_smoke_ (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} _smoke_) wrote,@ 2004-05-07 13:50:00 |
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Title: A Wizard's Tale, Part 3
Pairing: Snape/Tonks
Chapters: Nine through Epilogue
Summary: Snape and Tonks in a romp.
This is the first story I wrote - full of errors and clichés, no doubt. It was a featured story at Sycophant Hex on Occlumency for August 2005.
My thanks to the Marvelous Moaning Myrtle, Beta Mistress Extraordinaire.
************************************
Chapter 9:
It had been several months before he had seen Tonks alone again.
Snape had been in a really foul mood. He’d had one of those accursed Occlumency lessons with Potter that evening and now he had a raging headache. The boy was never going to learn from him. The whole thing was a waste of time but Dumbledore refused to see it.
Snape had been sitting at the table in his study trying to write up some notes on an experiment he’d been doing. It hadn’t been going well. A glass of whiskey sat at his elbow, half full. Outside, the air was almost solid the rainfall was that heavy and the wind made the windows rattle in their casements.
A brisk knock sounded on his door. He ignored it. It came again. He ignored it again.
“Yo, Snape! I know you’re in there. It’s me, Tonks.”
“Go away.” Each syllable was carefully and slowly enunciated.
“Come on, Snape. Let me in.”
“No.”
He went back to his notes.
The knock came again.
He closed his eyes and took a long slow breath through his nose.
“I advise you to leave, but if you won’t, then leave off that racket and enter.”
Tonks bounced in the door and settled herself in the chair opposite his table.
“How ya doin’?” Her hair was a shaggy bright yellow, her T-shirt olive green.
“You look like a wilting chrysanthemum.”
“Always the charmer, you are.” She gave him a big smile.
He waited.
She continued to smile.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
“Is there something you want?” His voice was very soft and low; a warning sign for anyone who knew him.
“Um, yes, there is. I’d like your advice.”
Of all the possible reasons for her being there, this one had not occurred to him.
“I can hardly conceive of it.” He waited.
She fidgeted.
“Tonks, I am in a very bad mood and I am busy. If you will bother me, would you please get on with it?”
“I’d like to know what you think of Gregory Venn.” She tucked her feet up on the chair and sat cross-legged.
Snape frowned in thought. “Ravenclaw. A year ahead of you. Why?”
“I was wondering what you thought about him?”
“I think nothing about him. Surely an Auror has the means to do a check on someone?”
Tonks flushed. “It’s not, uh, business.”
Snape’s eyebrows rose. “You cannot possibly have mistaken me for someone who writes an advice column for the lovelorn.”
“Of course not!” She shifted position. “He’s asked me out and I did do a routine check on him,” she was picking at a seam on the upholstery. “But, I don’t know, there’s something.” She shrugged. “I thought you might remember him.”
“Concise as always,” Snape’s tone was dry. “Would you like a whiskey?”
“Huh?” Tonks was caught off guard.
“And just as eloquent.” Snape used his wand to fetch her a tumbler of whiskey.
“What is it about him bothers you?” Snape’s voice was crisp and businesslike.
“I’m not sure....”
“Think!”
She concentrated. “It’s a feeling. As though he’s hiding something. Something unpleasant.”
“An accurate assessment. I always felt the same when he was a student. What do you think it is?”
Tonks sipped the whiskey and thought. “Well, he always seems all right, but,” she took another swallow. “I get the feeling he may not be a nice person.”
Snape gave a bitter laugh. “So you’re asking me? You spent seven years in my potions classes and you’re asking me if I think he’s a nice person? You think I’m any judge?”
Tonks flushed but looked him in the eye. “I think you are an excellent judge of people.”
He studied her for a moment. “Well, in this case, I believe you are as well. I would not trust him. Not with anything you value, at any rate.”
She sighed. “I was afraid of that.”
“Clearly, you already knew that. Why are you here?”
Tonks ran a hand through her bright hair. “I guess I just wanted another opinion.”
“No. Why are you here, at Hogwarts?” Snape was getting impatient. His bad mood, momentarily sidetracked, was coming back.
“Oh, I just had a message for Dumbledore.”
“So you thought you might as well come annoy me while you were on the premises?”
