Chapter 9: Lost and Found
Severus felt the potion flowing down his throat as he closed his eyes tight and waited. What should he expect? How long would this take?
He was answered by a violently hot feeling invading his body. He felt as if his blood were on fire. The cold air in the room soothed him slightly, and he felt grateful that Iris had kept him from lighting the fire. The beats of his heart were so strong that with each pulse Severus could feel his blood grow hotter, and his mind grow farther away.
A jolt of pain shot through him causing him body to retract into a little ball. His stomach lurched and he felt as though he would retch. Then his mind dropped down into darkness, and all awareness of his own body left. He felt soft sheets around him and sweat pouring off his body...no not his body. Iris.
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Gasping for air and a stronger grasp on her thoughts Iris shot up in bed. She pushed a few unruly locks of her forehead to find herself drenched in sweat. This was the fourth night in a row. The fourth night of dreams she could barely remember. They were vivid while they happened; she could remember the very real, and raw feeling they left in the pit of her stomach, but the only real images she got were a thin hand holding a dagger and a hissing voice in her ear. "It's time my dear..come to me!"
She needed to get out of the room. She needed Severus. She sighed with frustration when she looked at the clock, 3:45 am no chance of seeing Severus now. Standing up abruptly she was surprised to find herself shaking slightly. "Damn it. I always shake." She whispered to herself, and cautiously made her way to the Gryffindor common room. She hated how weak the dreams made her feel, but she just could not shake the fact that they must be important in some way. That was why she kept refusing the dreamless sleep potion Severus continually offered. "No. I know you mean well, but until I remember more of these dreams I just can't bring myself to take it."
She knew the last few nights of lack of sleep were beginning to show in her attitude, and her appearance. "I'm sorry Severus, but you will just have to put up with me for a while." She muttered to the common room walls as she slumped into a couch. She felt so helpless being trapped in the Gryffindor tower all night. Never the type to like the confinement of walls or to be scared of the outside world after dark; she decided to take a walk on the grounds. "Fuck the bloody rules. I can't take this." With that said she gave her hands a quick futile clench to try to stop their continuous trembling, "These things must know something I don't," and stepped out of the common room very quietly.
Glancing behind her Iris saw a look of disapproval in the fat lady's face. "Oh tell me you wouldn't take a stroll outside of the painting if you could." She whispered defensively. The Fat Lady grunted, then smirked and motioned for Iris to continue.
The hallways were bitingly cold. Iris momentarily regretted not grabbing a cloak to cover her rather thin pajamas, but could not bring herself to turn around once she started. The silence of the school at night was both reassuring and frightening. She was not afraid to be alone. She treasured her brief moments of solitude. They always managed to quiet her rapid mind the same way Severus could, but she was so uneasy tonight that every creak in the floor startled her as she slowly made her decent to the front hall. Her destination outside.
She was making her way down the final set of stairs when they made a growling noise beneath her, and she was thrown off her feet. "Great. Hey staircase you know what would be really fantastic?" she snorted sarcastically, "If you would change and leave me in some really strange place to wander around for the rest of the night. Oh good! Your one step ahead of me." She chuckled to herself and she waited for the movement to stop.
"Well, Iris, in the mood for a little exploring?" she whispered to herself as she peered curiously down the dark hall the stairs had left in front of her. "Here goes." She stepped cautiously into the hall pulling her wand out. "Lumos."
The floor was dusty and cobwebs covered many of the statues and picture decorating her path. "Very homey, oh quit talking to yourself you freak." She laughed.
A picture to her side caught her attention. It was an old black and white wizard photo of a large group of students in the bleachers. "Slytherin class of 1944." She read the title along the bottom of the frame. Then glanced up a little to read the names of the students listed at the bottom of the photo. She gasped a when one name caught her attention. "Tom Marvolo Riddle." She counted down the faces and matched the appropriate face to the name. "So you're the little man causing all the big trouble these days." Her face hardened and she somehow wished to harm the photo in a way that would transfer to the man that barely smiled, and waved mockingly at her through the glass. "Yeah, well we will keep you in check, you little shit." She suddenly bent over in the darkness groaning with a sharp pain in her stomach. "Fucking cramps." She breathed through clenched teeth trying to regain a little of her vision. This was definitely not a cramp. The pain subsided and she glanced fearfully at the photo on the wall before quickly continuing her walk through the hall.
