All too soon the sun made its way through the heavily draped windows and peeked in through the bed curtains. I groaned rolling onto my tummy. An annoying beep sounded over and over again. I yanked the curtains open only to see Elisabeth trying to swat at the bloody damn thing. Finally her hand connected with the button and the noise ended. I laid back down. I really did not want to get out of bed. Slowly, I dragged myself out of bed. Gathering what I would need I left for the shower room.
I turned off the water and muttered the drying spell. Then, I massaged a warm vanilla sugar body cream into my skin. Pulling my wrapper about me I returned to the room. When I got back Elisabeth was in the water closet getting ready for the day. Putting the bath stuff away I went over to my dresser and pulled out a dark green satin corset edged with black lace and the matching thong. I slipped the knickers on and cinched the back of the corset tighter. Then, drew it around my waist, fastening it. The black lace tickled the delicate flesh of my chest, but, it pushed my bosom higher. I slid into my black satin robe to get ready. Sitting down at my vanity I took the towel off. The dark mahogany waterfall cascaded down around my back and shoulders. I muttered a spell drying it into soft curls. I ran a brush through the curls making them even looser and softer. Then, pulling the side sections back I braided them over the rest of my hair. I applied my usual porcelain foundation and set it with baby powder. Then,
I went to work. On my lids I applied a light golden brown. A darker shade in the crease and my usual vanilla on the browbone. I used a gold liner on my bottom lids and a dark brown on top. I finished my eyes with lots of black mascara. On my lips I used my usual light rose. But, applied a cherry - flavoured gloss sealant over them. Searching through the top drawer I pulled out silver snake head ear bobs and put them in. I stood up and padded over to the wardrobe. Looking through the dresses I finally decided on a long - sleeved, high necked, deep dark green dress. I pulled it out of the armoire and laid it on my bed. I got my petticoats out of my trunk and pulled them on. Sliding the satin robe off I slipped the dress over my head and buttoned up the bodice. Crossing back over to my vanity I pulled the drawer open again. I found the perfect brooch. A vanilla rose encircled by a pair of silver snakes with emerald eyes. I spritzed a cherrry vanilla perfume on my throat, down my front, the back of my neck and on my wrists. I set the perfume bottle down and slid into matching kidskin slippers. I grabbed my blackwatch satchel and I was ready for the day.
" Lise ! "
" What ? " She asked, poking her head out.
" Are you ready yet ? "
" Just about. Go on ahead without me. "
" All right, " I called leaving for the Great Hall.
I walked into the Great Hall. There weren't that many people there yet. Thank goodness Draco Malfoy was not an early riser. Evidently neither was Professor Severus Snape. I sighed and reached for the coffee. I poured some into a cup and sipped. Ahh. Better. Bit, by bit, sip by sip, I finished waking up. It wasn't until my second cup that Blaise came staggering in. I poured a cup and added a little cream, a lot of sugar. Yawning Blaise slid into the seat next to me. I passed him the cup. Then, leaned over and gave him a slow kiss.
"Mmm, much better than coffee, " Blaise commented, breaking the kiss. I just smiled at him. He draped an arm about my shoulders, drawing me closer.
" Don't look now, " He whispered in my ear.
" Who ? " I asked. Then, I saw him. With every blonde hair perfectly in place Draco really did look good. But, after revealing what kind of monster he truly was I didn't see what Pansy saw in him.
" Thanks, " I whispered back. After that incident up in my room Blaise and I had gotten closer. There was a rumour going around that Blaise and I were finally boyfriend and girlfriend. Neither one of us had denied it, though. Three cups of coffee and three cinnamon rolls later Professor Snape strode in. His eyes narrowed when they saw Blaise's arm wrapped around me. What the devil ? Changing direction he approached the Slytherin House table.
" Miss Taggert, " Professor Snape snapped icily. " A word with you. Now ! " I looked up, startled and a bit scared. I had never seen Professor Severus Snape like this before. Blaise looked at me questioningly.
" It's all right, " I answered. " I promise. I'll see you in class. What's the worse that can happen, detention ? " I joked. Blaise leaned over and whispered in my ear,
" Good luck. You'll probably need it with him. " His warm breath tickled my ear. Then his lips covered mine in a warm good luck kiss. Severus Snape was about to come unglued.
" Now, Miss Taggert ! " He demanded. I ended the kiss, sighing.
" See you in class, Blaise, " I murmured, snagging another cinnamon roll as well as my book satchel. Severus Snape grabbed my arm hauling me out of the Great Hall.
" What was that !?! " He demanded.
" What was what ? " I asked, nibbling on the cinnamon roll.
" You know damn well what !! " Professor Snape roared.
" Blaise and I happen to be friends. " He shot me a look. " Okay, really good friends, " I amended.
