The Darkness in Her Heart

Chapter Six: Occlumency

Tonks awoke to find herself warmly covered in what she assumed was Severus’ bed. She rolled over, expecting to find him next to her, but he was nowhere to be seen. She sat up in the only to realize that she was no longer wearing the shirt and skirt of last night, but her muggle pajamas. She was wearing a tight fitting red tank top and red plaid pajama pants. Quickly she screwed up her face and her hair turned a gorgeous shade of auburn, falling down to her waist in luscious waves.

“Severus? Are you here?” she called, getting out of his warm bed. She wandered around his chambers, admiring it. His bed was huge with green and silver sheets. Always a Slytherin, she thought. He has bookshelves covered in books she could imagine would be found only in the restricted section of the library. If even there. On his night table she found her wand, a picture of her and Severus, and a note with her name on it.

Tonks,

Had to go over lessons plans with Albus for the week. I’ll be back shortly. Help yourself to some breakfast.

Severus

She wandered around his chambers, exploring some more. She found a luxurious bathroom that reminded her of her days as Prefect. The tub, well it couldn’t be called that as it was the size of a small swimming pool, was adorned with taps that let out dozens of types of bubbles. There were two sinks made of green jade with silver taps. There were all sorts of hair care products. Merlin, with all of these you’d think he wouldn’t look so greasy… she thought to herself. Then she noticed that they were all female products, engraved with NT. These must be mine. She decided to put them to use and filled the bathtub, using 5 of the many, many taps of bubbles. She floated around on a bubble as big as a lily pad until she heard movement outside. Quickly she got out of the water and dried herself with a spell.

“Tonks? Are you in there?” came Severus’ voice through the solid oak door.

“Umm… yes. Do you think you could wait for me in the other room?”

“Any special reason?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Well… I seem to have forgotten to bring my clothes in here with me.” Instead of waiting in the other room her bag he had packed appeared in his hand and he left it by the door. “Thanks!” she called. Minutes later she was dressed in muggle clothes and a red wizard robe. She wore loose fitting jeans and a yellow form fitting T. She screwed up her face again and suddenly her hair was flowing in long golden waves to her shoulders.

“Good morning. I hope you slept well?” Severus inquired.

“A bit restless. Where did you sleep?” He pointed to a plush black couch she hadn’t noticed earlier in the corner of his bedroom. “You didn’t have to do that,” she cooed seductively.

“Yes, I did,” he said coolly.

“Hey Severus? How is it that I managed to fall asleep in my clothes and wake up in my pajamas?”

“I paid off a house elf named Winky with a bottle of butterbeer to change you. Come on, we have much work to do.”

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“Tonks you are not trying!” he shouted at the young girl, now lying on the floor. “Close your mind! You are letting me too far in!”

“I assure you, Professor, it will not happen again,” she said coldly as she gathered herself, standing in front of him once more. “Try again.” He tried again, and again she fell. And again. And again. When it came time for lunch, she felt she could take no more. Severus sighed heavily and indifferently held out his hand to help her up.

“Contrary to what you might currently be thinking, you have made amazing progress. You stopped me the last three times. Another few days of this and I feel you’ll be ready to face the Dark Lord. Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything?” He asked the last part with a tenderness she had not felt all morning.

“Do you care, Professor?” she asked coldly, turning her back to him.

“Why do you insist on calling me that? I’m no longer your professor and you are no longer my student. I can’t deduct house points, make you write lines, or give you detention. Though I wouldn’t mind keeping you after hours,” he added smoothly.

At this she turned around and gave him a small smile. “Am I really making progress? Severus?” She took a step towards him. He took one towards her. Soon they were nose to nose.

”Amazing.” She threw her arms around him and they kissed passionately. The kiss didn’t last long, but it was sweet. He swung her hand in his as they walked to his kitchen. “Now you didn’t eat breakfast. Can I offer you some lunch?”

“You can offer. Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” he said, opening a can of muggle soup and heating it with his wand.

“Why did you hate me so much when I was a student here? All those detentions? I probably wrote, ‘I must not interrupt Professor Snape’ ten thousand times. I’m surprised my wrist still functions properly.”

“Why were you such a rambunctious child?” he asked, smirking at her. He poured them each a bowl of soup and beckoned her to sit next to him at his small kitchen table.

“I was a rambunctious child. Note the word ‘child.’ You didn’t have to be so hard on me. I almost died when Minerva told me I’d have to take NEWT potions to become an Auror.”

“Yes I did have to be so hard on you. You were always one of my favorites. You and your mousy little ways. Brilliant and smart-mouthed. And gorgeous. You were the only student I ever thought was gorgeous. I felt like such a dirty old man. You still are, you’re irresistible.”

Tonks laughed as she sipped her soup. “You are a dirty old man, Severus.” He threw his napkin at her. “A charming, handsome, alluring, attractive, dirty old man… who I’ve had a thing for since first year.” At this he took her hand under the table, caressing her thumb with his.

“Really?” he said seductively, leaning closer to her. “This coming from the girl who just about died when she found out she had to take my class?” he said as he arched his eyebrow at her.

“Well, you were scary. But ever since my first class with you I wanted to bewitch my mind and ensnare my senses,” she blushed. “Well that was very good,” she said, pointing to her soup, pulling away her hand. “Shall we get back to work?”

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They worked past dinner and well into the night. Slowly Tonks became more and more able to block Severus’ constant attacks on her mind.

“You know, you’ve managed to completely block me for an hour now, but sooner or later you’re going to have to quit falling down,” Severus chided.

Getting up, yet again, Tonks sighed heavily. “Severus, it’s past midnight. I’m starving.”

“It’s past midnight?” Tonks merely nodded, completely drained. “Well, let’s get you something to eat and it’s off to bed with you,” he said in a fatherly toned that quite irked her.

“You know, I can never figure you out. Sometimes you’re like my lover, other times you’re my father. It’s annoying.”

“Which would you like me to be?” he asked, moving closer to her.

She blushed furiously at this. He just kept walking closer, embracing her. “My lover,” she whispered passionately. He swept her off her feet and carried her over to his bed.

“As you wish,” he said as he kissed her deeply. They kissed for several minutes before he dared to remove her robe.

“Severus?” He just looked at her in acknowledgement, pulling her robes back on. “This is what I wish, but I’ve had a long day and I’m awfully tired. I think I’m just going to put on my pajamas and go to sleep. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. You have another long day in store for you tomorrow.”

“Where are you going to sleep?” He motioned towards the black couch. “No, you’re not. I want you to stay here,” she patted the spot next to her. Before he could answer she slipped out of the bed and walked to the bathroom to change. When she came back she found him in pajama pants and a gray t-shirt. “Is that how you usually sleep? I never pictured that.”

“Honestly no, usually I just sleep in boxers, but I didn’t think that would be at all appropriate.”

“No, I can’t imagine that it would be,” she said, climbing under the covers and into his awaiting arms. She quickly fell to sleep, as did he.