Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears
Chapter Two
The Splendour Falls on Castle Walls

After dinner, Arual walked through the deserted corridors to Severus’s private office. She had no idea what perverse things her professor had in store, nor did she care. She knew very well that he wanted to fuck her. Arual was determined to withstand his tortures and remain a virgin. When she reached the door, she pulled her cloak tightly around her figure and bound her hair in a loose bun.

The young blonde raised her hand to knock and was greeted with an aggressive, “Enter!” She stood in the doorway, stone-faced as ever. Severus grabbed her arm and flung her inside, slamming the door behind them. Arual stood straight and tall to face him. For several seconds, they examined each other. Severus appeared greasy as ever. He smelled faintly of blood and whiskey. His raven hair framed his sallow face, eyes slightly bloodshot.

The near-drunk Potion’s Master stared his student up and down before speaking. “You actually came. I was so looking forward to dragging you out of your bed.” He smirked before emphasizing, “And into mine, bitch.” He stumbled forward to touch her. She dodged just in time.

Arual pulled her green cloak tighter around her body, hoping it would somehow shield her from the predatory man she was stuck with for the next four hours. “Now, now, Professor, there will be none of that.”

“Until I win and get to fuck you,” he garbled.

Arual glared with her reply, “Never. You are not going to win.” Arual looked around his office. It was a complete and utter pigsty. Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom didn’t look as bad as what lay before her. She mused that she’d have to clean it all before the week was over. “Where should I start?”

Severus refrained from staring at her backside long enough to answer. It wasn’t easy for a man as intoxicated as he to focus. “Well, I imagine you’ll start by nibble my ear- oh you mean tonight.” He took a sip from his glass of whiskey. “Start with your cloak. Hang it on the coat rack by the door. You don’t want it getting dirty.” His hungry eyes followed her to the rack by the door. He nearly drooled as she turned around in her long jeans and tee shirt, top loosely framing her bosom. She wasn’t a double d, but he didn’t care. He thought about making her take off her robes, but it was cold, so he settled for just the cloak. Never one for words, Arual just stared complacently waiting for his instructions. He stared back at her for a few minutes, nodding in and out.

Tired of waiting, Arual spoke. “Hey, drunken guy, if you’re not even going to have me do anything, I am going to leave.” She turned on her heel to leave. Severus grabbed her by the back of her robes and brought her in front of him, smacking her bottom along the way. She jumped at his actions but refused to let him see her shock. That would indicate to him, and partially to her, that she was intimidated by the whole situation. She’d been telling herself all day that she wouldn’t be nervous and blow it. Seeing Severus drunk did nothing for her confidence. He was nasty enough sober.

“You are mine for the next four hours, missy, so don’t try escaping.” He slurred his words all over the place. It wasn’t long before he leaned over his comfy chair to vomit. Arual conjured a trash can just in time. The contents of his stomach emptied before her eyes. Judging by the large amounts of bile, it was apparent to Arual that her professor did not take proper care of himself. She smiled inside at seeing him so weak. Severus vomited three more times before passing out.

Arual walked over to his well-stocked supply cabinet and pulled several ingredients. She found a small, dusty cauldron in the corner of the room and set to work. In no time at all she walked over to Severus with a brass goblet steaming with a hot yellow liquid. She gently stroked his hair out of his face, casting a cleansing spell to get the vomit off his clothes and face. She rubbed his temples, coaxing him to open his mouth. He slowly opened up just enough for her to pour the hot potion down his throat.

Severus awoke with a start, knocking the girl before him to her knees. He was now fully sober and more furious than ever. “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?” He grabbed Arual by the throat and held her above him, throwing her down on his cluttered desk. Arual winced with pain but remained calm. She wanted more than anything to scream but knew that to do so would admit defeat. Severus grew even angrier at her silence and mistook it for insolence. He again screamed, pinning her down by the throat, quickly depleting her supply of oxygen.

Arual managed to pull her knees to her chin and with a mighty push she kicked the sober man off her. She quickly rubbed her neck; knowing full well there would be significant bruising. Severus walked up to her, eyes wild with anger, and slapped her hard across the face. Arual turned her face back to him, locking their eyes. “You had too much to drink so I made you the Sober-Up potion that you’ll be teaching my class this year. I read about it a few days ago. I followed the recipe exactly.”

