Chapter Ten

Lavolla lay awake in the middle of night. It was almost pitch black in Severus´ bedroom and the only sound she heard was that of his slow, steady breathing. He was fast asleep. Lavolla could only vaguely make out Severus´ shape. He was lying on his side, facing her. One of his hands rested on her bare stomach while the other was tucked away under his own head, his arm folded. The arm that had Severus´ wrong choices drawn on it in black. Lavolla wasn´t looking at the sinister mark and even if she was, it probably wouldn´t look like anything more than a large stain in the dark of the night, but she felt it practically staring at her. Her own breathing was so shallow, it wasn´t even audible. Not because she was so relaxed – on the contrary: her head was filled with thoughts that were spinning around in an uncontrollable whirlwind and slowly driving her toward a panic attack. Gazing up at the ceiling, but not being able to really see anything, Lavolla was doing her best to think her current situation through. She knew herself to be impulsive when it came to the very few men she ever really lost her heart to, but last night had been a record and now she was thinking of all the things that could go wrong when the sun would come up and Severus would wake up.
The dark mark on Severus' arm had terrified Lavolla at the first sight, but she had tried her hardest not to let Severus notice this. Even though the fact that it was Severus, a man in whom she had seen something great from the moment she'd met him, who was marked with the awful sign had scared her much more than the sign itself, it was still quite horrifying to see it flash in sight every time Severus lifted his arms to her face to hold and kiss her, and when he had reached down to remove several strands of Lavolla's hair from her face after he had thrown her on his bed. She had been able to feel the exact spot on Severus' skin where the mark was when he had wrapped his arms around her when they were standing in the streams of hot water pouring from the shower. She was so aware of its dark presence and yet, Lavolla had not felt anything but happiness and lust every time she had looked into Severus´ black eyes or when their mouths had met in hungry kisses. Realizing that if even a Dark Mark couldn´t keep her away from Severus, her feelings for him might have been much stronger than she had initially thought and it made the uncertainties about the morning all the more nerve wracking. Lavolla knew she wouldn´t be able to bare it if at daybreak it turned out that Severus didn´t want anything more than just this one night from her, or worse even: that he regretted it. That he regretted every single kiss, every little moment they had shared.
Lavolla squeezed her eyes shut and sighed. This was one of those crucial and huge differences between her and her siren sisters: when any siren spent the night with a man, they simply left them the next morning (or sometimes right away) and never spent a second thinking about them ever again. Lavolla on the other hand rarely trusted men enough to let them come close, but when she did, she knew it was special and that always made her scared to death of handling it the wrong way. And it had never been as bad as it was now, because she had never felt as good about someone as she did about Severus. Lavolla felt herself glowing when he touched her and it gave her chills if he gave her one of his rare smiles. The way he had put his trust in her had astounded and flattered her immensely. She realized that it must have been as hard for him as it was for her. Possibly even harder, as she didn't have a dark past to reveal.
And as that sank in, the disaster scenarios in Lavolla´s head slowly dissolved and made place for flashes of her and Severus. It had been wonderful – it was as if their bodies were made for each other. They had blended together in their passion and every move had been so fluent. Every touch from Severus had sent Lavolla deeper into some kind of frenzy and when he had muttered her name against her lips, it had been nearly enough to drive her crazy.
She took the hand that still rested on her stomach and gently held it in her own. Two minutes later, she fell asleep.

Severus woke that morning to find the fingers of his right hand intertwined with five slender female fingers. It took him a second to register this strange and unusual, but all the while very pleasant situation he was in. The corners of his mouth twitched into the tiniest of smiles as he thought back to last night. It had stunned and angered him to find out that Lavolla was already aware of his history. He would have preferred to tell her himself. But the fact that she had been able to look past the mark of hatred on his arm had truly astounded Severus. It was almost too good to be true, too hard to believe that Lavolla was genuinely that trusting of him and that she really seemed to like him as much as he liked her. There had been a brief moment when he had thought that maybe this was one of Dumbledore's ways to keep an eye on him just like Severus and Lavolla were keeping track of Quirrel, but deep down Severus knew that the Headmaster could never be able of something like that. And besides, he also knew that Dumbledore already trusted him, just like Severus trusted the old Professor. And after tonight, he trusted Lavolla as well. It was hard not to when someone opened up to you like she had to him.
When he firmed his grip on her hand, Lavolla stirred and squeezed back. She was lying on her side with her legs pulled up, her hair spread out on the pillow. As her eyes started to flutter open, a jab of fear suddenly shot through Severus. For a flash of a second he tortured himself by imagining Lavolla opening her eyes and wanting to leave as soon as she realized where she was and with whom she was sharing a bed. But when her black lashes parted and revealed the pools of gray of her irises, Lavolla looked at him and she smiled.

