Uncanny Snake

IX - Exams

Darkness encroached, breathless, limp, and hollow. Rynne, the voice called out raspy, and barely above a whisper, corruption spreading like a disease. Corpses, their souls torn from each of them, defiled with dark magic. Immortality, the voice whispered. Power. Come to me.

Waking up in a heap of sweat seemed natural now, I thought the nightmares had died down, but I was wrong. Now more than ever, they were personal, so very personal. I shuddered and reached out into the darkness, failing to grab onto anything, my fingers grasping at straws, I rolled over, falling on the floor. The loud thud alerted my roommates and the candles flickered on, their bickering cut short when they saw me. I wondered what was wrong until I couldn't function properly, my hands shot to my throat, and I writhed, unable to breathe.

"Rynne," one of the girls shouted rushing to my side. Her arms waved frantically, uncertainty flaring across her face, unsure what she was supposed to do. She helped me sit up, supporting me with her weight as she rubbed circles on my back. One of the girls grabbed her robes slipping them on as she rushed out of the room, most likely heading to inform Pomfrey of my situation.

Come to me, the voice called out, and I winced, blinking a few times, my breathing was erratic, and I wasn't sure if I was having a panic attack or something else entirely. I couldn't even begin to control myself, and my body felt foreign. I blinked three times and glanced to my left. Tom's deformed face met mine, and I screamed pushing away. Come to me.

My nails scratched at the stone tiles, and I could feel my damp cheeks as they stung from the cold breeze of the dungeon. "Professor!" the girls panicked as they ushered the person into the room. My eyes were fixated on the ceiling, and I closed them, the tears falling effortlessly.

"Out," the voice barked and merely hearing his voice calmed me. I reached out to Severus, and he took hold of my finger, caressing circles on the back of my hand. Our eyes interlocked, and his brows furrowed in deep concentration, he looked so distraught, and I wondered what kind of face I was making. Mortification?

It wouldn't be the first time Severus had seen me like this, he was adept, despite the rarity of my attacks. He cupped the back of my head breathing loudly and steadily. He was close, so close I could feel his warmth radiating on my exposed flesh, the darkness was always so cold, and his warmth brought me unparalleled comfort. His scent all too familiar to me, and my fears faded as breathing became more natural, and I mimicked his breathing. It took a few tries but eventually, I managed to stable my breathing, my heartbeat slowing gradually.

"Which one?" he asked gruffly rubbing at my damp cheeks with the back of his hand.

"He tried to....to-" I took a deep breath. "When he tried to make me create a Horcrux." I shuddered at the thought, those words echoing in my mind. Severus looked enraged, his eyes grew dark with malice, but his hold on my hand did not tighten, and I knew his fury was not directed towards me.

I had never told him about that moment, it was one of my darker secrets, one I had buried deep down, with the intent of keeping it there, but life was a bitch. Of course, I never did get to experience the horror that is creating a Horcrux, but I was there with him when Tom split his soul for the sixth time. The image was still fresh in my mind. It was not a pretty sight, and the aftermath was an unspeakable abomination.

Severus dug into his robes pulling out a purple colored vial, and uncorking it, he held it to my lips. I scowled, but his gaze was intense, and I crumbled under pressure gulping down the liquid. "It's two a.m," he informed stuffing the empty vial in his robes, and I suspected his chest pocket was enchanted, but it didn't quite matter. "Sleeping Draught, I'll brew you a batch for the week till the nightmares settle down until then, get some sleep." I nodded, and he helped me back into bed, unwilling to do the honors of tucking me in which brought a small amused smile to my lips.