Notes: All characters are property of J.K.Rowlings, this writing is for my
own enjoyment, and hopefully yours.
All Chapter titles and quotes are taken from "Passionate Love Letters" by Michelle LovricRelationships: Snape/OFC, Hermoine/Ron, Sirius/OFC
Setting: Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. Sirius Black has been proven innocent, and he and Remus Lupin seem to be teaching at Hogwart's.
*Warning: This chapter contains sexual content between two consenting adults. If this bothers you, please don't read on.
Chapter 1: Breathless
"You elude me. I cannot place you, can not grasp you." Jack London
Cold white mist stretched from the wood, rolled up the brackish lawn, and spun in pensive whirl-winds around the black castle walls. Mothers from the moors warned children about such spectral fogs. They lure the human soul, smother babies, steal children, seduce women, and drive men mad. This was the mist in which she arrived.
He watched her from above, long fingers splayed across the cold window pane. Blue robes rippling across the winter grass, the mist spread thin, genuflexing before her. Who was this woman who walked between worlds of the ancient and the bitter reality of his present? Was this how the gods watched humanity? Trapped in the towers of heaven, longing to touch human emotion, but far enough away not to smell the stench it left behind.
Pureblood. Pure is what he tried to be. Cleansing his heart of dirty 'muggle' emotions. Trying to wash clean the stench humanity had left on him. But in his haste he had committed irreproachable sins that would forever stain his conscience, tarnish his soul. Baneful acts seeded in selfish ambition, which in the end won him nothing but bitterness and self loathing. And if his own reproach was not enough, she was here to run her hands though his thoughts, his head pensive to her whims.
She possessed the gift of sight, but would her powers abdicate him or damn him? Her abilities might free him from self doubt or awaken memories so grotesque, so monstrous they would rip the thin membrane of his sanity. As he watched the figure move along the path, a tiny woman touched by elfin powers gliding over the cobblestones, he could hear the tritone of children's voices chanting a school time poem, woven with forgotten magic…
Come to me my faery queen, and give me kisses three, one for love and one for joy and one to spend eternity.
***
"Good, you're here Severus." Dumbledore approached him from the entrance hall. "I thought perhaps you had changed your mind about greeting Ms. Byrne."
"No sir. I suppose it is better to know one's rapist."
"Come now Severus, it won't be that bad." The elderly wizard lifted a knarled hand to the shoulder of his younger friend's black robes. "She is a delightful woman. And, well, perhaps I shouldn't be saying this, but it has been a long time since you've shared female company."
Why did he feel as if he were a schoolboy, his father speaking to him on the need for men and woman to procreate?
"Don't look at me so shocked. I know you are a decided bachelor, and I'm certainly not insinuating that you and Ms. Byrne should share a bed-" Did his body flinch at those words? "Merely that a woman's tenderness often heals wounds that no potion can."
There was silence, before he spoke, reflecting on his experience with the 'gentle' sex.
"Although I doubt that Albus, I will consider your advice." After all, he was in the man's debt. Without him he'd either be in Azkaban, or dead, which was certainly a mere two steps back from where he was now. The dull knocking of iron against wood announced that Ms. Byrne had arrived at Hogwarts.
The door opened with force, driving in harsh winter winds and tendrils of twirling mist, whipping the woman's black hair around her fair face.
"Albus!" Stepping into the entrance she threw her arms him. "How good it is to see you again!"
Stepping back and sweeping aside her tangled locks, the face of his tormenter was revealed. For a small, immeasurable amount of time he could not breathe. She was beautiful. Cheeks the color of holly berries, lips as red as blood, and eyes like blue moonstones: she was perfect. Nearly perfect, he corrected himself. As she combed aside another stray lock, he saw her one physical flaw. A thick, silver streak of hair ran from her left temple and lapped over her shoulder. A paradox to her beauty, both disturbing and exciting .
"Look at you, Adhara! You have become a woman since I last saw you."
"Let's see that must have been twelve years ago. But I was twenty then!"
"And yet still so much a girl."
"Life ages you I suppose." Her words remorseful.
"No darling, life improves you. Although it might not always appear that way, but in retrospect, it is always improving you." Dumbledore paused, his blue eyes twinkling, "Why do you think I'm nearly perfect?"
