Fic: ~The Wizard's Tale, A Continuation: Part 11~ NC-17
Title: The Wizard’s Tale: A Continuation
Part 11 contains chapters 46-50


Chapter 46: Debriefing

Snape saw Crabbe and Goyle as soon as they Apparated onto Malfoy’s front walk. He watched them enter the house, and stood perfectly still as every fiber of his being screamed at him to take action.

“Dobby will go watch.” Snape barely heard the whisper before the little elf disappeared without coming out from under Snape’s cloak.

~~

They waited several minutes in the silent barn before Tonks stirred and started to move. Lillith put a hand on her arm and shook her head. She motioned for the two of them to stay put, and mouthed, “They don’t know about you.”

Tonks nodded, and settled back against the wall where she could watch.

Lillith eased silently out of the stall, melting into the darkness. A minute or so later, just as Tonks was about to go looking, they saw a flash of light and heard the thud of a body hitting the boards. A few seconds later, Lillith was at their sides, and they slipped out of the barn.

A dirt road ran by the front of the barn, and disappeared into thick trees in either direction. The sky was overcast, without a hint of a star for direction.

“Shit!” Tonks looked both ways in indecision.

“Where’s Severus?” Lillith’s voice was low.

“The right side of the house near the front.” Tonks answered her.

Lillith looked around. “This way.” She headed around the barn. Another dirt track appeared at the back of the barn and they ran down the shoulder in the shadow of the trees.

“How does she know the way?” Kat ran beside Tonks behind Lillith.

“Unerring sense of direction,” Tonks panted back. “Always had it.”

“How did she know Severus was here?”

This time Tonks just threw Kat a disgusted look as they moved to single file and ducked into a narrow trail at the side of the track.

In moments they could see the lights of the Malfoy mansion through the trees, and Lillith veered off the trail again, heading through the trees. They moved more slowly, as there was no path. Lillith and Tonks were silent in the woods, but Kat had not their expertise, and occasionally the sound of a breaking stick came from under his feet. The wind was still strong, rattling the trees and shaking the leaves still clinging to the beeches, and the sound of their progress through the undergrowth was masked from all but the forest creatures. And the tall dark man who waited deeper in the woods to the side.

Lillith suddenly froze, and the others became still and watchful. She turned her eyes into the woods away from the house, and Tonks immediately dropped into a crouch and stole away at an angle.

“It’s me.” The deep voice was almost a sound of the forest.

Lillith was in his arms in an instant, and the other two crowded around. Snape raised his wand, and he and Lillith disappeared; Tonks and Kat were right behind them.

The colder air of Scotland bit into them as they appeared outside the gates of the school, and they ran for the warmth of home in silence.

Minutes later they all tumbled into Snape and Lillith’s living room to find the fire roaring, and a tray of tea and warm cakes steaming gently on the coffee table. They were still collecting themselves, and shedding cloaks, when there was a knock at the door, and Dumbledore appeared with Dobby close on his heels.

Dumbledore’s relief shone from his eyes, and he rested a hand on Lillith’s arm.

“Are you alright, my dear?”

“Perfectly!” But she wrapped her arms around herself, and shivered as reaction started to set in.

Snape moved her to an armchair by the fire, fixed her a cup of tea with a hefty shot of brandy, and settled himself on the arm of her chair. She leaned her head against his ribs, and his hand settled on her far shoulder. Dobby passed tea and cakes, and brandy, and saw everyone settled to his satisfaction.

“Is there anything more Dobby can do to be of service, sir?” He bowed to Snape.

“No, Dobby. You’ve been a great help.” He gave a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Dobby is honored, Sir.” The little elf bowed again, and vanished.

“Well,” Dumbledore made himself comfortable and sipped his chamomile tea. “Lillith, would you care to start?”

The abduction had happened just as Tonks had figured. When Crabbe and Goyle had grabbed her, and she realized she couldn’t escape, she had dropped her glove and trampled it into the snow. As soon as they found the dummy wand in the outer pocket of her cloak they had stopped looking. Hence her own wand, tucked up her sleeve, went unnoticed.

Snape filled in the experience of his warning, then Tonks related the rough details of her search. Dumbledore took over, and filled Lillith in with the facts of the meeting in his office, then Tonks took over the take again, starting with their entrance into the mansion.

“What was that curse you hit Malfoy with? It sounded like two in one,” Tonks asked.

Lillith nodded. “A body bind and an itching curse. Severus taught me to combine curses and charms. It saves time.”

Tonks grinned at Snape. “Another item on the list of things for you to teach me.”

He snorted. “Kat can teach you that.”

Kat looked mildly surprised.

“Be less time that I’d have to spend in your company.” Snape gave Tonks a sour look, but she just laughed at him.

Kat followed the exchange with a thoughtful look on his face.

“What was that flourish you put on at the end?” Kat directed his question to Lillith.

“Kind of a binding thing for the Itchicus curse. The body bind would wear off on its own, but they will find the other curse rather hard to lift. It intensifies the itching curse as well.” She looked a little ashamed for a moment, then lifted her head and smiled.

“He’s going to one miserable bastard.” Kat said in awe.

Dumbledore stirred. “Dobby reported that the body bind had already worn off before he left. He said that Malfoy was in a frenzy, and they put another body bind on him to keep him from gouging himself with his nails. I gather he had already done quite a job on his own face.” Dumbledore sipped his tea. “Given dark wizards ineptitude with healing, and the fact that they probably won’t want questions asked, I’m afraid Mr. Malfoy may be carrying the scars permanently.” Given the gentle voice the Headmaster spoke with, the words were particularly chilling.

Snape stroked Lillith’s hair, then squeezed her shoulder. “I fear I’ve been a bad influence on you.” His tone was light, and the look of consternation Dumbledore’s words had caused disappeared. She smiled up at him, and laid a hand on his thigh.

Kat picked up the tale from there, taking it to the barn where Lillith had left them.

