Author's note: I'm sorry it took so long to update, but I finally did! Since this will be the last chapter, I think it's time for thank you notes!
Thank you tartan-angel, and Saeshmea! You two have kept me inspired and motivated. If anyone leaves a review, don't forget to thank them too! Without them, the story wouldn't have ever gotten this far. Thank you Saeshmea for reviewing this before I posted it. I changed it just a little in terms of Minerva being a cat. You're right she can't talk while she's a cat, and thank you for pointing that out.
Thank you, Muffin for your helpful criticism. I would like to let you know, I no longer mix up "pail" and "pale". LoL, and you know, I actually do have thin skin. You can see my veins all over my body. (Not pretty.) I also like to thank you for taking your time in actually evaluating my work. I know you only have the best intentions when you review. I still have a lot to learn (obviously), but I'll get there in time…I hope.
Thank you Clayre aka QuillofMinerva, Pitch5321, sevlover, unknown2, songbird101, SongoftheDarquePhoenix, banshee1968, minerva.m1997, and Christine, for reading and reviewing the story. I hope I mentioned everyone that reviewed except for one, because they didn't put a name down. Well thank you anonymous person.
I hope you all enjoy the end!
Minerva moved swiftly through the halls. She had gotten the new teacher; now all she had to do was convince the student. Minerva stopped in front of Severus's office. She knocked on the door as she heard his muffled moans.
"Who is it?" he asked rather harshly.
Minerva concealed her laughter as she answered, "It's Minerva, may I come in?"
"You have the audacity to try to show your face here. Bloody hell no, you most certainly not come in." he barked through the door. His blood boiled that she would dare to come to talk to him. Minerva sighed as a smile braced her lips. She hoped she didn't have to do this, but she had to go in and talk to him one way or another. She started to recite loud enough so the person on the other door could hear her:
Your body long and succulent
Your hair so fine and radiant
As I trail-
He recognized the poem and before he knew it he threw open the door and dragged her in before everyone in the entire castle heard his poem for her.
"You witch." he growled threateningly. He pinned her to the door as she a smug smile formed on her lips.
"I thought it was a lovely poem." Minerva assured as she looked into his dark vexed eyes. "You really shouldn't keep secrets like that with me Severus."
Her voice was smooth and velvety. No, he shook his head. He hated her. He despised her greatly, loathed the floor she walked on.
"You know Severus," she said as she moved her finger up and down his arm seductively, "the last thing I would want is a great poet to die all because he wouldn't learn how to swim."
'Damn her!' he thought. She was using his love for her against him. Why did he love her? She really should've been a Slytherin. He moved off of her, getting her assaulting hand away from his body. The sensation was too much. She smirked as she moved towards the sitting room. She turned to face him and removed her outer robes, revealing a deep seaweed green dress that was cut just before the knees. It showed a little cleavage, but it was still cleavage. She hung her outer robes on the back of his chair.
"You're seducing me so I'll take swimming lessons for your own sick amusement." he accused her. Minerva smiled with a playful glint in her eyes. With the slight tilt of her head, her bun suddenly came undone, allowing the dark tresses tumble down the side of her body. He wanted to grab her right then and there. What a tease she was? He's never seen her like this. He felt leaning towards her, but caught his balance before he stumbled forward.
Minerva's smile broadened when she saw he was speechless. It felt nice to know that she still had that power over men, and he was younger than her. He wondered whether she could see what he was doing to him. He tried to hide his lower part of his body by moving behind a couch. The last thing he wanted was to give her that satisfaction.
She then sat down as she folded her long endless legs. His eyes followed them all the way down to her black pointed shoes.
"I've had a long day Severus, may I take my shoes off. They're killing me." She pleaded. He really was at a loss of words. He only nodded his head as he didn't trust himself to open his mouth. She smiled gratefully as she took off the heels and neat fully set them beside her. Her feet were pointed like a dancer as it only elongated her legs.
"Wouldn't you like to come and sit down Severus? You've had a long stressful day." She questioned, but he felt like his feet were glued to the floor. She gracefully got up from her seat and moved beside him. His body stiffened as she approached him. She could see how his breath was caught in his throat as she moved behind him. He felt her long fingers slide up his back to rest on his shoulders. She made small circles with her thumb on his back, and she felt him lean towards her. She had him under a trance as her fingers worked magic.
She massaged his back as she whispered in his ear, "Severus you should really learn how to swim."
