A/N: Random as fuck update. Let the power of randomness commence. It's going to be a bumpy ride. Enjoy!
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Avonlea worried her bottom lip as she stood before a fireplace in a cold room, long after everyone else had gone to bed. She now knew why Snape was so nervous that morning. Why he wasn't sleeping at that moment. She had been given a gift that had ancient meanings that she'd only read about in past classes at Hogwarts. She never dreamed of owning such a thing.
The girl's eyes lowered to her palm where a simple ring sat, but it was unlike any she had seen in any shops her mother visited. This one contained a bloodstone – old and ancient, glittering with the deep richness of blood. True, she had seen what Muggles called bloodstones, but this was far different. Far more rare and they were coveted by the many Pureblood families that had the privilege of owning at least one.
How did he get this? Avonlea asked, rubbing her thumb over the warm stone. One this size…it should be impossible for a Halfblood to have such a thing without having stolen it or purchased it with a great deal of money. And why on Earth give it to me? I don't deserve such a treasure. I hardly know what to do with diamonds and emeralds…but a bloodstone?
"Lost in thought?" Madam's voice said behind her, causing Avonlea to jump. "I figured you would be after receiving such a gift from your mate…"
"Madam," Avonlea gasped, turning to face the woman and hiding her hand behind her back. "What – what are you doing up?"
"I should be asking you the same thing," Madam commented, lighting her pipe with her wand. "You never were one to be out of bed at such late hours. Yet, here you are." She looked at her in the near dark. "You've changed quite a bit, Avonlea dear."
"So some people say," Avonlea mumbled, looking down at her feet.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing, mind you," Madam continued, taking a seat on the arm of an overstuffed chair. "In fact, I'd say it's about time you've made these changes." She took a puff on her pipe. "Standing up to your mother. Fighting back when your friends tease you. Holding your head high when you walk – I'm pleased to see such confidence in you."
"I don't feel very confident, Madam. I feel like a small insignificant thing, trying to make it in the adult world."
"Well, you're not. And do you know how I know you're not?"
Avonlea shook her head and glanced at the madam of the house.
"Because someone deemed you worthy of that little stone in your hand behind your back." Madam pointed her pipe at the Veela Halfling. "Not just anyone gets one of those and believe me, I've tried to seduce my way into earning several of them." She sniffed. "But of course, you don't want to hear of my sexual exploits. What happens behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors until someone needs to be blackmailed."
"Madam," Avonlea began, pulling her hand out from behind her back and looking down at the ring in her hand. "I – I know who this gift came from. I'm just confused as to why he would give me this. It's too great a treasure."
"You're thinking too hard about the wrong things, my dear. I think you're more afraid of the meanings behind the stone than how he obtained it or why he gave it to you now."
Madam rolled her eyes and climbed to her feet. "Ask him, you silly girl. Go to him. The halls are clear tonight. And will remain clear as long as you need. Everyone got a bit of a Sleeping Draft in their evening drink."
"Is that why you didn't drink anything?"
Madam tapped the side of her nose and turned, heading for the door. "A madam has to have her own secrets, Avonlea. Remember that. And do give Severus my best regards."
Avonlea paled as Madam swept out of the room, leaving it colder than it had been before she'd entered. Oh great, another one.
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Snape could not sleep. He cursed himself for thinking that it was going to be all right to give a bloodstone of such size to Avonlea. It was too soon for that kind of thing. Knowing the girl, she probably knew about the rarity and the personal meanings behind such a gift. He didn't intend to scare the poor girl away with such a thing. So, instead he paced his room in a swirl of cloaks and wished that he had a Time Turner to go back and undo what he had done.
I have never given into such trivialities as this, Snape thought, glowering at random objects in his room. I have never given gifts before. There has been no need, no cause. Yet, the first time I do, I have perhaps made a very large error in doing so. And there is no possible way to take it back without hurting the girl's feelings.
He rolled his eyes. Merlin, I have gone soft so quickly.
The dark Professor could feel someone approaching his room. He paused, waiting. They did not pass his room. They had stopped and Snape knew it was Avonlea. He went to the door and opened it to look down at her.
