Chapter Twenty Six

For Keeps

February crept in quietly but did not make it's presence felt until classes resumed on the Monday. There were posters all over the walls, a dance would be scheduled Saturday on Valentine's for any students staying at Hogwarts, though of course rumors abounded for later year students going down to Hogsmead in search of greater revelries.

It set me to thinking the rest of the day as to how I was going to spend the weekend. By dance class I had come with no further ideas and listened to Soraila and Rosalyn discuss their plans on the way back up to the dining hall.

'Do you know what he's getting for you Leanna?' Rosalyn asked me.

'No..'

'What are you going to get him?' Soraila asked.

'I haven't a clue..' I sighed.

Rosalyn grinned at us conspiratorially' You could dance for him..'

'Hmmm'

I nearly skipped the whole way back to my rooms, light-hearted and happy. I lay in my bed imagining the dance in my mind, and imagined myself performing it for him. It was only missing one thing, and I decided to spend some of the money from dance and visit the blacksmith as soon as possible.

The Friday before Valentine's I ran across the school to the blacksmiths area, they'd promised me my work order would be done that day and I was nearly too excited to contain myself.

'I wouldn't mind borrowing this back from you to display as part of my exam if that's OK with you?' The junior apprentice that worked with the Master Blacksmith on the item held the piece out to me to inspect.

'I only did the chain and the coins, but its the finest work I've ever done' He was quite proud and I assured him I would let him borrow it when the time came.

I took the silver chains, one was merely to hold a key about the neck, the other two each would clasp to either end of the other items. I tapped the key against the first silver bracelet and it came undone allowing me to fasten it about my wrist with another tap of the key. It slid smoothy down my arm and settled on my wrist with a jingle as the light brass coins struck each other with its movement. I slipped on the opposite bracelet and then the matching anklets with glee. They all fit perfectly. I lunged forward with glee and hugged the apprentice though I'm sure I startled the wits out of him.

'You do truly beautiful work, please give your master my compliments, the enchantment works marvelously'

I regretfully took them off and placed them in my bag, and headed off to meet Soraila and Rosalyn for our last dance session before the weekend.

And then the Weekend was upon us.

We had agreed to spend the weekend at his country home and Apparated there late Friday night. His servants had already retired for the night so we let ourselves in. He lit the fire in the living room, and we fell asleep together on the couch curled up in a large blanket.

Sleeping late we only had the afternoon to distract ourselves before dinner and went to see his horses. They were rather fractious and happy to run when we took them out into the fields. They ran through the snow leaving us both winded and aglow when we finally returned them to the stables.

Once dinner was served, Severus banished the servants from sight and warned them not to disturb us until tomorrow. As soon as they were out of sight I picked up my plate and glass and moved from the opposite head of the table to sit beside him. We went through at least half the bottle of wine before we moved back to the living room taking the bottle with us. I refilled both of our glasses.

'This time I will give you your present first Anna' His eyes gleamed with boyish mischief as he handed me the wrapped package. I knew it was a book the moment I laid eyes on it, and near tore the wrapping to get at the item. I frowned, it was a tattered old textbook, though carefully restored, with slight charred marks. I looked up at him for explanation.

'Advanced Potion Making..this is a N.E.W.T. Level textbook, I won't even get to use this until my 7thyear, assuming I make it that far?'

'Look inside' he bade me.

I flipped open the cover obediently and found a brief inscription

'Property of the Half-Blood Prince'.

'This was yours?' I looked up, I recognized his handwriting and knew of his mother's surname.

He nodded smiling.

'I must warn you, I made notes all throughout the book, and not just about potions, there are several nasty spells- some of which now known to the Ministry of Magic and are banned, don't try just anything in there, not without asking first..' He cautioned.

'But..I thought you would like something of me, something personal, and with your love of knowledge..' He said the last tentatively as though unsure I would approve.