“That’s right,” Tonks was starting to sound a bit annoyed herself. “You’re always such a genial host.” She took a large swallow of the whiskey. “I really did want your opinion Snape. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yes.” He studied her for a moment. “Did you just assume I would recognize kindred cruelty?”
“You’re not a cruel man!” Tonks sounded shocked.
“No? You don’t consider that I have treated you cruelly? I have not hurt you?”
“No! Well, yes. No, not really. I mean,” she was flustered. “Not like you could have.”
“So because I used a little restraint and didn’t do you bodily harm you think I’m a nice man?” He was sneering at her.
“Well, yes. No. I’m not sure exactly what all your motives were, but no, I don’t think you are a cruel man.”
“So, what is it? You’ve come back to find out for sure?” He laid his quill very gently on the table and stood slowly. “Do you like pain, Tonks?” His voice dropped even lower as he leaned forward on the desk. “I assure you, my years as a Death Eater have taught me a great deal about the uses of pain. And right now, I’m in a mood that I just might be persuaded to share that knowledge with you. I might even enjoy sharing that knowledge with you.”
Tonks set the whiskey glass down with an unsteady hand. “I guess this is a bad time.” She got up and backed toward the door. “I’ll just go.”
Snape came around the desk and Tonks bolted. The door wouldn’t open. She wheeled around in a panic to find Snape right behind her. She flattened herself against the door and looked up into the glittering black eyes that were inches from her own. Suddenly her mind cleared. This was Snape. He wouldn’t hurt her. Too much.
He saw the fear leave her eyes and for some reason this annoyed him even more. He ducked his head and kissed her. A violent, brutal kiss. When he moved his head back, he saw blood on her lip and didn’t know if it was hers or his own. She had a shocked and wary look in her eyes but still no fear. Winding his long fingers in her hair he yanked her almost off her feet and dragged her toward the bedroom.
She squawked in protest and he hadn’t gotten much past the doorway when he felt the hair slide through his fingers. Looking at her he saw she had shortened her hair to the point he couldn’t keep a grip on it. She bolted for the bedroom door but he used his wand to slam it shut and lock it. Tonks spun around in a crouch, wand in hand. A disarming spell fired at Snape but he parried it easily. Lifting Tonks with a charm, he tossed her on the bed, waved her clothes away and jumped on her. She brought up a knee just in time to catch him hard in the groin. He fell to the floor with a grunt and Tonks rolled off the bed and charmed her clothes back on. She was on her way to the door when Snape’s spell locked her legs and sent her sprawling headlong. He staggered to his feet and deflected another disarming spell from Tonks. She was wiggling out of the leglocker curse when he sent a disarming spell in her direction. She deflected it with a smooth, backhanded motion and fired a curse back with the return pass. He ducked and it hit the bookshelf behind him sending several volumes to the floor. He heard her laugh as she gracefully avoided his next spell.
He faltered a step. She was having fun! That obstreperous little wench was enjoying herself! Suddenly his bad mood left him. Again, he lifted her and flung her on the bed. He was advancing on her, though more cautiously than last time when she charmed one of the fallen books out to trip him. He fell facedown beside the bed and she landed on him straddling his ribs; her wand pressed against the nape of his neck.
“Yippy-ki-yay, motherfucker!”
A yowling shriek from the top of the dresser over her head made her look up. A huge black cat was ready to spring at her.
The next second Snape had rolled her over and was straddling her; sending her wand flying across the room. The cat disappeared and a small ebony box stood in its place.
“Never gloat until you have completely disarmed your enemy and when you have the advantage, don’t stop!” They were both breathing heavily from their exertions. Tonks kept her eyes on his but he saw her hand edging toward her wand. Leaning forward, he trapped her hands with his own. This time his kiss was demanding but not damaging and she returned it with passion. Raising his head at last, her looked into her laughing eyes.
“Give up?”
He could see she was considering her chances of getting the upper hand.
“Give up, woman! You cannot win with me.”
“No?” She laughed up at him.
He smiled. A real smile that changed his whole face.
“No.”
“Well then. Can we discuss terms of surrender?”
A fire of passion lit his face. “I will consider only unconditional surrender.”
She flushed. “All right then.”
