The Great Hall was completely silent. Severus could hear nothing but the sound of his blood pumping. Insolent brat! How the bloody fuck did he get past the Age Line? All eyes were on the boy as he was petrified to his seat. Minerva urgently swept past Severus and the rest of the head table to whisper in Dumbledore's ear. The headmaster responded with a curt nod before straightening and calling the boy's name again.

Potter finally rose to his feet, tripping over his own robe as he trotted up to the head table. "Well... through the door, Harry". Severus took a little pleasure in the fact that literally everyone in the room was displeased. Finally, Minnie and the old man weren't proud of him for something. Harry hastily made his way into the room before Dumbledore dismissed everyone back to their dormitories. Most of the professors were asked to leave as well with the exception of Minerva, Severus, the two ministry officials, Moody, and the three headmasters.

Bagman scurried into the room a few moments before Severus and the others entered. The tension in the room made the air heavy. The three original champions were obviously angered that the underaged boy was not only picked by the goblet... but actually being encouraged to participate. Severus was furious. He had vowed to protect the boy... How was he to do that during this bloody tournament? Witches and wizards have actually died in this fucking thing. The adults were now starting to argue.

"C'est impossible! Hogwarts cannot have two champions! It is unjust," complained Madame Maxime.

"We would've brought a wider selection of candidates from our own schools if we would've known your age line wouldn't have held Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place despite his eyes becoming colder than ever.

"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," Snape said softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. "Don't go blaming the headmaster for Potter's determination to break the rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here..."

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes continued to glint malevolently. Dumbledore then turned to Harry, calmly asking "did you put your name into the goblet of fire, Harry?"

"No," said Harry. All the adults continued to watch him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.

Ignoring Snape, Dumbledore asked if Harry had an older student enter his name, to which he received another, adamant "no".

Maxime and Karkaroff started discussing amongst themselves about the Potter boy lying and being quite vocal about expressing their displeasure. Snape continued to curl his lip and shake his head in disbelief of the brat's ability to get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Finally, it was the lioness herself who felt the need to come to the boy's defense. Severus curled his lip as she spoke up.

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," Minerva growled. "I am sure we all agree on that..." the witch was cut off by the French headmistress.

"Dumbledore must have made a mistake!"

"It is possible, of course," Dumbledore politely responded.

"You know perfectly well you did not make a mistake Albus! Really... What nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes the lad has not persuaded an older student to do it for him... I'm sure that should be good enough for the rest of you lot". The Scottish witch provided the cock of an eyebrow that would rival even Severus' as she shot him a very angry glare.

The judges, Crouch and Bagman, were called forward by Karkaroff; one last desperate attempt to get Potter thrown out. Alas, they determined he would have to compete, "rules are rules," they would say. When Karkaroff threatened to never allow his school to compete again, Moody entered the room.

"Empty threat, Karkaroff. You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. It's a binding magical contract. Convenient, eh? Obviously, someone put Potter's name into the goblet knowing he'd have to compete... maybe someone hoping he'd die for it," said moody with a growl.

Snape decidedly started to tune out the drama. He knew the boy would compete. He knew he'd have to do everything in his bloody power to keep the brat safe... yet again. So much for his quiet school year. Potter had no choice. He was the fourth Triwizard champion.

Dumbledore allowed everyone to retire for the evening, offering Karkaroff and Maxime a nightcap, to which they quickly declined, storming out of the room. Dumbledore, Moody, Minerva and Severus would meet in the headmaster's office to continue their discussion. The elderly wizard stood at his pensive, staring down into the memories seemingly lost in thought.

"This can't go on Albus. First the Dark Mark. Now this?" The witch stood a few meters away from the man, placing a hand on her hip, clearly distressed about her favorite cub.

"What do you suggest, Minerva?" Dumbledore replied. He continued to stare at the glowing bowl.

Stammering, the witch demanded, "Put an end to it! Don't let Potter compete".

"You heard Barty, the rules are clear".

"Well, the devil with Barty and his damned rules!" The witch was irate now, beginning to step forward, closer to the headmaster. "And since when have you ever accommodated the ministry?"

Severus stepped forward, coming to stand beside his friend. He fidgeted, rubbing his fingers against each other as he spoke. He hoped it would allow him to appear anxious and reserved; hiding the ire he felt for the situation. "Headmaster, I too, find it difficult to believe this to be mere coincidence," he paused. "However... if we are to truly discover the meaning of these events... perhaps we should... for the time being...let them unfold". Severus saw the exasperated look Minerva shot him through his peripheral vision.