" Need I remind you that as of now you are my fiancee and you will conduct yourself as a proper Pureblood lady. "
" You cannot stop me from seeing my friends ! " I argued. " I've known Blaise practically forever. Just because you tell me no does not mean that I am going to stop seeing him. "
" I do not share, Briar, " Severus Snape threatened.
" And just what does that mean ? " My eyes narrowed.
" It means that you will stop seeing the boy outside of classroom settings. No more touching and no more kissing. If you want to kiss and be kissed properly you shall come to me. Do I make myself clear ? " I just snorted at that. Who the hell did he think he was telling me what to do, who to see ? " I expect an answer, Briar. " I was so mad I couldn't see straight.
" Are, you, through ? " I asked icily. His eyes narrowed at my tone. " Last time I checked I am eighteen years old and in possession of all my faculties. You have no right telling me what to do. You are not God. If I want to see my friends I am going to do so. As for kissing I will kiss who ever the hell I want ! Be it Blaise, Marcus, Elisabeth, or you ! " His eyes grew darker at that if possible.
" You are going to be my fiancee and I shall expect you to act appropriately. You will conduct yourself as a proper Pureblood lady or you shall be punished. '
" What ? " I sputtered. " Are you planning on spanking me again ? " Visions of that night danced within my memory.
" If I must, " He answered.
" As I recall it didn't work before. "
" And as I recall you enjoyed it a little too much. Perhaps we should try a variety of things to see what really gets you, excited. " The man was doing it again, trying to get me flustered. I was all ready hot and bothered. Being this close to the man always got me this way.
" That's beside the point, " I snapped.
" You are only trying to distract me. News- flash, it won't work. "
" Won't it ? " He asked, backing me up against the castle wall.
" No, " I countered. " It won't. " But, my breathing betrayed me. " I am my own person. And I will do whatever the hell I want. You don't own me. " A hand shot to the wall and he leaned on it.
" I don't expect to 'own' you, as you put it. But, I do expect you to behave as befitting to your station. And I told you, " He planted his other hand on the wall on the other side of me. Effectively trapping me between the wall and him. " I don't share. " His lips swooped down covering mine. His tongue pushed past my startled lips. She tasted like cinnamon and cherries. Mmm, what a combination. I mustn't get distracted. Although those lips ... Flashed through Severus's mind. There was only one thing on his mind, possession. Which he did thoroughly. He left no doubt in my mind that I was his. Slowly ending the kiss he reminded me,
" You, belong, to me. "
" I belong to no one, " I countered. " If you do not mind I'm going to be late for class. " I swung my satchel over my arm and turned walking away.
" Have you forgotten just what your first class is ? " He called after me. I hadn't forgotten. After that incident I had to get away. What better place than my favourite spot ? I ducked down a hallway, then, another. Which took me right by the castle doors. I burst through them out into the sunshine.
I was
running late to potions class. I hadn't meant to be late. But, I
couldn't resist the temptation that the lake offered to soothe away
my fears and calm me down after the night I had and that altercation
in the hallway early this morning.
I burst through the door and
several heads turned.
" MissTaggert, you are late, " Professor Snape snapped. I went and took a seat by Elisabeth. Professor Snape demanded everyone's attention back at the board,
" I want you to carefully read through the list of instructions, and brew this potion. I expect it to be done by the end of class. " I finished just in the nick of time. Hurrying I stood up vial in hand. I scurried up to Professor Snape's desk and laid it down. Before he could say a word to me I raced back to my seat.
" Now, that I have everyone's samples, " He sneered, " Class dismissed. " I grabbed my satchel and book. Trying to cram the potions textbook inside I flew up to transfiguration.
Professor
McGonagall walked around the room distributing pincushions from a box
in her arms.
"Now, class, you might remember from your fourth
year here that you transformed hedgehogs into pincushions. Well, some
of you did," said Professor McGonagall, glancing at me and a few
others. "Today, we will do the reverse. I want you to turn these
pincushions," she indicated the box of round orange-red objects,
"into hedgehogs. As you might imagine, turning an inanimate
object into an animate creature is considerably more difficult, which
is why this lesson is saved for N.E.W.T.'s."
Professor
McGonagall then put a small handful of raisins and sunflower seeds on
the desk next to her own pincushion, a tattered-looking tomato-shaped
specimen with several dozen tarnished brass pins and a couple of
needles stuck into it. The class watched as she raised her wand and
demonstrated the spell. As she gave the last complicated twist of her
wand and pronounced the spell, "Consutum
Erinacesco",
the cushion quivered turning grayish brown and oval shaped. The pins
lost their heads and became pointed at the end, then filled in to
cover the whole surface of the object. It gave a little start, then
lifted its head and delicately sniffed the air. It waddled over to
the raisins and seeds and began nibbling on them. McGonagall scooped
it up and showed it to the class.