She reported that she had simply stalked Goyle, and stunned him without his ever seeing her. Her natural sense of direction, honed with many trips in trackless forests and mountains while hunting plants, combined with the magnetic draw she felt toward her lover, had led her unerringly to his side.

She smiled up at him. “Once I got headed right, I simply knew where he was.” He stroked her cheek with gentle fingers.

“But you were still ready to blast me before I identified myself.”

“A girl has to be careful.” She rubbed her cheek against his ribs and he laughed softly.

“Well!” Dumbledore rose and set his empty teacup aside. “Do you think Malfoy was convinced?”

Lillith frowned in thought. “I think so.”

“He’ll have it in for you for a different reason now,” Tonks added as she rose with Kat.

“Maybe you had better not go into Hogsmeade alone any more Aunt Lilly.”

Lillith frowned. “I hate the idea of letting him have the upper hand that way.” She sighed. “All right. For awhile anyway.”

“Thank you.” Snape’s voice was dry, and Lillith giggled.

“For you, my love.”

The group broke up, and Lillith straightened the room, placing all the teacups and plates on the tray, and setting them outside her door for the house elves.

After a last look around the room, Snape put out the lights and wrapped his arms around her.

“I know you hate the restriction, but I would really appreciate it if you don’t get yourself grabbed by that bastard again. It’s hard enough to pretend to like him as it is. It would be extremely difficult to convince the Dark Lord I was a loyal Death Eater if I had gutted one of his favorites, and put his severed head on a pike.”

He nuzzled Lillith’s ear. “I’m going to do that to him anyway, for what he did to you, but if he touches you again, it will be sooner rather than later.”

Lillith shivered. Although the words were spoken lightly by a man kissing her neck in the most tender of fashions, she didn’t doubt for a second that he meant exactly what he said. She rarely saw that side of him, and at times almost forgot just what a dangerous man her beloved was.

*************************


Chapter 47: Preparations

Lillith and Severus sat at the big table in the lab. Several cauldrons simmered over low flames on the work bench along the wall; one was emitting tiny, shimmering chartreuse bubbles that popped a few inches above the surface of an oily looking liquid. Books, notes and scrolls were scattered and piled on the table around the pair, and a mug of cold tea with congealing cream sat by Lillith’s elbow.

Lillith finished copying from a page of notes into a lab workbook, drew a line diagonally across the sheet of parchment and set it on a pile of similarly marked sheets. She glanced over at Severus who sighed and, setting down his quill, went over to the workbench to check on the potions. He made a small sound of annoyance and extinguished the flames under the cauldrons.

Lillith looked up.

Snape sighed and, muttering, “Evanesco,” emptied two of the cauldrons. He turned to find Lillith watching.

“Spoiled. I’ll have to redo the antidote for the Bubotuber Pus.” He set the steaming chartreuse mix off the side to cool. “I’m not paying attention.” He returned to his chair and sat heavily. Tidying parchments into a neat stack he ran his hand over the top one. Lillith handed him the pile she had taken notes from and he added them to his stack. Picking them up, he sat staring at them with slightly unfocused eyes.

“I know I have to.” His voice was tired. He didn’t move.

Lillith reached out and touched his arm.

“We can’t take the risk of the notes falling into the wrong hands.”

With a curt nod he rose and in a few short strides was at the fireplace. Without hesitation he threw the parchments into the flames and watched as they curled and blackened.

He stood for a few moments until there was nothing left but bits of gray ash floating up the chimney.

“And so the monk’s potion returns to obscurity.” He roused himself and went to the workbench. He ladled a small amount of potion from a cauldron that had been cooling for hours at the back of the bench and brought it back to the table.

“But its legacy might live on.”

He and Lillith looked at each other over the glass beaker of innocent looking liquid.

Before either could speak, there was a knock at the lab door.

“Enter!” Snape called without looking up.

The door opened a few inches and Bunks, the house elf, peeked around it. Even though she wasn’t overly afraid of Snape, it was always wise to use caution with the Potions Master as one could never be sure what kind of a mood he would be in. He never threw things or struck an elf, but he still frightened them with his scowling countenance and cutting tongue. Things had been a lot better since Lillith had come to live at the school, and the elves adored her for that reason, along with many others.

“Professor, sir, Mistress Lillith, Miss Tonks and Mr. Kat would like as to see you if it’s convenient.”

They looked at each other briefly, and Snape nodded.

“Show them in.”

Tonks bounced into the room and almost overturned the stool she was aiming to sit on. Kat followed more cautiously, looking around him with interest. This was the first time he had entered the lab.

“What ya’ working on?” Tonks reached for the beaker but Snape forestalled her with a raised hand.

“You know the rules.”

Tonks grinned, shoved her hands under her thighs and addressed Kat. “He only lets me in here if I promise to stay seated and not touch anything.”

Kat threw her an affectionate smile, but didn’t say anything.

Lillith studied the two of them briefly. Lately she rarely saw one without the other being somewhere close by. She was secretly very pleased but tried not to show it. In the short time since Kat had come into their lives she had grown quite fond of the thoughtful, courteous young man.

“Well?” Tonks fidgeted on her stool, eyeing the beaker.

“It’s a distillation of a variation on the monk’s potion. It should shield the body from pain, but not the physical affects of injury.”

Tonks frowned. “Why would you want that?”

Snape looked at her for a long moment. “So if a person is being tortured, it will look as tough they are feeling the pain even though they are not.”

She looked at the potion for several seconds. “I see.”

“Umm, I don’t.” It was Kat’s polite voice.

Tonks turned to him. “If you’re being tortured and the torturer doesn’t see the reaction they want, they just continue until they do.” She turned to Snape. “So you won’t feel the pain but you’ll look like you do?” He nodded and she continued. “How can that work? I mean, I can get the being injured and not feeling the pain, but how can you look as though you do if you don’t? Do you know what I mean?” She looked from Lillith to Snape not noticing that Kat had gone slightly green.

“It seems to disconnect the pain receptors somehow but not the nerve reactions. We were just going to test it.”

