Rating for this chapter is back to PG-13 again and will remain so until otherwise notified.
J.K. Rowling dreamed up the plot
For the books, Bloomsbury bought the lot
Warner Bros owns it all for the big screen
I'm just in for fun, so suing would be mean!
Andolyn
29. Breakfast With Jam, Chicken and Rat
Morning came with a gentle kiss on the tip of Ari's nose and a soft chuckle when she wrinkled it.
"I am sorry, little one, but I have to go."
She opened her eyes and noticed they had hardly moved at al in the bed that was spacious for one occupant, but just a bit too narrow for two. Quickly Ari clamped her arms round Severus like vines.
"How about sleeping in a bit."
"No- I really have to -go-. Bathroom."
Defeated by the call of nature, Ari let go and was rewarded for her surrender with a perfect view of Snape's nude backside. Red markings stood out rather painfully against the fair skin, and Ari frowned. Apparently she had to do some damage assessment before she let him go. As he padded away and blurred, Ari went to look for the blue gown to retrieve her glasses.
"Watch out for the mirror, it talks!"
Dressed in nothing -but- her glasses, Ari followed the sounds of a filling bathtub. Sev turned to her when she entered, took a good eyeful and pointed at the mirror with his thumb.
"Why is that blasted thing constantly mumbling 'ohm' ?"
The mirror looked oddly serene and let go of a deep, solemn moan.
"We had and argument," Ari said, took a towel and threw it over the glass.
"Oi!" the mirror shrieked indignant.
"It is something of a Peeping Tom, I'm afraid."
"Am not!" The mirror muttered.
Severus took a step closer to the thing and said in his most saccharine tones: "That is why one of the -very few- Muggle objects I own, my most appreciated one is a -mirror-! Would you like one?" He directed the question at Ari.
"Alright, alright!" the voice of the mirror came rather muffled from behind the fluffy towel. "I'll shut up now."
"Thank you.", Severus answered coldly, but amused nevertheless. Ari stepped up to him and embraced him, both cradling the other and finding peace in a gentle, comforting hug.
Ari felt a stirring against her upper thigh, looked up to get a kiss and was tremendously disappointed to only receive the gentle brush of a finger and a headshake.
"No my little one- I won't be able to stop when we start- and we cannot afford missing breakfast."
Ari harrumphed at that. "That bath, is it for you, me, or the both of us?"
He sighed. "I would gladly make use of any opportunity to hold you- but-"
"But we would take our time and we can't. Well, I do have a recipe to totally put you off."
Ari untangled herself and Snape slipped into the hot water. She took the terrible bathrobe from its hook and wrapped the fluffy thing around her. She felt like a fat pink rabbit wearing it, and turned to the bathing man with a weary expression.
"Well?"
He smiled. A wonderful, genuine warm smile, reaching all the way up to his eyes while he shook his head. It made him look relaxed and naughty. He made Ari's head spin, her belly flutter and her mouth dry. And her heart ache with the knowledge that at this very moment at least, he lived
And then of course Ari's glasses got dim with steam, completing the picture.
"Nice try, little one, but it's not working. It only makes you look cute." he chuckled.
"Great!" Ari muttered, taking of the glasses and polishing them furiously. When she could see again, Severus had wetted his hair and was applying a royal amount of shampoo that smelled of roses. Ari kneeled at the side of the tub, gently took him by the shoulder and pulled him back.
"Please, let me."
Before he could protest, Ari had manoeuvred him to rest his head against the side of the tub, and was massaging is scalp. For a few moments he allowed it, then he caught her hands and turned quickly, causing a wave to spill and Ari to shriek. Her robe had opened more than was decent with his movement and Severus stared greedily at her cleavage.
"You're not washing, you're petting." he scalded.
"And don't tell me you're not enjoying it, you lecher!"
"Me? You're the one who can't keep her hands of!"
Still caught in his strong grip, she stared at his breastbone.
"You've got a hicky."
He looked , tried to see the spot for himself and touched it.
"Thank goodness for high collars." He pulled a face. "You've scratched me too- you little hellcat!"
"Let me see."
Obediently he turned in the tub, sitting on his knees. Ari found a set of five deep half moon marks on Severus' shoulder, and no less than fifteen scratches crisscrossing over his ribs.
"Ouch, that must have hurt- You should have those seen to."
"Yes, I can clearly see Poppy's reaction, thank you very much."
Ari kissed one of the scratches.
"I could take care of them-"
Severus smirked, while settling back, sinking totally under, soaked his hear with only his face above water and his hands gripping the sides for balance .
"And while you were at it, I'd probably receive half a dozen more."
"Don't complain." Ari said, while bending over the water, gently kissing his lips with soft, wet sounds.
Severus' eyes clouded over and became even darker. "Ari-"he warned, while his kisses became more insistent. Drenched but triumphantly, Ari stood.
"Get a move on, you lazy wizard! I want my tub."
Frustrated, Severus gave an unarticulated low growl. Ari smiled impishly, leaving him his rather unwanted privacy and went to collect their garments that still lay all over the place. At least she had made sure he would miss her as much as she would miss him.
Moments later he came out, with a slight frown and wrapped in a large pink towel.
"You're right Sev, it's cute."
He shook his head.