Severus walked over to the wall behind him. He tapped his wand, revealing a hidden liquor cabinet. He poured himself a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream before continuing. The liqueur seemed to calm the savage beast. “My drinking is none of your business. I am fully capable of taking care of myself. Now, before I lose my temper, shall we get to your detention?” Arual nodded. “I’ll be in my chambers through that door.” He indicted a door in the corner Arual had not previously noticed. “I’ll be back in a few hours and I expect this room to be spotless.” Without another word, Severus left the room, robes billowing behind him.

Arual fell to her knees, hanging her head slightly. She let the dizziness from his blows overwhelm her and eventually subside. She slowly stood after a few minutes passed. She immediately set to work cleaning every surface in the grungy office. She dusted books untouched in years; cleaned cauldrons filled with potions unknown, and scrubbed the room from floor to ceiling. She could have done it in seconds with magic, of course, but something told her that was not what Severus had in mind. After three hours, Arual finally sat down. She was covered in dirt and grime… and blood. Severus entered to find her sitting on the ground, knees to her chin, head hanging between them, resting peacefully.

Severus kicked her in the shins, waking her from her reverie. “I never indicated that you were allowed to sleep. Under normal circumstances, a student would be gone by now. You, however, are not normal. Get up.” Arual attempted to stand but was stopped by Severus hand on her head. “Not that far up. You have one last task.” Arual dreaded what was coming next. She knew Snape would stick to their deal of no sex unless she lost… she just wasn’t sure what he’d make her do on her knees without breaking their bargain. Quick to end her confusion, Severus threw a conjured bottle of shoe polish and rag at Arual’s head. “Shine my shoes and you can go.”

Arual was fully aware of what he was doing. First and foremost, he was staring down her shirt. He could see that she wore a plain pink bra. He thought briefly that he’d have to get her something red for when she lost the bet. More importantly, he was establishing himself as the superior party. He the leader and her the pitiful minion at his feet… literally. Arual knew how tall and mighty he thought himself to be. Today had not been completely unbearable. Except for the hitting of course, she would have to find a way to stop that. She could worry about that tomorrow.

Without another word between them, Arual finished the shine and left for her room. Severus poured himself a shot of vodka and laughed aloud. He knew he would surely win. He was mildly confused as to why she had just stood and taken his beatings. He figured her too proud to be degraded. She was a mystery he was determined to crack or die trying.

Arual shook the dirt of the detention off of her clothes. She undressed and went into her bathroom. Since her fourth year she’d had her own room in the dungeons. The other Slytherins all hated her and did their best to show Severus just how much. Arual had always ignored the black eyes and such, but they worried Professor Dumbledore enough to put her in her own room. She didn’t mind the isolation. They thought they had won by having her transferred, but really she was the winner. She just didn’t tell them that.

Arual stood naked before her mirror. She was right about there being bruises on her neck. A very clear handprint was evident on her milky skin. She ran her hand over the mark, watching as it vanished. She had a few cuts from cleaning, but the damage to her neck was gone so she stepped into her bathtub. She let the hot water burn away her shame and insecurities. Today had been a draw. She would win tomorrow. Arual grimaced as she ran water over her reddened cheek. She wondered how men always knew how to hit a woman just right to make her eyes water more with embarrassment than pain. Maybe they taught it in some secret class girls didn’t know about.

After her bath, Arual heard the clock strike midnight. She had nothing to do until seven the next evening, so she stayed up for hours watching the moon parade across the dark night sky. She’d always liked the moon. If she had learned nothing else from her childhood, she’d learned that the sun will always set and the moon will always rise, bringing darkness along with it. Darkness for Arual was safe, free of the terrors the sunlight brought. Even the evil had to rest at night, beneath the moon’s tender glow.

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Session seven of the Detention from Hell, as Arual liked to think of it, was about to begin. Arual walked into Severus’ office at seven on the dot and removed her cloak. She saw Severus resting his head on his desk. She scoffed, waking him slightly. “Don’t tell me you’re drunk again. If you’re incapable of staying sober long enough for a bet then I suppose I’ve already won.” The first day she would have left. Now she knew better than to think her professor would give up so easily. She would have to be particularly devious to win this.

Severus raised his head, pulling the hair from his face. “Take one step and you’ll find yourself in a Full Body Bind for the next week,” Severus growled. Arual didn’t respond, but she didn’t take a step either. Severus walked slowly around her, examining her figure. She had a few pounds to lose from the stomach and a few to gain in the chest he thought. Her body wasn’t why he wanted to fuck her. It was her general nothing-bothers-me attitude that infuriated and excited him so. He’d give her something to be bothered about. He knew she was essentially at his mercy. He’d had all week to think of what to do to get her to crack. So far it was a draw, each having one three nights. Severus walked to the door leading to her chambers, beckoning her to follow. She did so without question or trepidation.

