Uncanny Snake

II - A Welcoming

Darkness surrounded me, and with a sudden jolt, pain shot through my body, the merciless stinging driving me to the edge of madness. Hands wrapped around my throat squeezing tightly, goosebumps running down my flesh as my lungs collapsed on themselves. I struggled, my nails scratching the empty air around me, darkness slowly closing in and then darkness consumed me.

I sat up quickly gasping for air and clutching the sheets tightly. It was just a dream, just a dream. I gently felt around my neck and gasped at the sudden throb of pain, but it didn't come from my neck. I clutched the side of my head groaning loudly as the pain only intensified. Memories came flooding back of yesterday, and I let out a sigh of relief, honoring the pain telling me I was still alive. Coming to my senses, I finally took a look at my surroundings, an old rustic room with light gently filtering through the cracks in the curtains.

Looking down, the whole upper half of my body had been wrapped in bandages, and I thinned my lips feeling somewhat violated, but at least, I was alive. I wondered if Sev was alright, but knowing him, he was too stubborn to die. I had given him medical attention as soon as I could, and I assumed he repaid the favor. The room was unfamiliar to me, but it was cozy and welcoming, but that did not stop my discomfort.

"Good, you're awake," an old man smiled throwing the curtains open, I was blinded by the light and shielded my eyes trying to shy away from the rays of the sun. He too was unfamiliar to me. A goblin waddled inside the room gathering the bowl of water beside me on the nightstand. I sat there, baffled and uncertain, questions racing through my mind, but I knew what came first.

"Thank you?" I questioned, feeling the bandages loosen from my sudden movement.

"My pleasure," he smiled exiting the room with the goblin, poking his head back in motioning to the chair resting beside the window sill, a pair of clothes that looked suspiciously like a uniform occupied the chair. I nodded silently, and once the two were out of my field of vision, I slid out of bed. I was still wearing the same dress, but I still felt violated knowing I had been undressed. I couldn't complain though; I felt much better than I should have considering I had almost been killed several times.

I undressed changing into the clothes that were provided for me, definitely a school uniform. I slipped out of the room glancing at each side, to be greeted by an empty hallway. To the right was a dead end, and to the left a staircase leading down into the unknown. I closed the door behind me and tiptoed down the stairs, met with an empty tavern area. Sev, however, sat quietly in a chair, his head rocking between his hands in deep thought. I cleared my throat, and he looked up somewhat relieved, but it was had to tell with his stoic expression.

He rose to his feet cupping my cheek and tilting my face to the side examining my bruises, his left hand brushed the wound on my forehead, and I winced. "What happened?" I asked. His eyes glazed over with unknown emotion and he pulled his hand away.

"I was careless," he said quietly. I nodded with skepticism and took a step back. It wasn't entirely his fault.

"Well, I forgive you," I beamed, clasping his shoulder firmly. Severus scoffed, preferably in amusement as he shooed my hand away deciding to ignore my cheeky remark.

"Well let's get a move on," he urged guiding me out through a side door. I grabbed the hem of his sleeve and looked around.

"Umm, what is this place?"

"The leaky cauldron, I see you are still very much sheltered." My cheeks flushed red, and I parted my lips unsure what to say but fruitlessly defend myself, in the end, I said nothing. He grabbed my arm pulling me into him, and with a tight grip around my waist, we apparated with a crackle.