That bloody manipulative bastard! He doesn't care about Potter, what's he on about? Minerva was angry with the wizards. Clearly, they were up to something and purposefully leaving her out.

"What? Do nothing?! Of course! By all means offer him up as bait. Honestly Severus! Your altar boy routine you're attempting now doesn't fool me! And Albus... how dare you? He is a boy, not a piece of meat!" Minerva was shocked at the conversation taking place. She'd have a private word with Severus about this, once she gathered her thoughts.

"I agree... with Severus. Alastor, keep an eye on Harry, will you? Everyone is dismissed".

XOX

Olivia retreated from the Great Hall when she was dismissed with everyone else. She walked back with Pomfrey to the hospital wing. Olivia had noticed that the Mediwitch was walking slower than necessary, obliviously wanting the students to move ahead.

"So... we didn't get to talk too much about you and Severus earlier. Are you getting along?"

Merlin. This witch could not be more transparent.

"I uhm... I guess we get along alright. We've only just met though". Olivia paused trying to decide how to broach the subject. She figured she'd get right to the point. She was never one to beat around the bush. Once they arrived at their destination, she queried, "Poppy... could I ask you a question?" The elder witch nodded, ushering Olivia inside the hospital wing before closing the doors behind her. "Why is everyone so enthralled with the fact that Severus is nice to me?"

Poppy took her time with her answer, walking to her office with Olivia close behind. Poppy offered her a tea service, summoning a house elf to deliver the after-dinner beverage. Clearing her throat, she responded.

"As I told you earlier, Severus had a rough time growing up here. He'd cast an unforgivable if I revealed too many personal things but..." the woman hesitated, having a hard time deciding how much to tell Olivia. "Well, he's never really been that interested in anyone, especially a young witch as beautiful as yourself". Olivia laughed wholeheartedly at this.

"He's hardly interested, Poppy. We went for a walk, he lent me his cloak, and escorted me here. That's it". She crossed her arms defiantly. Poppy smiled, knowingly, and dropped the subject. She wouldn't press too much, yet.

"My apologies, I must have been mistaken. Well, feel free to come and go as you please! Use anything you need and please... feel free to reside here. There's a spare room on the opposite side of the wing from mine. It could prove to be more convenient than residing with the rest of your school, especially if you have patients to care for". The two witches smiled warmly at each other as they finished their tea. Poppy showed her to her new chambers, calling a house elf to relocate her items. Olivia thanked Poppy and took her leave. She'd meet Severus at his office, maybe he'd let her brew over the weekend with her. The wand weighing would be tomorrow, and the first event was quickly approaching. Holding her head high, she strode down to the dungeons, hoping he'd be easy to find.

XOX

Severus strode out of the room, marching ahead of everyone else. He was furious. He decided the best thing to do was return to his room and get drunk. He'd find some way to take out his frustration. He'd need some sort of release for all the pent-up frustration between his annoyance with Potter and the tantalizing witch that wouldn't leave his subconscious. It was the weekend. He could head over to Knockturn and find a whore easily enough... or he could reach out to Lucius like he'd pondered earlier. Regardless, he'd return to his chambers first.

He mindlessly strode through the castle, descending the stairs lost in thought. Turning the corner, he bumped into something, causing him to grunt and grab hold of whatever it was. He heard a feminine gasp as he grabbed hold of her hips, instinctively pulling her close to prevent her from falling. At least, that's what he told himself.

"Miss. Wright," he drawled. "What... May I ask... are you doing strolling in the dungeons this evening?"

"I wanted to see you," she responded boldly. He cocked a brow at her response, but she couldn't determine if it was amusement or annoyance. "I-I thought perhaps you could show me your workspace. Maybe we could brew a little? You looked tense when you left after that young boy got picked by the goblet. I guess I had rather hoped... maybe hanging out would... make you feel less stressed?"

Right. Allowing her... dressed like that... smelling like that... alone with him. Indeed, that would help him to de-stress. Severus smirked to himself as his mind twisted his originally sarcastic comment into something more... plausible.

"If you wish. I suppose that I could... accommodate you".

Internally, she was performing a rather unattractive happy dance. She was excited to touch him again... if he'd let her. They continued down the dark corridor, lit with torches that hung on the wall. As she looked up, the dancing lights from the fire seemed to illuminate his features. He looked tired; worn down. This was exactly her area of expertise.

They came to his office door which seemed to unlock with his very presence. With a wave of his wand, he lit the candles that were scattered around the room. "This is my private office," he explained, "usually where I do my markings and planning. Through that door," he gestured with his chin, "is my private work room. I don't usually allow others to join me. But... I suppose I could make an exception for you". He offered a playful twitch of his lips; an almost-smile.

