Snape's Match

Lia’s insides felt as though someone was tearing them apart. How could he have done that? Seduced her with that kiss and then pushed her away like a, like a…she didn’t even know what. He had wanted it as much as she, and oh Gods had it been good.


The simple memory of the kiss made her stop in her tracks to savor it, and then reality crashed into her. Hard. He knew that it was wrong; she knew it was wrong, he could be fired, she expelled. Yet how on earth could either of them let go of the attraction now? For there was attraction: a feeling of desire that made her suck in her breath at the mere thouof hof his hands on her, which in itself was enough for a sleepless night. Finding Professor Snape attractive was not generally accepted at Hogwarts as a possible thing, and – Merlin’s sake – how could she tell Harry, Ron and Hermione? “So, yeah, last night in detention I kissed Snape”? Even now, in the shadowy corridor, she could visualize their stupefied expressions.


Her musings were interrupted by nearby footsteps. Someone else up at this time? Most likely a teacher, and she didn’t feel like answering questions right now. Lia decided to turn back down the corridor and take a short cut that was more secluded, when from behind she was hit with the most terrible pain she’d ever experienced. It was like a thousand tiny knives cutting at her entire body, and she was dimly aware of collapsing to the floor. Her last thought before blacking out was a terrified call: “Severus, help me!”


Perhaps Snape did hear some unearthly echo of that last frightened plea, because he sat bolt upright in his office, where he’d been unsuccessfully trying to identify the scent Lia’s presence had left behind. He sat indecisive for a moment, and then grabbed his and and went off to investigate. He did not have long to wait to find out the cause of his disturbed premonition.


“Oh, Merlin, no!” Snape caught sight of Lia’s supine form on the corridor floor. “Lia!”


He caught hold of her hand and touched her brow. Both were icy cold, and then with a thrill of horror, he noticed the blood seeping fromfrom behind her robes. This time he had no qualms whatsoever about taking her up in his arms, as he ran as fast as he could towards the Hospital Wing.


It was not until McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore himself arrived at Lia’s bedside that Snape allowed himself to breathe and return to his normal composure. She’d been so cold – what if he had lost her through his pigheaded principles? He’d been shooed away from her fast enough by the nurse, but not so quickly that he didn’t see the dozens of gashes on her back. The very sight made him feel sick with worry. However, Poppy Pomfrey declared her very ill, but not in danger of dying. Dumbledore turned his attention to Snape.


“You found her, Severus?” he asked, noting the shuttered expression on his enigmatic Potions Master’s face.


“Yes, Professor. I was in the middle of my nightly rounds, when I came across her next to the Charms department. Of course, I brought her straight up here, but I have no idea what happened.” Snape was pleased with his calm demeanour.


“Oh we know what happened to her alright,” put in Madam Pomfrey darkly, “The Improbus Curse, that’s what. She’s lucky to be alive, maybe the spell didn’t hit her fully.”


“The Improbus Curse, of course,” agreed Dumbledore, “once a favorite of the DeEateEaters. Causes extreme pain and wounds on the body. I wonder…”


He and McGonagall swapped dark looks.


Snape felt a twinge of annoyance. “Look here, Headmaster, you’re surely not suggesting I did it? I mean, Merlin knows I dislike the girl (please forgive me, Lia, he amended to himself), but I would never do anything like this.”


Dumbledore’s brow red.red. “Good Lord, Severus, I wasn’t implying anything like that at all. I know you wouldn’t touch a student, even though you seemed angry enough to enter enemy territory at lunchtime? Hmmm?”


His blue eyes twinkled as he remembered McGonagall’s humorous description of the Gryffindor common room escapade. It had made the whole staff room roar with laughter.
Snape muttered something ugly under his breath.


“If that’s everything, Headmaster, I’d like to return to my rooms?”


Snape didn’t think he could stand behaving in a calm manner much longer when Lia was lying so badly injured just feet away.


“Of course, Severus. Goodnight.”


Snape bade the two hershers goodnight in turn, and left, not slowing his pace for anything. Even Peeves decided to leave the Potions Master alone as he passed by in a whirl of black robes. Snape reached his office as dawn was breaking, head aching with the night’s events. He had never been so confused about his own feelings, never. Perhaps he ought to just try and forget about Lia – but that was impossible! How could he, when he would have to see her every day in his classes…


Maybe she didn’t even feel that way about him. Who would? he thought wryly, catching a critical glimpse of his reflection in a glass jar. Maybe she thought him an old lecher who had taken advantage of her…but then there was her response to his kiss. That had not been disgust, he was sure of it.


He caught sight of his robes. They were covered in blood – Lia’s blood! Merlin help him, there was no way to get rid of this feeling, like he wanted to go right back to the hospital wing to sit at her bedside until she awoke and he knew she was all right.


A slow smile spread across Snape’s face. Well, he was a concerned teacher, wasn’t he? There was no reason at all why he shouldn’t go and check on her. He had no time now, he realized dispiritedly - he was going to have a bad time anyway, teaching without any sleep, but he could go after dinner. Madam Pomfrey would be sure to let him in. Encouraged by this thought, Snape went to take advantage of what little rest there was available to him, before another day claimed his attention.