Everything You Are

Chapter Six:

Severus went to his office, rather than to Dumbledore's. He knew he'd have to say something, but as far as what to say and how to say it, he was lost.

"She IS a big girl. She said she's not afraid to take him on..." he mused aloud, "... but is it really fair of me to force her up against him so quickly? She's strong, but how strong?" he paused. "And how would I feel about myself if I knew I helped destroy someone like her? She's so... no. No thinking about the enemy," he shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thought. "I didn't even TECHNICALLY volunteer to spy on her. I agreed to spy on Voldemort, so I really don't have to say anything about her plans, do I?" He paused, almost as if waiting for an answer. "She's only a teen, after all. How much harm can she do?" He paused to think about that statement as soon as it had escaped his lips. He knew the answer already and he didn't like the images that came with it. He shut his eyes to stop the pictures from flashing in front of his eyes and rested his head on his desk, wondering what to do about the girl called Sirena.

* * * * *

A few days later...

"I need to get my books from in there!"

"There has to be some way to get her out."

"She put a magical lock on the door..."

"What's going on over here?" Draco asked, on his way up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"Sirena's locked herself in." one girl said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, have you tried to charm it open?"

"We're not stupid, Draco. Honestly..."

"Oh, shut it, Pansy. I'm only trying to help," Draco said, rolling his eyes. He knocked on the door. "Sirena? Are you in there?" he heard a muffled reply. He paused for a second. "Are you alright?"

"Go away," she growled, her voice hoarse as though she'd been screaming.

"Sirena, you've got to come out!" the girl called Pansy said, desperation starting to come through her voice.

"Not until it's passed... not safe to be around yet... promised Dumbledore..." she gasped out.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to go get Snape. He can probably undo whatever spell she's done on the door. I suggest you all back up until then. You never know with Sirena." The girls nodded and backed away as Draco ran off to get the head of the house.

Draco reached Snape's office door breathing heavily. He pounded urgently on the door. Severus rose and opened the door a crack. Seeing that it was Draco, he pulled it open. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy. What can I do for you?"

"The girls sent me to get you. Sirena's locked herself into the dorm. She doesn't sound good... muttering something about it not being safe to be around and a promise to Dumbledore...?"

He stepped out and shut the door behind him. "I think I have an idea," he muttered, starting towards the opening to the common room. "Owl eggs," He muttered. The door swung open and he started up the steps to the dormitories, Draco close behind him. He reached the 5^th year door, a crowd of girls swarming around it. "Everyone back up. Go down to the common room. I'll take care of this." He said, raising his voice to be heard above the gossiping 15 year olds.

Everyone obeyed except for Draco, who stood next to him. Severus looked down at him. "You too. It's not necessary to put her out like an exhibit, Draco." Draco nodded and left.

Severus put his ear to the door. Hearing nothing, he decided to try and talk to her. "Sirena? Are you in there?"

"Go away..." she said, her voice slightly strangled.

"Sirena, you need to come out of there. I'll go in after you if I have to, but I don't want to," he said, trying to keep himself from getting frustrated. He waited a few moments. She had no reply. "I'm coming in, Sirena," he said, pulling out his wand. "Finite Incantatum," he muttered. The door shook a bit on its hinges before opening a crack. He pulled it open slowly and walked in. It took him a minute to spot her, as she was curled up in the corner of the room. He blinked a few times, taking in what he saw.

Sirena's eyes were wide with fear, her cheeks tearstained, and her arms and hands trembling, dripping in what he could only guess to be her own blood, as puncture wounds that looked remarkably like fang marks lined her porcelain white skin. Severus took a calming breath in and took a few cautious steps toward her. She backed up further. "Don't come closer... I'm not safe," she mumbled, grasping to cover her arms as best she could.

"I won't hurt you. I promise."

"That's not what I'm worried about," she said, biting her lip.

"Y-you think you'll hurt me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have no doubts about it, Severus."

He looked at her carefully and walked up closer. Despite all of the things he knew she could do, she looked remarkably innocent and fragile in that moment. He knelt down to her level. She cowered more, but he took her arm and looked closer. "Is it the bloodlust again?" he asked, softly, running his thumb over one of the many wounds.

She had no answer but to try and avoid his gaze.

"I won't say anything, but I have to know. What's wrong, Sirena?"

She sniffed. "I... I need blood." She looked up at him as though she'd just admitted to a felony.

To her surprise, he nodded, his eyes warm. He took her hand and pulled her up with him. "Can you walk?"

"Not far," she said quietly, "I think I might pass out."

"You think you can get out of the common room? I'm going to try and make this look as normal as possible to keep Dumbledore from finding out."

She nodded and they started down the stairs slowly.

"What's wrong?"

"What happened?"

"What did she do?"

They were bombarded with questions. Sirena self-consciously made sure her arms were covered by her robes. Severus held up a hand. "It's fine to go in. Sirena accidentally cursed herself and locked the door to try and make it right. I'm going to go to the hospital wing with her. You all stay out of trouble and don't mention this to anyone, understood?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Sirena's knees buckled and she gripped Severus' hand tighter as they went out of the portrait hole. He put a hand on her back. "It's okay. Do you need me to carry you? It's not far and I think it might be easier to get rid of than a stretcher, should we run into someone."

