enchantement - SOULBOUND I̲̅ || SS/HG ✔️

34. Hidden memories

Transported inside her memories, his mind absorbed into the spiral of Hermione's soul, Severus stretched his arm forward, reaching out for her past. He could feel her body tremble on top of him as he ruptured the thoroughly well-built walls separating him from the truth.

Last time he had invaded someone's memories, he had done it brutally, intentionally inflicting pain. However, this time it was different. The woman bestriding him had in a short timespan flipped his life upside down - shattering the ice around his heart - making him human once more. He wanted to take care of her, protect her, and he was ready to do anything to have her by his side - forever.

The nails that dug into the back of his neck when he finally managed to dive past her walls made him growl in both pain and bliss - after all, he was still making love to her. He grinned, realizing that they have yet to share a decent amorous encounter, without their minds being tampered with or elsewhere. Severus made a mental note to properly indulge with the witch, yet for now, as her eyes were now his, he knew he had to pay close attention to his surroundings.

All he could see was darkness. As he looked down he noticed she was wandering urgently what it appeared to be the Slytherin dungeons. Before she could reach their common room, she took a separate turn and dashed down to his chamber. He could feel the longing, the desperation in her heart, seeking for his touch and his tender lips on hers. Her mind had opened up to him like a blossoming flower in spring. He could see everything single petal, every inch of her being unraveled to him.

The scenery changed and he was now out of her body, looking around his living room. He could see himself fiddling with the hem of his black shirt - nervous. His spirit rose an inquisitive eyebrow, wondering what could have caused such uneasiness in the man. As if on cue, the door opened and an elated Hermione rushed to her potion master, who welcomed her with open arms. Severus' invisible being stood agape as he watched the endearing scene before him. The petite witch had hopped into his arms, tittering as she enveloped her legs around his waist while he spun them around, giggling along with her.

He felt a twinge in his heart as he saw the love radiating from the two. Although he was watching another version of himself living the most fairytale-like romance, he felt like an outsider, seeing two felicitous human being embracing each other.

"Hello, husband" he heard Hermione say with a coy expression drawn on her flushed face.

Smiling lovingly back at her, the well-groomed Severus kissed the witch's lips before playfully nudging her nose with his own. "Hello, wife."

A wind stroke the ebony man's essence as he was propelled to a new memory.

"Severus this is too dangerous, what if it doesn't work?" He heard his lover's voice cry from the other side of the door. "I can't lose you. Promise me you'll drink it every day from now on."

"My love, don't you trust me?" a baritone voice answered back, "I will always find a way to protect you, after all, you are my wife, aren't you?"

Trying to grasp the handle that separated him from Hermione's memory, Severus' hand kept slipping, unable to get a firm grip on it. "I don't need protecting Severus, all I need is my husband to get through this war and spend the rest of his life with me!"

Unable to take control of his own body - resting on the sofa of his living room - Snape tried to beckon the witch to let him into this memory, yet she did not indulge. Seething, he tried to cross the door with his immaterial body, yet an unknown force launched him to the other side of the hallway.

"Hermione, I promised you I will be there for you, always."

"I can't do this without you, Severus...." her voice trailed off in the darkness as the wooden floor from the Shrieking Shack emerged under him.

Standing up and walking towards what seemed to be the place he will soon find his death - tightening his knuckles in response - Severus took a deep breath and waited.

Within seconds the Dark Lord and himself apparated in the deteriorating room. He recognised the dread and sorrow in his own eyes, yet confused as he caught the regret his onyx peppers tried to hide. Hearing the faint steps from outside, he looked out from the shattered window, noticing Hermione and her two gooses following her.

"You have been my most loyal servant Severus" the reptile hissed to him, "while others wanted my reign, you accompanied me to my growing victory."

"My lord" answered Severus Snape, letting his head down, "it has been an honour to serve you."

There was a moment of dreadful silence, all the while Severus could see his other self's body tense as if waiting for something. "I know I'm going to die!" he thought, recalling his own previous words. However, what he couldn't understand was the regret in his eyes, the pain in his already weakened body. He was a potion master after all, he would have planned something. Why would he sacrifice his life when he had beside him the most loving and beautiful witch he could have ever wished for?

"I just need one more thing from you, my dear Severus. The one that killed that old demented fool of a headmaster was you, which means that this wand's true master so happens to be the one that disarmed his old one." Told the Dark Lord, stroking his snake, "Nagini, attack."