The Darkness in Her Heart

Chapter Eight: Punishments

Severus and Tonks woke the next morning to find themselves nude and entangled with each other’s bodies. Severus woke first, walked to bathroom and showered. When Tonks finally woke up she found Severus just finishing setting up the breakfast table. She threw on a robe, tied it at the waist, and came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him.

He turned around to face her, taking her in his arms. “Good morning, love,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“Morning,” she replied, kissing him lightly on the lips. She snuggled her head against his chest. “Last night was amazing.”

“Mmmhmm,” came his response. “Are you hungry? I had breakfast brought up by Dobby.”

“Dobby?”

“A house elf in the employ of Hogwarts. Most annoying,” he said with a slight air of superiority.

“Oh! Dobby. Harry told me about him over the summer. He doesn’t seem to think he’s annoying. Hermione would kill you if she heard what you think of Dobby.”

“Yes, Miss Granger and spew. Stupidest idea I’ve ever heard of,” he said, releasing her so they could sit.

“It’s not spew, as you so eloquently put it. It’s S.P.E.W. The Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare. And I happen to think it’s a great idea,” she said, knocking her cup of coffee onto Severus. “Oh! I’m sorry! Scourgify.” Instantly, the coffee was gone.

“Oh, Tonks, you’re such a klutz sometimes. It’s very endearing.” She smiled at him, blushing. “Anyways, why is it that you insist on talking with the wonder trio? They’re all little brats if you ask me.”

“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t ask you,” she said coldly, sipping her coffee. “You shouldn’t be so hard on them, they’re good kids. And that Hermione, her brain blows me away. Is she as smart in classes as she is in real life?”

“Regretfully, she is one of my better students,” he replied, helping himself to scrambled eggs and waffles with blueberry syrup.

“If you hate students so much, why do you teach?” she asked, helping herself to the same.

“I don’t hate students… I like the Slytherins.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that. Every class you would let them get away with murder. It used to drive me crazy! Remember that time John hexed me? That was awful. And I heard you give five points to Slytherin for it.” Severus just laughed, then choked on his food. “Haha! That serves you right, Mr. Potions Master,” she laughed.

“Thanks for your concern,” he said, once he had recovered. They finished their breakfast in silence and then walked over to the couch, sitting at opposite ends. “You know, what if I had been really choking back there?” Severus asked pointedly.

“Then I would have nursed you back to health,” she replied seductively, lying down to place her head on his chest. He cuddled her against him and gently stroked her hair. He leaned down to kiss her head and she turned her face to meet his. She moved up so she was sitting on his lap, her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing together. Severus slowly moved his hand to her front and undid the belt to her robe, exposing her delicate figure. She slowly moved her hand up to undo his buttons, then pulled his vest and robes off.

“Severus, why do you always wear so many things?” she asked in between kisses.

“To make life difficult for you, love,” he joked. Finally she managed to get him down to just his pants. Suddenly, a knock came on his door. “Ugh, who could want something at a time like this?” he said exasperatedly. “You’d better go put some clothes on.” In response, she just closed her robe and tied it, walking behind him. Severus pulled on his white button down shirt, but didn’t bother to button it. Thoroughly annoyed, he answered the door to find Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley. Severust rot rolled his eyes before beginning to button his shirt. “What do you want? Now is not a good time.” He didn’t even notice that the girls were blushing furiously at his exposed chest. Tonks giggled in the background.

“Well, sir, we ran into Dumbledore and he sent us to tell you to meet him in his office in ten minutes,” Hermione informed him, still blushing. He finally managed to get the buttons done and was about to say something, but Ginny cut him off.

“We also heard that Tonks was staying with you, and we wanted to say hi to her.”

“I don’t think it at all appropriate for you to be in my private chambers. I will attend to Dumbledore myself. Thank you for the message,” he turned to close the door, but Tonks hand stopped him.

“Oh, Sevvie, let them stay.”

“One, don’t call me Sevvie, My mother used to call me that. Two, you’re not even dressed. Three, they’re students and I don’t want them in here.”

