Loved By You. (A Severus Snape Love Story)

Chapter Six: Secrets Uncovered

Snape walked close behind me as we made our way back to our seats.
"Well done my dear, great work. I must say you do have a great effect on Severus, I barely know anyone who can get him to do something he doesn't want to, besides myself of course." He chuckled. "Kudos."
"I guess I just have that charm." I smiled.
It was then I noticed the desserts had already been served. I turned to Severus and gave him a large fake smile before taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"You must like the girl Severus." McGonagall started. "I could certainly not persuade you like she did."
"Nonsense Minevra, she simply reminded me that I had time tomorrow to finish my paperwork before the train arrives."
"Yes I did." I smiled. "But it helped that Severus and I have taken a liking to each other, he's really not as scary as you think. In fact he's been ever so kind to me; he's taken me shopping for my school supplies, and we've had a stroll around the grounds and he's given me a few potions lessons just last night as a matter of fact."
I smiled, taking a new tactic at making him uncomfortable. Snape was smiling but everyone could tell it was forced and he wasn't doing anything to hide the fact that his face had turned slightly red with anger.
"That doesn't sound like him at all." McGonagall commented.
"I think it's just an act, this hard demeanour of his. He rather seems like a gentleman to me."
"I think you just bring out the best in him, my dear." My grandfather said finishing off his ice cream.
"Can we change the subject please." The potions master said through gritted teeth. "I didn't agree to come back to be tall about like this."
"Are we making you uncomfortable, Severus, I'm sorry, well stop." My grandfather chuckled softly.
The conversation began to thin out but just as i thought the meal would never end a cluster of house elves popped out of no where and came waddling up to the table.
I recognised my personal house elf Winky as she approached me, I smiled kindly as she came to collect Severus and my empty dishes.
Being the height that she is Winky could barely see past the table so when she took away my bowl she never saw my glass sitting next to it, when her brittle arm dragged the bowl from the table she also brought my glass. All that could be heard was the sound of smashing glass as it hit the stone floor. Winky let out a screech and jumped backwards.
"Oh for gods sake." Severus shouted. "Stupid elf."
"Severus!" I exclaimed, giving him a look of disgust as I knelt down to help the elf.
"Are you hurt?" I asked her. She simply shook her head and continued to pick up the glass. "Leave it." I said. "I'll get the rest. Obeying her orders Winky disappears with a pop.
As I started collecting the glass I balanced on my heels, trying to get into a better position I pushed myself up with one of my hands. I winced as it touched the floor, the glass had pushed through my skin. I continued nonetheless as Severus stood and watched along with everyone else.
"Leave it my dear, I'll send Filch to clean it up later."
"It's alright I'm almost done." I smiled trying not to show my hand and clean up with rest of the shards.
I heard Snape sigh and then he bent down to help me, I looked up at him with a look of confusion. Why was he helping me?
"There done." He said. And I thought I could almost see a twinkle of happiness in his eyes.
He then held out his hand to help me up. Another strange gesture from the bat.
Not thinking I took his hand. I winced again, receiving many strange looks from the teachers.
"What's wrong?" My grandfather asked, hurriedly pacing to my side.
"She's cut her hand." Snape said, gently moving my hand so he could take a look at it while showing my grandfather. "There's glass inside the wound, this has to be handled."
"I'm fine honestly." I sighed pulling my hand back off the professor but I then realised my pale skin was now scarlet and I had a large gash down the middle.
"Madam Pomfrey." My grandfather called for the nurse. "Can you deal with this?" Just as she was about to speak Severus bet her to it.
"I'll do it." He offered, there was not one person who wasn't surprised at this.
"But Severus, Poppy is far better trained." Dumbledore argued.
"Just let me handle it, if the wound is not treated quickly it may be past the point of magic and could need stitches. At this point were doing fine and I have all the medicines and cures in my office anyway it just easier."
"Very well then. Well up until now it was a lovely evening, I shall see you all soon and good luck with the new year." The headmaster announced as everyone departed from the room.
Severus rushed me through the castle and down to the dungeons. I hadn't gone this deep into the castle before and I was curious but I was too scared to speak. Not because of my hand but it was just strange the way Snape had been acting.
