The sound of steps reverberated through the deteriorating walls, coming closer and closer. The waves of the white curtains shielding the broken windows welcomed the black figure walking through the corridors. Canvases ornated the dark walls, yet the souls inhabiting them were lifeless, their body forever frozen in time, the scare and pain immortalised in their eyes before they were vanquished. The sun was now hiding behind the tall mountains, the light fading away, leaving space for darkness. The golden chandelier at the centre of the room swag excruciatingly slow, the crystals at each end hitting each other - dangling. At each contact, a soothing sound covered the induce silence, while the steps now reach further into the room, reaching the stairs.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

With an elegant movement, the cloak covering the figure caressed each step while his strides were quiet and controlled. Reaching upstairs, a shadow crossed the terrasse surrounding the entrance, flying as fast as a breeze in spring, sweeping away anything that stood in its way. Shards of glass were thrown against the walls, shattering into million pieces. Traces of dry blood was drawing mosaics on the rugs leading to the main door, the steps of the figure imminent.

In the obscurity of this place, a stained carved snake guarded a door. It was massive, ancient ruins cut within the mahogany. As if it was living, the statue's head slithered out of its position, facing menacingly the still shadow before him. Its eyes lit, glowing a red light on the man, penetrating his silver orbs. With a hiss of its forked tongue, the door opened, a cracked sound shrieked against the old flooring. The man strolled inside, the door closing behind him, directing his threatening steps towards a floating figure.

A smirk appeared on the man's face as he removed his cloak, his eyes never leaving the inert being - his body arched in the air, lifeless. A green fog circled the spectral body, the radiance that shone from his soul gradually evanescing, dying. His alabaster skin was now stained with fragments of his blood, his past immaculate figure now only a faint memory. The calloused hands were lacerated, signs of struggling seeable under his graceful fingers.

"Good evening, my friend" the serpent's voice covered the silence, like venom, spitefully poisoning the air. "I see you don't have much time left. Poor poor Severus, thinking the Anima Vinctum Vow would protect him. You forgot something, my friend, the only reason why our ancestors used the Soul-Bound Vow was to ensure that no treacherous act was possible. If one dies, the other dies. No salvation. The only thing worse than lies or torture is distance. Your better half is unreachable, your only cure is forever stuck in a timeline where you'll never love her. Her soul will die from longing yours, you treacherous man."

With his last worst, the figure apparated away, leaving the floating figure alone, a small tear creeping from the corner of his closed eyes - dropping on the cold floor.

"Hermione" his soul reached for his loved one, his torment extinguishing his light a little further. "Hermione".

"Severus are you alright, what is going on with you?" Asked Seraphina, waving her hand in front of his onyx eyes. "Severus?"

His eyes had lost focus, his pupils dilated, covering the integrity of his eye. "Can you hear it?" He asked, his voice mixed with sorrow and confusion.

"Hear what Severus? You've been acting strange for the past week, please talk to me!"

"Hermione."

"Hermione."

Seraphina's eyes widened, unable to grasp how it was possible after everything, he was still holding onto the witch. "Your student, Ms Granger, is currently in the library, working." She snapped, trying her hardest to control her anger, "it is not very professional of your Severus to call her by her first name."

"I need to find her!" He cried, standing up, his eyes searching for an escape, "I need to find her."

His body was quivering, his eyes unfocused, lost, as in a trans. For the first time the woman standing before him was worried. Has she gone too far? "Forgive me Severus, but you leave me no choice."

Before he could free himself from her grip, he felt a searing pain in his neck, before all he saw was blackness.

"I'm sorry" Seraphina whispered, placing her ice-cold index on his cheek, flicking away the tear that had fallen from his eyes. "Forget her my love, and come to me."

Some people find solace in darkness rather than the light. Why? Because what is warm can burn, and those who are afraid of a stalwart fire would rather lean against ice and savour the tingling contact of the cold against their skin - until their blood turns as frosty as their new surrounding, freezing the heat of their heart eternally.

Two souls forever bound to the other, yet time has now become their worst enemy. However, what is worst than the ticking clock is the flames of evil, separating them from their own salvation: each other.

▽ϟ▽

A/N: Dark chapter wasn't it? 🖤

🧐I'm so curious to know if some of you have speculation as to what is going on, although I have revealed quite a few things in this chapter.✍🏽

🙈Do you have an idea as to whom might the figure walking through the abandoned house is? And who is Seraphina Ravensun?👩🏻🥀

Don't forget to vote and comment, 👑♥️

XOXO