The Dance of the Seven Veils
Summary:
Set eight years after graduation. Why eight? I like that number. It's your average take on boy meets girl, boy puts up with said insufferable know-it-all's presence for 7 years (and then some), boy starts to notice girl and whether they live happily ever after or not is not yet decided.
This story brings some fresh meat to the table. I have not yet read a fan fiction relating to the story of Ishtar, and even then I've modified it to suit myself. I know next to nothing about Sufism so don't take any mention of it seriously. I just wanted to merge magic with mythology in a fic.
Again, this is writing practice only. I would appreciate comments on style: methods of improvement or aspects which you found appealing.
Disclaimer: I'm not going to write one. Honestly, the site is called FanFiction . net!
O
A lone figure was panting, struggling to fight her way through the thick growth of trees. Clad in a long cream-silver nightgown and with long curls flying.
Hermione raced through the forest, heart pounding, trying to find her way out. Once she got out of the forest she could kick off her slippers and run faster. Her smooth hands were roughly ravaged by twigs leering at her. Her breathing was heavy but she knew she could outrun the creature behind her.
Leaping over a stump, wind catching her hair, she passed under a patch of stars… a sign that she was near the edge of the forest. A rush of energy spread through her and she charged forward.
The eyes on her back narrowed.
She looked over her shoulder and grinned at the animal.
"I'd like to see you catch me, Sirius Black! We're almost there!" She stuck out her tongue at the dark dog close on her heels. The dog growled playfully and gathered speed too.
Suddenly losing balance, Hermione tripped over herself and tumbled straight out of the forest into the moonlight. She tried to scramble to her feet but a black furry streak flew through the air and the next moment she found herself winded on her back with heavy paws on her shoulders. He panted heavily in her face and gave off two loud barks.
Hermione winced against his breath, raising her arm to her nose and giving him a mischievous look.
"No Sirius... You haven't won yet... I didn't claim to give up!" At her last word she roughly tried to push him off of her with her strength, but only succeeded in managing to roll the both of them over.
Trying a different tactic, she tried to crawl away, kicking him away but the tugging on her dress held her back. She glared at him over her shoulder. He was lying on his stomach, teeth deep into the hem of her clothes, growling.
Taking a firm grip on the bunch of cloth she yanked hard to tear it from his teeth. Sirius was slid forward and paw-shaped groves were dug into the soil. His muscles remained perfectly taught and his growl the same pitch.
She got to her feet, with him still hanging onto her.
Lowering her face to his, she threatened: "Don't make me sit on you, I could crush you like a bug!" defiantly, wagging her finger at him. His furry brows drew together before Sirius barked what she was certain was a laugh.
Free again, Hermione bolted for the castle shadowing them without looking back, but felt herself pushed to the ground again and flattened by a set of huge paws. Fighting for the fresh night air, she gasped, "Sirius... You're hurting me..."
The weight on her back immediately lightened as he leapt off her hurriedly. She clambered to her feet slowly and the dog sat with his tail between his legs, whining and giving her an apologetic look. She brushed some of the dirt from herself and shook her hair. Then she looked Sirius hard in the eyes.
"You're too much of a gentleman," she said solemnly then grinned and ran for the castle.
Sirius' ears took a second to prick up in understanding before he leapt up and bounded after her through the thickening grass. She laughed and grinned at him over her shoulder then turned to look to the castle.
Something made her stop dead with a wide-eyed, open-mouthed look of surprise on her face.
A couple of seconds later, Sirius was on top of her again.
O
It had been sheer coincidence that Snape had been patrolling the courtyard looking for unsuspecting victims when a movement caught his eye at the edge of the forest. A woman in a pale-colored dress just fell out of the wall of trees.
For a moment he was confused before, between the stone arches, some black creature pounced on her.
He immediately slipped into his attack mode. Hesitating less than a second he swept through an arch and across the slopes, at the speed of a run. His cloak took flight on the night air. His fingers were curled over his wand...
The girl had escaped the beast and was running in his direction. His eyes narrowed.
