Leech
Chapter 53
I own nothing but this sordid little tale. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not making any money by writing it. I must be insane.
LEECH
Chapter 53
No matter what Severus had done to her, hew deeply he’d wounded her, she didn’t want to see him hurt, or worse.
A quick grab at the towel to dry her hands and she flew through the adjoining door just in time to see Severus entering the office, mask in hand and the red cloak trailing over his arm.
Severus froze when he saw her, then hastily tried to hide the mask and cloak behind his back. “What do you want?” He asked, a light uncertainty in his tone.
“Don’t. Don’t hide them, don’t go.” She pleaded softly as she stared helplessly into his eyes.
Albus laid a hand on her shoulder. “He must Kathy, the mark cannot be ignored.”
“But he might… you might… take me with you then.” She said, suddenly coming to a decision. “Take me with you and lets finish this once and for all.”
Severus finally found his voice. “No. To take you now would be suicide. Besides, you have already made you feelings clear. Once Kingsley has been… “
“Sod Kingsley. Severus I don’t want you to go. I want… I don’t know what I want, but not this, I… whatever you did, said to me, it doesn’t matter any more. Not compared to this.”
Severus looked from Kathy to Albus, then back to Kathy. “We will discuss this when I return. I have to go.” He started walking to the door, faltered for a moment when he drew level with her, then opened his mouth to say something. “Kathy I… “ He snapped his mouth shut, his lips a grim line as the mark burned once more. Turning from her he exited the room without a backwards glance.
“He will return my dear. Have faith in him.” Albus told her gently.
“How do you know Albus? Why now? Why has he called him now when it’s been quiet for so long?”
“That is something we shall have to wait to discover. Why don’t you join me in the staff room? Bring your notebooks, I am sure Professor Binns will be eager to read up on your progress, and having others to talk to might help occupy your mind for a while.”
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“You are late Severus.”
“I am sorry my Lord. Dumbledore seemed to deem it necessary that I witness the control the Ripley woman now has over her Leeching.”
“Ah yes, the young lady who seems to have captured your affections.”
“Hardly, she may think she has them, but you know where my loyalties lie my Lord.”
“And you experiments, I believe you were working on something to prevent her from being able to Leech those who come into contact with her.”
“I have created a potion that once imbibed, renders her harmless. It is this potion that enables me to… engage her when the mood takes me.”
“Well done Severus. And she trusts you implicitly by now I hope.”
“She does. The woman foolishly fancies herself in love with me. Even more foolishly she believes the feeling is reciprocated.”
“Good. When I next summon you, you will bring her along.”
Severus bowed in acquiescence. “It will be my pleasure to comply with your wishes my Lord.”
“Oh and Severus.”
Severus knew what was coming next and braced himself.
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Kathy was in the staff room in middle of a conversation with Madam Hooch, who was extolling the benefits of riding a broom.
Kathy was interested in the theory of flying, but wasn’t sure it was her thing. She was about to comment on how uncomfortable the broom handles looked when pain suddenly wrack every inch of her body. It felt like the blood was boiling in her veins, while every muscle, sinew, and tendon contracted, causing her limbs, fingers and spine to distort as she tumbled helplessly to the floor.
She screamed silently as hands that tried to comfort her, instead caused the pain to worsen, each touch through her clothing sending fire coursing over her skin.
Albus knew immediately what was happening, he’d seen the after effects too often in Severus, had watched as others had suffered the Crucio.
“Leave her alone, don’t touch her. You will only make her suffering worse.” He commanded.
“But Albus, we can’t just leave her like this, she’s in agony.”
“I know Minerva. She is suffering the effects of Severus’ punishment, as he does at this very moment.”
They watched as she writhed helplessly on the floor, loathing the fact they could do nothing to alleviate her pain.
Binns watched intently, all the time carefully making notes in Kathy’s book, adding to the mound of information she had provided him with.
It was a full five minutes before the curse was lifted, even then she wouldn’t let anyone touch her. As her mind and vision slowly came back into focus, she grabbed hold of the chair and crawled into it. “Severus.” She gasped to whoever was listening. “He’s hurt. The gates.” She managed to say before passing out.
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Kathy woke to find herself in the infirmary once again. Only this time she felt terrible. Every part of her ached, bits she didn’t know she had felt strained and sore. A soft snore drew her attention and she turned her head to see Severus in the bed next to hers, sleeping, but a pained crease on his forehead visible even from where she lay.
She contented herself with just watching him sleep. Even with the frown on his face, he looked more at peace than she’d ever seen him.
“Ah, you’re awake. How do you feel?”
Kathy started at the voice. “Oh Poppy, hello. How about, I feel like I’ve been run over by a steam roller?”
“A what? Oh never mind, here take this. It’ll ease your discomfort now you’re over the worst of it. Severus makes it himself and I always keep a good supply in for times like this.”
Kathy swallowed the thick brown gunk. “Ugh. That’s disgusting. What is it?”
“Pain reliever, but adapted by Severus to alleviate some of the after effects of the Crucio curse.”
“Is that what it was, Crucio? I didn’t realise just how bad it could be.”
“I would imagine no one does until they suffer the curse themselves. Any better?”
“Yes much, thanks. How… Severus, has he woken yet?”
“How can any wizard be expected to sleep while you two prattle on incessantly?” Drawled the voice from the next bed. “Can’t you keep your voices down for heavens sake.”
“Severus Snape, we were talking quietly. If you heard us it is because you were already awake. And listening in intentionally most likely.”
Kathy hid a smile at the indignant look on his face at Poppy’s admonishment.
The medi-witch moved over to his bed and gave him a dose of the same brown gunk she’d given Kathy.
Kathy in turn delighted in the repulsed expression on his face when he tasted it.
“You made it Severus, it’s no good pulling a face at your own creation.”
He glared at the nurse and glanced sideways at Kathy lying in the next bed. “What are you doing in here?”
“Oh I fancied a change of scenery, what do you think I’m doing here? I got the full brunt of your blasted Crucio.”
His eyebrows lifted high into his hairline. “Dear Gods, no wonder I… are you alright? Are you still in pain?” He asked, shock and concern evident on his face.
“I’m not so bad now that Poppy’s given me some of that liquid faeces you call pain killer. Can’t you at least make it taste better?”
“Considering how often I am forced to take it, don’t you think I have tried already?”
“Well I have better things to do other than stand here listening to you two bicker. You’re both free to go whenever you wish.” Poppy shot a frown at Severus and a wink at Kathy, then headed to her office.
Kathy tentatively tried moving her limbs and discovered she only had a residual ache, whereas before it had been more intense. She threw the covers back, sat up and swung her legs of the bed, her back to Severus.
He smirked widely. He knew she hadn’t yet realised she was wearing a hospital gown, and the hospital gowns left nothing to the imagination from behind considering they fastened only loosely down the back.
Rolling onto his side, he propped his head up on his hand as he watched her bend forward to retrieve her clothes from the chair by her bed.
TBC