Everyday became a cycle of mornings and afternoons with Susan wedding planning. They had decided on July 17th for the wedding. Susan and I spent weeks creating invitations and another week was spent getting a list of people Mark and his parents wanted to invite. We had a total of 153 invitations to send most of whom were Mark's guests.
Nights were spent with Severus. He still remained a secret to Susan but she seemed to be more preoccupied with wedding plans than where I was. I also didn't stay out late like I used to which probably helped with keeping her worrying to a minimum. It had been such a long time since Severus and I spent time together outside his office that I was surprised when he mentioned an outing one Thursday night as I sat quietly working on an assignment.
"I need some fire seeds." He said picking up an empty jar. "Would you like to go with me?"
"I don't know." I said looking up from my paper. "It's getting late and I have class tomorrow."
"I don't need to go right now." He said. "It can wait until tomorrow night. What do you say?"
"Where do we even find Fire Seed Bushes?" I asked.
"There's a cave behind Hagrid's that has several wild plants." He said "We won't even have to enter the forest the entrance to the cave is just barely in the clearing."
"I guess I would be up for an adventure tomorrow." I said with a smile.
"Meet me here after dinner and we'll use the passage in the ingredients cabinet." He said as I began to pack up my homework. "I'll take care of getting you a pair of gloves so the seeds won't burn your hands and don't wear loose clothes that might catch on fire when you harvest the seeds."
"Great, I'll keep that in mind." I said. "I'll see you then."
I slid my bag over my shoulder and gave his arm a touch before leaving the room. He and I never showed more affection than a simple brush of the fingers inside Hogwarts' walls. It seemed too risky that we would be walked in on when in each other's embrace. Since we had been playing it safe by not go out to appease Susan it had been since Valentine's Day since I had kissed or even hugged him. The thought that holding hands and kissing was a possibility tomorrow made me even more anxious for Friday night to arrive.
Classes dragged by at the slowest possible pace on Friday. I drifted in and out of focus all day. I had no idea of anything Severus had talked about during potions because my mind kept wandering to a place where our fingers intertwined and our lips met. I rested my head on my hand and watched his lips move remembering how they felt on mine. I warm tingle ran down my spine and spread over my body.
Everyone began standing up and placing books in their bags when I realized class was over. I looked down at my blank piece of parchment having not taken a single note the entire hour. I scrambled to put my things away to not seem too behind the others.
Herbology took even longer than Charms or Potions and it was made worse by the fact that I absolutely had to pay attention since I had been caught not paying attention in Herbology before. Professor Sprout seemed to almost be speaking in slow motion and with every minute that past I became certain that the day was never going to end and I would be trapped in this class until I died.
Finally the class was over and I raced for the castle only to be reminded that the afternoon would be spent once again with Susan. The wedding was constantly changing except one thing; the bridesmaid dresses would be pink.
We went to dinner together where I tried in vain to get her to reconsider the dress colors. She almost seemed to get enjoyment out of my desperation to not wear pink.
After supper we returned to the dorm where I changed out of my robes and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.
"What are you doing?" Susan asked looking me up and down.
"Mr. Defense Club and I are going for a walk tonight." I said.
"And that requires you to change into muggle clothes?" She asked.
"They are the only clothes I have here that aren't loose fitting." I said.
"And why do you need tight clothes?" Susan questioned.
"Because…there may or may not be a chance that I may…" I dragged on.
"May what?" She demanded.
"Catch fire." I said quickly turning to put my hair up in a ponytail.
"Why would you burst into flame on a walk?" She asked.
I looked at my watch-less wrist. "Oh, look at that. I'm late. I'll see you later."
I gave Susan a pat on the shoulder before I left the room.
I raced through the halls down to the dungeons. I burst through the classroom to find Severus pulling gloves out of a drawer wearing a white button down shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows and black trousers. I turned to the wall and blushed as though I had walked in on him in the middle of getting dressed.
"Ruby." He said. "Are you ready?"
I turned around. It was odd seeing him not draped in black fabric. I already knew he was tall but his form was surprisingly lean. I ran my eyes over him for a little over a minute before I realized what I was doing.
"Er," I said shaking my head. "Yes. I'm ready."
He held out a pair of black gloves to me which I took before he led me to cupboard. We exited the secret passage and raced under the cover of night into the chilly March air directly towards Hagrid's Hut.
Once close we slowed to a cautious walk, sneaking through the pumpkin patch to the cave opening. I felt the ground got from spongey grass and soil to hard and slippery. I could hear drips of water in the cave.
"How can Fire Seed Bushes grow somewhere so wet?" I asked.
"It probably dries out at some point." Severus said grasping my hand and lacing his fingers in mine.
I couldn't help but smile and squeezed his hand lightly as we walked in the dark. Severus removed his wand from his pocket and muttered Lumos. We walked in silence and I just savored the feeling of his hand clasped around my own.
"What do you mean it 'probably' dries out?" I asked. "Have you never been here before?"
