Greetings and Salutations! Welcome back. This is the shortest chapter. However, it's just as good. I hope you enjoy!
***
CH-7 explanations
Delia was in a warm place, sleeping on her stomach. Her left cheek was softly warm. Her left hand was enlaced with an extra warm hand larger then hers. Her right arm was encircling something, cuddling it lovingly. Her legs were tangled up with two other legs. This something was breathing deeply and smelled masculine. Delia stirred and then it hit harder then Kansas hail during a thunderstorm hits the roof of a car.
I FELL ASLEEP WITH SEVERUS!
Delia bolted up into a sitting position. This caused Severus to go "Hhmm" and wake up. He didn't expect to see Delia. He sat up and then fell back on the pillows going, "My damn head." Delia meanwhile was scrambling to grab all of the duvet she could to cover herself. "What are..." Severus muttered. "Are YOU doing here? Don't get me wrong it's a pleasant surprise that I could very well get used to...but how did you end up here?"
"I don't know." Even though her attempts to cover herself up were working part of her light blue bra strap was showing.
"Me neither. God my head hurts."
"So's mine."
"Then lay down," he replied as if she asked a question. She shook her head fiercely. "Delia, I'm not going to hurt you. What's five more minutes going to do compared to...however many hours we..." his voice trailed off and he held open his arms. Delia laid down in them. He pulled the duvet over her shoulders and embraced her and asked in his silky voice gently. "You're frightened aren't you?"
"Yes", she squeaked meekly.
"Let me say this" he said firmly. "If anything and I mean anything happened between us last night. I'll take responsibility for my actions."
"Did-did w-w-we...do anything?" She started crying. Severus pulled her closer and wiped away tears.
"I hope not. I can't remember," he gasped, Delia sobbed harder. "I mean...Delia...you're...God, I don't want to mess up your life! But if something did happen I'll responsibility for what I did."
"Stop making it sound like its all your fault," she sobbed, "I wasn't a help either!"
"Well, let's not place blame. Let's try to remember what happened."
"Wine and lots of it. Two bottles. RED WINE."
"That was the problem. I remember getting a second bottle then we talked. Then once the bottle was finished you said, drunk, `I'm going to bed, goodnight.' And laid down here."
"Ok, Ok." Delia stopped crying, "I recalled you came over to me and said something like `Are you sleeping here? Where am I sleeping?' Then I bet I said something like `Wherever you want, I guess.' So that would explain why we woke up together. Now what in the world are my clothes and your clothes doing scattered all over the room?"
"I believe I can answer that. You had leather trousers. I asked `How are going to sleep in those?' So you said something to the extent of `I'm not' and yanked off your trousers and threw them. Same went with the your shirt. Then I think I recall I said, `I can't sleep in my clothes either.' So I took them off and I remember you kept calling me `Black Boxer Boy', until you passed out."
"Black Boxer Boy," she howled with laughter. "I do remember that!"
"That is resolved so far. But now back to the matter..."
"That," she spat it out as if it were sour milk.
"Delia there are... potions. If you would like one I'll get up and make one. I have never argued with a women's right. Or we can wait awhile and see if anything did happen. When was your last...not that it's any of my business..." his voice trailed off.
"Two weeks ago," she answered casually.
"We won't know for two weeks then." He sighed heavily. "Delia, I can't apologize enough and I'll take responsibility."
"I know. I know. But I don't think anything happened. I'm still in my knickers."
"We will just wait and see. Now let me up so I can make some tea, obtain breakfast and a potion for this hangover!" Delia let him out of bed and closed her eyes.
"Why are your eyes closed?" he asked annoyed. "The least of my worries is you seeing me in my skivvies. I'll get my dressing gown and find something for you to use."
"I'm not opening my eyes until you do get your dressing gown," she firmly said.
"I'm glad to see your parents taught you some values."
"Dad always said he would come after anyone and chop off their head if he wasn't my husband. So you better watch out!"
"Don't worry I will" he said opening the top drawer of his dresser and taking out a grey nightshirt. He then realized he couldn't get to the bathroom to get his bathrobe. He went over to the bedside. "Here, use this." She opened her eyes and took the nightshirt. He reached on to the nightstand and grabbed a wand and said, "Accio bathrobe!" He thought the wand felt a bit different in his hand. Then a black silk dressing gown came flying into the room, over Delia to Severus.
"You used my wand, Severus," Delia spoke.
"Sorry!" he handed her the wand and picked his up off the nightstand. "I didn't realize! That is a great wand!"
"Thanks. Can you believe it took me forever to use it too? I didn't like the wand idea. It was too difficult when I could use my finger easier. I remember in Charms Professor Flitwick hand to tape my wand to my hand."