"Pink is -not- my colour."
"Burgundy might be."
"With gold trim, no doubt. Spare me, Minerva would have a field day."
"Still, warm colours would go well with your eyes."
He grabbed for his robes. "Don't you dress me already." he said, with a sharp edge in his voice, that meant to say, don't try to change me.
"Oh," Ari chuckled, diffusing the argument before it started, "-dressing- you is not exactly on my mind." She licked her lips while he turned. His eyes flicked over her, and he smiled again, abet a smaller smile than before. He kept talking, while quickly wrapping himself in the protective layers of black.
"Bathroom's free. I will have left before you finish."
Ari sighed. "I know." She hesitated. "Will I be seeing you- after dinner?"
Dropping his hoses, he swiftly crossed the room, took Ari in a passionate embrace and kissed her deeply. Then he let go and continued dressing as if he had not touched her at all, keeping his back to her.
"Count on it."
Ari blushed and fled into the bathroom. The place was a sodden mess, but she did not care and made her own bath. Tit for tat, kiss for kiss. She had challenged him to undress her, and so he did. She had teased him while he had been nearly submerged, and he had literally left her breathless just before leaving. Their first argument was bound to be interesting, but she hoped to be able to put it off, for a while.
Crossing the Great Hall on her way to the smaller room where they ate, Ari found Black merely standing around a bit, apparently waiting for someone. When he saw her, he smiled and his eyes lit up.
"Hello Ariadne." the charming Animagus greeted her cheerfully, smiling that damned smile of morning people who don't need a strong shot of caffeine to wake. Ari beamed back. She knew she had to restrain herself, she knew she had to act as if nothing what so ever had changed overnight, but she could hardly help herself. She was glowing with a totally satisfied fire, knowing she would celebrate the spark again that evening, knowing that life was good and exhilarating and exemplarily wonderful today, with bright colours in the shadows and music in the silences.
In short, she was in love with a man who needed her, and, not to make too fine a rosy and hazy point of it, who was a damned good shag!
"Please, Sirius- It's Ari. My mother calls me Ariadne, and only when she's in a tiff!"
"Ari." He acknowledged, offering her his arm like a genuine gentleman. "You do look radiant, this morning."
"Flatterer! Where is Remus?" She asked not so innocently, teasingly taking his arm. Black gave her a sleight frown while escorting her to the breakfast table.
"It is full moon tonight. And the day before, he already feels the change keenly. He -will- join us, I'm sure of that. I was waiting for him, actually,
Ari frowned. "Does it hurt him- to change? I mean- I know nothing of werewolves. Nothing beyond some folklore about silver bullets and infectious bites. And modern horror movies even portray the werewolves' deceased victims to return as a kind of zombie."
Black sighed and answered a bit worriedly. "You are quite right about the bullets and the bite. The zombie part is new to me and utter nonsense- but fears connected with such folklore do explain the hatred you Muggles have for Remus' kind. But do not misunderstand me- us Wizards usually are no better where werewolves are concerned."
Ari did her best not to let the bitterness she suddenly felt colour her words. You Muggles. Us Wizards. But in the bad things at least they were no better. Sirius would not understand it one little bit if she would explode over a little remark he let slip almost innocently. Ari was getting rather fed up with innocent little remarks like that.
"Well- at least we are all human in that." She answered rather tersely, with a sweet smile on her face and confusing the hell out of the Animagus.
"I take it Snuffles will join the wolf tonight?"
"I'll run with him."
"How did you found out that you could, I mean, run with him? Be a dog I mean?"
Flashing her another warm smile and with a child's mischief in his eyes, Black let go of Ari's arm, held the door open and made a little bow.
"O dear lady, that is -quite- the story!"
Ari chuckled and gently teased. "And you do so like to tell stories."
Ari made a half turn before she entered to look up at Black, and saw Lupin walking towards them. He looked tired and drawn. His eyes met hers and suddenly Ari felt as if she stared at a loyal hound kicked by his master. Luminous eyes, large and sad, but understanding. She had to force herself not to run at him with wide open arms and swoop him up like a puppy, telling him all about Severus and herself to comfort him.
Just before turning away again and entering the room, Ari saw movement at the far end of the hall. Unseen by -both- men, Snape had entered and overlooked the whole scene. Black's flirtatious stance, Lupin nearing them with rigidity. Ari met his eyes for an instance- and turned away with all haste she could manage. Her swift movement triggered Black to look over his shoulder- but all he saw was his now somewhat more composed friend. Probably thinking Ari had turned away in fright of Remus. They were probably -both- thinking Ari had turned away in fright of Remus.
Damn.
"You alright, Moony?"
Severus had stared down his long nose at them, pale and haggard like a black wraith. His eyes empty dark tunnels, hiding anything but for that spark when they met, when they lit up with -rage-. Controlled, contained, and infinitely dangerous.
With that hollow fury burning him up inside, Ari could suddenly imagine her passionate, wonderful lover committing murder. She touched her throat, for such men often became stranglers. She hesitated to take the coffee. The Potions Master was bound to know his poisons.
