What do you Think of me Now?

A/N: Warning: this chapter contains scenes of a sensitive nature. Explicit sexual content ahead. Please review! I want to hear your comments. Thanks again to my beta, MadBrilliant.

***

Spring, 2007

Katherine raced down the spiraling stairs to the dungeons to start her day. Her black robes billowed behind her. Her face was beaming with happiness. A beautiful diamond was sparkling on her left hand. She couldn't wait to tell Severus!

"Severus!" she called out in her husky voice.

Snape was working early in his office. He swore to himself he would never get used to her voice! When did she grow up? Wasn't it yesterday she had a shrill, high voice chattering away like a magpie? he mused.

He came out of his office sipping on his morning tea. "Good morning, Katherine," he said pleasantly. "You seem to be rather excited this morning."

She was grinning like an idiot, she knew. She ran over to him, took the teacup from his hands, and placed it on a table. Then, she pushed her hand into her mentor's face.

"He proposed, Severus! He asked me to marry him!" she squealed.

She threw her arms around him. He grimaced and stiffened his body in reaction to her hug, then gently pulled her away, patting her on the back. "Yes, yes, very nice. I'm sure you and Mr. Luddington will be very happy."

"Severus, can't you be more happy for me?" she pleaded. "You know, in two months you are going to be rid of me. I will officially be a Potions mistress, and you will be happily retired. Then I'm going to be married, and we all will live happily ever after!" She beamed.

"I think I may vomit," he snarked as he picked up his teacup.

"Ha-ha," retorted Katherine. She was used to him by now. She went and sat across from his desk while he looked over essays from his N.E.W.T. students. She crossed her legs and absent-mindedly stared at the beautiful diamond on her hand. Snape was already semi-retired. This year was Katherine's second and final year as his apprentice. Already, she was teaching most of his classes, although he still wanted to have the final say-so over the N.E.W.T. levels. Not that he ever found fault with Katherine's work. She already was an excellent Potions mistress in his eyes, she just had yet to take her final examination by the Board.

He had a lot of reservations about Marcus Luddington, though. He had never liked the boy. Never! His parents were very wealthy and were pure-bloods. They had never been Death Eaters or openly supported Voldemort, but the Luddingtons were shameless social climbers, perhaps only outdone by the Malfoys in their smarminess. To this day, Snape believed cynically that the only reason Marcus even wanted Katherine was because she was on the cusp of greatness. After all, she was going to be the first Potions mistress in over two hundred years! Plus, she was going to be famous, not only here in Britain, but around the Wizarding world. Securing such a wife would be quite a feather in Luddington's cap! He covertly glanced at his apprentice as she happily swayed her leg back and forth while watching how her diamond twinkled in the light.

He looked into her sweet face. She was so happy. He had promised himself long ago he would never do anything to ever make her unhappy ever again. He would rather die than see her cry like she did that day. He managed a twisted smile and forced himself to say, "Well, I do hope you will invite me to the wedding!"

She came out of her daydream and stood up. She clasped her hands to her heart and looked at him with big, teary eyes.

"Severus! How could I not have you there! You're my best friend."

Her smile was so genuine it made him uncomfortable. It was true; she had grown to care deeply for her mentor. He had over time slowly let down his guard as she had grown older, and once she had become of age, they had considered each other as friends and kindred spirits in their love of Potions. He was still a very surly and overly sensitive person, prone to getting offended and overwrought at anything that could be even loosely construed as an insult, but Katherine still loved him and remained grateful to him for sticking with her during her fifth year when she was so ill and teaching her to be a Potions mistress. And he knew deep down she probably was the only person in the world who could tolerate his snarky and prickly nature for considerable lengths of time.

He scowled at her. "You would do better to not repeat what you just said," he muttered. "People might think you're a bit touched in the head. Now, get to work; enough of this sentimentality!"

She smirked as she went into the classroom to prepare for the day. He glanced up from his paperwork and looked at his apprentice. When did she start wearing her hair up? he thought with irritation.

