Okay, the usual disclaimers apply; I only own the meager plot that comes with the story. Other than that… I have no copyright whatsoever… maybe except owning all four books plus several other stuff related to Harry Potter =)

Note: If anyone has forgotten, Hermione is Adariel, and Severus is Dominic. They still don't know one another yet… it's a masquerade, remember?

Salvation – Don't pass me by

SilverDawn

Chapter 4: The Assault

At another corner of the dungeons, Severus heard the terrified scream… the voice that sounded so familiar.

            Oh, shit.

            Another scream reached his eyes. Following the direction of the scream and its echo, Severus Snape ran in the direction of the Potions classroom at a breakneck speed.

            He had expected many things, but a woman being raped by a bunch of students wasn't one of them.

            Severus was furious, hands trembling as he tried to control his temper. He knew who those students were… Slytherins that were sons of Death Eaters, all of whom no doubt, would follow their parents' footsteps, if they had not already done so.

Brandishing his wand, he shouted, barely able to keep the rage from entering into his voice.

"Stupefy! Expelliarmus! Petrificus Totallus!"

            The boys who held onto Adariel went unconscious, whilst the one who was stroking her breasts fell, petrified. The straw-haired Slytherin who had his private member in Adariel's mouth was thrown to the wall where he lay unconscious, leaving only those watching and the brown-haired boy stunned by the sudden entrance of the furious man.

            Severus glared at the boys, obsidian eyes blazing with uncontained fury as he uttered these words, "Hundred points from Slytherin, and detention with Filch for a month. Now, get out before I throw Unforgivables at you filthy lot."

            The bunch of boys who were still conscious did not bother to help their fallen mates. Instead, they scattered for their lives, for fear of what the unfamiliar-looking man might do. Scowling at the boys, Severus took one last look at the fleeing figures before going over to Adariel, seeing silent tears falling from those blue-gray eyes that looked tormented and anguished. He pushed away the student who had been petrified, gathering the sobbing young woman into his arms.

            Unexpectedly, Hermione recoiled from his touch, but Severus continued to hug her tightly, murmuring in a gentle, calming tone, "It's all right now, Adariel. You are safe."

            And Hermione sobbed uncontrollably, unable to forget what those filthy boys had done to her.

            Severus, in turn, just let her cry as he gathered her into his arms, leading her to his room within the dungeons…

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            The setting was exactly the same as in her dream… except that she hadn't been sobbing her heart out in his arms.

            Dominic had held her throughout the period of time when she cried her heart out, her fear of what had happened and how she had not been able to see anything clearly earlier on still vividly etched in her mind. When her sobs finally subsided, Hermione whispered, "I'm scared, Dominic. I don't think I can get over it… not now, not ever."

            Hearing her words, Severus just hugged her tighter, rubbing circles behind her back, comforting her, "You will. Whatever I can do to help you forget, I will do it." His determined tone warmed her heart, and weighing her decisions, she finally whispered, "Hold me, please."

            Startled, Severus pulled back to stare at her in disbelief. The look of pleading evident made the man feel hot all over.

            "Adariel… You have no idea what you are asking." His voice was brimming with passion, a fact that was acknowledged by both of them. Hermione felt her own face burn with her bold request, but she whispered once more, "I want you, Dominic. Please, make me forget."

            Severus Snape no longer needed another invitation.

Swooping down to take her lips, he kissed her as tenderly as he possibly could without scaring her. His tongue swept upon her upper lip, teeth gently nipping it as he felt the tension ebb from her slightly stiff body. Slowly, she opened her mouth, allowing Severus to enter, tongues playing a game for give and take.

Merlin! She's so sweet!

He pulled her closer to himself, never relishing from the kiss as he drew light circles on her back. This time, it elicited a slight shiver from Hermione, and Severus ended the kiss, breathing deeply, his voice husky, "Ariel, I promise you, you won't regret this…"

            "I will not." Hermione replied softly, giving the man a smile that melted his heart.

            Engaging her in another kiss, this time more passionate than before, Severus caressed her breasts through the soft fabric of her dress, drawing a moan as their tongues sparred once more. His other hand went to the back of her dress, undoing the straps of lace as he continued stroking her bare back.