Both laughed harmoniously.
"Oh dear! I forget myself! Here I am raving at you and I haven't even introduced you to one of Hogwart's finest teachers, Ms. Adhara Byrne this is Professor Severus Snape."
How difficult it was for him to meet the eyes of such delicious beauty, only to see in her face the scorn as she surmised his hideous form. Gods! He hated meeting beautiful women! They were a cruel reminder of how all pleasing things in life recoiled from his presence. He stepped forward with force, black eyes set steely against an anticipated reaction of fear. Surprisingly, there was none. Blue sapphire eyes shown on him with curiosity and crimson lips broadened with a genuine smile. Without waiting for him to extend a hand she took his.
"Professor Snape, I am so honored to meet you! The headmaster has spoken highly about you and your dedication to the cause." Her two small hands grasped his one with sincere gratitude. Her touch was warm.
Flustered, he bowed slightly, "It is, likewise, an honor, madam."
She released a small laugh, "Albus forgot to mention you were charming as well."
Heat rose from his neck. Was he blushing?
"If I'd known, I would have mentioned it." Thank the gods the old man had stepped in. It was a rare occasion when Severus Snape found himself speechless. "Now I want to know what's going on in the ministry at the moment and-"
Just as he had placed his arm around her, guiding her from the entrance hall, a white owl circled overhead, and dropped a letter into his free hand.
"What's this?" Opening the letter and spending several full minutes reading and re-reading it.
Snape finally stepped forward, concern knotting his brow, hands locked tightly behind his back. "Is everything alright, sir?"
"No, no it isn't. I must leave at once." Pale blue eyes shown with worry. "Take care of Ms. Byrne until I arrive back, hopefully tomorrow."
"Yes sir." Snape nodded silently.
Turning to the woman he spoke in regretful tones. "I'm sorry I must rush off, Adhara. We will have to catch up on old times later."
She patted his arm affectionately. "I understand, please go." And with that, the old wizard left the hall, mumbling to himself, leaving the mismatched pair alone.
***
What do you think? Please, please review- be truthful, be tender… Thanks! Kat aka Lyra
All Chapter titles and quotes are taken from "Passionate Love Letters" by Michelle LovricRelationships: Snape/OFC, Hermoine/Ron, Sirius/OFC
Setting: Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. Sirius Black has been proven innocent, and he and Remus Lupin seem to be teaching at Hogwart's.
*Warning: This chapter contains sexual content between two consenting adults. If this bothers you, please don't read on.
Chapter 1: Breathless
"You elude me. I cannot place you, can not grasp you." Jack London
Cold white mist stretched from the wood, rolled up the brackish lawn, and spun in pensive whirl-winds around the black castle walls. Mothers from the moors warned children about such spectral fogs. They lure the human soul, smother babies, steal children, seduce women, and drive men mad. This was the mist in which she arrived.
He watched her from above, long fingers splayed across the cold window pane. Blue robes rippling across the winter grass, the mist spread thin, genuflexing before her. Who was this woman who walked between worlds of the ancient and the bitter reality of his present? Was this how the gods watched humanity? Trapped in the towers of heaven, longing to touch human emotion, but far enough away not to smell the stench it left behind.
Pureblood. Pure is what he tried to be. Cleansing his heart of dirty 'muggle' emotions. Trying to wash clean the stench humanity had left on him. But in his haste he had committed irreproachable sins that would forever stain his conscience, tarnish his soul. Baneful acts seeded in selfish ambition, which in the end won him nothing but bitterness and self loathing. And if his own reproach was not enough, she was here to run her hands though his thoughts, his head pensive to her whims.
She possessed the gift of sight, but would her powers abdicate him or damn him? Her abilities might free him from self doubt or awaken memories so grotesque, so monstrous they would rip the thin membrane of his sanity. As he watched the figure move along the path, a tiny woman touched by elfin powers gliding over the cobblestones, he could hear the tritone of children's voices chanting a school time poem, woven with forgotten magic…
Come to me my faery queen, and give me kisses three, one for love and one for joy and one to spend eternity.
***
"Good, you're here Severus." Dumbledore approached him from the entrance hall. "I thought perhaps you had changed your mind about greeting Ms. Byrne."
