Loosen The Knot

Chapter Four - My Name is Ruin

Severus looked at his clock which was about to chime two pm. Rolling onto his back, he rubbed his eyes and realised how much of a day he had wasted. As he began to sit upright the pain in his left side intensified causing him to undo his shirt. As he did so he could clearly see a large bruise appearing where the impact had been. Taking his wand, he cast a healing spell which lessened the pain allowing him to breathe a bit more easily.

He quickly did up his shirt and smartened himself up but became annoyed at the cat hair attached to his back trousers. As he cast a hair removal spell Crookshanks appeared and took his place on the bed earning a glare from Severus.
"If it wasn't for her I would have banished you by now," he said gruffly. Crookshanks rolled onto his back and gave a carefree meow in defiance.

The old wizard shook his head and silently walked into the lounge. Hermione wasn't visible until he walked up to the sofa where he saw her curled up with a hot water bottle. On closer inspection, he saw that her eyes were slightly puffy and he assumed she had been upset after what had happened.
He crouched down next to her and watched her for a few seconds before cautiously stroking her head.

"Severus, are you alright?" Hermione asked and sat bolt upright away from his delicate touch.
She watched him nod his head and noticed that his face had returned to normal.

"We need to keep this incident within this room. I don't want anyone to know. Is that understood?" He said in his deep voice with a piercing glare.

"Why did you let him do it? I thought you were the man that could not be defeated," She asked and watched his head drop.

"Hermione, I'm not the same man that I was. I know Lucius and I know that was incredibly mild considering what he has done in the past. We must let this pass as I need to keep him on my side," he replied now gripping her shoulders.

They looked at each other for a moment and his eyes became drawn to her neck. Four finger marks could be seen as he turned her head to the side.

"I'm sorry, you should not have got involved. Lucius is a powerful man and could of hurt you more severely,"

"What was I supposed to do? He hit you to the bloody ground. Do you really think I could if stood there hiding behind the door. Dammit Severus! I'm not the silly little girl I once was!" She shouted and rose from her seat, making her way out of his lounge.
He winced when the door slammed and pinched the bridge of his tender nose and took in a deep sigh.

XxX
Hermione sat on the flat rock that overlooked the vast expanse of water. It was a calm day and the weather gently rippled in the light breeze. She took in a deep breath and shut her eyes. The freedom of being out of that room was exhilarating for her.

She thought back to the wedding and became annoyed at herself for not saying goodby to Harry, Ron, and Ginny as she was quickly whisked away but a much eager Severus. She felt so lost without them to pep her up.

"Hermione, h..h..how are you? And Severus,"
Hermione opened her eyes and saw Remus Lupin standing next to her. She smiled at the werewolf and motioned for him to sit down.

"We are both fine. Don't get me wrong - he's not an easy man to be around,"

The werewolf nodded his head in agreement and scratched his head. "When we were children he was deeply troubled and James Potter made his life hell. He's got this death curse notion, especially after dear Lily was killed,"

"Death curse?" Enquired Hermione and looked at Remus quizzically.

"After Lily he became adamant that should anyone love him or if he was to fall in love then that person would die. A bit far fetched but that is what he believes. He does have emotions as I have seen them,"