He stood, pulling her up by her wrists. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he encircled her with a rib-crushing hug. Their kiss was long and lingering.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Tonks was a bit worried.
“Yes, you did.” He nuzzled her ear.
“Shall I kiss it and make it better?” There was laughter in her voice.
“That, Tonks, is the very least you are going to do.”
****************************************
Chapter 10:
He scooped her up, dispensing of their clothes with a charm. Dropping her on the bed, he joined her, kneeling between her legs. Grabbing an ankle in each hand he set them on his shoulders then fell forward, landing with his hands on either side of her head. The motion lifted her hips off the bed and he drove all the way into her in one strong motion. Tonks gasped in surprise and tried to return the thrust but her position made movement impossible. Instead, she reached around and grabbed his buttocks, pulling him further in.
Using his weight and considerable strength, Snape drove into her again and again. She cried out, raking his back with her nails. After several moments, he rested briefly, grinding his hips against her. They were both sweating and panting from the exertion.
“Do you like that, Tonks?” He tossed his long hair out of his face. “Do you like being fucked hard?”
“Yes!” She squirmed her hips against his. “Please!”
He knew her release was close. He started driving into her again only this time more slowly. She writhed in protest.
“Please, Snape, please!” She was almost incoherent in her need.
Letting her ankles slide down his arms to lock at his elbows, he reached down for her neck. Opening his mouth against her skin he a sucked a good bit of it into his mouth. She arched her head back exposing as much of her neck as she could to him and he responded by sucking all the harder. She gave an inarticulate cry as her orgasm started to break over her. He gave a sharp twist to his head and released her neck as she convulsed and dug her nails into his shoulders.
She was still quivering with the last of her orgasm when he rolled off her onto his back. Sliding an arm under her shoulders he pulled her over, bringing her head down toward his hips.
“Suck!” He growled the command at her and after only a split-second hesitation, she complied with a will. The taste of her own juices was not the least unpleasant and she slid him all the way into her mouth using her throat and tongue muscles to suck the length of him. He groaned and she gave up all finesse and sucked and stroked him as though her life depended on it.
Snape threw his head back and closed his eyes. He had not intended to come yet, but it felt so good. Slipping a hand behind her head so she couldn’t pull away, he came forcefully into her mouth. Far from pulling away, she gulped and sucked, using her hand and mouth to milk the last drop of cum from him.
When he was through, she ran her tongue once more around the head of his cock and moved up to kiss him. Her tongue slipped between his teeth and he started when she fed him back some of his own cum. It was her turn to grip the back of his head as she pressed the advantage his surprise had given her. He returned her kiss savagely, sucking her tongue and running his around the inside of her mouth. When they released each other, someone again, had a bloody lip.
Tonks wiped the blood from her mouth and licked it off her finger, keeping her eyes on Snape’s the whole time.
He shoved her over on her back settled between her legs. Wasting no time, he brought her to orgasm as quickly as he could. Four times.
Moving up beside her on the bed he rolled her still quivering body on top of his.
“Sit up!”
She pushed against his chest and moved her hips back; a look of surprise and pleasure coming over her face when she discovered his erection. Raising herself up, she positioned herself carefully and sank down on his cock. Throwing her head back she gave a deep sigh of contentment.
“Accio!”
She opened her eyes to see the top of the little ebony box on the dresser fly open and something that glittered in the lamplight flew into Snape’s outstretched hand. She watched with curiosity as he disentangled two objects connected by a fine silver chain. They were interwoven loops of silver forming a design reminiscent of a clover leaf though more oval in shape. They were about four inches long with the chain attached at one end and the other ending in two spatulate fingers. They looked like some sort of fancy, bizarre tweezers.
Snape reached up and fondled her breast for a moment, then twisted and tugged her nipple until it stood at attention. He held her breast with one hand and the long fingers of the other squeezed the clover leaf in the middle. The spatulate ends opened like a small pair of jaws. Even as she realized what he was about to do, he did it; placing the silver jaws on her nipple and releasing the spring action of the clamp. Pain stabbed through her and she gasped.
“Shit! Snape, that hurts!” She pulled back reaching for the clamp at the same time. He grabbed her wrist with one hand and hooked the chain of the clamp with a finger of the other. As the chain came taught, the clamp tightened, biting into her tender flesh even more.
