Chapter 48
Christmas Day
There were only a hand full of teachers present at that years Christmas lunch, Dumbledore being one of them. Minerva had gone home to visit her daughter.
Filch the caretaker and his cat were sat at the table, both scowling through stubbily beards. He was sat next to the gentle giant, Rubius Hagrid, who at that moment was making the hall wobble with his tremendous laughter, a joke that Dumbledore had presumably made.
Seated at Hagrid's other side was the giantess, Madame Maxime. The pair had grown quite close over the past few years. She had come to spend Christmas with Hagrid and was residing with him in his hut.
Since there were such few people staying over, just one table was being used. Two small Gryffindor first year girls sat huddled together shyly, tucking into their Christmas dinner. Next to them was a Slytherin fifth year boy and girl. Unbeknownst to the teacher they were holding hands under the table.
Sitting side by side were Taya and Severus. A unique blend of Potions and Dark Arts teachers in a strange union between each other.
Taya smiled after taking a gulp of her wine.
Dinner was a regal lovely affair. The great hall had been charmed like it was every year. Warm dry snow flakes fell from the ceiling. The huge trees in the corners were dressed elaborately by tiny Professor Flitwick. Nothing went unspent. Even the jingle of slay bells could be heard faintly.
The ghosts even took in the festivities by joining together and singing carols, spookily though. Peeves the poltergeist took the season in his strife, lobbing real snow balls at any one who passed his way.
The Slytherin ghost, The Bloody Barren was no where to be seen. Nearly Headless Nick was even seated at the table with the living, a plate of rotten food on his plate that was charmed so that only he could smell it.
The day went as all Christmas' did, long walks in the grounds, Christmas teas, singing carols, playing games.
This was nothing to how Severus Snape had experienced before. Although he had to admit he was enjoying it all, the extravagance, the food and the fun, he viewed and absorbed it from affair.
He had to admit this Christmas was the best he had experienced. Ever experienced.
The day was coming to a fold.
Severus followed Taya down into his dark dungeons feeling slightly drowsy from the merriment and alcohol. She opened his door with her wand and they stepped inside a cold darkly lit chamber.
Quickly a roaring fire was lit and a cosy atmosphere was delivered inside the darkly decorated bed chamber.
Taya slunk down on the large four poser bed with a sigh. She even felt too tired to slip herself free from her robes. She had worn a dark crimson medieval gown with long sleeves that flared at the wrists, and a fine silver chain that hung over her superb hips like a trail of fluid mercury.
Severus had worn his new cloak and had a few admirably glances throughout the day. Even a couple of the children, the two girls had stared in awe to see him wear something other than his usual work robes, also a shock to their systems he was wearing a splash of colour. He heard someone mutter that it gave him a bit of colour to his cheeks.
Probably the red wine had achieved that more than a slither of green along the hem of his cloak.
He slid himself free of the cloak and placed it onto the chair beside the bed along with the rest of his garments. Taya lay like an elegant doll across the bedspread, her creamy skin giving contrast against the dark pigments of red dress and dark green bed linen.
"It has been wonderful today," he bent whispering into the pouting pink lips. "All because of you." At this she opened her eyes and pulled him onto the bed. Severus moved over her, kissing her exposed breasts that peaked up over the low neck line of her dress. His hands slid behind her, freeing the steys and pulling the dress down.
"Severus," she moaned. "I want to taste you." Before he could reply she had already slid beneath the blankets.