Forever and Always

Breakfast in Bed

I gasp awake from a terrible nightmare. I feel shaken to the core. Even with all these blankets piled on me, I shiver. Blankets? I use just one. And theres a sheet. I spring out of the bed but crumple to the floor when I step on my hurt ankle. I hear two sets of footsteps. I use my mind to check on who it is and my thoughts are confirmed.

The door bursts open and smacks the wall. There stands Severus and Lucius. I feel a mental probe and allow Lucius entry with only the most recent thing the nightmare. He nods before leaving us. "How long have I been out?" He snaps out of his thoughts and stalks over to me, lifting me gently back onto the bed. "Overnight. How's your ankle?" He inspects it and I wince everything time he applies pressure. "Very sore. I'd ask you not to touch it but that would be rude."

He takes his hands away and looks me over. "You seem alright besides that. But you didn't sleep well." I nod, eyes down cast. "You haven't had a good nights sleep since coming to our world, have you?" I shake my head, no. "Your night terrors are so intense that I can hear you down the hall some nights." I grimace. "You haven't intruded on my dreams have you?" He stares a moment. "No. It's your private matter. If you wish to tell me, I won't object." I sigh and lay back. "Not today. I can't yet." He nods.

Standing quickly he leaves the room, only to return with food. "I thought you might need some strength so I told an elf to prepare something." He sits the tray on my lap. "That is very kind, Sever- I mean professor Snape." He waits in a chair near the fire as I eat. "You have no clue how long its been since anyone has brought me food, let alone in bed." He seems shocked. "I would of thought you'd be well taken care of with your abilities." I sigh after finishing the coffee. "Not at all. I was ostracized the minute I showed interest in anyone that was well above my own age. Let alone if I had told them about my abilities!" He listens quietly.

"If I commented on a man above 25, regardless of intent, they would look at me like I disgust them. It got worse when I started finding movies characters, like yourself for instance, attractive." He says nothing but I feel his interest. "It wasn't intentional. I watched how awful the boys treated girls and women. Older men seemed more desirable because of how put together they were. Most of them, anyhow. Now here I am, risking myself for a man older than myself but I couldn't care less. I've fallen for him. And nothing will stop me from saving him. Once and for all."

He says nothing for a long moment. "That is very brave of you. And those people should be disgusted with themselves and grieve the loss of someone as powerful as you." I tilt my head at him. "I'd say the same but that's too personal for you to talk about." He tenses. "Correct. So don't mention it again." I nod and find my wand on the bedside table. I grab it and take a deep breath before pointing it at my ankle and saying, "Episkey." A pop can be heard and I groan at the stinging.

He turns around and raises an eyebrow. "What? I can't sit here forever. I have things to do, places to be and people to see. Now help me up. I need a shower and some clothes. Accio clothes." I turn to look him dead on. "I trust you not to do anything you shouldn't. Leave what you find on the counter." He glares at me. "And why should I?" I snort as I head into the bathroom. "Because you want to leave here as badly as I do."

A little while into the shower I hear the door open and close. I turn off the taps because I've finished and dry myself with the towels provided. I look on the counter and nod. He chose well. Simple dress and my normal heels. However, I didn't see a cape. Must have left it outside.

After dressing I head out to grab my cape, which is atop the chair but when I reach for it I'm startled. "What are you doing with my cape?" I take a deep breath with my hand over my heart. "You nearly killed me there Sev- professor. I thought it was mine?" He sighs. "No. Yours is on the door of the bathroom, you imbecile." I turn and sure enough its there. "Strange I didn't see it before. My apologies for nearly wearing yours."

He grabs his cape as I get mine and we head for the door. Just before I exit I catch sight of Lucius. I send him a message through his thoughts. "He's not caught on yet. Everythings good." Severus grabs my arm and we aparate back to Hogwarts.