'Good morning.' She said softly.

´Yes, it is.´ Severus answered as he removed a strand of her wavy hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, which earned him an even wider smile.

'It was a good night, too.' Lavolla mischievously raised an eyebrow.

Severus pulled her closer, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her in for a kiss, showing her that he agreed. Softly, Lavolla moaned into his mouth and dug her fingers into his shoulder blades. When Severus pulled away to take a breath, she nestled herself against him, her head tucked under his chin. Lavolla´s hair still smelled heavily like the shampoo she had used to wash her hair with last night – with help from Severus, but her own scent was clinging to her skin. She smelled like a forest, rough and yet sweet.

'Do you need to be somewhere today?' She asked, her words muffled by Severus' own skin.

'Actually, we both do.'

Lavolla moved so that they were face to face again. There was a puzzled expression on her face.

'There is still the matter of Quirrell to be dealt with, remember?' Severus explained. He sounded more stern than he had intended. He went on in a more gentle voice. ´Do you regret that we didn´t pursue him further last night, when we had the chance?'

Lavolla's eyes started to sparkle and she bit her bottom lip in feigned hesitation. 'Hm, perhaps it was a little selfish of me to occupy you and maybe I should have acted wiser… but I don't regret it whatsoever.' For a short moment there appeared another smile on her face, but it was gone again before Severus could smile back. 'Why, do you?'

He blinked several times before he answered. There was a bitter voice in his head warning him not to get too close to her this soon, to not get attached or open himself up too much. But he didn't want to listen to that voice right now, because that voice had done nothing but keep him and Lavolla apart.

'I could never regret this.' He finally said and relief spread across Lavolla's face, which made him distrust the bitter voice even more. 'But we still have to deal with Quirrell. Today.'

Lavolla pursed her lips and nodded thoughtfully. 'Must we talk to Albus about it?'

'I was thinking about that, yes.'

'It's about time he got rid of that creep.'

'I'm afraid we have to put up with him a little while longer.' Severus growled. 'Your uncle doesn't want to fire Quirrell until we actually catch him red-handed.'

'Well… how far is he willing to let this go?' There was a frown on Lavolla's forehead which Severus whipped away with his thumb.

'At least here we can keep an eye on him, it would be very unwise to lose track of Quirrell.'

Lavolla licked her lips, thinking.

'Well, that's true.' She said, nodding slowly. Then she sat up straight. The black sheet that had been wrapped around her, slipped off of her a little and Severus felt a pull in his groin.

'But I still don't feel comfortable having him here.' She went on. 'I mean, what if he ends up hurting one of the students, surely Albus would never be able to forgive himself for that… Nor would I for that matter.'

Severus sat up, too, and ran a hand over Lavolla's long hair. 'Do not worry too much: Quirrell will not want to do anything that will destroy his cover before he's got his filthy hands tightly wrapped around the Stone. '

'What about that Quidditch incident with Potter? I thought you said Quirrell was behind that jinx?' Severus had told Lavolla about what had happened during the first Quidditch match of the year. Harry Potter had nearly fallen off of his broom because of a jinx that Quirrell was attempting to cast on the young seeker's Nimbus 2000. Severus had tried his best to stop him, but a minor disturbance caused by a spontaneous fire had broken Quirrell's spell in the end.

'I had a little chat with him about that.' Severus said gloomily. 'He won't do anything like that anytime soon. We´ll speak to Dumbledore about what to do next – now that Quirrell seems to visit the Forbidden Forest more and more often, and if necessary I will pay him another little visit.'

Lavolla whirled around to look at Severus. Her eyes were a little wide.

'You what?' She asked incredulously.

Severus merely raised one eyebrow and looked at her with a blank expression on his face.

