The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 33
Visitor


Claudia got back to the hotel and helped Emma take a bath. She was only halfway listening to the stories Emma told her about what she and Ginny did that day. Claudia was lost in her own thoughts. Thinking about Severus so much, and talking about him so much, made her heart ache. She kept telling herself not to get her hopes up about this memory.
Perhaps it is a memory about her and him together an she is sharing it with a bunch of kids? Maybe it is a memory about his painful childhood? Maybe it was a memory about why he decided to switch sides after all. No matter what it was, Claudia knew she was never going to be ready to face it. But she had to.
“Mommy…are you listening?” Came Emma’s voice.
“Yes baby I am.” But Emma was a little offended with her mother and decided she didn’t need help after all. So Claudia went to the other room to change clothes. What she saw there made her heart stop. Severus. Claudia put her hands to her mouth and tried not to scream. She could hear Emma splashing around in the tub so close, and it made her maternal instincts kick in. Claudia turned around swiftly, but not quick enough. She was trying to get back into the bathroom, but he had grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off of the floor. She started to scream, but he covered her mouth.
“No screaming.” Severus’s voice hissed in her ear. She was breathing heavily and he put her back on the ground, still covering her mouth.
“I will release my hand, and you will not scream. Do you understand?” Claudia shot daggers from her eyes to his. He sneered at her and spoke very close to her ear.
“You are not wearing the amulet my love. Perhaps you have gotten too accustomed to being protected from magic. Maybe I should remind you that I can perform magic on you right now.” Claudia’s heart beat faster. She was praying that he wouldn’t harm her or Emma. His face twisted into a sneer.
“I won’t hurt her if you stay quiet.” Claudia’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded her head. He released her mouth and walked over to the bed and sat down.
“Good. Now, things are happening a little too fast. You were not to show that secret I gave to you until later.” He wagged his finger at her like a parent scolding a child.
“I didn’t know. You said…when the time was right. How was I to know?” He waved his hand to quiet her.
“Yes, I did, didn’t I? Well, I am here to tell you that the time is not right. You must wait. You were going to allow the brats to see it too?” His eyebrows raised. “My…you ran right into Potter’s little circle, didn’t you.” Anger burst forth from her like an explosion.
“I didn’t run anywhere Severus. I was asked to go…no ordered by my friends to show the Order everything you left behind. I have no need of any of them If I would have had my way I would have…” Claudia’s voice gave out. She lost sight of Severus through her tears.
“You were going to ask them to Obliviate your memory?” He asked. Claudia’s heart pumped faster in her chest. His voice…it was almost…normal. She nodded her head.
“Weak. I would have expected better from you.” His words cut her to the core. She blinked away the tears and looked at him. She was sure all of her pain, suffering and torment were easy for him to see. She was also listening to Emma playing in the bathtub, hoping she decided to stay in there longer.
“I didn’t do it, did I? What do you care if I am weak or not?” Claudia spat at him. He tilted his head mocking her sadness.
“No…you’re not weak. I do care Claudia. See?” He produced his amulet and it shined bright blue. “It has been this way ever since we parted my love.” He tucked it into his robes. He left the bed and went to stand behind Claudia. One hand traveled down her arm an to her hip. The other, wrapped around her chest and rested on her shoulders. He was so close to her she could breathe in his scent. Oh he smelled so good. His hand pressed firmly on her hip and traveled into her pockets. He grabbed both items he had given her. He handed the wooden box back and held up the amulet. It was pink. Then red. Then pink. Then red.
“You…need to wear this at all times.” He wrapped it around her neck and kissed her forehead. Claudia felt his lips across her skin and shivered. “I must leave, before someone comes.” He walked over to the door, but Claudia spoke to him and made him freeze.
“Why did you kill him?” Severus turned around and looked her in the eyes.
“It was my job.” He said simply.
“Your job! And what about me? You and I were…were…” She stopped talking and looked at the floor. He didn’t say a word. She saw her amulet flash blue. Then red again. “Never mind about me. That Harry Potter, he’s coming after you, did you know?” She saw a muscle twitch in his jaw. Claudia seized her opportunity.
“Yes he is. Everyone is after you and intend to kill you for what you did. I made a promise to you once, do you remember that? I promised you that I wouldn’t be the one to hunt you down and do you in. Remember? Well, it looks as if I can keep that promise. For the others will do it for me.” She hissed at him. He walked over to her and grabbed her hair. At that moment, she heard the bathtub draining. Severus had her hair twisted in his fist and he tilted her head back. He looked into her eyes and stared. Then, he kissed her. It hurt her lips as she tried to fight him, but he had such a good hold on her she couldn’t get free. His other hand was happily exploring her body and she felt herself giving in. No…I can’t. But this is how I want to spend my life….kissing this man. He released her and whispered in her ear.
“Remember…now is not the time.” He kissed her cheek and apparrated that instant. Claudia was left shaking and mentally numb. Oh God…
“Mommy, who were you talking to?” Emma asked her coming from the bathroom in a towel. Claudia shook her head and said “Nothing.” and told her to get dressed.
Left the room and headed for the door two doors down. As she knocked on it, she knew. She had made her decision and nothing and no one was going to stand in her way.
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A/N: OK...Claudia is impulsive...what do you think she will do? Severus just pushed a little button of hers...think she will push one of his? Please review...