"Clothilde Part II"
Chapter 14 "Once a Malfoy…"
Rescue me, from this black hole
That's sucked me in and left me dying
You're the truth, that I've been seeking
'Cause my whole life, I've been lying…
~"You Complete Me" Stabbing Westward
Clothilde had been summoned to Professor Dumbledore's office, it was late now. Her cape swung 'round as she entered the room. Her eyes fell upon the faces of everyone in the offending party. Harry, Ron and Hermione; and those who had given offense~ Professor Snape. The lot of them were awfully assembled in cushy chairs in front of a roaring fire.
She strode to the fire without any hesitation, snow fell from her hair and deep blue cape.
"Clothilde…." Came the uneasy voice of Hermione. She silenced the girl with a dark, unappreciative glare.
Snape's mouth curved a bit into a self-satisfied smile. He met each of their stares, in turn, quite smugly. "It's been… hours," he said at last, "have you been out looking for Mr. Potter all this time?" The professor moved to look outside, "good heavens, it's been snowing too… I trust you haven't caught cold on Mr. Potter's account."
Harry glared at him.
"Though," his hissed as he glided over to her. "I'm certain just finding our Harry Potter in one piece is a great relief to you."
She raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him, he had probably no idea how close to the mark that all was…. Then again, it was Snape, so perhaps he did. Through all of his smugness, his perverse need to receive an ambitious pat on the back from Dumbledore… he had, in fact recovered Harry unharmed.
Clothilde, on the other hand was about to be reprimanded by the Headmaster for doing such a sloppy job of keeping Harry safe. If she was lucky she would still have her position here afterward.
Her eyes lingered on the glittering black eyes that were looking down at her as if he was about to add some other snide comment.
She drew near, she could smell the melted snow, and the spice that permeated his robes. He instinctively took a half step back, he swished a bit as he did so… this caused her to smile, and look up into his eyes. "Thank you for finding Harry," she whispered into his ear.
He watched her intently, her breath still dizzyingly warm against his cheek.
She brushed her lips against his lightly, then lifted her fingers to his chin and held it in place as she kissed him.
His mouth trembled beneath hers before he could quell it, or stifle the gasp of surprise as she chose now as the moment of their first mutual kiss. He wanted to sigh in delight, to touch her, to let his body react… but he had Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley sitting right behind him~ watching. In horror no doubt.
Clothilde flicked her tongue into his mouth, felt his lips soft and warm against her own, returning the kiss with an equal passion, his hands hesitated to do more than touch the length of her hair.
She broke from him lingering only… to trace his lower lip with her tongue.
He swayed. Severus was looking at her as if he needed air… dreamily, and also shocked. His eyes forming a question.
Then she shucked off her doe-skin glove briskly and struck him across the face with the palm side of it. Hard. Leaving a red mark on one cheek.
"You have been formally challenged," her voice was devoid of emotion. She turned from him, put her glove back on and returned to the warmth of the flames.
If the three had been shocked (sickened in the case of Ron) silent a moment prior by the sheer ickiness of Snape being kissed, they were now deafened by the silence of the utter malice which followed.
Severus touched his face lightly and winced, he stood staring at her, teeth bared… unable to gather his wits.
"Professor Snape, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," Dumbledore appeared suddenly leaning against the upper balcony of his office. "You may go, Miss Corgan and I will need a moment alone. And Severus, if you wouldn't mind escorting them back to Gryffindor tower."
Snape lifted his eyes to Dumbledore defensively, certain he'd seen everything. "Yes Headmaster."
The trio practically raced out of the room.
His robes whirled about him, "I'll see you in an hour in the great hall."
Clothilde met his eyes. He was blushing and very angry. She couldn't remember ever hearing his voice so dangerous and harsh before. Part of her really ached to see him so hurt and embarrassed but part of her was so frustrated and angry that she was glad she'd bested him.
"I'll be there."
Professor Snape spun on heel, his black robes billowing giving him the look of a giant bat as he hastened to be away from her.
* * * * *
Her blonde hair tumbled down over her shoulders. Her collar was white and made of angora goat's wool, very fluffy… her deep blue cape caught in the candle's glow and shimmered.
"You didn't have to be quite so cruel to him you know. Severus cares about you… he always has."
She turned to find Dumbledore directly behind her, looking over his half moon spectacles straight into her chthonic soul.
"He deserved it," she said coldly.
"Why because he found Harry and you didn't?"
