Chapter 27
Ministry of Magic, UK - July 4
Kate Bennet was impatient. She didn't like people who didn't get over the things they cared about right away. Unfortunately, this time she came across someone who was almost synonymous with being around the bush. Tom Marvolo Riddle has become a master at speaking about anything but what he asked for in his application. It seemed that this wasn't his normal behavior. Next to him, Lord Abraxas Malfoy was more and more surprised by the actions of his friend.
- What are you getting at? As far as I know, you are here for a specific purpose. Not for coffee chats, which we don't even have right now.
She could feel her voice dripping with venom. She couldn't afford to explode in his presence. Her magic core was still twitching after what happened yesterday. She wasn't going to kill this woman. After meeting Regan's biological father, she was convinced that he was the originator of what happened to his children. She couldn't believe the sick plan to get rid of the twins was born in the mind of a woman who carried the two under her heart.
Mr. Riddle looked at her. It didn't take much intelligence to understand what that wizard was trying to do. She snorted. - If you're trying to use legilimency on me, you should work a bit. Your current skill level is ridiculously low. My cat is doing better now.
She saw the dark-haired man's clenched jaw tremble. She didn't even notice the other wizard. She pulled out her fountain pen, bought in a Muggle part of London, and signed all the required papers with a sweeping movement.
- Now please leave. I don't have any more time for you guys. - Kate sat down on her desk. She began to ostentatiously go through the next applicant's documents. She only raised her head when she heard the sound of the door closing.
xxx
Tom left Mrs. Bennet's office on shaky legs. He didn't know why he reacted so much to her. She was difficult, strict and dry. Standing in the corridor next to the silent Abraxas, he saw Augustus Prince approaching. The wizard didn't even stop in front of the reception desk. With a smile on his face, he entered the office. Riddle turned, hoping to see the nervousness in the clerk's eyes once more. To his great surprise, he saw her nestle into the arms of a man who might have been his father. Who could be HER father.
He felt jealous. He didn't like it. - You know her? - he whispered to Brax.
- I know by sight. I never had a chance to talk to her. I must admit that she is a fiery woman. It's been a long time since I have seen anyone stand up to you like this. I wonder how talented she is. She fended off your attack on her mind. This is already impressive. - The blonde sighed and adjusted his outer garments.
Tom sometimes wanted to ask him why he wouldn't stopped buying clothes from slippery fabrics, but he didn't want to risk opening a pandora's box in the form of Malfoy talking about fashion.
- I think she's dark. I wanted to see if Nott spoke about her in the context of the orphanage in which I grew up. I realized that there was more than enough dark magic in her office to make me interested in it.
Abraxas chuckled. - Just say you liked her.
- What have I got with you? - Riddle growled and walked briskly toward the exit of the Ministry.
xxx
Kate Bennet surprised herself when she saw Augustus Prince. She hugged him. They haven't been on any official date yet. However, the three of them have already spent time together several times. To avoid unnecessary press attention, each time they chose the Muggle part of London. The older wizard told her how he had destroyed contact with his only daughter. He told her about his doubts about Muggles. She told him a stripped-down version of how she became Regan's mother. She felt good in the company of this man. She doesn't cared about his age. She only worried about it in view of how others would react to their growing relationship.
- What did I do to deserve this? - He smiled as she raised her head, being still in his arms, to look at his eyes.
- The last petitioners upset me. They had the nerve to try to use legilimency on an official of the Ministry of Magic. - she growled, still nervous.
Augustus ran his fingers through the hair on the side of her face and then placed his hand against her cheek. She closed her eyes enjoying the moment. She hoped he would kiss her, but when his lips landed on her forehead, she didn't feel disappointed. She clung to his body even more and allowed herself to listen to the sound of his accelerating heartbeat.
xxx
Hogwarts Hospital Wing - July 4
James knew what would happen next. This dream had been repeating itself over and over again since he entered adolescence. At the same time, the Marauder's pranks on Severus Snape intensified.