Severus laughed and put on his bathrobe. "I have never used my fingers for spells. I was given my first wand when I was four. But it's being from a wizard family, that's not unusual. I give anyone credit who can use their finger, that takes talent."
"Not really. I mean I had some power and I had to do something with it. Mine was unlearned. Yours was taught to you and you knew. You were probably told as a kid that you were a wizard. Whereas, when I was a kid and funny things happened, I was told I was a weirdo.
"Valid point. You are probably a stronger witch then I'll ever be in a wizard."
"Eh, I dunno," she said in her Kansas drawl. "I'm not that good."
"Oh come of it! I know you are better at Transfiguration then I am! That's my bad subject! I bet if we dueled you would kick my ass!"
"You're right." She pointed her wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Severus wand came out of his hand.
"DELIA PENEOPLE WHEELRITE!" he boomed.
"What?" Sshe giggled. "What?"
He shook his head and retrieved his wand. Delia got out of bed. Severus couldn't believe how fabulous she looked with her tangled hair and not as many clothes. She slipped the nightshirt over herself and stretched. Severus went over to her and gave her a hug. "How is your head?"
"Hurts a bit."
"Go take a warm bath. I'll get breakfast."
"Sounds like a good idea to me!" she said in a peppy voice. "Best idea I've heard so far today."
"I'll move some of the furniture so you can at least get through. Oh, you'll need a clean shirt too. When I leave, go to in the second drawer in the dresser."
She nodded and thought I'm getting a collection of his clothes. He went over and moved the couch a foot so at least she could squeeze past. He then walked over to the coat rack and pulled on a cloak. Delia turned around and noticed he was gone. She hadn't heard the door open, but then again her head was thumping. She went over and picked up her leather pants off the floor and shirt. She noticed her pink shirt had a small wine stain on it. Then all of a sudden Delia felt a pinch on her backside. She let out a yelp and wheeled around. Then she heard a deep throaty laugh.
"Very very very witty! SEVERUS I'M GONNA GET YOU!"
He removed the Invisibility Cloak, still laughing. "You my dear," he said frankly, "had that one coming!" He then put back on the cloak and left. This time Delia heard the door shut and could hear him chuckling all the way down the hall.
Delia went into the bathroom and drew water. She found some bubble bath that smelled like lavender. Once the tub was filled Delia waved her finger to warm up the water and sank in. The warm water was making her head feel a little better. She washed her hair using whatever shampoo and conditioner Severus had handy. It didn't have a label or anything on it. She didn't stay in the bath long. She drained the tub and got out. She dried herself and got dressed in her leather pants and a black shirt of Severus's. The sleeves were too long, so she rolled them up. She emerged from the bathroom with her hair wrapped in a towel. Severus was propped up on the bed reading the Sunday edition of the Dailey Prophet. Delia sat on the edge of the bed taking the towel off her head. She placed the towel on the floor and swung her head down. She reached for her wand and began to dry her hair.
"Breakfast will be here in 20 minutes," he said. "I don't know how you like your eggs so I said scrambled would be fine."
She flipped her hair up completely dry now and replied, "Fine by me. I'll eat eggs anyway. I didn't know what to do with your nightshirt so I left it on the chair in the bathroom."
"That's fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my morning bath now. You can read the Daily Prophet. I won't be too long." Delia moved off the edge of the bed so Severus could get up. "I just realized something."
"What?"
"I can't get to my wardrobe," he said in an annoyed tone.
"If you move the couch a bit I can squeeze in and hand you your clothes." He got of the bed and moved the couch. Delia climbed over the top and opened one of the doors enough to stick her arm in. "What do you want?"
"Just hand me any robe, shirt and trousers you can find."
Delia felt around. She came across a robe and handed it to Severus. Then she found a shirt and slacks and handed them over. Severus walked over to his dresser and took out a few things. Then he disappeared to the bathroom.
He returned ten minutes later fully dressed. Delia was sitting at the table; they had brought in the night before, reading the paper. She glanced up as she heard the familiar sound of swoosh Severus's robes made. He sat down next to Delia. Delia put down the paper.
"Delia I have a question," he asked.
"Sure, what?"
"Where are your hair clips?"
"In the box on the nightstand. I freaked out when I couldn't find them. I guess one of us was sensible enough to put them there."
"Good. As soon as we get some breakfast I have potion that cures hangovers. You have to take it on a full stomach. Then you'll have to return to your Dormitory."
"What do I say to all of them?" she said fast. It seemed as if she were sliding the words together in a fashion only Mid Westerner speakers could do. "They'll be asking where was I? What are you going to tell Dumbledore?"
"Go by this: Don't ask, don't tell. I'll handle Dumbledore. If all else fails say you were working on a potion, it exploded and knocked you out cold and was in the Hospital Wing all night, lame but believable."
