Punishment

Thank you JW for reviewing! The story is almost done, i think. On a personal note, I just got engaged!!!! He's wonderful and the ring is gorgeous! And now, on with the story!


Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy were standing in a corner laughing. Screaming was coming from somewhere, but he couldn’t see. There was blood on their clothes and faces. Laughing red faces sneering at him. He felt dread as he got closer. “Ah look whose come to join in on the fun! We have a nice mudblood for your entertainment, Severus. We’ve already broken her in too, want a taste? Oh wait, you already have, oh well, we’re taking her from you.” The three of them parted and he gasped. Alex’s clothes were ripped from her. Blood was flowing down her legs and her face was distorted, bloody and bruised. She looked up at him and screamed “SEVERUS!!!!” In a plea for help.

*************

Severus slowly woke up with a pounding headache. He groaned and closed his eyes. He really should stop drinking so much and cutting himself; blood loss plus drinking himself into oblivion equaled really bad hang over. His head was throbbing and felt like it was going to explode. What was making it worse was the insistent tapping that seemed to echo between his ears and head down towards his stomach and any contents in his stomach was threatening to come up. He needed to stop the tapping. He slowly got up. First sitting up, then bent over his sofa, and finally standing. Blood rushed to his head, or was that down to his feet, oh Merlin; this was going to be one hell of a day. Squinting, he looked around and started walking towards the culprit. It was coming from the window, but he couldn’t look at the blinding light from outside. Avoiding the light and walking around it and looking into shadows, he managed to reach the window and open it. Ahh…..blessed silence. He looked around his room and saw the owl sitting at the closest chair. The owl gave an undignified hoot as if to say, “Took you long enough, now get this thing off me so I can go.” After Severus had removed the message from its leg, it took off out the window, swiping Severus across his face with its wing feathers. He opened it and could Hardly make out the words. After about five minutes, his brain finally registered what it said.

Severus,

Please come to my office immediately upon this owls arrival. Thank you.

~Albus

Great. Just bloody great. A hang over potion was needed for today. No wallowing in self pity today. The old cod better have a damn good excuse for wanting to see him on a Saturday, especially at this early in the mng. ng. Passing into the bathroom he caught a glance of the clock…ok, 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Bloody hell. Severus quickly drank a hang over potion and immediately the room came into focus, his head felt like there was finally enough room in it for his brain and his stomach calmed down. He then changed into a fresh set of clothes after casting a cleansing charm, and scowled all the way to the Headmasters office.

“What is it Headmaster?”

Albus looked grim. “Severus, my dear boy, take a seat.”

Dear boy? Dear boy was never a good sign. Severus sank into the chair, waiting for the ball to drop.

“Lemon drop?” Albus pulled back his proffered hand with a sigh and sat back. “Why was your door warded last night, Severus?”

“I have my own reasons. What concern is it to you?”

“The school, and the safety of the attending students, Severus. Your passion at hiding from Alex-“

“I’m not hiding from her.” Severus said in a low dangerous voice. Albus held up a hand.

“You’re avoidance of a certain…someone… made you turn a blind eye to your number one priority. And that is the safety of all in this castle.”

“Cut to the chase Albus, what are you on about?!”

“Last night, a few of the seventh year Slytherins decided to kidnap, rape and beat a fellow student. A first year saw this and ran for help. But you did not answer your door because of the wards. By the time they could get some one else, it was too late.”

Severus blood ran cold; Alex had been down in the dungeons visiting him last night.

“And who was the victim?” He waited with baited breath.

“The three boys have already been arrested and sent for a hearing. They will be tried as they are of age. Her parents are coming in today. As of right now, I’m sending you on vacation, you need rest to get well. I can’t say I blame you completely for what’s happened, but you are head of the Slytherin House and it was irresponsible to let no form of communication in.”

Severus whispered. “Who was the victim Albus!”

Albus sighed and took a deep breath. “A Miss Alexandria Owen.”

Severus couldn’t move. The dream came rushing back to him. Was that real? He couldn’t breath. This was all his fault. All his fault. If he’d never placed the wards up, he could’ve gotten there in time. If he hadn’t ever pushed her away, she would’ve stayed with him last night, instead of going back through the dungeons. If he’d never met her, she would’ve been safe, even from him. All of it was his fault. All because he loved her. And now it was too late. Can’t breathe…breathe…just breathe.


Sorry it's so short, but it was a good place (or bad place) to end this chapter, there will be more soon, I promise!!!! REVIEW!!!!