'Would – wouldn't that be… I mean, is that wise?' Lavolla stammered. 'You're not scared of him?'

An almost amused, but mostly arrogant laugh escaped Severus' lips and he stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.

With her chin nearly touching her shoulder and with a very attractive one-sided smile, Lavolla looked at Severus.

'Are you laughing at me?' She said, her whole upper body slowly moving into him.

'I wouldn't dream of it.' They were mere inches apart now. 'And no, I am not afraid of Quirinus Quirrell.' He was about to close the distance between their mouths, when something popped into his head.
'Are you?' He moved away slightly, just to see her reaction to his question.

Lavolla swallowed and looked away. He caught her chin with his thumb and index finger and turned her face back to his own.

'A little.' She confessed softly. 'Not of him really, just of that chance – and I know we cannot even be sure of it yet, but… the idea that… Voldemort might be hiding behind him. It terrifies me that I can't see the real evil, that I can't see what he really is, what his intentions are. I feel so in the dark when it comes to Quirrell.' She sighed a very deep sigh and then smiled an awkward smile. 'Am I even making sense?'

'Almost.' Severus said teasingly and yet truthfully – he thought he understood what she meant, however, something about the intensity with which Lavolla had spoken, made him think that there was something more that he didn't quite get. He kissed her neck. Immediately, he felt her body loosen and she leaned into him. It gave him a boost of pride, as seeing Lavolla response to his touch always did.

'It's not strange that you're afraid.' He told her as her fingers delved into his black hair and pushed his head back.

'I'd be much less afraid if you would be with me.' She said, a daring tone to her voice, but a shy expression on her face. Then she went for his lips, devouring them with her own.

Severus took a hold of her and with one fluent movement, he roughly pinned her down on the bed. Lavolla let out a short yelp and laughed, her hands landing next to her head as if she was surrendering.

'Well then, ' Severus growled seductively, staring down at the woman beneath him. 'I will simply have to stay very,' He paused to press a kiss to her lips. '… very close by.'

Lavolla practically sprinted up the steps of the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office. She and Severus had agreed on not telling Albus about the two of them for the moment. Lavolla, knowing her uncle all too well and not being ready for "subtle" jokes or remarks about her feelings toward Severus just yet, had gone back and forth between arriving at his office together or separately. Severus had watched her with is arms crossed and his one-eyebrow-raised-no-patience-left-look, while she reasoned that even though most people wouldn't think anything of it if they arrived together – they were both working on the same project after all, but Albus Dumbledore was not 'most people', he would probably know exactly what was going on between them the moment they stepped into the room and he would see right through it if they arrived separately, one wrong look or word would betray them instantly. At that point, Severus had grabbed her shoulders and said: "Alright, I'll be in Dumbledore's office at four o'clock. You come later. Now stop your pacing and go."
Lavolla grinned as she saw it play out in her head. After that, they had kissed for a long, long time, before she had left to go to the owlery to write and send a letter to Freya. She hadn't mentioned Severus though, she loved Freya, but she knew her sister was awful at keeping a secret and if Yveline found out that Lavolla was seeing a man, she would be at his door in no time, trying to steal him away. She shuddered at the thought of Severus with someone else, especially with someone like Yveline.
Already, she felt an ache for him, even though they had only been apart for two hours. There was so much adrenaline and happiness flowing through her veins, it was making her dizzy. She was nervous and relaxed at the same time and whatever she did, she just couldn't wipe the huge smile off her face. She had probably scared of the students she had come across today for good.

Lavolla's heart started to beat uncontrollably as she came closer to the door of her uncle's office and heard the beautiful rumble of Severus' deep, baritone voice. For a moment, she was too nervous to even knock on the door. This was ridiculous, she told herself. If she wouldn't calm down a little, Albus would definitely know something was up. She cleared her throat as if that would make her knock louder and more clear and went for it. Not waiting for her uncle's voice that would tell her she could come in, Lavolla just opened the door and stepped inside. After all, that was what she always did. If she behaved differently, Albus would surely figure out why… Except Lavolla would never barge in on him if she knew that there was someone with him unless she knew they wouldn't mind her presence, which in this case would mean that she knew for sure that Severus didn't mind her being there. A jab of pain shot from one temple to the other; this thinking it all through approach was not going to work.

