Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.
Chapter 29: Seductive God of the Dungeons
Monday morning. 10 a.m. Still sick in my bed. I had slept until a few minutes ago, having no dreams at all. How could someone sleep for two days in a row when they're ill? Easy: I just can. Actually, the rest was quite relaxing. I could at least move a little now without feeling like throwing up.
Since I had turned into Rip Van Winkle for two days, I hadn't showered or changed. I wasn't in horrible shape, but if I waited any longer to get some other clothes on, my jeans would probably start growing mold. So, out of bed I cautiously crawled, being careful not to let my dizziness fool me and make me walk into a wall.
"Alright," I told myself, "Slowly. Baby steps will help. I don't want Snape to have to help me walk to the bathroom."
I knelt down to pull my trunk out from under the bed. This wasn't too hard, but I swore loudly to get aggression out. I almost pulled a muscle in my arm. I searched my trunk and found black pajama pants and a pink tank top. I knew a tank top wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't feel winter's icy fingers. My whole body was hot with a fever. Even my palms were sweaty; that wasn't anything to be proud of.
"What are you doing?" Snape questioned as I left my room carrying a bundle of clothes.
My throat went dry from not talking for two days, so I had trouble getting my voice back. "…S...Sev…I'm going to take a shower." I'm pretty sure I sounded like a broken car trying to start.
"Fine," He raised an eyebrow, "but be careful. We can't have you slipping about when you're as sick as an ogre."
Laughter was not an option for me at this time of illness. I carefully went to the shower and did my business; just very, very, very slowly. When I glanced at the clock after I was done, it was already noon. Maybe I took a shower a little too slowly. But, who was there to punish me? No one but the ugly mirror reflection of my sallow face. Perhaps I was dying.
When I got back to my room, I decided to leave Snape alone. He was teaching a class right now, but I didn't know which one. If I needed help anytime soon and he was teaching Advanced Potions, the students would most likely trash the room before he returned.
At least twenty minutes passed before I actually started relaxing again. If I was going to be sick all week, how would I be able to help Snape teach? I wanted to be in that room, listening to his velvet voice of the gods.
Snakey-Snape, Seductive god of the Hogwarts Dungeons.
Lying down under my bed covers is what I needed. The fluffy comforter was …well…fluffy. It took me a minute to get settled in the sheets, and with no time to breathe, there was a knock on my door.
I didn't bother ask who it was. By the sound of the knock, I could tell it was the Seduction god of Hogwarts Dungeons. The slithering serpentine awesomeness king.
"Maranda," he immediately came over to my bed with a flask of potion, "I have a class to teach. It's a wonder I can leave the class and not have to worry. Just take the medicine and I'll be in later to check on you. Are you feeling any better?"
My voice was almost back to normal, "Yeah, but I'm sick of being sick and I'm tired of being tired. I'm also very thirsty and feel like dying. But that's just how I feel now. Five minutes from now, or even seconds, it will be worse. Trust me."
"You don't let sickness stop you from your usual exhaggerated, sarcastic comments. I suppose that's a gift. Depending if the one you talk to has either the same problem or appreciates it."
A smile appeared on my face, "Which category do you fall under?"
His eyes glittered, "Both."
I didn't want to hold him up any longer, and I needed some time to write in my journal. So I took the medicine as he handed it to me. The potion was still a cherry-peppermint flavor, which made it go down much easier. I wasn't in the mood to suffer in agony over nasty medicine.
"Why do I think I should have known that you would fall under both categories, Sev?" I yanked the blankets over me a little more and added, "You are the king of sarcasm, so you have the same problem."
He suddenly shifted moods from content to irritated, "Do not mock me."
"Oh, I hit a nerve. Sorry." My stupid mouth spoke before I could think.
Sighing, Snape took the flask from my hands and left the room. My journal was under the bed, so I took it and began to write like crazy. It wasn't long before my stomach grumbled. I hadn't eaten in two days, but how could I? I was so afraid of tossing my cookies in the wrong place. How embarrassing would that be to barf all over the floor and miss the trashcan or toilet? Oh, thinking about my sickness is making me worse.