Oblivious to her changing mood, Black, with a weary eye on Lupin, started to amuse everybody with the tale how he and a few friends found out about Remus' Lycanthropy. Dubledore frowned a bit, but said nothing. McGonagall seemed extraordinarily interested. Hooch only mildly so. Flitwick listened like a child does to a fairytale. Harry bent forward to listen and nearly spilled his tea in his eagerness to hear. Filch was absent, as usual.
That morning, Ari learned all about a band of four young pranksters, Moody, Padfood, Prongs and a fourth, who went about the school grounds as if they owned them, getting in and out all kinds of trouble. Harry's father had been one of them. The legendary Marauders!
Three of them very curious about the monthly absence of the fourth.
"We even went as far as to suppose he was a hermaphrodite having very bad periods!"
"Padfoot!" Remus exclaimed indignant.
Severus, who had entered only moments behind the others, smirked.
"Oh come now, Lupin. Don't tell me you can still be surprised with Black's, -eloquence-".
"Yes," mumbled Dumbledore , "rudeness is something we should always try to avoid. Could you please hand me the jam, Severus?"
Snape turned to the Headmaster, throwing daggers with his eyes. "My pleasure, Headmaster," he said, just that bit too cordially.
Black went on, ignoring the byplay but obviously amused by it. Finally, the three other boys had wormed a confession out of Remus by telling him they had suspicions about him and this part of the story was told with some trepidation- Somehow Ari felt it had not been a good moment in their friendship.
"But your father," and now Black addressed Harry, "came with the brilliant idea of trying to become Animagi." He turned back to Ari. "You see, animals can commune freely with Werewolves, on the level of their wolf-half. They are only dangerous to humans."
"Glad that thought sunk in." Snape muttered, while buttering his bread and suddenly giving Dumbledore a sharp and painful look. The Headmaster smiled sweetly at him. Snape went to sit a bit differently, glancing at his ankles.
"It took us years, but we finally mastered the craft- none of our teachers new."
"I must say, it was quite a surprise, especially to me." The Transfiguration Professor said sternly, but her eyes twinkled with pride in the excellent achievement of her former students.
Now Remus joined in the storytelling. "You remember when we met the Unicorns the first time?"
"They were never afraid of you, were they?"
"But that forest Troll- now that was something different, He nearly -ate- Peter!"
"Don't I wish he had!" hissed Black, with unexpected venom. But then he laughed again. "You remember that time when we went after the chickens of Farmer Jones!"
"Ah yes. Now that was really something-"
The Headmaster leant on his elbows, a bit forward over his sausages.
"Yes, do tell about the chickens of Farmer Jones- Was that not that Muggle farmer that claimed his poor chicken pen had been raided by -wolves- instead of foxes? While I just -knew- none of -my- students could have had anything to do with that!"
Even after all these years, the Headmaster seemed able to shame the men who suddenly turned to boys again. Black smiled his charming smile and shrugged the Headmaster's scorn away.
"Sir, it was a -long- time ago. And it was fun- you should have been there and see the faces of those Muggles when we bolted away from the yard."
Unamused, even sterner than a moment ago, the Headmaster answered: "You were close enough to -people-, with a -werewolf- to see their -faces-!"
This time, Black swallowed hard before he answered. "We were already running away, Sir-"
"Sirius, you better shut up now." Remus said softly, sadly, before in his turn he turned to the old Wizard. "We should not have been there. James had warned us not to go. He, as always, stood guard at the edge of the forest next to the yard, while Sirius, Peter and I lost ourselves to instinct. He was always cautious, always protective. Always quick to bolt, when it was prudent to do so. Always the first to come to our aid and attack, if needed"
Snape snorted at the mention of a protective James Potter. Harry scowled at him, Dumbledore took the dark wizard by the wrist in a comforting gesture. Ari wondered what had prompted that comfort after his earlier warning kick against the shins. Severus allowed the touch a moment, looked the Headmaster in the eye and he pulled back after receiving a final gentle pat.
Black scowled at -that-.
"And we did not exactly came away unscratched either."
"We did!" argued Black.
"-We- did not! You did. Peter was there with you and me to have a go at the eggs." He turned to Ari. "Peter was a rat."
"Is a rat." Muttered Hooch.
"Hear, hear." Intoned Flitwick.
"And the cock gave him a nice scar for that one, he was so shaken he had to travel on Prongs' back to make it home."
"Oh he did, did he." Harry seemed rather resentful. It worried the teachers and even Snape noticed the boy's dark attitude.
"That farmer was no fool. When he came running out of the house, he had taken his shotgun with him and my behind took a full load before we disappeared into the woods. During my transformation the little lead pellets were simply expelled from my body- but it -did- hurt."
In spite of themselves, the old Marauders glowed when reliving the excitement of that night. And young Harry glowed with them, hungry for anything about his father, or so it seemed.
"I thought," Ari asked, "that only silver was dangerous to a werewolf?"
Remus shook his head and added rather dryly. "Silver is immediately deadly to a werewolf. Works like a poison. Like a very strong allergic reaction to the metal. But if you would cut off my head with a knife of steel, I'd be just as dead."
"Now isn't that a comforting thought." Snape commented, while rising.
"Sit." Ari ordered quietly.
"I beg your pardon?" He said, while cleaning his long fingered hands on his napkin. Ari was very jealous of that napkin.