She sighed. Somehow she knew Josh and Nicola were not going to buy it.
***
CH-7 explanations
Delia was in a warm place, sleeping on her stomach. Her left cheek was softly warm. Her left hand was enlaced with an extra warm hand larger then hers. Her right arm was encircling something, cuddling it lovingly. Her legs were tangled up with two other legs. This something was breathing deeply and smelled masculine. Delia stirred and then it hit harder then Kansas hail during a thunderstorm hits the roof of a car.
I FELL ASLEEP WITH SEVERUS!
Delia bolted up into a sitting position. This caused Severus to go "Hhmm" and wake up. He didn't expect to see Delia. He sat up and then fell back on the pillows going, "My damn head." Delia meanwhile was scrambling to grab all of the duvet she could to cover herself. "What are..." Severus muttered. "Are YOU doing here? Don't get me wrong it's a pleasant surprise that I could very well get used to...but how did you end up here?"
"I don't know." Even though her attempts to cover herself up were working part of her light blue bra strap was showing.
"Me neither. God my head hurts."
"So's mine."
"Then lay down," he replied as if she asked a question. She shook her head fiercely. "Delia, I'm not going to hurt you. What's five more minutes going to do compared to...however many hours we..." his voice trailed off and he held open his arms. Delia laid down in them. He pulled the duvet over her shoulders and embraced her and asked in his silky voice gently. "You're frightened aren't you?"
"Yes", she squeaked meekly.
"Let me say this" he said firmly. "If anything and I mean anything happened between us last night. I'll take responsibility for my actions."
"Did-did w-w-we...do anything?" She started crying. Severus pulled her closer and wiped away tears.
"I hope not. I can't remember," he gasped, Delia sobbed harder. "I mean...Delia...you're...God, I don't want to mess up your life! But if something did happen I'll responsibility for what I did."
"Stop making it sound like its all your fault," she sobbed, "I wasn't a help either!"
"Well, let's not place blame. Let's try to remember what happened."
"Wine and lots of it. Two bottles. RED WINE."
"That was the problem. I remember getting a second bottle then we talked. Then once the bottle was finished you said, drunk, `I'm going to bed, goodnight.' And laid down here."
"Ok, Ok." Delia stopped crying, "I recalled you came over to me and said something like `Are you sleeping here? Where am I sleeping?' Then I bet I said something like `Wherever you want, I guess.' So that would explain why we woke up together. Now what in the world are my clothes and your clothes doing scattered all over the room?"
"I believe I can answer that. You had leather trousers. I asked `How are going to sleep in those?' So you said something to the extent of `I'm not' and yanked off your trousers and threw them. Same went with the your shirt. Then I think I recall I said, `I can't sleep in my clothes either.' So I took them off and I remember you kept calling me `Black Boxer Boy', until you passed out."
"Black Boxer Boy," she howled with laughter. "I do remember that!"
"That is resolved so far. But now back to the matter..."
"That," she spat it out as if it were sour milk.
"Delia there are... potions. If you would like one I'll get up and make one. I have never argued with a women's right. Or we can wait awhile and see if anything did happen. When was your last...not that it's any of my business..." his voice trailed off.
"Two weeks ago," she answered casually.
"We won't know for two weeks then." He sighed heavily. "Delia, I can't apologize enough and I'll take responsibility."
"I know. I know. But I don't think anything happened. I'm still in my knickers."
"We will just wait and see. Now let me up so I can make some tea, obtain breakfast and a potion for this hangover!" Delia let him out of bed and closed her eyes.
"Why are your eyes closed?" he asked annoyed. "The least of my worries is you seeing me in my skivvies. I'll get my dressing gown and find something for you to use."
"I'm not opening my eyes until you do get your dressing gown," she firmly said.
"I'm glad to see your parents taught you some values."
"Dad always said he would come after anyone and chop off their head if he wasn't my husband. So you better watch out!"
"Don't worry I will" he said opening the top drawer of his dresser and taking out a grey nightshirt. He then realized he couldn't get to the bathroom to get his bathrobe. He went over to the bedside. "Here, use this." She opened her eyes and took the nightshirt. He reached on to the nightstand and grabbed a wand and said, "Accio bathrobe!" He thought the wand felt a bit different in his hand. Then a black silk dressing gown came flying into the room, over Delia to Severus.
"You used my wand, Severus," Delia spoke.
"Sorry!" he handed her the wand and picked his up off the nightstand. "I didn't realize! That is a great wand!"
"Thanks. Can you believe it took me forever to use it too? I didn't like the wand idea. It was too difficult when I could use my finger easier. I remember in Charms Professor Flitwick hand to tape my wand to my hand."
Severus laughed and put on his bathrobe. "I have never used my fingers for spells. I was given my first wand when I was four. But it's being from a wizard family, that's not unusual. I give anyone credit who can use their finger, that takes talent."
