Chapter Eighteen
The Mandrake Drought Is Ready
A/N: Is an apology acceptable? I am so sorry for the long wait. My writing has been focused on my Attack on Titan fanfic when I realized how long it had been since I last updated. I want my readers to know that there may be times where I may post more frequently or I may be silent because my focus has been placed on my other fanfics. Just know that I am not going anywhere and will not abandon this story; it will be finished! It is always in my thoughts 3
Disclaimer: I only own Aurora and any other OC's. Remember, I will occasionally use quotes from both the books or movie, depending on the scene; I do not own direct quotes or phrases.
~ oOo ~
"Severus...Aurora's been petrified."
Unsure whether the Potions Master heard Albus speak of the current situation, the Headmaster reached to grasped the male's shoulder. Severus jerked away before Albus could touch him. Hastily removing himself from their position at the bottom of the Grand Staircase, Severus flew up several flights of stairs to reach the Hospital Wing. His long, black cloak flowing behind his form as he barged through the thick doors, startling Madam Pomfrey. Severus remained motionless, his eyes focused towards the end of the room, falling hard upon the motionless form of the woman who had captured his black heart.
"Oh my, Severus..." Poppy exclaimed as she stood from her seat between both females. "I'm assuming Albus informed you – "
Ignoring what she was to say, Severus strode past the woman straight to Aurora's side. At first, the male could hardly stare at the woman frozen in time, her form never to move unless given the appropriate mixture that would save her very life. Even upon the bed, she seemed surreal, as if she didn't exist, only the shell of her body remained. Seated in the bed beside Hermione Granger, Aurora shared the same expression: one of utter surprise and fear. Just like the young student, she held one hand upwards, as if she was reaching for something, while the other lay across her chest, fingers seeming to grip her shirt.
"A...Aurora..." the poor man mumbled in disbelief. The proof was before his eyes, yet the man couldn't accept the formidable. With a soft thud from behind, Severus turned to see Poppy had gathered a chair for him to claim. Unable to smile or offer his thanks, the man slowly nodded and took his seat, carefully watching the woman before him. Remaining quiet for some time, Severus addressed the medi-witch as he asked, "Poppy, could you please explain how she was found..."
Grabbing the blanket at the end of the bed, Poppy covered the female from the waist down, her own eyes sad at the prospect that a member of their faculty had been attacked. "I was the one to find them both; they were in the library." Raising an eyebrow at that, Severus glanced at the witch, who walked to the table separating the two beds as she took hold of a one of two items that lay on top. "Both were found holding this within their hands. I found them together down the same isle in the library, only a few steps apart. As soon as Albus had them brought here, he sought you out, Severus."
Refusing to use his own voice, the man nodded. Gently taking hold of Aurora's hand reaching out with both of his, Severus leaned forward and rested his forward against her alarmingly cool skin. Poppy, having placed the mirror upon the sheets, moved to drape a blanket over Hermione, acknowledging Severus was in need of some personal space. Watching the mirror from the corner of his eye, Severus finally reached out to grasp the trinket, twirling the metal in his hands, all the while questioning what he had just learned.
Why was she with Hermione Granger?
Why in the library?
Why carry such an item? In the library, no less?
Just what was running through your head this morning, Aurora? Severus thought, replacing the item onto the nearby stand.
"Poppy..." the man asked quietly.
"Yes, Severus?"
Solemnly, Severus still wouldn't look at the female witch, his eyes solely on the woman whose petrified hand he held. "Would it be possibly to place the privacy barrier around her bed?"
"Yes of course, give me a moment."
Taking no time at all, Poppy installed the curtain barrier around Aurora's bed, allowing Severus enough room to remain in his seat without being seen by any bystanders entering the Hospital Wing. From there, the man froze as well, his body nearly petrifying on its on as he continued to grasp Aurora's hand, refusing to let go. Having lost track of time, Severus didn't even pay attention to his surroundings past the privacy barrier, his focus solely on Aurora. Staring upon her face, the professor couldn't fathom what she had been doing in the moment of attack, and dared not even think of what she thought, what she might've seen.