***

Months later, on a beautiful August afternoon, after Katherine had finished her apprenticeship and officially become a Mistress of Potion-making, Severus Snape sat in the tiny chapel and watched his protégé become Mrs. Luddington. He was grateful that she would have the life she wanted. He was enjoying retirement. He had gone back to Spinner's End to gather his possessions and get rid of the things he did not want, which included most of his parents' old possessions, and was preparing to embark on a Grand Tour of Europe. He was determined to spend a significant period of time in Spain, France and Italy. All he had to do was close his eyes and imagine he was already there.

Minerva accompanied him to the wedding. After all, she had been his accomplice in the cover-up of years ago. It was only fitting for them to stand together to witness the culmination of six years hard work to get Katherine to where she was today. As the ceremony ended and the couple walked back down the aisle, Minerva gave a sad smile to Snape. He smiled weakly back. Only they and Madam Pomfrey knew what really happened six years ago. And now that Poppy had died, along with all whom Snape held responsible, it was finally over. Katherine was safe and secure. Now, only Severus and Minerva had to bear the burden of knowing.

Ever since that fateful day, he had taken the young Katherine Hannover on as his responsibility. He had watched over her, guided her, and had helped to hone her natural talents in potion making to become the wonderful, intelligent woman before him now. Not that it had been difficult. She was born to brew potions, and she had blossomed into a very affable young woman and was eager to learn. No, he took very little credit for the woman before him. She was beautiful in her white gown. He watched in relaxation and joy as she waltzed with her new husband at the reception. He felt a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Her snow-white dress was so pretty. She was perfection, and she should have nothing less. After all, he thought, she deserves it.

Minerva watched Severus as he looked at the happy couple dance across the floor. As tradition, for a Galleon, the groom and bride could be interrupted at anytime for a spin around the floor.

"Are you going to take the bride for a spin, Severus?" Minerva asked quietly.

"Absolutely not!" he snorted as he crossed his arms.

Minerva placed her hand lightly on his arm. "It's okay that you will miss her, Severus. You have been a true friend and guiding force in her life," she pushed.

"Minerva, I know exactly what I have been in her life, and that will never change, no matter what good deeds I have done since!" he snapped.

Minerva lowered her eyes and shook her head sadly.

***

After the reception was over and the happy couple had Apparated away to their honeymoon, Snape Apparated to Spinner's End and relaxed with a book and some wine. Boxes were everywhere, but he couldn't be bothered with housework tonight. He was just starting to nod off when a hair-splitting bang on his door made him jump and reach for his wand.

"Nox!" he whispered. He cautiously walked to the door in the dark as the banging continued. Finally, a blood-curdling scream emitted from behind the door, followed with a guttural threat. "Goddamn it, Severus! Open the door!" Snape was shocked. It was Katherine!

He said, "Lumos," as he ripped open the door. She was barely standing, disheveled in her black robes and barefoot; her light brown hair was tussled, and her face was blotchy as if she had been crying her heart out.

Snape pulled her in by her arm and looked outside. She was alone! He took the now sobbing girl by the arms and looked into her face.

"Katherine!" he said sharply as he gave her a firm shake by her arms. "Look at me! What are you doing here?" He bore into her eyes, forcing her to look at him.

"He kicked me out! He kicked me out and told me to leave!" she screamed as she threw herself at him, sobbing on his chest.

"What? What happened?" he demanded as he wrapped his hands across her back to comfort her. Good Lord! She has nothing on under this robe! he thought absently.

"He...he said I wasn't a virgin! He called me a slut, ripped my wedding rings off my finger, and kicked me out! He gave me enough time to get a robe on, and he threw me out! Will you help me?" She looked up at him confused, clutching to his arms, hopeful that he would make everything all right again. Snape could not bear it.

He closed his eyes, and his hands dropped from her. She slumped down on her knees, grasped onto the bottom of his robe, and looked up at him as if in supplication. He covered his face with his hands and emitted a primal roar that petrified Katherine. She shrank from him and slid down into a corner of the room, crying anew at the reaction from her friend. Finally, Snape got a hold of himself and said quietly, "Tell me precisely what happened."

"Severus, it's personal...I can't!" she protested.

"Believe me...you can," he said determinedly.

She swallowed and looked away. She couldn't believe she was going to tell him this. She couldn't believe what had happened to her! But he had known. He had never liked Marcus. He had warned her about Marcus back in her seventh year when things had started to get serious between them, but she had gotten angry and told him to sod off. Everyone loved Marcus. All her family and friends thought they were the perfect couple! No one would understand this! Severus was the only one whom she thought could help.

