Chapter Eighteen

Sipping on her ice cool water Ember listened to Narcissa as she spoke about one thing or another. Her eyes kept wandering around the extravagant room, though from the small glimpses she had seen it was one of the least decorated rooms in the house. Severus had left with Lucius about fifteen minutes ago, though she didn't know where he had disappeared or why.

The sound of Narcissa's son, Draco, crying broke her daze. Narcissa gave an apologetic smile as she stood, scooping the small child into her arms. The crying lessened the moment he was in his mother's arms but did not stop completely. "Excuse me." She muttered, exiting the room. Putting her glass down Ember relaxed further into the white sofa, wondering who would be back first. Severus or Narcissa. With nothing else to do the girl allowed her mind to fantasise about a certain dark haired male, smiling subconsciously.

Snapping from her thoughts a second time when she felt a hand on her leg, Ember twisted to see who it was. It wasn't anybody she recognised, she had never seen this man before. He was attractive, but he wasn't her type. He was lean, average height with sandy coloured hair. The smarmy smirk on his lips immediately made her tense, she didn't like this man at all. He came across as a creep.

His hand was still on her leg, making her frown when it tightened as she subtly tried to shift her leg closer to her body. "I don't believe we've met before." He stated, a certain level of arrogance masking his otherwise pleasant sounding voice. He was clearly young, younger than Severus but Ember didn't actually know whether his attitude made his seem younger or older. "What's your name?" He asked her when she stayed silent.

"Ember." She hurriedly replied, forcefully shoving his hand from her thigh. His eyes narrowed at the action. Running a hand through her hair Ember held back a shudder of disgust. She needed this man to stop touching her, now.

"Lovely name." He said, though he clearly didn't seem to really care. Moving closer to her Ember cringed when he brought his lips to her ear. "Maybe I could keep you company, since you're all alone." His finger tips graced her thigh but they shifted to the inside of her leg causing her eyes to widen. The moment his lips pressed against her neck she jumped up from the couch.

"What the-" Spinning she glared down at the unknown man who was now sat lazily on the sofa, arm slung across the back.

"Bit jumpy, why don't you-" the man started to say but was cut off by the sound of the door opening. Glancing up Ember sighed in relief to see Severus and Lucius reentering. The man on the couch gave a groan upon seeing the duo. "What a way to ruin the mood. Snape." Severus sneered down at the thin man who was not trying to disguise his annoyance and disgust at seeing the dark clad man.

"Barty, always a pleasure." He remarked, coming to a stop near Ember who immediately clung to his arm. Barty narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Really? You're picking this guy over me?" He demanded, standing up now. Severus stared at him stonily before turning to look down at Ember. Muttering under her breath she stepped closer to the man so only he could hear her.

"He just tried to have sex with me." Eyes flashing dangerously Severus took a step closer to Barty.

"What is it with you trying to one up me?" He demanded. "You need to get a grip boy, this rivalry you hold with me is pathetic." Glancing between the two men Ember took a cautious step back when their argument suddenly got heated. To be fair most of the anger was coming from Barty and not Severus despite him knowing what the younger man tried to do. It was clear Severus was not in this for a fight but sadly it seemed he may not have a choice.

Barty was getting more and more wound up the longer they argued. Hurrying around the duo Ember rushed over to Lucius who had been watching the exchange with a strange curiosity. "What is his problem with Severus?" She demanded. Barty's face was now red with anger and indignation. Severus seemed bored, it was a little impressive.

"I don't know exactly, I've never asked him." Lucius shrugged before glancing at the woman beside him. "I believe he just has a superiority complex. He developed this need to beat Severus in everything despite being younger. Severus had always been top of his classes, the year and was better than most in the school. Barty was this quiet boy with not many friends, who so desperately wanted his father attention but never got it. He thought if he became the best in the school his father would be proud and love him more but he could never get passed Severus' level. He's hated him ever since."

Shaking her head in disbelief Ember watched as Barty whipped out his wand and pointed it threateningly at Severus who didn't even seem phased.

"Really, Barty?" Severus sighed. "You're going to do this again?"

"Again?" Ember repeated, turning to look at Lucius who was watching them with much more interest now. "How many times does Barty attack Severus?"