Severus...
Head snapping to attention, Severus could've sworn he heard Aurora's voice whisper into his ear, her voice soothing and calming in his moment of uncertainty. He knew it couldn't have been her, the was no possibility.
"Severus?"
Turning his head in the moment the curtains were parted, he wasn't all surprised to see Albus stepping forth. "Albus," he acknowledged the Headmaster's presence. When he didn't say anything, Severus broke the silence. "To what does Aurora owe this visit."
"Well..." Albus sighed heavily, for there was enough strain upon the elder wizard's shoulders. "I have spoken with Minerva and we have established new rules to be placed into effect as of this moment." Handing the Slytherin Head of House a rolled piece of parchment, Severus unrolled the paper to read its contents. "She is down at the Quidditch Pitch, having the Prefects escort all students back to their respective Common Rooms. Please read these to the Slytherin House, as soon as possible."
"Of course." Severus placed the scroll on the nightstand before reclaiming his seat, staring forward aimlessly, forever lost in Aurora's eyes no longer glowing with life.
As the Potions Master watched Aurora, the Headmaster couldn't cast his eyes away from male professor. Both he and Minerva knew of Severus' relationship with Aurora, though he had a feeling something must've transpired between the two within the last few months. They may have fooled the other professors, but not him, not Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster could easily identify the two had been on not-so-friendly relations since the start of term, and he had to question why. However, based on a conversation he had with the professor awhile back, Albus could only assume the possible worst.
Patting Severus' shoulder in solace. "I am...deeply sorry, my boy. I myself am saddened Aurora has, unfortunately become one of the victims. Pomona and Poppy have been working endlessly to create the mandrake drought, and I have just been informed that it should be completed within the next few weeks."
Nodding again, Severus, who rarely liked to speak as is, was trying not to use his voice at all. "That is good to hear, Albus." Taking his leave, Albus excused himself and left the Hospital Wing, leaving Severus to wallow in his misery and confusion. Only minutes had passed before the professor could hear more voices outside the hall, growing louder by the second until he knew it was Minerva's.
"I warn you," her stern voice was filled with anguish. Severus could hear two other sets of feet following the professor as they moved closer towards Aurora's tent, leaving the man with one guess for who the pair could be. "This could be a wee bit of a shock."
"Hermione!" Ron gasped, and even the Potions Master felt sorrow for the boy to see his friend in such a state.
Grasping Hermione's mirror from the bedside table, Minerva stated, "She was found in the library, along with this. Does it mean anything to either of you?"
Both boys nodded, with Harry softly answering, "No..." Reaching forward with his glove covered hand, Harry grasped Hermione's frozen hand, shock that she, of all people, had been attacked. Glancing away, he noticed the bed to his left was covered, curiosity bubbling forth as he snapped his head to look at his Head of House. "Professor, Hermione wasn't the only one attacked today, was she?"
"Wait, you mean there were two?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Unfortunately," she answered sorrowfully.
"Then...who could it have been?" the ginger-haired boy questioned.
Refraining from answering, Minerva struggled if they deserved to know it was there professor or to just leave the subject alone. "Sadly, Professor Warrington was attacked as well."
Harry stammered. "W-What?!"
"She and Hermione were found in the library together, with a mirror by her side as well." Casting one last glance upon her student, Minerva sighed and addressed the boys. "I must speak with the Headmaster; therefore, I am giving you ten minutes before you both need to head back to the common room. Understood?" The both nodded, allowing Minerva to stare at Aurora's hidden bed as she left the wing.
Groaning, Ron stepped forward, unable to watch his petrified friend, yet unable to divert his eyes. "Bloody hell...how has this all happened?"
"I dunno Ron. But two more attacks? That's a total of seven. Who's to tell there won't be more?"
"But for Professor Warrington and Hermione to be attacked? This is...this is bloody terrible, Harry."
"I know..." he whispered. "Ron, do you think...they were petrified because of us?"
"What'd you mean, Harry? We didn't send the monster to attack them!"