"We were naked in bed and kissing. He started to touch me between my legs, you know. Um, he got a funny look on his face, and then he...it felt like he was pushing his whole hand inside me. It really hurt! He removed his hand, looked at it, and he punched me!"

All the blood drained from Snape's face. "He did what?" he roared.

All the crying and running make-up had masked what Snape could see now was the beginning of a black eye. He was livid. I am going to kill him! he thought.

"Go on," he demanded. He wanted her to get it all out, so he could get the facts...in order to go begin the slaughter.

Her voice shook as she continued. "He...he looked at his hand, and at the bed sheet, and then between my legs for a long time, and...and finally said, 'You are no virgin! Who've you been fucking?'

I told him no one. I've never been with anyone...ever, Severus! He was so angry, he threw me out of the bed onto the floor, tore my wedding rings off my finger, went to my bag, threw one of my robes and my wand at me, and he told me to get dressed and get out. He threw me out with nothing! I have no underthings or any shoes! I tried to get my things, but he grabbed me, threw me out, and told me he was getting an annulment. He said he wasn't going to have a whore for a wife and that I was a lying slut! I didn't know where to go...I couldn't face going back to Hogwarts, so I Apparated here," she explained in a broken voice.

She looked up at Snape, confused and scared like a terrified first year. Snape could not fail to notice that she was slipping mentally. It was a miracle she had Apparated without splinching herself!

She reached up and grabbed his hand. "Professor, what am I going to do? Why did he do this to me? You believe me don't you, sir? I never, ever...I wanted it to be special!"

She let go of him as she burst into fresh tears while rocking back and forth, holding herself, wailing, "Why?" A memory flashed across Snape's mind of a younger Katherine saying the same word over and over to him.

Snape was terrified for her sanity. She hadn't addressed him as "Professor" or "sir" since her seventh year! He had to do something, or she was going to have a complete breakdown. Not that she was mentally whole to begin with! He had known her mind would be fragile after all he, Minerva, and Poppy had done to modify her memory. He had honestly believed it would never have come down to this. And if she had fallen for a better man than Marcus Luddington...that bloody tosser...her lack of a hymen wouldn't have been an issue! As far as Snape was concerned, she had been a virgin and still was, no matter what her imbecilic husband had told her!

He was shaking with fury. He went and got a Calming Draught and a Sleeping Potion and made her drink them. He picked her up, carried her to his bed, and put on his traveling cloak. He had been deeply disturbed by how she had desperately held onto him as he had carried her. She was going to need a lot of care and understanding, and God knew he wasn't the type to provide that! But there was one thing he could do...and that he knew how to do very well. Now, I'm going to get that fucker and have a little chat! he thought viciously as he left the house.

***

Marcus Luddington was pissed out of his mind. He had thought he had a prize find for a wife. She was going to ensure his place in the Wizarding world. He had it all planned. As soon as she had established her fame, he would then get her pregnant. He had wanted to make sure she didn't get too full of herself being a Potions mistress and enjoy too much the accolades of her success. That was for him to enjoy. Being saddled with a couple of kids would handle that problem!

She was also very pretty, but damn, she had held him at an arm's length for years! It had been unbearable! Every time he had seen those full lips he had wanted her to wrap them around his cock. She also had incredible breasts! He had discovered that one night a year ago. They had been kissing, and he had slipped his hand in through her robes and found she had quite a handful...more than a handful. He remembered releasing it from her bra and fastening his mouth around her tiny nipple. That had been incredible!

She had these huge, firm breasts, but such tiny nipples. He had remembered he had almost burst in his pants when he had heard her moaning. But when she had finally realized what was happening, she had put a stop to it and had never again let him get that close. That had made him decide they needed to get married and soon! He couldn't tell how many whores he had shagged over the years in order to deal with her "frigidness." He had just kept telling himself he would change all that after he had fucked her a few times. Then she would be begging for it. They would have a few good years, have kids, then when her body got stretched out and saggy from having the kids, he'd just go back to having whores or take a young mistress.

Then what the fuck should happen? The bitch had lied to him! She was no virgin. He had seen enough pussies to know! He could even see a small tear that had been healed some time ago when he had examined her. She had definitely been fucked hard. The slut! Making him a fool all these years while she was off spreading her legs for God knows who, or how many?

