He opened the door to his chambers, her eyes darted following his every
move and each detail, she would be able to find this room again even in the
dark. Once inside he closed the door behind them, checking for anyone in
the halls. She moved over to stand in front of the fire and sighed. He
watched her from the doorway intently. The light from the fire gave her
hair the same faint blue glow as the dome. Her eyes sparkled and danced
with the flames. Her skin was illuminated like pale velvet and her
Silhouette stood out clearly through her thin clothing. She wasn't the
thin little wisps that ran about the school in winter. She was well built
and athletic, her body was trim and flexible. As she curved and twisted in
front of the fire, stretching and warming herself Severus quietly admired
the display.
She yawned then and looked over at Severus. "It takes me a day or two to shake off the hibernation effects. May I rest here?" He found him self saying yes at the same time his mind thought he should say no. "Of course, I'll fetch you something a bit warmer to wear." What am I saying? This isn't proper I'm sure, and what is she possibly going to wear of mine? He headed for his wardrobe when her voice floated back to him. "Just a blanket would be fine, I can sleep by the fire." His brow furrowed slightly, it wouldn't be right to leave her on the floor but he wasn't sure what to say or do. Again his mouth responded before his brain could catch up. "I have a bed in here I'm sure you would find more comfortable." She blushed slightly and looked down. "I couldn't possibly ask you to give up your bed. Really I'll be fine back in the nest, I can summon some owls…" "Nonsense it is big enough for both of us to be comfortable and then we can see to warming your room in the morning."
She grinned at him, and was it just his imagination or was this smile positively lupine. She walked over to him smoothly and hooked his arm in hers, drawing him to the bed. She curled her legs under her sitting on one side of the bed and watching him as he removed his robes and his boots. He started to reach for his shirt collar and stopped himself. She sighed inwardly but she pulled the blankets back for him with a smile. Severus pulled himself into the bed and immediately felt the pull of sleep at his eyes. She saw them flutter in the low light and covered him gently. "You must be very tired, forgive me for keeping you awake." She purred gently in his ear, it was the softest hoot of an owl. Her fingers glided across his brow, smoothing away the hair from his face and he drifted off.
Kirasanth smiled at him, when he wasn't scowling to himself he had what her mother called noble features. A distinct but not heavy brow, a thin cheek line but a strong hawkish nose. His eyes reminded her of her second in command, soft deep brow and always full of worry or thought. She stroked his hair a few more times and yawned again. There was something about his scent, she couldn't grasp what it was but it seemed almost intoxicating to her. She curled up on top of the blankets next to him, resting her head next to his chest and dozed.
Dumbledore decided to keep a closer eye on Snape as the morning sun rose. At the first sign of a yawn he would march him straight off to bed. By afternoon when he still had seen no sign of Snape he became slightly concerned. There was only place he hadn't looked yet for his friend, he knew Snape valued his privacy so he rarely went to his quarters. Typically he found Severus was more comfortable speaking over a meal or in his office or the potions room. He moved at a brisk pace down towards the dungeons.
Severus awoke still feeling the siren call of sleep; he shifted onto his side and started slightly when he discovered a woman was lying next to him on his blankets. He pushed himself up on his elbow and blinked in surprise and then relaxed his posture when his memory returned to him. He realized Kirasanth was wide-awake and quietly watching him, though she had not moved an inch when he awoke. "You've been watching me sleep this whole time." It was a statement more than a question though he sounded a bit perplexed. "Not exactly, I dosed on and off a bit but mostly yes." "That isn't necessary…" She cut him off by lightly placing her hand over his. "As near as I can tell you haven't let yourself sleep for a few days. I know my people can get away with that but it isn't healthy for humans. Besides I have been getting used to your presence."
He cocked his head to the side slightly, "How have you been doing that?" She smiled again and he wondered if she had some sort of spell she laid on people with that smile. "I have been listening to what your breathing sounds like, learning your scent," she shrugged lightly, "I use my senses differently than you. Anyway since you are my new ward it is important to become familiar with every aspect of you I can." He stifled a small yawn and nodded. "I wonder if it is too early for a bit of breakfast?" "Were you expecting company?" He had a few seconds to wonder why she asked such a strange question when there was a knock at the door. He jumped slightly at the sound, and grabbed her hand as Dumbledore's voice came through the door. "Severus may I have a quick word?"
"It's Albus, he is the headmaster of the school, I'd prefer to wait to introduce you this evening. Stay here." He climbed out of the bed and strobe quickly to the door smoothing his hair. He opened the door and almost managed a curl of a smile but it slipped into a yawn. "Pardon me Albus you just woke me, what can I do for you." Dumbledore's jaw dropped open slightly though he quickly recovered. "I'm sorry, did you say you were sleeping, just now?" Snape looked puzzled and dipped his head once. "Yes, I was up a bit late with that book and…" "And it is almost 3 o'clock." Dumbledore was beginning to look slightly amused as Snape looked shocked. "Three!?" Dumbledore began to laugh and he clasped Snape's arm. "My dear friend I was worried you still weren't sleeping so I came to check on you. I guess nature caught you before I could."
