Through Tinted Windows

Chapter 12

Dadalhin kita sa'king palasyo

Dadalhin hanggang langit ay manibago

Ang lahat ng ito‎'y pinangako mo

Dadalhin lang pa lang ang hangin ang pangarap ko.

Excerpt of 'Dadalhin' ( Technically saying 'I'll Bring')

Sung by: Regine Velasquez

------------~~~~~~~ o ~~~~~~~------------

The neighbors of apartment number sixty-four did not question the man residing within. His demeanor only expressed a great evil in him. Everywhere he went, he would glare icily and regard others with an air of arrogance and power. They had every right to be angry with him for they were not used to the disrespect he gave them. His presence only created fear and they never bothered to rebuke. They knew when he was coming. He would stalk up the stairs as if he owned the whole building. Those who were unfortunate enough to be caught in the hallway and far from their apartment door pressed themselves against the walls, cringing as he passed.

Many would hold their breathe, almost believing that they would be poisoned by the mere scent of him for the daggered looks he sent seemed dangerous enough to turn them to stone. That night was particularly bad. As he walked to his room his arm had actually shot out and grabbed a man who had dropped his keys on the floor and slammed him against the tile wall, knocking him out cold. As he dropped his victim, the malicious gleam in his eye grew - as did his cold grin, entering his own apartment and slamming the door behind him. No one dared to say anything.

In the darkness of his property, the slim figure paced impatiently back and forth across the room. The form stopped abruptly and let out an animalistic roar grabbing the closest chair and flung it against the wall. The wood splintered and sprayed across the enclosure, and the sound left was the harsh cut of breathing in the air. He was an impatient man. The one he sent to break them apart was going to have to do her job. If she didn't... well, he would have just as much fun with her as he had with all the other muggles he was fortunate to come across. If she tried to run, finding her would be a cinch. It made his role all the more fun when they ran, he thought darkly. Then when he would find her, that was when the real fun begins.

The image that his thoughts created a subtle ache in his groin and - cursing vilely - hurried to the bathroom to relieve himself.

------------~~~~~~~ o ~~~~~~~------------

"Read the notes, Hermione! It's an A flat then a C sharp!"

His voice pierced the air as she played the wrong notes consecutively for the fifth time. Flinching at his tone, she bit her lip and started again. They had not progressed very much in the past three hours at all. They were still in the first seven bars of the song and that took only a half of one of the six pages that she had to learn in order to master the whole song. He was pacing behind her, listening to her tries and every now and then, he would lean in and shake his head furiously, then tap on the right note to show her mistake. Every time he did that, she suppressed the urge to bow her head and cry - she knew what he was doing was to merely help her improve. But the harder she tried, the tenser she got and she began making errors more frequently.

She had finally gotten to a stage where his pacing and her mistakes had heightened and she could not take another moment of it. She stopped, pushed back the seat and walked out; feeling the tears of disappointment in not achieving what he wanted rimming the bottom eyelid. She was just about to leave the living room when his hand clamped down on her shoulder, preventing her from moving any further. Holding her head high, her muscles stiffened under his grasp and she pressed her lips tighter together.

"Please let me go," she whispered in a trembling voice.

She heard him sigh and his hold on her left and she was free to move away - but she didn't. She felt that he was still going to say something more. Just as she had predicted, he spoke, his voice hushed, meaning to soothe her - not hurt her any further. "Hermione, I think we should just forget these lessons. You'll just end up being offended by me and -"

She twirled around and stared at him wide-eyed. "I want to learn! I - I'm just not quite used to your big demands is all. It's been quite a while since..." she trailed off, not wanting to think about it, knowing it would place the both of them in a very uncomfortable position. She began to fidget with her hands as her nervousness caught up with her.

His delicate touch on her chin startled her and she shot her eyes up to his face. His expression was neutral, yet despite its lack of emotion, his hold on her chin exchanged all the sympathy he felt for her. "I believe we should continue tomorrow. We've exhausted enough time in there, don't you think?"

Wordlessly she nodded and kept staring up at him, the yearning for him to do something far more intimate than his mere fingers on her face evident in her chocolate eyes. Despite the fact that he knew he would disappoint her, he abruptly pulled away and opened the door for her, indicating that she pass first. His tendency to act as a gentleman always had her heart melting, thinking, if there were more men like him in the world, I think women would be content with being the damsel in distress.