“I suggest you don’t do that.” The voice was silky.
“It hurts!” She protested.
“I know. It’s supposed to.”
Quickly, he released her wrist and a second stab of pain told her he had fastened on the second clamp faster than she would have thought possible.
“Son of a bitch!” Tonks started to swing her leg over Snape.
He picked up the chain and gave it a gentle tug. Tonks cried out and froze.
“Get back where you were!”
As soon as she moved to comply, he let the chain fall slack.
“You agreed to terms of unconditional surrender. Need I remind you?” His voice was arrogant.
She gulped. “No sir.”
“Am I going to have to bind and gag you?” His black eyes watched her closely.
She dropped her eyes and her hands to her thighs and he smiled to hear that her whispered, “No sir” held no trace of sullenness.
He splayed his fingers against her hips and his thumbs found her clit. Gently he touched her; rolling her clit between his thumbs, circling and stroking it. She drew a long shuddering breath and moved her hips against him. He responded by moving his own hips in a twisting motion. He could feel her increasing arousal as she became wetter and wetter inside and could see it in her face as she closed her eyes and flung her head back.
Her motions and breathing became more erratic and he knew she was close once again. Reaching up with one hand he released first one clamp then the other then grabbing the back of her neck he pulled her down. She let out a scream as the blood flow back to her nipples brought a fiery pain that suddenly increased when he closed his mouth on her nipple and sucked hard. First one, then the other and she screamed again as her orgasm washed over her.
She lay shaking and shivering on his chest while he stroked her back. Eventually, she pushed herself upright and swung her leg over him ending up rather ungracefully sitting on the edge of the bed. Snape sat up beside her.
“Drink?” His voice was conversational. He picked his wand up from the bedside table and produced two large glasses of clear liquid on the dresser. Walking over, he picked them up and handed one to Tonks. She sipped cautiously.
“It’s water!” She was surprised.
“You’re not thirsty?” Snape had already drained his.
“Very,” she smiled and drank all of hers. He set the glasses back on the sideboard and Tonks moved toward her clothes.
“What are you doing?” Something in his voice made Tonks freeze.
“I, um, I thought....”
“Thought I was finished?”
Tonks gulped seeing plainly that he wasn’t.
Snape’s hand dropped and caressed his erection gently.
“As you can see,” he smiled. “I’m not.”
He moved to the bed and drew her close by her arm. Picking up the clamps he sorted them out.
Tonks thought her knees would cave.
“Please, not again,” she whispered.
Snape closed his long fingers around her throat and slid his hand up under her chin tilting her head back. He tightened his grip enough to be uncomfortable but not enough to shut off her air. She met his eyes unflinchingly. He studied her closely for several seconds before a slow smile spread over his face. He had seen exactly what he needed to see before he continued. Apprehension but no real fear. Submission but not defeat. Trust and under it all, a deep arousal.
“Yes, Tonks.” His voice was soft. “Again.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and moved her so she stood straddling one knee. Reaching up he fondled her breasts gently; stroking, squeezing, rolling the nipples between his fingers and pinching them gently. She kept her eyes on his and though she tried not to show it, he could see her rising arousal.
When he picked up the clamps again, she closed her eyes but didn’t pull away. She did flinch when the second one went on, but still didn’t protest. When his hand moved down and began spreading her other lips and teasing her clit, she opened her eyes. They went wide in horror. He had a third, smaller, clamp in his hand.
“Oh, Snape, no. Please,” It was barely a whisper.
She started to lean away but he hooked the chain between her breasts with a finger and she stilled before it pulled tight.
He watched her closely. She gulped but didn’t move or make any more protest. He went back to what he was doing. Gently, ever so gently, he fastened the clamp on her clit. She moaned and swayed a little. She steadied her, then moving aside ordered her onto the bed.
“On your hands and knees.”
She moved to the center of the bed and waited.
He ran a hand down her back and over her bum. She had broken out in a light sweat. Picking up a small silver weight, he hung it on the chain swinging from the nipple clamps. Tonks started to tremble.
