Bound

Chapter Twenty Five

A single tear rolls down my face as the words linger in the air around us. He wants me as a wife. His wife to be exact. I've always wanted this. I've always wanted someone to love me deep enough and truly enough to want to marry me. I gave up hope on finding that kind of relationship due to the fact I didn't feel that way towards anyone until Severus came into my life.
My love for Severus is true, and purely unconditional. My love knows no bounds with him. I would do absolutely anything for him. I'd give up my own life, just for him.

"Ye-yes."
I'm able to stutter out, my mind racing with the mixture of emotions.

He pushes himself up and comes around the table.

"I know I gifted you a ring a few days ago, but I wanted to do this the right way."
He smiles as he pulls out a small black box from his robe pocket.

He drops down onto one knee, holding the box out in front of him.

"Lilith. Will you do the extraordinary honor of marrying me?"
He opens the box and inside is the most beautiful ring I've been seen.

It's a delicate silver band with a detailed vine wrapping around it. The stone is an oval shaped garnet.

"Yes."
I hold out my hand to him. He slides the ring onto my finger.

"You have made me the happiest man alive."
He says while beginning to blush.

I lean forward, wrapping my arms tightly around him. His hands cradling my face, he brings my lips to his. He kisses me deeply and passionately.

We get lost in this intimate, special moment for what feels like a very long time. In the distance, we can hear the faint sound of someone's footsteps making their way down the stairs. We let go and I stand up to take the glasses back to the counter. Severus gives me one final smile before slipping through the common room door.

A third year comes tip-towing down the last few steps and comes over to where I'm standing. I slip away to my dorm as they pour themselves a glass of water.

*the next afternoon*

"We'll meet you in the Great Hall for dinner tonight Lilith."
Says Draco.

"Have fun in detention."
Says Blaise through a laugh.

During potions, Ron threw a note to me about doing a study group in the library with everyone after dinner. I, of course got caught throwing it back to his table. Around 4:25 I make my way down to Severus' class room.
As I'm about to turn the handle to open the door. I hear Severus speaking to a  familiar voice. A sixth year Slytherin student named Amanda Bell. I lean a little closer.

"She's not to be trusted Professor."
Amanda whispers.

"Ms. Bell, I don't know why you're coming to me about something that pertains to Ms. Riddle. You can simply talk to her."
Says Severus. I can hear him moving some paperwork around on his desk.

"I know she's just another student to you Professor but she's not right."
A silence follows.

"Ms. Bell. I'm not going to sit here and listen to you talk down about one of our best students. Yes, she does get detentions every now and then but other than that, she's very kind to everyone."

"She killed my grandfather."
Amanda spits out.

"Your grandfather died many years ago Ms. Bell. Just because you're missing him and angry does not mean you can blame it on Ms. Riddle."

"Cut the act Professor! Her father is you-know-who. And I know all about how Professor Dumbledore made you spy on her father. You became very close to him and most likely her as well."

"I don't know where you got this information from, but it's wrong. If you continue to go on like this you'll serve detention."

"She's as demented and unstable as Bellatrix and a murderer."

"It's time for you to leave Ms. Bell."
There's a faint scrape on the floor as Severus pushes his chair back.

"She's a worthless piece of shit just like her father Professor. Good thing her mum isn't around anymore to put up with a disgrace."

"That is it! You'll be serving a months worth of detentions with Filch. Now, get out."

I quickly whip out my wand and use the invisibility spell I learned not too long ago. As I hear her footsteps approach the door, I walk over to the corner by the one window that's down here and I stay still. My head becomes soaked from the leak coming from the ceiling above me.
As the door opens, Amanda whispers something to Severus yet again.

"I'm telling you Professor. Do. Not. Trust. Her."

Severus turns his head away from her, and looks down the hall at the stairs. My eyes burn from the tears that began to fall. After Amanda disappears around the corner and up the stairs, Severus says something.

"I know you're here Lilith. Come out and we can talk about this."
His voice sounds sad and tired.

My first reflex is to back away. He must of heard my step since his head snapped in my direction. I turn off the invisibility charm and stand there, now drenched. I take one look at him before bolting towards the stairs myself.
As I'm about to turn the corner, I collide into Severus himself.

"Lilith, please."
He holds his hand out for me to grab and pull myself up from the ground.

He stays still as he waits for me to walk back to the classroom. Once we're inside, he closes the door behind him. I watch as he puts a silencing charm on the room so no one thinks he's in here if they happen to come down. He walks to his desk and leans his back against it. He motions for me to sit.

"What's going on love?"
His eyes are full of concern.

"She's right you know."
I say quietly.

"About what?"
His eyebrow raises.

"All of it."
I look down at the floor, averting his gaze.

"Look at me Darling."

I squint my eyes shut and turn my head further away from him. This was something I wanted to forget. I almost succeeded if it wasn't for Ms. Bell.

"I said Look at me!"
He says in a raised and stern voice.

I flinch at his yell. I force myself to look up. His eyes dark. His expression unreadable, not sure of what to expect.

"I did kill her grandfather."
I force myself to spill the truth. This is something I should of told him but I thought it would be better if he didn't.

"Death is something I'm accustomed too. Especially if it's not a natural death."
His tone now reassuring.

"I was sent to Azkaban for it. Remember when I told you that I went back to being 17? That's the time span in which all this happened."

"You're still you Lilith. I love you for who you are."

"You shouldn't. Those dementors really do damage to you."
I feel myself wanting to look away but I have to keep my head up. Be honest and let it out. Severus stands and listens.

"Took away everything happy. My mind deteriorated within the first few months of being there. I thought that was bad enough until the kiss..."
My voice trails off at the end of the word. My heart drops and my palms become sweaty.

"That can't be. You would of been a vegetable if not dead."

"My father saved me. He was livid when he found out what my punishment was. He got there just in the Knick of time."
I allow my head to fall. Tears swell and fill my eyes.

My body relaxes as Severus' arms wrap around me. His hand moving up and down as he rubs my back to console me.

"Darling...it's okay. I'm not angry and I don't love you any less."
He rests his head on top of mine.

"You don't care that I've killed people?"
I say in barely a whisper.

"No. I know you wouldn't of done it without reason. I love you."
His arms wrap around me tighter, holding me as close as physically possible.

I squeeze him a little more with the strength I'm able to muster. He understands me in a way no one else has.