Delusion (A Severus Snape love story/Harry Potter fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-Six - The Woman in the Cloak

Chapter Twenty-Six

There was a loud, echoing knock at the door which disrupted Professor Snape from his brooding reverie. He stepped cautiously over to the imposing mahogany door set into the brickwork, trying to find his way through the thick, consuming darkness.

It was a cloudy, starless night, no natural light flooding the room as it usually did, just an eerie glow from where the moon was trying to break through the heavy, viscous cloud. His fingers curled around the door handle as he pulled the door slowly open with a satisfying click.

The door swung inwards and as he leant on the door frame he surveyed the unexpected visitor with amusement. He raised his eyebrows, small smirk playing on his lips as the newcomer lifted their head to look him directly in the eye.

"You haven't been in a while." He muttered and she smiled coyly, tilting her gaze to her feet as she stepped slowly towards him.

"My Apologies, Headmaster." She breathed, placing her hand, palm upwards, upon his chest and feeling the beating heart within. He placed his hands over hers, turning to guide her into the room. He led her over to a small side cabinet perched beside the dining table, rifling through tall glasses and crystal decanters until he found a small, screw cap bottle lingering at the battle.

"Do you want a drink?" He lifted it up for her to inspect, pouring himself a small glass. She raised her eyebrows beneath her low, heavy hood and he smirked, watching her out of the corner of her eye as he took a swig of the swirling amber liquid. "Oh come now, You are of age after all." He reached a hand out, stroking her cheek softly with his finger as she nuzzled into his touch, eyes flickering open and closed lazily.

"No thanks." She smirked as he swallowed the rest of the Firewhiskey in one gulp. She brushed a strand of his ebony hair away from his face as he stared at her, small frown beginning to grow upon his downturned lips as he saw a small flash of purple beneath her hood. In one swift movement he threw her hood back, cupping her chin roughly in his hand and dragging her towards him as to see the damage more clearly.

As soon as everyone had seen the black eye she had been supporting, Snape had healed it for her. But this dark, puckered welt wasn't the aftereffects of his healing. He stroked his finger across the jagged slice running from her hairline down to her jaw.

"Don't..." She winced as he pulled away, eyes narrowing as he clenched his jaw.

"Who did this to you?" He hissed, forcing her head up so she had no choice but to look at him. "Melody, who did this to you?" She said nothing, eyes darting around his fearsome face. "Was it Amycus? WAS IT?" He roared, nose inches from hers as she nodded quickly, tears springing to her eyes. His face fell as he gripped her tighter. "He didn't... He didn't go through with his plan, did he?"

Melody was sure that if he gripped her arms any tighter his nails would puncture the skin. His face was truly frightful, contorted with fear and fury in equal measure as she stared into his steely eyes. She shook her head quickly, frightened by his sudden change in attitude.

"Thank Merlin." He pulled her suddenly to his chest, arms wrapping tightly around her torso as she clung onto him with a matching veracity. She nuzzled her head into his neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent as he planted a small kiss on the tip of her ear. "Promise me you'll be more careful, I don't want him hurting you again. I can't let him."

"Can you stop him punishing people so violently, Severus?" She asked tearfully. "Most people are too scared to talk to each other in the dormitories. At night time I hear people cry themselves to sleep, wishing they had never come back to Hogwarts-"

"Promise me Melody." He tilted her head, nose brushing hers as she planted a small, lingering kiss on his lips, leaving behind her delicate taste which he savoured.