"You must be hungry then Severus my goodness, what say we join each other for an early dinner in the kitchen room?" Snape regained his composure as his slight scowl but he nodded. "Yes that would be excellent, I'll be along around four." "All right, try not to oversleep." Albus chuckled to himself and moved quickly away from the door. Snape fought his inflamed cheeks back to a lighter shade of pink as he closed the door. Kirasanth was kindly looking with great interest at the tassels on the bed spread.
"Kirasanth, we should find something for you to wear warmer than that." He began to move back into the sleep chamber. "Kira." He stopped short and tipped his head again. "What was that?" She smiled softly at him, "Kira, Kirasanth is really more of a title, call me Kira, it's my name." He nodded and his brow relaxed a bit. "Very well, then you may call me Severus, now about those clothes…" She brightened and scooted off the bed. "I actually have clothes in my room, I'll be right back." He had no time to stop her with a flash of white and black she was out the door.
Snape made it to the door and looked down the hall in time to see an owl. "An owl?" It had been a large owl black with a white belly and fancy long feathers on it's tail. He stood there perplexed, trying to decide if she go after Kira or wait there for her. He had just decided to check on her when the owl came back around the corner. A travel pouch was in its talons. It moved to land in front of him and as it settled it shifted back into Kira. In her hand was the travel pouch. "Is there some place I could take a quick bath?"
"You're an animagus?" His face was shocked, she looked perplexed now. "A what? Oh! You mean the owl. No, animagus are human wizards and they can only do one animal. My people call me Fumori, a changeling, and I can do a few forms." She touched his arm lightly and smiled at him. "Bath? Care to join me?" He brought his shoulders back and stiffened for a second, bringing himself back to the here and now. "Yes, follow me." He waved her back into his chambers and went to the wardrobe to fetch fresh clothes. He moved to the back of his sleep chamber and opened a door in the far corner. It led to a very short hallway, the two of them barely fit without pressing into each other as he opened the door on the other side.
The faculty bath was, like everything else at the school, enchanted. One room that magically transformed itself into different rooms to suit the tastes of the current occupant. Snape's bath was decorated with a deep green tile and black rugs. A dark wood dressing table with silver fittings was carefully toped with silver grooming supplies. The towels were large and thick that sat beside the large bath. There were candles warmly lighting the room and small jars filled with different bathing oils of his own invention.
He moved purposefully into the room and started the bath filling, he selected two of the jars and let a small drizzle from each fall into the water. He turned to ask Kira if she needed anything from him in time to see the white curve of her outer thigh as she slid directly into the bath, her clothes discarded on the floor. He swallowed hard and nearly choked with the effort. "I'll be back shortly then when your finished." "I thought you were joining me? I think we have enough room in here, this tub is like a pond." She had made her way to the edge nearest him and when he turned to look at her he found he had no argument left. The water was just passing her waist, if he just stripped slowly enough then she would be safely hidden from is view. Of course then issue was how to get into the water decently himself.
She yawned then and looked over at Severus. "It takes me a day or two to shake off the hibernation effects. May I rest here?" He found him self saying yes at the same time his mind thought he should say no. "Of course, I'll fetch you something a bit warmer to wear." What am I saying? This isn't proper I'm sure, and what is she possibly going to wear of mine? He headed for his wardrobe when her voice floated back to him. "Just a blanket would be fine, I can sleep by the fire." His brow furrowed slightly, it wouldn't be right to leave her on the floor but he wasn't sure what to say or do. Again his mouth responded before his brain could catch up. "I have a bed in here I'm sure you would find more comfortable." She blushed slightly and looked down. "I couldn't possibly ask you to give up your bed. Really I'll be fine back in the nest, I can summon some owls…" "Nonsense it is big enough for both of us to be comfortable and then we can see to warming your room in the morning."
She grinned at him, and was it just his imagination or was this smile positively lupine. She walked over to him smoothly and hooked his arm in hers, drawing him to the bed. She curled her legs under her sitting on one side of the bed and watching him as he removed his robes and his boots. He started to reach for his shirt collar and stopped himself. She sighed inwardly but she pulled the blankets back for him with a smile. Severus pulled himself into the bed and immediately felt the pull of sleep at his eyes. She saw them flutter in the low light and covered him gently. "You must be very tired, forgive me for keeping you awake." She purred gently in his ear, it was the softest hoot of an owl. Her fingers glided across his brow, smoothing away the hair from his face and he drifted off.
Kirasanth smiled at him, when he wasn't scowling to himself he had what her mother called noble features. A distinct but not heavy brow, a thin cheek line but a strong hawkish nose. His eyes reminded her of her second in command, soft deep brow and always full of worry or thought. She stroked his hair a few more times and yawned again. There was something about his scent, she couldn't grasp what it was but it seemed almost intoxicating to her. She curled up on top of the blankets next to him, resting her head next to his chest and dozed.
Dumbledore decided to keep a closer eye on Snape as the morning sun rose. At the first sign of a yawn he would march him straight off to bed. By afternoon when he still had seen no sign of Snape he became slightly concerned. There was only place he hadn't looked yet for his friend, he knew Snape valued his privacy so he rarely went to his quarters. Typically he found Severus was more comfortable speaking over a meal or in his office or the potions room. He moved at a brisk pace down towards the dungeons.