"Here, take this." He mumbled, reaching into his robe and taking a rag from his pocket. "Wrap it around your hand, but don't put pressure on the wound, there's glass in there and you don't want to push it further into the skin." I nodded doing as he said while he led me into a dark room.
He banged the door against the wall as he opened it and sat me down in a seat behind a desk.
He fiddled about with a few of his vials and potion bottles for a bit, giving me time to take in the room.
"There must be about 100 bottles in this room." I observed.
"There's a lot more than that." He answered not looking up from his desk drawer than he was now rummaging through.
Taking out one small vial he pulled his chair round next to me.
"Show me your hand." He ordered. I obeyed instantly. "Now this is going to sting, a lot. You've been warned." he said unscrewing the lid.
"What is it, some kind of disinfectant potion?" I naively asked.
"Alcohol." He replied laconically.
I laughed a little, feeling stupid.
Catching me off guard Snake poured the vile of alcohol over my had and instantly I felt the sting hit me. It was painful to say the least.
I winced and scrunched up me eyes trying not to scream.
I felt Snape's eyes on me, I felt that at any moment he could penetrate my soul and read it like a book.
He waited a moment before doing anything else, then he took out his wand, muttered a few incantations and a shard of glass was removed from my skin. I sighed in relief.
"Thats the painful bit over." He reassured, trying to sound supportive.
I stared at him intently as he waved his wand over my hand a few more times and the tissues slowly began to repair themselves. "It will leave a scar but apart from that everything should be fine. You'll need to pour this onto the scar every day for the next few days or it will fester and become infected."
"Lovely." I said sardonically as he handed me a small bottle of green liquid.
"Severus." I whispered, not looking at his face. I waited but he didn't correct me. "Why did you want to help me?"
He took at sharp inhale of breath looked at me directly in the eyes and just when I thought I would get a straight answer out if him he completely changes the subject.
"Let me see your arm." He demanded.
"What?" I questioned furrowing my brow in confusion.
"Let me see your arm." It was then I remembered about my scars and that I wasn't wearing anything to him them.
"No." I said simply.
Apparently Snape wasn't pleased with that answer and he took it upon himself to grab my wrist and pull it towards him.
My heart was set into overdrive, I could feel it almost beating out my chest. I was panicking, I was sweating profusely. I hated when this happened.
"You hurt yourself." He stated rather than questioned.
"What? No!" I scoffed trying to play it off like I had cut them on the glass too.
"Not lie to me, Miss Dumbledore. I know you do, this isn't the first time I have noticed them. If you wish to keep this a secret then I suggest you wear longer clothing around me, because these past few days; at the lake, in your private quarter, and tonight. You have been careless. You wanted to impress my with the way you dress, wrong choice, you should have covered up." He lectured, I was surprised once more by his attitude, he was shouting he was calm and he sounded more disappointed than angry.
"This is none of your business." I squeaked but I couldn't bring myself to say anymore. I took a gulp, gathering my thoughts.
"What are you going to do now? Shame me? Tell my grandfather?"
"I want to help you, Miss Dumbledore, I'm not quite as heartless as you may think. "Your obviously in pain and this is a cry for help, I know how you feel, and I can help you." He said remaining completely calm.
"You don't know what it's like, no one does." I scream but it was a pathetic one at that.
Snape ignored my comment, his face remained solemn and blank.
"These are relatively fresh scars when was the last time you did this?"
"A few days ago, the day we met."
Snape's eyes widened, he looked a little paler than usual, I know what he was thinking.
"Was it because of-"
"No. It wasn't because of you." I said finishing his sentence.
"Then why?"
"I don't know. It's just a habit ok! I don't have a reason, just leave me alone." I shouted my voice rising.
"I can help you." Snape said his patience lost and he to was shouting.
"I don't want you help." I screamed and stormed out the room slamming his door shut behind me.

I was so angry with him but I also felt like I was at breaking point now.
I wondered around the castle for a while trying to find my room but never made it there.
The next abandoned hallway I came across I broke down crying and sat there for hours doing nothing but sobbing.
After I had no more liquid in my body to create tears I some how found it in me to get up and make my way back to my room.
I looked around at the mess I had made in my rush to get dressed, I thought about tidying it but I just didn't have the strength.
I collapsed on my bed and feel asleep moments later, not even bothering to change out of my dress or heels.