"Hmm…"
"Why don't you come to the lake tomorrow? You can learn how to swim, and once you've learned we can go out and celebrate with maybe dinner and maybe for dessert…a midnight swim." she proposed.
"Hmm…what…" was the only thing he could manage to say. He really hadn't been listening to her. He heard midnight swim though. He knew what that meant. The image flashed through his eyes. He mentally chastised himself for saying such an incoherent response.
She pressed up against him as he felt the warmth of her body on him. "Severus, your answer?"
"Yeah, okay." He said still not really listening to her.
"Great then, I'll see you when you learn how to swim." she said as she went back to her seat and got her shoes and robes. Severus was brought back to Earth once she left his side. He already missed her warmth. Minerva put her hair back up and her robes back on around her body. He watched as she got ready to leave his room. Damn, she had played him. She saw his dark eyes as they looked sad. She had manipulated him, but that didn't mean she wouldn't keep her word.
Minerva walked back to Severus as she softly caressed his cheek. He leaned into her soft hand thinking for one moment that she was serious about the bargain.
"Don't keep me waiting for long." she ordered him with the same playful glint in her eyes. Her hand slipped away from his face. The warmth was decreasing too fast. He grabbed her wrist as he let his lips brush over her open palm. His dark eyes on her were alluring as his soft lips on her bare skin made her quiver inside.
She then left him feeling lonely and depressed. He was happy and content in being alone. He loved being by himself until she came along in her dark green dress. The image of her laid forever seared into his mind. He couldn't get rid of the thought of her. Merlin, the last thing he wanted was to get back into the water.
Severus dreaded the swimming lesson. Minerva has found a new teacher, and knowing her, she would make the lessons a living hell. He would have to suck it up though. Minerva was a woman of her word, and if he wanted dessert. Oh Merlin, he was going to have to swim.
All next day he tried to get through the day without thinking about his afternoon. He made some Raven Claw cry which made him a little happy. What really put Severus over the edge was when he spotted Minerva. She was dressed in her usual black teaching robes, but she'd give him a little smile. It was the same smile she gave him last night.
At lunch in the Great Hall, Severus sat next to Minerva like he usually did. She gave him a welcoming smile before she turned to Dumbledore to start talking about some new book on transfiguration that they've read. As soon as the conversation was over, Severus leaned over towards Minerva.
"So, who's my new teacher?"
"Oh you'll have to wait and find out." She replied nonchalantly. Minerva was trying to keep from smiling. If she did, he might not show up. Severus backed off thinking this wasn't good. Did he really want that midnight swim? Yes, was the answer. He didn't have to think about it long either. He gritted his teeth and this action didn't go unnoticed by Minerva. A shadow of a smile braced her lips.
Severus made his way down to the lake. He wanted to get the lesson over with. He wanted to swim…until now. By the lake he saw the person he absolutely despised. The person he loathed even more than Minerva. Oh he hated them both now.
"Hey Professor, I was asked by Professor McGonagall to teach you." said Harry a little apprehensive. Severus glared at the boy. Harry only really took the offer to make up for the Occlumency lessons. Beside the lake were Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. She came along to make sure Severus didn't bite Harry's head off, while Ron was there for…"moral support".
Hidden in the trees were the Headmaster and the Transfiguration teacher. Minerva was under a disillusionment charm, while Albus used an invisibility spell.
"Oh you're wicked Min."
"I know." smirked Minerva even though Albus couldn't see it.
"However did you convince him to come?"
"Easy, I just told him that if he learned how to swim I would…"
"You would?"
"I might have promised him dinner, and…desert."
"Minerva!" Albus exclaimed astounded. "I hope you mean it, or else that would be cruel even for you."
"I do mean it. If he learns I will go through with it."
"Minerva, did you plan this from the start?" Albus asked with those twinkling eyes, but fortunately Minerva couldn't see them.
"I haven't the faintest clue what you're talking about Albus, but if you don't mind, I'm trying to spy here. Also when he's through with his lessons, I don't think he'll want to go anyway."
"Whatever you say Min." Albus chuckled.
Severus on the other hand wasn't pleased in the slightest. Dinner and dessert better be good thought Severus. Harry was in his red swimming trunks as he looked at Severus for him to make the first move. Surprisingly Severus started to remove his clothes.
"Let's get this over with." he grumbled. Harry was stunned, but nodded. Harry waded in the water as he waited for Severus to get in. As Severus lowered himself in the cold water Ron was concealing his laughter. Hermione was throwing him dirty looks, but that wasn't unpredictable.
