Chapter Four Hangover

I quickly make my way through the outer gates of Hogwarts. The second thing on my mind was finding something strong to drink. The first was cursing myself for being foolish enough to agree to stay after the lesson. I should have known better. The fact that I took pride in even the slightest compliment he paid me during the lessons should have been a warning sign that it was time to go back home.

I enter the three broomsticks and take the last empty seat at the bar. Firewhiskey would hold the memories off until I managed to make myself pass out. It was going to be a long night.

I wake up lying sprawled out across the bed, my legs tangled up in the blankets and a splitting headache making my head pound. I groan from the pain, for a moment convinced that the Welshire Brothers were attacking me again, but the voices never came. It must be a natural headache.

No…not natural. What had I done last night? The last thing I could remember was sitting in the three broomsticks feeling a bit tipsy from my fourth firewhiskey. Apparently it had been more than just a bit tipsy.

I quickly disentangle myself from the blankets and rush to the bathroom, giving the toilette whatever was left in my stomach.

"Severus is going to kill me," I mutter, cursing under my breath.

Severus…the lesson was supposed to be early today!

"Damnations!" I curse, glancing up at the clock hanging up on the wall opposite the bathroom door in the bedroom.

I was at nearly four hours late! I rush to my medicinal bags, searching frantically for a hangover relief potion and fighting the urge to throw up again. I curse again as I remember using my last one the day I had arrived. I would just have to ask Severus for one. He is a potions master, after all.

I quickly apparate to the gates and make my way up to the castle. Once there I head straight for the dungeons. Severus was in his office, sitting behind his desk.

"Where the bloody hell have you been? Do you have any idea how late you are? Why did you even bother to show up at all?" He snaps angrily.

"The cottage, yes I do, and I might feel a little worse about it if you would be so kind as to give me a hangover relief potion." I answer irritably.

"You got drunk? Why?" He demands, standing up.

Thinking quickly, I make the mistake of spouting off the first thing that pops into my head. "Yes, because the guy sitting next to me in the Three Broomsticks was extremely attractive and insisted upon it. I was kind enough to comply. Now, if you'd do the same and give me the damn potion, I would be extremely grateful."

"I think not! You're lucky I'll even consent to continuing with today's lesson. Show up to my office hungover again and they will come to an abrupt end. Is that clear?" He snaps furiously.

I bow mockingly, "Of course, master!"

"Legilimens!" He snarls in anger without warning, and, as expected, entered my mind with extreme ease.

To my surprise, and horror, the last memories that I would want him to see are pulled to the front of my mind. Memories from my last year at Hogwarts. Severus eyes me curiously as I plead with him to stop, realizing what was coming if he continued.

"This is an occlumency lesson," He sneers mercilessly, "Clear your mind! Fight it!"

Flash

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Madam Pomfrey. I'm sure I'll enjoy working with you." I say politely to my new boss.

"Your main duties will be to keep my potions stocked. I suggest you introduce yourself to the potions master, Professor Snape."

Flash

"It was kind of you to allow me to help you brew the potions." I say to Severus, stirring in the next ingredient.

He smirks "Someone has to hone your talents."

"Ah, I should know you then?" Severus snaps at me. "You never mentioned that we worked that closely together."

"Please stop!" I plead with him.

"Fight it." He answers coldly, knowing full well that I couldn't.

Flash

Severus kissed me, claiming my mouth with his tongue. His hands ran through my hair and down my back before cupping my face. He uses his body to push me into a lying position on his couch, straddling me and running his hands down my body.

"What is this?" Severus questions softly, shocked.

I don't answer, staring at the memory with tears in my eyes.

Flash

Severus thrusts into me quickly, moaning in pleasure with each stroke. I gripped his back tightly as his body pressed and rubbed against mine, sending bolts of electricity shooting through me.

One last stroke and he stills suddenly, his eyes rolling back as he spills himself into me, gasping my name. He rolls over and pulls me with him so that I'm lying on top of him, both of us still breathing heavily.

"I love you," I murmur, studying him.

"Stop it!" I yell at him, "Stop it! Get out of my head!"

"What is this?" he yells back.

Flash

"Don't go! Severus, please…I have a really bad feeling about this. I don't want to lose you." I plead, begging him not to leave.

"I have to. The Order needs me, Tara." He argues.

"I need you!" I counter desperately.

His mouth quickly captures mine for a moment as he pulls me into him. He breaks the kiss, but doesn't release me.

"After the war…after the Dark Lord falls…will you marry me" He asks, a nervousness in is voice that I rarely ever heard. "Tara, before I met you I was fond of the idea of not surviving this war, but you've given me something to fight for. I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to ensure we both survive, and when we do, I need to know that you'll be mine. I want you to be my wife."

"I want you to be my husband," I nod, tears running down my face, "I love you, Severus. Of course I'll marry you."

"Don't cry for me…" He murmurs, wiping the tears away, "Don't give up on me. You're all I have."

Flash

"He's awake, and he's recovering quickly…" Minerva tells me on our way to his hospital room.

I freeze, sensing a hesitation in her voice. "But?"

"It's his memory,"

"How much?" I demand,

"At first he didn't remember anything, but now he has most of them back…all of them except…" She breaks off.

"He doesn't remember he's proposed! That's fine. It was right before the attack, so it's not all that surprising."

"No, Tara! Tara, wait!" Minerva calls after me as I run the rest of the way to his rooms. I just wanted to see him awake. I had to see for myself that he was going to be ok. I had waited so long…

I approach him slowly as he blinks open his eyes.

"Hi," I greet him softly.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" He snaps irritably.

Minerva walks up behind me. "Severus, don't you remember her?" She asks carefully.

"I've never seen her before. Get her out of my room! Where is my mediwitch? Anna!" He calls.

I turn around and flee the room, devastated.

After a moment my vision goes black. I blink open my eyes, fighting back tears, the pain in my knees almost unbearable. I'm back in the present, on the floor.

I look up to see Severus staring at me enraged.

"Get out," He demands dangerously.

"Severus, I-"

He cuts me off, "Get out!"

I quickly get to my feet and run out of the room, headed back to the cottage…and my suitcases.