Saving your life

He watched her as she closed her eyes, finally falling asleep mostly thanks to the potions she’d taken.

He had been shocked at seeing just how hurt she really was, Lucius could be a real animal. With what he had brought from his house, he had been able to heal most of the wounds, but the damage hadn’t been just physical.

He left the room, retrieving the potions and towels, but soon went back inside when he heard her whimper. She was still asleep, but clearly agitated. She was muttering and shifting on the bed, and he could have sworn he heard her call his name.

He had been worried about her, he still was. When he had seen her break down… he just couldn’t act cold, his usual self. He had sat beside her on the bed, trying to calm her down. He had been kind and caring, and that just wasn’t him.

Still, he now sat on the armchair by the door and watched her sleep. Slowly she stopped moving and mumbling, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Even after everything she had been through, she looked so peaceful in her sleep, so innocent. He told himself he couldn’t let something like that happen to her again. He had to protect her, no matter what.

As morning came, he was again the man everyone knew, talking briskly and giving orders. They left the apartment early; he had to go see his Master, make sure they wouldn’t go after them, and she had to go back to the Order.

He had been delaying the trip, knowing it wasn’t the best time to leave the city, but now he knew he had to go, and he had to take her with him. It would be safer for them to stay together, at least for the next few days, he couldn’t leave her unprotected.


He Apparated at headquarters again, knowing Lucius was probably there already. He walked in as calm as ever, even as he wrapped his fingers around his wand, ready for anything.

Walking down the hallway to the studio, he could hear a man screaming, and the sound grew louder as he approached the room.
He knocked on the door and waited. A few minutes passed and yet the screaming never stopped. When the door finally opened, he saw two Death Eaters carrying a third one between them, apparently unconscious. All three of them were wearing their masks, but he easily recognized the long white-blond hair from the one in the middle.

He waited until they left the room and then entered, closing the door behind him. His Master was sitting by the fire, as usual, but he looked up at him and spoke as he walked in.

“Severus, so glad you came. I have just heard the most incredible things from Lucius.”

“You have, sir?” he asked, feeling nervous but keeping his expression as calm as ever

“Oh, yes. He seemed to believe a certain young witch trying to gather information was manipulating you. He assured you attacked him last night to protect her when he found this out.”

“If I may, Master, the truth is he was about to kill her when I found him. He knew the orders regarding the girl, but he wouldn’t listen, so I had to step in.”

“Yes, I gathered as much a few minutes ago with a little ‘persuasion’, as you might have noticed. He told me, however, that you have modified her memories of the events.”

“I had to; Lucius had told her all about how we were using her.”

“Will that be a problem? Will someone notice any change in her?”

“Of course not, sir, I was extremely careful.”

“Very well. I will expect you, of course, to report any change immediately, I won’t risk someone learning about this. If that happened, you would be held fully responsible.”

“Yes Master, thank you. And about Lucius…?”

“He won’t be a problem; he will go to the mountains, to continue negotiations with the giants. They have killed the last two men I sent.”

Silence fell on the room again, as he took in the last words, and he could have sworn he had seen an evil gleam cross the Dark Lord’s red eyes.


She was already standing by the Leaky Cauldron as he got there, and he hesitated before approaching her. It will be for the best, he told himself, before walking to her side.

He didn’t want to risk being overheard, so he just stood beside her, took her hand and they both Apparated away.


They were in a forest, and although the sun was up in the sky barely any light could trespass the thick cover the trees had formed.

She let go of his hand and looked around, trying to figure out where they were.

“We are in Ireland,” he offered, knowing what she was thinking.

She looked back at him but didn’t say anything, so he just asked her to follow him and started walking. He knew the house was a few miles away, but he had Apparated far from it to make sure no one was following.

“Here we are,” he finally said, after walking for almost an hour, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

She followed his gaze and saw a tiny house that looked about to fall to pieces. He smiled to himself at the look on her face and stepped forward, opening the door for her.

She gasped now as she entered. She had seen magically enlarged objects, of course, but she couldn’t help being amazed every time.

The place looked like a small palace, but what really caught her attention was, of course, the library she saw on the first room to her left. It was covered in what must have been thousands of books, the shelves all the way up to the roof.

“What is this place?” she asked, still looking around in interest.

“It’s were I come when I need to leave London to rest. Or hide. It is also where I find some important ingredients for potions, which is why we’re here today.”

“Come with me, I’ll show you to your room,” he said, and started walking up the stairs.

“I believe you will find everything you need inside,” he told her, as he opened the door to a beautiful bedroom. She stepped in and left her bag on the bed.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be downstairs, go there when you’re ready, there are some things we need to discuss,” he said, as he closed the door.

He walked back and entered the kitchen. It was almost noon already, so he took out his wand to make something to eat.

A few minutes later, she walked in and sat at the table too. She had taken off her robes and was now just wearing Muggle clothes.

“You should eat something,” he told her, pointing to the sandwiches he had made. She took one and looked back at him, waiting for him to talk.

“I’m surprised they let you leave,” he said, referring to the Order.

