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Title: The Wizard’s Tale: A Continuation
Part 9 contains chapters 37-40
Chapter 37: Promise Kept
When Snape returned to his quarters it was to find the lights low and the living room empty. Through the open door he could see the bed with the covers folded to the foot and the flickering light of many candles threw shadows that crossed and danced. He warded the door, divested himself of cloak and coat and as he headed for the bedroom, Lillith stepped into the doorway. She wasn’t wearing anything but an inviting smile and had her hands behind her back.
”What are you up to?” Snape stopped in front of her and touched her cheek.
She reached up and slid her hand into his hair, drawing him down into a long and passionate kiss. After breaking the kiss she ducked under his jaw and murmured against his neck. He was about to ask what she had said when he felt a warm tingling sensation in his groin. Leaping back a pace he saw Lillith smiling at him, her wand in her hand.
“What did you do, woman?” He sounded genuinely concerned which in fact, he was. Hard telling what Lillith was up to.
She blinked at him in innocence. “Nothing. Much.”
He ducked, caught her below the ribs with his shoulder and stood up. She let out a shriek and pounded his back with her fists while he carried her to the bed. He tossed her lightly in the middle, grabbed her wand, dropped it onto the bedside table and dove on top of her. She laughed and wrapped her arms around him as he kissed her neck.
Propping himself on his elbows he pulled her hands over her head and trapped them there with one of his own. Slowly, he covered her face and neck with soft kisses.
“What did you do, woman?” He asked her again as he nibbled her ear.
“Just a little charm.” She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him close.
“And the purpose of this charm?” He worked his way down her neck.
She arched against him. “Let’s just say there won’t be a repeat of this afternoon.”
“What?!?” He lifted his head and scowled at her but she just giggled.
“So, is it a longevity charm or a repeating charm?”
“You’ll see.” It came out muffled, as she was tugging at his shirt buttons with her teeth.
He took his free hand and pushed her head back then set his forehead on hers, his nose alongside hers and stared into her eyes. She blinked and her lashes brushed his.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?” He voice had dropped an octave and melted every bone in her body.
She grinned and kissed the lips that were brushing hers. “Oh, I do hope so.”
He kissed her thoroughly, passionately and deeply, then levered himself off the bed. She started to move her hands down but found them tied above her. When she tried to roll, she found her feet tied to the corners of the bed as well.
He kicked off his boots and socks and came to stand at the foot of the bed. Feet spread, hands on hips, head tilted slightly forward so the black hair covered half his face in a silken curtain, she had never seen anything so sexy in her life. The desire burned out of her eyes, but his expression didn’t so much as flicker. For a long minute he stood watching her until she started to squirm against the restraints.
Slowly, he unbuttoned his shirt; one careful button at a time. When he came to the waistband of his trousers, he pulled the tail of his shirt free with precise deliberation and finished the buttons. He loosed first one cuff, then the other and slowly peeled the shirt off. He tossed it aside and replacing his hands on his hips, he went back to studying Lillith in silence. She found that while her mouth had gone very dry, other parts of her were very wet. Again, she squirmed against the ropes, silently begging for him with her eyes.
He placed one long elegant foot on the end of the bed and started unbuttoning the buttons that went from cuff to knee on his trousers. Each of the 15 buttons was slowly undone, his eyes never leaving hers. When the first leg was finished, he casually lowered his foot, then raised the other and started the process again. Lillith closed her eyes and a small moan of longing escaped her.
Trouser legs undone, he went back to his straddle-legged stance, his thumbs hooked in his pockets and his long fingers splayed downward framing his crotch.
Lillith groaned again and he smiled, reaching for the fly buttons at last. Ever so slowly, he started on the seven buttons and as the fabric parted Lillith saw that he wore nothing underneath. She felt positively dizzy, but couldn’t look away as inch by slow inch, his skin was revealed. When at last the final button was free, he slid quickly out of the trousers and tossed them aside with the shirt, then went back to the same stance, only this time, he stroked his erection lightly as he watched her.
Without realizing what she was doing she licked her lips. He smiled and turned away, walking to the thick rug in front of the fireplace. She whimpered as she followed him with her eyes. He stood, his back to the fire, and watched the light play over her flushed skin. Her hazel eyes had gone brilliant green as they always did when she was aroused.
He snapped his fingers and the ropes disappeared. She sat up and swung her feet over the edge of the bed, waiting to see what he wanted of her.
“Kneel.” His voice was the deep silky tone he used for dissolving bone and she obeyed instantly.
“Come to me,” the command was a purr. “On your knees.”
She dropped to all fours and stalked across the shining floorboards to the soft carpet by the fire, putting as much sway into her hips as she could. When she arrived in front of him, she impulsively reached down to kiss first one foot and then the other before sitting back on her heels and looking up into his smoldering eyes.
“You may begin.” The voice flowed over her like warm chocolate and she shivered, reaching for him with a smile of pleasure on her lips.
“No!” He halted her and she looked up. “No hands.”
She clasped her hands behind her back and inched her knees forward. Still smiling, she stroked her cheek against the silken skin of his cock. Moving her head back and forth she rubbed her face against his hard length then starting at the base, she ran her tongue from the underside to the top, flicking her tongue over the tip and collecting the tiny bead of precum that shimmered there in the candlelight.
He shivered and spread his feet further apart, clasping his own hands behind his back.
She nuzzled his balls, inhaling the rich musky scent of him, then moving them aside with her cheek, she pressed her tongue to the smooth sensitive skin behind them. He stopped breathing for a few seconds and when he started again she could hear a definite ragged edge to it. Carefully, she drew one of his testicles into her mouth and rolled it on her tongue. Holding suction on the scrotum, she used her tongue and lips to rapidly pop the testicle in and out of her mouth several times, then sucked it in and tugged firmly. A faint, slightly strangled sound escaped him but he didn’t move. She treated the other testicle to the same ministration and felt a deep shudder run through the otherwise stationary wizard. Pulling back a bit, she blew gently and saw the skin on his scrotum pucker and goosebumps appear on his legs. Leaning back in, she ran her tongue up his rigidly erect cock and swirled it around the head. Rising up a bit, she took him in her mouth and tilting her head to watch him, slid his entire length into her mouth. His eyes opened wide for a second then he threw his head back and took a long slow breath, held it a second and, just as slowly, released it.
