One year later
It was well past midnight when he woke me. He was tossing and turning on his bed again; caught in some nightmare of his past deeds, sighing to myself I stood and arched my back trying to relieve some of the tension caused by sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Quickly I scaled the bed and headboard leaning over his head, well aware that if I woke him too suddenly I could find myself hexed into oblivion.
"Severus," I said anxious to wake him in case he injured himself in his movements.
"Severus," I repeated, louder this time, still I got no response.
"SEVERUS!!" I yelled causing him to jerk awake and immediately reach for his wand (now you see why I was careful, I had no inclination to end up as a rat again, don't ask)
"What!?" he exclaimed searching for the source of the noise, finally deciding it safe I jumped from the headboard, landing on the bed next to him.
"Another nightmare," I explained "would you like some dreamless sleep potion?"
"No" he sighed rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes; my eyes noticed the darkening mark on his left forearm.
"Does it hurt?" I asked nuzzling his hand
"A little"
"You're lying"
He smirked at me "Perhaps," he replied picking me up and draping me around his neck for comfort.
"Is there nothing that can be done?" I asked concerned for his well being and safety all the while glaring at the brand on his arm.
"You know there is not", he sighed scratching me behind the ears "Dumbledore always said that there may be a time when I might have to return, that is the reason I've been keeping up this pretence all these years. You know that."
"But it does not make it any harder to bear" I replied "I do not want to see you in such a state after torture again Severus, I could not bear it"
"I do what must be done Sophie you must realise that, I fear it will be soon though the signs are all there"
"What do you mean?"
"Potter's name did not get into the Tri-wizard cup by accident; the ball has been set in motion"
"How utterly pessimistic"
He smiled briefly only to have it replaced with a more serious expression "If I do not come back Sophie you must promise me you will look after yourself, seek residence with Dumbledore he will look after you and you get along well with Fawkes, I must know you will be safe and cared for."
I did not reply but pressed myself more firmly into his neck, scared that I may loose the master whom I loved and protected so much.
"It will not come to that Severus"
"You have no way of knowing, you are the only family I ever really cared about Sophie, and I will not have you left alone if I go," he replied continuing to scratch behind my ear "and I thought you enjoyed Fawkes' conversation"
The reason that Dumbledore was told about Severus' and my bond was mainly because he also shared this relationship with his phoenix. As both Fawkes and I were bonded to our masters we could both converse with one another, despite the difference in species.
"Yes he is a good conversationalist, but you are better. I cannot lose you Severus," I pleaded nuzzling his neck for comfort.
"I pray it will not come to that," he replied