"Not in this particular cave." He said. "There are several caves in this area all containing Fire Seed bushes. This one was just the closest one to duck into."
I began hearing soft crackling noises. The smoky smell of burning wood tickled my nose.
"Nox." Severus said extinguishing his wand.
I could see light flickering off the damp wall at the end of my sight. We walked quietly through the tunnel. We rounded a corner which turned into an opening containing several Fire Seed bushes. I watched the flames dance on the leafless branches. There were small patches burning blue signifying the presence of a seed pod.
"Do you know how to get the seeds?" Severus asked me as he slid his gloves over his hands.
I nodded my head and pulled on my own pair of gloves.
"Put the seeds in this." He said handing me a small empty jar.
I watched him kneel down to a bush and put one of his hands into the flames. With a twist of his wrist he pulled back and dropped four small round seeds into his jar. He plunged his hand back into the fire. I watched intently as the shadows made by the flames danced over his face. I watched the muscles in his forearm twisting under a light shimmer of sweat as he extracted another small bunch of seeds.
"What?" He asked as he looked up and caught me staring at him.
I quickly averted my eyes and pretended to be lost in the task of picking seeds. I flicked my eyes up to catch him shaking his head with a smile as he picked a few more seeds. It was difficult to keep from watching him when I was supposed to be harvesting Fire Seeds.
Three plants and several minutes later Severus' jar was full and mine was barely a fourth of the way with only half a plant picked. I scrambled to get half a jar before he made it to my corner of the opening.
He reached down with a hand to help me off my knees. I handed over my half a jar and he placed both jars into separate trouser pockets.
"Ready?" He asked taking my hand in his again.
I nodded and we entered the tunnel. Upon exiting I realized how much warmer that area had been. The air now felt damp and frigid.
Severus once again withdrew his wand and commanded the light spell. We couldn't be leaving already. We had barely had any alone time and it's not like we even did anything with it other than pick seeds. I panicked and made a quick decision.
I pulled Severus' hand turning him in my direction before I wrapped my arms around his neck and lifted my lips to his. The force used caused me to tip backwards into the cave wall behind me. Severus, in an attempt to steady himself, dropped his wand extinguishing the light. He crashed on top of me against the wall, our lips having never parted.
I felt one of his hands slide on my hip and he pressed his lips harder against mine. I opened my mouth slightly and ran my tongue over his bottom lip. He parted his lips and I began stroking his tongue with my own.
I felt his hand slide around my back and pulled me into his body. I could feel the warmth from the fire seed jars against my waist as I pressed against his pelvis.
I slid my arms from his neck to his torso and pulled him in so there was no room for air between he and I. He moved his mouth down my jaw to my neck. I smiled as his lips sent shots of electricity from my neck all over my body. He lifted his mouth back to mine and nibbled my bottom lip.
I made to move my arms to unbutton his shirt.
"Ow." I moaned against his mouth as I felt a jolt of pain on one of my arms.
"Sorry." He said and let go of my lip.
I struggled trying to free my arm of the pain but the more I moved the tighter the pressure became and the more my arm hurt. The pain was soon echoed in my other arm and I realized it was impossible for me to even move away from the wall.
"Ow." I said again.
"Sorry." Severus said pulling away.
He made a slight moan of pain.
"Severus." I said struggling to pull my shoulders from the wall. "Severus, I can't move."
"Something has my wrist." He said.
I heard him struggling and suddenly there was a popping noise followed a grunt of pain.
"Where's your wand?" I asked.
I felt something tickle the side of my neck and I panicked.
"Where is your wand, Severus?" I shrieked.
"It's on the floor." He said. "I'll never be able to reach it. Where is yours?"
"It's in my pocket but I can't move my arms to get it." I whined as I felt something coiling slowly around my neck.
"Pardon me." Severus said into my ear as I felt his hand gliding over my backside.
Even in the current circumstance I would be lying if I said it didn't send a shiver of pleasure up my spine to have him feeling my butt.
His hand stopped and I felt my wand slide out of my pocket.
"Lumos." He said and set my wand at a very dim glow.
He held it up to my side.
"It's Devil's Snare." He said with a shaking voice. "I'll never be able to get your wand to be bright enough. Does it have both of your hands?"
I shook my head even though he couldn't see it and the Devil's snare tightened around my throat. "No, put the wand in my hand."
With each word uttered the vines tightened constricting airflow and my ability to speak. My hands were tingling coolly as the circulation was cut off. I could barely make out the feeling of my wand in my hand.
"There." Severus said.
"Lumos." I squeaked.
The vine tightened enough that I could no longer inhale.
"Solem." I managed with my last breath.
A beam of bright white light shot out of the tip of my wand. The vines cracked and fell away. I felt my airway open as I collapsed to my knees. Severus fell next to me.
I swallowed several times just to be certain everything was still working and apart from a sharp pain with every gulp everything seemed fine.
