Protection- Chapter 2.

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My stomach seemed to melt and drop to the floor. My breath was hitched in my throat, I realised my hands were shaking.

I was dead, so, so dead.

My eyes locked with Snape's, his expression was unreadable. I had no idea what he was thinking as his dark eyes board into mine. I swallowed and waited with a combination of awkwardness and fear for him to actually do something.

Anything.

From outside the room Amycus's cries were racking the hallway, he was threatening and cursing. The sound became closer and I knew that Amycus was nearby. I stared at Snape , wishing he would hurry up and summon Amycus so I could get my punishment over and done with. I twisted my wand in my hand and considered stunning Snape , just so I could do something.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Weasley."

I gasped, could he read my mind?

"Tell me Weasley, how much do you value your life?"

What kind of question was that? Of course I value my life! Why did he ask me that?

"Come with me." he says silkily, gesturing to the dimly lit passage way behind him.

I gaped at him, was he really going to help me? Or was I walking into some kind of trap? I didn't trust Snape at and my feet were rooted on the spot.

Snape narrowed his eyes when I didn't move and said, "I assure you Weasley, I am not planning on hurting you but if you don't hurry up I may be tempted to."

Just as he finished uttering those words there was banging on the door behind me, followed by the angry shrieking of Amycus, "Get the hell out here, filthy blood traitor!"

I tensed at his words, he sounded really dangerous and it was only a few moments before he would be able to figure out how to open the door. For some reason it hadn't opened yet, maybe the castle wasn't going to let him in. I considered Snape and concluded that the best option was to go with him. It felt like an eternity in which I stood there but in reality it was probably just a few seconds.

I nodded at Snape, and followed him down the passage way, the whole time my instinct was telling me to get anywhere away from him. It was almost pitch black in the passage and the only light available was being emitted by Snape's wand. Snape reached a door, said a few spells under his breath while tapping the wand on the door and then it swung open. He stepped forwards in a dully lit but very large room. I followed him out, closing the door behind me before realising with a jolt that this room was his own personal quarters. I frantically looked around for an exit and I spotted one mahogany door on the other side of the room. I mentally counted the amount of steps it would take to reach the door, gripping my wand tightly in my hand. I had already escaped once this night, so I was prepared for whatever Snape would throw at me.

"Lower your wand." He says menacingly, his voice like a razor sharp knife cutting through the unsteady atmosphere. With stiff hands I lower my wand, wondering what was coming next. I sincerely hoped Snape would not have a fetish for red-heads.

"For heaven's sakes girl" he hisses angrily, "I am not going to hurt you!"

I don't believe him and before I can help myself I snap, "Why not? I'm just another disgusting blood traitor. What's the difference between me and all the mudbloods you like to kill?"

"Don't say that word!" he spits. I recoil in fear and surprise at his outburst. Did he really mean that?

I take a breath in an effort to calm my nerves and my racing heartbeat. I feel the adrenaline leaving my body before a new sensation sets in. It doesn't matter that Snape's not going to hurt me because tomorrow Amycus certainly would. He was the type that sought revenge. I would have to hide, I wouldn't be able to leave the common room, go to class, and go to meals. Maybe that wouldn't matter, I was pretty sure that I could get one of my dormmates to bring some food up for me. But that didn't really solve the problem; I couldn't live in the Gryffindor tower! I would be there until at least Christmas and that was months away! And soon Amycus would find the password out and get into the tower and what would I do then?

"Weasley!" Snape's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, "You're hyperventilating."

Am I? I seem to be having trouble breathing; the air just isn't going into my lungs. I try to force it in, the muscles in my back are twisting, and everything is getting a little blurry. My throat is seizing up. I can't see. Someone is shaking my shoulders, someone is yelling rather loudly.

"Breathe, Weasley!" commands Snape furiously. I struggle to slow my breathing down but it seems to be working. "Steady each breath." Snape orders, his hands clutching my shoulders with an iron grip. Somehow I manage to breath normally again. Then I realise Snape's is still holding my shoulders. He notices too and lets go as if nothing had happened.