Just as she had done early that morning, she started to pass by him, only to pause and lean up again to give him a swift kiss on the lips. To her surprise - and pleasure - the hand that was not holding the door open flew to cup her head and prolonged the experience, delving his tongue into her mouth to duel with hers. Immersing herself in it and wishing for it to never end once again, her body swayed towards his and she ran her left hand up his clothed chest, feeling the muscles rippling under her hand.

She delighted in the way that he could be so aggressive yet allow her to be the same with him. Her other hand made its way up the other side of his chest and they tangled themselves in the hairs behind his neck, using it as a way to lever herself higher so that her breasts were pressed against his chest. He elicited a wonderful growl that reverberated throughout her body and she shivered in reaction, her mouth pressing harder against his. His arm holding the door clung to the curve of her hip as he shifted slightly so that his body kept the door wide. He began massage that area as the kiss went on. Hermione could feel the frustration he was feeling by the way that he strained himself not to go any farther than they were going. She wanted to push him further, but the threat of being found by her muggle friend was too high.

It was a while before they actually had the right of mind to pull apart, both breathless and heavy-lidded. Feeling a satisfied smirk coming onto her face, she ducked her head and walked swiftly down the hall, her heart racing as she heard his footsteps follow hers.

His strides were larger than hers and he caught up with her in no time, slowing himself down to go by her pace. "Where are you going?" he rasped, his voice still affected by their earlier incident.

"Kitchen," she muttered just before she got there and pushed the door leading to that specific room. Her stomach grumbled involuntarily as the scent of wonderful food wafted her way. She hummed in approval, feeling her saliva glands working furiously. She had not had any breakfast at all - forgetting to have any in the morning because of her worked up nerves then with Meg coming along. She quickly took a seat and before her very eyes popped a plate filled with an array of greens and specially seasoned chicken. Not really waiting for anyone, she took her fork and dove in. Severus watched in amusement for a few moments as her eyes closed in pure contentment as she chewed. He then followed her lead and took a seat beside her and began to eat. He too had not eaten any breakfast and felt the grumble of his digestive tract so it was a relief to have something to swallow.

Halfway through the meal, he noted that they hadn't run into the annoying friend of Hermione's at all. He found it quite odd considering how the girl had practically clung onto her like a leech when they got there. She's probably still steaming from the second conversation that had been exchanged, he thought with a slight smirk. Not thinking about it any further, the two finished a quiet meal - undisturbed and pleasant.

------------~~~~~~~ o ~~~~~~~------------

Hermione lightly rapped on the door to the guest room when the clock struck nine in the evening. She felt bad about not talking to her muggle friend and needed the reassurance that they were on good terms. Severus argued against it, however, stating that it would be best if the one who walked out of the conversation first instigated the approach as well. She insisted that they check on her, considering she had not been at supper that evening. They waited patiently at the entrance, she, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she fidgeted her fingers while he leaned against the parapet beside the door. Just when she thought that the girl did not care to speak to her, the door opened slightly and Meg peeped out into the corridor.

"What do you want, Hermione?" she asked in a hoarse voice.

Severus merely rolled his eyes at the sound, but he watched as Hermione's expression turned dismayed. She could tell the girl had been crying by the way that her voice was rough and the exposed eye was red and puffy. Hermione opened her mouth, but closed it again, looking down and not really knowing what to say. The door opened wider and the whole tear-streaked face was revealed.

"Why are you crying?" she finally asked, although still hesitant.

Meg chuckled. "Oh, just thinking of a few things is all. I've brought myself into quite a predicament, to tell the truth," she confessed.

"Oh." There was an awkward silence.

"I'm sorry," Meg whispered, causing Hermione to look up. The tears were spilling down the Asian girl's face and her chin trembled as they fell. "I didn't want to do it, I swear. I - I'm really sorry..."

She couldn't stay mad at her. She really couldn't. She stepped towards her and they hugged fiercely, Severus merely an extra once again in what could be considered a 'picture perfect' moment. Hermione soothed her with reassuring words as the girl cried. Meg was speaking incoherently into her shirt, leaving Severus curious as to what she was saying and Hermione concerned for her friend's well-being. The tears slowed after a while and came to a stop when they pulled apart.

"Oh," she gurgled disdainfully, looking at the damp shirt. "I've wet it with all the crying I've done! I'm truly sorry about that."