He heard a deafening blast behind him, and he jumped up, spilling his drink all over him. Oh, fuck! Not this prick! he thought. He had had to put up with his nosiness and disapproving attitude for far too long! He had always been looming around like the great bat he was! Well, that's over and done now! I don't have to make nice to this arse for Katherine's sake anymore!

"Get the fuck out of my house, Snape!" he bellowed.

"Not until you and I have a chat, Mr. Luddington," Snape drawled smoothly. "Now. Sit." He clicked his fingers, and a chair slid up underneath the young man, forcing him to sit.

Snape sat down in a chair opposite him and crossed his legs, calmly toying with his wand as he observed the state of the young man.

"Please do not interpret my calm demeanor as anything other than absolute fury. It is only because of your bride that you are already not dead. And believe me, boy, if I were to kill you, I would not go to Azkaban because there would be no body to find," he said, barely above a whisper. There, I have your attention now!

Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Snape continued. "Imagine my surprise coming home after your lovely wedding, relaxing with some wine and a good book, eagerly anticipating my retirement and subsequent departure from this wretched country, when suddenly I am taken surprise by finding your bride in a hysterical heap on my doorstep, instead of being in connubial bliss in your marriage bed. That would be the proper assumption, would it not? A wedding takes place, family and friends enjoy a lovely reception, and then the bride and groom leave to begin their honeymoon. Why is your bride in my house on your wedding night, Mr. Luddington?" he asked in a sickening, sweet tone.

Marcus was not going to allow this old bat to intimidate him. He may have been a force to be reckoned with back in his Death Eater days, but now he was just another middle-aged wizard. "So," he said sarcastically. "You mean the slag didn't tell you?"

There was a flash from Snape's wand, and the young man screamed, grabbing his right arm. "That hurt, you fucking git!" Marcus shrieked.

"Language, Mr. Luddington. That was for calling your bride a filthy name. You will speak respectfully about her, otherwise my hand might slip and hex another part of your anatomy that is far more sensitive," Severus said silkily.

"Now, listen, you prick!" Marcus spat. "She made me a fool! She deliberately kept me at an arm's length, claiming her virginity, and there is no way she's a virgin!"

Snape breathed deeply and closed his eyes wearily. "You are correct, Mr. Luddington. Katherine in the 'technical' sense is not a virgin. Believe me, it wasn't her choice."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" he snapped impatiently.

Snape's eyes snapped open, and he glared furiously at the young wizard. "She was raped, you imbecile! It was a horrific, tragic event that Professor McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, and myself took care of. We Obliviated her memory of the event, but before that, I performed Legilimency on her in order to collect her memories, just in case something like this should happen. The proof of her violation is safely tucked away, in case you want to see for yourself. As her husband, you have that right. But I warn you, it happened a long time ago. Now, are you prepared to be a caring husband, take her back, and give her the love and understanding that she needs and deserves?"

"Look, I don't want someone's leftovers. I made damn sure I would be getting a virgin for a wife. I mean, I don't even know who did it...probably some disgusting pervert! I don't waste my time marrying someone whose pussy I'm required to fuck that has had some dirty pervert's todger inside it! If I want that, I can just go to a whore!" he spat.

"You are a swine!" Snape hissed at him as he sprang from his chair. "I knew from the start you were nothing but a sniveling little piece of shite! I tried to tell Katherine she was making a mistake being with you, but she wouldn't heed warning. I had to let her make her choice. Some fucking choice! You are a pathetic excuse for a wizard!"

Marcus snorted. He could care less what the Greasy Git of Hogwarts thought of him. "Just get the fuck out of my face!" he sneered impatiently.

Snape considered his options. Then he blasted the young man across the room, knocking him out. "It's fortunate for you I don't like to waste my time, Mr. Luddington," he sneered at the comatose young wizard. "It's just going to have to be enough for you to never recall I was ever here tonight."

"Obliviate!" he hollered.

He repaired the front door, removed all evidence of his presence, and left. When Mr. Luddington woke in the morning, all he would remember was drinking, hating his new wife, and planning his annulment. And Snape would make damn sure it would stay that way!