'Oh Severus, this is perfect, absolutely perfect. Now I KNOW I'll be able to handle my potion N.E.W.T.s, even if I'm stuck with you marking' I teased, and moved over on the couch to kiss him in thanks.

'Now my turn' I kissed him again before slipping off the couch and disappearing around the corner to change. It certainly wasn't because I was shy, but I wanted him to savor every dramatic flair I could use.

I stepped back around the corner sliding my bare feet along the freshly waxed wooden flooring. I was carrying a velvet green cloth the held the jewelry I had made for me within. I slipped over to his side and knelt opening the cloth to display the items and set it on the couch beside him. I lifted the key on its chain as he watched me curiously. I tapped the first bracelet to open it, and once secure about my wrist I tapped it again to close it. I paused dramatically and offered the key to him.

'You may chose to accept this gift freely, or your gift may be just the dance I have prepared...your choice Sir'

His breath caught for a moment, as he stared into my green eyes and I into his dark brown.

'If I take the key do I still get the dance?' I knew he was teasing me, it was a good sign, but I had to make sure he understood fully what I was offering.

'If you take that key, it means I will dance for you whenever you command..I will do anything you command' I whispered.

I watched him swallow.

He reached out and took the key from my hand.

'Dance for me then, and I will decide if I will keep it'

His voice made me melt inside, oh that was such the perfect thing to say..

He tapped the second bracelet and placed it on my wrist, then the large silver ring, almost fine, yet smoothed so one might tug on it without it digging into flesh, and he snapped it around my neck, tapping it again with the key. I lifted my leg and set it beside him on the couch, pointing my toes as the green gauzy material slid up my thigh with my movement.

Once every bracelet was on I showed him how the silver chains attached to each wrist and together at the throat by the collar. The brass coins jingled as I stepped away from him completely adorned.

I'd managed to get my CD in his system before dinner and set it to play the correct song before he noticed I was missing. I instructed him to turn the stereo on and press play.

I stood in the center of the room just breathing, stretching each limb slightly, feeling the silver chain grow taught at the very limit of my reach. I counted in my head along with the rhythm, first my left hand, rising, fingers curling into the air as I reached the end of my chain again. Then the right joined in counterpart settling at my waist in descent a perfectly executed gesture. The drums called to my waist as I moved smoothly before him. I danced as I had never danced before, looking at him from lowered lashes, tonight I danced the slave chain dance and begged him with my eyes to keep me.

I swept my head back rolling my hips with a wantonness that followed the music but cried for more sensual pleasures. I thrust my head forth, my unbound hair falling forward and swaying and spiraling before I tossed it back again. I locked my hands together before me as if in manacles, and spun letting the coins bedecking my waist tinkle with each step along the beat. I raised my hands as if still locked above my head and then settled them to just behind and resting on my neck pointing my elbows outwards and dancing for him with only my hips now. As the song crescendos I slid my hands along my body and danced more wildly with abandon.

I could see him breathing more rapidly, and put the glass of wine to his lips, never looking away. The silver chain holding the key was knotted through his fingers, and I could see him out of the corner of my eye twist the chain in his fingers and slide it along as if counting the beads on a rosary.

I watched him shift ever so slightly, having watched men before I knew he was adjusting for the passion I was stirring in him. Nearing the end of the music his long white fingers undid another button of the black silk shirt he was wearing, letting just a hint of his flesh come into view.

I licked my lips as I danced imagining what it was to taste him, and prayed I would be able to again soon. The music, the wine, and my lover set me afire. The end of the song I sank to the floor before his feet, resting my head on his knee, one of my legs arched gracefully the other tucked beneath me, both of my hands resting slightly behind my back. It was a submissive but beautifully manicured posture.

I awaited only his touch to come to life again, I rested quietly breathing, and careful not to jingle and end the spell. His touch came, two fingers tapping my chin and lifting my face to look at him. I straightened and set my hands gracefully on my knee.

'I would duel Salazar himself to keep you, Anna' I shivered with pleasure as I heard him speak and watched him place the silver chain about his neck.