Blackwood. (A Severus Snape Love Story)

22.

I saw two boys running for a Cup; the TriWizard Cup.
As soon as they touched it, they disappeared into thin air, as if they had apparated.
I saw a graveyard.
And a gravestone, with one word:
'Riddle'.

My eyes shot open, and I looked up at Severus.
"Something is going to happen. Harry and Cedric...they're in trouble."
I turned in haste, with intent to apparate, when Severus gripped my arm.
"You're falling right into a trap, Lena. You mustn't go."
I let out a breath, and turned around to face him.
"I have to. I have to protect them...that's why I'm here." I replied.
Sev's hand found my cheek, and he caressed it for a moment before speaking.
"I cannot lose you." He whispered, fear flickering in his eyes for a moment.
I placed my hand on his, where it was set on my cheek. "You won't."
I smirked, stepping back. "Besides, who else will keep you in line, mister?"
Sev's lips turned up for a moment,  before he replied.
"Hurry. Please...be careful."
I nodded, before I apparated.
*******
I reappeared, undetected, crouched behind something.
I could hear a voice, and it made my skin crawl.
It was Voldemort.
I peered out, and saw Harry fall to the ground in front of the Dark Lord.
I could hear him taunt Harry, and suddenly spells began flying.
I gripped my wand in my hand tightly, prepared to fight, when someone scurried behind where I was hiding.
Harry.
He sat back, breaths coming rapidly, and he looked at me, confused.
"I'm here to save you." I whispered so quietly, I would have been surprised if he heard me.
"He wants me to duel him. He killed Cedric. The Cup was a portkey." Harry whispered back, fear written on his face.
I nodded. "I know."
Before he could ask how I did, we heard the Dark Lord speak.
He was telling Harry to face him.
Harry looked to me, and I nodded, putting a finger up to my lips.
Harry nodded, trusting me.
I waved my hand, and I was invisible, to everyone aside from Harry. I walked out from my hiding spot, and watched as Harry and Voldemort started to duel.
I glanced at the Cup, and covered my mouth at the sight of the body of Cedric Diggory.
I waved my hand, which I knew no one could see.
I watched as the graveyard started to fall apart, cracks appearing in every 'Riddle' gravestone, destroying them slowly.
The Dark Lord began to notice, and his eyes filled with anger.
He turned to Harry.
"How dare you!!" He screamed.
I smirked to myself.
"It wasn't him." I said out loud, and watched as Voldemort looked around, distracted, trying to find who spoke.
As soon as he lost focus, Harry raced toward me.
I crouched down, one hand on Cedric's body, Harry's arm in mine, and the portkey held by the both of us.

In a split second, we disappeared.

We reappeared, amongst the crowd, in front of the maze.
I stepped back, watching as Harry cried over Cedric's body.
I stared, stone cold.
I could feel Severus' eyes on me, and I met them, briefly.
I portrayed nothing.
We watched as chaos ensued.

Amidst it, I saw something that made me narrow my eyes.
Mad-Eye Moody was leading Harry out.
Without hesitation, I followed.
********
I stood against the door, listening.
I could hear their voices.
I didn't allow myself time to think, I acted.
I blew the door off the hinges, just as Albus, Severus, and McGonagall came up behind me.
They rushed in, and pinned Mad-Eye to the chair.
I went to stand beside Harry, my hand around his shoulder, as I watched the scene unfold.
I listened as Dumbledore asked him questions, as prompted by Veritaserum.
At one point, it was no longer Mad-Eye Moody. It was someone else entirely, the assumed Polyjuice Potion having worn off.
The real Auror was at the bottom of a chest.
Everyone looked toward the imposter.
"Barty Crouch, Jr."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
The man's eyes flickered to me, and a sadistic smirk laced his twisted lips.
"The Dark Lord is waiting for you. And your mother...she's longing to see you. You'll be just like her in due time, mark my words." He spoke, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
I narrowed my eyes, and waved my hand, effortlessly, and watched as my silver ropes tied him up, and his mouth fly shut, so he could no longer speak.
I let Dumbledore take Harry with him, and ignoring Sev's glances, I left the office.
~~~~
I took another sip of fire whiskey, as I stared into the fire.
"I thought I'd find you here."
'Here', being his personal quarters.
I smiled a little at his voice. I felt him sit down next to me.
"Where else would I be?" I retorted, giving him a look.
Severus chuckled. "Touché, Miss Blackwood."
I smiled a bit, but sighed a second later. I took another sip of fire whiskey.
"Is he right?" I asked, in a whisper, my eyes gazing into the fire.
There was a moment of silence, before I felt Sev grip my chin in his fingers, gently, and force me to look up at him.
"What that imbecile said does not matter. You are not your mother, Lena, nor will you ever be. I swear it." Severus stated, eyes searching mine.
"How can you possibly know that?" I replied.
"Because.....I love you."
My jaw dropped slightly, and I could feel my eyes filling with tears. I didn't say anything.
"And with that love, comes my faith in you."
I chuckled in disbelief. "Are you serious?!"
Severus rose an eyebrow in amusement. "Have you ever known me to be anything less than?"
I bit my bottom lip, smiling a little.
"You actually love me?" I asked, my smile growing wider.
Severus rolled his eyes playfully. "Are you going to make me say it again?"
I smirked up at him. "It wouldn't hurt."
He chuckled, putting an arm around me, and pulling me to him.
I laid my head on his shoulder, gazing into the crackling fire.
There was a second of comfortable silence, before I broke it.
"I love you too." I whispered.
I could feel him smile against my hair, before he spoke, his voice like velvet.
"Say it again."
*******