“Cool!” Tonks brightened. “Can I try it?”

“Is that safe?” Kat’s eyes were rather dilated and he didn’t look too well.

Tonks laughed. “If Snape made it and says it’s safe, it’s safe. And furthermore, it will work.”

Snape gave her a sharp look but Tonks’ face was free of guile.

“Can I try it?” Tonks look like a child anticipating a treat.

Snape looked at Lillith who nodded, then he gave Tonks a small smile. “Well, I’d certainly rather cast Crucio at you than at your aunt.” He handed her the beaker. “Drink up.”

“Wait a minute!” Kat held out a hand. “You’re going to cast Crucio? You can’t do that! It’s not allowed.”

Tonks shifted uncomfortably. “It’s all right, Kat. Really.”

“What if it doesn’t work?” He gestured at the beaker.

Tonks laughed and tossed back the potion. “It will.” She gave Snape a teasing look. “I hope.” She looked around from her perch on the high stool. “Should I sit on the floor or something? I don’t want to break anything.”

“Tonks!” Kat was on his feet but Lillith laid a restraining hand on his arm.

“Please, this is going to look very bad, but believe me, he would not do this if he thought it wasn’t going to work.” She tugged his arm. “Come. Let’s get out of the way.”

Shaking, Kat followed her the side of the room while Tonks sat cross-legged in the middle of the floor.

Snape crouched beside her and touched her arm. “Sure?”

She smiled into his eyes. “Do your worst.”

He stepped back and pointed his heavy black wand at her. “Crucio!”

Tonks screamed. Her body jerked and writhed on the floor as Snape held the curse for two long seconds. Kat pulled loose from Lillith and made a dive for Snape, whose reflexive defense sent Kat sprawling before he was half way across the room.

Tonks sat up and ran a hand over her face. “Wow!” She grinned up at Snape. “That was weird.”

Kat looked at her in astonishment from where he was picking himself up off the floor.

Snape pulled Tonks to her feet. “What did you feel?”

“Not much. My whole body seemed to prickle, inside and out, but there was no pain. It was odd to feel my body convulsing and hear myself screaming but to not feel the pain.” She ruffled her short black and white hair and plunked herself back on her stool.

Kat brushed himself off and sat back on his stool, giving Lillith a wan smile when she squeezed his arm.

Tonks’ face sobered. “You’re going to need that, aren’t you?”

Snape nodded and inclined his head toward Lillith. “We both are, I’m afraid. Rather soon.” At Tonks’ questioning look he went on. “I’ve been putting the Dark Lord off about the monk’s potion; telling him I need more time. We’ve tried to come up with another plan, but the only thing to do, I’m afraid, is to tell him I simply can’t do it.”

Tonks went white. “Will he believe you?”

“I hope so.” Snape’s smile was grim. “I’ll also tell him I’m out of the Purple Spotted Witch’s Cloak, which is almost true.”

“Won’t he kill you?” It came out a whisper.

Kat sat on his stool in silence, his eyes huge. He knew a little about the monk’s potion but hadn’t heard all of the story yet.

Snape looked into Lillith’s eyes. “I hope not.”

“Wait a minute! You have to have a better idea than that or you wouldn’t do this. Come on, you’re scaring me!” Tonks was shivering and Lillith reached over and took her hand.

“I don’t think he’ll kill me, Tonks, but he’s not going to be pleased.”

“You’re sure? I mean, you said he’d kill you if you didn’t take me to the meeting. Isn’t this far more important?”

“This will be a failure of ability. I believe he will still think me valuable enough to keep around. Had I not brought someone to the meeting, it would have been disobedience. His ego will not stand for that regardless of how valuable a person is to him.”

“Oh.” Tonks looked miserable. “I hope to Merlin you’re right.” She looked up. “So Aunt Lilly’s going to be taking the potion, too?”

“Of course.”

“Would it be asking too much to get a little more information here?” Kat’s voice wasn’t quite steady.

Tonks looked at Snape and Lillith, who both nodded. “Come on, Kat.” Tonks took Kat’s hand and headed for the door. “This could take a while.” She stopped at the door and looked back. “When are you going to tell him?”

“There’ll be a meeting tomorrow night.”

“It’s almost Christmas.” Tonks whisper was wistful.

Snape took a deep breath. “Might as well get it over with.”

Tonks came back and gave Lillith a long hug, then turned to Snape and did the same. He looked startled for a moment, but then put his arms gently around the young woman.

“I’ll be back tomorrow night.” She had tears in her eyes as she looked at her aunt. Turning again, she laid a hand on Snape’s cheek. “Be careful, you jerk.”

She grabbed Kat’s hand and fled the room.

***************************


Chapter 48: Save the Last Dance For Me

They stood in the quiet lab, Lillith staring at Snape and Snape staring at the wall. He drew himself up with effort and focused on Lillith’s face.

“Do you have plans for the evening?”

Lillith blinked in surprise. “Umm, not that I was aware of.” She smiled gently at Snape. “Did you have something in mind?”

He came and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. “Meet me in our rooms in a bit?”

“Of course.” Lillith moved back and gave him a puzzled look.

He touched her cheek and turning on his heel, left the lab.

Lillith shook her head and after making sure everything in the lab was as it should be, she went back to their rooms.

Snape had something in mind but she couldn’t even begin to guess what it might be. Well, she could probably guess at the ending. With a smile, she went to the bathroom and showered. After drying her hair, she studied it in the mirror.

“Bunks!” She called quietly and the little elf appeared instantly. Lillith smiled at her. “I think the Professor has something special in mind tonight, would you dress my hair for me?”

Bunks nodded energetically and taking brush in hand started smoothing it through Lillith’s hair. The elf loved doing hair and was very good. She was in great demand for the upcoming Yule Ball and the students had been booking her time for weeks.

She swept Lillith’s hair up on the back of her head and let the ends cascade down. “I think like this, with curls?”

Lillith smiled in the mirror. “Whatever you think.”

