Ch.8: It's All About Chocolate

The place was all abuzz with the clattering of drinks and plates while the sound of laughter and talk drifted through the air. The room was lit nicely cascading a homely feeling throughout the place. Severus and Kate stepped through the threshold scanning the warm place for their fellow colleagues. Before they had long to look a woman spotted them and came rushing over.

"Severus Snape you are a sight for sore eyes tis been a long time since ya have come to see me dearie." She said punching him playfully in the arm. Severus looked passive but nodded politely.

"Have the other staff members arrived yet?" Kate asked earnestly. Madam Rosmerta looked at her for a moment then smiled.

"And just who might you be?" She said looking at Severus with a winking eye. Snape snorted.

"I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts; and Professor Snape's prowling friend for the day, Kathryn Landon." She said smiling. Madam Rosmerta smiled boomingly.

"Well any friend of Severus Snape's is a friend of me and my pub here. Welcome to the staff I am sure I shall be seeing more of you throughout the year." She said and the Madam shook hands with Kathryn exuberantly.

"Come on now they ar' already ere' upstairs." She said leading both of the up the stairs and down a hallway. Before they proceeded into the room Severus stopped for a moment.

"Professor Landon please inform the rest of the staff that I will be joining them shortly. Excuse me." He said slightly bowing and headed back down the stairs.

"Madam Rosmerta how do you know Professor Snape?" She asked as they proceeded down the hallway.

"Well he is only me best customer, he comes in about every other week so its only natural that I have seen the bloke around a few times." She said with a slight laugh in her voice but then stopped Kathryn in the hall before they reached the door.

"You his girlfriend?" She asked with an amused look.

"Oh no Madam Rosmerta we are just colleagues…nothing more." She said. Rosmerta sighed.

"Shame, you two would make such a handsome pair. Oh well, if you ever need anything dearie just visit me anytime you like." She said giving Kathryn a small pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you Madam Rosmerta." Kathryn said as she turned the doorknob and opened the door. She stepped through and was immediately greeted by the rest of the Hogwarts staff. There was a long table in the middle of the room with what appeared all the trimmings of a feast. Candles provided the light for the room and provided a warm feeling. She was deliciously staring that she did not notice Albus come up and greet her.

"Kathryn, marvelous that you could come but tell me where is your patrolling partner?" He asked curiously.

"He went away for a minute but he said that he would be right up."

"Ah, splendid now if you will come with me my dear we will get you a seat." He said holding out his arm for her to grab. Smiling at this old fashioned courtesy she took his arm and allowed her to be led down to her seat. Her seat was at the very front of the table next to an empty chair, which she presumed was Severus's, and sat down. She was no longer cold but rather warm so she decided to take off her coat…. HER COAT? It was not hers but Snape's! She had forgotten that he had lent his; silently she took it off hoping that no on would notice. Looking around no one did so she immediately began getting into the spirit and pilling food onto her plate. Many of the staff members were talking while eating but she was so hungry that she decided a conversation would best be served if her stomach was satisfied. A few minutes later Severus walked into the room with a brisk walk. Albus stood up to recognize him.

"Welcome Severus, we almost thought you would not have been able to join us." He said. Snape walked over and took his seat next to Kathryn. Underneath his breath he muttered, "Yes that would have been a shame." He did not say another thing but piled food onto his plate and started eating. Kate could not help but smile.

"So Minerva are you quite excited for the Quidditch game tomorrow?" Dumbledore asked rather loudly so he was obviously sure to be heard to certain Potion Masters seated next to him. Minerva caught onto his drift and smiled exuberantly.

"Yes I am Headmaster. I am quite looking forward to the Slytherin demise." At this Snape looked up from his meal.

"I would not be so hasty on your decision just yet Professor McGonagall." He said. Kate looked up highly interested. There was nothing more she would like to see than her two old professors duking it out.

"What do you think Kate? Are you excited for tomorrow's match?" Professor McGonagall asked obviously ignoring Snape's comment. Kate decided to play along.

"Most exuberantly, I would not miss Severus's tears for the world." At this the whole table burst out into laughter. Minerva was quite beside herself and was laughing so hard she was crying. Dumbledore chuckled so heartily that his eyes shone like they never had before. Everyone found this statement amusing but the Potions Master. He turned and looked at Kathryn with a look of skepticism.

"My dear Professor Landon you must go back to primary English school, the winning team name is pronounced Sly-ther-in." He said coldly. Kathryn turned to him equal to the challenge.

"Care to make a bet on that Professor Snape?" Snape raised his eyebrow.