The path she chose was continually twisting and turning until she had no idea where she was heading or where she had come from. "Just my luck. Hey Iris where have you been for the past week? Oh wandering through some weird dungeony area dodging really big spiders, and yourself?" She sighed heavily and smiled acknowledging that as usual she used sarcasm to mask her fear. "No one here to impress Iris just admit it. This place scares you to death." She jumped when she heard muffled talking and movement in the distance. Quickly placing herself behind a large statue of a hideously ugly witch she muttered "finite incantatem" under her breathe and hoped whoever was there was either very friendly or very unaware of her presence as her wand light extinguished.
She nearly jumped put from behind the statue with glee when she saw Severus Snape round the corner until she saw a white blond head walking briskly behind him.
"He wants you there in a week Severus. It is expected."
"I know." Severus sounded sharp and irritated.
"Don't make me mention the fact that your dear little mudblood whore is well known to him. We certainly wouldn't want him to become unduly interested in her health. Would we?"
Iris clamped her hand over her mouth to contain the sound of her angry breathing.
She saw a look of panic strike Severus' features before he stopped in his tracks and turned to face Malfoy. "I hardly think the Dark Lord will find it necessary to bother himself with such a trivial presence in the world. I said "I know" and I meant I will be there. Do you need everything spelled out for you."
"Well, well, well, it seems I struck a nerve Severus old boy, but I am pleased to hear that you aren't as stupid as you look." Malfoy chuckled then continued his brisk walk down the hall. "See you there in a week then."
Severus lowered his head and stood motionless for what felt like and eternity.
Iris felt tears stinging in her eyes. "Fucking psychopath. Dark LORD my ass!" she whispered almost silently. The words no sooner left her mouth when another pain wracked her body. She gasped audibly and clutched her stomach.
Her vision disappeared altogether for a moment. She heard rapid footsteps in her direction, and a hand grabbing her roughly, pulling her from her hiding place. The hand let go of her quickly, and she heard a deep familiar voice gasp. "Iris! What are you doing here?" She half grunted, and half laughed in desperation as she fell to the floor in pain.
"What is it? What's wrong?" She felt him kneel beside her and wrap his arms around her. At the feel of his tender embrace the harsh pain in her stomach loosened to a nagging ache. Her vision came back and her breathing returned to normal.
"Oh nothing. I feel great." She laughed awkwardly and clung to him hiding her face in the nook between his neck and shoulder. "I have no idea what's wrong with me, but I have a feeling you have more serious issues to deal with right now."
"You heard. Iris I have to! I don't want to! Please don't think that!"
"I know that." She grunted escaping his arms and standing up quickly. "I know that," she said again softly.
She looked at him as he stood in front of her, needing her to say anything to comfort him. He had never looked so small, and helpless. She pressed close to him taking his hands, and kissing him deeply. It was meant to reassure him she believed him, but it sent warm waves through her body easing the last of the tension in her stomach. He dropped her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist pressing her closer. She found herself becoming lost in the kiss forgetting about Malfoy, her dreams, and her phantom pains all in his embrace. His hands, his lips, his tongue, the rapid rise and fall of his chest against her were all hypnotic. She was consumed with his taste and scent as she reached her hands up and around his neck burying her fingers in his hair. No one else had a clue how passionate, and gentle he was. He projected such a hard image, but Iris only saw the boy who had kissed her so awkwardly four years earlier. He had been so shocked when she had sent him that letter saying in no uncertain words how she felt.
It was Severus who broke the kiss. He stepped back and she felt the heat in her body recede from the loss of his body pressed so close to hers. "I love you." He looked at the floor sadly.
"I love you too Severus." She smiled. "We will find a way out of this."
"No. I mean, I love you and I can't bring you into this. It is too dangerous Iris."
"Severus." she snapped, "Don't you dare think you have the option of going through this without me! I refuse to walk away from you just because your life is..." She paused and took in a deep breathe trying to find away to state the obvious without too much pain, "...becoming complicated." She knew he could not argue with her when she got like this. They had been through enough fights for him to see when she had decided and he had no choice but to allow her to "win." "I don't fall in love easily Severus. I won't let you push me away to be the gallant hero and save me! I would rather..." She choked on her words, "You don't have a choice is all I am saying." She fought to make her tone casual and cheerful, "You're stuck with me. Even if you hated me, I would love you."