She buried her nose in the silky curls at the base of his member and held him in her throat for a moment before pulling slowly back. She stroked the length of his cock slowly several times and sent a brief thank you thought to Hooch (of all people!) for teaching her the charm that totally quelled the gag reflex. With him sunk all the way into her throat, she worked the muscles of her tongue and jaw to squeeze and stroke him without moving her head. When she backed off for air, he groaned deep in his throat -- a guttural, animal growl of a sound.
Picking up the pace a bit, she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock on the upstroke and sometimes bit him gently along the length of the shaft on the downstroke. The muscles on his legs stood out in sharp relief as he held himself immobile. Sitting back for a moment she blew air over the length of him then leaning in, gave his balls a quick lick and blew on them as well. Glancing up at him she saw him watching her, his long hair hanging forward and his eyes burning with a light of their own. She reached forward to capture him in her mouth again with a smile on her face. Appreciating that he was letting her do it all her own way, she gave him her best and before too much longer she saw the heavy muscles of his thighs start to tremble. With a tiny cry of her own she pressed forward sucking him firmly down her throat as with a hoarse cry he came flooding into her. She swallowed franticly, milking every last drop from him.
Releasing him gently from her mouth, she looked up just as Snape dropped to one knee in front of her. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her deeply, his tongue searching the corners of her mouth for any lingering traces of himself. Still kissing her, he rose, drawing her up with him. She wrapped her hands around his buttocks and pulled his hips against her. His cock was already hardening again.
He pulled back and looked into her face, his hands running up and down her back. Her skin was flushed and her lips were swollen and red from being pressed between her teeth and his cock. Her eyes were dilated and hungry looking. He smiled at her as she ground her hips against him.
Taking her shoulders he turned her toward the bed. “Lie down on your belly.” He sent her on her way with a smack on her butt.
Lillith dove onto the bed, gave a happy wiggle against the soft sheets, then stretched luxuriously. Snape walked to the foot of the bed and, reaching over, ran a fingernail down the sole of each of her feet. She gasped and jerked her knees to her chest. He laughed, grabbing her ankles and pulling her legs straight. Climbing up onto the bed, he crept forward on elbows and knees, sliding his body lightly over hers and wriggling sensuously against her back. She closed her eyes and sighed as he settled on top of her and moved the hair from her neck to began kissing her. He traced patterns on her skin with his tongue and she shivered pushing her hips up against him.
“Something you want?” The silken voice caressed her.
“Mmmm.” She turned her head and smiled at him. “I want your cock inside me.”
“You’ve had my cock inside you.” He went on with nuzzling, lipping and nipping her neck.
“I want more.” She reached behind her and stroked his thigh.
“Greedy.” His voice could have put her to sleep if she hadn’t wanted him so.
“Oh, yes.” She closed her eyes and sighed as he pressed his erection into her back.
“Do you want my cock between your legs?” The languid richness of his voice aroused her as surely as his hands and mouth and she trembled.
“Yes!”
He rolled them onto their sides so he could reach around and fondle her breast. He kneaded and stroked, rolling and pinching her nipple between his fingers.
“You want to feel my cock sliding up inside you? Spreading you and filling you until you can feel it deep in your belly?”
Her body arched and shuddered against him and a low chuckle vibrated against her neck.
“What’s this? Am I going to be able to talk you to orgasm?”
Her fingers dug into his hip. “Probably, “ she managed to choke out.
“Now that might be something to explore. Teaching you to come at my command. That could prove entertaining at the High Table.” His tone was conversational as he stroked her breasts and belly.
“Severus, please! I need your cock between my legs!”
“That’s too bad.” He slid his hand down her belly and cupped her sex. She thrust against his hand but he provided no resistance and she whimpered in frustration as he stroked her damp curls very lightly. “Because I’m not going to put it there. I’m going to fuck you in the ass.”
Again her body arched and shivered against him and again he laughed.
“I take it that will be satisfactory?”
She whimpered. “It hurts.”
“I know.” He sounded smug. “But only for a little while and then you seem to enjoy it well enough. That is, if I interpret your screams correctly.”
She writhed against him, begging with every square inch of her body.
“You know, if I fucked your sweet ass more often it wouldn’t hurt as much. After a while, it would recognize me and as soon as I pressed my cock against you, you’d open like a flower for me.” He stroked her lightly from shoulder to knee with his fingertips. He sucked her neck gently and she arched against his mouth giving him better access.
“Do you want me to bite you?” His breath whispered against her skin and she shivered. “Do you want me to mark you? Do you want to carry my mark on your skin so everyone that sees you will know you’ve been well and thoroughly fucked by me?”
“Please,” she breathed her response.
He opened his mouth wide and sucked in her skin. Rolling it between his teeth he twisted his head sharply and released her suddenly. She cried out and clutched at him.
He rolled her back on her belly and moved his hips so his cock pressed against her anus.
“Do you want this?”
“Severus, no! Please, not like that, Severus. Please!” She struggled under him trying to get away.
“Lillith,” he scolded gently. “Don’t you know me better than that?” Pushing himself to his knees he summoned a bottle of oil from the dresser. Pouring some on his hands he rubbed them together to warm the oil then spread it over his swollen member. “Come on, lover.” He slapped her butt. “Up!”
She pushed herself to her knees and elbows and felt his hands, gentle on her backside. He rubbed the oil over her skin and slipped a finger inside her. He worked it around gently then another finger joined it. She moaned and tried to relax. She knew how much it would hurt at first but also knew how incredibly fantastic it would feel once the pain stopped.
