" My head ! " I gasped, sitting up, feeling a pulling sensation burn through my arm. Slowly, my eyes began to focus on my surroundings. Gone were heavy draperies and hazy sunlight. Instead open blinds with bright sunlight pouring in replaced them. Where was I ? I looked down at my arm and the iv coming out of it. What the hell ?
" My stars ! She's awake ! " A blonde candy striper exclaimed at my door. Running footsteps sounded out in the hall. Then, a tall muscular blonde healer in a white coat came striding through the door.
" Who are you ? " I asked. " And just where am I ? Is this heaven ? "
" No, " He chuckled. " This is not heaven. My name is Raphael. I'm your healer. " He smiled.
" My what ? "
" Your healer. And you are at St. Mungo's. " The words sank in slowly.
" An owl has already been sent to your husband letting him know that you have awakened. "
" My what !?! " I practically shouted.
" You need to calm down, Mrs. Taggert. Your husband. You took quite a hit to your head, miss. Are you sure that you're okay ? "
" I have a husband ? " I asked, totally confused.
" It is not uncommon for head trauma patients to experience amnesia. " Certainly I would remember if I was married, wouldn't I ? " If you are up to it, ma'am, there are some visitors here to see you, Mrs. Taggert. "
" Miss, " I corrected. " And, please, send them in. " Raphael left to the waiting room. Next thing I knew a blonde blur swept in. Then, it felt like the breath was being squeezed out of me.
" Thank Merlin ! You scared ten years off me ! " Elisabeth exclaimed.
" Could, I, breathe ? " I gasped out. Laughter sounded behind her. Immediately Elisabeth let go of me.
" Briar, I was so worried about you. We all were. "
" We ? " I asked.
" Marcus and I. Blaise, especially. "
" Blaise ? " I questioned.
" Don't you ever do that to me again ! " The man in question exclaimed, striding over to the bed. Elisabeth moved over. Marcus grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away from me.
" Do you have any idea what's been going through my mind ? What happened ? " Leave it to Blaise to blow everything out of proportion and make a big deal out of it.
" Do me a favour and take a breath, " I teased. " I'm fine. Just another attack. That's all. By the way, are we married ? "
" What ? " He looked at me as if I was crazy.
" I asked, are we married ? "
" Do you want to be ? " He asked.
" How hard did you hit your head,
Briar ? " Marcus asked.
" My healer, Raphael, said that an owl had been sent to my husband. So are we ? "
" Honey, Professor Snape told us where you were. We are not married. That is unless you want to be. " I was stunned. If Blaise wasn't my husband, then, who was Raphael referring to ? It couldn't be, Professor Snape. One of the machines began to beep. Raphael burst through the door. Elisabeth looked the man up and down, then, looked over at me. She mouthed the word,
" HOT !! " I smiled, nodding my head.
" I'm sorry, but, you are all going to have to leave, " Raphael demanded. Blaise looked at him, then, at me.
" Are you all right with this, Bri, baby ? " Bri, baby ? What just happened ? I thought we were friends. Really good friends.
" Blaise, I am going to be fine. I promise. " His dark sapphire eyes searched mine. " I promise. And we'll talk about it. " His lips covered mine possessively.
Ending the kiss he muttered,
" All right. I'll see you later tonight. " Then left.
" Bri, any idea when you'll be getting out ? "
" You'll have to ask him. I don't know, " I said, indicating Raphael.
" Um, sir ? " Elisabeth asked.
" Raphael. Call me Raphael. "
" Okay, Raphael. When do you think that Briar will be able to come back to school ? "
" Mrs. Taggert shall be released to her husband later today. As for school that is up to her husband and her. "
" Husband, Briar ? " She asked.
" I have no idea, " I admitted. Although I had a fair idea of who he was talking about. " I don't remember being married ever. Nor do I know where he got the idea that I was married. "
" Then, we'll see you at school, Bri. " Elisabeth drew me into a good - bye hug. I hugged her good - bye and watched as Marcus escorted out. I laid back against the pillow. Professor Snape, my husband ? How did that happen ?
" I thought you said she was awake ! " Jerked me out of the potions master's arms. " No good, insufferable, inconsiderate incompetents. " I smiled at that. From the voice I could tell who it was. My so - called ' husband.' I groaned. Professor Severus Snape turned at the sound. My eyes blinked. At the sight he flew across to the bed. Taking my hand in his he asked,
" Are you all right, Miss Taggert ? "
" I will be if you call me Briar. "
" I repeat, are you all right ? "
" I'm fine, Severus . "
" Don't ever do that again ! Do you have any idea the havoc that you have caused ? "
" Gee, I luve you, too, " I murmured.