Moving behind her, her entered her gently, sliding deep inside and pausing. She didn’t resist and he started stroking in and out of her more firmly. The weight on the chain started to sway and Tonks made a small sound. Gripping her hips firmly, he drove into her hard. He heard her gasp and continued driving into her in short, sharp strokes. Within seconds, he felt her start to respond, pushing back against him. He enjoyed himself for a few moments watching and judging Tonks reactions. At the point when she seemed almost hypnotized by the fucking, he drew back out of her, repositioned and without warning drove his cock all the way into her ass.
Her cry was long and low and she tried to twist away from him but he held her firmly, driving into her with the same speed and rhythm as before.
Within mere seconds, she was responding again and with more enthusiasm than ever. Gauging her to be on the brink of orgasm he reached forward releasing both nipple clamps at once. She gasped. Then he took the clamp from her clit. Her orgasm exploded. He held her with difficulty, driving into her and finding his own release. When she finally stopped shaking, he eased out of her gently and she fell on her side.
He lifted her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and hung limp as a rag doll. He carried her into the bathroom and started the shower with a word. Stepping carefully into the tub he held her so the water streamed down her back. She didn’t so much as raise her head from his shoulder.
“Come on, Tonks. You’re not dead yet.” His voice held no sympathy.
“Yes I am,” she mumbled into his neck.
He slapped her sharply on the bottom causing her to jump violently and drop her legs from around his waist.
“Bastard.” She grumped at him.
“Is that anyway to talk? Need I teach you manners?” His voice was threatening.
She held a hand against his chest and looked him in the eye.
“Oh, no. Enough. I give up. I surrender. I quit. I will grovel at your feet in humblest apology and abject humility but no more.”
“Grovel? Really?” He quirked an eyebrow.
Tonks giggled, life returning to her expression and voice. “Well maybe not grovel.”
“How about if you wash my back?” His voice was soft.
She smiled up at him. “I think I could manage that.”
*************************************
Chapter 11:
The shower went a long way toward reviving them both and after a quick drying spell they were dressed and back in Snape’s bedroom.
“Good Lord,” he was looking around at the wreckage caused by the duel. “It looks as though a couple of kids were fighting in here.”
“That about covers it.” Tonks nodded.
Snape cast her a withering look and with a wave of his wand, put the room right.
“Drink before you go?”
“You kicking me out?”
“I am. You interrupted me. I have a lot to do and you’re a pain in the arse.”
Tonks laughed gaily. “I really do think, Snape, that title belongs to you.”
He couldn’t help a small smile. “If you say so.”
“I do!” She started toward his living room, her stride rather short and stiff.
Snape watched her critically. “What’s wrong with you?”
Tonks flushed. “It would seem,” she had to stop and clear her throat, “that I’m a little sore.”
Snape couldn’t help a big smile this time.
“Come here.” He came up beside her and slipping an arm around her, pulled her hip snuggly against his groin.
“Ah, Snape.....” she looked at him pleadingly.
“Oh, hush, for Heaven’s sake.” He sounded cross.
Holding her against him at right angles with one hand, he brought the other up and laid it gently over her breast. She flinched slightly and he frowned at her. She relaxed. He ran his hand lightly over first one breast then the other, then slid it down over her belly and between her legs. His other hand left her side and stroked down over her bum. After a couple of seconds she looked up at him in surprise as all the pain melted away. He smiled and stepped back.
She blinked. “Thank you.”
“Oh,” he touched the large bruise on her neck. “One more thing.”
Tonks blushed a deep red and sidled away.
“Uh, mind if I keep that?”
“Whatever for?” He was mystified.
“A souvenir.”
“That’s adolescent.” He did not point out to her that the mark was already gone.
She shrugged. “Didn’t you offer me a drink?”
“I think you may be too young to drink.” His voice was sour.
“Aww, come on Snape. You know I’m not gonna tell anybody where I got it.”
“Not that they’d believe you if you did,” he snorted.
He conjured two glassed of a lovely amber liquid.
Tonks sniffed and then took an appreciative sip.
“Nice!” She wrinkled her nose. “Better than whiskey.”
“It’s a Muggle drink. Peach Schnapps. Too sweet for most times but occasionally enjoyable.”
“Oh!” Tonks suddenly remembered something.
Snape seemed to know what she was thinking. He moved to his desk and took a brown bottle from the bottom drawer. Summoning a glass from the sideboard he poured a couple of ounces of liquid into it and brought the glass to Tonks.