"No, no...Ever since the professor caught us with the Polyjuice Potion before Christmas, she's been helping us when we need it, listening to us talk about the attacks and the Chamber of Secrets. And Hermione's been meeting with her since second term started, to talk more about Salazar Slytherin and the Chamber. Could they have been in the library doing research on our behalf?" Harry stared at his best friend, sadness etched into his features, thinking of the prospect that it could be their fault for all this.
Ron remained silent, watching his friend and Hermione, not knowing what to say, what to do. He agreed with Harry's logic; either way, their professor and best friend were now petrified. "Harry...knowing Hermione, she would've been in the library looking for answers even if we asked her not to."
"And Professor Warrington probably would've gone with Hermione for protection if she was asked to help." Ron nodded in agreement with that particular statement. Sighing one last time, Harry held Hermione's hand before letting go. "We should head back to the common room." Reluctantly, both students cast their eyes upon Hermione one last time, forcing themselves to leave and head up to the seventh floor.
However, having been hidden from view and remained perfectly silent, Severus froze in shock upon hearing his student's words. He could hear their footsteps exit the wing, leaving he professor alone to glance upon the woman frozen upon the bed.
Could it be true? The professor thought. Could it be that Aurora has been helping those three all term? And what did Potter mean she discovered them with a Polyjuice Potion? Standing, Severus maneuvered around the bed, leaning down to grasp Aurora's face with his palms. Her skin was cold, an illusion of death cascading her petrified form. "Aurora...what on earth have you been doing these past few months?" he whispered, staring into the depth of her seemingly lifeless gaze. Severus wouldn't gain any answers for the time being, at least until the drought was ready and she was free from this curse. Knowing the type of students the notorious three had become, and the witch Aurora had always been, if they were working on discovering the Chamber of Secrets, she would've helped them any way she could.
Inhaling deeply, there wasn't anything the man could do; the woman he loved more than he ever thought possible was now in the hands of Poppy. Laying a kiss on her forehead before leaving, Severus notified the medi-witch of his departure, having to speak with his Slytherins of the new school rules. Reaching the dungeons and the appropriate portrait for his House, Severus entered to see the Common Room filled with all students; some lounged on the various couches as some filtered between the front and side rooms. Noticing his appearance, the closest students hushed their voices, causing a ripple effect until all was silent.
"As you are all aware, there has been another attack, and the Headmaster has thus placed these school rules into effect immediately." Unrolling the scroll Albus had given him earlier, Severus read. "All students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions." Nearly all students groaned upon hearing the rules; heads hung low, eyes rolled and several voiced their opinions.
Clearing his voice to gain their undivided attention, Severus rolled the parchment and crossed his arms, his foul mood being pushed to its limits. "I will state this again only once more: no exceptions. If I find even one of you disregarding these rules, you will face far worse consequences than an easy night of detention scrubbing cauldrons." All eyes widened as they peered around the large room, questioning if their Head of House would really punish a Slytherin. Narrowed eyes scanning the room, Severus took his leave, allowing the students to soak in his words as he stomped through the dampness of the dungeons.
Hastily moving to his private quarters, Severus entered the cold room, flinging his back against the portrait, taking in the room in front. Breathing on edge, the man simply stood there for several minutes, his mentality still soaking in the events of the afternoon. Seeing Aurora in the hospital bed, frozen and lifeless, crushed his very being. His own heart stopped; never having thought the possibility she be one of the victims to suffer the fate of Salazar Slytherin's monster.
Slamming a curled fist into the portrait door, Severus swiftly made his way towards the bookshelf. Fingers dug into each text, violently torn its respective shelf. The man threw all across the room, caring not where each landed. Papers, inkwells, quills, glasses, bottles, chairs. Any and everything the man could grasp, he hurled.
Crashing.
Breaking.
Tearing.
He paid no heed, for the man did not care.