She was shivering in the halls, dressed in her robe and thin slippers. Dark circles were beginning to appear under her eyes from exhaustion, but he was still taken away by how beautiful she was. Her blue eyes looked up into his and he felt like she could see right through him.
Without saying a word, he moved to the side and allowed her entrance. He carefully shut the door behind her and locked it with a quickly uttered spell. She seemed not to notice.
"Avonlea, what are you doing here?" Snape asked, watching her move about the room. "Shouldn't you be sleeping in that very crowded room of yours?"
The girl made a face as if she hated to be reminded of the fact that so many people shared her room. She smoothed her fingers over a table in passing and Snape noticed she had put the bloodstone ring on her hand. Something of happiness touched his heart and then was gone.
She can't know the meanings behind the bloodstone, Snape told himself. They can't possibly teach such things in the classes she attends. The message she knows is one of a simple gift. A trinket upon her finger and nothing more.
"Snape," Avonlea sighed, turning to face him. "Why did you give me a bloodstone? They're rare and important items."
Snape hoped his face betrayed nothing. "Perhaps I wanted to bestow a rare and important item on the person who is rare and has become quite important to me. It is, in fact, Christmas for the next ten minutes."
Avonlea shook her head and showed him the ring on her hand, pointing at it for emphasis. "Neither of us is supposed to have one of these. And yet, you gave me one. And – and –" She took a small breath. "Did you not think I hadn't heard of the main meaning behind such a stone?"
Snape stared at her.
"You didn't?" Avonlea's voice shook as did her hand. "After knowing since I came to Hogwarts that I'm an avid reader and notetaker, you still haven't grasped the concept that I learn things and I learn them as quickly as I can?" She let out a little laugh and put a hand to her breast. "You've heard me say for years that I am enamored with crystals. How could I not go about learning about the meanings and properties of all known crystals in the world and not see stories about this one in particular?"
"I had hoped," Snape muttered, brow furrowing.
"Severus," Avonlea said, taking a step towards him. "My mother covets these things, but she's never owned one. They're out of her price range. They're rare. They're unique and special. No one wants to give her one because no one can fulfill the meaning behind them for her. She's a whore – a prostitute, living in a house of sin and no one wants to bestow such a meaningful gift on a whore like her.
"And yet, you give the daughter of a whore and a bastard a bloodstone?" She searched his eyes. "What makes me so special? What makes me so important?" She hesitated. "Would you really kill and die for me?"
Snape lifted a hand and brushed back a stubborn strand of hair that fell in her face before caressing her cheek. "I would."
Avonlea closed her hand over his and jumped onto her toes, pressing a kiss to his lips. He kissed her hard and guided her back towards the bed. His fingers made quick work of the ties of her robe and he pushed it off of her in a pool of satin. He eased Avonlea back onto the bed and captured her hands above her head with one hand, pinning them against the bed.
Her breath quickened as he passed a hand over her body, following the curves to the bottom of her nightgown. His hand darted under it and pulled off her panties, tossing them aside without second thought. Then he went to work on his own pants. Avonlea squirmed under him, begging to be touched. Her thoughts were in a cloud of chaos, emotions and thoughts bouncing off of her like a storm.
"Shh," Snape murmured, looking into her eyes.
She challenged him with her eyes. Snape quickly thrust into her and she let out a cry. Gods, it was a sound he could listen to over and over again. He fought to earn it with each thrust that his hips made, claiming her again. The darkness in him wanted to leave marks, reminders for her that she was no longer just her own person. She belonged with him and he with her. But for the sake of the secret that burdened them, he never left what magic couldn't cover.
Avonlea's body arched up into him as she gave into the pleasure. In a bout of strength that surprised Snape, she earned the freedom of her arms and rolled them over so that she was riding him. Her eyes were like blue sapphires burning in the near dark and her fangs were out.
A pink tear slid down her face as she seemed to realize what she looked like in such a position. Snape reached up and brushed it away with the pad of his thumb, feeling her lean into his hand. Her eyes looked down into his.
"I would kill for you," Snape promised as her body rolled against his. "And I would lay my life down for you. Remember that, Avonlea, no matter what form you're in."
Avonlea broke into a small smile and bent down to kiss him…
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A/N: And that's where I'm leaving it. Time skip next time, maybe? We'll see. Thank you and have a pleasant night. -Scarlet