His featured softened and he looked at her with such adoration that she actually felt the heat of the blush that spread across her face. She suddenly realized how dangerous his life would become and felt a cold dread creep over her in wake of that thought. She knew she would cry if she did not reassure herself that the man standing in front of her was really there, warm, and alive. The pictures of his face frozen white and lifeless in a corpse like pose were causing her body to shake. She rushed forward and claimed his lips once more with her own.
Still the images haunted her brain. Her arms pulled him closer to her almost violently. He responded instantly deepening the kiss and holding her trembling body against his own with a fervor that matched her own. Obviously afraid of losing her as well he pulled his lips away from hers and buried his face in her hair saying, "I'll find a way to come back to you. I promise."
Nodding in response Iris clasped his face in her hands, and said simple, "I need you." Heat radiated from her words. Severus looked down at her with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Her hands pulled his face closer, and when his lips were a mere centimeter from her own she repeated her words. "I need you Severus. Tonight. Before I have a chance to lose you."
He read the meaning in her eyes and took a step forward but moved his head preventing the kiss. "Are you certain? Don't do this out of some rash feeling. You are more than that to me."
"Severus," her soft laugher chimed in his ear, "I love you." She kissed his neck just below his ear and traced the line down to his collar bone. Moving her hands slowly she began to unclasp his cloak. His hand came up to rest on her cheek nudging her to look at him. They locked eyes, and she smiled allowing his cloak to fall from her fingers to the floor. He smiled down at her and pressed her to him kissing her so passionately that her knees buckled slightly under her. He caught her and she steadied herself continuing her task of undressing him. She did it blindly now not wanting to break the kiss. She fumbled with a few buttons laughing softly into his mouth at her struggle. He pulled back smiling slightly and helping her until his shirt fell to the floor with a rustle of fabric, and he stood bare chested before her.
The fear pressing into her chest was almost familiar now, but she still felt the need to try to stifle it with closeness. She rested her head on his chest and began to kiss him across the firm surface. He was warm and salty to taste.She traced his nipples causing Severus to gasp softly. He once again pushed her back slightly this time to allow his hand to reach up under her night shirt. Her breathing became shaky and her heartbeat increased. The fabric separating her from Severus felt like a baracade. She hastily unbuttoned her shirt allowing it to fall to the floor behind her.
She blushed as the cold night air hit her naked breasts causing her nipples to respond insantly. She felt vulnerable and strange apart from him, and half naked in the darkness. As if sensing her need Severus pulled her close encircling her with his arms, and instantly she felt safe, and warm. As she let out the sigh that had been trapped in he held breath she felt it send shivers alonfg Severus' skin. She needed him deserately.
She lowered her hands tugging at the buttons closing the fly of his pants while he responed by simply pushing down on the elastic bands of her pajama pants, and underwear until they fell effortlessly to her ankles. She placed her hands on his shoulders steadying herself while she stepped out of them. She now stood entirely naked before him and he stood shirtles, with an open fly. She felt no insecurity with her body. Severus' eyes called her beautiful over and over, but he still remained half clothed."This will not do."
Kissing his neck once more she whispered in a seductive voice that surprised her, "I am naked and you have pants," she bit his neck playfully "that is hardly fair." He laughed as he reached down and pushed the offending articled off his hips till it too fell to his ankles. He used her method holding onto her shoulders as her stepped out of his pants all the while looking into her eyes lovingly. Once the pants were no longer attached to his person he picked up both of their clothing sets tossing them behind the stature, and raised an eyebrow at her in triumph.
"Oh yes brilliantly managed," she joked as her hands traced the length of his sided resting on his hip bones. She stepped backwards leading him to the space behind the witch statue. Once safely in their shelter he leaned her against the wall covering her in kisses. His hands sending shivers through her as they traveled over her bare skin. She lowered herself to the floor holding onto his hand, and pulling him down over her. She smiled up at him, and bit her bottom lip playfully. He leaned over, and took over her task nibbling her lip lightly and kissing every section of her mouth individually. He kissed her jawline following it to her ear. Nibbling that too he softly whispered "You are so beautiful." Iris smiled and pulled him to her in response.