'Hello, my dear!' Albus' calm voice welcomed Lavolla into the room. 'Severus and I were just discussing your nightly outings. Would you like some pumpkin juice?'

Lavolla felt all her adrenaline-filled blood concentrate in her face. Nightly outings? Then it dawned on her that he was referring to her and Severus watching Quirrel.

'Um, no. Thanks.' She said, waving the offer away with her hand. This was worse than when she was trying to keep her summer romance, who also happened to be her first boyfriend, hidden from Albus.

She looked at Severus, who was sitting in "her" armchair, holding a goblet and wearing his usual black attire. Just looking at him made the corners of her mouth want to curl up.

'Hello, Professor.' She said, smiling politely. This was weird.

'Afternoon, Miss Meren.' Severus answered with a nod. 'I hope you managed to get some sleep after last night's… exertions.'

Okay, that was not funny.

'I did, thank you.' Lavolla said through gritted teeth.

'What exactly did I miss?' She went on, talking to her uncle now.

'Oh, nothing much. Severus has just been telling me what our friend Quirrell has been doing lately.'

Lavolla made her way through the office and took a seat on a wooden chair next to her uncle's desk.

'And?' She pressed him. 'What do you think? What's the next step?'

Albus Dumbledore leaned back against the high back of his chair.

'I think it would be best to see how things unfold. For now.' He said after a pensive silence.

Lavolla shook her head, confused. 'What?'

'Headmaster, we know what Quirrell is planning on doing,' Severus intervened. He got up from the old chair and approached the Headmaster's desk, 'we cannot give him any freedom to do it.'

Lavolla looked from Severus to Albus.

Dumbledore waved both of his hands. 'The Stone is well protected, Severus, he won't crack all the protections anytime soon. In the mean time, I think you would be spending your time much better if you would try to keep him out of Harry Potter's way. So Lavolla, to answer your question fully: the next step for you is to shift your attention from Quirrell to Potter. Hagrid tells me that he is already taking after his father when it comes to school rules and his own safety.'

Lavolla heard an angry growling noise coming from Severus and when she turned to look at him, she saw his was clenching his jaw and his nostrils were flaring. She flinched as she saw the look of hatred burning in his eyes. She knew Severus wasn't exactly fond of the students, but she had no idea why he felt so resentful towards Potter. He had saved the boy's life after all. Not that any decent person would not have done the same thing in Severus' position during the Quidditch match, but still.

The Headmaster didn't pay any attention to Severus though.

'And given his situation, he is at a higher risk than the average student of being harmed.' He carried on. 'Severus, I know that you have your classes and such, so I do not expect you to do more than you already do. However, Lavolla, you will have to start teaching some classes, too, even if it's only to get in contact with the boy.'

Lavolla jumped up from her chair. 'Um, no. No.' She said, shaking her head violently. 'I don't think so.'

'Pardon me for interfering, Miss Meren, but why should you not teach?' Severus asked, sounding sincerely interested. 'Isn't that what you are here for in the first place?'

Lavolla laughed tensely, still fervently shaking her head.

'No! You said,' She pointed at her uncle. 'that I was only hear to watch Quirrel, that it was highly doubtful that I ever really had to take on my role as substitute, and you,' now turned to Severus, who to her annoyance, was watching her with what seemed much like amusement. 'you said Hogwarts didn't need a substitute!'

'What will she teach?' Severus asked Dumbledore, completely ignoring Lavolla.

'I was thinking we could give old Silvanus some time off, to let his fresh injuries heal. She would do good with Care of Mythical Creatures.'

Lavolla's jaw dropped as she watched and listened to the two men in front of her discussing her as if she wasn't there, standing just a few feet away.

'Hagrid is going to hate me!' She complained, knowing that the gamekeeper was absolutely mad about all – truly all creatures. But this protest was ignored just as the others.

Severus nodded slowly. 'That class is not without its risks, however. Perhaps it would be better if she only taught Potter's year. The more dangerous creatures are introduced in the second and third year.'

Angry as she was, Lavolla could not help but feel moved by the fact that Severus wanted to keep her safe. She sank back in her chair, knowing resisting would be useless. It was two against one and she had sort of consented that she would teach if necessary.

Wonderful – now there were two men in her life she couldn't win an argument from.