His fingers left her and she felt the head of his cock press against her. She exhaled and dropped her head trying to go limp. He slipped inside her far more easily than ever before and with far less pain. Realizing this, he continued to press into her instead of pausing as he usually did. Smoothly and forcefully he sank himself all the way to the hilt. Halfway in she screamed and tried to pull away but he had a firm grip on her hips. Buried deep inside her he closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the feeling of incredible tightness around his cock while she fought to free herself. With a sigh, he began to stroke in and out of her, rubbing her back and buttocks as he did so. She shivered and stopped fighting him. A smile spread over his face. He knew what she would do next and sure enough, she started thrusting back against him. Gently at first, then with more force. He dropped forward on his hands and slowed his strokes, knowing it would drive her close to madness.
“Does this satisfy my lady?” He whispered in her ear.
“Oh, gods, Severus!” She was barely articulate.
“Yes?”
She was starting to shake uncontrollably. “Faster.... please..... harder..... Severus, you know I can’t stand this.” She was sweating and gasping.
He continued his slow movement for a few more strokes then rising back up on his knees he drove into her hard and fast. She cried out and one hand slid back between her legs.
“No, my love!” He ground out between clenched teeth and she whimpered but removed her hand.
Snape varied the speed of his strokes watching her intently for reaction. Sliding his hand around her belly he stroked down between her legs but stopped short of where she most wanted him. Moving his hand around her hip he slapped her buttocks. She yelped and he laughed aloud, driving into her hard as he emptied himself once again inside her dark warmth.
Pressing forward he flattened them onto the bed and when he felt the stirrings of another erection starting he slipped out of her gently. Summoning his wand he performed a cleansing spell and after sending his wand back to the bedside table, he rolled off Lillith, cuddling her close and kissing her forehead.
She wrapped her leg around his and ground herself against his thigh. He laughed and pulled his leg away. She glared at him with intense frustration.
“What is it, Lillith?” He asked with the utmost innocence.
She buried her face in his chest.
“Bastard!” It came out muffled.
He tilted her face up to his. “You’re not enjoying yourself?” His face held nothing but concern.
Her face suddenly changed and she hugged him fiercely. “I love you.”
He closed his eyes and held her, one hand lightly stroking her back. “I love you too, Lillith.”
She looked at him with glowing eyes and they kissed, long and lovingly.
Snape pushed her onto her back, still kissing her, and ran his hand down her body, brushing only briefly between her legs. She moaned into his mouth and tried to arch her hips against his hand but it was already gone. She felt rather than heard the chuckle as he kissed his way down her breastbone to first one nipple, then the other. Slowly, lovingly, he worked his way between them -- nibbling, suckling, tonguing the stiff peaks until Lillith was dizzy with longing. His hand trailed slowly down her belly and finally slipped between her legs. She spread her thighs for him and he stroked her lightly before continuing down the inside of her thigh. She wound her fingers in his hair and tried to tug his head lower.
“Easy!” He growled against her breast.
She made a small animal sound and gripped the sheet at her sides. Finally he moved between her legs, kissing his way down her belly, pausing briefly to tongue her belly button then moving down to her thatch of brown curls.
Getting comfortable, he licked his tongue up the outside of her slit. She shivered but tried to hold still for him. Ever so gently, he spread her lips and studied her. He could see her muscles clamping spasmodically and observed her heartbeat in her clitoris. He blew on the sensitive nub and she gave a strangled cry. Experimentally, he reached out his tongue and flicked it across her clit. Her body jerked once but when he didn’t repeat the motion she almost wept.
“No, not yet.” He moved back up until he straddled her, sitting on her hips.
She rolled her hips up but he sat too far forward and she glared at him.
“Something bothering you, my love?” He arched an eyebrow while summoning the oil again.
“Severus!” She closed her eyes and swallowed. When she looked at him again she begged with her eyes. “Please?”
He warmed the oil in his hands. “All in good time, love, all in good time.” Slowly he spread the warm oil over her breasts and massaged it in. She closed her eyes, arched against him and fairly purred. He took his time, enjoying the feel of the oil against her skin; enjoying the little noises she made when he twisted and tugged her nipples. His erection was starting to ache so taking Lillith’s hands, he placed them against the outsides of her ample breasts and pushed them up and together. She gave him a puzzled look, but he just grinned back as he slipped his cock between her breasts and started stroking back and forth. Her look turned to wide-eyed surprise and he moved a strand of hair out of her face and stroked her cheek.
She smiled up at him and pressed her breasts more tightly against him. He sighed at the blissful feel of the warm oil and reached back between his lover’s legs. He pressed the heel of his hand over her clitoris and teased her lips with his fingers. She pushed against his hand and he slipped one finger into her wet folds and circled her clit. She shuddered and he removed his hand. She was very close and he didn’t want her to come yet.
She looked at him in frustration then suddenly seemed to notice the head of his cock as it appeared from between her breasts then vanished. Raising her head she swiped her tongue over the end of the cock next time it came into view. He obligingly pulled a pillow under her head and she relaxed and concentrated on catching his cock in her mouth every time it appeared; nipping, sucking and swirling her tongue around him. He groaned his pleasure and played with her nipples.
Before long, his pace increased, but just before he climaxed he withdrew his cock from its nest, and stroking himself rapidly a few times he came, bathing Lillith’s breasts and face in his cum. It was with a slight tremor in his hand that he wiped the cum from her face with a finger and fed it to her hungry mouth. He let her suck him eagerly for a moment before he trailed the wet finger down over her chin to her chest where both hands spread his offering over her breasts and rubbed it into her skin. She arched against him and closed her eyes.
Finished, he leaned forward, gave her a long kiss and flopped down beside her. His cock was already hard again. She reached over and started stroking him but he caught her hand and rolled on top of her.
“Wicked wench,” he growled into her neck.
“It’s you being wicked.” She accused him.
“How so?” His eyebrows rose in injured surprise. “Am I not performing well for my mistress?”
“Don’t give me that ‘mistress’ crap. You are the master,” her eyes softened. ”My master, and you know it. You also know that if I do not get that lovely cock of yours buried in my belly, filling me full of your seed soon I’m going to go stark raving mad!”