It was awkward and bumbling, and excruciatingly beautiful. Exactly the way to young lovers should be when inexperienced hands search over each others bodies. They acheingly sought release from the knowledge they both had gained. Fevered kissed, and trembling touches replace frightened thoughts and crys of pain. Drowning in each others arms they felt safe again, and far from the reach of evil. Sensations, and movements are brand new, raw, embarrassing, and exciting. Moans and giggles are muffled to prevent detection. They moved almost silently; each trying desperatly to memorize the feel, and taste of the other body writhing before them. In the end they both lay in the hallway afraid to look each other in the face, but relishing the feeling of a warm body next to theirs. The contact of sweaty skin against skin. Fingers tracing over newly formed blushes on each others bodies and breathing slowly but steadily becoming more and more relaxed. Showering shoulders, hands, arms, necks, and lips with almost chaste kisses. Iris sighed and hugged him closer to her. She raised her eyes to him all of the suddenly and blurt out.
"Where are we anyway?" she almost laughed.
"About a five minutes walk from my common room."
"oh."
"How did you get down here?"
"The staircases evidently didn't like the idea of me taking a walk on the grounds, and sent me your way. Can't really say that I am disappointed." She kissed his chest and, taking one of his hands in hers she began playing with all of his finger. he was silent for a moment.
"You shouldn't you know," she looked at him questioningly, "go walking on the grounds late at night."
"Why?"
His black eyes glazed over for a moment. "He meets in the Forrest. It's too close to the school. Promise you won't try again."
"Severus. You should go to Dumbledore. He would understand. He is supposed to be very strong in the resistance."
He became stiffen under her. "You should get dressed love. I will walk you back. They will talk if you don't return until sunrise." He held her tightly to him one last time and kissed her gently. His lips felt feverish and wet against her cold and frightened ones.
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*******Patience readers...Iris' past will unravel very soon. I firmly believe this chapter was necessary, and I challenge anyone who feels otherwise! :)
Date of Tom Riddle's final year found at the Harry Potter Timeline
Severus felt the potion flowing down his throat as he closed his eyes tight and waited. What should he expect? How long would this take?
He was answered by a violently hot feeling invading his body. He felt as if his blood were on fire. The cold air in the room soothed him slightly, and he felt grateful that Iris had kept him from lighting the fire. The beats of his heart were so strong that with each pulse Severus could feel his blood grow hotter, and his mind grow farther away.
A jolt of pain shot through him causing him body to retract into a little ball. His stomach lurched and he felt as though he would retch. Then his mind dropped down into darkness, and all awareness of his own body left. He felt soft sheets around him and sweat pouring off his body...no not his body. Iris.
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Gasping for air and a stronger grasp on her thoughts Iris shot up in bed. She pushed a few unruly locks of her forehead to find herself drenched in sweat. This was the fourth night in a row. The fourth night of dreams she could barely remember. They were vivid while they happened; she could remember the very real, and raw feeling they left in the pit of her stomach, but the only real images she got were a thin hand holding a dagger and a hissing voice in her ear. "It's time my dear..come to me!"
She needed to get out of the room. She needed Severus. She sighed with frustration when she looked at the clock, 3:45 am no chance of seeing Severus now. Standing up abruptly she was surprised to find herself shaking slightly. "Damn it. I always shake." She whispered to herself, and cautiously made her way to the Gryffindor common room. She hated how weak the dreams made her feel, but she just could not shake the fact that they must be important in some way. That was why she kept refusing the dreamless sleep potion Severus continually offered. "No. I know you mean well, but until I remember more of these dreams I just can't bring myself to take it."
She knew the last few nights of lack of sleep were beginning to show in her attitude, and her appearance. "I'm sorry Severus, but you will just have to put up with me for a while." She muttered to the common room walls as she slumped into a couch. She felt so helpless being trapped in the Gryffindor tower all night. Never the type to like the confinement of walls or to be scared of the outside world after dark; she decided to take a walk on the grounds. "Fuck the bloody rules. I can't take this." With that said she gave her hands a quick futile clench to try to stop their continuous trembling, "These things must know something I don't," and stepped out of the common room very quietly.