"Where do you sleep?" Olivia asked assertively.

Severus swallowed. "My private chambers?" responded, perplexed by her question.

"Yes... could I see it?"

"Why?"

She shrugged in response. "Curiosity I suppose".

He rolled his eyes but allowed her to follow him out of his office and across the hall to the door of his private chambers. This was uncomfortable to say the least. Quite literally no one had ever entered here. What was it about her that made him open up so quickly? This was a mistake. He was starting to panic. Push her away. This is too much, too fast.

Olivia reached for the handle, Severus being in such close proximity must've been enough for the wards to lift and allow her entrance. He stiffened as she walked through. She wasn't sure what she expected. She supposed it was probably a bed and bathroom, but this room must have been enchanted. It was much larger than it appeared on the outside. He had a living space, small kitchenette, and a door that she supposed led to his bedroom and bathroom. Wandlessly, he lit a fire, allowing a warmth and glow to flow through the room.

It was cozy. The furniture was dark wood and very... Victorian. The first room she saw would be his living room, she assumed. He had a beautifully decorated black hearth which consumed the dancing orange flame that was heating the area. Above the filigreed mantle, hung a wooden shield, carved with the Slytherin crest. To the left of the fireplace, there was a large dark leather sofa that looked soft and lived in; as opposed to a more sterile, stiff leather that implied the furniture was for display only. He had two large wing back chairs which sat to the right side of the fireplace, a delicate table sat between the two. The stone walls were covered in bookshelves which groaned under the enormous weight they were burdened with.

To the right of the living room was a beautiful kitchenette. He had a small kitchen table which could serve two. The main piece of the room was his stove, with a cathedral style hooded vent. He had multiple cabinets for storage. At first, she thought it odd that the faculty chambers would have a kitchen, but she supposed she shouldn't be surprised that a Potions Master would find cooking enjoyable. The two fields held many similar characteristics after all.

She started to head towards his bedroom, but Severus stopped her. "Give someone an inch and they'll take a mile," he teased. "I think you've seen quite enough Miss Wright, if you'll follow me back to my office, we can start some brews".

Olivia instead sat down on his sofa. She was right. It was buttery soft and warm. It seemed to huh and caress her body as she sat on it. Severus Snape had excellent taste. She made a point to make eye contact with him before patting the cushion beside her.

"Come sit with me Severus, you seem tense". Reluctantly, Snape followed the siren's call and sat beside her. In a quick motion, she threw her leg over his lap, so she was able to sit astride his legs, her clothed sex against his. She started to undress the man. He was frozen, hands by his side. Surely, he was hallucinating.

"What do you think you're doing?!" He scolded.

"I want to give you a massage. Get some of the tension out of your shoulders. I just figured I'd open your shirt a bit so I could reach your shoulders".

"And you think sitting on me is the best way to do that?"

"I think so, yes," she winked at him as she wiggled on top of his lap.

"I think this is a very unwise decision". Severus swallowed but took no further action to stop her ministrations. She had his cravat fluttering to the floor before he knew it. Next, she started working on the buttons of his frock coat which she quickly had opened. She thought she'd press her luck with one more button... just enough of his crisp white shirt to allow her to have access to his neck.

Severus had his eyes closed, the serpent in his pants twitching as she had started to squirm in his lap. She placed her two hands on top of his shoulders, to assist with her balance. She leaned forward, resting her lips at the pulse point of his neck. She could feel how strong his heart was pumping as her lips gently made the first contact with his neck. He instantly felt his hands snap to her waist. He gently pulled at her hips, causing her to start to grind against his erection.

They both needed the stimulation. The tension between them needed to be broken so she could finally think about something other than his cock. She reveled in the freedom he was allowing her as she writhed in his lap. She allowed her tongue to lap at his neck, eliciting a growl from the man. She continued to lick and nip for a few minutes before she stopped, her face getting close to his. She wanted to kiss him.

He continued to pull her against his bulge, enjoying the heat that was slipping through the fabric of both their trousers. He was wanting her to stop until she found that sweet spot at his neck. When she stopped kissing his throat, they made eye contact. He reached his hand up to cup her face, preparing for their first kiss. Their eyes were closed as their heads moved closer together as if they were in slow motion. Right as he parted his lips to finally take a taste, they were interrupted.

Minerva McGonagall strode through his door irritably. At first, she had arrived to continue their conversation regarding Potter, but now? Now she saw Severus with the lovely Olivia in his lap, dry humping. She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked.

Indeed, she'd never let him live this down.