He gave her a lopsided grin and tossed the damp hair out of his face. “That might be interesting to see.”
“Severus!” Her hands gripped his shoulders and she tugged at him.
“Well,” he shifted himself between her legs and brushed his cock against her damp curls. Reaching down, he stroked the head of his cock back and forth just inside her lips. “You’re sure?” He cocked his head and studied her face. She gave him a fierce look and without taking his eyes from hers he drove into her. She cried out and bucked up against him. Wrapping her legs around him and grabbing his backside, she pulled him into her as deeply as she could and held him there for several seconds. When she finally loosened her grip enough for him to move, he stroked her gently. She squirmed her hips against him, but he moved a bit and changed the angle of his hips.
He wasn’t sure if he could do it, but he wanted to see if he could climax while denying her own release. She was so very close he wasn’t at all sure he could pull it off but he tried. Carefully, he brought her close to the edge and backed her off. Over and over he played the familiar game until she was keening her desire for him. That was when he switched his tactics and used all his skill to achieve his own pleasure while preventing hers. Desperately, she tried to maneuver her hips against him, but he had the advantage of being on top and avoided her. As he emptied into her with a triumphant shout, she howled her agony. He rolled off her, laughing, and she came after him in a fury. He caught her fists as she pushed against his chest, her eyes filled with tears.
“Hey!” He pushed the hair back from her face with a gentle hand, “Are you crying?”
She tried to look forlorn but it didn’t work and he laughed at her.
“Those are tears of anger, aren’t they?”
She attacked him again and he rolled onto his back pulling her onto his chest. She sat up, straddling him, and rising up guided his already hard cock into her center. Closing her eyes she sighed deeply.
Reaching up he trailed his fingers down over her breasts, across her belly and settled them on her hips. His thumbs moved in and teased her clit. She looked at him, pleading with him silently and he smiled.
“This time’s for you.” The deep rich voice enveloped her in a sensuous blanket and her eyes closed as she rocked back and forth to the rhythm of his thumbs. Her orgasm came quickly and was staggering in its intensity. She screamed his name, her hands clawing at his arms and leaving long bloody scratches. He used one hand to support her and drew up his knees behind her to keep her from falling. He eased her trembling body forward and planted her hands on either side of his head for support as his hips moved against her again. She moaned as his thumb once more found her clit and the other hand steadied her shoulder. He took her breast in his mouth, sucking, nipping, butting up against her with his face, then tugging firmly. She started to shake and he bit her nipple. Her second orgasm rolled over her with no less force than the first and he had to use both hands to hold her writhing, screaming body. She lay on his chest making little mewling noises and he rolled over on top of her, his cock still buried deep inside her. Reaching down, he hooked her legs over his arms and set his hands by her shoulders. He moved inside her gently waiting for her to arouse again. It wasn’t a long wait and before long he was driving into her with force. Her hands gripped his shoulders as he pushed her over the edge once more. This time he followed her, emptying himself yet again into her trembling body.
He slowly collapsed on top of her after untangling himself from her legs and they held each other in sweaty gasping disarray.
Severus moaned as he felt his cock stir once more.
“Lillith, that charm could kill a man of my age.”
“Oh!” With a giggle she reached for her wand. He felt the cool touch of the wood against his thigh, a light tingling in his groin and his very sore cock mercifully went limp. He eased it out of her with a grimace and lay on his back still fighting to catch his breath.
“Dear Merlin, I couldn’t do that when I was 20!” He reached out his arm and she moved close to his side. He stroked her hair. “I will be getting even you know.”
“Isn’t that what you just did?” She raised herself on her elbow.
He shook his head and she smoothed the hair from his face. “Slytherin honor demands retribution.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, I guess you’ll have to think of something.” She ran a hand over his chest and flicked his nipple with her nail.
He grabbed her wrist and she gasped at the sight of the deep scratches on his arm.
“Did I do that?”
He chuckled wearily. “I don’t think you were entirely yourself at the time.”
She turned his face with a finger on his cheek. “I love you, Severus.”
A deep fire flamed behind his eyes and his voice dropped even further. “And I love you, Lillith.”
He rolled onto her and kissed her gently, lovingly. His arms molded her to his body and his hand stroked her back.
Sighing, she leaned her head against his chest. “Know what we need?”
“Other than a quart of Pepper Upper potion?”
She grinned. “A bath.”
He raised his hand and with a twist of his fingers water started to fill the tub in the next room. “Your wish is my command, my lady.”
She snorted and sat up beside him, pushing him onto his back. Leaning over him she kissed his forehead, his nose, his chin, each nipple, his belly, his cock, each knee, each foot and each palm. She dropped a feather light kiss on his lips. “My master.”
He reached up and cradled her face in his hands, pulling her down against his chest.
“Dear gods Lillith, don’t.” His voice sounded almost desperate.
She pulled away and looked at him, puzzled. He sat up on the edge of the bed; one hand pushed his hair back the other reached for her face. He looked apologetic. “I just can’t deal with that right now.”
“All right.” She was still puzzled but moved next to him and held him close.
He took a deep breath. “Bath time. Last one in has to wash the other’s back.”
She laughed and took off for the tub. He followed much more slowly. She turned and frowned. “What is it?”
“What do you think woman! I’ll be lucky if it doesn’t fall off.”
She giggled and sidled up to him. “Want me to rub it and make it better?”
“I don’t want you anywhere near it for a week.” He tried to sound cross.
“A week!” She was outraged. “Either one of us can have you good as new in minutes.”
“No!” He held up his hand. “Not minutes.” He held both hands over his genitals and closed his eyes.
“Want me to do that?” She purred in his ear.
He shot her a very unconvincing scowl.
After a minute, he removed his hands a breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes having a healing touch came in handy.
They soaked in the tub, washing each other lovingly, breathing in the soothing steam and becoming languorous. Finally they roused themselves and headed for bed. A couple of quick spells and they were dry, the bed was made with clean sheets and they were burrowing under the covers. They pulled the quilt to their ears, snuggled against each other and were soon asleep.