Glancing behind her Iris saw a look of disapproval in the fat lady's face. "Oh tell me you wouldn't take a stroll outside of the painting if you could." She whispered defensively. The Fat Lady grunted, then smirked and motioned for Iris to continue.
The hallways were bitingly cold. Iris momentarily regretted not grabbing a cloak to cover her rather thin pajamas, but could not bring herself to turn around once she started. The silence of the school at night was both reassuring and frightening. She was not afraid to be alone. She treasured her brief moments of solitude. They always managed to quiet her rapid mind the same way Severus could, but she was so uneasy tonight that every creak in the floor startled her as she slowly made her decent to the front hall. Her destination outside.
She was making her way down the final set of stairs when they made a growling noise beneath her, and she was thrown off her feet. "Great. Hey staircase you know what would be really fantastic?" she snorted sarcastically, "If you would change and leave me in some really strange place to wander around for the rest of the night. Oh good! Your one step ahead of me." She chuckled to herself and she waited for the movement to stop.
"Well, Iris, in the mood for a little exploring?" she whispered to herself as she peered curiously down the dark hall the stairs had left in front of her. "Here goes." She stepped cautiously into the hall pulling her wand out. "Lumos."
The floor was dusty and cobwebs covered many of the statues and picture decorating her path. "Very homey, oh quit talking to yourself you freak." She laughed.
A picture to her side caught her attention. It was an old black and white wizard photo of a large group of students in the bleachers. "Slytherin class of 1944." She read the title along the bottom of the frame. Then glanced up a little to read the names of the students listed at the bottom of the photo. She gasped a when one name caught her attention. "Tom Marvolo Riddle." She counted down the faces and matched the appropriate face to the name. "So you're the little man causing all the big trouble these days." Her face hardened and she somehow wished to harm the photo in a way that would transfer to the man that barely smiled, and waved mockingly at her through the glass. "Yeah, well we will keep you in check, you little shit." She suddenly bent over in the darkness groaning with a sharp pain in her stomach. "Fucking cramps." She breathed through clenched teeth trying to regain a little of her vision. This was definitely not a cramp. The pain subsided and she glanced fearfully at the photo on the wall before quickly continuing her walk through the hall.
The path she chose was continually twisting and turning until she had no idea where she was heading or where she had come from. "Just my luck. Hey Iris where have you been for the past week? Oh wandering through some weird dungeony area dodging really big spiders, and yourself?" She sighed heavily and smiled acknowledging that as usual she used sarcasm to mask her fear. "No one here to impress Iris just admit it. This place scares you to death." She jumped when she heard muffled talking and movement in the distance. Quickly placing herself behind a large statue of a hideously ugly witch she muttered "finite incantatem" under her breathe and hoped whoever was there was either very friendly or very unaware of her presence as her wand light extinguished.
She nearly jumped put from behind the statue with glee when she saw Severus Snape round the corner until she saw a white blond head walking briskly behind him.
"He wants you there in a week Severus. It is expected."
"I know." Severus sounded sharp and irritated.
"Don't make me mention the fact that your dear little mudblood whore is well known to him. We certainly wouldn't want him to become unduly interested in her health. Would we?"
Iris clamped her hand over her mouth to contain the sound of her angry breathing.
She saw a look of panic strike Severus' features before he stopped in his tracks and turned to face Malfoy. "I hardly think the Dark Lord will find it necessary to bother himself with such a trivial presence in the world. I said "I know" and I meant I will be there. Do you need everything spelled out for you."
"Well, well, well, it seems I struck a nerve Severus old boy, but I am pleased to hear that you aren't as stupid as you look." Malfoy chuckled then continued his brisk walk down the hall. "See you there in a week then."
Severus lowered his head and stood motionless for what felt like and eternity.
Iris felt tears stinging in her eyes. "Fucking psychopath. Dark LORD my ass!" she whispered almost silently. The words no sooner left her mouth when another pain wracked her body. She gasped audibly and clutched her stomach.
Her vision disappeared altogether for a moment. She heard rapid footsteps in her direction, and a hand grabbing her roughly, pulling her from her hiding place. The hand let go of her quickly, and she heard a deep familiar voice gasp. "Iris! What are you doing here?" She half grunted, and half laughed in desperation as she fell to the floor in pain.