Having grasped one last item, Severus realized he had somehow maneuvered through the front room into his bedroom. Unknowingly in his blind rage, the professor has taken hold of the picture Aurora had gifted on his birthday, the one he opened after he ruined their relationship. Slowly sinking into his mattress, he caressed the moving picture, watching as he and Aurora swirled in a never-ending dance, eyes always on another, not once looking away. With a shaky breath, Severus returned the picture to the nightstand on his side of the bed where it had been placed since that night in January, where it stayed in its designated place. It was the first image he saw in the morning and the last as he fell asleep.
Finally daring a glance around his chambers, Severus could only sigh at the chaos he created. Ink stains, ripped papers, it was all there, everything he had heaved in all directions. Groaning, Severus ran fingers through his oily hair, a scream withheld deep in his throat, bursting to escape. Suddenly, he stood, quickly removing himself from the chamber and quickly left down the hall towards Aurora's chambers. Entering, he was instantly met by Merlin and Sapphire; one curled around his legs and the other landed on his shoulder. Crying out, Severus petted both, knowing the creatures were aware something happened to Aurora.
Their cries grew persistent when Severus finally voiced his thoughts, speaking to the creatures in the same manner Aurora did. "I know you miss her...she's...she'll be back." Glowing eyes froze on him, as if both recognized his words. When they had calmed down, the professor eyed the room, very aware how disorganized and messy Aurora's chambers gad grown over the last few months. Though not as destroyed as his own chambers, her was still cluttered with personal belongings and items she needed for classes. In the kitchen, Severus made sure Merlin and Sapphire had enough food and water then tackled the mess. The cleaning would, hopefully, clear his mind that the one person he needed most was not by his side.
Her warmth could not soothe him. Then again, he had been without her warmth for several months, what would a few more weeks be like? Shaking his head, Severus pushed throughout the room, piling papers on her desk, cleaning ink stains, washing dirtied dishes. He made her bed, folded her blankets, wanting her personal space to be spotless by the time she was free.
By the time every inch of her chambers had been cleaned, Severus noted it was past midnight, yet refused to acknowledge he required sleep. Still, he forced himself from leaning against the counter, heading towards the portrait when Sapphire squeaked behind him as Merlin bit his pant leg, failing in attempt to pull his away from the only exit. The dragon followed in sequence, gripping his cloak with her claws and flew backwards had the man softly chuckling, their actions endearing and only reminded him of Aurora.
With a shake of his head, Severus retrieved a blanket and pillow from Aurora's room, piling the items on the couch, readying himself for sleep. Sapphire and Merlin were used to another presence at night, and with Aurora gone, Severus knew the creatures would be stressed. If anything happens to these two, Aurora would be devastated. I cannot allow that to happen, he thought as he undressed. Leaving only his pants on, he extinguished all lights as he lay on the sofa, curling onto his side as his long legs stretched over the edge. To his surprise, Merlin curled at the edge of his feet while Sapphire lay along with side. Severus stared down at them in wonder. Granted, he had grown to care deeply for the cat and dragon, though never knew if they had accepted him.
Despite the way Aurora's birthday had taken a drastic turn, Severus had managed to close his eyes, allowing the comfort of sleep to carry him onto the next day, ever waiting for when his love would recover from her petrified state. With the thought he might have the chance to kiss her once more, Severus Snape fell asleep with a soft smile across his hardened face.
~ oOo ~
From the day Aurora had been attacked, Severus had visited the woman in the Hospital Wing during every free moment he had. There were times he brought reading material and would sit by her side in silence, and others where he brought Merlin and Sapphire, both curling against their master, crying out for them to be petted. Morning and night, Aurora was all the professor would think, occasionally find himself distracting with his teaching. His students paid no heed as they didn't see a difference in their professor; the faculty however, noticed a toll was placed on the Potions Master with Aurora's disappearance. Other than Albus and Minerva, the other faculty were beginning to assume there was more between Severus and Aurora.
Between January and May, there had been distance and tension, though only Severus and Aurora knew the reasoning. But this? The faculty knew this was different; their Potions Master was different. Around others he become more silent than usual; the man took away more House Points instead of giving detention to a student; and when he wasn't in the classroom, he was beside Aurora.
