A/N: Personally, I love this chapter, and I hope you do too. I feel the need to warn people that it might border on the M rating.

Under the Influence

"How is it that you became part of The Order, Emmeline?" Severus asked the following evening as the sat together on the sofa again sipping brandy in front of the fireplace.

Emmeline smiled. "Wow, Severus. Are you actually initiating a conversation for once?" She laughed and did not wait for his response; although the sneer on his face was likely the only response she needed.

"Dumbledore approached me during my sixth year. Somehow, in that way of his, he knew of my disgust of the happenings among many of my peers involving the Death Eater recruitment. He asked if I would discreetly gather information about which students were becoming involved. Of course, I agreed and things progressed from there."

Severus nodded as he stood to refill his glass. Emmeline followed suit, and they both sat again on the small sofa and stared into the flames.

"Do you remember when I went to the Yule Ball with Evan Rosier?" She quizzed.

"I suppose so, but I never attended those worthless events…"

"My point is, had it really been my choice I would have asked anyone else…I might have even asked you had I thought you would have actually agreed."

"I wouldn't have." Severus droned acerbically.

"Of course not." Emmeline shook her head and sipped her drink, "I was simply trying to observe that it seems like we both sacrificed our lives years ago. I cannot think of one major decision I have made in my life that was not influenced by my choice to assist Dumbledore all those years ago. Every ambition, every promotion, even my social gatherings have been dictated by what information I could gain from them."

"But you are free of all that now…" He envied that freedom, but she deserved it. He could not fault her for earning what he would never be worthy of. That did not change the fact that he grew weary of this existence, however.

Emmeline sighed. "I do not know how to do anything else…" She then downed her glass of liquor in one quick gulp, and Severus did the same before refilling both glasses yet again.

He began to feel the familiar tingle that indicated the beginnings of intoxication, but that did not prevent him from continuing to imbibe. And judging from the blush rising in Ms. Vance's cheeks, she too was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol.

"Why wouldn't you have agreed, Severus?" She asked suddenly as she smiled over her glass.

"What?" He questioned as his mind tried to catch up to hers, but he failed at finding her meaning.

"Why wouldn't you have agreed to go to the Yule Ball with me? Evan was more than thrilled to be my date for the evening." She winked suggestively.

"Oh…" he nodded his head slowly as he tried to formulate an appropriate yet inoffensive response. "I would have likely suspected your ulterior motives had you actually stooped to invite someone like myself."

"Pfftt! You only wish you had been that clever back then, Severus. I didn't last this long by causing suspicion…I would have been quite convincing I assure you." Her gaze was mischievous as she spoke.

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow and gave the witch a hint of a smile in return. "I assure you, I am much more difficult a target than your usual, Emmeline?"

"Believe what you wish, but you men are all the same. Especially, the ones that think they are different." She said softly as Severus found her suddenly invading his personal space. Her fingers grazed his knee as her eyes met his.

He felt himself swallow hard. A chill went through him which he attempted to conceal by sipping another bit of the liquor in his glass as he held the woman's gaze. Was she toying with him? Did he dare toy back? She couldn't possible intend anything to come of it, right?

Her fingers slowly moved higher as her body pressed closer to him. He subconsciously backed away until the wall left him nowhere to move. She followed with a wicked grin. "Still resisting, Severus?"

He could smell the alcohol on her breath as it mixed with the smell of her perfume in an intoxicating aroma. His mind betrayed him as he was reminded of the feeling from days prior of her pressed into his body. Suddenly he longed to feel it again.

"Kiss me," she whispered.

Severus could hear his heart racing as every muscle in his body tensed anxiously. He could feel the heat of Emmeline's body as her lips lingered close to his. Should he kiss her? Could he kiss her? What would come of it?

Before he had time to make up his mind, she closed the gap between them, and their lips met. She tasted of the brandy, only sweeter. Her hand continued its ascent up his thigh as the other came to rest on his chest.

It must have been the alcohol, but Severus had to remind himself to breathe as he tentatively reacted to her touch. He allowed his lips to respond first, and then he felt the tension slowly melt away from his shoulders as the woman pulled herself closer to him. He closed his eyes finally, surrendering to her as he pulled her into him fully.

Their kiss deepened and their bodies twisted. Soon all apprehension had faded, but when clothing began to shed Severus paused suddenly, "Do not do anything you will regret," he groaned as his conscience began to ache. He could not bear the thought of her awakening tomorrow morning sickened by her actions. He knew that feeling all too well.

"Shhhh, Severus. Don't ruin this." Her finger pressed against his lip as she shushed him from voicing further concern. She smiled tenderly at him. "Please."

He wanted to protest; to tell her that she was influenced by the alcohol or the moonlight through the window or perhaps the soft glow of the fire, but her fingers were too insistent and too pleasant. The words never came.

Their bodies met as their embrace tightened. Their kisses became more insistent as their fingers teased one another. Soon flesh met flesh and turning back was not an option. Fortunately, neither wished to turn back, and they continued with an intensity that only loneliness could produce.

When finally both were satisfied, they lay together silently on the small sofa in the glow of the dying fire for what seemed like hours. To Severus' relief, Emmeline was the first to break the silence.

"We should retire for the evening, don't you think?" She whispered as she moved to get up.

"Indeed," Severus replied, although he wished to remain with her longer. He watched her as she pulled her robes over her nude form and then poured two more glasses of brandy. He accepted a glass. Then they downed their drinks in unison, each with the same distant look plastered on their features, before heading up the stairs in the darkness.