"What is it? What's wrong?" She felt him kneel beside her and wrap his arms around her. At the feel of his tender embrace the harsh pain in her stomach loosened to a nagging ache. Her vision came back and her breathing returned to normal.
"Oh nothing. I feel great." She laughed awkwardly and clung to him hiding her face in the nook between his neck and shoulder. "I have no idea what's wrong with me, but I have a feeling you have more serious issues to deal with right now."
"You heard. Iris I have to! I don't want to! Please don't think that!"
"I know that." She grunted escaping his arms and standing up quickly. "I know that," she said again softly.
She looked at him as he stood in front of her, needing her to say anything to comfort him. He had never looked so small, and helpless. She pressed close to him taking his hands, and kissing him deeply. It was meant to reassure him she believed him, but it sent warm waves through her body easing the last of the tension in her stomach. He dropped her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist pressing her closer. She found herself becoming lost in the kiss forgetting about Malfoy, her dreams, and her phantom pains all in his embrace. His hands, his lips, his tongue, the rapid rise and fall of his chest against her were all hypnotic. She was consumed with his taste and scent as she reached her hands up and around his neck burying her fingers in his hair. No one else had a clue how passionate, and gentle he was. He projected such a hard image, but Iris only saw the boy who had kissed her so awkwardly four years earlier. He had been so shocked when she had sent him that letter saying in no uncertain words how she felt.
It was Severus who broke the kiss. He stepped back and she felt the heat in her body recede from the loss of his body pressed so close to hers. "I love you." He looked at the floor sadly.
"I love you too Severus." She smiled. "We will find a way out of this."
"No. I mean, I love you and I can't bring you into this. It is too dangerous Iris."
"Severus." she snapped, "Don't you dare think you have the option of going through this without me! I refuse to walk away from you just because your life is..." She paused and took in a deep breathe trying to find away to state the obvious without too much pain, "...becoming complicated." She knew he could not argue with her when she got like this. They had been through enough fights for him to see when she had decided and he had no choice but to allow her to "win." "I don't fall in love easily Severus. I won't let you push me away to be the gallant hero and save me! I would rather..." She choked on her words, "You don't have a choice is all I am saying." She fought to make her tone casual and cheerful, "You're stuck with me. Even if you hated me, I would love you."
His featured softened and he looked at her with such adoration that she actually felt the heat of the blush that spread across her face. She suddenly realized how dangerous his life would become and felt a cold dread creep over her in wake of that thought. She knew she would cry if she did not reassure herself that the man standing in front of her was really there, warm, and alive. The pictures of his face frozen white and lifeless in a corpse like pose were causing her body to shake. She rushed forward and claimed his lips once more with her own.
Still the images haunted her brain. Her arms pulled him closer to her almost violently. He responded instantly deepening the kiss and holding her trembling body against his own with a fervor that matched her own. Obviously afraid of losing her as well he pulled his lips away from hers and buried his face in her hair saying, "I'll find a way to come back to you. I promise."
Nodding in response Iris clasped his face in her hands, and said simple, "I need you." Heat radiated from her words. Severus looked down at her with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Her hands pulled his face closer, and when his lips were a mere centimeter from her own she repeated her words. "I need you Severus. Tonight. Before I have a chance to lose you."
He read the meaning in her eyes and took a step forward but moved his head preventing the kiss. "Are you certain? Don't do this out of some rash feeling. You are more than that to me."
"Severus," her soft laugher chimed in his ear, "I love you." She kissed his neck just below his ear and traced the line down to his collar bone. Moving her hands slowly she began to unclasp his cloak. His hand came up to rest on her cheek nudging her to look at him. They locked eyes, and she smiled allowing his cloak to fall from her fingers to the floor. He smiled down at her and pressed her to him kissing her so passionately that her knees buckled slightly under her. He caught her and she steadied herself continuing her task of undressing him. She did it blindly now not wanting to break the kiss. She fumbled with a few buttons laughing softly into his mouth at her struggle. He pulled back smiling slightly and helping her until his shirt fell to the floor with a rustle of fabric, and he stood bare chested before her.