            Hermione was starting to feel warm, a tingling sensation that focused mostly at her nether region. She started mimicking her lover's actions, making circles with the tips of her fingers on Severus' chest. This made the man growl as he started undoing Hermione's dress.

            Hermione's innocent caresses had a way of making him feel insurmountable desire for her; an experience that wrapped around him so forcefully that it was nearly uncontrollable.

            So much for a slow seduction…

            Once the dress was removed, Severus nuzzled his face between her breasts, occasionally sucking a taut peak as Hermione arced against him. It felt so good… that unknown yearning for what was to come. Suddenly, she felt the urge to feel him under those garments, and in haste, started tugging at his turtleneck. Severus, feeling impatient, helped her pull the cloth over his head and out of the way…

            … Only to feel Hermione stifle a gasp as she noticed something that revealed his identity.

            Puzzled, Severus followed the woman's shocked gaze to his left forearm where the Dark Mark glowed sinisterly under the firelight. He too, stiffened on realization that Hermione had known his identity, inwardly cursing himself for getting too carried away. Hastily, he tried wearing back the shirt, but the silvan-haired lady stopped him, whispering unsteadily, "… Severus?"

            At a loss for words, the potions master just nodded, eyes never leaving Hermione's blue-gray ones. He could sense shock and fear in her eyes, but between the two emotions, there was another more prominent one.

            Pain.

            Pain that was held for him though he never managed to decipher it out.

            Hermione stared into the bottomless onyx orbs; finally realizing whom it had been who had entertained her so thoroughly during the ball. Instinctively, she had known that Dominic was no ordinary character. His manners could be considered impeccable in comparison to the boys she had known, and his wit had been endearing, unlike the bawdy ones most boys of her age possessed. During their short time together, Hermione had often felt an air of loneliness around the man although he had seemed rather animated in their friendly banter.

            Now she understood why… he did live a lonely life. From her conversations with Harry and Draco, she had come to know of the potion master's double life – a life he risked undertaking for their cause, for the cause of the light. Hermione had, long ago, deduced that underneath his strict posterior, Severus Snape held a warm heart. She was intelligent enough to know that the scowling, evil-git-of-the-dungeons had been a very well built-up façade, but she had never before seen his true personality. One that held laughter, joy, and smiles.

            Noticing her silence, Severus turned away, not wanting to show the hurt that was etched on his face. The Dark Mark had constantly scared people away from him, and despite his strict control, the pain would well from his heart, signifying how weak he was in his own eyes. Time and again – it was so many that he couldn't bother to count – Voldemort's brand on him had made people leave him. His family, his friends (excluding the Death Eaters), and even his fiancée, which had been a long time back.

            No. He did not expect Adariel – whom he had known for only a few hours, to accept him like Dumbledore and Minerva did. Not when so many others had shunned him.

            That was why he had shocked when a pair of arms snaked over to envelop him into a strong hug.

            Hermione hugged him tight, never relenting as she placed her face on his back, savoring in his warmth. Severus was in pain, that much she knew, and despite her poor vision, she could see him tremble slightly while he tried calming himself down. Slowly, his hands covered hers, an unsteady voice coming from his throat, "Adariel, you do not have to comfort me so."

            Relieved that he was speaking once more, Hermione scooted over to face him, replying gently, "I have no intention to. I just wanted you to know," here, she brought his left forearm, or more precisely, the Dark Mark to her lips, continuing, "that I do not despise you because of this." There, she kissed the thing that Severus cursed most about, before kissing the man's lips gently.

            "No matter what Dominic, Severus, I still love you." Hermione replied sincerely, her eyes never leaving the man's, whose onyx eyes looked bright with emotion. He had never expected this unrestrained love from the woman in his dreams, and the sensations that now flooded him made him fuzzy all over. Pulling her into a tight embrace, Severus kissed her ardently, murmuring in that low voice of his, "I love you too" before actions took over both of their words. For the couple, the night became one of heated passion.

All in all, it was a night that would be unforgettable for them.

But for Hermione, it'll be the start of hell.