"So…um…do you have any questions about swimming?" asked Harry. He really didn't know how to teach his professor whom he loathed. Harry didn't get a response; he only got a dangerous glare. Hermione saw how the situation was going to she pulled something out of her bag.
"Here Harry. Professor McGonagall said that Professor Snape might want these." Hermione informed Harry as she threw the plastic floaties in the water. Severus tried not to look so excited to have his beloved floaties back. The last thing he wanted was for his reputation to be diminished. Oh what the hell, it was already diminished.
Harry gave them a questioning look as he saw the sharks swimming on the plastic material.
"Ah Professor, would it make you feel better if you had these?" asked Harry thinking that his Professor would rather die than wear the ridiculous things. Severus thought about it. He loved his floaties, but he also loved the rest of the dignity he had left. Yet again, he didn't trust Potter with his life. He took the things from Harry who tried not to show his shock.
As Severus put them on he could see Ron biting his fist from laughter and tears streamed from his eyes. "Weasley, there is no reason for you to be here. I suggest you should go and study potions, since your last essay was inconceivable." From his low sneering tone Ron understood it wasn't a suggestion but an order. He reluctantly got up mumbling to himself.
Severus smirked as he looked at his beloved floaties. The little sharks swam around once again with their sharp teeth bared in a friendly broad grin.
"Alright, now that you have your floaties, we can start with swimming. I was thinking that we could start in the shallow end where you can stand, so if anything happens you can always reach the bottom of the water." Harry explained. Severus's face remained impassive which made Harry a little unsettling.
"Um so, I'll guess we'll start with trying to float."
"Potter, could you just get to the part of me swimming, so we can both get out of here?" asked Severus. Harry looked at Severus like he understood that this was both awkward for them.
"Oh you're not getting out of this that easily Severus!" cried Rolonda Hooch as she swooped down on her broom. Suddenly a flash of light blinded Severus and Harry. Rolonda looked at the picture to see Severus's face was horror stricken.
"Rolonda!"
"Yes Severus?" replied Rolonda looking innocent. "Oh those floaties are so cute! My little four year old niece has a pair except hers have pink unicorns on them."
Severus clearly was trying to control his anger. Harry backed off a little to keep from clear from Snape's anger.
"Hey Potter, Angela told me to come and get you since she had come up with an emergency quidditch practice. I'll take over Severus for you, and I'll let Professor McGonagall know." assured Rolonda as her feet were now on the ground.
"Thank you Professor." Harry said a little too gratefully. Severus smirked as he caused Harry Potter to literally run out of the lake. He was more swiftly leaving, but the running sounded better in his mind. That know-it-all girl went with him. Thank Merlin!
"So potion master, word around the school is you can't swim, and by the looks of your floaties I think they're right." Rolonda teased in a mocking tone. Severus gave her his all famous glare that could make sixth years trembling, though it just made Rolonda even more amused. Severus ripped off his floaties as he threw them away from him like he had over touched them. That witch! Severus thought.
"Please, keep them on if they make you feel better, don't let me get in the way."
"Humph."
"Well Mr. little guppy, you need to learn how to swim." Rolonda said in a little baby voice as if she really was talking to a three year old. Severus folded his arms as he was going to enjoy drowning Rolonda in a boiling cauldron, and then killing Minerva and hanging her body in the Great Hall as a warning to not mess with him. Yes, that would be a lovely sight. He was brought back to Earth when his something wet was abruptly shot into his face, causing Snape to close his eyes and use his arms as shields. The water pounded him in the face as if he were being hit with a fire hose. He was knocked right off his feet.
Rolonda fell to the ground laughing as Severus was glad he was still able to touch the ground with his feet. He quickly got up fuming. His hair was sopping wet from the both the attack and the lake. His eyes stung as he was seeing spots everywhere. He still managed to see Rolonda rolling around on the ground laughing.
"ROLONDA HOOCH, I AM GOING TO HEX YOU INTO OBLIVION!"
"No you won't unless you want the picture of you in floaties all over the school. I think the students would have a field day with that one." She threatened. All she got in response was a low growl.
"Good, now that I have your attention again, we can start the lesson. We've already wasted enough time." Rolonda pointed out. "Are you sure you don't want your floaties? You looked so adorable in them."
"I'm sure." he stated heatedly even though he really did. Rolonda wouldn't even try to save him if he drowned.
"Alright then." Rolonda said disbelievingly as she put a water repellent on her clothes and got into the water. "Now Guppy, let's see what you got? Can you do doggie paddle? Please tell me you can at least do doggie paddle."
