Remember

CHAPTER 4: His Shadow









Severus stood by the hot spring in the frigid morning air. It was just a little past five and the castle was still asleep. He slowly undressed, folding his clothes neatly and setting them atop a boulder before bringing his arms up and over his head and diving into the warm water. It was said that the sulfur in the springs had healing properties; he wished that it included emotional pain.







He swam slowly from one side to the other, back and forth, his long lean body cutting through the water with the grace of an eel. He found peace there in the spring hidden within the forest. He knew the others were too afraid to venture into the dark woods but not him. He was just as dark as anything that lurked in the trees, nothing they could dish out could be worse than the hell that was his life.







When his muscles began to burn and his limbs grew weak he rolled onto his back and floated atop the water. He stared into the sky, still darkened as the sun had yet to rise and wondered about his life in the future. Apparently he was a professor, at least according to Hermione, though she never said what subject he taught. He figured it was most likely Defense Against the Dark Arts or something else having to do with dark magic, he would be good at that.







He thought about the witch who had become his shadow in the last week. She sat with him at meals; often the two of them fixed their plates and carried them onto the castle battlements so they could eat in peace without the constant harassment from fellow students. She walked with him through the halls, her mouth running constantly. She liked to argue and could get quite fiery if her logic was questioned. However she was more than willing to concede if he could prove her wrong.







She listened to him, when he was actually given the opportunity to speak. She stared at him as though what he had to say meant something to her. She was eager for knowledge and he had taken to loaning her some of his books, books that he prized above all things. Powerful texts on the subjects of ancient and dark magic. She amazed him with how quickly she got through them, retaining the knowledge like some sort of sponge.







She was good company. Kind and attentive, even when he wished she wouldn’t be, she was intelligent and able to converse on a variety of topics that did not include Quidditch or witches. He could understand however why he thought her insufferable as her teacher. She was annoying in class, her hand constantly waving in the air, eager to give the answer or correct the professor if they happened to be mistaken. If she were like that with him it was no wonder he took points, well the fact that she was a Gryffindor made it sweeter no doubt







As they sky began to lighten he rolled over in the water, diving in and swimming through the warm spring until his lungs begged for air. He shot up, breaking the smooth surface. He reached up with both hands and shoved his long, wet locks back from his face, rubbing his eyes and blinking as he waded towards the shore.







“Good morning.” Severus lifted his head and stared in shock at the witch standing on the rocks beside the spring. She was dressed for the day in her school uniform, her heavy outdoor cloak wrapped tight around her as she stared at him. He shuffled backwards quickly into the deeper water until it covered him up to his chin as he tread water.









“Do you have to follow me everywhere?” He snarked. She smiled and shrugged out of her cloak.









“I wasn’t following you exactly. I’m an early riser; I was heading out for a walk when I saw you slipping into the forest. My curiosity got the best of me.” She said, shivering as she pulled her jumper over her head.









“Seems to be a problem with you. What are you doing?” He asked nervously as she kicked off her shoes and bent over to remove her socks.







“I’m going to join you, I had no idea there was a hot spring back here.” She said, removing her tie. She reached for her wand and ran it over her body, then set her wand aside and removed her shirt and skirt. She had transfigured her undergarments into a simple black bathing suit.







“I don’t think that’s a good idea….” He said, staring transfixed at her soft curvy body in the sleek black suit. Her full breasts were plumped over the low neckline, the fabric hugging her slim waist and round hips. He winced when he felt himself begin to react to the sight of her, his cock hardening beneath the water. “Fuck.” He hissed quietly as she tucked her wand between her breasts and then walked slowly into the water, shivering until she was completely submerged in the warm water.







“Ohhh!” She closed her eyes and sighed. “This is incredible, no wonder you sneak out here.” She said, opening her eyes and smiling as she moved closer.









“Um….stay over there….” He said, moving back several feet.