I am completely dumbfounded, why the hell did Snape just help me? I sure he wouldn't mind if I just hyperventilated to death, that's one less Weasley to be worried about. Judging by the expression on Snape's face, he is thinking the same thing.

"Why did you do that?" I ask.

"Do what?" he says. I'm pretty sure he knows what I'm talking about.

"Help me just then and before, saving me from Carrow."

"Believe it or not Weasley, I do not wish death upon everyone."

"You killed Dumbledore" I say stubbornly, "and you tried to kill George."

Fury flickers in Snape's eyes before he resumes his cool composure.

"How do you know that Dumbledore didn't ask me to kill him? How do you know that I was actually aiming for George? "

I gasped, "Dumbledore wanted to die?"

"That, Weasley, is really none of your business."

"Yes it is! It's my brother you're talking about!"

"Your brother is lucky to be alive!"

"You're a monster" I scream, "Nothing but a coward!"

That really was the last straw. Snape's face becomes the epitome of rage. I feel myself begin to shake again; I had really done it now. Snape was looking murderous, really to curse anything that comes past him.

"Don'.Me.." he says through gritted teeth, unlike me his is shaking in anger not fear, "I just saved your life tonight and this is how you repay me?"

Even though I am nearly passing out with fear, I process the words in my mind. He is right.

"Sorry sir" I say, my voice quivering slightly.

He seems surprised by my sudden apology and his eyes are searching, assessing the sincerity in my words.

"And thankyou Sir, for saving me."

He still says nothing but he is looking uncomfortable, almost as if he regretted rescuing me in the first place.

"Please, Professor, is there anything I can do to repay you?" I ask him, more out of wanting a reaction than actually wanting to repay. Don't get me wrong, I was extremely grateful, it's just that the awkwardness of the situation was becoming unbearable. I assume he wouldn't want my service; he probably wants to throw me out of his office at the very moment.

That's why I was mildly shocked when he said, "Yes, Miss Wealsey, there is."

I bite my lip at his words, I wonder what he has in store for me because if he wants to use my services in a way that's inappropriate and against the law, I am so forgetting that he saved me.

"What can I do?"

"Come to my office at precisely seven tomorrow night and I shall explain then." I quell at his subtle dismissal, I do not want to leave when there is a crazed Carrow running loose in the castle.

"What am I going to do?" I ask him.

"Being specific helps, Weasley."

"I mean about Carrow, he is going to kill me tomorrow."

Snape sighs as if I am a troublesome child causing him a great inconvenience. "Remain in the Gryffindor tower tomorrow until the time that you must leave. During this time I will find a distraction for Carrow, and you will be free to exit the tower."

"Ok" I nod, considering, "I can't just do this every day, Carrow is going to get me sooner or later!" I feel the panic well up inside me again.

"Do not panic, Weasley. Part of your task entails a certain amount of secrecy and deception. Your protection will be a priority. "

"You'll protect me?" I ask suddenly, no point in beating around the bush.

"Yes."

"Thankyou." I say. Snape doesn't approve of all this "thanking" and "apologising", he looks slightly disgusted every time I utter the words.

"You can go now, Weasley." He points out, looking impatient for me to leave, "I'm sure Carrow will be on the other side of the castle by now."

"Ok Professor." I start to walk over to the ornate door in the corner. Snape flicks his wand and it swings open with a creak. I step outside, finding myself in the dungeons. It figures that his quarters would be here, he is the dungeons bat after all.

"Goodnight Professor" I say and I close the door behind me. Miraculously, I make it back to the Gryffindor tower without any problems, except when I was nearly spotted by peeves. The Fat Lady opens for me, and I step inside.

"Ginny!"

It is Neville. "Ginny, are you ok, did he torture you?"

For some reason I am smiling at Neville, then I realise it is because of relief. I escaped.

"I'm fine Neville." I respond, "I'm just a little tired, I'm going to bed."

"Ok" he says, "I'm glad you're ok, goodnight Ginny."

I hug him, silently thanking him for his loyalty and concern before ascending up to my dorm. I collapse on my bed, not bothering to change my clothes and I lay there thinking about what I have gotten myself into. Tomorrow I would find out.

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