Rabidity

Adrienne awoke only hours later. She was filled with this happiness to see her professor sleeping. She was thinking about the time when they unofficially met. She must’ve had blood all over the floor, and he… he carried her.

Something must’ve happened to this man, something bad. Because he did have the coldest exterior shell – but Adrienne saw through it, and within him was so much compassion. She wondered what made him put these defensive walls up. She wondered if he could love.

Adrienne didn’t even dare to admit to herself that she somewhat fancied Severus. She couldn’t bare if he simply saw it in her mind and knew. Perhaps he could feel something for her too…?

No. that was nonsense.

She would just keep it to herself like always. These crushes never seemed to linger, and like the rest this one would be lost too. She sighed and rolled over, having four legs in front of her was awkward. She stood up and could hear her nails against the floor as she walked. She hopped up onto the bed, and shifted back, but the beautiful nightgown she once had, was at ruin around her body. She would have to ask for another one, or perhaps he’d be uncomfortable again and simply make her a new one. She’d like that, she hoped he would.
____________________________________________________________

Severus awoke late. Sun was peering through the window. Yet, he knew that if he had been summoned, he would’ve felt it. He was not needed this morning. That was odd. Usually he was on some task before the sun even rose. Perhaps he wasn’t needed.

He saw the angelic girl had found her way to the bed. He half expected to see her asleep on the rug, but there she was, as peaceful as can be. Severus wanted to make himself leave but he couldn’t help but stare at the girl while she slept. He could see those deep scars still on her arms, if he was allowed he would mix a paste that would make them disappear, but the Dark Lord would never allow it.

He fixed the tears in her gown. He couldn’t bear to see so much flesh, it was something he wanted to see, but knew he shouldn’t. She was so young and so innocent she shouldn’t be gazed upon by the likes of him. Of course, the Dark Lord wasn’t any better. What did he expect to do to her? Snape realized that there wasn’t going to be any stopping him, and all he could do was hope that she would return to her fiery self and survive.

The fabric being wound around her seemed to make her stir. She awoke simultaneously from it, it felt the snake… winding around her.

Severus was startled by how quickly she woke up. But she greeted him with a smile nonetheless.

“Morning.”

“Good morning professor.”

“Sleep well I trust? No more pain?”

“No, but It might come again once the full moon becomes closer.”

“So the moon still affects you?”

“Yes. But it’s never worse than the pain last night.”

“I could brew… I mean I could… I recommend you transform that night then.”

“I understand professor. Thank for watching over me.” She blushed. She hadn’t expected to wake up to her professor, even though it had happened once before.

“Is there any chance I can ever leave this room?” she asked him with pleading eyes.

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“Oh, come on!” she begged. She had risen from bed and gathered her clothing from the day before. She entered the small lavatory adjacent to her room and tried to bargain with him while she dressed. “You get in and out of here, why can’t I?”

“Because I’m not jeopardizing my position to help you escape.”

“I never said anything about escaping!” she said, just as she had finished her sentence Severus heard a loud ‘thud’. He rushed to the door, and didn’t hear any other movements.

“Ms. Knox?”

“What?”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, of course I am.”

“Well what was that noise?”

“Knee, table, things happen.” She said as she opened the door. He could see how dressing in such a small area would cause her to do such a thing. “Now as I was saying, it’s be nice just to get out and you know… run.”

“You really are a dog aren’t you?” he said mockingly.

“Yes, yes I am. And what is that incredible smell?”

He stared at her blankly.

“Well come on!” she said, “Give it up!” she was now poking and prodding his pockets.

“What are you talking about?” he asked while pushing away her hands.

“Don’t even try! Come on I can’t stand to eat this rubbish.”

“What cause none of it’s still bleeding raw?”

“No… ah this smells so enticing, something like nutmeg and evergreens!”

“You are starting to make me just a tad uncomfortable Ms. Knox.”

“Oh but don’t you smell it? That sweet yet musky…” she stopped midsentence abruptly.

“What… what is it?” he asked.

“Um. Nothing.” She said turning her back to him, Oh God it was him. I’d been smelling it all night, I just finally had to ask and then realize what it was!”

She could feel her cheeks were hot. She still could smell it though in the air… that amazing manly scent it was so natural and sweet. He came closer to her now, and it was burning in her nostrils. She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Now what’s funny?”