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            It ended in the same way too. Severus had sworn not to be affected by sleep like he had seen himself in the dream, but perhaps Destiny had played a part in the making of the dream, for Fate had him sleeping like a babe by the time Hermione was deigned to leave.

            Now that the dream had been made true, Hermione mused cynically at how Fate just adored playing with the lives of people. Student-teacher relationships had never been permitted within Hogwarts, and rules about this had been strict to say the least.

No doubt Sever… no; Professor Snape would be appalled should he know whom he had bedded. Hermione thought sardonically as all sorts of emotions warred within her mind whilst she gazed at the man's sleeping face. He no longer looked strict with the façades gone, and the way he curled up beside her, a hand protectively held at her waist had been sweet, if not endearing.

Glancing at the clock, she sighed, knowing that she would have to go soon. The Glamouries will fade at midnight, and she did not want him to know who she truly was. Let it be a dream, she thought quietly, a beautiful dream. Even with that conviction in mind, Hermione still felt miserable when she dressed up hurriedly, pulling over the cloak the man had handed her earlier on. Then, remembering what she had done in the dream, she took out the locket from the hidden pocket within her gown, opening it to reveal a smiling picture of her family – a muggle photo taken just before her parents died.

With a few muttered words, the picture changed to one of Severus and her, smiling at the camera. It could never be truly taken, but this was a good enough keepsake. Gently, she placed the locket on the side table and went over Severus' side, gazing at him for one final time.

The clock had struck, the sound signaling that she had little time left. Hermione smoothed down his damp hair, tracing his jaw line with her forefinger before giving him a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Some will get broken, others will get lucky… Don't pass me by." She sang softly as tears trailed down her cheeks.

"We cannot defy Fate Severus. I'm sorry it had to end this way… but, I love you." Hermione whispered before fleeing from the room, the clock chiming twelve with her departure. The room fell dark, save the light that came from the cackling fire, and the silver locket that seemed to glow with its own light…

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The next day…

            Severus awoke to the feeling of being at peace with everything in the world. However, the mood was quick to vanish when he felt the empty place that once held Adariel. Frantically, he looked around for her presence, hoping against hope that she'd still be here even though it was already morning. The potions master could still smell the faint dewberry and jasmine – her scent that, even now, lingered in the room, though there was no sight of the silvan-haired lady.

            He caught a glimpse of silver by the side table soon enough, and with trembling hands, opened the medallion. A picture of him and her was revealed, one that could never be really taken.

            She had not been a dream.

            This Severus was certain.

            But she's gone.

            In an instant, Severus Snape, resident evil of the dungeons, screamed in anguish.

            It was a scream that echoed throughout the school.

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            At the head boy and girl's shared dormitory, Draco awoke to the scream while Ginny rubbed her eyes, wondering who it had been who had let out such a sorrowful holler. She did not bother with it for long though, for Draco urged her back to sleep – an urge she complied rather easily, given how tired she had been.

            Draco, in turn, smiled at the sleeping redhead, kissing her forehead as he pulled on a dressing robe. The night before had been wonderful for the two of them, and Ginny had been very pleasant company before they knew whom each other was. No one had expected to find one another in those disguises, but within seconds of knowing whom their partner had been, Draco had her swept out of the hall and into his room, engaged in heated passion.

            Making his way out of the bedroom, the platinum-blond haired boy wondered idly how his friend was faring, not having checked on her during the night after he ordered her to bed. The illness that was plaguing Hermione has been recurring more often these few days, yet the brunette had been adamant of not seeing the doctor, claiming that it wasn't serious. Today though, he will make her see his trusted medi-wizard with or without her consent, her behavior sometimes was scaring him. Somehow, he'd have to coerce her into seeing the doctor… perhaps with Ginny's help. That could make the entire ordeal more pleasant.

            Nonetheless, he did not have time to contemplate on how to execute his plan, for by the time he walked out of his room, the sight of Hermione sprawled on the common room floor, unconscious, brought a bout of frenzy in the head boy's mind.

            Immediately, a yell could be heard.

            "Ginny! I need your help!"

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End of chapter 4