"Would you?" Her legs wobbled a bit.

He nodded and scooped her up gently. He carried her back to his office and shut the door. She looked at him questioningly as he put her down and pushed his hair aside. "Feed," he commanded quietly.

"A-are you sure?" she stuttered. "I shouldn't..."

"You'll die if you don't. Go ahead. I'll let you know when I can't handle any more."

"But..."

"I told you that at least one staff member would help you. I'm here," he said calmly. "Do you need me to do anything else so you can do this?"

She bit her lip. "You're a bit tall. If you could... erm... sit down? That would be helpful. I can't stay standing straight feeding anyway..."

He nodded and pulled his chair around. "Do what you need to do."

She nodded and got down to one knee so that she could be more stable. She took a deep breath and collected herself. "I need you to relax. It will definitely hurt if you don't, but if you do, I've had people even say it was enjoyable. You just have to let yourself go."

Severus nodded. "Already done."

"Good... then just... um... let me know if there's a problem. You'll probably have to shake me, but I'm pretty good with self control." She bit her lip and pushed his hair aside. To give her easier access, he tilted his head slightly away. She slipped one hand artfully around to support his head and brought her lips to the exposed skin rather hesitantly. She felt for a pulse and found it with ease with her lips. "Ready?" she whispered. He nodded and soon felt her fangs sink in. She ran her tongue around her fang marks and drew in the energy radiating from him. Sirena tasted the blood and immediately began to feel better... until she began to see some of his memories.

Sirena pushed her mind shut in an effort to block out the pieces of Severus' past. She thought she'd had it until...

"Oh my god... it didn't feel like THIS before..." She paused and winced when she realized she was hearing his thoughts. "She was right. It's actually not half bad.... then again... oh NO, Severus. No. You're not supposed to think like that. She's a student. You're just helping a student... even if it DOES happen to be a rather attractive, voluptuous, DARK LADY of a student. There is absolutely NOTHING sexual about this situation. Her mouth happens to be on your neck because that's how she FEEDS... and if this is how it always feels she can suck on me anytime... Oh GOD. You're sick, Severus. Sick. You're a sick man. The poor thing was about to collapse five minutes ago and now you're thinking nasty thoughts about her. You went to school with her FATHER, for crying out loud... and speaking of crying out loud... mmm... right there again,. That's the spot..." Sirena tried not to smile and did as he said, or rather, thought. "Ooooh... Sirena, don't do that. Don't give me any ideas." Severus gripped his chair slightly as Sirena's hands pulled him closer to her. She let out a small noise of contentment as she started to pull herself away.

"I'm finishing this up. Stay still... I have to stop that wound bleeding so much."

"Okay," he murmured, sounding slightly distant.

Sirena finally brought herself away from the vein. She licked the wound several times to slow the flow of blood, her saliva carrying mechanisms to both start and end the steady flow of blood from a food source. She licked a few last droplets away and forced herself back. "Sorry..." she said, slightly embarrassed.

She stood up and Severus looked her over, her lips stained a dark red from his blood, her cheeks and body flushed from the fresh energy. "Not at all..." he said, smiling a bit.

"Did I... hurt you at all?" she asked, knowing the answer, but not wanting him to know she'd listened in on his thoughts.

Too late. Realization dawned on his face. Either way, he realized he was done for... which did she find out? "Did she listen to the memories and see that I'm spying or did she hear my thoughts and find out that I'm a sick fuck? Nice going Snape. Real smooth..." He shook his head. "No. It didn't hurt in the least."

She looked at the floor. "I...erm... I didn't think so."

His face reddened. "Did you...?"

She bit the inside of her cheek. "I kinda...yeah. I tried to stop it. I usually get the memories and I thought that would be weird so I blocked them and then... well... I got more than I bargained for." She raised an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders in a nervous gesture. "I'm sorry. I..."

"It's ok." She rushed to spit out. "Don't say anything. I... um... yeah. If it's any consolation, your blood is perfect. Not too sweet, not too bitter, not all that innocent and not too guilty. Nothing overpowers anything else." She paused. "If I should so bold as to ask, you've been fed on before?"

Severus nodded, relieved to be off the subject. "I was... somewhat of a blood donor for a long time. I had a vampire friend and I allowed her to feed from me when she got desperate... I must admit, she wasn't as good at numbing the pain."

"A lot of people tell me that. It's strange, as I never actually try to make anyone numb. I think people should have the right to be conscious of everything they experience because..." she stopped, looking off into space for a moment. "I should go back." She mumbled, looking at her hands for a moment. "Thank you, Severus. You saved my life," she said, looking at his eyes for a moment, almost searching for a reason why. She brushed her lips against his softly. "I owe you."

"I don't want you to let yourself get that desperate next time. Come to me."

"You mean you wouldn't mind?"

"I think you know how I feel on the issue, Sirena..." A small smile graced his lips as she hugged him and left, vibrant and even more alive than she'd been at the Death Eaters' meeting. He shut the door behind her. "...the question, really, is how I feel about everything else."