The door banged loudly against the wood behind them. Much to her surprise, Severus motioned for her to sit in one of the two big, fluffy green chairs by the fire. She was surprised at the chair but downright amazed when he brought her and himself small glasses of elderflower wine. Well, his was not so small. Arual had pretty much figured out he was a drunk by now. She didn’t care. Skip had gone through his bouts of drunkenness. She’d occasionally given him the same potion she’d made for Severus. Severus gulped his glass of wine as he sat down across from his pupil.

In the silkiest voice he could muster, Severus calmly asked, “Are you hungry?” Arual gave him a look he could only assume meant she was on to him already. “I don’t care if you’re hungry or not– you’re going to have dinner with me. You’ve been eating from dumpsters for the last month. You must be ready for something better.”

Arual wasn’t falling for his tricks. “Actually, I prefer old food. I love meeting honest snakes.” Her pointed comment hit home. Severus glared, daring her to mock him again. He was only too ready to throw her in his bed and say to Hell with the bet. Arual rolled her eyes. “Yeah, ok, I’m hungry. Feed me, oh wise and generous professor.”

Severus tried to smile but it didn’t really work. He could only fake so much. “What will you be having? My Elves can have anything you want here before you’ve finished your wine. Go ahead, have a sip.” Arual sniffed the wine for poisons before sipping. If there was anything in it, she hadn’t picked up on it.

“Lobster tails.” Severus looked at her incredulously. “You heard me. You said I could have anything I wanted and I want lobster tales. Three of them, with butter. Please.” She batted her eyelashes playfully as she said please. She knew she was winning.

“Very well then.” Severus snapped his fingers. Immediately a small House Elf appeared at his footrest. “Bring us six lobster tails. With butter.” He intentionally left out the please. A few minutes of awkward silence passed. Arual continued to sip her wine as Severus poured himself another glass and refilled hers. She had no intention of drinking more than one glass. It may not have been poisoned but it could still impair her senses.

Finally, the Elf returned with six of the largest lobster tails Arual had ever seen. They were as wide as her arm and a good twenty centimeters long. Severus fixed her a plate and handed it to her. Without words she began to eat. In all her life she’d never had lobster. She and Skip had seen plenty of empty tails that smelled delicious. Once she was fully satiated, Arual set down her fork and looked intently at Severus. She had known he was going to try and seduce her. She hadn’t expected a free dinner out of the deal. Had he not been so repulsive she might have enjoyed herself. However, he was repulsive and she was not enjoying herself. She wanted the week to be over so she could go back to spending her nights quietly reading.

Without being told, Arual picked up the dishes and carried them to the sink in the next room for washing. Severus walked in behind her. He looked down her shirt to again see a plain pink bra. He averted his eyes before he allowed himself to get too excited. He gently placed his hand on the small of her back and whispered in her ear. “Did you have a nice dinner?”

Arual was quickly uncomfortable with this new ‘nice Snape.’ She was waiting for him to smack her again. She moved forward, leaving his hand behind. He didn’t attempt to put it there again. He was close, very close. She could smell his shampoo and cologne. She was disgusted to find that she was not disgusted. She wondered why he smelled wonderful now and always so horrid in class. It must all be part of his plan, she thought. Drying the last dish, she turned to answer his question. “It was delicious,” she said softly in her normal monotone. She slipped under his arm and returned to her seat by the fire.

Severus went to her glass to refill it, but Arual stopped him. “I think I’ve had enough.” Severus raised his eyebrow at the mere idea of a sixteen-year-old turning down free alcohol. “Besides, you probably shouldn’t be getting your under aged students drunk anyway.”

Severus smirked and sat down. “You’re not my student for another six days. Until then, you’re just a girl.”

“An under aged girl. What happened to, ‘I followed you into the castle and am now under your care’?” She mimicked in the best Snape voice she could muster.

“I thought you were dragged?” Arual smirked at his feeble attempt at humor. Wit was not one of his strong points.

Arual sat up straight in her chair. She briefly wondered if she could get one for her room. “So, this is going to be my detention tonight? You flirting with me and me turning you down?” Arual candidly asked.