"Note the absence of dangling threads and other external reminders of its couture origins. The fact that it eats indicates its internal organs are correct and functioning. All right, class, please begin."
Elisabeth and I exchanged a look. Then started on our own pincushions. Hers looked like a pincushion on legs. Mine was even worse. Mine was still a pincushion. Professor McGonagell was walking around the room encouraging us and helping when needed.
" Miss Taggert, have you even tried ? " Professor McGonagell asked, coming upon my desk.
" Believe it or not, yes, " I sighed. With a flick and swish and a lot of turns I muttered,
" Consutum Erinacesco. " Still nothing.
" Hmm, " Professor McGonagell said studying the object. " Eventually, you shall get it. Perhaps transfiguration is not your area. Don't worry. We'll talk later.
Miss Brownleigh, here try this. " She moved on to help Elisabeth. Finally class was over. And my free period began. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. As long as I made my second potions class I would be okay. Stripping I dove underneath the ripples. The cool water felt good against my skin.
" SILENCE ! " Severus bellowed causing immediate silence. "Ah, Miss Taggert, I am glad you are learning the meaning of punctuality. Now, I would like to begin class. For now, I am going to hand you over to Miss Taggert. " It was the first time that I was in charge of a class of students. I was incredibly nervous.
" Can anyone tell me the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane ? Anyone ? " I sighed. It was going to be a long forty - five minutes. I was right. As I lectured on about sleeping draughts and the many different ones the students took notes. As with any class troublemakers abounded. Why was I not surprised that Blaise's little brother, Lucien was one ?
" Zambini ! " I exclaimed, coming to a stop beside his desk. " Why is your potion a hideous puce ? " I looked at him, expecting an answer. " Well ? "
" Umm ... " He said, trying to come up with an answer.
" Ten points from Slytherin for not paying attention and following directions. Maybe I should separate you and Mr. Blackwood. Then, you might pay better attention. " I went on to the next set of tables. Finally, I dismissed the class. I collapsed against the stone wall, exhausted from the strain of the first years.
" So, Miss Taggert, do you still wish to become a teacher ? " Professor Snape asked, watching me. I opened my eyes.
" Now I understand what you go through with us. How do you put up with Malfoy, Blaise, Flint, and all the others ? " Severus Snape chuckled.
" That is why I keep to the lesson and expect everyone to pay attention. Sharp attention is necessary in potion making so that nothing is missed.
" Although, you do need to let up on the students. "
" You mean the Slytherins, " I said.
" Unlike you I do not intend to favour any house. If someone is not following the lesson, not paying attention, and / or being an annoyance I will call them on it regardless of what house they are in. "
" Be careful, " Severus warned. I sighed.
" Believe it or not I know some of these students. For example, Lucien Zambini. I used to baby sit him and Tarquin Blackwood. They are both prone to
mischief. "
" Hmm. " I went over and grabbed my satchel from beside his desk. " I need to go or otherwise I'll be late. "
" Here, " Severus said handing me a piece of parchment.
" What's this ? "
" A note, " He sighed. " Do you think that I want points taken from Slytherin for your habit of tardiness ? "
" Oh, thank you, Professor Snape. " With the missive in hand I left for herbology.
Once Professor Sprout dismissed us I ran to the library. Severus had assigned three feet of parchment on death draughts and just when and why they should be used. Somehow I didn't think trying to get out of doing homework was one of them or skipping class.
Closing the Transfiguration textbook I sighed, stretching my arms. Finally. All assigned homework was done. I glanced down at my watch. Dinner had started. And if I didn't leave now I would miss it.
Making my way to the Great Hall my mind flew back to this morning and that scene in the hall with Severus. He doesn't intend to own me. Yeah, right. Then, why is he telling me what to do ? I'll do whatever I want. He's not God. Although, that night in his bed I called him a sex god. Arrgh ! Why him ? Why do I have to be in luve with the potions master ? I sighed aloud.
" Are you okay, Briar ? " Elisabeth asked.
" Just my stomach, " I said. " I'm going to skip the rest of dinner, Lise. "
" But, you hardly touched your food, " She protested.
" I'm just not that hungry. How about I eat a big breakfast tomorrow to make up for it, hmm ? "
" Briar, baby, what's wrong ? " Blaise asked.
" Dammit ! Let's not make an issue out of this. I'm just not hungry. If the lot of you must know my stomach is just a wee bit on the queasy side. Now, I am taking my leave. I do not wish to be disturbed. I am going to bed. " I exclaimed. Jumping up I turned and left the Great Hall.
Once in Slytherin House I sank down in front of the fire. I knew I wasn't in luve with Blaise. And I was in luve with Severus. But, I really didn't want to be married to anyone. Besides it had been three weeks since Severus had touched me. That kiss this morning sparked a fire that still needed to be put out. I shot to my feet. What I needed was a swim to help me figure things out.