But no one said anything. It was an unspoken judgement across the faculty that their Potions Master needed these few weeks until the drought was ready to sort through the pain in his heart. They granted the man his space. And Severus knew what the faculty had been thinking. The man didn't even need to use magic to gain the knowledge, he could see the faculty giving him some time alone. He didn't care, all that mattered to the man was visiting Aurora and taking care of her animal companions. Hell, it had become routine for Sapphire to travel with Aurora to her classes, to which she attached herself to Severus. When the dragon wasn't on his shoulders, she would curl on his desk and watch the class.
Outside of his private bubble, Severus was aware of the situation Hogwarts had grown into, with the recent attacks disturbing the board with each passing day. He had been summoned by Minerva one evening to discover Albus had been removed as Headmaster from the school, to be placed on suspension until the matter regarding the attacks had been discussed and closed. Severus couldn't believe the board would come to such a decision, but wondered if Lucius had anything to do with it. Minerva also explained that Cornelius Fudge had also been present, to escort Hagrid to Azkaban Prison for earlier transgressions when he was a student.
Furious, Severus questioned Minerva what was to happen now that Albus was no longer protecting the school. Just as angry, Minerva stated she was now appointed as Headmistress in Albus' absence, and that her main goal was to ensure the protection of the students, to uphold the new rules that had been placed just a week prior. She also explained that if the board decided to remove Albus from the school, then they were nearing to a decision in closing Hogwarts down for good.
Several more weeks had passed, with no other changes to the school or more attacks. That is, until one Saturday night when Minerva's voice could be heard over the school's intercom. "All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the second-floor corridor, immediately." Having met several faculty members on his way from the dungeons, all ran frantically to the second-floor, not sure what they were about to see.
"As you can see," Minerva stated breathlessly, still in a state of shock of what transpired. "the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the monster into the Chamber itself." Folding her hands together, the Headmistress knew naught what to do as Severus stared at the writing on the wall. "The students must be sent home, I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts."
Running steps appeared around the corner as Gilderoy came to a stop, hands behind his back as if the situation at hand didn't pertain to him as a professor for the school. "So sorry, dozed off – what have I missed?"
"A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart," Severus said quietly. The man forced his lips to remain neutral as he spoke his next statement, knowing the man was incompetent to be the Professor for the Dark Arts. "It would seem your moment has come at last."
"My m-moment...?" Gilderoy was shocked to hear they were expecting something out of him.
"Well, that's settled," Minerva spoke forth, her tone politely condescending, having known all along his stories of grandeur had been fabricated. "We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are a legend."
"Very well – ah – I'll just be in my office getting...getting ready." Turning and leaving, the other faculty scoffed, knowing there wasn't anything the man could do.
"Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?" Poppy finally asked the question all had been concerned with.
"Ginny Weasley."
One by one, the others read the wall before leaving, knowing that unless they knew the location of the Chamber, there was nothing they could do. Their power was useless. Severus was the last to leave, eyes staring long and hard at the blood-stained words, disbelief etched within his brain that a student had actually been taken, though he knew the truth.
Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever.
~ oOo ~
Sleeping that night hadn't been easy on the Potions Master, his mind weary knowing a student was hidden somewhere in the castle, having god-knew-what done to her by the mysterious beast. By morning, after a long night of tossing and turning, Severus was eating a small breakfast in his kitchen, accompanied by Merlin and Sapphire. It was another morning, another day without Aurora in his life when a glistening light appeared through his portrait. Surprised by the sight he was witnessing Severus slowly dropped his bowl onto the counter and watched the unexpected spectacle.
Albus' Patronus was standing directly before him.
As the light vanished, Severus knew what the signal meant. Hastily leaving his chambers, the professor moved quickly through the castle, making his way towards the Headmaster's Office on the seventh floor. Murmuring the password the moment he was within view, he climbed the stone steps, the aged door opening on its own once he reached the top. Surprised to see Minerva standing next to the desk, Severus was even more confused when his eyes landed on Albus himself, having reclaimed his seat, hands neatly folded.
