Next Chapter

Chapter 5 Battle Wounds

He pressed a lingering kiss to her lips and stood.

Severus pulled on his night robe and made his way to the office door. He heard his wife groan from the other room. She was unimpressed.

He pulled open the door and saw a very distressed, red haired woman.

He opened the door wider and let her in.

"I'm so very sorry to have disrupted you, Headmaster." She mumbled, her eyes watering. "It's just that I couldn't find anyone else and I knew you were here and-"

The man cut her off. "Enough." He said simple.

Eliza stepped into the room, her white satin robe tied loosely around her waist, creating a plunging neckline.

Severus eyed her hungrily before turning back to the newcomer.

"Why are you here?" He asked calmly.

The Potions' Mistress approached the young woman carefully and pressed her fingertips to her forehead, pulling away the negative energy that upset the girl.

"She's worried about Draco's father. He's in very bad condition." Eliza said softly, stroking strands of fiery red hair.

"I see." The Headmaster drawled. "In any case, Miss Knightley, you should have written before arriving. I know the guards let you in because you're my godson's fiancée, however, that is no reason to intrude."

For the first time since she had arrived, she noticed what her two former teachers were clothed in and a deep blush painted her freckled cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, professors." She mumbled, looking away. "I didn't mean to."

Eliza giggled. "It's quite alright, you need assistance. Hogwarts will always offer help to those in need."

The young woman smiled shyly and leaned into the older witch's touch. It was very comforting. It reminded her of her own mother stroking her hair when she was upset as a small girl.

"We could call down Mr. Malfoy for a few minutes, if you'd like." Eliza said softly.

Severus gave her a warning look that she disregarded completely. Juliet looked up at the new Slytherin Head hopefully.

"Really?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eliza nodded. "Only for a few minutes, though. The school isn't safe at night."

Severus watched his wife. She made the younger witch's eyes sparkle and brighten with only a few words. A small smile played at the side of her mouth and her long, pale fingers played with red strands of hair absentmindedly.

His heart ached. He couldn't believe what they'd gone through as of late. It was so difficult. She had been so strong through it all.

He knew how she felt, her memories were just slightly out of reach. Proof of what had been was right in front of her, yet she couldn't quite completely believe them.

He was snapped out of his reverie when she looked up at him.

"Love, could you send Filch to fetch Mr. Malfoy? I'd go myself, but that would be truly unwise." Her voice was calm, she was trying to keep the girl from being more upset than she already was.

The man nodded and turned to his desk. He quickly scrawled a few words on a scrap of parchment and set his tawny owl.

Few moments later, the blond boy in question walked not the room. He was still in the black suit he now wore to class rather than his school robes.

He sneered as Filch pushed him in and his eyes widened when he saw the girl.

"Oh, Draco!" She exclaimed, running to him and wrapping her fragile arms around his neck.

Malfoy held her closely and took in the smell of her fiery hair, tightly wrapping his arms around her slight frame.

"Juliet what on earth are you doing here? You should be at home." The Slytherin said, leaning away from her to caress her face tenderly.

She hiccoughed and started to cry freely. "I'm just so worried. First, your father's declining health and then your safety! I can't take it anymore."

Eliza stood next to her husband, who snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her to his side. The woman placed a hand on his chest, feeling the beat of his heart beneath her fingertips.

She was suddenly very aware of being clothed in nothing but her white satin robe and he in his black one.

"Severus," She whispered so quietly so as only he heard her. "It appears we are rather inappropriately dressed for such an occasion."

The Headmaster nodded and a small chuckle escaped his lips. "It would appear so, Eliza. Not to worry, they'll be gone soon enough. She needs to return to the manor and he to his dorm."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the young couple shared an emotional kiss, Filch came to get Draco and Juliet was left alone in front of her former teachers.

"You may use the Floo, Miss Knightley." Professor Barron said softly, a smile playing at her lips.

The girl's freckled face lit up. "Thank you so much, professors. For everything. Good night!"

The girl stepped into the fireplace and with a burst of green flames, she was gone.

"Well, that was eventful." The woman giggled.

Severus tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her closer. "Now that those children are out of the way, where were we?"

Eliza smiled deviously and pressed her face close to his, her lips a whisper away.

"I'm not sure I remember... Care to jog my memory, Headmaster?" She teased.

The man's eyes sparkled dangerously. "It would be a delight, Professor Snape." He retorted facetiously, emphasis her title.

She pressed her body to his and looked deep into his obsidian eyes. "I want you to love me, Severus Snape. Love me like you've never loved another woman."

In return, he held the back of her head and kissed her passionately, walking her backwards to their bedchamber.

***

He traced her scars with a gentle finger down the side of her neck and onto her shoulder, as she dozed off. More covered her arms and bare torso. She had suffered such pain for naught.

Trailing his index down her back, he payed closer attention to the markings he'd disregarded earlier. Deep, healing wounds decorated her pale skin in a gory fashion.

Despite the hideousness of the cuts and gouges, bruising and scars, she was still beautiful. She could hide them with magic or makeup, but even in classes she chose to let them show. They were her battle wounds, proof that she'd faced many horrors that some could only dread and dream of.

Students gossiped about her marred face. She didn't care. Long scratches from her temple to her cheek, burns from chin to nose. Patchy and discoloured.

To Severus, she was still the most breathtaking creature he'd ever lay eyes upon. And nothing else mattered.