"I have a splendid idea! Loser has to patrol the outside at the Christmas Ball." Snape nodded but Kathryn was not done yet. "As well as ask the winner to dance." Snape looked at her inquisitively but smirked slightly.

"Done!" Kathryn smiled and they shook hands. After that they each went back to their meal and chatted quietly with the other professors around them. It had been a good 10 minutes when she felt a hard object fall on her thigh. She looked to see a knife and a somewhat flustered Snape.

"Excuse me." He said and reached down to pick up the knife keeping eye contact with her the whole time. He picked it up but not before his hand rested on her thigh for about a second while reaching for the knife. They both locked eyes for a minute but quickly looked away.

"Try not to be so clumsy Professor Snape." She said. He snorted and went back to his eating.

"Kathryn would you care for a piece of this delicious chocolate custard?" Minerva asked. Kate nodded hastily.

"Oh do not forget the chocolate sauce dear." Minerva smiled.

"I will never understand the female gender in their eating habits." Snape said sneering.

"Well Professor Snape allow me to educate you. First and foremost the most important rule is that… It is all about chocolate." She said while pouring the sauce. Before she took a bite she looked up at him to see him smiling into his cherry tart. Suddenly Kate felt warmer than she had the whole night…she had made him smile!

"Well friends shall we adjourn for the night?" Albus asked cheerfully to the staff. They all murmured their lazy responses and the sound of scraping chairs, as well as silent chatter could be heard. Kate moved to scoot her chair out but found something was prevented her movement.

"Allow me." He said. She nodded and he scooted the chair out. She stood up and smiled her thanks to him. He bowed slightly.

"Goodnight Professor Landon." Snape said. He started to walk away but realizing she still had his coat ran up to him.

"You might need this tonight, tis very chilly out." She said cheerfully. He took the coat from her and nodded. She nodded to him and walked down the stairs with the other professors. Before Snape walked out he caught Dumbledore's eye. The old man nodded to him and Snape responded, one of their silent signals for good luck. Snape walked down the stairs reveling in the warmth of the bar and its inhabitants, but the feeling was soon forgotten as he stepped out into the brisk night air. The snow was coming down steadily now and there was a slight deepness to his step as the snow sloshed about his shoes. He put on his coat and walked to the very edge of the village. There he retrieved his mask and hood. He turned down a corridor and making sure that no one was around he apparated out of sight.

"Mmm Severus." Kate moaned. She moved her head to the right to provide him better access as his mouth pleasured her neck. He took her by the hips and rolled her over so that he was lying on top of her. She giggled heartily. Snape smiled seductively while he moved his hands up and down her body. Her response was to fully unbutton his white shirt and removed it from his body. She took her hands and smoothed them over his chest playfully working her way up to his neck where she wrapped her arms around him and brought them closer together. He grinned and leaned down to her ear and blew into it. She instantly reacted squirming underneath him.

"Stop! Why do you do that to me?" She asked still trying to get over her shivering. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at her.

"Because you don't like it." He said. Kate rolled her eyes.

"Typical male response." Severus chuckled heartily. He leaned down again and this time he whispered something in what she thought was French.

"What did you say?" She asked him.

"Oh, I cannot tell you that." He said seriously. She pushed him off of her and sat up.

"Pray tell why not?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well if I did, you would not be able to ever leave the bedroom again." The line was not his best but the way he was looking at her made her shake all over. He had the most penetrating eyes; deep ones that made her feel as though they were delving into her soul. She shook it off.

"Stupid French." She said shaking her head.

"Come now we are not all that bad." Kate mocked laughed him.

"Your French forked tongues would depict otherwise." Severus looked at her in his way again that made her feel as though he would swallow her up. He crawled toward her and she in turn backed up until she was against the bedpost. He moved his body over hers so that she could not move and positioned himself just inches away from her face.

"There are some aspects of the French culture where thy tongue is silent my dear." He said. His voice made her feel shutters of passion wave all over her body. He groaned. He bent down to her lips and wrapped his arms around her. Kate accepted his mouth and he kissed her very very thoroughly……………………………………

Kate bolted out of her sleep. She was breathing hard and felt hot. She quickly looked around her scanning the contents of her room. The fireplace was placing a light glow in the dark room and all around her was silent; no one was there. She breathed a sigh of relief and fell back into her pillows. That was certainly a dream she had not expected to have! Her and Snape? She closed her eyes and smiled. How ridiculous! Then again she could not forget tonight when he gave her his coat and how she made him smile.