Olivia hummed to herself while she was getting ready for the party. She took the time to reflect on what had been happening between herself and Severus while she tended to her hair and makeup. It was taking a bit longer than usual as she struggled to cover up all the hickeys the man left on her.
Clearly, he was trying to make a point, she just wasn't sure what it could be.
She truly enjoyed their time together, sex aside – for the moment.
Severus was funny, he made her laugh. It was an amazing sarcastic-type humor that not everyone picked up on. It made her feel special that she was able to see that side of him.
He was also absolutely brilliant. On the few occasions they brewed together, and on the even fewer occasions she was able to snap herself out of her lewd daydreaming, she got the privilege of watching a man in his element.
It was an art form, really - the way he grabbed his blade, his careful precision when measuring ingredients out, the way he bit his lower lip and furrowed his brow when he was concentrating... and don't even get her started on the way he dressed and carried himself!
The man was walking sex; and when he so much as spoke to her...Olivia shivered at the thought.
She sighed as she reminisced on the more physical aspects of their... relationship? Was that what this was? Or perhaps he just wanted a Christmas fuck? She was a bit disappointed at that idea. She didn't want to move in or get married or anything like that – she was a grown witch and knew Severus Snape of all people wasn't about to fall in love at first sight.
But still... she wanted to see him again and hoped he'd want the same. She was a bit apprehensive about leaving his chambers to go to the party tonight – she feared whatever lust-induced spell he was under would be broken as soon as she left.
With what little resolve she had left, she turned back to getting ready to attend her own school's festivities. Even she had to admit she had been absent from her own school for far too long.
XOX
"And just where do you think you're going all dressed up, laddie?". The slurred speech of Minerva McGonagall echoed throughout the empty all as Severus attempted to slink out the front doors.
"I hardly think that is your concern, Madam."
Minerva scoffed. "Madam? Well aren't you being a right arse tonight? No need to make me feel old."
"I hardly feel like I need to try hard for that. Surely your mirror could contest?"
"Dinnae spraff, laddie".
Severus curled up one side of his lip in a smirk, he really did love teasing Minerva.
"If you must know...I am headed to a... ball."
Severus rolled his eyes in disgust. He hated socializing, especially with the posh vermin likely to be at this event. However, he didn't really have much of a choice.
When the Malfoy family owl dropped off his invitation, he knew better than to refuse. He needed to talk to Lucius about the events that seemed to be transpiring. He just wasn't looking forward to their usual... entertainment.
"A ball?" she gawked. "Well aren't you mister social this year? Two balls in as many days? And just where is the lovely lass I'm sure you will be escorting?" She glanced around, looking for Olivia.
"Why would you assume I would bring a date this evening Minerva? Surely one evening with a witch doesn't imply some sort of binding ceremony?".
He wasn't sure why he felt the need to be so brash about it. His friend was obviously being curious. Still... he didn't want anyone creating any gossip about them. It was bad enough the nosey witch knew they'd been intimate the night before.
He caught himself smirking at the memories of their other couplings and quickly slammed down his occlumency walls and raised a daring eyebrow, challenging Minerva to make a comment. Thankfully, she let it drop.
"Aye, Ken. Just be careful, laddie. I do believe that witch might have taken a liking to you; I don't know why". She leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before turning on her heel and stumbling back to her own party, no doubt looking for another pint.
Severus strode out of the castle and towards the apparition point. His heavy traveling cloak billowed in the frigid winter wind. He enjoyed the bite of the cold air on his cheeks and nose, allowing him to feel something other than the confusing musings that were floating along inside his head regarding a certain young witch.
He needed to control his emotions before arriving at the manor. It wouldn't do to allow Malfoy or anyone else at the party to think he was anything other than the surly wizard they would all expect.
XOX
Severus strode down the gravel pathway to the colossal manor. He rolled his eyes as he walked through the massive gate that recognized his magical signature.
Those damned peacocks of Lucius' always made him feel uncomfortable. The man himself was a bloody peacock - always strutting around with his feathers on display to attract anyone and anything.
A house elf opened the door upon his arrival, ushering him inside and taking his travel cloak to hang with the others. He walked through the large, dimly lit hallway towards the foyer. The echo of his boots was muted somewhat by the magnificent carpet that was covering the majority of the stone floor.
"Severus! I'm delighted you decided to come!" A clear, cold voice echoed in the large foyer as the beautiful blonde gracefully descended upon her guest. She immediately reached for his hands and kissed both cheeks in greeting.