***************************
Chapter 38: Quid Pro Quo
It was a Saturday evening a few weeks later, and Lillith and Severus were lounging on the couch in front of a roaring fire, each engrossed in their own book. They sat slouched against the ends with their legs stretched out and intertwined on the cushions between them. One of Snape’s calves lay atop Lillith’s thigh, his foot nestled against her ribs. One of her feet rested on his belly. Their other legs were tucked comfortably against their partner’s side under the arms that held the books. She idly stroked his leg while he absently massaged her foot and they both read in silence.
Lillith was dressed in ivory silk lounging pajamas Snape had given her and he was dressed in just the bottoms of a black pair she had given him.
This happy state had been in effect for some time. The only change to it came when Snape closed his book and, setting it aside, squinted at the bookcase in thought. Pointing a long finger at the top shelf he muttered “Accio!” and an old leather bound volume flew into his hand with a soft thud. The reading continued.
As Head of House, Snape had to be available to his prefects but he had various alarms and sensors that connected his rooms to the dorms and the Slytherin common room. Students never came to his rooms. In fact, when sealed, the door could not be found except by those who already knew where it was. Albus would call him by floo if he needed him and the other teachers would send a house elf if they had to speak with him. House elves had their own particular style of knocking so when the brisk rapping sounded at the door both Snape and Lillith looked up with puzzled frowns.
“Identify yourself!” Snape barked the command.
“Tonks!”
Snape closed his eyes and let his head fall back. Lillith giggled.
With a sigh, Snape raised a hand and gave a graceful twist of his wrist. The door shivered and opened a few inches.
They watched and after a second the door opened a cautious few more inches but no one appeared.
“For Merlin’s sake come in and close the door. I’m not going to hex you.” The tone of Snape’s voice would have caused doubt in any listener.
Tonks sidled into the room and closed the door behind her. She wore a Muggle ski parka that was covered with a dusting of snow.
“Oh.” She looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Lillith laughed and Snape scowled.
“A little late to worry about that, but there is nothing salacious going on. Come and sit by the fire; you’re dripping on the rug.”
“Sorry.” Tonks kicked off her boots by the door and came to stand steaming by the fireplace.
“Sit!” Snape barked at her while nodding to a chair. “What is wrong with you, woman?”
Tonks skinned out of her jacket, hung it on the peg by the fire then perched on the chair he had indicated. Her hands twisted together between her knees and one leg bounced up and down.
Snape closed his eyes. “I seem to recall that some time ago you announced you were no longer afraid of me. A fact you have proceeded to demonstrate, sometimes rather foolishly, on a number of occasions.” He opened his eyes and fixed her with a not unfriendly stare. “What is it?” His voice was unusually coaxing.
Tonks ran a hand through her midnight blue hair.
“The Malfoys are having a Holiday Ball. You’ve been invited.”
Snape raised an eyebrow in surprise. “True. And I’ve declined the invitation as I usually do.”
“The Ministry would love to have an Auror attend.” She swallowed and looked Snape steadily in the eye.
“You wish me to escort you?” His tone held disbelief.
“Will you?”
Snape disentangled himself from Lillith’s legs and started to pace the room.
Lillith leaned back and watched the play of muscles on Snape’s bare torso as he walked. This was clearly not going to involve her.
“There are a lot of reasons why this is a bad idea.” Snape rubbed the back of his neck. “It would be unusual for me to change my mind and accept. It would be unusual for me to bring someone. It would be unusual for me to bring someone like you...”
“What do you mean, someone like me? I can look like anyone.” Tonks was confused.
“I wasn’t referring to your looks.”
Tonks flushed. “You mean I’m not good enough to be your ‘date?’”
“Tonks, you are a better person than all the Malfoys – and their friends – put together. That wasn’t what I meant.”
“You mean,” Tonks looked unhappy, “that I’m not a lady.”
Snape look faintly relieved that she had said it for him. He studied the top of her downcast head for a moment then crossed his arms and assumed his most supercilious tone.
“I assume you can learn?”
She looked up with surprise. “You’ll take me?”
“If you learn.” He gave a small smile. “I dare say, this party won’t be too much like the last one. Although,” his voice took on a warning tone at her grin, “there will be some similarities, including a lot of the same men. Can you deal with that? Not let on that you know any of them?”
Tonks paled a bit but nodded. “I can do that.”
Snape went back to pacing while he thought. He was clearly unaware of how low the pajama bottoms were riding on his hips or of how the gossamer thin fabric clung to his lean body. Lillith watched him with open pleasure; Tonks after one long look, stared at the floor.
“You’ll have to learn to walk, talk, move and act differently. You’ll need to be from away – maybe America – so no one will know you.” Snape was thinking out loud. He turned to see if Tonks was listening, but she was looking at the floor.
“Are you paying attention?” he demanded.
She flushed but didn’t raise her eyes. “I’m trying not to, Snape!”
He opened his mouth to snap at her but Lillith raised her wand, forestalling him.
“Accio!” She gave a twist of her wrist so that the heavy terrycloth robe that sailed in from the bedroom hit Snape in the chest. He grabbed it and looked at Lillith in bewilderment. She smiled, cocked an eyebrow and dropped her eyes to stare pointedly at the region of his hips.
He flushed, pulled on the robe and, giving the ties a savage tug, flopped down on the couch in a graceless move worthy of Tonks herself.
“Life was a whole lot easier without the two of you.” It was a rather sulky accusation.
Tonks looked up with her trademark grin. “But not nearly as interesting, right?”
“Books are interesting, Tonks. You are a pain in the arse.”
“And me?” Lillith joined the conversation for the first time.
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” Snape grumped.
She laughed.
“Sorry, Snape. It’s not my fault, ya know?” Tonks was laughing, too.
“Of course it’s your fault. Everything was fine until you arrived.” He was determined to be peeved.