Humming to herself, the elf set to work and before long Lillith’s hair was finished. The fall of hair at the back was a riot of sausage curls, and Bunks had teased out a curl on either side of Lillith’s face.

Lillith laughed. “Any thoughts on what I should wear?”

Bunks dove into the closet and emerged a minute later with a dress of deep honey gold that Lillith was sure she had never seen before.

“Where did that come from?”

“It’ll be perfect, Mistress Lillith, you’ll see.” The little elf held out the dress for Lillith to put on.

The dress had long snug sleeves, was high in the back and had a deeply scooped neckline. The fabric fit her like a glove to the low waist then dropped in a loose skirt that fell a little above her knee on one side and to her ankle on the other. She spun and the fabric floated out around her. It was a dress made for dancing.

“Bunks, do you know what the Professor has in mind?” She tried to look sternly at the elf.

“Oh, no, Mistress Lillith. I just find this dress in the closet.” Bunks blinked at her.

“Mmm,” Lillith wasn’t convinced but Bunks remained innocent. “And are there shoes in the closet to go with this lovely dress?”

Bunks scrambled in the closet and emerged with a pair of high-heeled dancing slippers that matched the dress.

“I see.” Lillith slipped the shoes onto her feet and looked in the mirror. The dress flattered her figure perfectly and the color made her brown hair and warm complexion glow. She looked at the house elf and saw her beaming.

“Are you ready?”

“Ready for what, Bunks?”

“When you’re ready, the Professor requests that you meet him in the Room of Requirement.”

Lillith felt a thrill go through her and she smiled at the house elf. “Thank you, Bunks.”

Taking a deep breath, she headed out the door to her appointment.

~~

She didn’t see him when she first entered the room. The space was about 20x30 feet with a wood floor that was as seamless and smooth as a frozen lake. Polished to a high shine it reflected the light of the many flickering candles set around the room in candelabra style wrought-iron sconces. The walls were covered with a woven cloth of deep burgundy and the ceiling was exposed beam and wood. Soft music played, the sound seeming to come from everywhere at once.

She stopped just inside the door, her eyes searching the shadowy depths of the room. They found their target. At the far end, in a corner of moving light and shadow, a small cafe style table with two chairs stood. A single candle burned at one side, the light reflecting off a bottle of wine and two glasses. Snape reclined in one of the chairs, his long legs stretched out before him, ankles crossed. One hand rested in his lap and the other played idly with the stem of a wine glass.

Lillith moved toward him, a smile on her face. He rose slowly and came to greet her, extending one hand as they drew close. Snape wore his favorite loose white shirt with billowy sleeves and black trousers. His hair reflected the flickering light of the candle flames. Grasping hands, they didn’t stop moving until they were pressed against each other. He lowered his head until his breath brushed her ear.

“Will you dance with me?” It was barely a whisper.

Lillith nodded and he wrapped his arms around her. She slid hers around his neck and hardly noticed as the music grew louder. Lillith leaned against him, allowing her body to melt against his. At first he barely moved, then gradually, his steps grew wider, more pronounced, until, with a sigh, Lillith moved away and assumed the standard dancing posture.

He moved easily, guiding her effortlessly around the dance floor; his hands warm through the thin fabric of the dress. The music waxed and waned, changing tempo and style. Lillith threw her head back and laughed as Snape whirled her around the dance floor in perfect harmony with the music.

At long last the music faded into a barely audible background and Snape led her to the table. It was now set for dinner with a red cloth and silver that twinkled in the unsteady flame of the candle. He poured her a glass of white wine and she gasped as food appeared on the plates. Gilled sole with lemon butter, new potatoes roasted with butter and parsley and fresh asparagus in Hollandaise sauce. They ate slowly, speaking little and of inconsequential things. They needed no words.

They finished eating, and as if on cue, the music rose again in volume. Snape extended his hand across the table and she laid hers in his palm. Together they rose and moved to the dance floor.

The music started gently then slowly built. A waltz, a two-step, a cha-cha, a mambo and dances she didn’t recognize. With grace and a feather light touch he guided her through the different steps. Most of them she knew although she hadn’t danced for years. They laughed and came alive as never before as they allowed the music to overtake their senses.

And then, just when Lillith was thinking she might not mind a break, the opening notes of what was to be a tango filled the room. She smiled up into Snape’s eyes and saw a fire start to burn within. He seemed to grow taller, more powerful. She saw the barriers fall and the man emerge. He opened the window to his soul for her once again and she was lost.

He handled her with authority. Lifting her, turning her, pulling her close and tossing her away. Where his hands touched, she took fire. The world fell away and he became the center of her universe. She burned like a torch for him and he was consumed.

The music ended with a flourish and the room went quiet. On the final notes Snape had pinned her against a wall and devoured her mouth in a kiss. She tangled her hands in his hair and raising one leg, wrapped it around his thigh. She felt him shudder and he lifted her, crushing her against the rough wall covering. She moaned into his mouth and wrapped both legs around his hips.

A quick yank and her panties were gone. Another moment and he thrust deep within her. She cried out in pure need as she clutched his shoulders and pulled herself against him. He stayed still, holding her against the wall impaled on his cock.

He kissed her face and neck, nuzzled her ears and kissed her deeply. His tongue explored and tasted her mouth while his hands were clenched on her buttocks. His breath was becoming ragged and she could feel the heavy muscles of his thighs start to quiver and still he remained motionless inside her.

“Severus!” Her cry was one of love and longing and he moved at last, driving into her with force. She moved against him, her head thrown back in pleasure. She was rapidly coming to her release when he leaned forward and fastened his mouth on her neck. As he teeth sank into the column of the throat her orgasm broke over her. Crying his name she dug her nails into his back and he came with her.

He held her still, though he trembled and his breath came in gasps. His face was buried in her neck and she held onto him as a drowning woman would hold to a lifeline. Slowly, he lowered her legs and lifted his head. She steadied herself against him and looked into his eyes.

“You do know, don’t you,” his breathing was still a bit uneven, “that after Harry Bloody Potter finally gets off his arse and kills the Dark Lord, I expect you to make an honest man of me?”