"Hm, it is good to see you back, Albus."
The old man smiled. "I must say, my dear boy, it is good to be back." Angling his head at the Deputy Headmistress, his smile turned even brighter. "Shall I tell him about last night's events, or would you appreciate the honor?"
"Oh, by all means! You have returned from suspension, you tell."
Eyebrow raised, Severus questioned their behavior, noting Minerva was grinning like a cat, the secretive mischievousness she had deep within coming forth. Clearing his throat, Albus walked around the desk, waving his hand for Severus to move forward, and as he did, the Potions Master was bewildered to see Godric Gryffindor's sword. Stained with blood, Severus opened his mouth to question exactly what had happened to the sword, when he was beaten.
"Last night," Albus returned to his seat. "It would seem young Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Professor Lockhart were able to find the Chamber of Secrets."
"Bloody hell," the man muttered. "Potter and Weasley, yes, but Lockhart? That's not possible."
"According to their accounts, they went after Lockhart knowing he was tasked with finding Ginny Weasley, and when confronted, he threatened to erase their memories." Albus spent the next few minutes elaborating the tale he was told earlier by both boys, leaving Severus stunned. "Needless to say, Mr. Potter was able to defeat the basilisk with this sword and saved Ms. Weasley."
"And that?" Severus pointed at the notebook covered in ink with a hole directly in the middle.
"Ah, yes. This," the Headmaster picked up the diary, glancing at the front and back, still mesmerized by the power it held. "Tom Riddle's diary."
"Tom Riddle..." the male professor whispered, knowing he had heard that name before, a name he swore he'd only heard once. Blinking, he whispered another name, "Voldemort."
"Severus!" Minerva hissed, not appreciating the preferred title for He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named.
Waving his hand, she lowered her voice, knowing now was not the time to focus on something trivial. "Yes," Albus answered his question. "Somehow, this came into Ms. Weasley's possession before school began, and the diary began communicating with her throughout the year, controlling her to open the Chamber."
"So...what happens now. Are you still suspended? And the Chamber?"
"The beast has been killed and the Chamber is sealed, thanks to Mr. Potter. As for my suspension, the board stated they were under the impression Lucius Malfoy would curse their families if they didn't agree to remove me from the school. Seeing as I am back, Hogwarts will remain open and we will end the term on a happy note."
"We're planning to cancel all final exams as a treat, considering the way school has turned, especially for those who were petrified." Minerva stated.
This caused the man to nod. "And...the mandrake drought?"
Staring at one another, Albus and Minerva grinned, as the Deputy Headmistress gripped Severus' shoulder tightly, happy with the words she was about to express. "I received word during the night the drought had been finished. Poppy seemed adamant all those petrified would be cured by morning."
Taking a moment to register his friend's statement, Severus couldn't breathe, the air caught in his throat. This day was full of unexpectant surprises; the one he approved the most was the hope Aurora would finally be cured. Inhaling deeply, Severus was unaware he had gradually taken several steps backwards; Albus and Minerva could only watch, knowing his mind was elsewhere on something more personal, something important for his heart.
"Excuse me," he abruptly stated, leaving the office and running down the stairs to the Grand Staircase. Trekking down several flights, Severus soon found himself outside the Hospital Wing where he, without considering his actions, burst through the heavy doors to see Poppy on the opposite end. The Potions Master wasn't surprised to find all privacy curtains had been raised. Acknowledging his careless arrival, she met him halfway across the room. "Poppy, Albus told me the drought was ready last night. Aurora, is she...?"
"Yes Severus," the medi-witch answered with a light laugh, still caught off guard with the man's reaction towards the youngest faculty member. Lowering her voice, she added, "She was the first to wake with the drought. You can go see her – " Brushing past her, Severus mumbled an apology, stepping forward to the designated bed he had been attached to for the past few weeks. Clearing his throat, he grasped the curtain and, with trembling fingers, pulled the material aside. Previously, the man knew what to expect from the sight; the witch to be frozen in time, her expression forever fearful of what he had seen in the mirror. Now?