“How about tea?” Lillith suggested.
“How about if you,” he was looking at Tonks, “bugger off. I assume you’ll be blessing us with your presence around noon tomorrow, so why don’t we talk about it then?”
“OK.” She grabbed her still gently steaming jacket and headed for the door. She pulled on her boots then turned in the open doorway. “Thanks, Snape.”
He continued to sit in silence with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. Lillith suppressed a grin with difficulty and waved a, “Good night” to her niece.
The door closed and Snape continued to pout. Lillith reached over and stroked his cheek. “Don’t be angry.”
“I’m not,” he confessed. “This is just rather alien to me.”
She moved close to him and nuzzled his neck below his ear. He reached up a hand and caressed her hair.
“What were you reading?”
He picked the book up from the coffee table and handed it to her. She tilted the volume to the light to catch the faded gold leaf on the binding. “120 Days of Sodom” by the Marquis de Sade.
“Oh.” She replaced the book gently on the table.
A smile spread across his face. “Have you ever read it?”
“Umm, well.” She didn’t meet his eyes. “Not all of it.”
His laugh was as deep and soft as velvet. “And what did you think?”
“Well.” She rubbed the side of her nose. “I have a little trouble with the idea that some hold that he was a deeply romantic man.” She sighed. “Frankly, I think he was appalling.”
Snape pulled her into his lap. He fingered the first button of her top for several seconds before slipping it loose of it fastening.
“Do his ideas frighten you?” He kissed her neck.
She wound her fingers in his long hair. “Yes. His lack of compassion terrifies me.”
Snape’s warm fingers slid the next silk covered button loose from its cord. “Would you be too afraid to try some of his ’scenarios?’”
She closed her eyes as his lips trailed along her collar bone. “That would depend.”
“On?” His fingers undid the third button and he kissed between her breasts.
She sighed. “On whether or not I was going to suffer dismemberment and death.”
“And if the scenario were toned down a bit?” He nuzzled her breast.
“They would have to be toned down a lot, and it would still depend.” She was having trouble concentrating.
“On?” He lipped her skin and nipped her gently.
She threw her head back and sighed. “On who I was with.”
His ran his tongue down her breastbone and lifted his smoldering eyes to hers.
“Would you be afraid with me?”
A deep shudder comprised of equal parts arousal, anticipation and fear ran through her body.
“Never with you,” she whispered.
He stood with her in his arms, then set her on her feet and moved a step away.
“Come.” He held out his hand to her.
Without looking away from his eyes, she took his hand and followed him into the bedroom.
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Chapter 39: The Real Reason
The Room of Requirement had set itself up differently for them the next day. As well as the long open space for practicing fighting skills, at the far end there were two couches facing each other over a coffee table in front of a cozy fire. Snape was the last to arrive. He came balancing a stack of books, which he deposited on the coffee table before he sat next to Lillith. Tonks and Kat sat across from them. Tonks picked up a book and scanned the title.
“’Who’s Who of the Wizarding World’, ‘The Young Witches Book of Etiquette’, ’Prominent Wizarding Families of Great Britain’, ’Prominent Wizarding Families of the Americas’... Do I really have to read all these?”
“You should be well aquatinted with them, yes.” Snape was studying her expression. “Can you dance?”
“Dance?” Tonks’ face lit up. Holding her arms over her head she gave a wiggle. “Sure, I can dance.”
Snape’s look of derision would have quelled a lesser soul. “Not that ridiculous gyrating the young seem to think is dancing. I’m talking about real dancing.”
Tonks’ face fell. “You mean like Foxtrot and Waltz and that old people stuff?”
Lillith covered her mouth and gave a discreet cough as she tried not to choke on a giggle. Kat looked at the fire, the corner of one eye twitching.
Snape took a deep breath. “Yes, Tonks. As a witch of ’good breeding’ you will be expected to know how to dance.”
Tonks looked crestfallen for a moment before her usual indomitable spirit took over.
“Can you dance?”
Snape’s face remained stony. “I can.”
A grin was spreading over Tonks’ face. “Are you going to dance with me?”
“I am not.” Tonks started to look mutinous but he went on. “You are going as my cousin, not as my date so others will feel free to ask you to dance.” He looked her up and down with an expression of distaste, taking in the faded jeans with the split knees, the Beatles T-shirt and her hair that was orange spikes tipped with green. “I assume you will be quite attractive?”
Her eyes narrowed a bit and her voice lost some of its usual good humor. “I think I’ll manage to meet your standards. If I don’t, I’m sure you’ll feel free to let me know.”
“Quite.” He ignored her look and stacked the books.
Tonks took a deep breath. “Are you going to teach me to dance?”
“No. You’ll have to find someone else to do that.”
Before she could reply, Kat spoke up. “I’ll teach you.”
“You can dance? I mean, that way?” Tonks had turned to the young man on the couch beside her.
“They taught us at school.” He gave her a gentle smile. “It’s rather fun, actually, once you get into it.”
“That’s settled, then.” Snape look relieved. “Lillith will teach – will try to teach -- you the basics of lady-like behavior, Kat will try to teach you to dance and I will coach you in the niceties of the upper social circle.” His lip curled on the last words.
“How did you learn them?” Tonks blunt question carried a sting.
“Observation, practice...” He picked up one of the books and tilted it toward her. “And reading.”
Tonks sat back on the couch. “All right.”
Snape rose, walked around the table and pulling it forward a bit, sat facing Tonks, his knees on either side of hers. She pulled back with a startled look but he gripped her chin with one long hand and forced her to look at him.
“Now tell me why you really want to go to this gathering.” His voice was soft but carried a distinct trace of menace.
She paled a bit. “I told you. The Ministry wants to have an Auror there.”
Aurors were taught Occlumency and Tonks was fairly good at it but Snape was stronger. She could feel the creeping of his mind entering hers and shuddered. Snape withdrew leaning back just a little and releasing his grip on her chin.
“The fact that you tried to block me tells my you are not being completely honest. I can take the information by force but I’d prefer that you tell me.” His voice was devoid of threat, almost gentle.