"Cissa," Severus nodded in greeting. "I apologize for my delay, I trust my tardiness has in no way affected your...festivities?"
Narcissa Malfoy smiled demurely. Her long hair blended well with her pale skin, which stuck out in contrast with her black dress robes. She always made sure she looked her best, but went all-out for this particular ball. Most of the guests would stay through the New Year, as the manor had many available rooms.
"Not at all, Severus. Lucius kindly reminded me that you'd likely be fashionably late, if you showed at all. I'll be pleased to see the look upon his smug face when he realizes I was correct in assuming your attendance".
They smiled at each other and made small talk as she ushered him into the large ballroom. Even the portraits seemed lively this evening, chatting amongst themselves as they hung on the walls.
Narcissa pushed open the french-doors to their location and Severus' senses were immediately assaulted by the stench of alcohol, several types of perfume, and sex.
The wizard sneered at the sight before him. Once upon a time, he actually looked forward to these yearly debaucheries. As a young man with no family to go home to, he was welcomed with open arms - and legs - to the manor. Women would fall all over themselves for a go at him and he'd almost always accept. Severus was a tactile learner after all, who be he to judge where and when his sexual education could continue?
Tonight though, he found the entertainment distasteful. He'd had his hands on a beautiful, willing witch that he had to part from to come here. Surely her attention would have been better than this?
"Snape! So glad you could join us!" called out Lucius Malfoy in his most pretentious voice that he reserved for such guests. He strode over in his beautiful dress robes, like the peacock Severus always saw him as.
The younger wizard nodded his head in greeting as his brother approached. Unfortunately, Malfoy's alcohol-induced screech of his name drew the attention of several bitches in heat - at least that's how they looked as they popped their heads up from the laps of their gentlemen they were currently servicing and casting their eyes around the room in search of the black-clad wizard.
"Malfoy," he sneered. "Perhaps you could draw a little less attention to my person tonight? I feel I am not in the mood to participate in such... behaviors". He cast his black eyes around the room.
On every surface there was a couple fornicating in some sort of way. Women on their knees, women thrown up over a sofa with their arses in the air waiting to get thrust into, men reclining as they enjoyed the suction of two plump lips around their cocks - some were even conversing with one another like it was the most normal thing to do.
"Pity you're not in the mood tonight, Severus. There have been several witches waiting for you, not the least of which is my dear Cissa. Surely you wouldn't deny the beautiful hostess?," he teased before slapping Severus on the back and placing a tumbler of fire whiskey in his hands.
"Come, let's chat somewhere private". Lucius led Severus out of the ballroom and towards his study. During the long walk, they spoke briefly about work and all the tediousness they were both forced to endure.
Lucius had explained how droll the Ministry has been, with the exception of the drama involved around a certain missing witch, Bertha Jorkins. He explained that she was a bit of an idiot and was likely lost somewhere. He felt looking for her was a waste of time and money - and Lucius Malfoy hated wasting money.
Severus, in turn, complained about all the dunderheads and the added annoyance of the Triwizard tournament and all that entails.
Upon entering the study, Lucius had asked, "Is our traitorous brother within the Hogwarts walls?"
"Indeed. It appears Igor is desperate for my attention. I, however, am unwilling to provide it". Severus knew he had to tread carefully. Lucius was a good friend to him, but he would never be able to completely trust the pure-blood wizard. He knew Lucius still completely believed in ridding the magic world of the muggleborns, even without the Dark Lord present.
"I'd love to get my hands on him. He's a rat - a traitor. He doesn't deserve to live. If the Dark Lord..." he trailed off to take another sip, slightly swaying in place before he finally took a seat in one of his overstuffed wing-back chairs.
Severus did the same, sitting promptly and savoring the burn as his drink slid down his throat.
"You never responded to my owl," Severus started. "Am I to assume that since you were at the World Cup... that your Mark, too, has... awakened?" He all-but whispered. He wasn't sure how Malfoy would respond.
Lucius' lip twitched slightly before he allowed it to curl into a smirk.
"Yours has darkened as well, brother?"
"Indeed," replied Severus. "I would assume it was from the casting of the Mosmorde. Tell me, Luc. What inspired you to initiate such...events?"
Malfoy scoffed. "I didn't lead the revel, Severus. Surely, you know that?"
"I wasn't aware of the event at all."
"You would have attended, then?"
"Perhaps."
Severus knew he'd never participate willingly, but Malfoy didn't need to know that.
The men sipped at their beverages again. Lucius' grey eyes clouded over as his whiskey took effect.