Hermione laughed it off. "It's quite alright. I'm just happy that I still have my best friend here."

Meg gave her a watery smile before her expression went fully serious. "I'm leaving tomorrow, Hermione," she informed.

"What? But - but you just got here. And we could do so many things together - you, Severus and me," she insisted pointing to him. "You can't leave now."

The other girl shook her head. "No, I've done enough damage as it is. I think it's best for you both to..." she smirked "... get it on already."

Hermione blushed furiously, ducking her head and Severus coughed uncomfortably. Meg laughed at their reaction. "I saw the looks you give each other." She looked from one individual to the other. "As cheesy as this sounds, you two were meant to be together. That half-hearted bastard -" she choked slightly, but started again with a guilty smile. "- that no good, fruit of a guy Krum can just kiss my ass."

"Well, anyone's better off without him."

Meg shrugged. "Well anyway, I really need rest. I've got - I've got a big day tomorrow! Good night, Hermione. Sleep well... Snape." There was a certain hesitation when she regarded the man, but it was expected as she wasn't well acquainted with him added with the fact that they had started off on the wrong foot. Not like he'll ever know... her thought trailing off before she shook her head to clear it.

He nodded as Hermione returned the greeting and the door closed quietly shut on the both of them. She turned to him with a beaming smile on her face and he raised a brow. Linking her arm with his, they walked back to their shared room, him waiting for an answer while she said nothing. When they were inside their chambers she let go of him and walked into the bathroom, whistling an unknown tune, leaving him lost. He frowned and went to sit on his bed, only to end up sprawled on the floor with an aching head and bottom. The transfigured bed chose then of all times to change back into its original form causing him to jab his head against the hard wood material and his butt to crash into the solid stone ground. Muttering a string of expletives, he got up gingerly, wincing as his muscles protested at the movement. As efficiently as he had changed it before, he repeated the steps, only adding a bit more power to the spell so that it would stay in its new form longer than it had the first time.

By the time he had finished, Hermione stepped out of the bathroom, a cheerful glint still apparent in her eye. He straightened up and folded his arms as he turned to her, a scowl on his face. "I would like an explanation for why you're so - merry."

"Is it so strange that I am glad about my making up with my friend?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at him.

He eyed her suspiciously. "If it was truly just that, you wouldn't have that more than odd look on your face. There's more to it than just 'hug and make up,' Hermione. Do I look dense to you?"

"Well, you're dense enough not to figure out the other reason," she scoffed, turning up her nose and trying to walk passed him.

He caught her fresh, fruity scent as she went by and it all fell into place. Before she moved farther, he caught her arm in one fluid motion and hauled her towards him. She let out a gasp of surprise and looked up at him with wide eyes as he looked down at her with narrow, hooded eyes. "You can't wait for her to leave," he declared in an intense whisper. "You are anticipating her leave so that you can be alone with me."

She smirked at him. "Ah, and so the wheels turn in the Potions Master's, oh-so, brilliant mind. It took you long enough, Severus."

"You're treading on dangerous ground, my dear," he murmured, bringing up his free hand and gently stroking her smooth, peach skin with the backs of his fingers bringing a shiver to slide down her body. "No one will be here to save you from my darkness."

"But I know that within darkness is always a small light, waiting patiently for someone to make it grow. I need no saving, Severus. I've survived this long with you. Besides, was it not you who was questioning your sanity with my being here? Or am I wrong?" Her breath hitched as his touch began to whisper across her cheekbones, up the bridge of her nose and traced the line of her eyebrows.

"Dear Hermione, if only you knew how insane I have been since you had re-entered my life..."

His voice really did have certain affects that sent a rush through to her. Her heart palpitated and her breath hitched as he continued his ministrations across her hairline over her forehead, tucking a free strand behind her ear. Oh, he was so close! She was so ready to yield to him, but as she swayed forward, he leaned just a slight back, keeping the distance. This was frustrating, indeed! The tease finally caused her control to snap and she snuck her hand behind his neck to pull him down, only to have him stop her by placing two fingers upon her lips. She gave him an aggravated look and he smirked at her.

"Save those thoughts for tomorrow, Hermione," he said softly; silkily. "By then we will have all the time in the world and won't be threatened by any - untimely - interruptions."