Tonks’ face crumpled a little before she regained control and shot a sideways look to her aunt.
Lillith stood. “Kat, would you help me locate some tea for us?”
“Of course.” He was on his feet in an instant and they moved down the long room and out of the door.
The room was silent except for the crackling of the fire. Tonks fidgeted for a while and although she glanced at Snape several times, she couldn’t meet his eyes. He waited with perfect stillness.
“The Ministry does want me there.” Her voice wasn’t quite steady.
Snape continued to wait in silence.
Tonks’ face dissolved into tears for a moment before, with an obvious struggle, she regained some control. Her fingers twisted together in her lap and without moving more than absolutely necessary, Snape reached into his back pocket, extracted a large handkerchief and pressed it into Tonks’ hand. She wiped her face and then turned the snowy linen square in nervous fingers.
Snape continued to wait as Tonks fought to pull herself together.
“I want to face those men.” She looked into Snape’s eyes at last. “I want to stand before them and have them respect me.” She made a derisive sound. “Not that they respect any woman much, but...” Her voice trailed away and she looked at Snape pleadingly.
He nodded almost imperceptibly. “And?”
Tonks’ hands balled into fists. “And I want to get even.” The words came out between clenched teeth.
“That would be foolish in the extreme. You could jeopardize both our lives.” His voice was gentle.
She shook her head. “I have a plan.”
He raised one eyebrow in encouragement.
Tonks gulped. She had expected outrage and denouncement. Instead, he was waiting patiently for her to go on.
“There is a charm, a curse, that most witches know.” She was twisting the handkerchief into a small knot. “When cast, it renders the man immediately sterile, then, over time – and that can be determined by the witch casting the spell -- he becomes impotent. Finally, the wizard’s balls will shrivel up and fall off. It’s call the Castration Curse, or sometimes,” she gave him a small, lopsided grin, “the Raisin Balls Curse. There’s absolutely no sensation when it is cast and because the time it takes for it to go into effect varies, the man can’t tell when and where it was cast. Unless the witch does it right away.”
“Right away?” Snape was looking distinctly ill at ease.
“It only works on men that the witch has had sex with.”
“I see.” In spite of his best efforts, Snape shifted uncomfortably. “Where do witches learn this curse? I’m pretty sure it’s not part of the Hogwarts Curriculum.”
“They learn it from their mothers. Or...” she shrugged sheepishly, “from their aunts. It’s sort of a witches’ secret.”
Snape nodded. “Wouldn’t it be more effective if the men knew beforehand what could happen?”
“Maybe.” Tonks smiled at him with affection. “But it’s only to be used for extreme cases of wrongdoing, not just out of pique.”
“Let’s hope so.” Snape muttered as he stared at the floor.
Tonks waited almost holding her breath as Snape pondered her words. Finally, he looked at her and the anger she had expected to see was absent from his eyes. Instead she was startled by the gentleness and compassion on his face.
“All right, Tonks. I certainly owe you no less. I’ll help you in any way I can.”
She started to reach for him but hesitated, afraid of his reaction. When he did not withdraw, she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
“Thank you!” It came out a fierce whisper.
He loosened her arms gently and pushed her back on the couch, standing as he did so. As though on cue, the door opened and Lillith and Kat returned, the latter carrying a tray of tea things.
They relaxed and chatted a while; Lillith and Kat carrying the inconsequential talk while Snape and Tonks sat in silence. Then Snape and Kat spent some time sparring while Tonks and her aunt got started on the business of turning Tonks into a society witch.
Snape found he had to put all other thoughts out of his mind and concentrate on the young man working opposite him. He and Kat had spent several hours each Tuesday afternoon together after Kat’s lessons with Flitwick. They walked, talked and occasionally argued. They were still wary with each other, though Kat was losing his attitude of deference as Snape’s stiff formality lessened. With each encounter, they became more comfortable with each other and the foundation for a friendship was being cautiously laid. They were very different while being strikingly alike, and this did not always lead to easy conversation. As far as the Sunday lessons were going, Kat was a stunning pupil. He and Tonks clearly practiced, and while they both improved rapidly, Kat was proving particularly adept. The men’s sparring matches could become quite heated and that day was no exception. They fought with the fierce concentration that only enemies or trusted friends could achieve and were both thoroughly winded and sweaty when they finally quit, just in time to get cleaned up for supper.
The men came over to the corner where the women were working. Kat grabbed a towel from the stack the room provided and tossed it to Snape before taking another for himself. They wiped their faces, arms and necks before tossing the towels aside. Lillith noted with a warm thrill that Snape had rolled up his sleeves during the workout. He almost never exposed the Dark Mark and the fact that he did so now was a sure sign of his growing trust in his son.
“Will you be eating here?” Lillith was stacking the books for Tonks.
“No.” Kat exchanged looks with Tonks. “We better get moving. We have dance lessons tonight.”
“Be careful of your feet.” Snape’s deep voice was gloomy. “You’re going to find out why I refused to teach her.”
Tonks cast him a narrow-eyed look and was startled when he winked at her. Winked at her?? She blinked and looked again but his face carried its usual sour expression. Surely she had imagined it.
*********************************
Chapter 40: The Rain in Spain...
The Malfoy’s party was in one week’s time and Tonks was working hard to be ready. She was allowed time off from work to “study up” and spent hours each day with Lillith and sometimes Snape, being coached in proper conduct and deportment. Kat worked with her on her accent – they had decided she was to be from Canada, and she and Kat spent nearly every available hour on dance practice. She was delighted to find that after the first few lessons, after she had learned to relax and feel the music, the clumsiness that plagued most of her waking hours melted away and the grace and lightness she had showed under pressure came to the fore. She was absolutely delighted, and begged Kat to teach her all he knew.