0o0o0o0o
Darkness devoured me in its soul, eating my dreams and stopping my sleep. I awoke with a startle and jumped to sit upright in my bed. I glanced at my clock and realized midnight had approached. There was a scent of lavender in the air, which brought a faded smile upon my face. I wondered if Snape had fallen asleep without blowing the incense or candles out.
I rolled over in bed, pushing my face into my fluffy pillow. I let out a muffled whine and turned back over. This was day three of my health being damned. I knew there was no way I could fall asleep again, so I took out a book and used my wand as a light to read.
Humorously, I hadn't used my wand for a long time. Somehow tonight I felt less magical than before. Maybe my 'muggle' side was showing through too much. Or was there a chance that after three years, I was finally waking up from this dream? Would I wake up next week back in my orphanage? Is there any possibility that I have just been imagining things due to insanity? I had so many unanswered questions fogging up my brain. I knew that was the normal thing for me, but these questions are bothersome.
"Please God," I prayed aloud, "Take me from this mess of a life and show me a way to free myself from loving he-who-is-snakeish. I need sanctuary away from this utter disgrace called a life." I thought for a moment and then cursed, "Damn. How come I have to sound so emotional and dramatic when I'm thinking deeply? This sucks."
Hours went by with nothing to do but lie in bed and read my book. There wasn't anything wrong with reading, but I was sick of sleeping and being immobile. I wanted to run with the wind in my hair, feeling the grass underneath my feet. I am totally desperate to get out of this bed!
One minute until six a.m. I had put my book down at least an hour ago. My room seemed to be closing in on me with greens and blacks. When the hell am I going to paint this forsaken room? I suppose it's too late to do that now. Half of the year is over, and I'm going to plan on how to get to college after this E.Y.P experience. Then again, my room could use a color not related to Slytherin, hence related to Snape. If it were a vibrant color, one of more life, I would not think about him in this room and soon not feel love any longer.
Now ten past six, I got up carefully from my bed feeling nauseus again. It was time to visit the bathroom. I tip-toed out of my room and made my way down the hall as silent as a baby's breath. I splashed my face with cold water after running in one of the stall's for illness purposes. I thought carefully while walking down the freezing dungeons, and decided to check if Snape was awake to ask for my medicine.
My knock on his classroom door was quieter than a baby crawling on a cloud. Even though my hope was for him to hear, I knew there was a slimmer chance than if Draco loved Ron and wanted his babies. I knocked a little louder and stopped dead in my tracks. The door was opening. After the door swung open there was a silence between Snape and I. He stood unsure of why I bothered him this early in the morning. I believed he most likely wanted me to leave, but I needed medicine worse than Gilderoy needed to get laid.
"May I help you Maranda?" my name rolled off of his tongue effortlessly.
Straightening my aching back, I replied, "I've come to take medicine. I know it's really early in the morning, but my body is dying and aching for a cure. I can't stand being sick anymore."
"Hang on," a sigh escaped as he turned to fetch the potion.
I stood in the doorway chilled to the bone and ready to curl up in the fetal position. Snape brough the flask of medicine over and I quickly sipped at it. The peppermint-cherry taste still existed, but I didn't enjoy it this time around.
Handing back the flask, I thanked Snape and yawned softly. "Thank you, Severus. I'll leave you be now."
"Wait," He looked me over with contemplating eyes, "Would you like to join me for some morning coffee since you're up?"
"I don't drink coffee," My answer spun out hastily.
His arms folded and he deeply exhaled, "Than I will just have to make you hot cocoa. Don't worry, I'm planning on sterilizing the room once you leave."
My stomach was sick, back aching, and head a tad fuzzy. Yet I still managed to nod and let myself in his room once I agreed for cocoa. I didn't really care that my pajamas were still on. There were no spaghetti straps, so I was pretty safe.