He moved swiftly away from her, causing the sense of emptiness surrounding her to grow in magnitude. Pouting slightly, she folded her arms and stomped to the bed and collapsed onto the mattress with a loud expelled breath. He was torturing her slowly but surely. She hoped to Merlin and God that he meant to do something about it by tomorrow. Tired from the ordeals she had gone through that day, she resigned to sleep almost an instant after her head hit the pillow.

------------~~~~~~~ o ~~~~~~~------------

"Are you sure you won't stay longer?" Hermione asked with a thoughtful look on her face as she regarded her friend.

They were in the main hallway, directly in front of the fireplace. There was clearly a nervous look on Meg's face as she cast a suspicious glance at the hearth. She had just been explained that it was an easy way to get from one place to another - muggle or non. She was still unused to the whole idea of the Floo Network and how it would find its way through all the different fireplaces in England and bring her to the right destination. She was reassured by both Severus and Hermione, so she had to take their word for it.

"I think my time here is done," Meg replied with a misty look on her face. "It's obvious that there is still work to be done, but it will proceed more smoothly without my presence. I - I would like to thank you both... and I'm truly sorry. I would have prevented all these misunderstandings from occurring if I wasn't so... oh never mind." She shook her head to dissipate that idea then smiled at both of them - sadly. "I'm truly going to miss you two."

Hermione frowned at her expression. The girl was gazing at her surroundings - at her friend and the man beside her - as if it would be the last time they would be face to face. A feeling of unease settled in her stomach, but she tried to smile warmly. "I'll see you in a few days! Take care, Meg."

The Asian girl stepped into the fireplace and paused to look at the two one last time. "Goodbye," she said quietly, then with a handful of Floo powder, she disappeared in a puff of smoke. The two stared at the empty hearth for a long time, not talking to each other - just assessing the departure of the girl. Hermione broke the silence.

"That was... odd," she murmured, folding her arms.

"That is true." Pause. "Something is on her mind."

"You noticed, too?" Sarcasm underlying her voice.

"I am quite observant," he said dryly. "I can't say the same for you, however, considering you probably are still oblivious to that girl's feelings."

Hermione looked up at Severus inquisitively and he gave her a pointed look. "There, you didn't know." He sighed. "Are you curious as to what they are?"

She wasn't sure whether she really wanted to hear it, but knowing that there was one thing that Severus knew and she didn't made her feel like she had neglected her friend. Pursing her lips, she nodded, and waited for him to tell her. He frowned, knowing that she wouldn't like the news.

"She loved you," he informed.

It didn't register properly in her mind and she looked at him as if he had gone crazy. "Of course she does. I'm her friend. I mean -"

He shook his head, cutting her off. "No, not that kind of love..." He looked at her uncomfortably and shifted.

There was a moment of silence before the meaning dawned on her. Her cheeks burned as her eyes widened and she looked down, embarrassed and hurt at the same time. "Oh my... I'm so blind."

"You must not think of it," he insisted softly.

"And all those things I said!" she cried. "It must have hurt so much that I did not know or return her feelings."

He eyed her suspiciously. "You're not saying that..."

He glared at him and folded her arms. "No," she snapped. "I'm not a homosexual. I kissed you didn't I?" He gave her an expectant look to which she rolled her eyes. "Really, Severus, I would never hide my true self from others."

"I beg to differ," he muttered low enough for her not to hear.

"I just don't like the fact that I had hurt her unknowingly and that she accepted this turnabout," she explained in dismay. "I have to go find her and apologize for my insensitivity to her feelings."

"You don't need to apologize for anything. All you will be doing is wasting both your breath and time trying to fix something that already is fixed. Leave it be, Hermione. You're giving her false hope if you go there."

She said nothing in return, just stared at the floor ahead of her as her mind processed everything. She gave a resigned sigh and nodded. He wrapped his arms around her in a purely platonic embrace. She accepted it.

------------~~~~~~~ o ~~~~~~~------------

He knew she was coming empty-handed. His breath was seething in; out as the anger within him boiled relentlessly. She would pay for her disobedience - all of those who failed were punished. She was no different. He waited as patiently as possible, hands clasped behind him as he walked slowly - left, right, left, right - on and on he went, back and forth, waiting and waiting.

He heard light footsteps from the hallway and he froze, listening intently. The sound grew louder and finally stopped at his door. She was there... and alone.

And he was furious. She will pay, he thought menacingly, his eyes turned into mere slits. She will pay dearly.