Early in the evening before the party, Tonks was with Lillith getting ready. One of the house elves had asked to do Tonks’ hair and was just putting the finishing touches on it when Snape arrived and stood quietly, leaning on the doorframe of the bedroom, unnoticed. Tonks’ hair was long and golden blond. Bunks, the elf, had brought it up in a high sweeping style and dressed it with a large living butterfly in vivid blue. Wispy curls hung on either side of Tonks’ face. She had chosen a long elfin face with high cheekbones, almond shaped eyes of dark blue and a rather small pointed chin. Her neck was long and graceful, and her figure slim but well rounded. In her dancing heels, she would be a mere inch shorter than Snape.
Lillith was wearing an old, oversized brown jumper and off-white jeans and had pulled her hair back with a piece of brown ribbon. Her cheeks were flushed with their shared laughter and she had a couple of hairpins in her mouth.
“Beautiful.” The single word, spoken in rich warm tones caused the women to notice Snape for the first time. He was looking squarely at Lillith. Tonks grinned at her and Lillith pulled the pins from her mouth.
“And what do you think of Cinderella?” They had started calling Tonks that about an hour before.
Snape folded his arms and cocked his head to one side.
“Stand up.”
Tonks stood. Her dress was the same deep blue as her eyes. It was held at the neck by a wide choker and then fell in simple formfitting lines to a low waist before flaring to a full skirt. The material was so thin that the skirt looked slim, falling to her ankles. She turned slowly, and saw his eyes widen a bit in the mirror. The back was practically nonexistent, falling in a sharp V almost to the base of her spine. Clearly, it was held in place with magic. After the slow turn, Tonks spun. The skirt flared gracefully revealing an uneven hemline that was split to the hip on one side. When she stopped moving, the shimmering material seemed to take a few seconds to settle down and become still again.
Her eyes shone. “This dress is going to be so much fun to dance in.”
Snape’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing and her smile faltered.
“You don’t like it?”
He took a deep breath. “It will do. Just don’t forget where we’re going and why.”
He turned to the bathroom to shower, and didn’t see the look of hurt that flashed over Tonks’ face. Lillith had.
“He didn’t find anything to change, did he?” She smoothed the already smooth material of the dress.
“No.” Tonks sighed. “And he’s right. I had forgotten for a moment.”
They adjourned to the living room to wait for Snape. Tonks slipped into her dancing heels and tucked her wand into the elbow-high gloves she wore. In just a few minutes, Snape was joining them. He wore black tails with a high-collared jacket trimmed in black velvet, a snowy-white shirt with ruffles at the throat and cuffs, and gleaming black knee-high boots. His hair fell in a silken curtain, covering his face as he slipped his wand inside the slim pocket on the outside seam of his trousers.
“Wow.” It was softly, but fervently spoken by Tonks.
Snape raised a questioning eyebrow but Tonks didn’t repeat herself.
“All right, Cassandra Stanhope of Toronto, Ontario, are you ready?” It was the name they had agreed on when they had worked out the details of her present and past.
She raised her chin and grinned. “Why yes, Cousin Severus, I believe I am.”
He scowled at her. “Don’t get used to it.” Then coming to stand in front of her, her took her chin and turned her head to the side. Pulling his wand from his trousers, he touched it to first one earring, then, turning her head, the other. She stepped to the mirror by the door to check her reflection and gasped. He had transfigured her simple earrings into long dangling masterpieces of sapphire and diamond that sparkled and shone with every breath she took.
“They’re beautiful!” She whirled and gave him a smile that rivaled the shine of the gems.
“Don’t get used to those, either.” He groused.
Snape swirled his dress cloak onto his shoulders. It was black velvet with silver trim and fastenings. He held Tonks’ cloak for her – deep blue with silver trim and Lillith fastened it at the throat.
She stepped back and studied the two of them for a moment before stepping forward and brushing a piece of nonexistent lint off Snape’s arm.
He looked at her and caught the worry behind her eyes. Enveloping Lillith in a long hug, he buried his face in her hair and breathed deeply.
“You always smell so good.” He murmured against the skin of her neck as he kissed her. She laughed and pushed him gently away.
“Be careful, you two. Tonks, good luck.”
Tonks’ face quivered for a moment before the smile was back. “Not to worry. I will get them all.”
Snape had been watching her carefully. “And I will hold them down for you if you need.”
Tonks face went slack with amazement, but before she could say anything, he opened the door and motioned her through.
They walked side by side through the cold night air. Overhead, the stars were a net spun of diamonds flung carelessly across the sky. A hard frost had already fallen, the every stick and blade of grass sparkled with shimmering rainbow points of light. Tonks walked carefully. While she could dance with effortless grace in the high heeled slippers, when walking, she had to fight her everyday clumsiness. Snape took her arm when she stumbled. At the Apparation point, she looked at him, her eyes suddenly full of doubt.
“Do you think I can do this?”
“I think it will be something of a miracle if we pull it off.” He shifted his shoulders inside his cloak, his breath blowing a plume of mist in the chill.
Tonks bit her lip. “I can change something, if you don’t like it. I should have asked what you wanted.”
“You are not my date.” He sounded a bit impatient. “You do not have to please me.”
“I know.” She fidgeted. “I just, well, you’re being awfully nice about this. I guess...” She sighed and took a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to do this and I just want you to be proud of the woman on your arm tonight.” She gave him a sheepish look that didn’t quiet hide her insecurity.
He looked into the deep blue eyes that were almost level with his own.
“Tonks,” he spoke slowly and carefully, “the look you have chosen for yourself tonight is stunningly beautiful.” Her eyes opened wide in surprise as he went on. “However, it isn’t real. The Tonks that is real, with her appalling taste in clothes, deplorable deportment, mind-numbingly atrocious hair and maddeningly annoying behavior, is far more worthy of value and admiration.” Her mouth opened in a silent “O” as he tugged the collar of her robe straight. “Are you ready?”
She gulped and nodded.
A feral grin spread over his face that chilled her more than the night air.
“Then let’s go castrate some Death Eaters.”
Slipping his arm around her waist, he Apparated the two of them to the Malfoy’s front walk.
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To be continued in Part 10