I gasped loudly as I was vigorously shook awake. Severus was hovering above me, his eyes demonstrating desperation and panic. My grey eyes met his coal ones in a moment of worry.

I didn't understand what was going on, not at all. I could just see the fear in Severus' eyes so I rushedly put on some decent clothes and made my way to his side. He took my hand and we apparated, but not fast enough for someone to crash through the door and slice my leg with a dagger.

I winced as we landed on a field. I wasn't injured too badly, but I was in severe pain. The cut was exposed due to the fabric of my trousers being ripped by the blade. Wind whipped against the bare injury, making it sting harshly. I looked up to Severus who was frantically reaching into a bag he had somehow obtained along the way.

"I knew this would happen," he kept repeating, "I knew this would happen."

He hurried to me and placed some ointment onto the cut. The pain started to subside as the medication kicked in and he wrapped the wound carefully. I kept crying out, but Severus just gave me apologetic looks and carried on, knowing it was for the best.

"Who was that?" I demanded. Severus shook his head.

"I don't know," he told me truthfully with a saddened expression. He pulled me into his arms. "Narcissa will be able to find out."

"I see."

I curled further into him. He was warm, and the wind was still trying to defy us, pushing my hair all over the place. Severus reached into his bag and handed me a hair tie, something I didn't often use. I almost giggled at how cute the gesture was. He'd thought about me.

I tied my hair out of my face, being able to breathe again. Although it wasn't really the appropriate time, I moved forward and pressed my lips to Severus'.

He reciprocated instantly, his mouth moving against mine in a moment of love and terror. I felt his body shaking as I pulled away.

"I thought they were going to get you," he cried out as he held my arms tighter. It hurt a little, but I ignored it, because he was clearly in more pain than I was.

"They didn't," I reassured him as I rubbed his arms carefully. My hand eventually made its way to his cheek and rested there for a moment. "I'm here."

He moved to face me and I smiled at him. He tried to grin back but nothing of the sort happened; his expression was comparable to a grimace. I sighed and gripped his arms.

"They will come again."

"That doesn't matter!" I yelled. That was it, I had snapped. "We've been through this before, Severus! I survived it then, and I'm stronger now, who says I can't survive it again? Voldemort is dead!"

"You need to become stronger, Verita!" Severus hissed back. His dark eyes bored into mine in a moment of frustration and I felt myself become cold. It was the first time in forever that I didn't feel close to him. "Your abilities aren't great enough to defeat them!"

"Then teach me," I ordered, standing up. I looked down at Severus who was still resting on the ground. His gaze had softened tremendously.

"I..." Severus stopped speaking and nodded. He rose, and stood beside me. He slowly laced his fingers with mine and we apparated back to the Malfoy Manor after taking some Polyjuice Potion that he had prepared. He was an ordinary wizard and I was an ordinary witch.

We rushed towards the building and Draco ran out towards us. He slowed and jogged towards me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders when he got close enough. I saw Severus stiffen slightly.

"I thought you were dead," Draco told me exasperatedly, his breathing heavy. "My mother and I have cleared the house. I told them you were visiting and we don't expect them to search here again for a while. Mother says the both of you can stay again... That is, if you want to."

Severus nodded and thanked Draco quietly before strolling into the house after him, leading me in by the hand. 

We entered and Narcissa was nowhere to be found. Draco screamed out his mother's name. He turned to us and said, "I don't have a good feeling about this."

Severus' expression turned from emotionless to solemn in a matter of seconds. A serious manner overtaking him, he told Draco, "Look after Verita. I will search for your mother."

But as soon as he was gone, everything went black.