"Please, sit down, Master Snape. Caretaker Filch has been kind enough to inform us yesterday during dinner, the one you missed, that the materials to restore the shrieking shack have arrived. Now that we are all here, I would like to set up some roster with you all, and make the cleaning up of the place a learning experience for everybody."
"And what, pray, do -I- Have to do with that?"
"Well, since you were so interested in the furnace, I thought you might like to start with cleaning the kitchen. Without your wand, of course. Or in your case, without Mrs. Miggins Magical Mess Remover might be more appropriate."
Snape's face fell and his eyes grew wide. Black sniggered and Lupin hid a smile behind his hand. Harry looked the other way.
"Or you could help Sirius with demolishing the rest of the old furniture. New furniture has been ordered, as far as I understood. And the two of you both have made an nice head start already."
Black nearly growled at that, while the Potions Master -tried- to keep his dignity as the rest of the table erupted into sniggers. Snape's eyes flicked over Lupin.
"There is an urgent need of some more of a -vital potion-."
"Which," said the headmaster, "you told me you already finished two days ago. My dear boy, I do hope you have some fun with this."
"Thank you, Albus." Snape said curtly. "And you will be joining in on the 'fun', I presume?"
Dumbledore made a somewhat helpless gesture. "Alas, no. With all the other preparations there are to make and the paperwork that comes with it-"
"O never mind, Albus." Minerva smiled innocently at him with her head a bit tilted and almost purring. "If I'll help you with all that we'll have done the most important bits long before noon. We could go the rest of the day together."
"That is very kind of you Minerva, but please, don't trouble yourself."
Minerva shook her head, still smiling. "Really Professor, it is no trouble at all. I assure you, it is -my- pleasure to help out."
The pale blue eyes behind the half moon spectacles twinkled. "Thank you, Minerva.", Dumbledore said, echoing Snape but with a lot more mirth.
The younger Wizard sat down again, flopping his napkin down on the table and crossing his arms.
"Let's hear it then, what did you have in mind?"
*************************************************************************************************
Enormously big hug to all of the people who have commented on the chapters in between. I -know- I have promised to answer to all those lovely reviews- but you have been marvellously generous and I just don't seem to be able to find the time!
But, I'm picking the habit right back up as from chapter 27. If you still would like an answer on a comment or question, please do ask again or mail me on my personal e-mail.
One thing to the people who asked if they could make their own disclaimer rhymes, PLEASE DO! I find them short, to the point and much more fun to write than the standard 'is not mine but belongs to bla bla', and I would love to read the ones other people might come up with.
So here goes.
Thanks and big hug to:
Strega Brava: Thanks! Ari is a gem indeed- an unpolished one I hope with some rough edges.
Miracle Vedilien & Vimh: Oi! What is ailing you! Hope you feel a bit better already. And thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks!
KTM: You want more? There is more. -Lots more….. ;-
Bucky: Thanks. Just picture all the nice things Sev can hide under his robes……… (Naughty smirk).
Clio: Thank you! I found it terribly hard to write that scene and I am very glad I was able to pull it off.
Morgyn Merlin: Aaagh! Please- no howlers (ducks away behind couch, peaks over it and slowly returns to keyboard) This update soon enough for you?
Hestia: Thanks! Sev -does- deserve someone who makes him happy, now doesn't he? Poor sod! I really do fear for him, you know. For what the Goddess JKR might do to him (shudder). See the depth of my obsession…..
Crimsonthorne: Hi! How they will try to hide the relationship? With a lot of snide remarks and banter. You see, making up can be sooo good…. (lol).
n snape: Thanks for the review. You sat up all night to read my story? Wow, what a compliment Thanks!
Rynye: Thanks! It was hard for me to write. I appreciate it extremely that people are letting me know they liked it. I love the idea of animated furniture, doing exactly what it is made for. A mirror that looks back at you, a sofa lounging around…
Iejasu: Thanks! (blush).
Lunarmouse: Thanks! With what little we know about our mysterious Potions Master, how could he be anything else? There -are- some very good Snape-as-perfect-bastard stories out there, but to my romantic mind, he could only be a tragic hero.
With a mean streak.
Blanco Anonymous: Thanks!
Ozma: Humble bow to your high praise. Thank you! In my imagination, Remus Lupin is a very gentle creature, kind to children and small furry animals. You just don't want to hurt the ones he cares for. I bet he will sooner take action for someone he loves than for himself.
The animated furniture and things are becoming a bit of a running gag trough the story. Glad you are enjoying it!
To my mind, many people who have built thick walls between themselves and the world of whatever form, are the most vulnerable and deep feeling among us. My poor Severus certainly is one of those and he is taking a terrible risk with Ari. She could destroy him now- and she would probably claw the eyes out of anyone who would dare suggest such an outrage!
About Sev's mark, I'm standing on the shoulders of Giants here. A lot of people have described the mark and ways Sev has tried to rid himself of it, especially when it would hurt him. I do not know exactly whom to tank for this inspiration anymore, but the thought stuck to me. The thought of a desperate self-mutilating person I find haunting and terrible. To me, Snape must often be desperate and haunted. Ergo, his scars around the mark.
Quackquack: Thank you!
Lala: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed 'tonight'.
Impressedone: Thank you!
