Labyrinth

Chapter 8

She could still feel the warmth of being held against Severus' chest. He whispered down to her, "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She murmured.

The darkness still enveloped them, and she was fearful. She wondered if she should push her way out for the briefest of moments but quickly dismissed the idea. She would not leave him alone.

As if a switch had been flicked, lights appeared around them. She nearly ran in fear, seeing the Death Eater masks that surrounded them.

"Stand, Severus."

A hiss came from outside the circle as Voldemort himself broke the line and entered the gathering. They saw now they were not in the circle alone. A young Severus lay on his knees, covered in blood, sweat, and tears. Despite what appeared to be several broken bones, the boy managed to stand. Because that's precisely what he was, a mere boy. She thought he was around sixteen if that.

"You will now receive my brand, which will hold you to my bidding for the rest of your life."

The boy shook in his place, not responding.

Voldemort pointed his wand at him, not saying a word. The teenage Severus' arm swung out, and he screamed in pain in response to it. Voldemort ignored it as two of the Death Eaters stepped out of the circle and held Severus tightly, one of them pulling his sleeve up to reveal bare skin.

The tip of Voldemort's wand touched the pale skin, and Severus screamed, more tears streaming down his face.

"You will be my spy at Hogwarts now that Lucius has been promoted with his graduation. Do not fail me, boy."

At this, Voldemort disappeared, as did they.

Appearing back in the maze, they stood stock still. Hermione had wrapped her arms around Severus' waist at some point in watching the memory, likely unable to watch the pure torture etched on the boy's face.

"Hermione?"

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" nodding in response to his concern, she tried to gather herself.

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I should be the one checking on you, Severus. I apologise."

He shook his head, "No, what you just witnessed was terrible. But I put myself in that predicament. I allowed my judgment to be clouded by... darkness."

"The world was very divided then. Everyone had to pick a side or risk their lives remaining unaffiliated. You were a child and had no business being pressured to do so."

Her eyes pierced his own, and he looked at her curiously, "I appreciate that you are able to see all facets of this, but I am not a good man, Hermione. That remains clear."

"No, Severus. What little you are remembering still isn't the whole picture, I promise. You are a good man."

Their proximity was... deafening. She realised she wanted nothing more than to stand on her toes and kiss the man.

So she did. She had nothing to lose and likely would never get another opportunity once his memories of her identity returned to him. He deserved comfort; if a kiss would do that, she wanted to give it to him. She would do anything to make him feel loved in that moment.

He did not pull away as her lips met his. She tasted salt as her lips parted, knowing it was due to her own tears that had fallen. He pushed into her, and she allowed his tongue to brush against her teeth, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly. The kiss deepened, and before she knew it, he had her against the hedge.