Ascent from Darkness: A Severus Snape Story

"He's Gone Now. It's Alright."

A/N: Hi, everyone! I've had this scene in my mind forever, and I hope you like it. This is exactly how I've always imagined this playing out.

I know this is really different from my first book, but I hope you're enjoying it!

...

Snape opened his eyes, his head still a bit foggy from the alcohol of the night before. He took a deep breath in through his long, hooked nose, and Charlotte's perfume filled his senses. She was nestled against him, the expensive sheets of her bed bunched around her waist, exposing her full, soft breasts as her chest rose and fell gently in contented sleep. 

She was beautiful.  Very beautiful.  He took a moment to study her face. 

Even in slumber, Charlotte looked expensive and refined. Her facial features were elegant and delicate: long pale lashes brushed against the apples of her flushed cheeks, her long golden curls tangled around her head like a wild halo, and her fair, porcelain skin almost glowed in the first rays of the morning sun which streamed through the sheer curtains hanging in the window. 

He wondered briefly what a woman like this could possibly want from him.  Was it a "fuck you" to her pureblood father, to involve herself with a half-blood from Spinner's End - born to a drunken, Muggle father and a witch mother who had practically been excommunicated from her family for choosing a non-magical husband?  Was it the attention of the Dark Lord she craved?  Snape was clearly one of the chosen ones, and perhaps she thought she would gain Voldemort's favor by association.  Or was it simply sex?  He had to admit it was good.  More than good. 

He thought of their animalistic coupling only a few hours ago - the way she'd clawed at his back and bucked her hips against him, screaming his name as she shook and twitched around him. 

He felt himself hardening again, and he placed his hand on her shoulder to wake her, but just as she opened her sapphire eyes, his attention was drawn to the window.  A brown barn owl landed gracefully on the sill and pecked lightly at the glass.

Severus groaned and fell back on the pillow, laying his forearm across his eyes to shield them from the light.

Charlotte climbed out of bed, unashamedly naked, and threw open the sash of the window.  The owl hopped inside and held out his leg as Charlotte untied the note attached to it with a dirty gray ribbon. She stroked the owl's head for a moment before it flew away, and she closed the window against the chill wind.  Shivering, she climbed back under the covers.  Severus opened his mouth to complain that her feet were cold, but she spoke first.

"It's for you, Sev."

He sat up, his brow furrowed in confusion, and held out his hand.  She gave him the note and watched his face as he read the note three times.  He sat for a moment, staring into empty space.

"Sev, what is it?" She couldn't read his expression.  His face was like a marble statue.

"Severus!"

In complete silence, he flung back the blankets and began to dress.

She watched him put on his underclothes, his shirt, his trousers, his cravat, his greatcoat, and he sat back on the bed to pull on his boots.

She rose to her knees and moved closer to him to lay her hand on his shoulder.

"Sev..."

He shook off her hand and stood, picked up his cloak from the bedpost, and disapparated without a word.

...

Severus watched across the grimy kitchen table as his mother attempted to light her cigarette with trembling fingers, the lighter flickering with pathetic futility.