“For me?” she pouted, giving him a puppy dog face.

He sighed, knowing Tonks wouldn’t give up on this one. “Fine. Anything for you, love.” She smiled at him. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her passionately. He was about to try and get in her robe, when Ginny did such a good impression of Professor Umbridge’s “hem hem” that both Severus and Hermione started. “Five points from Gryffindor, Miss Weasley, for scaring a teacher.” When neither girl moved, he removed his arms from Tonks waist. “Well, are you coming in or not?” They both quickly walked in and he shut the door behind him as he walked out, grabbing his vest and robes on the way.

Tonks held out her arms to the girls and they embraced. “It’s so good to see you! If you’ll excuse me just a moment, I’ll go get dressed.” She emerged five minutes later from the bathroom wearing light purple robes and with shocking purple hair and her pendant had turned amethyst. Hermione and Ginny were in a fit of giggles when she found them sitting on Severus’ couch. “Just what, may I ask, is so funny?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Hermione squeaked, tears flowing down her face from all the laughter.

“We just hope we didn’t interrupt anything,” Ginny said, laughing equally as hard. Eventually, Tonks joined them on the couch and their giggling subsided.

“”Well, as a matter of fact, you did interrupt something, but we can let that go.” This only set the girls into another fit of giggles that lasted a good ten minutes. “Okay, girls, that’s enough.” The giggling subsided once again. “How are you?”

“We’re fine,” Hermione said, wiping her eyes.

“I see you and Professor Snape are getting on quite well.” More giggles, but this time they didn’t last nearly as long as before.

“What’s so funny about me and Severus?”

“Oh, it’s not you, Tonks, don’t worry,” Hermione assured her.

“We just never thought we’d see Professor Snape half naked and in the arms of a woman first thing in the morning,” Ginny piped.

Tonks laughed a little at that. “You should have been here last night,” she said, smirking. Expecting more fits of giggles, Tonks prepared herself. But no giggles came, they just sat there in stunned silence.

Hermione was the first to break the silence. “You? And Professor Snape? You did that?” Tonks just nodded. “Merlin,” Hermione gasped.

“So how was he?” asked Ginny.

“Good girls, don’t kiss and tell…” Tonks continued smirking until both girls looked at her with pleading eyes. “Good thing I’m not a good girl,” she laughed before launching into the story of the night before, leaving out anything having to do with the Order.

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“Ice mice,” Severus spoke the password to Dumbledore’s office. When the gargoyle had moved aside, he stepped on the upward-moving spiral staircase. When he arrived at the large door, he knocked and was promptly summoned in. “You wanted to see me, Albus?” he asked, sitting down.

“Yes, yes. How did last night go?” Severus’ sallow face grew tight and he slumped in his chair. “I meant the meeting, dear boy,” Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.

Relief washed over his features and he sat up straight. “It could have gone better…” he then launched into the story about how Tonks was branded and how he apparated them to safety.

“I needn’t tell you that that was foolhardy.”

“No, you needn’t, yet something tells me you will anyway.”

“You know me too well, Severus. You know now, of course, that both you and Tonks will have to be punished.”

“Ugh, I hadn’t even thought of that,” he said, slumping down once again, covering his face with his hands. “Maybe I should take her into hiding with Black,” he sighed.

“Hiding isn’t the answer and you know it. You’ll have to face him soon enough. Has anyone openly defied him before?”

“And lived to tell about it? No.”

“Something tells me that he won’t kill you. Or at least not Tonks. Not if she can give him any information about the Order.”

He uncovered his face and replaced his hands with a pointed glare. “Well, what do we tell him? And what do you mean, ‘at least not Tonks?’ Where does that leave me?”

“I wish I had an answer for you. I’m afraid we’ll just have to come up with a believable story for her to tell him and you can beg his forgiveness.”

“Oh, how I wish I could hide Harry Potter under my Death Eater robe and have him Avada Kedavra the Dark Lord straight to Hell,” he said, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“There’s the Potions Master we all know. You’ve been acting strangely nice all week. Tonks has quite an effect on you. Will she be staying much longer?”