Anonymous: Thank you!
J.K. Rowling dreamed up the plot
For the books, Bloomsbury bought the lot
Warner Bros owns it all for the big screen
I'm just in for fun, so suing would be mean!
Andolyn
29. Breakfast With Jam, Chicken and Rat
Morning came with a gentle kiss on the tip of Ari's nose and a soft chuckle when she wrinkled it.
"I am sorry, little one, but I have to go."
She opened her eyes and noticed they had hardly moved at al in the bed that was spacious for one occupant, but just a bit too narrow for two. Quickly Ari clamped her arms round Severus like vines.
"How about sleeping in a bit."
"No- I really have to -go-. Bathroom."
Defeated by the call of nature, Ari let go and was rewarded for her surrender with a perfect view of Snape's nude backside. Red markings stood out rather painfully against the fair skin, and Ari frowned. Apparently she had to do some damage assessment before she let him go. As he padded away and blurred, Ari went to look for the blue gown to retrieve her glasses.
"Watch out for the mirror, it talks!"
Dressed in nothing -but- her glasses, Ari followed the sounds of a filling bathtub. Sev turned to her when she entered, took a good eyeful and pointed at the mirror with his thumb.
"Why is that blasted thing constantly mumbling 'ohm' ?"
The mirror looked oddly serene and let go of a deep, solemn moan.
"We had and argument," Ari said, took a towel and threw it over the glass.
"Oi!" the mirror shrieked indignant.
"It is something of a Peeping Tom, I'm afraid."
"Am not!" The mirror muttered.
Severus took a step closer to the thing and said in his most saccharine tones: "That is why one of the -very few- Muggle objects I own, my most appreciated one is a -mirror-! Would you like one?" He directed the question at Ari.
"Alright, alright!" the voice of the mirror came rather muffled from behind the fluffy towel. "I'll shut up now."
"Thank you.", Severus answered coldly, but amused nevertheless. Ari stepped up to him and embraced him, both cradling the other and finding peace in a gentle, comforting hug.
Ari felt a stirring against her upper thigh, looked up to get a kiss and was tremendously disappointed to only receive the gentle brush of a finger and a headshake.
"No my little one- I won't be able to stop when we start- and we cannot afford missing breakfast."
Ari harrumphed at that. "That bath, is it for you, me, or the both of us?"
He sighed. "I would gladly make use of any opportunity to hold you- but-"
"But we would take our time and we can't. Well, I do have a recipe to totally put you off."
Ari untangled herself and Snape slipped into the hot water. She took the terrible bathrobe from its hook and wrapped the fluffy thing around her. She felt like a fat pink rabbit wearing it, and turned to the bathing man with a weary expression.
"Well?"
He smiled. A wonderful, genuine warm smile, reaching all the way up to his eyes while he shook his head. It made him look relaxed and naughty. He made Ari's head spin, her belly flutter and her mouth dry. And her heart ache with the knowledge that at this very moment at least, he lived
And then of course Ari's glasses got dim with steam, completing the picture.
"Nice try, little one, but it's not working. It only makes you look cute." he chuckled.
"Great!" Ari muttered, taking of the glasses and polishing them furiously. When she could see again, Severus had wetted his hair and was applying a royal amount of shampoo that smelled of roses. Ari kneeled at the side of the tub, gently took him by the shoulder and pulled him back.
"Please, let me."
Before he could protest, Ari had manoeuvred him to rest his head against the side of the tub, and was massaging is scalp. For a few moments he allowed it, then he caught her hands and turned quickly, causing a wave to spill and Ari to shriek. Her robe had opened more than was decent with his movement and Severus stared greedily at her cleavage.
"You're not washing, you're petting." he scalded.
"And don't tell me you're not enjoying it, you lecher!"
"Me? You're the one who can't keep her hands of!"
Still caught in his strong grip, she stared at his breastbone.
"You've got a hicky."
He looked , tried to see the spot for himself and touched it.
"Thank goodness for high collars." He pulled a face. "You've scratched me too- you little hellcat!"
"Let me see."
Obediently he turned in the tub, sitting on his knees. Ari found a set of five deep half moon marks on Severus' shoulder, and no less than fifteen scratches crisscrossing over his ribs.
"Ouch, that must have hurt- You should have those seen to."
"Yes, I can clearly see Poppy's reaction, thank you very much."
Ari kissed one of the scratches.
"I could take care of them-"
Severus smirked, while settling back, sinking totally under, soaked his hear with only his face above water and his hands gripping the sides for balance .
"And while you were at it, I'd probably receive half a dozen more."
"Don't complain." Ari said, while bending over the water, gently kissing his lips with soft, wet sounds.
Severus' eyes clouded over and became even darker. "Ari-"he warned, while his kisses became more insistent. Drenched but triumphantly, Ari stood.
"Get a move on, you lazy wizard! I want my tub."
Frustrated, Severus gave an unarticulated low growl. Ari smiled impishly, leaving him his rather unwanted privacy and went to collect their garments that still lay all over the place. At least she had made sure he would miss her as much as she would miss him.
Moments later he came out, with a slight frown and wrapped in a large pink towel.
"You're right Sev, it's cute."
He shook his head.
"Pink is -not- my colour."