Snape shook his head when I sat near his desk. He said, "We're sitting in my study. I never have coffee out here. It's too drab in the morning. My days must begin with liveliness. Follow me."
My mouth was slightly agape as I followed him into his study. Seductive God of the Dungeons was allowing me into a room where no student has ever been. Of course, I was not a student, and had to keep repeating that in my head to believe it. The study was really nothing I would expect from Severus Snape, Master of Wearing Black and Being Intimidating. There was a cherry-wood bookshelf leaning proudly against the right wall across from a black couch. Straight in front of me, about several feet, stood a spiral staircase. I was liking this study more and more. To the left, after the couch, was a door cracked open.
"That's the door to my sleeping quarters," Snape noticed me gazing at it and then pointed to the staircase, "That leads to my personal balcony. Hmm...It's not really a balcony, but more of an alcove with an opening window. If I haven't scared you this far, would you join me?"
My eyes were glued open, sickness was gone from my mind, "What? Up there?"
"Yes...Up there."
I suddenly felt like throwing up. Maybe it was just imagination?
"I would love..." My stomach jumped and I doubled over. I rushed out of the study and ran to the bathroom. Snape would understand.
Back in my bed, it had dawned on me that I never appologized to Snape for ditching him. He would have to learn that being the Seductive God of the Dungeons did not entitle him to invite me everywhere when I was ill. ... But I was feeling a little better now that I threw up most of my stomach.
0o0o0o0o
Thursday morning I wake up from another Rip Van Winkle slumber. It was my birthday, and ironically my present was no longer feeling like death. Cracking my back, neck, and shoulders felt completely relieving. I hopped out of bed with a bigger grin than the one Seamus was forced to have after being hexed last year. The clock read nearly eight o'clock, so I was too late for breakfast. I realized I had missed most of the week in Snape's room, so why not miss one more day to fully recover?
I decided to visit Hagrid after I took a shower and dressed. I chose to dress up a bit today since It was my birthday and also because all of my regular clothing needed to be washed and rid of the sick smell. At least I could admit to myself that being ill was nasty. out of the school I went, trotting down to Hagrid's hut with a positive attitude. My little red dress gently fluttered in the air as I hopped the last three steps to his hut.
"Hello Maranda!" Hagrid joyously greeted as he let me in, "How in heck are yeh?"
We sat down and chatted about how ill I was and such. I told him about Snape inviting me to his alcove, which raised questions. I had completely forgotten that I never informed Hagrid of past encounters with Snape's lips and my love for him. So, a few hours passed with nothing but me explaining in detail the news he hadn't known.
Around ten o'clock, Hagrid finally spoke with emotion, "Severus is harsh. I know yeh told me how yeh feel towards 'im, but be careful. I don't want my Goddaughter shedding tears over her only crush. Especially since there are pleanty of other men who are good enough for yeh."
"Name one.." I laughed knowing Hagrid would think of none.
He sighed, "Draco. Seamus. Neville. They stuck with you even through tough times. Draco made some tough times for yeh, but he's been better ever since. Everyone makes mistakes, so why not forgive 'im?"
"I forgave him already. There's no way I would go out with Neville or Seamus because they're not even near me, and plus it would ruin our friendships. Draco is fine, but I swore to myself I wouldn't hurt myself by repeating the past."
The room went silent after that. I finished my cup of cocoa and gave Hagrid a hug. I told him I had no hard feelings for his remarks.
"Wait," Hagrid took out a small wrapped gift, "I almost forgot. Happy Birthday, Maranda."
I smiled as I opened the present to reveal a brand new wand. It was about eight inches long with a golden handle. The wood was probably mahogany, but that didn't matter to me. It was beautiful and perfect. Jumping up to give another hug to Hagrid, I thanked him dearly for my birthday gift.
"Yeh' better be careful with that one," He grinned and added, "It seems to have a mind of its own."
A few more minutes of thanking Hagrid passed and then I decided to return to Hogwarts and try out my new wand. This birthday was already awesome. I was nineteen, was no longer ill, and had a new wand. I felt great!