Lillith’s eyes opened wide with surprise and she searched his face for some sign he was teasing. She saw none. His love shown from his eyes as clearly as a beacon in the night. She gulped.

“At the earliest possible convenience.”

He gave her a lopsided grin of stunningly boyish charm and kissed her soundly.

When the kiss ended, she almost cried to see that the curtain had once more been drawn over his soul. She held his hand tightly as he led her to the table.

Awaiting them was a nice Merlot, and a selection of cheeses and fruit. Most welcome was a large pitcher of cool water. They drank thirstily of the water, then enjoyed the wine and food. They sat close, their thighs touching under the table, their talk fragmented and incomplete, their understanding total.

As they rose from the table the air shimmered with the sound of strings. The opening notes of the Blue Danube Waltz dropped into the air and created ripples of sound as a drop of water created ripples when dropped in a lake. Lillith’s eyes lit with joy.

“I love this dance!”

Snape smiled and drew her into his arms. The music swelled and carried them whirling around the room. Faster and faster they spun until they were laughing and dizzy.

The air finally quivered into stillness, the music gone. Arm in arm, they headed for the door, the candles snuffing out behind them. Snape left first, signaled the way was clear and they set off in different directions.

~~

Back in their bedroom, Lillith reached behind her to undo the dress but her fingers encountered only seamless silk. She reached for her wand but Snape forestalled her. He ran a finger lightly down the back of the dress and the material parted. Smoothing it over her shoulders then down over her breasts, his hands lingered, fondling and caressing her gently. She leaned back against him and closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. The dress fell away and almost reluctantly she replaced it with a robe before seating herself in front of the mirror and reaching to take down her hair.

“May I?” Snape stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders.

She smiled into the mirror. “Of course. Did you create the dress?”

“I did. Did you like it?” He extracted the pins from her hair with care.

“Very much. You have impeccable taste.”

He ran his fingers through her thick hair teasing out the tangles and curls.

“That’s a wonderful color for you. It makes you glow.” He picked up the brush and stroked it gently the length of her hair.

They were silent as he brushed her hair; Lillith’s eyes closing at the pleasurable sensation.

“Would you like me to braid it?” Lillith frequently braided her hair at night to keep it from tangling. She opened her eyes in surprise.

“You know how?”

He smiled a bit sadly. “Another thing the Ladies taught me.”

‘The Ladies’ was the way he referred to the women of the brothel where he had spent that long-ago summer with his father.

“I think perhaps the Ladies taught me far more than I realized, or appreciated, at the time.”

Lillith waited without speaking as he divided her hair carefully and began at the top of her head with a French braid.

“They taught me more than the mechanics of being a good lover – or dancer – they taught me the pleasure of bringing pleasure.” He frowned. “Something I’ve ignored for most of my life.” He paused for a moment gathering her hair and his thoughts. “They talked to me.” Snape gave a self-deprecating shrug. “And, of course, I listened. They told me their thoughts, their fears, their dreams. They told me their histories, and how they came to be what they were.” He tugged a little harder than necessary on a strand and Lillith winced. “Sorry.” He kissed the top of her head and continued with his work. “Perhaps I should have listened more carefully.”

He seemed to have finished speaking.

“I believe you learned well.” Her voice was gentle. “Your understanding was what attracted me to you. You tried to hide it but it was clear to me. You paid attention to people and you understood them. You certainly aren’t always gentle with that understanding, but it’s there and when you choose... Well, the way you are with me, the way you’ve been with Dori...” She laughed softly. “You’re Head of House! You’ve been surrogate father to hundreds of adolescents over the years. A task very few men – or women – are up to. Dumbledore knew what he was doing when he put you in charge of those children.”

Snape scowled. “I assumed he did it to punish me for being such a cranky bastard.”

Lillith laughed. “You know better than that. He wouldn’t have subjected all those souls to your tender mercies just for your spiritual growth. He did it for theirs as well. He knows you, better than you do yourself.” She made a face. “I think he knows us all better than we know ourselves.”

“One of his many annoying characteristics.” Snape tied the braid with a silken cord.

Lillith reached up and stroked his hand. “Thank Merlin.”

He met her eyes in the mirror. “Mmm.” It sounded grumpy but he gave her a brief, grudging smile and stroked her cheek. “I wonder whatever happened to the Ladies. A couple of them were hardly older than I.”

Lillith felt a thrill of warmth at his words. “Perhaps some day you’ll find out.”

“Perhaps.” He placed a hand under her elbow and guided her to her feet. She turned into his arms willingly and their kiss was gentle and lingering.

Their clothing dissolved into the air to appear folded over the back of a chair as Snape led her backward toward the bed, never breaking the kiss.

They snuggled close under the covers for one last dance.

**********************************


Chapter 49: Different Music to Face

The next evening was upon them before they knew it. As soon as Snape was summoned, Lillith sent a house elf for Dumbledore and headed for the hospital wing. Albus arrived at almost the same time, and Tonks and Kat were only a few minutes behind. Madam Pomfrey had a room ready and the group sat in a huddle, with Lillith on the edge of one of the beds.

It was two and a half hours after Snape had been summoned when Lillith suddenly doubled up and screamed. They hurried to move her to the center of the bed so she wouldn’t fall, and Tonks and Madam Pomfrey sat on either side of her, trying to keep her from injuring herself. They cast a silencing charm, as she had requested, so they didn’t have to listen to her screams.

White-faced, Kat backed against the wall. Dumbledore came to stand beside him.

“Does this happen often?” His voice was strained.

“Thank Merlin, no. Since Lillith received the scar that connects them, there has only been one prolonged session.”

“Prolonged?”

“There have been a few short bursts, on other occasions.” Dumbledore looked sad.

“And it’s worse for Severus?”

Dumbledore nodded. “But infinitely easier since the connection. Lillith draws some of the pain away. Let’s pray the potion lasts as long as they need it.”