"No sir. I suppose it is better to know one's rapist."
"Come now Severus, it won't be that bad." The elderly wizard lifted a knarled hand to the shoulder of his younger friend's black robes. "She is a delightful woman. And, well, perhaps I shouldn't be saying this, but it has been a long time since you've shared female company."
Why did he feel as if he were a schoolboy, his father speaking to him on the need for men and woman to procreate?
"Don't look at me so shocked. I know you are a decided bachelor, and I'm certainly not insinuating that you and Ms. Byrne should share a bed-" Did his body flinch at those words? "Merely that a woman's tenderness often heals wounds that no potion can."
There was silence, before he spoke, reflecting on his experience with the 'gentle' sex.
"Although I doubt that Albus, I will consider your advice." After all, he was in the man's debt. Without him he'd either be in Azkaban, or dead, which was certainly a mere two steps back from where he was now. The dull knocking of iron against wood announced that Ms. Byrne had arrived at Hogwarts.
The door opened with force, driving in harsh winter winds and tendrils of twirling mist, whipping the woman's black hair around her fair face.
"Albus!" Stepping into the entrance she threw her arms him. "How good it is to see you again!"
Stepping back and sweeping aside her tangled locks, the face of his tormenter was revealed. For a small, immeasurable amount of time he could not breathe. She was beautiful. Cheeks the color of holly berries, lips as red as blood, and eyes like blue moonstones: she was perfect. Nearly perfect, he corrected himself. As she combed aside another stray lock, he saw her one physical flaw. A thick, silver streak of hair ran from her left temple and lapped over her shoulder. A paradox to her beauty, both disturbing and exciting .
"Look at you, Adhara! You have become a woman since I last saw you."
"Let's see that must have been twelve years ago. But I was twenty then!"
"And yet still so much a girl."
"Life ages you I suppose." Her words remorseful.
"No darling, life improves you. Although it might not always appear that way, but in retrospect, it is always improving you." Dumbledore paused, his blue eyes twinkling, "Why do you think I'm nearly perfect?"
Both laughed harmoniously.
"Oh dear! I forget myself! Here I am raving at you and I haven't even introduced you to one of Hogwart's finest teachers, Ms. Adhara Byrne this is Professor Severus Snape."
How difficult it was for him to meet the eyes of such delicious beauty, only to see in her face the scorn as she surmised his hideous form. Gods! He hated meeting beautiful women! They were a cruel reminder of how all pleasing things in life recoiled from his presence. He stepped forward with force, black eyes set steely against an anticipated reaction of fear. Surprisingly, there was none. Blue sapphire eyes shown on him with curiosity and crimson lips broadened with a genuine smile. Without waiting for him to extend a hand she took his.
"Professor Snape, I am so honored to meet you! The headmaster has spoken highly about you and your dedication to the cause." Her two small hands grasped his one with sincere gratitude. Her touch was warm.
Flustered, he bowed slightly, "It is, likewise, an honor, madam."
She released a small laugh, "Albus forgot to mention you were charming as well."
Heat rose from his neck. Was he blushing?
"If I'd known, I would have mentioned it." Thank the gods the old man had stepped in. It was a rare occasion when Severus Snape found himself speechless. "Now I want to know what's going on in the ministry at the moment and-"
Just as he had placed his arm around her, guiding her from the entrance hall, a white owl circled overhead, and dropped a letter into his free hand.
"What's this?" Opening the letter and spending several full minutes reading and re-reading it.
Snape finally stepped forward, concern knotting his brow, hands locked tightly behind his back. "Is everything alright, sir?"
"No, no it isn't. I must leave at once." Pale blue eyes shown with worry. "Take care of Ms. Byrne until I arrive back, hopefully tomorrow."
"Yes sir." Snape nodded silently.
Turning to the woman he spoke in regretful tones. "I'm sorry I must rush off, Adhara. We will have to catch up on old times later."
She patted his arm affectionately. "I understand, please go." And with that, the old wizard left the hall, mumbling to himself, leaving the mismatched pair alone.
***
What do you think? Please, please review- be truthful, be tender… Thanks! Kat aka Lyra