"I'm not a damn animal Rolonda."
"That's debatable, but can you?"
"I don't know Rolonda, because I'm not a dog!"
"Jeeze, guppy must have swallowed too much water already" Rolonda exclaimed. "So Guppy, since you don't know what a doggy paddle is, can you at least stay afloat without your floaties? I mean, five year olds know how to float already."
Severus sneered at the comment. He despised the nickname Guppy, and he loathed being compared to mere little children who probably ate their own buggers. What real protégés were they?
"What are you waiting for Guppy?"
Severus didn't know what he was waiting for. Maybe he was scared to embarrass himself even further with her. He really didn't know what to do. Rolonda stood there impatiently as the seconds turned into minutes. Her lips thinned in frustration. Severus wasn't moving. She then thought of something. Yes, Hagrid had brought one in just yesterday for a day, and unfortunately for Severus, that day was today.
She had bonded with the animal rather quickly as it respected her, as for Severus. The friendliest animal in the world would bite him. Hell, all the owls already hated him. It's probably why he never owls anyone. He can't get the letter tied on to the poor beasts.
"Guppy, maybe you need a more powerful motive to make you want to swim." Rolonda guessed, but before Severus could question Rolonda whistled. Severus gave her a questionable look.
"Come on Marco, I have a friend for you."
'Marco, who the bloody hell was Marco?' Severus then felt the water seem to flow past him. Since when did the Lake have a current? The water had gone from his chest down to his waist. What the hell was happening? For once he was frightened of Rolonda. Correction, he wasn't afraid of Rolonda, he was afraid of what she was doing.
Then he could see ripples in the water. The water was too murky to know what it was. What was in the water? Whatever it was, it was unsettling. Suddenly he felt something brush up against the back of his calves. It felt scaly and slimy. That was it! It set him off as he was running out of the water, but then he come across Rolonda. She stood in his way. Her chin was jut out in a daring manner. Did he want to face Rolonda with her incompetent wand skills, or MARCO?
"Guppy, what's wrong, just swim?" questioned Rolonda as if nothing was wrong.
"You bloody hell know what's wrong. You called, Marco, whatever it is, and I would very much like to survive today!"
"Guppy, that was just a song."
"Just a song…what the hell did I feel against my leg?"
"Jee, I don't know, maybe water. I mean, you are sort of surrounded by it, and all."
Severus then felt it again except harder, but it was in front of his legs this time. Damn he was heading in the other direction as he was swimming away from Marco, or whatever it was. He was not getting eaten! Before he knew it he was in the deep end swimming for his life.
Rolonda laughed as she whispered, "Good Marco."
Severus as his body was cutting through the lake. The water was just flowing past him as he was kicking and moving his arms to propel himself through the water. He was doing freestyle, and for someone who's been afraid of water for most of his night, he was doing pretty well.
Severus didn't notice this until he was running out of breath. He went to stand only to see that he couldn't. He kicked hard against the water to keep him afloat as his arms were pushing the water down. He was swimming! Severus Tobias was swimming.
'Yes I'm swimming, so damn you all!' Severus shouted in his head. Rolonda had on a smug smile as she watched Severus in the middle of the lake.
"I didn't know you were so frightened of a little song Guppy." Rolonda mocked as she started to get out of the water.
"What, that wasn't a song and we both know it."
"Whatever keeps you afloat Guppy." teased Rolonda. Severus looked at her incredulously as he started to swim back to shore. He was swimming! Merlin he felt the greatest. Soon he reached the shore as Rolonda was picking up her broom from the ground.
"Well Guppy, congratulations as you can finally swim." She said a little dejectedly.
"Humph." Yes, I bloody hell can! He kept the last thought to himself. Rolonda mounted her broom as she pushed off the ground.
"I'll send you a copy of the photo Guppy!" she yelled as she flew away so fast, she was just a blur in the sky.
"Rolonda!" yelled Severus, but he knew it wasn't any use.
'Damn that witch!'
"Well Minerva, I believe you have a date to get ready for." Were Dumbledore's parting words. "Have fun."
Minerva couldn't stop laughing to the point she had to cast a silencing charm on herself to keep herself from being heard. She was at the brink of tears. She didn't know Marco was at Hogwarts.
Suddenly she realized Severus was climbing out of the water. That was her cue to leave. She transformed into her cat form as she sprint to the castle to get to her office before he did. She slipped into her office, and surely enough, as soon as she had transformed back, there was a knock at the door. She pulled the loose strands from her bun behind her ear and undid the silent charm. She allowed herself to smile for a few seconds before whipping it off.