"Not really. I mean I had some power and I had to do something with it. Mine was unlearned. Yours was taught to you and you knew. You were probably told as a kid that you were a wizard. Whereas, when I was a kid and funny things happened, I was told I was a weirdo.
"Valid point. You are probably a stronger witch then I'll ever be in a wizard."
"Eh, I dunno," she said in her Kansas drawl. "I'm not that good."
"Oh come of it! I know you are better at Transfiguration then I am! That's my bad subject! I bet if we dueled you would kick my ass!"
"You're right." She pointed her wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Severus wand came out of his hand.
"DELIA PENEOPLE WHEELRITE!" he boomed.
"What?" Sshe giggled. "What?"
He shook his head and retrieved his wand. Delia got out of bed. Severus couldn't believe how fabulous she looked with her tangled hair and not as many clothes. She slipped the nightshirt over herself and stretched. Severus went over to her and gave her a hug. "How is your head?"
"Hurts a bit."
"Go take a warm bath. I'll get breakfast."
"Sounds like a good idea to me!" she said in a peppy voice. "Best idea I've heard so far today."
"I'll move some of the furniture so you can at least get through. Oh, you'll need a clean shirt too. When I leave, go to in the second drawer in the dresser."
She nodded and thought I'm getting a collection of his clothes. He went over and moved the couch a foot so at least she could squeeze past. He then walked over to the coat rack and pulled on a cloak. Delia turned around and noticed he was gone. She hadn't heard the door open, but then again her head was thumping. She went over and picked up her leather pants off the floor and shirt. She noticed her pink shirt had a small wine stain on it. Then all of a sudden Delia felt a pinch on her backside. She let out a yelp and wheeled around. Then she heard a deep throaty laugh.
"Very very very witty! SEVERUS I'M GONNA GET YOU!"
He removed the Invisibility Cloak, still laughing. "You my dear," he said frankly, "had that one coming!" He then put back on the cloak and left. This time Delia heard the door shut and could hear him chuckling all the way down the hall.
Delia went into the bathroom and drew water. She found some bubble bath that smelled like lavender. Once the tub was filled Delia waved her finger to warm up the water and sank in. The warm water was making her head feel a little better. She washed her hair using whatever shampoo and conditioner Severus had handy. It didn't have a label or anything on it. She didn't stay in the bath long. She drained the tub and got out. She dried herself and got dressed in her leather pants and a black shirt of Severus's. The sleeves were too long, so she rolled them up. She emerged from the bathroom with her hair wrapped in a towel. Severus was propped up on the bed reading the Sunday edition of the Dailey Prophet. Delia sat on the edge of the bed taking the towel off her head. She placed the towel on the floor and swung her head down. She reached for her wand and began to dry her hair.
"Breakfast will be here in 20 minutes," he said. "I don't know how you like your eggs so I said scrambled would be fine."
She flipped her hair up completely dry now and replied, "Fine by me. I'll eat eggs anyway. I didn't know what to do with your nightshirt so I left it on the chair in the bathroom."
"That's fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my morning bath now. You can read the Daily Prophet. I won't be too long." Delia moved off the edge of the bed so Severus could get up. "I just realized something."
"What?"
"I can't get to my wardrobe," he said in an annoyed tone.
"If you move the couch a bit I can squeeze in and hand you your clothes." He got of the bed and moved the couch. Delia climbed over the top and opened one of the doors enough to stick her arm in. "What do you want?"
"Just hand me any robe, shirt and trousers you can find."
Delia felt around. She came across a robe and handed it to Severus. Then she found a shirt and slacks and handed them over. Severus walked over to his dresser and took out a few things. Then he disappeared to the bathroom.
He returned ten minutes later fully dressed. Delia was sitting at the table; they had brought in the night before, reading the paper. She glanced up as she heard the familiar sound of swoosh Severus's robes made. He sat down next to Delia. Delia put down the paper.
"Delia I have a question," he asked.
"Sure, what?"
"Where are your hair clips?"
"In the box on the nightstand. I freaked out when I couldn't find them. I guess one of us was sensible enough to put them there."
"Good. As soon as we get some breakfast I have potion that cures hangovers. You have to take it on a full stomach. Then you'll have to return to your Dormitory."
"What do I say to all of them?" she said fast. It seemed as if she were sliding the words together in a fashion only Mid Westerner speakers could do. "They'll be asking where was I? What are you going to tell Dumbledore?"
"Go by this: Don't ask, don't tell. I'll handle Dumbledore. If all else fails say you were working on a potion, it exploded and knocked you out cold and was in the Hospital Wing all night, lame but believable."
She sighed. Somehow she knew Josh and Nicola were not going to buy it.