Chapter 12 The Most Beautiful Girl In the World

Flashback

"Oy, Snape. Just eat it. It's not poison."

He stared at the mush in front of him. He frowned, picking up the spoon. Did something just move?

"Come on. It taste better than it looks," Tonks pleaded with him.

"What did you say it was?"

"Pudding. I made it from scratch."

Severus closed his eyes, bringing the spoon to his mouth.

"Well?"

It was dreadful. It tasted like sweaty socks…. He opened his eyes, peering into blue puddles. His heart soften. Fuck! She was on the verge of tears.

"It's delicious."

She smiled at him, "I told you." She clapped, "I made a whole pot!"

Shit! I'm fucked.

She sat down beside is his bed, "You'll be better no time."

Severus reached for her hand, "Dora-"

She pulled away, "What are you doing?"

"We need to talk about it."

She stood, "I can't Professor. I messed up."

"No you didn't. We weren't exclusive."

"I know that! I just… I shouldn't have done it."

"Why?" He knew the answer, but he longed to hear it from her lips. "Tell me why you feel guilt over it."

Her sad eyes confirmed the truth. Some time during their game, they had both fallen. She had betrayed the unspoken vows they had made in the dark.

"I should go," Tonks slipped out of his grasp.

"You won't even hear me out?"

"No." She walked away. "I'll be back later."

He was powerless to follow her. He laid awake thinking. What would he say when she returned. How could he make her admit her feelings for him?

For the first time in his life, he was free. The war was over, both his masters were dead. There was nothing stopping him from living. Really living.

He wanted a life. He wanted her, but she couldn't forgive herself. He knew that feeling too well, but he held no resentment towards her. When had he told her to wait for him? He was the one who left, without so much, as a word. He had abandoned her. He was the one who needed forgiveness.

…..

When he woke, she was sitting beside him. Her nose stuck in a book, eyebrows arched in confusion. She looked absolutely adorable. Her nose scrunched up as if she were figuring out the answer to world hunger.

"I find that asking questions, yields results."

She looked up, "You're awake."

"Maybe I can help."

"Huh?"

He pushed himself upright, "You look confused."

She smiled sheepishly at him. "This girl," she flipped the book around, so he could see the picture, "She lives in a tower. It's beautiful."

He chuckled, "You're reading Rapunzel?

"Do you know it?"

"I do."

"She has everything. She's happy… until a Prince comes. Then she wants out of tower. Why does she want to leave?"

"She loves the Prince."

Tonks huffed, "How can she love someone she just met. That's ridiculous."

"Does love have to the time?"

"It should take longer then climbing up someone's hair. They know nothing about each other. What if he is a lunatic. She will regret it."

Perhaps the reason she didn't want him, had nothing to do with who he was or that she had slept with another man. Had the stupid wolf, really hurt her so badly?

"Dora, they lived happily ever after."

She stared at the picture of Rapunzel and the Prince kissing, "That's why it's called it a fairytale. This shit could never really happen."

He ignored her cussing. She looked sad behind the angry words.

"Couldn't it? Don't you believe in love?"

Tonks slammed the book shut, "Not anymore."

Severus grabbed her hand, "We both fell for people who didn't return our feelings. That wasn't love. Love is when two people feel the same thing, at the time."

She looked at his hand, "It isn't real. I don't feel anything. I don't."

"Then why can't you look at me?"

"Doesn't matter anymore. I've ruined it, again."

Severus squeezed her hand, "No. I gave you no reason to wait for me. I gave you no hope for a future with me. It was my fault. I should have said the words. I should have told you… I can't go back, but I say them now. We can still try."

"For what?"

"Love."

"I don't know how to love you."

He pulled her towards himself, "Let me show you."

Tonks pushed away, "No." She stepped beyond his reach, "I'm sorry."

…..

The next morning brought leg cramps. He really needed to get up and walk around. Perhaps a soak in the tub would release some tension. Severus grabbed the edge of the bed, pulling himself up.

Fuck, it hurt. He groaned, finally sitting upright. Slowly, he put his feet down and stood. His feet shuffled, protesting as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Snape?"

"In here."

Tonks pushed the door open and walked in. Quickly, she covered her eyes. "Sorry. I didn't-"

He chuckled, "Dora, you've seen me naked before."

She uncovered her eyes, avoiding looking at him, "Yeah, but it's been awhile."

"Three months, 17 days."

She titled her head to the side, "Didn't know you were keeping track."

He chuckled again, "A man tends to remember such events… or lack of."

"I'll wait outside."

"I need help, Dora. My back, please."

She sighed, turning around. Tonks knelt by the tub, reaching for the soap. The slight brush of her breasts, against his arm, made his cook twitch. She avoided looking down, concentrating on the task. Tonks lathered up her hands and went to work. He was so tense. She rubbed her fingers into the knots, exciting a moan from him. He slid back, pushing against her magic fingers. Water splashed up, covering her shirt.

"Professor!"

He reached up, pulling her into the tub. She landed on his lap.

"Severus. Call me Severus."

She splashed around, attempting to get up, "No."

He chuckled in her ear, "You have no trouble screaming my name."

"Let go!"

He held her tight, "Dora, I love you."

Tonks pushed against his chest, ignoring the hard member grinding into her thighs, "No."

"I'm not him."

"Stop."

"I'm not him, Dora. I wont hurt you."

"Stop."

His strength was draining, his grip slipping. Severus flipped her, pinning her against the tub. His weight held her down. The water splashed around them. She closed her eyes.

"Look at me."

Tonks shook her head.

"Dora, look at me!" His voice stern.

Tonks shivered. The young school girl resurfaced. Professor Snape was scolding her again. She opened her eyes, unable to disobey. The vulnerability she found in him scared her. Never in all the years she had known him, had she ever seen him so fragile… so human.

"I love you Nymphadora Tonks. I will never hurt you. I am not him. I love you."

She shook her head, unable to trust her ears.

He held it still, "Do you love me?"

She shook her head, praying he wouldn't see through her. She had to remain strong. She couldn't take another heartbreak.

"Do not lie to me. Do you love me?" His eyes pleaded with her.

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down. Her body racked with emotions, "I almost lost you. You almost died. I couldn't breathe. You wouldn't wake up. Severus, don't leave me... "

He pulled her in tighter, "But I didn't. I won't... leave you. Never." Severus pushed the hair out of her face, "Tell me. Say it Dora."

She ran her finger along his strong jaw. What did she ever do to make him act this way? How did she make the coldest man alive, turn into groveling mess. Her fingers traced his thin lips. They trembled under her touch.

"Dora, please."

"I love you, Severus."

****"The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" is probably one his Prince's most recognized songs. A lyrically beautiful song with a timeless message. True beauty come from the inside."***