During the first short break, Lillith tried to speak and they lifted the silencing charm.

“It’s working!” She sobbed the words out from a raw throat. “It doesn’t hurt!” At that point the screams started again and the charm was recast.

For over two hours the torture continued with very few breaks. When it seemed to ease at last, they lifted the silencing charm again. Lillith was barely conscious, her body exhausted and trembling.

Lillith cried out and pulled her hands to her chest. For a few moments she looked confused than let out a long wail of agony. “His hands! They’re breaking his hands!” She curled into the fetal position trying to protect herself until, with a scream of fear, she clutched the sides of the bed, her face white with terror. She lay without breathing for a second before her body went rigid and her back arched.

“What is it, dear, what’s happening?” Madam Pomfrey whispered and she wiped Lillith’s forehead with a damp cloth.

“They picked him up, high, then slammed him down. His back...” Tears started to run down her cheeks.

The minutes ticked by and the little group stayed motionless. Then came the crash of an opening door followed by the sound of heavy boots in the hall.

“Hagrid!” Tonks was off the bed and at the door as the big man shouldered his way in. Ever so gently, he laid the limp and bleeding form of the Potions Master on the bed and stepped back.

Kat took one look at his father, then bracing his back against the wall, slid slowly to the floor. Tonks stood beside him with her hand on his shoulder, too tense to sit.

“Everyone out!”

Madam Pomfrey ordered as she started to unwrap the unconscious man from his cloak.

They all fled except Lillith who, on unsteady feet, moved to help.

“Sit down and help,“ Poppy ordered. “I don’t want to leave him because you’ve fallen over.”

Lillith gave her a weak grimace and steadied herself on the side of the bed.

They worked over him in silence, cleaning, mending, soothing. Poppy let out a long breath of relief after scanning his back.

“A few cracked vertebrae, easy enough to heal, and his spinal cord seems alright. We’ll have to wait until he’s awake to be sure.” She continued over his body. “Broken ribs, broken leg, broken collarbone, broken jaw,” she recited the inventory of his injuries. Getting to his hands, her face pinched and she made a small angry sound. Lillith looked up in fear.

“Every bone crushed. The bastards!” Lillith’s eyebrows rose in surprise. It wasn’t like Poppy to swear.

“But, you can repair them?”

Madam Pomfrey thought for a moment. “They’re too badly shattered to mend. I’m going to dissolve them, then regrow them. It will be very painful for him, but he’ll have his hands back good as new when all is said and done.”

Lillith breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned. “Can he handle the Skelo-Grow? Is there internal damage?”

Poppy was checking even as Lillith had asked. “Some bruising, one kidney’s a bit tender, but he’ll be able to tolerate the Skelo-Grow well enough. He’s remarkably tough.”

“High praise from you, Poppy.” The weak voice startled them both.

“Severus?” Lillith stroked his face.

“It worked, didn’t it?” He gave her a faint smile around the broken tooth Poppy hadn’t mended yet. He moved a little and grimaced. “Seems to be wearing off, though.”

Poppy insisted on doing a few tests before giving him anything for the pain, but before long he had obediently consumed a half dozen potions and was resting fairly comfortably.

Madam Pomfrey pulled the door open to go get something and let out a yelp of surprise. The others were clustered just outside the door, forgotten.

They crowed in and Lillith gave the report while Poppy went to her office for the special tea for their throats.

Snape was asleep before his was half gone and Lillith was drooping when she set her empty mug aside.

Madam Pomfrey shooed everyone out and tucked the two in the big bed together. She touched Lillith’s cheek with her cool hand, turned the light low and left the room.

~~

Lillith awoke the next morning feeling as though she’d been run over by the Knight Bus. Every part of her ached and she didn’t want to crawl out of bed. Being in the Hospital wing instead of her own bed prompted her to stir herself, however, and at about midday she eased out from beside a still sleeping Snape and padded to Madam Pomfrey’s office. The mediwitch chided her gently for being up, but Lillith assured her she would be fine after a long soak in a hot tub. Poppy checked her over and let her go, and she walked slowly back to her room.

A long soak in a tub full of herbs went a great way toward restoring her. After a light meal provided by the house elves, she went in search of the Headmaster. She found him in Snape’s room, and after she assured him she was fine and would be taking Snape’s afternoon third year potions class, the Headmaster left.

Snape was awake and very grumpy. His hands wouldn’t be usable for another 28 hours at least and he was not taking kindly to being helpless.

“Have you eaten?” Lillith looked at the untouched food on the tray table.

“I will not be fed like a babe.” He was scowling.

“Are you going to go without eating for two and a half days?” He question was mild.

“If I have to!” He folded his arms over his chest with great care.

Lillith sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed his hair back from his face.

“How about if we charm the silverware to feed you?”

“You can do that?” He looked hopeful in spite of himself.

“Sure, mothers use the charm all the time to feed their kids when they’re busy. It’s fairly simple and I’m sure I can tuck your wand in your bandages well enough for you to cast it. It should be you who casts it so you can control it.”

She turned to the wand on the nightstand. “Oh.” Unconsciously, she curled her left hand into a fist over the scar.

“There is a pair of dragon hide gloves it the drawer that will allow you to handle my wand without injury.”

“They’ll protect me?” Lillith’s voice wasn’t quite as assured as she wanted it to be.

“As long as you don’t try to use the wand, yes.”

Slipping on the gloves, she handled the wand with her finger tips as though not quite trusting it. She went over the motions and the incantation with him, then carefully tucked his wand into the bandages of his right hand. On the second try, he had mastered the charm and was eating with fair appetite.

He was just finishing when Professor McGonagall strode into the room. Her usually neat bun was somewhat awry, the frames her glasses slightly bent and her face was covered with soot. There were a number of smoldering holes in the front of her robes.

“When are you going to be back in the classroom?” She demanded in her no-nonsense way.

“Three days.” Snape’s voice was serene. “Something amiss, Minerva?”