The fear pressing into her chest was almost familiar now, but she still felt the need to try to stifle it with closeness. She rested her head on his chest and began to kiss him across the firm surface. He was warm and salty to taste.She traced his nipples causing Severus to gasp softly. He once again pushed her back slightly this time to allow his hand to reach up under her night shirt. Her breathing became shaky and her heartbeat increased. The fabric separating her from Severus felt like a baracade. She hastily unbuttoned her shirt allowing it to fall to the floor behind her.
She blushed as the cold night air hit her naked breasts causing her nipples to respond insantly. She felt vulnerable and strange apart from him, and half naked in the darkness. As if sensing her need Severus pulled her close encircling her with his arms, and instantly she felt safe, and warm. As she let out the sigh that had been trapped in he held breath she felt it send shivers alonfg Severus' skin. She needed him deserately.
She lowered her hands tugging at the buttons closing the fly of his pants while he responed by simply pushing down on the elastic bands of her pajama pants, and underwear until they fell effortlessly to her ankles. She placed her hands on his shoulders steadying herself while she stepped out of them. She now stood entirely naked before him and he stood shirtles, with an open fly. She felt no insecurity with her body. Severus' eyes called her beautiful over and over, but he still remained half clothed."This will not do."
Kissing his neck once more she whispered in a seductive voice that surprised her, "I am naked and you have pants," she bit his neck playfully "that is hardly fair." He laughed as he reached down and pushed the offending articled off his hips till it too fell to his ankles. He used her method holding onto her shoulders as her stepped out of his pants all the while looking into her eyes lovingly. Once the pants were no longer attached to his person he picked up both of their clothing sets tossing them behind the stature, and raised an eyebrow at her in triumph.
"Oh yes brilliantly managed," she joked as her hands traced the length of his sided resting on his hip bones. She stepped backwards leading him to the space behind the witch statue. Once safely in their shelter he leaned her against the wall covering her in kisses. His hands sending shivers through her as they traveled over her bare skin. She lowered herself to the floor holding onto his hand, and pulling him down over her. She smiled up at him, and bit her bottom lip playfully. He leaned over, and took over her task nibbling her lip lightly and kissing every section of her mouth individually. He kissed her jawline following it to her ear. Nibbling that too he softly whispered "You are so beautiful." Iris smiled and pulled him to her in response.
It was awkward and bumbling, and excruciatingly beautiful. Exactly the way to young lovers should be when inexperienced hands search over each others bodies. They acheingly sought release from the knowledge they both had gained. Fevered kissed, and trembling touches replace frightened thoughts and crys of pain. Drowning in each others arms they felt safe again, and far from the reach of evil. Sensations, and movements are brand new, raw, embarrassing, and exciting. Moans and giggles are muffled to prevent detection. They moved almost silently; each trying desperatly to memorize the feel, and taste of the other body writhing before them. In the end they both lay in the hallway afraid to look each other in the face, but relishing the feeling of a warm body next to theirs. The contact of sweaty skin against skin. Fingers tracing over newly formed blushes on each others bodies and breathing slowly but steadily becoming more and more relaxed. Showering shoulders, hands, arms, necks, and lips with almost chaste kisses. Iris sighed and hugged him closer to her. She raised her eyes to him all of the suddenly and blurt out.
"Where are we anyway?" she almost laughed.
"About a five minutes walk from my common room."
"oh."
"How did you get down here?"
"The staircases evidently didn't like the idea of me taking a walk on the grounds, and sent me your way. Can't really say that I am disappointed." She kissed his chest and, taking one of his hands in hers she began playing with all of his finger. he was silent for a moment.
"You shouldn't you know," she looked at him questioningly, "go walking on the grounds late at night."
"Why?"
His black eyes glazed over for a moment. "He meets in the Forrest. It's too close to the school. Promise you won't try again."
"Severus. You should go to Dumbledore. He would understand. He is supposed to be very strong in the resistance."
He became stiffen under her. "You should get dressed love. I will walk you back. They will talk if you don't return until sunrise." He held her tightly to him one last time and kissed her gently. His lips felt feverish and wet against her cold and frightened ones.
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*******Patience readers...Iris' past will unravel very soon. I firmly believe this chapter was necessary, and I challenge anyone who feels otherwise! :)
Date of Tom Riddle's final year found at the Harry Potter Timeline