"Burgundy might be."
"With gold trim, no doubt. Spare me, Minerva would have a field day."
"Still, warm colours would go well with your eyes."
He grabbed for his robes. "Don't you dress me already." he said, with a sharp edge in his voice, that meant to say, don't try to change me.
"Oh," Ari chuckled, diffusing the argument before it started, "-dressing- you is not exactly on my mind." She licked her lips while he turned. His eyes flicked over her, and he smiled again, abet a smaller smile than before. He kept talking, while quickly wrapping himself in the protective layers of black.
"Bathroom's free. I will have left before you finish."
Ari sighed. "I know." She hesitated. "Will I be seeing you- after dinner?"
Dropping his hoses, he swiftly crossed the room, took Ari in a passionate embrace and kissed her deeply. Then he let go and continued dressing as if he had not touched her at all, keeping his back to her.
"Count on it."
Ari blushed and fled into the bathroom. The place was a sodden mess, but she did not care and made her own bath. Tit for tat, kiss for kiss. She had challenged him to undress her, and so he did. She had teased him while he had been nearly submerged, and he had literally left her breathless just before leaving. Their first argument was bound to be interesting, but she hoped to be able to put it off, for a while.
Crossing the Great Hall on her way to the smaller room where they ate, Ari found Black merely standing around a bit, apparently waiting for someone. When he saw her, he smiled and his eyes lit up.
"Hello Ariadne." the charming Animagus greeted her cheerfully, smiling that damned smile of morning people who don't need a strong shot of caffeine to wake. Ari beamed back. She knew she had to restrain herself, she knew she had to act as if nothing what so ever had changed overnight, but she could hardly help herself. She was glowing with a totally satisfied fire, knowing she would celebrate the spark again that evening, knowing that life was good and exhilarating and exemplarily wonderful today, with bright colours in the shadows and music in the silences.
In short, she was in love with a man who needed her, and, not to make too fine a rosy and hazy point of it, who was a damned good shag!
"Please, Sirius- It's Ari. My mother calls me Ariadne, and only when she's in a tiff!"
"Ari." He acknowledged, offering her his arm like a genuine gentleman. "You do look radiant, this morning."
"Flatterer! Where is Remus?" She asked not so innocently, teasingly taking his arm. Black gave her a sleight frown while escorting her to the breakfast table.
"It is full moon tonight. And the day before, he already feels the change keenly. He -will- join us, I'm sure of that. I was waiting for him, actually,
Ari frowned. "Does it hurt him- to change? I mean- I know nothing of werewolves. Nothing beyond some folklore about silver bullets and infectious bites. And modern horror movies even portray the werewolves' deceased victims to return as a kind of zombie."
Black sighed and answered a bit worriedly. "You are quite right about the bullets and the bite. The zombie part is new to me and utter nonsense- but fears connected with such folklore do explain the hatred you Muggles have for Remus' kind. But do not misunderstand me- us Wizards usually are no better where werewolves are concerned."
Ari did her best not to let the bitterness she suddenly felt colour her words. You Muggles. Us Wizards. But in the bad things at least they were no better. Sirius would not understand it one little bit if she would explode over a little remark he let slip almost innocently. Ari was getting rather fed up with innocent little remarks like that.
"Well- at least we are all human in that." She answered rather tersely, with a sweet smile on her face and confusing the hell out of the Animagus.
"I take it Snuffles will join the wolf tonight?"
"I'll run with him."
"How did you found out that you could, I mean, run with him? Be a dog I mean?"
Flashing her another warm smile and with a child's mischief in his eyes, Black let go of Ari's arm, held the door open and made a little bow.
"O dear lady, that is -quite- the story!"
Ari chuckled and gently teased. "And you do so like to tell stories."
Ari made a half turn before she entered to look up at Black, and saw Lupin walking towards them. He looked tired and drawn. His eyes met hers and suddenly Ari felt as if she stared at a loyal hound kicked by his master. Luminous eyes, large and sad, but understanding. She had to force herself not to run at him with wide open arms and swoop him up like a puppy, telling him all about Severus and herself to comfort him.
Just before turning away again and entering the room, Ari saw movement at the far end of the hall. Unseen by -both- men, Snape had entered and overlooked the whole scene. Black's flirtatious stance, Lupin nearing them with rigidity. Ari met his eyes for an instance- and turned away with all haste she could manage. Her swift movement triggered Black to look over his shoulder- but all he saw was his now somewhat more composed friend. Probably thinking Ari had turned away in fright of Remus. They were probably -both- thinking Ari had turned away in fright of Remus.
Damn.
"You alright, Moony?"
Severus had stared down his long nose at them, pale and haggard like a black wraith. His eyes empty dark tunnels, hiding anything but for that spark when they met, when they lit up with -rage-. Controlled, contained, and infinitely dangerous.
With that hollow fury burning him up inside, Ari could suddenly imagine her passionate, wonderful lover committing murder. She touched her throat, for such men often became stranglers. She hesitated to take the coffee. The Potions Master was bound to know his poisons.
