Don't Save Me

Chapter 36: Secrets

"You think I haven't tried that?" Severus looked at me, curiously, waiting for me to explain. "I was nine years old when a friend of mine from the neighborhood noticed the bruises on my arm. She told her mom and the Minister of Magic got involved. Bagnold came to the house, looked around, shook my uncle's hand, and decided, in the two minutes she was there, that I was a liar. She turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said 'little girls mustn't tell lies.' Those were the last words I remember hearing before she left and I woke up a week later with no memory of what happened, several broken bones, and a note written with my own blood that said: 'not a word of this to anyone or I'll kill everyone you care about, starting with your little friend.'"

Severus looked horrified as I finished my story, not sure what to say, so he said nothing. He simply pulled me into his chest and rested his chin on top of my head.

"I'm so sorry, Y/n," he whispered. I buried my face in his chest before he continued speaking. "Y/n... I can't let you go back there."

"Severus, we've been over this. I have to! Look, I will be free when I turn 18 but, until then, I have to stay with him... otherwise I'm going to have to Obliviate you." Severus quickly pulled away from me, hurt in his eyes as he stared at me.

"I'm sorry, Severus... Remus learned of my secret during second year and he refused to keep it a secret, so I Obliviated him. I'll do the same to you if I have to... it's for your own good."

"You told the mutt before me?"

"No, I didn't tell him. He figured it out and was Obliviated! No one is supposed to know! It's too dangerous. Severus," I continued, grabbing his hands. "I need you to promise me that you won't say anything... please, it's too dangerous for anyone to know."

"Y/n... I-.... I will keep your secret but... what are you going to do in the summer?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can't go back there."

"We have already discussed this, too, Severus. Anywhere I go he can find me. It's just until I turn 18."

"Y/n...-"

"Severus, what about you? You're in a very similar situation as me... would you want me to go telling your secret?"

"Well, no, but... I have to stay. I'm protecting my mom."

"And I'm protecting the only family I have." With that the conversation ended and Severus nodded. "I will stay quiet... only until you are 18 and then I want you out of that house..." he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head. "...even if I have to break in and steal you myself... you are not going back there once you turn 18."