“Well, it wasn’t easy, they didn’t want me to. Especially since I wouldn’t tell them why I was leaving or where, not even with whom.”

“I thought it might be, but if they had known the truth…”

“And what is the truth? Why am I here?” she asked.

“As I told you, I had to leave, needed to get some things for the potion I’m brewing, and time was running out. And while I am here the Dark Lord could change his mind about you being useful, about keeping you alive.”

He looked deep into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts, but once again, he was pushed back.

“That’s not very polite, trying to get into other people’s minds without an invitation,” she said coolly, as she finished her sandwich.

They were silent for a few minutes, and she finally asked

“What is it you’re looking for here?”

“It’s a rare flower, this forest is the only place it grows, and it can only be found after dark. I will need your help in finding it, since we can’t leave until I have five of them.”

“Why did you help me last night?” she asked suddenly

He looked up at her in confusion.

“It was the right thing to do. Why did you help me?”

“Same reason, I guess,” she answered, looking away from his eyes.

The room fell silent again, both looking around uncomfortably.

“I have to go,” he finally said. “I will be back before sunset.”

He turned around and left. He didn’t really need to go anywhere, but he wanted to leave the house, at least for a few hours. He decided he would go back to his place in London; he wanted to make sure no one had entered, and needed to check on the potion.

A few hours later, when he walked back inside the house, he found her sitting on the library, at least a dozen books spread over the small table. She gasped when he spoke, she hadn’t heard him enter.

“You should get ready, it’s almost time. Make sure you put some gloves on, you’ll need them. If you don’t have any let me know, and I’ll see if I can find a pair for you.”

He went back to his bedroom and closed the door. He took a shower and then walked back downstairs to wait for her. He was already wearing gloves and a warm cloak, knowing it was cold outside. She joined him a few minutes later and together they walked into the forest.

He had explained how to find the flower and after many hours of searching, they found two of them. He told her they’d have to continue the following night.

After almost an hour in bed, he decided he couldn’t sleep, the now usual images making it impossible. He carefully walked down the stairs, trying not to make any noise but soon realized it was unnecessary, the light coming from the library told him he wasn’t the only one awake.

He cleared his throat as he entered, trying not to scare her, and sat on an armchair, across from her.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

“Don’t worry; you were not the only one.”

A few minutes passed in silence, before she sighed and spoke again

“Every time I close my eyes I see him. Malfoy. It’s like last night happening all over again.”

“There’s no need to worry. He’s not here anymore, he’s away, and he won’t come back for a long time, if ever.”

She looked at him, eyes wide in surprise, and he smiled slightly.

“I did nothing to him, if that’s what you’re worried about, although maybe I should have killed him when I had the chance. He’s off on a dangerous mission, but he’s a powerful wizard, and very intelligent; he might be able to stay alive.”

He got up, went to the kitchen and walked back with a bottle of Firewhiskey and two glasses.

“I probably shouldn’t do this, but it will help you sleep,” he said, as he poured some of the liquid on each glass and gave one to her.

They stayed in silence for some time, drinking, lost in thought, and he couldn’t help looking at her every now and then. She was wearing a robe over her nightgown and he could see her bare legs where the robe fell open. He could feel his body reacting and decided he should leave before doing something stupid.

“I think I’m going back to sleep now, it’s getting really late,” he said, as he got up and started walking towards his room.

“Good night, professor,” he heard her say softly as he left.


The next morning, he found her in the kitchen. He was surprised to see she had made breakfast.

She turned around when he entered a smile on her face as she offered him a plate. He reached for it and as he did his fingers grazed hers, and he felt electricity run through his entire arm at the contact.
She must have felt it too, he thought to himself, because she looked up at his face as it happened, and they stayed like that, eyes fixed on each other’s for a few seconds.

He was the one to break the contact, a cold look back on his face as he thanked her, sat down and started on his breakfast.

The whole day passed like that. For some reason, even when the house was big enough, they kept bumping into each other, and every time that happened, he felt the same reaction on his body. It was driving him crazy.

They didn’t speak much, she just seemed too interested in his books, and he was too busy stopping himself from jumping her right then and there.

That night they went back into the forest, and thankfully, they found the rest of the flowers. He told her to get some sleep; they would be going back to London the next morning.

“I need to go to see my Master, and you’ll be coming along,” he saw the look of fear on her face and tried to calm her down “You will be safe, don’t worry.”


He covered her eyes before taking her hand and Apparating at headquarters; it would be safer if she didn’t see where they were, at least for now. He walked her to the library and then took the cloth off. She looked around and then back at him, a questioning look on her face.

“Just stay here and don’t touch anything, I’ll lock the door so that no one comes in,” he explained. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He finally left and walked back to his Master’s studio. The house was almost empty, it was still early in the morning, but soon many Death Eaters would be arriving. He would have to hurry.


He entered the room and found his Master reading, as usual. He paid him no attention as he walked in and closed the door behind him, but suddenly he looked around, as if he had heard something.

“You brought the girl here,” he said, not a question but a statement.

