin.
Penny nodded and Snape appeared to resist the urge to roll his eyes. But he looked attentive and prepared to do what was asked of him.
"You'll place your hand on her chest and you'll need to maintain eye contact while reaching out for her magic. I know you are an accomplished legilimens, so you can think of it as being similar to how you would reach into her mind, but instead, you are looking for what is just below your hand. Imagine it as a pathway, you want to grasp it and see what is traveling along it. You'll know when you've found it," Lupin said, giving Penny a small smile and then stepping away.
Very stiffly, Snape undid the top two buttons of her shirt and then placed his very cold hand on her chest, which caused Penny to screech. Snape rolled his eyes but made no apology, which caused Penny to look away from him irritated. But his free left hand took a hold of her chin and forced it back toward him, his unsettled eyes ensnaring her.
For a moment, Penny was afraid of what to expect, afraid letting Snape in would only result in more pain. But, as though in response to her thoughts, his hand softened on her chin and that familiar and pleasant vibration swam over Penny, making her aware of how her chest rose and fell beneath his stiff fingers. His brows furrowed in frustration and Penny realized he did not feel the strange tug that seemed to have cropped up just below his hand. It was like it was calling to Snape, pulling at him like a weak magnet would. Tentatively, Penny took a hold of his hand, which flinched ever so slightly at her touch. He tensed as she moved it downward, but relaxed when she stopped over the spot she felt the tug. Surprise widened his eyes, for a moment, there was a shock spread between them like a bridge and then Penny felt as though she were being dunked into a tub of icy water. She gasped for air like one would do when they break the still surface of the ocean, both her hands reaching for Snape's own as desperately as one would reach for a spear jammed into their chest. But he resisted her attempt, his eyes betraying a juvenile curiosity that reminded Penny of her own the first time she noted the connection between them.
The feeling of his presence is what penny imagined someone taking a firm hold on your heart and squeezing it would feel like. A horrible numbing sensation was spreading through her from the point and she found herself unable to stop herself from squirming, resisting allowing him any further, but he seemed determined to press on. His fingers brushed the edge of something, was it her magic or her essence? Either way, it was like nails being scratched against her brain.
Though his eyes were fixed on hers, Snape did not notice Penny's discomfort, and he desperately pressed onward, searching for something, but what, Penny could not tell. All her cells were screaming at the intruder, until they changed course and were suddenly responding to him. The sensation was as sickening as an arm moving without willing it to, except her innermost parts, the secret parts of her that made her think and feel were the ones responding to him.
But the feeling of intrusion would not relent and was spreading from the spot beneath his hand, sending her heart hammering in her chest. Something in Penny did not want him to go further, and it fought against Snape, sending waves of dizziness over Penny. Her fingers dug into his skin and she choked, trying to force his hand away from her chest while her insides screamed. It was like tiny razors were scraping against every nerve in her body and all she wanted to do was yell out in pain, but she could not get the air into her chest.
Somehow, Penny knew Snape sensed whatever was happening, but instead of disconnecting from her, he ploughed forward in search of the source of the hostility. More energy was diverted in an attempt to push him out, Penny's heart beating faster than she ever thought possible, surely it would explode? Snape needed to stop, she had to make him stop, but she could't, a wave of blackness washing over her. Her body was not her own, it was a battlefield, her cells being commanded like soldiers from either side, in opposition to each other, screaming out in pain as they destroyed each other. But there was nothing Penny could do to to push either out, instead she was engulfed in the pain, forced into the submission of both sides.
And then she found her voice, finally letting out a blood curdling scream as sharp pain erupted in her chest. Something was surely piercing it, cutting it down the middle to serve half on a plate to either side. In her terror, Penny became intimately aware of her own beating heart. It was struggling so hard for Penny, to feed her dying cells, but it could not keep up, and helplessly Penny felt the beats begin to slow, until she knew it would not beat again.
In response to her silent heart, every vein in her body constricted, the normal flow of life , stopping abruptly. She had a full 30 seconds to register the silence, the all too familiar silence of death as everything within her body settled, making her limbs feel heavy and her chest feel horribly cold. She could not move, and her thinking of fading.
Dark eyes widening in terror were the last thing Penny's green ones saw before she could see no more and her head fell limply to the table with a sickening thump.