Sorry about the long wait guys. I've been away for a while on vacation. A bit of sun and beaches and I feel great! :) Hope this chapter makes up for my absence.
Too Late
"You, look amazing, Querida." Marcus complimented me as he held out his arm for me.
Blushing a bit, I took his arm and we walked through the streets.
"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."
"You look nervous, Lina. Relax. I don't bite." Marcus smiled down at me. One of the things that come with being short.
I forced a pretty smile and batted my eyes slightly. It worked apparently as Marcus tightened his hold on my arm.
"Just a little."
"Don't be. I know how to treat ladies right."
Marcus guided me a few blocks away from my hotel room to a candle lit restraunt. It was a fancy building with balconies, dark wooden flooring with crimson threaded carpets and red roses. Marcus stood up to the hostess and gave his name. The woman, after looking up and down Marcus, led us to a closed off patio. There was a small table with a wreath of roses in the centre. Fairy lights adorned the vines that criss-crossed overhead.
As usual, Marcus was gentlemanly. Sitting only when I sat.
"So, Marcus, you were saying something about a mission at Hogwarts?" I asked. I put on my best puppy-dog face. Large eyes, a small pout and the excitement of a five year old in a candy store.
Marcus laughed and leaned forward, "You're going to have to do better than that, Lina. Much better." He said lowly.
My smile faded, turning into a scowl. I sat back in my chair, glaring all the while at Marcus as he ordered dinner for the both of us.
"Hows Ham? I trust the trouble-maker is doing well. He never did like me much," Marcus smiled at my sullen face. "Come now, Querida, lets not have work interrupting our date."
Our meal started with a crisp Caesar Salad, followed by Delmonico Steak with white wine. Dessert was a delicious Peach Melba. I had to send back the Huitlacoche, a corn fungus which in my own words. . . . Is a poisonous piece of crud that tastes disgusting and looks gross. In one word, repulsive.
Marcus kept up a steady flow of conversation on his part. Finally, he couldn't bear my silence any longer.
"Fine, fine. I'll tell you, Querida, but. . . I want something in exchange."
"What?" I could see the familiar sly expression flit across his face.
He leaned over the table, "For every question of yours I answer, I can ask you to do or answer one of mine."
I thought it over quickly, then stuck out my hand, "Deal."
We shook hands and I noticed Marcus stroked my knuckle as he sat back.
I crossed my arms, "Ok. Do you know what the Elders are saying about Hogwarts?"
"Yes."
". . . . Care to tell me?"
Smirking, Marcus stood up, "They are ignoring your request." He circled the table slowly, mulling over the future questions I would ask.
"Are they planning to send me anywhere?"
"No. They have lost faith in your usefulness to them."
"Do they want to terminate me?"
"No. They plan to somehow pound your duty into your head."
"Torture?"
"I'm not sure about that one."
I crinkled my nose in distaste, "So, they might try torture me. Good luck with that."
Marcus chuckled and came to stand behind me, leaning down to whisper in my ear, "Anything else, Querida?"
"I want you to tell me what they're gonna do to Hogwarts. The students and teachers."
"Now, now, now, I think I deserve something bigger from you. You're asking a lot from me."
"What do you want?" I turned to look at him.
Marcus was smiling flirtatiously, "How about a kiss from you?"
I swear, he could hear me grinding my teeth, "Fine."
"By the next moon eclipse, they're going to have an army of dragon aura's. Hogwarts won't stand a chance. No prisioners, no one will survive. The castle will be turned into a fortress for future generations. Now, my questions."
"Ok." I was already thinking of the lies I would use.
"Why are you interested?"
"I'm a curious girl. I like having info."
"What about the teachers? Are you friends with one?"
"No. As I said before, they are lab rats. Experimentation."
"Are you," I gagged when Marcus waggled his eyebrows at me. "In a sexual relationship of any kind?"
"Excuse me! I don't think that is any of your concern, baka." Blood rushed to my cheeks.
But Marcus only grinned, "Who is he? A fellow aura I hope. I may have to compete for your affections, Querida."
"To answer your inappropriate question. No, I am not in a relationship."
"I see you are disturbed by my asking. Maybe you should get home, I'll save the rest of my questions for later."
Marcus pulled me out my seat, wrapping an arm snuggly around my waist, dragging me close to him. I felt a bit light headed from the wine, but managed to walk properly. When we got to my room at the hotel, Marcus stopped me from opening the door.
"Kiss?" He said simply.
Sighing wearily, I stood on tiptoe and moved to peck his cheek. But my lips were caught in an unsuspecting liplock. On instinct, I clenched my fist and resisted the urge to knock his lights out. About three minutes passed before Marcus pulled away with that ever-so-annoying smirk of his.
"Sweet dreams, Querida."
'How can I,' I thought to myself, 'when you've just put your tongue in my mouth.'. As soon as Marcus was out of sight, I took the sleeve of my shirt and stuffed it into my mouth, trying to get rid of the Marcus taste.
When I eventually walked into my shared room, Themboa jumped off his bed and started firing questions. All of which I answered. But, of course, Themboa said it was late and went to bed, leaving me standing in the sark as he flicked off the lights. As I stood in the shadows, the familiar feeling of loneliness settled in the pit of my stomach. My throat closed up and before I could start crying, I hurried to the bathroom and ran the bath faucet.
The steady sound of rushing water muffled the dry sobs as my chest heaved. Hogwarts was in trouble. The school, the students, and the teachers. But more specifically, Severus was in trouble.
I really hope this made up for my away time. For those who would like to know what 'Querida' means, let me know in your review. Now, please press that beautiful, bestest, most brilliant button down there. :) :) :)
