I would recap, but I'm in a wee bit of trouble…
"Dear sweet Jesus…" I mutter. "I should've known."
How I should've known is beyond me, it just seems like that appropriate thing to say. Severus is looking utterly bewildered as Minerva storms over to us.
"I knew you were lying to me," she seethes, her face an inch from mine. "I saw right through you. Engaged indeed? Professor Dumbledore shall be quite interested to hear about this, won't he?"
"Minerva," Severus begins. "Don't do this, Minerva…"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"If he can't tell you what to do, then what gives you the right to tell him what to do?" I say, somewhat surprised at myself. "He's breaking no laws, or rules at the school. Tell me, is there such a rule that says teachers cannot have relations?"
"Uh…n-no…" she stammers in reply. "T-that's beside the point! You lied to Professor Dumbledore!"
"Indeed I did, and that was wrong, I admit," I sigh. "So, go on, scoot back at tell Dumbledore what's going on."
"I think I will!" She puffs out her chest and turns towards the door. "Well, come on then."
"Oh no," Severus says. "We're staying here. We haven't finished yet."
I grin at the look on her face.
"Well, all right then. Fine!" She strides out. Madam Rosmerta comes bustling out of the back.
"What's going on in here, may I ask?"
"Oh, nothing," Severus replies. "The breakfast was magnifique, Rosmerta." He tosses her some money. "We'll be off then, and thank you once again." He takes my hand and leads me out the door, leaving Rosmerta wearing a rather surprised look.
"Well," Severus says once we're outside. "Now that Minerva knows, I guess there's no point covering it up now." He pulls me close and kisses me more passionately than ever before.
"My, my, my," I mutter once he pulls away. "Drew quite a crowd, that one did." A smattering of people seem to be staring at us now. Severus grins.
"This isn't a spectator sport, people, move along." The crowd disperses. "Now, off to find you some pajamas."
Around the corner is a small shop called Ad Libitum, and as we approach, I see a rather interesting assortment of bustiers and other revealing items.
"Um, what are we doing here?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
"Getting you something to wear to bed." He opens the door for me.
"I don't think…" I start, looking at the racks around me.
"Relax," he says. "Have some fun."
Once I get over my shock that Severus actually brought me into such a place, I realize that it isn't all kinky fetish items in the shop.
"Are you hoping that I'm going to be buying something like this?" I ask, producing a leather-studded corset.
"Not at all," he replies. "I'll be paying."
I gape at him. "I am not wearing that!"
"You don't have to. How about this?" He shows me a short, silky black nightdress.
"That's nice," I comment, running my hand down it.
"You like it?"
"Yeah, it's really nice. How much?"
"None of your business." He whisks away up to the counter and buys it before I can say no.
"You really shouldn't have bought that," I tell him once we leave. "I have got my own money."
"Yes, but you're not the only one who's going to get pleasure out of it. Now," he takes my hand once more, "off to Honeydukes!"
At the back of the glorious candy store, is a small section of sweets not appropriate for Potter's and such.
"We won't spend too long in here," Severus tells me. "I've just got to get one thing."
"And what would that be?"
"Chocolate body paint!" He grabs a large jar of it and runs off to pay, leaving me staring at the large barrel of Cockroach Clusters. I figure I probably won't get to come down here again for a while, so I whip around and grab some things for myself. Pepper Imps, Fizzing Whizzbees, Tooth-flossing Stringmints and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.
A couple hours later, we've visited every interesting place in Hogsmead. Details I won't bother you with, because it involved lots of snogging that gets rather monotonous to describe after a while. We set off back to Hogwarts with numerous bags and goofy grins, having completely forgotten the incident with Minerva until we reach the Entrance Hall and she comes stalking over to us.
"Back at last, I see." She comments. "Come with me, you two. Professor Dumbledore wants to see you."
Severus gives me a worried look as we follow her to a gargoyle, to which she mutters something and it springs aside to reveal a moving staircase. Minerva leads us into a room, tells us to sit down and leaves us alone.
"Maybe I should just go home now," I say. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."
"Nonsense, you're staying here. Dumbledore will understand…"
Upon these words, Dumbledore enters the room and sits down behind his desk.
"Professor, I…" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"Mercury, my dear child, listen to me." I shut my mouth. "I know that you two have feelings for each other, it was quite apparent at out last meeting. I have no issue with it. Minerva, however, does. So, if you two would both humor her, and play along with me when she returns, I shall be sure no word of this reaches the Ministry."
"You mean, I'm not going to be fired?" Severus asks in disbelief.
"Of course not," He waves a dismissive hand. "There is no rule saying that a professor at my school is not allowed to have relations. Minerva has the opinion that you two are doing something horribly wrong, so to please her, I would ask that you two play along. Ah, and here she is now!"
Minerva marches into the office and takes a seat opposite from Severus and I. She glares at us, then turns her attention to Dumbledore, who has dropped his amused expression and now looks deadly serious.
"Minerva, if you will, tell me what you saw in Hogsmead."
"They were kissing! Plain as day, kissing each other!" She looks insane. "I left to come tell you, and after that I would imagine they've done some shopping. No doubt buying things to fuel their fantasies. Her in particular!"
"Excuse me!" I cry. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You come here and tell Severus you've got a crush on him, now you've seduced him and whatnot. I can only imagine what you've got planned for later!"
"How dare you!" I jump to my feet, but Severus pulls me back down.
"Minerva," Dumbledore says in a low voice. "No judgements or assumptions will be made in my office, understood? May I please see your bags, Severus?"
Severus blanches. "Uh, why… why?"
"I'd like to show the dear professor that her assumptions are false. You bags, please."
Reluctantly, he hands over his purchases.
"Ad Libitum?" Dumbledore asks, reading one of the bags. "Interesting choice." He pulls out the short nightdress; Minerva opens her mouth to protest. He produces the leather-studded corset. Minerva stands up.
"Well, if that isn't a blatantly obvious…"
"Minerva, sit down!"
I look at Severus, shocked, and he grins nervously and mumbles, "Sorry."
Next, Dumbledore finds the chocolate body paint. He looks like he's trying to hide his amusement. After finding a few suggestive books and other kinky items I had not idea Severus had purchased, he gets to his feet.
"Well," the corners off his mouth are turning upwards. "I am shocked, shocked, at you Severus. Minerva was right." She looks triumphant. "Minerva, please leave so I can sort out a punishment for these two. Many thanks for your help, and apologies for ever doubting you."
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore, sir." She leaves swiftly, and Dumbledore turns to us.
"Looks like you two are going to have some fun tonight," he comments, gathering the things back into the bags. "Act like you've had adequate punishment around Minerva, please, I don't want her to suspect anything." He hands Severus his things. "Sweet dreams, you two."
To be continued…
BWAA! What a stinky chapter, eh? I really kind of rushed through it. But, oh well, it was kind of funny, ne? Snapey satisfaction. Delish. I saw The Philosopher's Stone the day after it came out. Good movie. Alan Rickman stole the show, without a doubt. He was wonderful, the best actor out of the lot! It should've been longer though. I know 2.5 hours is long, but it flew by! I was thinking though: if the first book is 2.5 hours longs, and it the shortest out of the lot, how long with the Goblet of Fire movie be? Eight hours?! Got a while to go until then though. Going to see the movie again tonight. Yummy.
Someone left me their email address in a review last chapter - crystalnj1@aol.com I tried to email you, but the address was wrong. If you could leave it again, I'll write to you ASAP.
Mother Mercury (who found a lovely pic of Mr Rickman without a shirt on the other day and will post the link as soon as she can find it again)
