Chapter 7: I am the Warrior

by: Jazmine Lovejoy

Disclaimer: Tried to rub a lamp but no genie came out-I guess that I didn't get my wish to own the Harry Potter world or Lost Girl...

A/N: This is a slightly shorter chapter but I wanted to put it out before the American Thanksgiving. I once again put out my need for reviews. I want to see them, guys: the good, the bad and the ugly. This includes any questions you may have with the plot. So come on-holla at your girl! (Don't worry-I won't say that again)

Over the next few days, Bo kept herself busy between her classes, patrolling the castle, watching the cameras and interacting with most of her fellow teachers and the students. Mostly the other teachers she mused as a certain broody potions professor was once again playing the disappearing act. She would try to visit him when she knew he had a free hour between classes or around meals but he was never around. She tried to visit him in his rooms but again, no Snape. The lack of sex, especially to a succubus was frustrating Bo and it was taking every bit of her self-control to keep herself in check. It got to a point that she went to the Headmaster's office to discuss the issue after not seeing Severus for seven days.

The old man listened to her situation, stroking his long grey beard, before finally saying, "Well my dear, I promise that I will discuss the matter with Severus."

"Al, I'm not here to tattle on him or anything," she explains uncomfortably, "I am just want to know if I need to make—um—other arrangements."

"I understand completely. You know," he mused, "I heard that Lucius Malfoy has shown interest in you." He pretended to not notice her grimace at the pure-blood's name as he continues, "I personally would not find that ideal but if you do-,"

"I may be a succubus but even I have standards, Al." she cuts him off with disgust, which only caused him to chuckle in response.

"It is obvious that you do, and excellent ones if I may add," he smiles with a twinkle, "Most women would easily fall for the Malfoy charm and looks but I can tell that you are a woman of substance, Bo."

She smiles warmly at his assessment as well as his use of her preferred nickname. "That's probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

"It is the truth," he assures her, "back to Severus…now, I know that he may be…aloof," she snorts at this but once again he ignores her and continues, "but that is due to his precarious position in the war. He has to, as the Muggles say, 'play close to his chest.' He has closed himself off for almost his whole life and I am ashamed to admit that I have played a part in that. However, I think that this situation with you is something that he needs. I see him as a son at times and I do truly wish him to be happy."

"We're not a couple, Headmaster," Bo reminds him, "Severus himself will tell you that this is merely a business arrangement."

Dumbledore peers at her over his glasses, the twinkle not alleviating as he points out, "Actions speak louder than words, my dear; and Severus's actions speak volumes." He rises from his seat, thus ending the conversation with, "Please think on this matter. I assure you that Severus will see you before the end of the day."

Bo wordlessly leaves the old man's office to venture to her 'classroom.' She had double defense with the seventh years and arrived just as the last student walked in. Over the course of the week, she saw a dedication with the oldest group of kids that she didn't see with the other ages. They know that they'll soon be on the front lines, she thought bitterly as she faces her students. They began with the warm-up laps and stretches before their lesson.

"The next couple of weeks we are going to work on some jujitsu techniques," she announces. "Now Jujitsu has a lot of practical techniques but the main facets consist of: joint locks, choke holds, strikes, grappling, throwing and takedowns." The students view her with anticipation. "Today we are going to focus on joint locks." She then calls on the blond snobby kid to come up. As Draco Malfoy sneers at the other students, she ignores it as she continues with her lecture. "Joint locks can be applied on anything that bends, such as fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders or knees." She points to the various points on Draco's body to emphasize her point. "Application of locks might include gaining purchase for throwing techniques, encouraging cooperation, submission, or restraining an aggressor…now these techniques are often used in Hum—er—Muggle police forces and military." The male students seem to be impressed with that tidbit. "Locks can also be utilized for interrogation/torture or controlling a prisoner prior to securing him using restraints," she admits which got the rest of the class to gasp, but she quickly adds, "but we are not going to discuss those kinds of joint locks. This class is about defense and that is what we're working on." She then slowly shows them the grappling part of the joint locks, using the younger Malfoy as a practice dummy. She broke down the steps before doing it in real time, knocking the pompous brat on his back with grunt. Some of the other students snicker at his discomfort but she helps the boy up and awards Slytherin with ten points for being a good sport and pairing up the kids to practice on their own.