“I wish. No, she has to return to London tonight.”

“You wish? Perhaps you could invite her to stay on weekends.”

“You would let me do that?”

“I don’t see why not. Just don’t let Dolores catch you. She’d probably put through another Decree.”

“Dolores Umbridge, the light of my life,” he said sarcastically. They sat there for an hour, planning what they could have Tonks tell Voldemort.


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“… and then he tapped my head and told me not to let it get to me,” Tonks said.

Ginny stared at her incredulously. “He called you love, and told you not to let it get to you?”

“Really. What did he think you were going to do?” Hermione chimed in.

“It’s a term of endearment, Miss Granger. Now will you and Miss Weasley kindly vacate my chambers? Tonks and I have business to attend to,” Severus growled, walking up behind the couch.

“Oh, Severus, you’re such a grouch,” Tonks said, pulling him down to her for a kiss. Hermione and Ginny fell into another fit of giggles.

Severus abruptly ended the kiss, straightening himself. “Five points from Gryffindor, ladies. Now LEAVE before I remove you myself.” This time both girls complied, bidding their goodbyes to Tonks. Severus walked over to the couch and sat down. “Do you always discuss your personal life with students?” he asked bitterly.

“They’re not my students, Severus. And yes, the girls and I have a very open relationship. They’re practically the only female friends I’ve got. Just them, Flora, and Molly.”

“So you mean to tell me that you have mostly male friends?” he asked, a tinge of jealousy in his voice.

“Well, there aren’t too many female Aurors out there, Sev.”

“I guess that’s true,” he said, putting his arm around her. She moved her legs onto his lap and kissing him deeply. She slowly moved her hands to his buttons, but he stopped her. “Now, now, there will be time for that later; we have business to discuss now.”

“But there won’t be time later. I have to go back to London tonight.”

“Funny you should mention that. I talked to Dumbledore about it and he said you’re welcome to stay here on weekends.”

“Maybe I will.”

“Maybe? MAYBE!” he laughed, tackling her and tickling her until she begged for mercy.

“Oh, Sev. You’re tickling me,” she giggled.

“Ha! That’s exactly how you sound in your dreams!” he said triumphantly.

“Well, darling, sometimes dreams come true.” With that, all business was forgotten and he carried her into the bedroom. He had her robes off and was undoing her bra under her shirt when they both suddenly gasped in pain. “Severus, what is that? Oh Merlin, that hurts. Arrrrgggghhhhh!” she howled.

“It’s the Dark Mark. Come on, wve tve to go.”

“I guess this is it,” she said, tears in her eyes.

“Relax, I don’t think it will be that bad. He needs to pump you for information, he won’t kill you.”

“What about you?” she asked, placing her arms around his neck, pecking him lightly.

“That’s what begging is for. Just remember this: do what he says, when he says it, and never, ever argue with him. And always ALWAYS address him as either Lord or Master. Come on, we have to go now.” He gave her Death Eater robes and threw on his. After they were properly attired he dragged her to the edge of the Forbidden Forest and where they apparated, hand in hand, to Malfoy Manner.

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To Severus’ intense relief he realized that they were among to first to arrive. They joined the ranks, holding hands under their robes, not that it was detectable to the passerby. Soon the hall began to fill and when they had all arrived, Voldemort emerged from the shadows. He made a show of punishing Peter Pettigrew, the last to arrive. When Voldemort finally spoke, it sent shivers down Tonks spine and her grip on Severus’ hand tightened. He gave her light, reassuring squeezes every now and then.

“Two of my Death Eaters have defied me. That alone is a crime punishable my death. However, these two of you have, or will, proved useful to me. Tonks, Snape, step forward.”

They obediently stepped forward, bowing to kiss the hems of his robes.kickkicked them both in the face, in turn. “Get up and face me like the Death Eaters you are,” he snarled. They rose, Tonks wincing from what was obviously a broken nose. “Aww, did I pain, you Tonks? Let’s see if we can do something to relive the pain of that nose,” he smirked evilly. “Crucio!” he cried, pointing his wand at Tonks’ chest. She screamed in agony and fell to the floor, only to retch. Severus just stood there, his heart breaking in two. As suddenly as it started, it stopped. The relief she felt was only temporary, however, as she soon heard Severus fall to the ground, writhing in agony.

