Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(35) Toned Dark

As darkness descended outside and the storm raged on, Sophie found herself lying in the comfort of the bed, her thoughts swirling with the enigmatic encounter she had just experienced. The storm outside seemed to mirror the turmoil within her heart as she wrestled with the complexities of love, loyalty, and the dark allure of the man known as Lord Voldemort.

As Sophie nestled into the plush linens, the distant rumble of thunder set a captivating ambiance, adding an air of mystery to the room. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an almost enchanting atmosphere that seemed fitting for the presence of a Dark Lord.

Her gaze was drawn to the mesmerizing dance of the Dark Mark on her arm. 'I never thought I'd witness this symbol etched on my skin,' she mentally squealed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The mark, a blend of sinister elegance and dark magic, seemed to hold a life of its own, a reminder of the path she had chosen to walk.

With gentle fingers, she traced the outline of the mark, careful not to make direct contact. To her amazement, the sinuous snake emerging from its mouth seemed to respond, following the path of her touch and sending ticklish sensations up her forearm. The darkness and constant motion filled her with an odd sense of elation, a sign that he was thinking of her or speaking of her. With a determined resolve, she rolled her sleeves back down, concealing the mark from view.

Pushing thoughts of the Dark Lord to the depths of her mind, Sophie refocused on finding Severus. Reluctantly, she acknowledged the reality of her room's inconvenient location, attached to the Dark Lord's quarters. It seemed the only way in and out was through his closet or by apparating as a Death Eater. The connection to the Dark Lord, however unnerving, provided her with a sense of security in a place riddled with danger.

As she glided her hands along the clothes hanging in the closet, Sophie couldn't help but notice the dominant presence of black garments. Amongst the sea of darkness, only five items deviated in color—shades of gray and rustic white, reminiscent of the attire Tom had worn beneath his school robes. It was as if a hint of his past self lingered in the closet, a silent reminder of the boy who had once dreamed of greatness.

Stepping out of the closet, she set her sights on the door, her pace quickening as she realized the room was unoccupied. With grand doors swung open, she once again faced the hallway, now teeming with fellow Death Eaters going about their duties. Their ominous presence sent a chill down her spine, reminding her of the dangers that lurked within these walls.

'Severus must be in one of the rooms downstairs,' Sophie thought as she made her way along the hall. The storm was rapidly subsiding, and the sun peeked through the dissipating clouds, casting a warm glow on the horizon. Judging by the position of the sun, she estimated the time to be around 5 or 6, though she was never one to excel at telling time.

Descending the columned stairs, Sophie spotted Bellatrix engaged in conversation with Severus by the mantled fireplace on the bottom floor. A surge of relief washed over her as she raced towards them, disregarding Bella's presence. Meeting halfway, Severus embraced her, lifting her off the ground in a tight hug.

"Thank Merlin you're safe," Severus whispered, gently setting her back down. Sophie couldn't help but notice his change of clothes—a black blazer with a short-sleeve black t-shirt underneath, though the blazer was on his lap. Undoubtedly, he chose this attire to blend in with the muggles during their explorations. His usual reserved demeanor seemed slightly softened in her presence, and she felt a sense of comfort and warmth in his embrace.

"How did your meeting with Lucius go? Did everything proceed as smoothly as you predicted?" he asked, his deep eyes searching hers for reassurance.

She reached for her left forearm, her smile widening, and replied, "Even better." Bellatrix, observing their interaction from the fireplace, caught sight of Sophie tugging at her sleeve as she spoke.