“You keep some in your desk?”
He scowled at her as she took the glass.
Swirling the liquid in the glass she frowned. It was a clear, pale, yellow-green.
“This isn’t just a contraceptive potion, is it?”
He studied her for a moment.
“No.”
She looked up at him. He was watching her with an intensity and stillness that reminded her of a cat about to pounce on some small, unfortunate animal.
She took a deep, slow breath.
“You want me to drink it?”
“Yes.” He barely moved a muscle.
She studied him a moment.
“All right.” She swallowed on a dry throat then tossed the liquid back in one gulp. It had a slightly sharp taste and she swallowed again. Nothing happened.
Snape inclined his head slightly and the glass left her hand and deposited itself on the sideboard with a small thud. He than sat at his desk, picked up his quill and went back to his notes.
Tonks curled up in the armchair and sipped her drink. She watched him for a few minutes.
“I’m not going to sprout feathers, am I?”
“Pardon me?” She was relieved to see he looked more puzzled than annoyed.
“The potion. I’m not going to sprout feathers?”
Snape didn’t smile but the expression around his eyes softened.
“No, Tonks, you are not going to sprout feathers.”
“Well,” she shifted in the chair. “That’s something, I guess.”
Tonks looked at the liquid in her glass. “So what was in the potion?”
Snape looked up with a small smile. “Forget it, Tonks.”
A few more minutes passed with only the sound of the rain, the wind and the scratching of Snape’s quill against the parchment.
“You really are going to kick me out, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am. If you are quiet, I will allow you to finish your drink first. If you insist on chatting, it will be a lot sooner.” He didn’t look up from his notes.
“You’d throw a girl out on a night like this?”
“There are over 700 rooms in this school; I’m sure there is one in which you could spend the night.”
Tonks drained her glass. “All right. I know when I’m not wanted.” She got up but hesitated before heading for the door. Taking a deep breath, she approached Snape. She started to reach out a hand to him but her courage failed.
“Snape?” Her voice was soft, almost apologetic.
“What?” He didn’t look up from his notes despite the fact that she stood right next to him.
Tonks fidgeted.
Snape laid his quill down with a sigh and stood up. Turning to Tonks, he stepped close to her and looked down into her face. Sliding his hands up her arms, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss and her arms came up and circled his neck. His arms slid round her waist drawing her close and he deepened the kiss. He took his time, exploring the nooks and crannies of her mouth with his tongue; sucking on her lower lip and gently nibbling it. The kiss went on and on and Tonks’ knees started to give out. She let herself sag against the strong wall of his chest and totally gave herself up to him.
He broke off gently and with a firm hand steered her to the door. She paused in the open doorway.
“You know, of all the secrets at Hogwarts, you are definitely the best kept one.”
He snorted. “Go away.”
Tonks flashed him a smile and left.
She skipped up the stairs to the Front Hall and drew up sharply as the huge clock struck the hour. Ten o’clock! She was astonished. How could it be ten o’clock? Tonks looked around the quiet hallway in confusion. Hadn’t she just left Dumbledore’s office, and hadn’t his clock read 7:30?
****************************************
Chapter 12:
Snape scowled into the fire.
Tonks! Irresponsible woman. Offensively cheerful and obnoxiously chatty.
He hadn’t seen her for months. Not since she had come to his rooms seeking advice, whatever that had been about. He had been is such a foul mood that day and he had taken it out on her. He would never have hurt her, not really, even if her pleasure in their duel hadn’t lifted his black spirits.
He shook his head and took another sip of wine. She was no one he would ever want to be involved with but she was certainly an outstanding sexual playmate. He had somewhat regretted giving her the forgetfulness potion, but felt it was for the best. There was no point in chancing her forming any kind of an attachment to him.
He snorted. Not that it was likely. She seemed to have a pretty good idea of what she wanted out of life and it didn’t include long term association with a bad tempered wizard. But he saw no reason to push his luck. Two encounters were one thing; having the third memory might have given her ideas.
She could have died at he Battle of the Ministry. As it was, she was lying in hospital badly injured. All because of that Potter brat!