"Lumos." I choked setting my wand a light since the last spell had extinguished.
Severus sat in front of me cradling his left wrist. I looked past him and saw his wand laying on the ground a few feet away. I crawled over to it, each stride sending pain in my arms and pins and needles shooting through my hands as the circulation returned.
I picked up his wand and brought it over to him.
"Are you okay?" He asked lifting his arm awkwardly over my shoulder and wincing.
I nodded automatically which hurt more than swallowing. I lifted my hand to rub my neck.
"It had your throat?" He asked panic spreading across his face.
"I'm alright, really." I assured. "You on the other hand…"
I smiled at the unintended pun.
"Let me see your wrist." I said holding out my wand-free hand.
He moved his arm with his hand hanging limply from his wrist which was very swollen. I gently ran my fingers around the sides of his wrist feeling gently for deformities.
Severus flinched and inhaled sharply.
"Sorry." I said pulling my hand away. "Ok, so the bad news is that it's dislocated. The good news is that we have magic so it's not a big deal. Can I have you light your wand since I'll need mine to fix your wrist?"
He did as I asked and pointed the light at his injury.
"Brackium Emendo." I said.
There was an audible cracking noise and I felt his bones shift in my hand.
"Ferula." I said wrapping the wrist. "Don't do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few hours. Okay?"
I lifted his bandaged wrist and gave it a light kiss.
"What is that for?" He asked.
"It aids in the healing process." I said. "It's a scientific fact that kisses make everything better. My mum taught me that."
He brought his hand to my cheek and stroked it with his thumb. He stood up and offered me his non-bandaged hand and lifted me to my feet.
"Careful." He said. "There might be Devil's Snare in this cave."
I exhaled a laugh. "Good to know."
"Let's get out of here before we get attacked again." He suggested.
We ran along the edge of the forest before he ran for the secret passage to his classroom. I followed at a distance just in case anyone was watching.
Once inside Severus went straight to his office where he immediately placed the two jars of seeds on a small wire rack in front of the fire place. The seeds glowed deep red in the warmth of the flames.
"You look a mess." He said walking over to me and placed a hand on my arm.
I twitched away as his hand caused an unusual pulse of pain in my arm. He pulled his hand away quickly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked stitching his eyebrows together in concern.
I forced a smile and nodded my head. "It's late though. I should probably go back before Susan decides to stop being ok with me seeing Mr. Defense Club."
He nodded once and nudged me with the back of his bandaged hand. I momentarily tangled my fingers with his before turning to leave.
As I walked through the corridors I thought of what happened in the cave before the Devil's Snare. I thought of how his hand gripped my waist and how hard he pressed his lips against mine and the way his tongue felt against mine. I could feel my cheeks heat up with just the memory.
When I finally entered the Ravenclaw commons Susan was already waiting for me. She jumped up from the couch she was sitting on and rushed over to me.
"Mark agrees with you about the dresses." She said a bit put down. "He agrees that blue or green would be better so the groomsmen could have matching colored ties. He says his friends would hate wearing pink as much as you. So we will look at different colors."
She led me up the stairs to the dorms all the while listing different colors of blue and green and asking me my thoughts on them.
"We should go to bed so we can get an early start in the morning." She said pulling a pair of my own pajamas out of my trunk and handing them to me. "We have absolutely nothing planned anymore."
I changed and Susan left to brush her teeth. I joined her in the bathroom soon after with my own toothbrush. The act of lifting my toothbrush caused pain in my upper arm.
Susan continued to talk about the dresses with a mouthful of toothpaste when she suddenly stopped. I saw her staring at something in the mirror and she turned to me.
"What's that?" She asked pointing at my arm.
I looked down to see that my t-shirt sleeve had ridden up revealing a small strip of bruised flesh. I quickly tugged down on the bit of fabric.
"Nothing." I said with a squeak of panic.
Susan grabbed my wrist and lifted the sleeve a bit more. I bit my lip in pain and fear.
"Oh my gosh." She whispered as she revealed the black and blue marking encompassing the whole of my upper arm. "What happened?"
"I don't know." I said.
She reached for the other arm to find the same bruising. "Ruby."
I stared at her as I tried to think of where the markings could have come from.
"Those weren't there before you left." She said. "Did he do this to you?"
"Absolutely not, Susan." I said.
"Ruby." She said in a soft tone. "Ruby, if it was Defense Club boy, you can tell me. I'll help you."
"He didn't do anything." I said.
She began walking past me.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To Flitwick." Susan said. "You're covering for whoever he is and that's not okay."
I seized her wrist. "Stop."
"Ruby, he might make is seem like you deserve what you get but you most certainly don't." She assured me. "Flitwick can help."
"Susan, no one is doing anything to harm me." I said.
"My mother is a therapist." Susan said. "I know that people in your position think they need the person even though they hurt you and they make you believe that you deserve…"
"Severus would never hurt me!" I yelled becoming desperate as she neared the bathroom door.
She froze in place. "Severus?"