“It was you. All this time I’ve been puzzling over it. And I thought, hey, maybe he’s familiar with it, so I ask and run into this embarrassing situation.”

“You… smell… me?” he asked, he seemed almost confused; he didn’t smell like anything. But anyhow she found herself leaning against him burying her face as deeply as she could. She should’ve realized when she recognized the same scent from Hogwarts. She knew he must feel awkward with her clinging to him like that, but she found such great happiness just taking him in like that.

“Oh Merlin.” She said pulling away from him. “That’s quite incredible.”

“You’re barking mad.”

“Is that another dog joke?” she asked.
_____________________________________________

Severus had been summoned before the dark lord, in an eerie little shack just outside of London. The dark light barely illuminated his face.

“Severus he’s getting closer I can feel it.”

“The boy?”

“Yes the boy. He’s managed to find several items that have hurt me.”

“My lord do you need anything, potions, spells?” Severus asked him.

“Severus, you have been a loyal follower, so I trust that you can find out when and where he’s being moved to.”

“Of course my Lord I will report back tonight.”

“Ah perfect, we’ll be having a special guest tonight at the Malfoy’s. A Muggle professor you once worked with.”

“I won’t be late my lord.”
_____________________________________________

Hours later Severus had returned to the manor. He felt awkward taking his seat after everyone else obviously had. He wouldn’t have been late if he hadn’t run into distractions. But as promised his once coworker was suspended above the table. She was just dangling there with fear on her face. He sat near the Dark Lord. He was across from Adrienne who seemed to have been dressed up for the occasion. If the dark Lord was to take any interest with a woman, she would no doubt have to be presented like this: An elegant black dress with dark curled hair flowing over her shoulders. She had stained red lip and darkened eyes, ones that Severus couldn’t tear his own from.

After explaining Potters whereabouts and watching Lucius cower in fear underneath the dark lord they were witness to the death of the old Muggle teacher. Snape had known her, had conversations with her, and Albus had even forced them to dance and a winter party many years ago. Snape was able to stomach it, but he could feel the terror that came from Adrienne. She wasn’t keeping her guard up, if Severus could tap into her, so could the Dark Lord.

They were excused soon after, and even though Voldemort roamed about the room speaking to certain people in particular, Severus left and followed her and Narcissa down the corridor. Narcissa gave him a nod when he reached the door, she exited allowing him entrance to speak with the girl – so Severus quietly shut the door.

Then she slapped him, hard.

“How could tell him about Potter like that?” He was rubbing his sore cheek, trying to gather words.

“It’s the same as before, I can’t explain everything. I had to. Please trust me.” And almost as if the slap had knocked something loose in his brain he began to ramble. “I have so many people against me, so many hate me, so many won’t ever trust me because they can’t know, please I swore to Dumbldore.”

“Why should I? If you can just let these people die?”

“Because I’ve risked it all. I’ve risked everything.”

“Your one to talk about risks! You’re the one who killed Dumbledore!”

“Merlin, Adrienne, I know.” Snape had the saddest face she’d ever seen, it was heartbreaking; She fought every finger not to grab him an consol him, she tied to picture slapping him… yeah because that was what she wanted. “I beg of you to trust me, it’s the only way I can keep you safe.”

“You’ve said that, but all I’ve seen of you is death. That’s all.”

“Adrienne if I had ill intentions you of all people would be able to tell. Couldn’t you? Do you have such keen intuition? Isn’t that why you’ve trusted me all along?”

Adrienne was in fact reaching into his mind, probing with imaginary tendrils. God, she felt such compassion, as she always did.

“How can I tell it’s not a trick? How do I know it’s real?”

“The same way you know how to persuade the Dark Lord, the same way you know what I’m feeling. It’s real you’re picking it up.”

“No professor, how can you prove it to me?” she said sealing the space between them. She he been so close to him before, and it seems that he had only noticed until now. “Prove to me I’m safe.”

“After countless nights of me at your bedside, you need proof?”

She didn’t answer his question with words, but rather with a soft tear that ran down her face. When Severus reached his hand and placed his fingers on her face she seemed to lean into them, and although he stood so much taller than her, he could easily tilt her head upwards… and prove it to her.