He couldn't open his eyes. He felt the soft kisses from his lips towards his…. Kisses go past his chest, ribs, belly… Sometimes he felt tongue plunging into his navel. Then long fingers slid behind the elastic of his boxers and slowly pulled them off. He was surprised how realistic it felt as his dream lover's tongue ran the length of his penis. He was ashamed of how much pleasure he felt every time he touched the stranger's lips.
He was convinced that the person in the dreams was Lily. After all, with each kiss, he felt the touch of fine, soft hair. He was surprised to be able to open his eyes this time while he was asleep. Shocked, he watched as it was Severus' lips, not Lily's, marking the way from his mouth to the bottom of his body with kisses. He watched as his eerily dark, almost black eyes adored his face. He watched as he finally came back to kiss his lips. He felt their fingers clasped together above his head.
And he heard him whisper in Severus' ear in a dream - I love you.
Severus burying his face in his neck, still moving rhythmically with James' legs wrapped around his waist, replied - I love you too.
xxx
Lily sat with Remus, Peter and Sirius at a table in the library. Ever since James was in the Hospital Wing, the red-haired witch felt as if she had regained at least part of her former life. She smiled as they talked about the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. Peter was a little absent because Sirius pulled him out of bed instead of letting him sleep. Finally, she was calm.
Unfortunately, this peace was disturbed by the arrival of Pandora Black.
- What are you doing here, dear cousin? - Sirius had sarcasm in his voice.
- I take Peter with me. - The blonde, seeing the least attractive boy in the group, smiled as widely as she could. She looked as if her face was lit with Christmas lights.
Peter Pettigrew immediately gathered his things and as if five minutes ago he hadn't dreamed of going to bed, he ran after the ethereal blonde.
- You know what just happened? - Lily Evan asked looking mainly at Remus. She didn't even think that what was in Sirius' eyes was not surprise but jealousy.
xxx
Peter followed Pandora without hesitation. He knew she was keeping an eye on James. Were it not for her blissful smile on her face, he might have thought that something had happened to one of his few friends. He was aware that he should share this news with the guys anyway, but he wanted to talk to James himself first. He saw that something was bothering him for a long time, but he had the impression that he was unable to tell anyone about it. Peter felt at times that he wasn't enough for James, Sirius and Remus. It was only because of Pandora reaching out to him that he didn't fall into darkness. Now he wanted to extend that hand to James.
xxx
Durmstrang - July 4
Severus Snape wondered if he was still alive. The last thing he remembered was losing consciousness in place what looked like a coronation hall. His head hurt badly. He was thirsty. These were the first things that began to penetrate his consciousness. Interestingly, he didn't feel any pain in the abdominal area. He tried to slowly open his eyelids. His vision was hindered by the intense light, but he still noticed a flash of blonde hair. Characteristic shade of hair.
One sentence slipped out of his mouth. - I am dead.
- Why in the name of Salazar, do you think so? It was close, but your teacher, in consultation with the healers, fixed all the damage. - Lucius's voice was calm. He was instructed not to stress the patient. - I should be the one to get scared. I barely got you back.
It was obvious that Lucius Malfoy surprised himself when he hugged him without thinking. When a moan of pain escaped from his mouth, the blond looked confused.
- Good to see you, Luc. I missed that you.
The blonde sighed and said with a shy smile on his face. - I missed you too. I have something for you. A few letters. From Narcissa, Regulus and a few boys ...
- You're not telling me something. - Severus said with a clenched jaw. He didn't like secrets. At least the ones that concerned him. - Is Helen safe?
Malfoy dropped into a chair. - Helen is fine now. I'll take you to her in a moment. I also have a letter from Potter. I don't know if you will want to read it but I think you should give it a chance. He's really been trying to change lately. It was HE who asked for you several times. He asked how you feel… He asked about your safety.
Severus looked at his friend. - I'll read it. After all, I don't have to write back. And I was thinking about reaching out to him. We don't have to be lovers. We don't have to be friends. However, we don't have to be enemies either.
xxx
How did you like this chapter? Would you change something? Regards Katie-Krum