“Three days?!?” Her usually steady voice cracked a little. She drew herself up. “See that it’s no longer!” She was gone in a swirl of smoking cloak.

“Better, thanks for asking!” Snape’s still strained voice called after her. Seeing Lillith’s frightened face, he chuckled. “Don’t worry. The third years hardly ever blow anything up.” He sobered. “I wonder what Albus promised her to get her to take my first years again...”

“Right. I’m off then.” And with a deep fortifying breath, she went to get her notes and go face the third year Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff class.

***************************


Chapter 50: Treasure Your Memories...

Three days later, Snape was back in class. The new joints were stiff, and overall he was still quite sore. This put him in a rather shorter supply of good temper than usual, and his students were tiptoeing and whispering around him by midmorning. His Slytherins were torn between being grateful to have him back and wishing he were still gone; they were uneasy whenever their cranky Head of House was absent. He frightened them when things were going well, but they knew they could trust him absolutely if they needed him. A twelve-year-old suffering from night terrors somehow found the sight of him sweeping bat-like to his bedside a comforting thing. Though he never coddled them, he never belittled their fears, and they knew that while he may terrify them, he would never allow anyone else to do so.

Lillith had convinced him to soak in a hot tub with a mixture of herbs she assured him would sooth his bones and his temper. He had groused that there was nothing wrong with either, but she had ignored him and insisted. She was reading by the fire when a knock interrupted her. Checking the mirror by the door to see if it was someone at her room, she found the mirror empty.

“Who is it?”

“Tonks and Kat.” Her niece’s voice drifted through the heavy door.

Lillith waved the door open and the pair came in stamping the bits of remaining snow from their feet.

“Why didn’t you come to my door?” It was very unlike Tonks to come to the dungeon.

She shrugged. “Sorry. Guess I wasn’t thinking.” She glanced around. “Where’s Snape?”

“Soaking.” Lillith waved them to seats. “Tea? A drink?”

“Tea’s good.” They sat and Lillith went to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

“Is Snape all right?” Tonks was pacing when Lillith returned.

Lillith shrugged. “Under the circumstances, yes, though a bit stiff and sore.”

“And cranky, I’m told.” Snape entered the room wearing his heavy terrycloth robe of navy blue.

“I never said that.” Lillith gave him a gentle smile.

“Maybe not in so many words.” He kissed the top of her head. “But you’re certainly the only one in the school who hasn’t.” He sat beside her on the arm of the chair, and scowled at the two on the couch.

“So, why are you here?”

Tonks sighed. “The Dark Lord has increased his attacks on Muggleborns, as you know. We’ve been really busy trying to keep up with the new protective measures Dumbledore has installed, but the Ministry isn’t helping as much as they could. They’re suspicious of the Headmaster’s information.” She shrugged at Snape apologetically. “Christmas is only a few days away. Do you think he’s still going ahead with his planned raid for Boxing Day?”

Snape ran a hand through his hair. “Probably.” He got up and paced. “Merlin! I wish I knew where it was going to be!”

Tonks shifted uncomfortably. “Snape, what do you think he’s gonna do with you now?”

Snape snorted. “I hardly dare to think.”

“No, seriously. Did he believe that you can’t make the potion? Does he suspect you of lying? Has he lost faith in you? Will he be sending you on the raids now?”

Lillith went to fetch the tea and Snape sat in the chair she’d vacated.

“I don’t know Tonks. I haven’t seen him since that night. He didn’t kill me, and that’s a good sign, but how much value he still puts on my life, I just don’t know.”

Voldemort had not sent Snape on any raids since he had been working on the Monks potion, as he seemed to feel it was not worth risking Snape’s life. Snape himself had been wondering if that was going to change.

Tonks looked forlorn, and Snape’s scowl deepened. “What on earth is the matter with you, woman?”

Tonks gave him an impatient look. “I’m worried about you, you idiot man.”

His eyes narrowed. “Well stop it! I won’t have you burying me yet.”

Lillith came in with a tea tray. Kat rose to take it from her, and set it on the coffee table. She poured and he handed round, and Lillith steered the talk to different things.

When Tonks and Kat rose to leave, Lillith joined them by the door. Snape came to stand behind her, his arms around her waist.

“Will you two be here for Christmas Eve?” She handed Tonks her hat.

“We’re looking forward to it.” Kat gave her a warm smile.

The door closed behind them, and Lillith turned in Snape’s arms to hug him.

He sighed. “Sorry to be such a crank.”

“Are you feeling any better after your soak?” She nibbled his neck.

“Mmm.” He kissed her gently. “I think a little physical therapy might help, too.”

‘Ya think?” Lillith raised an eyebrow.

“I think.” He smiled and led her toward the bedroom.

Once inside, with the door closed, Lillith reached up and kissed his cheek, then motioned him toward a chair.

“I’ll be right with you.” She waved her wand and the room rapidly became warmer.

Snape settled into the armchair with a sigh, and waited while Lillith headed for the bathroom to rummage around among the bottles on a cabinet shelf.

She returned with two, and drawing a chair up to face Snape, she set one bottle on the floor and cast a warming spell on the other.

“Slide your arms out of your robe.” She poured some oil into her hands and rubbed them together while Snape did as she requested.

Taking one of his hands between hers, she began to massage and work the bones and muscles. Gently at first, then more forcefully, she worked each joint separately, adding more oil as needed. The fresh smell of wintergreen and bay permeated the air, and Snape closed his eyes and leaned back. She worked each hand for several minutes, not stopping until each joint moved freely under her fingers.

Wiping her hands on a towel, she picked up the other bottle and warmed that. Once satisfied with the temperature, she poured some of the oil into her hands and started on his arms. Tucking his hand under her arm, she worked her way up towards his shoulder, kneading the muscles and flexing the joints at wrist and elbow.

By the time both arms were done, Snape was almost dozing.

“Come on,” she tugged gently on his arm and he rose, leaving his robe behind.

“Face down.” Snape made himself comfortable on the bed with a sigh.