Aurora was sitting straight upon the bed, braiding her long, gorgeous locks over her shoulder.
The sound of shoes grabbed her attention. Raising her beautiful blue eyes, she was met with eyes of obsidian so deep, she could lose herself in their depths for hours. Lowering her hands before she could finish, her hair gradually released from the braid. "S-Sev...?" The Potions Master had stepped forward quick enough to pull the woman into his arms before she could fully mutter his name. Arm wrapping around his neck, Aurora pulled the man closer, tears falling down her cheeks. "Oh Severus...!" she whispered.
Moving strands away from her face, Severus could feel the coolness of his eyes stinging as well, with one tear falling. Aurora brushed his cheek, fingers lingering against his skin as he lay their foreheads together. "You're awake...by god, you're really awake Aurora..."
"I'm right here, the drought worked perfectly." Leaning upwards, she pecked his cheek, wishing for more, though she was not the only one.
Swallowing the lump caught in his throat, the Potions Master knew there was nothing he wished more than to kiss her luscious lips. But first? "Aurora...there's...please, there is something we must speak of."
A finger upon his closed mouth halted the man from speaking further. "There is. I may have been petrified, but my memory hasn't changed. Poppy?" Entering, the medi-witch kept a neutral expression, though she noted the way Severus tilted his face away from her line of vision. "When am I able to leave?"
"Anytime you wish. You've been conscious long enough for me to have noticed any side effects; do as you please."
"Thank you Poppy, for everything."
"Oh, my dear." Hugging her colleague and friend, the medi-witch was more thankful all her patients would be back to the way they were. "We all missed you so very much. Though, I think Severus was the one to miss you the most." Both giggling, Severus was glad his long hair covered his face, skin intensifying red by the second. "He was here every chance he had, and brought along your companions as well."
This caught her in shock. "Sapphire and Merlin? You brought them to visit me?"
The male professor nodded. "They knew something happened and were stressed. Seeing you calmed them down."
"But who was taking care of them?" Severus didn't reply and neither noticed Poppy leaving them to their privacy. "No, Sev, did you really...?"
"Of course," he replied nonchalantly. "When I learned what had happened, I made sure to give them food when needed. Some days they stayed with me in my chambers. Bloody hell, Sapphire even stayed with me during all my lessons, curled up on the desk just as she does with you." Seeing Aurora stared wide-eyed back at him, Severus couldn't tell what the woman was thinking. Her fingers grasped his face and roughly pulled his cheeks forward. Crashing lips together, Aurora decided to forgo waiting to hear what Severus had to say; regardless, her love for the man was pure and relentless. Pulling back, she whispered hoarsely, her words quieted for his ears only, "Take me to the dungeons. My chambers, your chambers it doesn't matter – just take me home."
Agreeing without hesitation, Severus helped Aurora stand from the bed, her limbs stiff, though she was surprised by the strength she still possessed, despite having been practically turned to stone for several weeks. Having Poppy examine her one last time, she was finally discharged as the two exited the Hospital Wing. Assuming they would use the Grand Staircase, Aurora was turned in the opposite direction when Severus decided in using a shortcut, allowing them to bypass any students or faculty. Also, this shortcut would allow them to reach the dungeons in no time at all, allowing the two to reach the privacy of their rooms for some much-needed personal time.
As Severus' chambers were closest once exiting from their alternative route, both witch and wizard quickly moved through the portrait guarding his rooms. Entering, the wizard was secretly pleased he had cleaned the mess from several weeks ago. Aurora didn't even seem to notice his chambers at all, her gaze staring at him only.
Neither seemed to move. Where would their actions lead them? The night before her birthday, both witch and wizard deliberately accepted the consequences of physically loving one another. Having not had the chance to speak of the tension still lingering in the air – and Severus' explanation to provide the absolute truth – Severus nor Aurora didn't know what to expect. Despite all signals dictating their patience should be practiced, Aurora found herself shoving her body against the male, having missed the feel of his burning flesh against hers, even when she was frozen in time. Lips having formed once again, the Potions Master quickly refrained from continuing, holding the witch at arm's length.