“Yes, my Lord,” he replied. “I didn’t think it would be safe leaving her alone, and there are a few matters we still need to discuss before she can return to the Order.”

“So why are you here, Severus?”

“They will be going back to Grimmauld Place five days from now, but only to hold a meeting. As you know, Master, the place is not well protected as before. It would be a perfect time to attack; they would be caught off guard.”

He considered his words for a few seconds, before looking at him again

“Very well, you will be in charge of making the necessary arrangements, do not disappoint me.”

“I won’t, Master, thank you.”

“You should head back to the library, before the others find her.”

He vowed and quietly left the room, moving faster as he heard voices ahead.

As he reached the door, he found a few Death Eaters already trying to break his spell to enter the library, so he quickly made his way to the front and opened the door. As he stepped in the others poked their heads to see what was inside. They didn’t seem pleased, but before they had time to enter he had grabbed her arm and pulled her out.

Ignoring the curious glances, they walked down the corridor, but as he came closer to the entrance he looked around, making sure they wouldn’t be seen, opened a door to his side and pushed her inside what looked like a small cupboard, closing the door behind him.

He lifted his wand and murmured a spell, pointing at the door. The room was small and barely lit by a few candles, but it would have to do.

He looked at her and noticed the look of confusion on her face.

“We need to talk, now, and this is probably the best place we will find,” he whispered.

She looked at the door and then back at him, not fully understanding.

“We’ll have some privacy here, at least for a few minutes. We would probably be overhead elsewhere. If someone tries to open the door the lights will flicker, and that will give us enough time to pretend…” his voice trailed off, a slight look of discomfort on his face.

“Five days from today we will attack Grimmauld Place.”

She gasped in shock but did not interrupt

“The Dark Lord believes the Order will be there, holding a meeting. You have to make sure everyone goes, and they have to be ready for the attack.”

He looked at her and she nodded in understanding, so he continued.

“They have to make it look as if they were really surprised, but make sure they set anti-Apparition wards on the house. And everyone should have a Portkey at the ready, in case they get hurt and need to leave the place.”

“They will want to know how I got the information,” she said, her voice slightly shaky.

“Then make something up. They can’t know I’m the one behind this.”

Suddenly the lights flickered and went out, and they both looked at the door in shock.

“Someone’s coming,” he said, as he grabbed her arm and pushed against her, crashing his mouth over hers.

All was forgotten as he felt her returning the kiss, her arms at his shoulders, pulling him closer. He felt her push her head back when he moved his lips down to her neck, kissing and nibbling all the skin he could reach. He took a few steps forward, making her move back against the wall. Her hands now entangled in his hair, he moved his own all over her body. He couldn’t see her, but he could feel her reaction to his touch.

Of course, he had seen her reach for her wand moments earlier, he knew she had made the lights go out, that no one was trying to open the door, but that didn’t matter. All he cared about was feeling her skin against his.

He slowly unbuttoned her shirt, his lips back on hers, and heard her moan when he circled her hardened nipples with his thumbs through her bra. He pushed it aside and lowered his face, flicking his tongue over the sensitive skin. He covered one of her nipples with his mouth, and smiled to himself as he felt her body arch, trying to get more contact.

He slowly moved his lips back up, kissing her collarbone as his hands now travelled under her skirt. He slowly caressed her legs, stroking his way up her thighs, then making her growl as she felt him stop and go back down before reaching the place he knew she wanted him the most.

He wrapped his fingers around her knee and brought one leg up, placing it around his hip as he pushed against her, letting her feel his arousal. She moaned at the pressure and he reached one hand between their bodies, fingers carefully moving over her clit.

He felt her arms around his shoulders again, nails sinking through his clothes, her mouth looking for his and then biting his lower lip in need. He slipped a finger inside her and pressed his body harder against hers, to keep her from falling.

Her mouth was as demanding as her body and it wasn’t long before he felt her tense and moan as she reached an orgasms.

This time he didn’t pull away, he couldn’t, didn’t want to. He placed both hands on her hips and grabbing one side of her knickers with each he pulled hard, tearing them and letting them fall to the floor as she gasped in surprise.
He hastily unzipped his pants and reached for her other knee, lifting it so that now she had both her legs around him.

He couldn’t wait any more and he entered her in one swift motion, kissing her again as they both moaned in anticipation. His body needed her, and he could tell hers needed him just as much.
He moved inside of her, slowly at first, but soon her hips were meeting his every thrust and he couldn’t help but groan as the rhythm increased.

She bit his shoulder to drown her loud moans as she reached her second orgasms, clenching her muscles around him, bringing him with her.

Panting, exhausted, she slowly loosened her legs from around his hips, and he put his arms around her waist to help her stand. Uncomfortable silence filled the room as they fixed their wrinkled cloths in the darkness, and once ready he reached for the knob and opened the door, stepping out into the lit corridor.

He noticed a few Death Eaters looking at them, their expressions mostly a mix of amusement and confusion.

“The lady wanted some privacy,” he said smugly, taking her hand once more and guiding her to the entrance door.