Oblivious to her changing mood, Black, with a weary eye on Lupin, started to amuse everybody with the tale how he and a few friends found out about Remus' Lycanthropy. Dubledore frowned a bit, but said nothing. McGonagall seemed extraordinarily interested. Hooch only mildly so. Flitwick listened like a child does to a fairytale. Harry bent forward to listen and nearly spilled his tea in his eagerness to hear. Filch was absent, as usual.
That morning, Ari learned all about a band of four young pranksters, Moody, Padfood, Prongs and a fourth, who went about the school grounds as if they owned them, getting in and out all kinds of trouble. Harry's father had been one of them. The legendary Marauders!
Three of them very curious about the monthly absence of the fourth.
"We even went as far as to suppose he was a hermaphrodite having very bad periods!"
"Padfoot!" Remus exclaimed indignant.
Severus, who had entered only moments behind the others, smirked.
"Oh come now, Lupin. Don't tell me you can still be surprised with Black's, -eloquence-".
"Yes," mumbled Dumbledore , "rudeness is something we should always try to avoid. Could you please hand me the jam, Severus?"
Snape turned to the Headmaster, throwing daggers with his eyes. "My pleasure, Headmaster," he said, just that bit too cordially.
Black went on, ignoring the byplay but obviously amused by it. Finally, the three other boys had wormed a confession out of Remus by telling him they had suspicions about him and this part of the story was told with some trepidation- Somehow Ari felt it had not been a good moment in their friendship.
"But your father," and now Black addressed Harry, "came with the brilliant idea of trying to become Animagi." He turned back to Ari. "You see, animals can commune freely with Werewolves, on the level of their wolf-half. They are only dangerous to humans."
"Glad that thought sunk in." Snape muttered, while buttering his bread and suddenly giving Dumbledore a sharp and painful look. The Headmaster smiled sweetly at him. Snape went to sit a bit differently, glancing at his ankles.
"It took us years, but we finally mastered the craft- none of our teachers new."
"I must say, it was quite a surprise, especially to me." The Transfiguration Professor said sternly, but her eyes twinkled with pride in the excellent achievement of her former students.
Now Remus joined in the storytelling. "You remember when we met the Unicorns the first time?"
"They were never afraid of you, were they?"
"But that forest Troll- now that was something different, He nearly -ate- Peter!"
"Don't I wish he had!" hissed Black, with unexpected venom. But then he laughed again. "You remember that time when we went after the chickens of Farmer Jones!"
"Ah yes. Now that was really something-"
The Headmaster leant on his elbows, a bit forward over his sausages.
"Yes, do tell about the chickens of Farmer Jones- Was that not that Muggle farmer that claimed his poor chicken pen had been raided by -wolves- instead of foxes? While I just -knew- none of -my- students could have had anything to do with that!"
Even after all these years, the Headmaster seemed able to shame the men who suddenly turned to boys again. Black smiled his charming smile and shrugged the Headmaster's scorn away.
"Sir, it was a -long- time ago. And it was fun- you should have been there and see the faces of those Muggles when we bolted away from the yard."
Unamused, even sterner than a moment ago, the Headmaster answered: "You were close enough to -people-, with a -werewolf- to see their -faces-!"
This time, Black swallowed hard before he answered. "We were already running away, Sir-"
"Sirius, you better shut up now." Remus said softly, sadly, before in his turn he turned to the old Wizard. "We should not have been there. James had warned us not to go. He, as always, stood guard at the edge of the forest next to the yard, while Sirius, Peter and I lost ourselves to instinct. He was always cautious, always protective. Always quick to bolt, when it was prudent to do so. Always the first to come to our aid and attack, if needed"
Snape snorted at the mention of a protective James Potter. Harry scowled at him, Dumbledore took the dark wizard by the wrist in a comforting gesture. Ari wondered what had prompted that comfort after his earlier warning kick against the shins. Severus allowed the touch a moment, looked the Headmaster in the eye and he pulled back after receiving a final gentle pat.
Black scowled at -that-.
"And we did not exactly came away unscratched either."
"We did!" argued Black.
"-We- did not! You did. Peter was there with you and me to have a go at the eggs." He turned to Ari. "Peter was a rat."
"Is a rat." Muttered Hooch.
"Hear, hear." Intoned Flitwick.
"And the cock gave him a nice scar for that one, he was so shaken he had to travel on Prongs' back to make it home."
"Oh he did, did he." Harry seemed rather resentful. It worried the teachers and even Snape noticed the boy's dark attitude.
"That farmer was no fool. When he came running out of the house, he had taken his shotgun with him and my behind took a full load before we disappeared into the woods. During my transformation the little lead pellets were simply expelled from my body- but it -did- hurt."
In spite of themselves, the old Marauders glowed when reliving the excitement of that night. And young Harry glowed with them, hungry for anything about his father, or so it seemed.
"I thought," Ari asked, "that only silver was dangerous to a werewolf?"
Remus shook his head and added rather dryly. "Silver is immediately deadly to a werewolf. Works like a poison. Like a very strong allergic reaction to the metal. But if you would cut off my head with a knife of steel, I'd be just as dead."
"Now isn't that a comforting thought." Snape commented, while rising.
"Sit." Ari ordered quietly.
"I beg your pardon?" He said, while cleaning his long fingered hands on his napkin. Ari was very jealous of that napkin.