"I...Aurora, as much as I want to be close with you, I-I can't..." Head hanging low, Severus knew he needed to speak the truth before being granted her permission to make love to her once more. Cupping his cheek, Aurora could only be mesmerized by his obsidian eyes.
"On my birthday, we made an agreement to discuss what happened several months ago. While I was petrified...I...still had the ability to think, to dream. I replayed the previous night over and over, and despite all that you said, all that you did," she grabbed his hand, placing it over her ever-beating heart. "My love will always belong to you. I never stopped loving you, Severus Snape and deep down, I knew that night, and I know now, you were telling the truth."
Keeping his hand in place, Severus held his free hand on her lower back, inching them closer, his lips lingering against the top of her head. "That's not enough..." he whispered. "I still need to show you the truth."
"Then show me later. Right now, there's something else I need you to show me."
"Why...?" Severus asked, still believing he shouldn't be granted what Aurora was willing throwing at him. "Aurora, I – "
"Severus Tobias Snape do you love me?"
Hands ever-so-gently cupping her face, Severus angled her head up towards his. "More than you know," he whispered. "Aurora, I have never loved anyone, or anything, as much as I love you. I don't deserve what you have given me, but it has been something I've deeply yearned for throughout my life."
Clutching his hand, Aurora formed his fingers over her breast, groaning the moment Severus' fingers touched the rounded mound through her clothing and squeezed. "Then please...listen to me. Everything you're thinking, feeling, I have gone through these last few months, and I am telling you, for right now, we need to let go. Please, just like the night before my birthday, show me you love me. Right here, right now."
Contemplating his morality on the situation versus his lustful desires, Severus preferred the latter. Slamming his mouth upon hers once more, he releasing the repressed emotions swelling inside, the desperate need to touch Aurora's naked. Picking the female up, Severus carried her into his bedroom where he dropped her onto the bed, his form crawling over hers. Hurriedly removing her shirt, Severus was stunned to see her beautiful, creamy skin. Fingers trailing over her stomach towards her neck, his eyes loved the view of her skin, but it was the trinket dangling between the valley of her breasts he was truly focusing on.
Lightly grazing over the metal, Severus lifted his hooded eyes to hers. "You're wearing your necklace." She nodded with a bright smile as an answer. "H-How did you get it...? That night, you threw it at me and it was kept here."
The giggled she released had the man daze, simply in wonder at the female. So easily she was able to see through him, to understand and accept all his faults, all the wrongdoings he had executed within his life. "My birthday, I grabbed it off your nightstand. It helped me to think of us and the things we were gonna talk about that night."
"That day...weren't you afraid I was still..."
"Lying?" she finished his sentence. "I did fear you were lying that night. Yet something deep in my gut screamed for me to be hopeful because I know you. I know your mannerisms, the way you lie and how you tell the truth. You only open up when it's just us, and even then, there's a certain way you act only around me. Severus, you have a tell, and it's your eyes. That night, your eyes were wide and bright, betraying your own words. You asked me to trust you, but it was your eyes that convinced me. Until I hear the truth, I want to believe everything you've said."
"Aurora." Capturing her lips, Severus said no more, as he locked lips with the wonderous woman beneath him. Like beasts having lost control, they attack one another, removing one piece of clothing after the other, neither stopped. The late morning and afternoon consisted of sweaty skin and flushed cheeks; kisses and moans; luscious screams and pleasure unlike any other.
Love wasn't enough between the two. Passion, lust, devotion, tenderness and yearning grappled the witch and wizard, fearful for later that night when the truth would be revealed. Their relationship was on the line, they knew it was past the breaking point. In order to salvage the future, one they longed to have together, there was a point they needed to cross: whether their love was strong enough to overcome any challenges of the past.
More importantly, if they were willing to quell any malevolent threats they would definitely face in the future.
~ oOo ~
Not the greatest chapter, but I hope it was still something you have been waiting for. Can't wait for the next chapter? Show me some love and I might post the next real soon!
Chocobocolina :3