Severus awoke still feeling the siren call of sleep; he shifted onto his side and started slightly when he discovered a woman was lying next to him on his blankets. He pushed himself up on his elbow and blinked in surprise and then relaxed his posture when his memory returned to him. He realized Kirasanth was wide-awake and quietly watching him, though she had not moved an inch when he awoke. "You've been watching me sleep this whole time." It was a statement more than a question though he sounded a bit perplexed. "Not exactly, I dosed on and off a bit but mostly yes." "That isn't necessary…" She cut him off by lightly placing her hand over his. "As near as I can tell you haven't let yourself sleep for a few days. I know my people can get away with that but it isn't healthy for humans. Besides I have been getting used to your presence."
He cocked his head to the side slightly, "How have you been doing that?" She smiled again and he wondered if she had some sort of spell she laid on people with that smile. "I have been listening to what your breathing sounds like, learning your scent," she shrugged lightly, "I use my senses differently than you. Anyway since you are my new ward it is important to become familiar with every aspect of you I can." He stifled a small yawn and nodded. "I wonder if it is too early for a bit of breakfast?" "Were you expecting company?" He had a few seconds to wonder why she asked such a strange question when there was a knock at the door. He jumped slightly at the sound, and grabbed her hand as Dumbledore's voice came through the door. "Severus may I have a quick word?"
"It's Albus, he is the headmaster of the school, I'd prefer to wait to introduce you this evening. Stay here." He climbed out of the bed and strobe quickly to the door smoothing his hair. He opened the door and almost managed a curl of a smile but it slipped into a yawn. "Pardon me Albus you just woke me, what can I do for you." Dumbledore's jaw dropped open slightly though he quickly recovered. "I'm sorry, did you say you were sleeping, just now?" Snape looked puzzled and dipped his head once. "Yes, I was up a bit late with that book and…" "And it is almost 3 o'clock." Dumbledore was beginning to look slightly amused as Snape looked shocked. "Three!?" Dumbledore began to laugh and he clasped Snape's arm. "My dear friend I was worried you still weren't sleeping so I came to check on you. I guess nature caught you before I could."
"You must be hungry then Severus my goodness, what say we join each other for an early dinner in the kitchen room?" Snape regained his composure as his slight scowl but he nodded. "Yes that would be excellent, I'll be along around four." "All right, try not to oversleep." Albus chuckled to himself and moved quickly away from the door. Snape fought his inflamed cheeks back to a lighter shade of pink as he closed the door. Kirasanth was kindly looking with great interest at the tassels on the bed spread.
"Kirasanth, we should find something for you to wear warmer than that." He began to move back into the sleep chamber. "Kira." He stopped short and tipped his head again. "What was that?" She smiled softly at him, "Kira, Kirasanth is really more of a title, call me Kira, it's my name." He nodded and his brow relaxed a bit. "Very well, then you may call me Severus, now about those clothes…" She brightened and scooted off the bed. "I actually have clothes in my room, I'll be right back." He had no time to stop her with a flash of white and black she was out the door.
Snape made it to the door and looked down the hall in time to see an owl. "An owl?" It had been a large owl black with a white belly and fancy long feathers on it's tail. He stood there perplexed, trying to decide if she go after Kira or wait there for her. He had just decided to check on her when the owl came back around the corner. A travel pouch was in its talons. It moved to land in front of him and as it settled it shifted back into Kira. In her hand was the travel pouch. "Is there some place I could take a quick bath?"
"You're an animagus?" His face was shocked, she looked perplexed now. "A what? Oh! You mean the owl. No, animagus are human wizards and they can only do one animal. My people call me Fumori, a changeling, and I can do a few forms." She touched his arm lightly and smiled at him. "Bath? Care to join me?" He brought his shoulders back and stiffened for a second, bringing himself back to the here and now. "Yes, follow me." He waved her back into his chambers and went to the wardrobe to fetch fresh clothes. He moved to the back of his sleep chamber and opened a door in the far corner. It led to a very short hallway, the two of them barely fit without pressing into each other as he opened the door on the other side.
The faculty bath was, like everything else at the school, enchanted. One room that magically transformed itself into different rooms to suit the tastes of the current occupant. Snape's bath was decorated with a deep green tile and black rugs. A dark wood dressing table with silver fittings was carefully toped with silver grooming supplies. The towels were large and thick that sat beside the large bath. There were candles warmly lighting the room and small jars filled with different bathing oils of his own invention.
He moved purposefully into the room and started the bath filling, he selected two of the jars and let a small drizzle from each fall into the water. He turned to ask Kira if she needed anything from him in time to see the white curve of her outer thigh as she slid directly into the bath, her clothes discarded on the floor. He swallowed hard and nearly choked with the effort. "I'll be back shortly then when your finished." "I thought you were joining me? I think we have enough room in here, this tub is like a pond." She had made her way to the edge nearest him and when he turned to look at her he found he had no argument left. The water was just passing her waist, if he just stripped slowly enough then she would be safely hidden from is view. Of course then issue was how to get into the water decently himself.