"Professor!" one boy calls out in dismay. She walks over to where she was being called to see Nev and the Irish kid—Seamus, she remembers and asks, "What's up?"

"May I be partnered up with someone else?" whines Seamus.

"Come on, Seamus—I know that Nev's pretty tall but your opponent isn't always going to be the same size as y-"

"His height isn't the problem, Miss," the Gryffindor boy explains, "Neville's a bit clumsy and I don't want to get hurt as a result."

Poor Neville blushed and stared at his trainers at the other boy's harsh words but said nothing to defend himself.

"Look Finnegan, this isn't a fluffy class," she tells him sternly, "you may get hurt, just like real life, but that's why we have an infirmary. Besides, you shouldn't discount Nev so quickly. I believe he's gonna surprise you all. I believe in him." The shy teen looked up at his teacher with shock but smiles warmly at her faith. "In fact Nev, why don't you try with me first before grappling with Seamus?" He nods and immediately takes the defensive 'ready' position that she showed them in a previous class. Bo then charges at the boy who immediately uses a perfect joint lock at her knees and finishes with a sidesweep kick that she had done to him on their first lesson; knocking her on the floor. All other activity stopped as the teens stared at the succubus on the ground.

"Neville Longbottom," Bo says slowly with a grin, "I'm impressed. Twenty points to Gryffindor for—well, for general bad ass-ness." The boy blushes but doesn't stop his own proud grin as he offers his hand to his teacher to help her up. The other students marveled at the result but Bo gets their attention. "Alright everyone; go to your partner and practice some of the defensive moves. First person to knock their partner down gets a free pass from next class warm up laps!" Once they heard the incentive, the kids immediately got to work; Seamus and Neville wordlessly returning to grappling each other. The succubus walked around the room, giving pointers and assessing each of her students' strengths as well as weaknesses. "Justin; watch your arm! You're leaving yourself open. Lavender; you need to work on your balance!" Bo senses a shadow behind her as she turns to face the elusive potions master gazing at her by the door.

"Professor Dennis, may I have a word with you?" asks Snape formally.

"Uh yeah sure," she looks at the teens and says, "keep working on your kicks and um…smoke 'em if you got 'em!" The students giggle at her comment but stop once Severus glares at them. "Hey Hermione," she calls out to the curly haired bookworm, "can you walk around and keep these crazy animals in line while I talk to Sev—er—Professor Snape?" The girl grins and nods as she complies. Bo leads Severus back out the door but keeping it open so she can watch her students' progress.

"What can I do for you, Severus?" she asks politely.

He glares at her as he snaps, "I had an interesting discussion with the Headmaster. Apparently, you felt the need to discuss with him our private arrangement."

"Well, I would have discussed it with you but seeing as how you pretty much have been hiding from me-"

"I have NOT been hiding from you!" he snaps, but then takes a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose before calmly adding, "I have been busy with my other duties."

"Bullshit," she glares as she folds her arms across her chest.

The two lovers stared each other down for a few moments before Severus sighed and admits, "Perhaps I have been avoiding any confrontations with my colleagues."

"Namely me," she adds, refusing to give the man an inch. He sighs again before nodding. "Look Sev, we're both adults. Whatever issues we have we should be able to discuss it with each other. I know that you're not a fan of our conventional situation, but I gotta know if you plan on jumping ship because if you are, I need to find someone else." I hope that wasn't too harsh for him but I need to get this itch scratched, she muses.

Severus considers before saying, "I am fine with our present situation; I have patrol duty tonight but I would be able to stop by your quarters at ten if you wish for me to 'assist' you."

She immediately nods with a smile. "That works for me."

"Very well; until then Professor Dennis," he ends formally. Before he parts he adds, "I was uncertain about this class but your students show promise."

"Yeah, my little warriors are tough," she jokes.

"Indeed."

Those two are going to need a lot of work, she hears someone whisper. Bo turns to face her class but everyone seemed to be focused on their assignment. She sighs as she once again ignores the mysterious whisper that no one else seems to hear.