InsaneJournal

Surrounded by empty Chinese take-away boxes, Charity sat on the beach, knees drawn up.

"I've strayed from the cottages and found myself here, for I need your love, your love protects my fears."

"You're very good."

Severus nodded curtly, not looking up from his guitar. "And I wonder sometimes and I know I'm unkind, but I need you to turn to when I act so blind..."

His hand fell still, resting upon the strings.

"Very good," said Charity, "especially for being self-taught."

His mouth twitched. "Well, not entirely self-taught."

She waited until he looked up to her. "Yes?" she prompted.


* * *


Severus' glance fell to a take-away box. "You've picked round all the broccoli." He picked out the broccoli, chewing each piece thoroughly.

"You were saying?"

"There was a pub. Used to nip into it, now and again, when I could. There was a fellow, there, who sang covers of Elton John--"

"Of course," groaned Charity, rolling her eyes.

"--songs, accompanying himself on the guitar. I wanted to learn guitar, but couldn't see my way clear to fitting instruction into my schedule. So," he shrugged, "I tried Legilimency."

Charity's mouth fell open, but she couldn't get any words to come out.


* * *


Severus smirked. "It proved to be an excellent opportunity to hone my recently-learnt skills as a Legilimens. I had to sift through an awful lot of rubbish and learn to focus on what I sought, but when I did, I got a sense of playing--literally--from the inside out." He shrugged. "Learned a few things, too, that might have been useful, had I been interested in blackmail."

"Which of course you weren't."

"Not really. He gave me, however unwittingly, an invaluable refuge, a place to turn to when I cannot bear another minute of the brats and Albus Dumbledore."


* * *


Charity shook her head, smiling. "Just when I think you can't surprise me any further..."

Severus' eyes lit up. "Oh, my dear," he murmured, "I am full of surprises."

"Surprise me tonight?"

"Maybe." Severus turned back to his guitar, and started the song again from the beginning.

Charity lay back on her beach towel and gazed up at the clear blue afternoon sky dotted by white clouds. However he'd learnt guitar, Severus was rather good. And he had a beautiful voice, when he wasn't losing his temper or screaming in pain.

"...you're my guardian angel who keeps out the cold."