Clothilde ran her fingers through her hair exasperatedly and held them there looking up at him. Her expression was quite dark. "Because I am angry with myself."
"So you're going to push him away? Ah I see, now that makes sense," he smiled gently. "Lemon drop?"
"I think I'm bitter enough already."
He snorted a bit at that.
"Of course you realize that was very careless of you to let Harry Potter out of your sight."
"I know Headmaster," she said quietly.
He sat down and urged her to do the same. "I am afraid this must be the last time Harry gets out of your sight. Do you understand me Miss Corgan?"
She nodded. "You're giving me my last chance here at Hogwarts I believe."
"Well, I don't know about that, but to look after Harry Potter yes. I may ask Sirius to take up this position regardless. You, I believe are better suited for other business in our dealings with Voldemort."
"Oh?"
He was looking at her more seriously now, "yes. I think we both know that."
"I suppose," she said resignedly allowing herself to be engulfed in the wing-backed chair.
His eyes twinkled a bit. "I have a great deal of faith in you."
"I kind of liked being Harry's guard, I felt…" she looked up at him, "good."
He pattered her hand gently, "why wouldn't you?"
"Because… oh I don't know…."
He smiled but met her with serious eyes, "just remember Clothilde, always bear this in mind. You are a good person in your heart, I have seen it. Now…" he glanced at his clock, "aren't you due in the great hall very soon?"
She started… he had overheard that?
Dumbledore smiled more openly at her, "don't hurt Severus too badly."
She shot him a sideways glance then strode out of the room wondering if she should let him win… nah.
* * * * *
"Here is your iodine Professor Snape, did you want me to cast a healing charm?~"
He took the bottle and hand towel from Hermione briskly. "I want you to leave me alone."
She rushed over to Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus and George who were all sitting around in the Gryffindor common room.
Only moments ago they had all been enjoying a game of exploding snap and some extra food gladly supplied by the kitchen elves, then Harry, Ron and Hermione returned… with Professor Snape.
The happiness in the room had basically died.
"Welcome to our humble abode Professor, have a seat," George beamed.
"Care for something to eat?" Fred winked at Ron.
Ron grabbed them both, "now is not a good time."
"Where's Clothilde then?" George asked cheerily.
Snape's eyes flashed at the sound of her name.
"Uhh, Professor Snape can I get you something for your face?" Hermione offered weakly.
The room snickered. Yeah, Snape needed something for his face.
Ron's eyes rolled up into the back of his head, he really was dreading his next potions class now.
Snape was looking murderous. The room quieted.
"Iodine," he hissed. "Now."
Hermione didn't have to be told twice.
"And Mr. Potter just where… do you think you're going?"
Harry was standing at the foot of the steps to the boys dormitory.
"To my room if it's any of your business."
"Actually… it is. I'm here as your bodyguard until Miss Corgan returns, if she returns."
"Clothilde does allow me to be in my bedroom by myself."
"Perhaps, that is why she lost you so easily today and perhaps her slapdash attitude has caused her to lose her position here at Hogwarts."
Harry sat down, too angry to say more.
"Here is your iodine Professor Snape, did you want me to cast a healing charm?~"
"I want you to leave me alone."
"What's going on?" Neville whispered to Hermione as she sat down beside them.
She shook her head silently.
"Exploding snap anyone?" Fred grinned.
Snape sat down in the cushy chair nearest the exit. He and Harry exchanged glares then he resumed applying iodine to his cheek with a towel. It hurt. So did his pride. His icy expression drooped a bit and it fell more into the realm of true sadness.
He would jump when he saw her again, his heart would lurch as usual… hopeful, wondering if perhaps she… she could feel the same about him. But now he knew, he knew the truth. She thought of him the same as these stupid Gryffindors, a disgusting professor, someone to make a fool of, as she'd done so well in Dumbledore's office. In front of the school celebrity too… not a bad piece of work for a calculating Slytherin. She had really hit him hard too. He needed time to reflect, this was not the frame of mind he wanted to be in to fight a duel… in, fifteen minutes.
Just as that thought crossed his mind the porthole opened and she came in. The mass of blonde, the deep blue, the jingling armor and her amber paste perfume… his heart lurched.
She appraised him darkly. Her eyes fell to the iodine and the towel pressed to his cheek.
"Harry, you'll be my second."
"Gladly," he jumped up.
Her eyes were on Snape again as he stood facing her.
The room was suddenly clamoring; 'What's going on?'
Snape swept out of the room wordlessly.