Without really thinking what he was doing, Snape got up and tossed a little floo powder into the fire.
“Albus?”
“Yes, Severus?” Dumbledore’s head appeared in the flames.
“Now that you and Professor McGonagall are both back, would you mind if I absented myself from the school for a short while?”
“Not at all, not at all. I appreciate you staying on the spot for us, but things are coming to an even keel again for the moment and I see no difficulty in your leaving for a time.”
“Thank you, Headmaster.” Snape was already reaching for his cloak.
“Give her my best, won’t you, Severus?” The Headmaster smiled.
Snape looked completely taken aback for a moment, then collecting himself answered, “Of course, Albus; of course.”
Tonks was dozing lightly when something nudged her senses awake. She opened her eyes to see the empty hospital ward; a lamp burning low by the door. She frowned; what had wakened her? She turned her head slowly, she hurt all over, and gave a painful start when the foot of her bed came into sight. Standing there, arms folded and looking like a large (and grumpy) bird of prey, was Snape. He was scowling; of course.
“Hey,” Tonks greeted him weakly and tried to move up on the pillows. She quickly decided it wasn’t worth the pain and lay still. “What are you doing here?” Her voice was low even though they were alone in the ward.
“I see,” his voice dripped disdain, “that you’ve not been careful.”
“Careful!” Tonks sputtered in anger. “How can you say that! You weren’t there! You didn’t see.....” She had tried to rise again but had fallen back in frustration.
He raised an eyebrow. She took a deep breath and decided he was not going to get to her.
“I’m feeling much better. Thanks for asking,” she spoke calmly.
His scowl deepened.
“It was utterly unnecessary. If that brat Potter hadn’t gone haring off on a wild goose chase playing the hero, this never would have happened!”
“Don’t you dare!” She was furious. “Don’t you dare belittle what those kids did! Do you know how much courage that took?”
“Ignorance and bravado!”
“No,” she answered in a steady voice. “Love. And loyalty.”
Snape snorted in disgust.
“Not everyone,” she went on softly, “considers those qualities to be character defects.”
He seemed to jerk slightly then gave an exaggerated sigh. “Gryffindors.” He looked as though the word left a bad taste in his mouth.
Tonks gave a mischievous grin. “At least I was brought down by a Dark Wizard and not by a bird.”
He drew himself up to full height. “I assure you....”
“Stop!” She cut across him, then held out her hand. “Please, Snape. Don’t quarrel with me. I’m not strong enough and I know what you’re trying to say anyway.”
He looked slightly confused.
“Please?”
He looked at her for a moment then stepped to the side of the bed and took her hand awkwardly. She gave his a squeeze and released it.
“Thanks for coming.”
He shrugged and rearranged his cloak. “Dumbledore sends his regards.”
“You told him you were coming?” Tonks was surprised.
“No,” the word was grumpy.
She laughed lightly. Her ribs hurt. “Figures. He really doesn’t miss much,” she said in wonderment.
She was suddenly tired and closed her eyes. He stood watching her for a few moments in silence. “Where’s your wand?” It sounded like an accusation.
Tonks grinned without opening her eyes. “They won’t let me have it. They’re afraid I might try some magic and think I’m so weak it’ll hurt me.”
“You should never allow yourself to be separated from your wand.”
“Yes, sir!” She looked at him and smiled fondly. “Thanks again for coming. I know it was hard for you.”
Snape looked abashed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He turned toward the door with a swirl of his cloak. “I must return to the school.”
“Snape?”
“What?” he spun on his heel, frown in place.
“Would you hand me some of that pain potion before you go?” She indicated the bottles on the bedside table.
He came back and without a word sorted through the medicines and handed her the proper bottle, sniffing it carefully before giving it to her.
She gave him a weak smile. “Thank you.”
He watched her drain the bottle and took it from her to set on the table again. Her eyes drooped shut immediately and her breathing slowed. He stood for a moment looking down at her, then slowly, as though almost against his will, he reached out and touched her cheek. A moment later, he was gone.
This is The End of the Snape/Tonks adventure. The timeline continues with Snape and a new character. Tonks will appear from time to time and has a part in the story, but not as she has in the past. The new story is originally named, The Wizard’s Tale; A Continuation – I hope you’ll give it a try.