" You were late for my class for a second time in a row. As such you shall be sharing your time with me in detention tonight. "
" Detention ! " I gasped, sitting up.
" Yes, Miss Taggert, detention. You were late to my class twice. Be glad that you are only receiving detention. "
" Why ? What else were you going to do to me ? " I asked. " I thought I asked you to call me Briar. "
" Miss Taggert, you are in so much trouble with me right now that I would not push me. Professor Dumbledore is glad that you are feeling much better and sends his regards. However, he does not approve of your tardiness to class. And neither do I. "
" What else is new ? "
" I do not approve of your attitude. Professor Dumbledore has left it up to me as to how to punish you. " For some reason hearing those words made me tremble.
" Mrs. Taggert, " Raphael said pushing open the door. " Good you're awake. I see that your husband has found you. Having a good chat ? I do not need to stress the importance of remaining calm lest you have another powerful asthma attack, now do I ? " The words seemed to startle Professor Snape.
" No, Raphael. My ' husband ' and I were just discussing what he was going to do to me for scaring him once we get
home. " Two could play Professor Severus Snape's game. My ' husband ' shot me a look. Raphael looked back and forth between the two of us.
" Might I suggest a good spanking, sir ? " Raphael smiled. " I've found that to be a good deterrent. Although, my girl seems to like getting into trouble. " The potions master and the healer shared a smile at that. A spanking ? Professor Snape having to touch my arse ? A warmth shot through me at the thought.
A noise filled the air. Raphael looked down at a little black box. " I shall be right back. When I come back we can take you off the machines. I'll have your paperwork started, " Gabriel said. Then, turning on his heel he left me alone with my supposed ' husband. '
" For some reason they think we are married. I wonder what gave them that idea ? " I looked pointedly at my professor. He just looked back at me, those deep dark brown eyes seeming to stare into my very soul.
" I have no idea, Miss... Briar, " Professor Snape said while thinking, I might have had something to do with it.
" Better. But, I think you do. "
" Do what ? "
" Have an idea why they think we are married. "
" It is not your place to question me. You are still my student. And I your teacher. Now, back to the issue at hand. Your punishment for your tardiness. " His eyes seemed to twinkle in delight at the many ways that he could get away with punishing me.
" What are you going to do, spank me ? " I almost regretted the words as soon as I uttered them. I could see something flare within his eyes when I mentioned being spanked.
" Don't tempt me, " Professor Snape shot back.
" You wouldn't dare. "
" Wouldn't I ? " He countered. " I could. You are a Slytherin student and I am the head of Slytherin House. I could do it, you know. "
" But, you won't. " For some reason the thought of Professor Snape spanking me sparked a fire low in my belly.
" What would stop me from turning you over my knee, you ? "
" But, " I searched for an excuse, " I'm seventeen. A little too old to be spanked, don't you think "
" You're never too old to be spanked, Briar, " He countered. Thoughts raced through my mind. If his kiss could set me afire just what would his touch do ? Make me explode ? I closed my eyes at the thought, trembling.
" Briar ? Briar, are you alright ? " Professor Snape asked settling down on the bed next to me. " Briar ? " He peered down into my face, worried.
" Yes ? " I whispered opening my eyes. His face was mere inches from mine. His eyes glittered strangely, an odd assortment of shadows moving in their depths, making it hard to interpret what was going on in his mind. Raising his hand tentatively, softly he traced the outline of my face. I trembled beneath his touch. Finally his lips met mine, remembering. Remembering the feel, the taste, the texture. The want, the need, the desire. At the feel of his lips I burst into flames. His tongue slid over mine as my arms slipped about his neck. Urging me back his body pressed mine into the bed. I could feel something pressing insistently into my belly. When at last we broke apart Professor Snape rested those strangely beautiful dark eyes upon me.
" Mrs. Taggert, I ... " Raphael said, coming back into the room, breaking the spell. At his voice Professor Snape shot straight up.
" What ? " I asked, annoyed at the interruption.
" Time to take everything out. Here are the papers, sir. I just need your signature. " Professor Snape practically ripped them out of his hand. Plucking a pen out of thin air he signed them, releasing me to his care. Raphael muttered a spell and my iv was removed. He applied a bandage to the spot. Next came the monitors.