“Severus!” she cried, crawling over to him. She took his hand in his and was almost knocked out by the force with which he squeezed. “Stop it! You’re hurting him!” she cried, turning to face Voldemort, though she still cowered at his feet.

“Will you tell me what I need to know about the Order?” he hissed.

“Yes! I’ll tell you anything you want to know! Just stop hurting him!” she screamed. And Voldemort stopped, much to the Death Eater’s amazement, and for the most part, disappointment.

“Okay. Who is in the Order? And I’ll tell you know, I’ll know if you’re lying.” She proceeded to name as many as she thought he already knew, careful not to mention Severus. “And, to your knowledge, have any of my Death Eaters attended any Order meetings?” She could feel him trying to break into her mind, but she managed to block him out, though barely.

“No, my Lord. Not to my knowledge.”

“What are they planning?”

“Right now they’re just gathering forces. We haven’t done much else.”

“And what, may I ask, is guard duty?”

She panicked at this, but managed to still block his prying brain. “We take turns watching othe the Department of Mysteries.” As soon as she said it, she knew she had made a mistake, and immediately clapped her hand over her mouth.

“Very good. It is as I thought. You and Severus,” who was still panting and flinching, “may rise.” Slowly they did, never letting go of each other’s hands. Voldemort beckoned them forward with his long, pale hands. He pulled Tonks right up to his face, as though about to kiss her. “You have proved useful. Join the ranks,” he spewed, throwing her to the ground violently. She managed to let go of Severus’ hand so he didn’t fall as well. “As for you, you have lost my favor again. Crucio!” he screamed. Immediately he fell to the ground screaming in pain. Tonks knew better than to try and stop it this time, slowly joining the ranks, though she cried under her mask.

Whether it was five minutes or an hour, Severus didn’t know. He only knew that he was in pain and that it may never stop. When it did, he was lifted violently and hurled against a back wall. The Dark Lord proceeded to beat him until he could no longer stand. Three, four, five ribs cracked under his blows. His lip split. His jaw cracked. Still, he knew better than to try and stop it. It was only when Tonks sobbed openly that Voldemort stopped. “I think you have learned your lesson. Join the ranks.” Slowly and achingly, Severus went to stand by Tonks. “And now, for tonight’s entertainment. Tonks, step forward.”

Tonks, afraid to leave Severus to stand on his own, slowly released his hand and stepped forward. “What can I do for you, Master?” she asked, bowing and kissing the hem of his robes.

“Funny you should ask. Lucius, bring him out.” Lucius Malfoy brought forward a body, and though it appeared to be dead, Tonks realized he was merely petrified from a full body bind. Severus groaned to himself, knowing what was to come. “Death Eaters, what we have before us is a half blood squib.” There were murmurs of disgust throughout the hall. “Now, Tonks, you may be asking what this has to do with you. Tonight you are to prove your loyalty to me and to our cause.” She fought hardbitebite back a sharp retort. “You will kill him.”

She started, almost crying again. “I c-can’t do that,” she cried, then added quickly, “my lord.”

“Severus, step forward.” Severus immediately hobbled forward. “Now you have two choices, either you kill this squib, or I will kill Severus.”

“You c-can’t do that!” she stuttered.

“Oh no? Avada-” he started, pointing his wand at Severus. It began to glow green.

“Avada Kedavra!” Tonks cried. Immediately a bright green light shot from her wand, blinding the room. Then there was silence and the squib lay dead. Promptly, Tonks fell to the ground, sobbing. Severus rushed to her as fast his body would permit, attempting to soothe her. There were snickers of delight throughout the hall. Voldemort lowered his wand.

“She has promise, Severus. You all may go now.” Severus picked up Tonks and apparated them to the edge of Hogwarts, where he carried her painfully to his chambers. He collapsed and groaned from the pain the minute they hit the bedroom.

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