He stopped at the highest point of a gentle slope and took aim with his wand as it gained on the girl. She suddenly saw him standing before her with his wand and he knew her instantly. Both momentarily froze. The dog, for he now saw what it was, leapt at her back again.
Overcoming the surprise rapidly, he tried to aim his wand at the dog without hitting her while it barked triumphantly.
"Professor!" she gasped, "Don't!" Snape was understandably baffled, and, as was his nature, slightly miffed. He frowned further, remaining tense and aiming his brandished wand. The dog stopped barking and caught his eye.
As he watched, the dog melted into a grown man in the moonlight, growing into a tall silhouette.
"Black!"
"Snape," Sirius replied coldly with an icy nod. He leant to grip Hermione's hand and help her to her feet. She didn't let go of his hand and tried to shift herself slightly in front of Sirius because Snape had not lowered his wand. She didn't like the look of his slight snarl that radiated pure loathing.
"Would you kindly," he choked on the word, "explain what is going on? If you were harming her then I am well within my rights..." he didn't finish his sentence but his eyes spoke for him.
Hermione's countenance darkened.
"Save it Snape..." she snapped. "You can lower your wand. I am in no danger. I was going for a walk with Sirius and although I appreciate your concern I would like you to leave us now." She spoke with a straight back and demanding air even though she had twigs in her hair and dirt smudges on her face.
His black eyes were no more than slits through which he aimed death wishes at her and the man behind her. He reluctantly relaxed his pose and lowered his wand but did not stow it away.
"On second thoughts, would you escort me to my chamber?" without waiting for his answer (which was no more than a sneer), she turned to Sirius. "You should return home before you are missed. We'll meet soon." Sirius nodded.
Snape watched contemptuously as he morphed back into the mutt he was and ambled back in the direction of the leering trees. His black eyes fixed on the woman who watched him off. She gazed fondly in the dog's direction and his lips twitched as he held back a snarl.
"Shall we then, Granger? I was on duty," he pressed.
"You're always on duty," she retorted, "Some wonder whether or not you sleep at all." With that bitter comment, she joined his side and both walked towards the castle with vague scowls.
They crossed the courtyard side by side.
Snape cast her a filthy glance but couldn't help notice she was scarcely dressed. Grudgingly he unclasped his infamous cloak and thrust it into her arms without looking at her. She caught it as a surprised reaction and looked between it and Snape, who revealed nothing in his expression.
Silently she swung the thick black cloth over her shoulders and donned the cloak.
Looking up at him from under her brows, she couldn't help thinking 'Arrogant, confusing bastard'.
They kept walking through the stone halls without speaking a word until they arrived at her door. They both paused.
"I bid you a good night, Professor," Snape said courteously with a curt nod of the head, "I sincerely wish you luck with those second-years tomorrow," he added with a slightly amused sneer.
"Goodnight Snape," she replied politely, yet coolly, "I'm sure I'll manage." She mumbled her password to the door: 'Crumbs', and slipped inside. As she pushed the oak back into place she caught sight of him striding away and realized he looked strangely incomplete without his cloak... which she then realized she was still wearing.
"Professor!" but he did not hear her.
She shrugged and let the door click shut. She would hand it back to him tomorrow. Heaven knows that man had more than one cloak, although the one that was now keeping her warm was undecidedly her favourite. From the centre of the chain that clasped it together dangled a silver snake.
She pulled it off of her and folded it neatly, pressing her face into the folds and taking a deep breath before placing it on her desk next to her wand and quill.
Following her night-time ritual she went over the grand curved window with its elegant window-seat and picked a small white jasmine flower from the potted plant on the sill. She placed it by her bed for the aroma to fill her sleep, not that there was much sleep left to be had until dawn.
She slipped under the sheets and pulled them tightly to her chin.
Crookshanks suddenly appeared at the end of her bed and padded his way up to her and curled up against her stomach, purring in satisfaction. She gave him a few token strokes.
Sleep was quick to envelope her.
O
The first two chapters were written two years ago… so forgive.