" What were those ? "
" One monitored your breathing, one your heart, one for body temperature, and yet, one more for your blood pressure." I'm surprised they all didn't go off a moment ago.
" Am I free to go ? " I asked.
" As soon as you are dressed your husband can take you home, " Raphael said, then, left with the signed papers.
" Well ? " Professor Snape asked.
" Well, what ? " I asked sliding out of the bed.
" Are you ... ? "
" Am I ... what ? "
" Dammit, are you going to get dressed or not ? "
" Why, planning on helping me ? " I grinned untying the ribbons about my waist. My hands went to the ones about my neck. Professor Snape turned his back to me right as the robe hit the floor. She's my student. She is my bloody student. Seemed to race through his mind as he waited for me to dress.
" Engarmentum, " I muttered. I was back in my clothes from the previous day.
" Are you ready, yet ? " Professor Snape snapped.
" Yes, dear, " I smiled. Turning, he glared at me. " Wha, at ? ' I asked, looking up at him.
" You are not amusing, Briar. "
" But, you're learning, Severus. "
" Professor Snape to you, " He reminded me.
" You want me to call you professor after that ? "
" I am still your professor, Briar, that has not changed, " He said ushering me out the door, his hand at the small of my back. My skin burned from the touch despite the layers of cloth between.
" So, have you decided upon my punishment yet ? "
" Why are you so curious ? "
" I can't be curious as to what you want to do to me ? " He groaned at the way I phrased it.
" I think you know perfectly well just what I want to do to you, " Professor Snape said, a wicked grin playing over his lips. My eyes widened as a blush stained my cheeks. " Nothing to say, Miss Taggert ? " Finally, I found my tongue.
" Probably spank me like Raphael suggested. Either that or kill me. "
" Now why would I kill you, Miss Taggert ? "
" It's Briar, " I reminded him.
" There would be no fun in that. "
" So, you plan on torturing me ? For how long ? "
" For as long as necessary. Come. " With a hand on the small of my back he led me into the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of ashes off the mantel Professor Snape joined me in the fireplace.
" My chambers, " He exclaimed. We appeared in his fireplace at the school.
" Time for you to return to your room, but, be back at ten 'o' clock tonight for your punishment, " He said.
" Ten 'o' clock ? But, that is after
hours, " I protested.
" Ten 'o' clock. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Miss Brownleigh is waiting to see you. " I rose on tiptoe.
" Thank you, sir," I said, kissing him on the cheek.
" Just what was that for ? " Professor Snape asked gruffly.
" For caring, " I said softly. Then I opened the door which led out to the common room. Without a sound I made my way through the common room. Not a soul was in there. Probably at classes. Elisabeth would be too. I went upstairs and found the room empty. This would be the first time that I would have the room all to myself. I grabbed a wrapper out of my trunk. Then slipping out of my clothes I donned it. Grabbing what I would need I left for the shower room.
After a long steamy shower I returned to the room and massaged a vanilla scented lotion into my creamy pale skin. Then, spritzed on my magickally crafted perfume. It was the perfect blend of comforting vanilla, spicy sweet cinnamon, and the intoxicating true essence of the rose. Ironically I called my blend, Luve Potion. For the ingredients were common in actual luve potions. Going over to my dresser I pulled out a forest green satin corset edged with black lace and the matching thong. I slipped them on and padded over to my wardrobe. Flinging the doors open I just looked at the dresses. Finally, I settled on a pale sea - green frock edged with lace at the high neckline. It was one of my more provocative gowns, in my opinion. For the entire front was nothing, but, sheer, transparent fabric from the neck to the waist. Pulling my petticoats out I tugged them on. Then came the dress. I muttered a spell and the buttons did themselves up the back. Fully clothed I settled at my vanity. I dusted on baby powder, then, went to work. On my eyes I used a soft blue - green on the lid, a dark green in the crease, and my usual vanilla on the browbone. Then finished them with black mascara. On my lips I used a soft rose. Undoing the towel I muttered a spell drying the dark mahogany into waves. I ran a brush through the dark waterfall. Setting the brush down I opened the drawer housing my jewelry. I found the brooch I was looking for, a snake head with emerald eyes circled by its gilded body. I fastened it at my throat and pulled out simple gold Celtic knots and put them in. I heard the bell sound. I pushed away from the vanity, rising. Slipping my feet into soft heather brown moccasins I left for the Great Hall.