Bound

Chapter Eleven

"Darling! What's the matter?!"
Severus sounded panicked, not understanding what is happening to me.

"We need to go to my fathers. Now."
I say through tears. Severus is still rubbing my back, trying to console me.

"Okay darling. Hold on, I'll handle this."
I do what he says and wrap my arms around the back of his neck, and off we go into the night. Flying was always fun for me when alone or with Draco but it's become something much deeper to me since I've known Severus.
From Hogwarts to my fathers manor is about twenty minutes, but from Severus' home it adds another ten minutes. The cold air feels good on my face after crying. My face always becomes warm when I'm upset. I close my eyes, relaxing more and more into his hold. His heart beat is panicked, worrying about me and why I'm in distress. My hand grips his shirt tightly, not in fear of falling but in fear of him vanishing.
After some time, we begin our descent. I can see my fathers manor, and the fences that protect it. We come to a soft landing outside the fence. Only my fathers closest and most trusting company know the spell to disarm the protection charm that keeps our home safe.
Severus flicks his wand, causing the charm enough room for us to slip through it.

"Go to him. I'm right behind you."
My feet take off. Running towards the front door. My wand is out long before reaching it, ready to unlock it when I arrive.

"Alohomora."
I can hear from the other side, the faint click as the four bolts unlock themselves. I push the door open, letting it close behind me with a thud.

"Who's there?!"
I hear my fathers voice from his office.

"Show yourself!"
I run up the stairs. I want to call out, letting father know it's only me and to not worry about an intruder, but my voice betrays me. By now, Severus has caught up with me and stands close behind me. We round the corner of the hallway leading to his office. My father has his wand out, ready to shoot a spell. As we come into focus, a light flys from the tip of my fathers wand.

"Crucio!"
He yells.

My arm raises, sending off a blocking charm to protect myself and Severus.

"Dammit! Father, it's me!"
I manage to say. My mouth dry.

"Lilith? Severus? It's the middle of the night. What's going on?"
He puts his wand down on the hall table, his shoulders drop as he relaxes. I take a deep breath.

"It's Barty Crouch Jr.
He's escaped and he's not happy about the sudden war changes."

"Let me see Lil."
Says my father. His hand stretched out in front of him, waiting for me to take it.

*
Cool air washes over me as my mind searches through to find the exact vision I need. My fathers eyes are closed as well as mine.
Loud footsteps can be heard as his boots crunch over the ash and ruble from the fires. He mutters too quietly for anything to be heard or understood. His underlying tone, angry.
The wind pushes his coat open. His hand reaching inside to pull out his wand. He sticks his arm out, pointing his wand towards the sky. His whispers can be heard as he uses the well known charm to construct the dark mark in the sky.
The dark grey clouds can be seen changing shape. Some going higher to create a skull, while the rest fall lower, forming the serpent.
I push another image into my fathers mind.
It shows Severus, injured from an attack by Barty. His eyes close as he breathes his last breath. The dark mark casting over him as I pull away from my father, not capable of rewatching Severus death again. The tears come forward, trying to push themselves from my eyes. I fight them back. I'd hate to show them how weak I've become.
My fathers arms wrap around me, squeezing me tightly. He rests his head on top of mine, breathing deeply. My body slowly begins to imitate his movements, and I relax.

"It will all be okay my dear."
His voice calm and steady.

He's always been such a great support system throughout my entire life. People see a cruel and torturous side of him, but I wish he'd give them a chance to see what I see. A great father, but a greater man.
His arms release from around me, but still in my reach in case I need some extra help to steady myself. I look up at him, his face gleaming. A smile spreads across his face.

"I'll take care of this. You two should stay here for the weekend, to stay safe. Barty has never been informed of the counter charm on the house, you shouldn't have to worry about him getting in here."
My father says as he grabs his wand.

"Thank you so much father."

"Thank you, my lord."

We both watch as my father proceeds to the balcony. His cloak twirls around him, turning into black smoke as he disappears. I run over to the glass door to lock it. I feel a familiar hand on my waist. I spin around, a bit to quickly for Severus' liking as he became a tad bit dizzy. He blinks, and my hand now sits on his cheek. He looks surprised by my speed.

"I would do anything, to keep you safe."
I say, looking into his now tired eyes.

He doesn't say anything that I can't read on his face. His eyes fill with gratitude with knowing I wouldn't let any harm come to him. My hand traces to his chest and down his arm. I slip my hand into his, pulling him carefully towards my room. I push open the large black double doors, exposing a large king bed in between two glass doors and windows. Book cases stand tall on both sides of the room. My bedspread is a dark plum, my rugs and pillow cases matching. Porcelain colored dressers sit across from my bed, behind the doors. My room here is much like my dorm at Hogwarts, just larger. Hanging plants in every corner and crystals and potted mushrooms on my desk, and dresser. A door sits on the right of my room, leading to my bathroom, while the door on the left leads to my closet.

"Get some rest darling."
I say as he drops onto my mattress.

Severus gives a small nod as he falls asleep. I pull my thick comforter up to his chest. I plant a small kiss on his forehead before retreating from the room.