Severus was pleased that he was able to get Malfoy to admit to his Mark darkening as well, but wasn't sure how much further he should push his friend without looking suspicious.
That made at least three known Marks to have awakened. It wouldn't be too presumptuous to assume all were awakening.
But what could that mean?
Lucius threw back the last sip of his whiskey and placed his tumbler on a small table that rested between the two wizards.
"Well, shall we?" Lucius stood, gesturing to the door. "Narcissa will be expecting us soon".
"I believe I will actually take my leave, Luc."
"Don't be a prat, Snape. You've only just arrived. Is there something wrong with my wife? You don't desire her anymore?" He raised a white eyebrow in annoyance.
Severus sighed. He didn't want to reveal anything about Olivia. He wasn't sure why he was feeling protective of the witch but for some reason, he just didn't want Lucius Malfoy to know about her. His thoughts on the witch were confusing enough, he didn't wish to discuss them with anyone else.
"Narcissa is lovely, as always, Lucius. I fear I have already taken my pleasures this evening and don't find myself in need. That is all".
Lucius leered. "And just who, may I ask, have you sought out? Surely no one from my party. So that leaves Hogwarts. Perhaps a student was fucking teacher for a better grade?"
Severus grimaced. "Surely not. That is repulsive, even for your own standards. Everyone knows I'd never give extra credit".
The men laughed.
Severus himself was repulsed by the idea of shagging a student, but Malfoy was a crass man.
"So who is she?"
"Just a random witch," Severus shrugged.
"No 'random witch' had ever prevented you from joining our marital bed before, Severus. Surely, she must have a special cunt to force you to disappoint my wife on Christmas?"
Severus prickled at this. He didn't like Lucius referring to that particular piece of Olivia's anatomy, the witch was his.
"Perhaps you are just relying on my cock since yours is too pissed to work properly?"
Lucius smirked. "Perhaps I just miss your skills?"
Severus shook his head, smirking as well.
"Well, I guess you can run back to your little witch. You owe me though, if things work out. I've shared mine, the least you could do is share yours..."
"Perhaps another time. Pleasure as always, Luc. Enjoy your... evening".
Severus wrapped his traveling cloak around him and headed back towards the castle. He'd make sure Dumbledore was aware of the missing witch, and then go looking for his own.
XOX
Olivia had enjoyed the party more than she thought she would. She had originally planned to be a wallflower, greet Madam Maxime, have a few drinks and sneak back to find Severus.
However, once she started to relax, she found the party rather enjoyable. It was nice to have authentic French wine, as well as many of her favorite snacks.
She had sought out Fleur, deciding to talk about the tournament a bit. She was trying to see if she had figured out her own egg when the Champion was pulled away to dance with a classmate. Olivia smiled as she watched the youthful witches and wizards enjoy their party.
After a few hours of socializing, she had decided to head off to her room. Her mind was swimming with a certain dark wizard and she was eager to lie in bed and process everything.
As she walked through the empty hospital wing, Poppy appeared out of nowhere, slightly tipsy from her own party, Olivia assumed.
"Oh! Hello, dear! Don't you look lovely! I didn't see you or Severus at the party tonight, I trust you two had fun on your own?"
Olivia looked confused.
Where was Severus?
"I had an obligation to attend a Christmas party with my own school," she explained. "But as for Severus..." she trailed off, unable to answer properly.
Why was she bothered that he wasn't there? They hooked up a few times over like, what? 24 hours. This was hardly the wizard to get clingy with - she knew he'd hate that and likely toss her aside.
But what if he had already done that? Was he meeting with someone else? Surely he would have told her if he wasn't single?
"I'm sure he's just hiding away in his chambers, dear. There's no need to look that concerned," Poppy smiled warmly. "Although it's nice to see the boy finally has someone who seems to genuinely care".
Olivia allowed a small smile to form. Maybe Poppy had drank enough for her tongue to loosen? Could she ask all the questions about Severus that she was dying to know? Or should she wait for him to tell her himself?
"I do care, Poppy. I actually really do. I hope he allows me to stick around this time, at least for a while. I'd really like to get to know him better." She paused briefly, watching as the elder witch was struggling to keep her eyes open. Olivia's questions could wait for Severus to answer himself.
"Come on, Poppy. Let's get you to bed. I'm exhausted too and wouldn't mind calling it a night". She tucked her friend into bed before crawling into her own. She hoped she'd have another dream like she did last night. She found dream-Severus every bit as attractive as the real thing.