Challenge Me; I Dare You

Chapter 10

   Hesitantly I made my way towards the sound, wondering whom was crying.

I peered around the corner to see Neville Longbottom, the boy who discovered my scar, and the boy I've grown fond of each D.A meeting.

Like George, he had not spoken a word of my scars, which of course I was grateful for.

"Neville.." I whispered, without further hesitance I rushed towards him, envolping him in my arms.

He relaxed into my arms as he cried softly, clutching his arm tightly.

As soon as his sobs stopped he peered up at me.

"What happened Neville?" I murmured, brushing his hair from his eyes. Despite him being only two years younger than me, I think of him as a small child, one that I'm bound to, one that I vow to protect.

Without a word he pulled up his sleeve, revealing handwritten words. Sketched into his arm was, 'I must not tell lies.'

I clenched my fists subconsciously. "We'll go get you fixed up." I murmured. "N-no, I don't want Madame Promfrey to worry Gran, I don't want to go home yet, Piper." he shook his head.

I bit my lip. "I know a potion to cure this, come with me." I murmured, standing with my hand held out. "What about S-Snape?" he stuttered, fear dawning in his eyes. I understood his fear for an angry Severus, but I of course, didn't fear the gauntly Professor 

"I'll take care of him." I promised. "Now take my hand."

He reached his hand out, taking mine as I hoisted him to his feet. "Close your mouth." I ordered. He did as he was told.

And then I apparated, right in front of the dungeons. I glanced at Neville who looked awfully pale.

"First time?" I questioned, he merely nodded. "Yeah, you get used to it." I mumbled. I took his hand and ran along the hallway, stopping in front of the Potion's classroom.

Without a word I kicked the door open, wand at ready. Severus jerked around, a look of clear surprise on his startled face.

"Impedimenta!"

Severus froze in his spot, a slight blue tinge came to his unusually pale skin as he froze over.

I pulled Neville in behind me, closing the door quietly.

"Sorry, Severus." I murmured as I passed his frozen form.

I forced Neville to sit on a desk top, while I went and searched trough the cupboards, pulling out the ingredients I watched Severus use many times.

As I stirred Neville spoke up. "I thought you couldn't apparate within Hogwarts." I glanced up from my stirring for a moment.

"Being me, does have it's advantages, Neville." I grinned lightly, I poured the contents into a vial, with a flick of my wand the cauldron and ingredients flew away.

I handed Neville the vial, a small smile on my lips as he sniffed it. "It smells like cinnamon." he noted. Then he downed it, gagging in revolution.

I glanced at the frozen Severus. "You better go Neville, your wound will heal up after a good rest, I have to deal with Snape over there. Go." I commanded, pushing him out of the room.

"P-piper?" he stuttered. "Yes, Neville." "Th-thanks." he grinned. I smiled, causing him to hug me quickly then running off.

I chuckled lightly, before going back into the room, staring at Severus.

"Deletrius." Severus' stature faded, he blinked then spotted me, opening his mouth to likely yell.

"Legilimens!" I flicked my wand, entering the mind of our own Severus Snape.

Memories shot past me, him as a teenager, being bullied, potions and spells, the Half-Blood Prince... And finally the memory of me bursting into the classroom.

As I drew up my wand to cast a spell to erase the memory a sudden flash as I was pulled from his memory into my own.

"Expelliarmus!"

I gasped, my pupils dilating as my memories shot over my line of vision.

My pathetic excuse of a childhood, when Vincent nearly died when a dragon of the nearby coven attacked him. My torture when we were betrayed, then newer memories.. Happier memories.. 

I didn't realize I was screaming until my throat began to ache and my eyes stung from my tears.

We were both breathing heavily, I was kneeling on the floor. I fell backwards, pressing my back against the wall as I stared up at Severus Snape.

We had both seen each other's pasts. Our torturous pasts. Our thoughts and memories. By the look in his eye he now understood me as much as I understood him.

We were alike in different ways.

We were both outcasts, tortured out of mere amusement and hatred.

We exchanged look, causing us to nod in silent agreement.

Neither of us will speak a word of this, with mutual understand I stood on shaking legs, then apparating into the Gryffindor common room, before I did I spotted the single tear falling from Severus' eye.

I made my way towards the girl dormitories, passing a group of Gryffindors on the way.

"Piper?" a familiar voice called after me. I didn't respond, knowing he'd demand an answer.

Without a word I slipped into my pajamas and curled into bed, facing towards the wall.

Minutes had pasted as the clock ticked along. I heard a creak of the door squeaking open, the shutting with a soft click. A cool breeze caused goosebumps to rise on my arms and legs as the covers were momentarily lifted.

The warmth returned as he slipped in behind me, causing me to question internally on how he made it up the stairs.

I felt his hand slip under my body and roll me into his side, I complied by burying my head in his chest, allowing my arms to wrap around his waist as he hugged me to his side.

"Piper, I-I think I-"

I passed out before he could complete his sentence, little did I know in your most peaceful state can you be still haunted.

*Dream*

"Darling, you've gone soft." her treacherous voice purred, causing me to feel the unusal sting of razor blades digging into my skin as a shiver ran up my spin. 

"No." I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. She cackled evilly, "Yes dear, it's true. I'm back, with the assistance of the Dark Lord we will find you. And we will repeat what has happen again, and again." she cackled once more, sending shivers up my spine.

"H-how do you know?" I stuttered, I was always weak in her presence. "How I knew you became weak? Well, those damned blood traitor Weasley twins sure did a number on you. That school turned you into mush!" she spat.

I swallowed hard, glaring at her intensely. "Why do you assume I'm at a school?" I challenged, hoping dearly she'll fall for my ploy. "Dear, you're not very good at hiding your tracks, I've been watching for you."

I took in a shaky breath. "I'm not afraid." I muttered. "We'll see when the time comes, I'm coming for you." she taunted. I took in a deep breath,

"I'll be waiting for you, Mother."