“I’m afraid I don’t remember,” he said solemnly. “Did it hurt, when you accepted?” she asked. It was one thing to indulge occasionally, but to be consumed? That would be a bit much. “It would have to be an undeniably tempting offer.” you will feel the full strength of the mask’s power within you.” But if you accept it, allow yourself to be consumed by your true desire….

One of those offers we as people are rarely fond of accepting. “You will be approached, rather presented with the sole object of your desire. What would it feel like to be totally consumed by the mask?

“If you can define it, it has not yet taken you by full force.” His voice was bright, with a hint of a smile. “Like adrenaline running through your veins…like falling, just the moment before you release your feet off the edge of the diving board.” She glanced over at him. “Does everyone feel like this when they wear the silver mask?” She could smell him, feel the heat of his presence beside her. “Intoxicating, is it not?” Snape asked, his voice prickling against her neck. And waking up meant not seeing the ball, not carrying through with this plan. She tried not to give too much thought to unnerving ideas. Sometimes, her breath would envelop and bounce off the edges and leave a silken trail along her skin.

She did not sense its touch on her skin, like it was barely there. She’d never walked while looking through a mask, but she felt like a natural at it. Her own eyes - hazy and sore, but delightfully alert. The halls never smelled so sweet, the moon outside those endlessly tall windows- so bright. Had there ever been a sound so sweet to her ears than the rustle of her heels on that carpet? However, by the mask, was she ever just the opposite tonight? Hermione was rarely swayed by any passion, doing what was necessary.

A touch of darkness 3