When Darkness Calls

Chapter 6- The Kiss

‘What are you doing out here who were you talking to?’ Dumbledore was crouched at my side now I looked at him and noticed Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall stood behind watching with concern at the scene in front of them. They couldn’t know about my dark stranger and my plans of escape.

‘I’m sorry I think I’ve been sleep walking I had a bad dream,’ my voice was weak and cracked with emotion. Dumbledore looked at me for a long time then stood up and sighed.

‘Severus take Ava back to the dungeons and get her something to heal her feet she seems to have stumbled upon some creeping necrosense, particularly nasty if left untreated. Minerva and I will check the forest make sure there’s no one lurking about out there.’ Dumbledore looked off into the forest his eyes searching the dark sensing something that others did not.

‘Surely Professor McGonagall would be better suited to deal with the girl,’ Snape had gestured down to me but not taken his eyes off Dumbledore. I hated the way he referred to me as ‘the girl’. I instinctively hugged my arms around myself now feeling self-conscious suddenly aware that I was only wearing my night dress. My feet were hot and sticky with fresh blood where I’d cut them walking barefooted through the forest.

‘Please Severus the girl can’t walk back to the castle with her feet like that besides she will be in need of some of your healing salves.’ I suddenly realised why Dumbledore had asked Snape I quickly got to my feet.

‘No I can walk I’m fine besides you don’t need to check the forest for anything it was just a nightmare best we all go back to the castle together,’ I was almost pleading now as I took a step towards the castle my foot on fire. It felt like I was standing on shards of glass the pain was excruciating, I tried to disguise it and bit my bottom lip hobbling a couple more steps I suddenly collapsed on the forest floor feeling exhausted from my effort. Snape was looking down at me now rolled his eyes.

‘As you wish Professor,’ Snape sounded mildly irritated now, ‘please come and find me when you are done I shall take the girl to the dungeon until you return.’

Snape took his cloak off and draped it over my shoulders then he put one arm under my legs and the other hooked behind my back and under my arm. He stood and lifted me with ease, I felt the heat rise into my cheeks and was glad now for the darkness. He focussed on the castle in front now and I was glad he wasn’t looking at me in my current state. I was tense trying to hold myself up but I realised it was futile and let myself relax instead turning my head into his body and closing my eyes wishing I was somewhere, anywhere else. I was surprised by his scent it was woody and masculine. I could feel his muscles under his robes solid and broad. I felt his breath on my face now and knew he wasn’t looking ahead anymore but was looking down at me. I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes but after a few minutes I felt the cold bite of the air turn warm and knew we had finally entered the castle. Only when I felt us going descending the stairs did I open my eyes.

We had come into a small arched room every wall shelved and filled with books and glass bottles filled with all manner of ingredients. He looked round the room for somewhere to put me then settled me on a stone window ledge while he put the single stool that was in the room in front of me. I was willing myself to say something try and make the situation a little less awkward but I couldn’t think of anything to say so instead resigned myself to watching him as he worked. He filled a wooden bowl with water and sprinkled something in it. He came and sat down in front of me and took out a rag from his pocket.

‘I’m going to have to clean your feet first before I apply the healing balm.’ I relaxed a bit as his matter of fact even tone returned.

Snape was kneeled in front of me now my feet hanging short of the floor. He dipped the rag in the water and started to wipe my feet I took a sharp intake of breath and bit my lip. It stung like crazy but I didn’t want him to see it hurt. I watched him as he worked methodically cleaning each foot with surprising gentleness. When he was finished he took a small jar of violet coloured cream from his pocket. He worked a small bit in his hands the cream turning a deep crimson and then started to rub the cream into my foot.