"Yes?"
"It's Severus."
"Oh, come in Severus." she said and he swung the door open. He strode into the office as he was looking pompous.
"Hello Minerva. I have learned to swim as you've asked, and now I believe we have some plans." He told her with a suggestive raised eyebrow.
"Yes, would tonight work for you?" she asked as she had plans for them.
"Seven, I'll meet you at the entrance hall."
"Alright, see you at seven Severus." Minerva replied with a friendly smile. He approached her as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling him to her. Her smile broadened.
"Oh, but Severus, I've had an early dinner with Albus today, so I'm not hungry for dinner."
His smile dropped. She promised. She saw his expression as she just shook her head. She leaned towards him, causing her cheek to brush up against his. He could feel her warm breath on his ear, running down his neck.
"But I didn't have dessert. What about…eleven by the lake, how does that sound?"
He growled as tonight was going to be fun. Those swimming lessons seemed to worth it as she was skipping right to dessert. She was his kind of woman.
"That's fine."
"Good." she whispered before tracing his strong jaw with light kisses. Her soft lips against his skin were already arousing him. She then lightly pushed away from him and she shooed him out of her office.
"I'll see you tonight Severus." she assured him before closing the door. He found himself grinning from ear to ear.
When the clock struck eleven he made his way silently towards the lake. The night was dark as the moon was missing. This made their time more peaceful and secretive. As he approached the water's edge, he squinted as he tried to look for her. He felt hands cover his eyes. He laughed as he reached to pull her hands off.
"Shh, close your eyes." She ordered him as her hand roamed over his body as she tantalizingly slowly undressed him. She took care with every button of his shirt. He could feel her soft hands removing every piece of clothing on him except for his bathing suit. She then let him go. He wondered where she was.
He was about to open his eyes when she chastised him. "Keep them close."
He then heard little splashing in the water as he understood that she was getting in the water. He went to follow herm but he couldn't feel her. He even hands out in the air as his fingers touched the open air.
"Marco."
'What?' thought Severus.
"Come get me Severus." she said seductively. He wanted to find her that's for sure. Maybe it was just his imagination earlier.
He dared say, "Polo."
"Marco." She said softly. He turned to the direction of her voice.
"Polo."
"Marco." She was now another direction.
"Polo."
"Marco." Severus smirked as he was sure that she was right behind him. He turned around only to feel something that wasn't Minerva. Minerva didn't have scaly slimy skin. No she did not. He courageously opened his eyes, to see thing that was as thick as an thousand year old tree. He looked up as it seemed that whatever he was touching went for ever. It then took it deep breath as it caused the whole water around him to ripple.
'MARCO!'Severus first thought as he was rushing in the other side of the lake as fast as he could. He then felt his body collide into someone, sending both the person and him engulfed by the water. As he came to surface he found a person wrapped around him. She was kissing him, but he was pushing her lips away as he looked in the direction of where Marco was.
"Severus, what's wrong?" asked Minerva worried.
"Uh…ah…where did it go?" questioned Severus as it was suddenly gone.
"What are you talking about? There was nothing there." Minerva assured him. What was going on with him? He was going insane. She then silenced him again with a smothering kiss.
'Damn Marco!' thought Severus as all he wanted to do was pay attention to Minerva. He did after all learn how to swim just for this moment. Then something slid past his leg. It was like earlier that day all over again. He pulled away from her lips.
"Minerva did you feel that?"
"No, Severus are you sure you're alright?"
Then he felt the scales against his back this time. That was it. He unhooked Minerva off of his body as he was heading towards the shore.
"I'm sorry Minerva, but something came up." He lied.
"Something came up? It's eleven Severus."
"I'm sorry Minerva, but I really have to go." apologized Severus as he got out of the water and grabbed his clothes. He heard her calling after him, but he ran from the scene.
'Coward.' thought Minerva as she stayed in the water. She felt something brush up against her calves as a shadow of a smile crept to her face.
"Hello Marco."
The End
Author's note: I don't know about you, but I'm glad I got that story done. I never thought I would. Now that it's over. Feel free to give me your last remaining thoughts on the story since it's your last chance! Oh, and don't forget, if you're thanking me, don't forget tartan-angel and Saeshmea! I'm so happy I give you all XOXOs!
P.S. Marco could be anything you imagine in your head. I would love to hear what you think he looks like. (Hint: he's scaly, slimy, and very very tall.)
