Melanie's POV

I couldn't understand him half the time I was with him.

I couldn't read him at all, even when I thought I did.

But once he confessed how he felt it was as if I was looking through a lattice...as small parts of him were slowly being revealed to me.

I honestly didn't want to bother with what scars we might've carried.

What burdens and scars were buried deep inside ourselves, where no one would find them.

Where no one could find them.

Even so, with such scars and baggage...I just knew I wanted to be with him.

Even knowing our scars will evidently catch up to us someday.

Still, even so as long as he wanted me, I'd be there.

His attentiveness to me was endearing in my eyes.

The way he bandaged my arm after I had burned it.

Taking me to the infirmary when I had fallen unconscious.

I was falling in love with him and I didn't care if I was clumsy or not.

And after casting the transportation spell in such a haste I couldn't help but laugh at our situation of awkwardness.

But of course my mind was still in a mushy and embarrassing mess when I used the spell, causing Severus's hand to land in an unexpected place.

But I wasn't anger...and that even surprised me.

Just really really really embarrassed that I wanted to hide in a hole somewhere.

What got me was how he didn't immediately let go...and I immediately didn't slap him across the face as I had the right to...but it was mostly my fault for using the spell in the first place.

"I'd guess that was your first time using the spell?" He lifted an eyebrow at me as I smiled shyly. My face as hot and red as ever I'd imagine.

"Yes it was."

I laughed a laugh I could barely hold back. More of less out of embarrassment as well as not knowing how to react to this flight and fight response I was feeling.

"Sorry. I just never had to use it before."

He stood up as he offered a hand to me.

I still couldn't believe...he had practically groped me accidentally.

But of course he wasn't that man...so maybe perhaps that is why I didn't slap him like I would've any other man.

That...and I had affections for Severus.

"Then I guess I will have to teach you a spell or two."

I wiped a few joyful tears away as he lifted me from the grass.

I had laughed because no matter how careful I tried to be around him, I always ended up with two left feet.

"What shall we do now that you've got us out in the middle of the night in the school's courtyard?"

"We could go back now, he should be gone-" He stopped me from using my wand by placing his hand over mine.

"You -really- shouldn't do that again." He warned with a non-aggressive tone, having his hand still lingering on mine.

I lowered my wand to comply to his suggestion to not cast the spell.

Just before I could say anything I heard a snap of a branch.

Just as someone was coming into view Severus hid me behind him.

"Who's there?" He seemed quite intimidating with such a sharpness in his voice as someone appeared from the shadows.

I wasn't able to make out the person right away being that I was behind Severus and all.

His broad shoulders looming over me...his dark raven hair...the way he made me feel shorter than I already was.

My head hardly went past his shoulders...at this point...how could I not find him handsome and attractive.

But of course, not many found him attractive. Probably all but me and if that's the case...I wouldn't see him for any less than he is.

"Well if it isn't Professor Snape~"

That voice was all too familiar...a voice that was ever echoing in the back of my mind.

Anxiety and terror filled me so much that my skin became cold and clammy.

My throat felt tight as pain sprang near my heart like someone was stabbing it with a dagger.

I clasped my hand to the area of where my heart was as I started gasping for air.

And just before I fell Severus had grabbed me, saving me from a fall.

"Well, well~ If it isn't little Annie? Clumsy as ever I see."

I gripped onto Severus's cloak with all the strength I had as I tried to stand once more.

That very nickname that escaped from this man's mouth brought such a dread of shivers down my spine.

"You don't look so good." Severus whispered as I winced in pain.

"I'll be alright Severus."

And when I stood up to what strength I had..my brother's face came into sight.

And what I saw was pure malice from him.

For what reason...I knew not.

"Please leave Knox."

My brother...my one and only brother was here out of all places.

"So nice of you to say 'please' Annie."

"Don't ever call me that. You know very well we were never close."

I hated that name he called me...as if to control me with fear.

"But we could be, after all...you are my little sister." He winked at me with his snake like eyes flashing for just a moment.

"You've been doing dark magic again?" I shouldn't have been surprised.

"Why not, when it's such fun~ Such a saint as you my sister...shouldn't be with such a vile beast as him." He pointed his wand as the hypocrite he was toward Severus as he made no effort to hide his look of hatred toward my brother.

It was as if my brother already knew who Severus was.

"Don't look at me that way Snape. You and I both know what terrible crimes you've committed. But have you confessed them to my dear little sister, that is the ultimate question? Ha...And they think I'm twisted?"

"You won't make me waver. Not ever."

"Waver on what?" He looked at me, then to Severus and back to me as his eyes grew wide as if a lightbulb had gone off above his head.

"Oh~ So you have feelings for Snivellus?"

One mention of that nickname and something seemed to have snapped in Severus as he raised his own wand toward my brother.

"I will knock you senseless boy!"

"And the dog barks. But no bite, how unfortunate. Unless he's just keeping his ground for the sake of our delicate rose." He shrugged his shoulders as he smiled dangerously at me.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around Annie. And it's not like I have to intercept on either of you two right now... Your world will fall apart soon enough dear sister." With little to no effort Knox was gone in a flash.

My knees buckled as my heart raced a mile a minute but I stayed my composure.

It was true..I had no restraints of holding back any bitterness I had for my brother.

After all...he was part of the reason why I left home in the first place.

Always reminding me of mother.

A heavy shiver as cold as iron filled my spine as I tried my best to take a deep breathe.

Severus caught me as my knees gave in.

"I can't seem to feel my legs."

"I can't..."

And then I broke.

Fear filled every corner of my being...flooded over every other emotion I had.

I couldn't keep it together.

I wasn't fine...I was far from it.

"I thought I was strong...strong enough to face my brother, but apparently not. I...I can't-"

"You're strong enough. Just believe that much." As his words filled my ears his wand raised upon my head.

A soft white glow appeared causing my eyes to lay heavy.

When I awoke I was in a bed underneath a blanket of fur.

It was my bedroom with no trace of Severus.

Sitting up I realized just how bad of a headache I had.

"Argh! Ow."

"Take it easy my dear."

It was Minerva. Or rather, Professor McGonagall.

"Don't seem so surprised. Is just me tending to your health is all Professor."

"Where's the Professor?"

She looked at me curiously as she placed a cup of tea at the side of my bed on a night stand.

"Are you referring to Professor Snape?"

"Yes. Is he alright?"

She smiled at me with a motherly nature.

"Professor Lockhart, there is no need to concern yourself with a more than capable wizard as him. Not when you yourself can barely stand."

"I'm afraid your'e right. Thank you."

"My pleasure dear."

"Professor...May I confess something?"

"Go on my dear." Minerva sat at the end of my bed as I sat up more properly to speak with her.

"I've been having severe trouble with sleeping lately. I'm afraid it's been causing worse damage to my health more so than it should be. I was wondering if something might've happened to me."

"I'm aware you're unwell Professor. Professor Snape mentioned your 'curse' before leaving. To release you from it is no easy feat. If it is indeed caused by dark magic, I'm afraid...there's little to nothing we can do."

"Who would?-" And then it came to me.

My brother.

He was the only person sick enough to actually do something this cruel.

"Knox." I barley even whispered it as Minerva looked at me confused.

"Knox?"

"My brother... I believe he might have something to do with this."

"Well if he does, he sure is quite advanced in the dark arts to have created such a complicated curse."

He indeed was...but what really concerned me was why he was here.

And if he was the culprit, why cast such a curse on his own sister?

Was he trying to kill me?