Lillith started at his feet and worked her way up his legs to his hips. Each foot got the same attention as his hands before she switched oils and worked on his legs.

“What is that stuff?” Snape’s voice was muffled and drowsy.

“St. John’s wort, bay and wintergreen for your hands and feet, and bergamot, coriander, eucalyptus and rosemary in hazelnut oil for your body.”

“Mmm.” Was Snape’s only response.

Lillith moved up and straddled his thighs. “As prescribed in Dioscorides’ Materia Medica.”

“Mmm.”

Lillith smiled to herself, and applying more oil to her hands, went to work on his hips and buttocks. After she felt the muscles loosen she started working her way up his back. He was thin. She knew this – he had always been thin, but he was even thinner now. All whipcord muscle and bone, held together with nerves. The skin was pale and crisscrossed with scars, some of which she knew hadn’t been there last week. She would start gently, then as she felt the muscles begin to relax, would dig deeper, working out the knots.

Snape groaned as she worked on his shoulders, and stretched underneath her. She lifted herself off of him as he turned over, and moved down to straddle his shins. Using the heels of her hands, she worked the heavy muscles of his thighs.

She didn’t see his hands before they closed on her wrists tugging her gently upward until she lay on his chest. He pulled loose the ribbon that was holding back her hair, and buried his face in her neck. Her clothes melted away.

“I love you.” The words were barely breathed against her skin.

Unbidden, hot tears sprang to her eyes, and she tried furiously to blink them away. He raised his head and frowned at her.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not.” Lillith gave a large undignified sniff.

Snape raised an eyebrow. “You’re not crying for me, are you?”

“I’m not crying.” Lillith wiped her cheek on the back of one hand.

He smoothed her hair from her face. “You know I choose to do what I do? No one’s making me.”

“I know.” She pushed herself upright and sat with her head down, her hair covering her face. “I’m just being selfish.”

He squeezed her hand. “You haven’t got a selfish bone in your body.”

When she didn’t respond, he pulled her down on his chest once again and wrapped his arms around her.

“I have been happier these last few months than I had thought possible. You’re the strength that props me up and keeps me going. I know it tears you apart when I have to go, but you never say a word; never ask me to do what I can’t do, never ask me to stop.” He lifted her tear-streaked face and wiped his thumbs over her cheeks. “I am so sorry for bringing you into this.”

Her expression hardened.

“Don’t you dare apologize. Unless you’re sorry for loving me.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he laughed. With a lunge, he rolled her over and settled himself between her legs.

“Shall I show you how sorry I am?” He started kissing his way down her throat.

Lillith tipped her head back, and sighed as a deep shiver ran through her. Her hands came up and tangled in her lover’s hair.

His took his time, tasting her skin, nipping her gently, drawing patterns with his tongue until at long last his mouth fastened around one of her aching nipples. He fondled and squeezed her breasts, running his thumb over one nipple and his tongue over the other. Lillith groaned and arched her hips against him, begging for him to enter her.

He wasn’t ready yet. After lavishing equal attention on her other breast, he moved up to kiss her again. His kisses were long and deep, unhurried and thorough. Without breaking the kiss he moved off her, and she whimpered into his mouth.

One hand trailed down her belly and slipped between her legs, stroking her gently. His fingers gently parted her folds and slipped inside her. She cried out against him and her hips surged upward of their own volition. Slowly, his fingers stroked in and out of her until her juices coated his hand, and she was dizzy with longing. Still in slow motion, he withdrew his fingers and slid them around her aching clit. She gasped and went rigid, barely breathing. Slowly, slowly, he stroked her until her orgasm broke over her with the relentless force of a tidal wave. She screamed, and dug her nails into his back as his fingers continued their steady movement.

Even as her tremors subsided he continued his stroking. She moaned and moved in protest as her sensitized clit flinched from his touch. But he didn’t stop, and in a very short time, Lillith’s body was once again responding with need to her lover’s slow touch. Again he brought her slowly and steadily to orgasm, still not varying his touch in any way.

As she subsided from her second peak he rolled on top of her and slipped inside. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his hips as he moved in the same slow rhythm.

He slid his arms under her shoulders and held her face with his hands as he kissed her. She held him tightly and rocked to his movements, feeling her body slowly build to another release. The closer they both came, the shorter his strokes became until he was hardly moving inside her. When she did come, it was intensified by her being held almost entirely immobile by the weight of his body. He came with her, buried deep inside, eyes closed, barely moving, not breathing.

Finally they breathed again; moved again and he raised his head to see tears in her eyes once more.

“Lillith?” His voice was gentle.

She shook her head and smiled. “It’s all right. I’m all right.” She kissed his cheek. “Really.”

He rested his face in the crook of her neck and nodded.

They slept that way for half the night.

~~

The next day Snape had only one class in the afternoon. He was going through some of the books in the study during the morning hours when a piece of paper fell from one of them. He picked it up and studied it for a long time.

“What is it?” Lillith was watching him from the desk where she was doing her accounts.

He came over and handed her the paper. “I had forgotten about this.”

It was a photo. A thin young man with lank black hair was scowling at the camera. A girl was at his side, turned toward him with one hand on his shoulder and the other waving to the camera. Her hair was a mass of chestnut colored waves, her smile was full of delight and her astonishing blue eyes brimming with laughter.

“She insisted on having it taken. I’m not sure how I ended up with it.”

“Kat’s mother.” The resemblance was undeniable.

Snape walked to the window and studied the snow-covered world outside. Lillith waited in silence.

Snape cleared his throat and when it came, his voice sounded a bit strained. “Do you think Kat would like to have that photo?”

Lillith smiled at the rigid back of the man she loved.

“I think he would like that very much.”

“Do you think he would like it better if I was cropped out of it?” His voice was barely steady.

Lillith blinked back tears.

“No.” Her voice was soft.

Snape dropped his head and studied his feet.

“I could have it framed. For Christmas. If you think...”

Lillith came and circled his waist with her arms, leaning her cheek against his back.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

*********************

To be continued in Part 12