Beneath

Hermione and Malfoy were heading for the dormitory stairs now. How did he get back to the school? Moving on instinct, Severus realized that he must have apperated without his conscious mind knowing. He hated that he felt so out of control when she was near. He wanted so desperately to take her away from here, to possess, to own her. He couldn‘t breathe. The rest of the world be damned.

She walked Malfoy toward the Slytherin door, but stopped a discrete distance from the entrance. Yawning, she laid her head on his shoulder, and wrapped an arm loosely around his waist. Malfoy leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. Hermione closed her eyes. Using the arm slung around him, she hugged Malfoy to her. They exchanged good night wishes, and Hermione turned and walked back toward the stairs.

Severus’ was dizzy, his mind spinning. How could she allow Malfoy to kiss her? The beast he thought he had banished from his soul years ago, broke loose and ran rampant. He felt the hatred, the bloodlust rise. He knew in that moment he was beyond redemption, that he was at heart a selfish animal, a Death Eater. He didn\'t care if it meant spending the rest of his life in Azkaban - no other man was to touch her - not ever. His vision shifted and darkened. It cost him dearly, but he held himself back while Hermione reached and ascended the Gryffindor staircase, before confronting Malfoy.

\"Malfoy!\" he roared, stopping Malfoy before he entered thytheytherin common room.

Severus shook himself, trying desperately to bury the beast beneath a thin layer of composure.

\"Mr. Malfoy, have you been so lost in Miss Granger\'s company that you have forgotten the time? It\'s after lights out,\" Severus ground out.

\"Professor, we were late in getting back. We had a ton of coursework to review, several readings...\"

\"Nevertheless,\" Severus cut him off, \"I should not have to remind you of the punishment for sneaking around after hours, especially with someone of the opposite sex… and a Gryffindor for gods\' sakes! What are you thin?\" ?\"

Malfoy stared at him, unspoken excuses and contrition almost reached his lips.

Then, a sign of recognition flashed and a smirk contorted Malfoy\'s mouth. Laughing under his breath,” You’re jealous...you want...you want my lovely Granger...you want her for yourself.\"

Severus felt a chill run down his back, \"rest assured, Mr. Malfoy, I have no personal interest in that little Gryffindor twit, other than her apparent ability to distract you...\"

\"You\'re lying,\" Malfoy accused, \"You filthy, disgusting...you\'re probably madly in lo..\"

\"Quiet Malfoy, or you may lose something far more dear than points tonight,\" Severus growled, the beast pressing hard against his cage.

Malfoy snapped back, \"oh, I\'ll keep your nasty little secret, Professor, for now. I wouldn\'t want Granger to spend the next few weeks in the infirmary, violently ill.\"

\"Malfoy, if you know what\'s good for you, you’ll get out of my sight. Now.\"