“Why? I can’t talk to you from over there. What’s wrong is there something in the water?” She asked, suddenly looking around in a panic. “Please tell me there aren’t snakes in here….I hate snakes.” She said.









Severus wanted to laugh; there was a snake in the water alright. He shook his head and closed his eyes.







“No, there is no wildlife in the hot spring, Hermione….it just isn’t proper for you to be in here with me.” He said. “You are compromising your reputation by doing so.”







Hermione laughed then, a rich full sounding laugh, not the twittering little giggle you got from most females. She threw her head back and laughed without shame.









“Compromising my reputation?” She asked, her voice filled with laughter and her eyes shining brightly. “Severus, people could catch me sleeping naked in your bed and they wouldn’t care.” She said.







Severus colored at the image that filled his head of her curled naked in his bed, pressed up against him. He groaned softly and began to grind his teeth.







“Fine, I am uncomfortable with you being in here with me.” He said.









“Why? It’s a large spring and it’s not like were nak….oh…..you’re naked aren’t you?” She asked, her cheeks flushing.









“Yes, now please get out and go away.” He snarled. Hermione frowned and swam closer to him just for spite. “Damn you, witch, get out!”







“No, why are you swimming naked?” She asked.







“None of your business, leave me be.” He snapped, moving further back from her.







“I can’t see anything, the water is too dark, I don’t see what the problem is.” She said.







“You are the most….insufferable….little witch I have ever met!” He said, his black eyes flashing. “The problem is that I am naked in a pool, alone with a young witch….do you understand now?”







“Oh!” Hermione said softly, stopping her pursuit and coloring slightly. “Hadn’t thought about it….I guess I didn’t think you liked girls.”









“What? Why in the hell would you think that?” He sputtered, his face heating.







“Well you don’t have a girlfriend and….well, the girls in the dorm all say you never show any interest…..”









“Because it wouldn’t do me any good if I did!” He yelled. “You think I am not aware of my looks, Hermione? It wouldn’t matter if I did show interest in anyone because no one would be interested in me.”







“What do your looks have to do with anything?” She asked, her brow furrowing as she stared at him, kind of wishing the water wasn’t so dark.







“Girls do not want to date skinny, big nosed, greasy haired dark wizards like me, Hermione.” He said, averting his eyes from her face and looking off to the side, trying to hide the fact that it was vulnerable spot for him.







“There is nothing wrong with how you look. You are quite handsome, in a rather unconventional way. Your face has character but it is your mind that makes you attractive.” She said softly. “I never understood the fascination with pretty boys like Sirius Black or Lucius Malfoy.” She said, shaking her head.







“You know Lucius?” He asked suddenly, his head turning sharply.









“Unfortunately.” She said. “Does that mean that you are….you know….that you never…”









“Gods you ask personal questions!” He said in disbelief. “Have you?” He asked, deciding to turn the tables on the nosy little wench.









“No, I haven’t…..I can’t stand the idiots I have met. I need someone who can hold a conversation about something other than Quidditch.” She said boldly. She was open book and anyone who wanted to read was welcome to. She had no secrets, no shame and nothing to hide. “Now….have you?”







“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I have.” He said, pushing off of the rocks and swimming towards the shore.









“Where are you going?” She called, watching him swim with fast, hard strokes through the water. He stopped close to the rocky edge and stood, the water lapping at is waist.







“I’m going to breakfast, now turn around or close your eyes so I can get out.” He said, glaring at the little busybody.







“No….if you want to get out that’s fine, but you’ll do it with me watching.” She challenged. He wouldn’t do it, she had tested the theory on Ron and Harry and both had backed down.









Unfortunately it wasn’t mild mannered Harry or bumbling Ron. No, Severus Snape narrowed his eyes and smirked slightly before turning and climbing from the water, treating her to the sight of his pale, narrow, rather nicely muscled backside. He gathered his clothes and slipped behind the boulder without looking back or saying another word to her. A few moments later she watched him walk off into the forest without a backwards glance.