"Well, I'd say once every couple months." Lucius responded non-plussed. Gaping, the girl turned back when she heard Barty yell out. Severus blocked the curse expertly, throwing one back which Barty barely blocked. His face was held together with aggressive determination as though his real goal was to do some serious damage. Ember tensed as she watched the two duel.

She didn't know why she was so worried, she knew how skilled Severus was at duelling. Maybe it was because she had never actually seen him duel and she didn't know what kind of skills Barty held. Though Lucius didn't seem worried and Severus wasn't actually putting much effort into the duel and still seemed to be beating the younger man.

Barty then seemed to have another idea, changing direction in the way he shot out his hexes and curses. Gasping, Ember doubled over as she felt a stinging sensation slice into her side. Grabbing hold of Lucius' arm to keep her up right she cursed at the man. His plan must have worked because he smirked suddenly when Severus became more volatile. Lucius had led her to another seat, the girl flinching when the sound of something smashing echoed around the room.

"Ah, Narcissa loved that vase." Lucius sighed causing Ember to laugh breathlessly through the pain. He apologised before making quick work of healing her side.

"Thank you. You're pretty good at healing spells."

"Narcissa is actually trained in healing. She passed on some of her knowledge to me." Lucius explained, the two seemingly forgetting about the two men duelling at the other side of the room until a loud crash and a curse hit them. Barty was laid in the middle of the room, the expensive coffee table broken and laid at an odd angle. Small dots of blood had been splattered onto his forehead and nose from the cut stretching across his cheek.

Growling he scrambled up, wand tight in his hand as he threw curse after curse at Severus who blocked each and every one. It was a good thing Severus had good reflexes because one red jet of light flew his way, almost hitting him until he quite elegantly span out of the line of fire. Ember gasped in horror when the door open to reveal Narcissa holding Draco in her arms. The spell that had left Barty's wand missed her by a millisecond. That was enough to bring Lucius into the fight. He didn't even care as he shot a nonverbal spell at Barty, who was facing the opposite way, causing him to fly across the room and slam into the wall before dropping pathetically onto the ground.

"Do that again and I promise you I will end you." Lucius threatened and Ember believed him, a shiver flashing through her body at his icy tone. Narcissa was holding her baby protectively to her chest, eyes glaring at the man who was now picking himself up off the floor. Standing, Ember made her way over to Severus and ignored the leers Barty sent her way. The couple didn't stay long after that, apparating home as soon as they could.

Sighing Ember turned to head into the kitchen when she was grabbed suddenly and thrown onto the couch. Squealing in shock she smiled in anticipation when Severus crawled on top of her, his large hands seemingly trying to touch and grab at every part of her body he could. Severus seemed quite emotional, letting it out onto her though not that she minded.

Severus was quite a possessive man, she wasn't stupid nor was she blind, but Ember didn't know what to call herself when she admitted she quite liked it. He was possessive but never controlling, it was a good mix. He didn't waste time in stripping them both of their clothes, their body's mingling and twisting until they were one.

Severus apparently wasn't in the mood for foreplay, prepping her quickly before pushing himself roughly inside of her. Ember adored him like this, when he lost control. Severus was so terrified of becoming his father that he sometimes talked himself out of being rough during sex, no matter what Ember said. One day she would convince him that he was nothing like that piece of garbage, that was a promise. Closing her eyes she focused on the harsh breathing she could feel and hear in her ear. What was it about hearing your man so close that was unbelievably hot?

Grabbing his hair and running her nails down his back (something she knew he loved despite never admitting it) she arched her back hoping to just feel more of him. His thrusting was hard and erratic, her head hitting the side of the couch each time he did but she couldn't bring herself to care. They were both chasing their high that they could feel building inside of them. Severus' hand clamped around her throat moments before his orgasm hit, tightening momentarily before releasing. His body stilled as he tried to catch his breath.

"I fucking hate that man." He panted making Ember laugh. Smiling he pressed his lips against hers before using his hand to finish her off manually. One day Severus knew Barty was going to test his patience one too many times and he wasn't going to be held responsible for his actions. Barty had it coming.