"Please, sit down, Master Snape. Caretaker Filch has been kind enough to inform us yesterday during dinner, the one you missed, that the materials to restore the shrieking shack have arrived. Now that we are all here, I would like to set up some roster with you all, and make the cleaning up of the place a learning experience for everybody."
"And what, pray, do -I- Have to do with that?"
"Well, since you were so interested in the furnace, I thought you might like to start with cleaning the kitchen. Without your wand, of course. Or in your case, without Mrs. Miggins Magical Mess Remover might be more appropriate."
Snape's face fell and his eyes grew wide. Black sniggered and Lupin hid a smile behind his hand. Harry looked the other way.
"Or you could help Sirius with demolishing the rest of the old furniture. New furniture has been ordered, as far as I understood. And the two of you both have made an nice head start already."
Black nearly growled at that, while the Potions Master -tried- to keep his dignity as the rest of the table erupted into sniggers. Snape's eyes flicked over Lupin.
"There is an urgent need of some more of a -vital potion-."
"Which," said the headmaster, "you told me you already finished two days ago. My dear boy, I do hope you have some fun with this."
"Thank you, Albus." Snape said curtly. "And you will be joining in on the 'fun', I presume?"
Dumbledore made a somewhat helpless gesture. "Alas, no. With all the other preparations there are to make and the paperwork that comes with it-"
"O never mind, Albus." Minerva smiled innocently at him with her head a bit tilted and almost purring. "If I'll help you with all that we'll have done the most important bits long before noon. We could go the rest of the day together."
"That is very kind of you Minerva, but please, don't trouble yourself."
Minerva shook her head, still smiling. "Really Professor, it is no trouble at all. I assure you, it is -my- pleasure to help out."
The pale blue eyes behind the half moon spectacles twinkled. "Thank you, Minerva.", Dumbledore said, echoing Snape but with a lot more mirth.
The younger Wizard sat down again, flopping his napkin down on the table and crossing his arms.
"Let's hear it then, what did you have in mind?"
*************************************************************************************************
Enormously big hug to all of the people who have commented on the chapters in between. I -know- I have promised to answer to all those lovely reviews- but you have been marvellously generous and I just don't seem to be able to find the time!
But, I'm picking the habit right back up as from chapter 27. If you still would like an answer on a comment or question, please do ask again or mail me on my personal e-mail.
One thing to the people who asked if they could make their own disclaimer rhymes, PLEASE DO! I find them short, to the point and much more fun to write than the standard 'is not mine but belongs to bla bla', and I would love to read the ones other people might come up with.
So here goes.
Thanks and big hug to:
Strega Brava: Thanks! Ari is a gem indeed- an unpolished one I hope with some rough edges.
Miracle Vedilien & Vimh: Oi! What is ailing you! Hope you feel a bit better already. And thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks!
KTM: You want more? There is more. -Lots more….. ;-
Bucky: Thanks. Just picture all the nice things Sev can hide under his robes……… (Naughty smirk).
Clio: Thank you! I found it terribly hard to write that scene and I am very glad I was able to pull it off.
Morgyn Merlin: Aaagh! Please- no howlers (ducks away behind couch, peaks over it and slowly returns to keyboard) This update soon enough for you?
Hestia: Thanks! Sev -does- deserve someone who makes him happy, now doesn't he? Poor sod! I really do fear for him, you know. For what the Goddess JKR might do to him (shudder). See the depth of my obsession…..
Crimsonthorne: Hi! How they will try to hide the relationship? With a lot of snide remarks and banter. You see, making up can be sooo good…. (lol).
n snape: Thanks for the review. You sat up all night to read my story? Wow, what a compliment Thanks!
Rynye: Thanks! It was hard for me to write. I appreciate it extremely that people are letting me know they liked it. I love the idea of animated furniture, doing exactly what it is made for. A mirror that looks back at you, a sofa lounging around…
Iejasu: Thanks! (blush).
Lunarmouse: Thanks! With what little we know about our mysterious Potions Master, how could he be anything else? There -are- some very good Snape-as-perfect-bastard stories out there, but to my romantic mind, he could only be a tragic hero.
With a mean streak.
Blanco Anonymous: Thanks!
Ozma: Humble bow to your high praise. Thank you! In my imagination, Remus Lupin is a very gentle creature, kind to children and small furry animals. You just don't want to hurt the ones he cares for. I bet he will sooner take action for someone he loves than for himself.
The animated furniture and things are becoming a bit of a running gag trough the story. Glad you are enjoying it!
To my mind, many people who have built thick walls between themselves and the world of whatever form, are the most vulnerable and deep feeling among us. My poor Severus certainly is one of those and he is taking a terrible risk with Ari. She could destroy him now- and she would probably claw the eyes out of anyone who would dare suggest such an outrage!
About Sev's mark, I'm standing on the shoulders of Giants here. A lot of people have described the mark and ways Sev has tried to rid himself of it, especially when it would hurt him. I do not know exactly whom to tank for this inspiration anymore, but the thought stuck to me. The thought of a desperate self-mutilating person I find haunting and terrible. To me, Snape must often be desperate and haunted. Ergo, his scars around the mark.
Quackquack: Thank you!
Lala: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed 'tonight'.
Impressedone: Thank you!
Anonymous: Thank you!