Venus Rising (Snape/Student Story)

Chapter 15

Venus' POV
My eyes fluttered open, and I winced.
My head was pounding.
I placed my hand on my forehead, and groaned.
"What the hell!?" I cursed out loud.
"Language, Miss Hastings."
I propped myself up on my elbows, and
noticed Professor Snape sitting in an armchair, reading the Daily Prophet.
I laid back against the pillows, groaning again.
I looked to my right, and saw a glass of water, and a potions vial.
I furrowed my eyebrows, but grabbed the glass of water. I drank some, and let out a breath. I gripped the vial in my
fingertips, examining it.
"It won't bite." Snape drawled again.
I felt my cheeks redden, but I pulled out the cork, and downed it.
Within minutes, my headache and pain ceased, and I let out a sigh of relief.
The newspaper rustled, as Snape folded it down, and placed it in his lap.
We made eye contact, and I felt nervous.
"Feeling better?" He asked me, eyebrow raised.
I nodded, clearing my throat to speak.
"Thank you. For getting me back to the castle."
He nodded once.
"Would you care to explain to me why you were so intoxicated, Miss Hastings?"
I looked at him, but shook my head.
He kept looking at me, and to my surprise, he stood up from the armchair, and sat down at the end of the couch. I brought my knees to my chest to make more room for him.
There was silence before Professor Snape spoke again.
"There is something else that I feel we must address."
My heart was pumping out of my chest, and I felt frozen.
I looked down at the floor.
I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."
Professor Snape met my gaze, waiting for me to continue. The look in his eyes made my whole body feel weak, but I continued to talk.
"I shouldn't have done what I did. I was, and have been a mess for some time. I don't know what came over me, and I sincerely apologize for crossing a boundary. It was entirely inappropriate, and I know that."
I took a breath, waiting for Snape to speak.
"Miss Hastings, there is no need to apologize."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "What--"
"One can't help their feelings. Whether the feelings are shared or otherwise, I must stress to you how much can be lost if this were to continue." Professor Snape explained.
I couldn't stop staring at him. I could feel my heart breaking piece by piece, but one part of that statement made my ears perk up.
"Well...are they shared? The feelings?" I managed to whisper, assessing the man in black sitting next to me.
Professor Snape didn't respond, but I could almost see the aura of confliction radiating from him.
I bit my lip nervously.
After a moment of silence, I stood up, straightened my clothes, and made my way to the door.
I hesitated on the doorknob, but I finally brought myself together enough to open it.
********
Two weeks later
I felt disconnected. These feelings were messing with me, and I just wanted them to go away.
I was walking down an empty corridor on my way to one of my classes. I had been shifting my focus to school and friends, as a means to take my mind off of a certain someone.
I turned a corner, and abruptly bumped into someone. I looked up, and let out an annoyed breath.
This was the last thing I needed.
I went to walk past him, but he gripped my shoulders, stopping me.
"Come on, V. It's been weeks. When are you going to forgive me?" Jasper pleaded.
I looked up at him, narrowing my eyes.
"Are you daft? You honestly think I will take you back after you cheated on me? What do you take me for, Jasper?"
He sighed, gripping my hands now.
"A woman who I should have handled with better care. I'm still so sorry, Venus. You have to believe me."
I scoffed. "I don't have to do anything. Not anymore."
I could see the anger filling Jasper's eyes, and before I could stop him, he ripped my dove necklace from my neck.
I gasped, doubling over in pain.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Give..it...back." I whispered hoarsely, the pain coursing through my body.
His eyes shined wickedly. "Not unless you take me back."
My eyes widened. I couldn't believe he was acting like such a child.
I felt tears filling my eyes, as a voice rang through the empty corridor.
"What is going on here?!" The person hissed, and I looked up to see Professor Snape grab my necklace out of Jasper's hand.
I was on my knees, trying to get myself together, but I couldn't. Professor Snape and I made eye contact, and his eyes were filled with worry.
Jasper gave me a rude look, and I swallowed, trying to speak.
"Just...give me..my necklace." I muttered, using the wall to pull me up.
Professor Snape's brows furrowed in confusion, but he took two large strides until he was in front of me, holding it out.
I grabbed my necklace from his hand, and as soon as I managed to fasten it back around my neck, my whole body relaxed, and balance returned. I felt whole again.
I took a deep breath.
I looked up at Jasper, and before I could stop myself, I was in front of him,  and my hand had connected with his cheek.
"I hate you. Are you trying to kill me?!" I yelled, my blood boiling.
Jasper grasped his cheek, just glaring at me.
I glared right back.
"I was a fool to believe you ever loved me." I whispered so only he could hear.
Hurt seemed to lace his eyes, but I was through caring.
"Stay away from me. If you don't, you know what can happen." I stated, poison lacing my voice.
Jasper didn't respond. Instead, he turned around, and disappeared around the corner. I was counting down the days until the Tri-Wizard Tournament was done, and he would be gone.
I turned back to face Professor Snape, and his eyes were full of questions.
This was also the first time we had talked in weeks.
"Detention. Tonight." He simply said, and turned to leave.
"What for, sir?" I asked, genuinely interested, because as far as I knew, I hadn't done anything except almost die.
"For wandering the halls, when you should have been in class, Miss Hastings."
I rose an eyebrow, but didn't get a chance to respond, because he had disappeared around the corner, and out of sight.
********