Severus decided to ignore her. “It’s really rather hot in here,” he lied, removing his cloak. The chit chat and the undressing continued until Severus was highly discouraged… and highly undressed. She wondered if there were any witches alive dumb enough to fall for this. Arual watched in wonder as he removed his final top layer – a plan black tee shirt. Her dreaded Potions Master sat before her wearing black trousers and boots. Arual tried to avoid looking at his surprisingly toned abs. What she couldn’t avoid looking at was the mark on his left arm. The Dark Mark. Severus saw her staring at it and quickly hid it from her view. He had entirely forgotten it in his hurry to seduce her.

With only an hour of her final detention to go, Arual decided to play along. She had been beaten, degraded, screamed at, a guinea pig to his mystery potions on more than one occasion, and turned into Snape’s own personal Bitch. She was sick of him having the upper hand. He wanted to seduce her and seduce her he would… for an hour. Arual knew she wasn’t very good with facial expressions, so she settled for leaning forward to look at her tormenter more closely. She looked into his eyes and licked her lips. She told herself she was not going to let him win, ergo she was not going to undress and sleep with him. Not so much as a shoe was coming off.

Severus stood and walked to the sofa behind them, beckoning for her to join him. She sat as far from him as possible. Her standoffishness irked Severus to no end. He’d given her dinner, flirted with her, refrained from raping and beating her… what more she could want he could not fathom. Arual finally spoke, her voice nearly a whisper. “You look tense. You should let me rub your shoulders.” Severus could have laughed with the realization that he was finally winning. For the first time in his life he was going to have a willing sex partner… without paying for her!

Arual moved closer to him. He instinctively turned his back so she could better access his shoulders. She conjured some lavender scented oil to rub on his shoulders and back. Arual would absolutely not allow herself to think what else she could do with the oil. Severus, however, was intent on thinking only that. For the first time he noticed how incredibly soft her hands were. He’d subjected her to rubbing his feet before, but he’d never paid attention to her hands. They were long and delicate, effortlessly working all the kinks from his shoulders. It had been years since he was this relaxed. Severus slowly lay down and took Arual’s couch space. She managed to sit on his lap without letting go of his shoulders. She used more oil on his chest. She refused to let herself think that he had nice pecs. She massaged all up and down his chest and sides. She could feel his reaction to her touch underneath her. It both thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

With a sudden movement, Severus rolled over, pinning his student to the couch. He slowly brought his lips to hers, kissing her her first kiss ever. Arual knew that to back down now would be to let him win and then she’d have to do more than kiss him, so she kissed him back. His hands found their way into her robes and up her shirt. Soon he slid his rough and scarred hands under her bra and across her hardened nipples. Arual couldn’t have noticed the time less. She finally gave in and let herself enjoy his caresses while she could. She wasn’t going to be a notch in his bedpost. For half an hour their tongues danced in each other’s mouths. Several times her professor reached for her belt, but she always stopped him. After his seventh attempt, he pulled his tongue from her throat and spoke much gentler than Arual ever would have expected. “Is there a problem?”

Suddenly very conscious of the time, Arual had to think fast. Only two minutes to go before she was free. She was also extremely aware that a lot could happen in those two minutes. She stumbled over her words before coherently saying, “I haven’t done this before. Any of it. And, you know, a couch isn’t the greatest place for it… I mean… Um… What if there’s blood or something… or if it hurts…”

Severus pulled his hand out of her bra and thought for a second. “Yes, it’s probably going to hurt.” She looked at him quizzically. “You, not me.”

“You’re so comforting,” Arual said sarcastically. Obviously her whole, “I want to wait” pitch wasn’t going to work. It was either think fast or get fucked faster. She definitely didn’t want that, not even a little bit. An idea suddenly hit her. “Could we go in the bedroom at least? Please?” She prayed her eyes looked a little bit pleading. With one minute to go her very aroused Potions Master carried her quickly into his bedroom. He threw her down on his bed and quickly returned his tongue to her mouth. He had just undone his own belt when the clock chimed eleven.

“Well, would you look at the time. Eleven O Clock. Guess this means I won the bet. I’d better be going now. Bye Professor, see you in six days!” Arual swiftly jumped up and ran as fast as she could out of his chambers and back to her room. She warded the doors just in time as her very angry professor pounded on her door. The pounding accompanied by the occasional scream finally subsided when Arual heard the familiar voice of Professor Dumbledore inquiring as to why his half naked employee was entreating entrance at the door of an under aged student. With satisfaction Arual plopped down on her bed and fell fast asleep.


Potterverse belongs to JKR.