A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update! I had two other stories going, and . . . you don't want to hear my excuse, surely! Well, a thousand pardons about Poland not existing as a sovereign nation and stuff. I'll try to get that fixed soon. I'm thinking about changing the title to "Push Me Further Into the Darkness." Does this stink? Please, let me know something.
Severus decided to skip dinner and went straight to the library. He made for the very back to allow privacy for reading the journal.
1 January 1887
Last night was the most wonderful night of my life! Moshko took me to a quaint little bordello to bring in the new year. (I could not believe that he was such a man!) It so happens that there was a young morsel by the name of Persephone. I have never seen such a bosom on a fifteen year-old. Well, New Year's Eve was Persephone's debut. She pranced about most of the evening in a childish pink dress, her long, black hair bound in two pigtails, teasing us men and taunting us. What an innocent little tramp! I must admit I was nervous, terrified. How could this small nymph possess me and intimidate me to the point of speechlessness? She especially took notice of me. I think it was merely because I was closer to her age than any other man there, but Moshko claimed that she fancied me.
At some time close to eleven that night, Persephone returned from an hour's absence. This time she was wearing an ominous red dress, trimmed in black lace. She wore her hair in curls that clasped closely to her scalp. Her lips were as crimson as blood. She was delicious looking! I knew that I was to be Hades and take this girl at any cost. Then the auction began. Moshko must have sensed my discomfort, for he soon joined in the bidding. I was so entranced with this young succubus that I could not hear the shouting all around me. My mind was poisoned with the image of Persephone taking me hostage with her pomegrante lips.
And then I was out of my trance and in her bed and she was standing before me wearing only a black-laced red corset. She was chanting my name. I had not even remembered revealing it to her. "I knew, Severino, that you were to be my chosen," she said. Articulate as earlier, I could only stammer a few incomprehensive phrases. "I knew I smelled wizard's blood." Then it seemed her petite hands grew claws and ripped off my clothes. She took me into her with one great thrust as she bit and suckled at my neck. Then her claws turned to herself, removing the only stitchings she bore, and eventually tearing at the delicate skin of her breasts. She forced the wound into my mouth and I drank her blood. After we both met our ecstatic release, she sat and talked with me.
She told me that her name was Persephone Tempesh and that she was one-half Romanian, one-half English. Some Prince Vlad Dracula had seduced her mother during an expedition with Persephone's grandfather. It happened much the same as my and Persephone's consummation, she told me. The same reason, too, the desire for noble magic blood. I was to become a vampire and she would bare a child that would be mine, but for her to raise as she so chose. I agreed. She said that I would have gifts and that I could live forever. To acquire immortality, however, I would have to live off blood. I could chose not to become a vampire, but I could not reject these "gifts." She then handed me a recipe for a potion that would allow me to endure sunlight (apparently, vampires are vanquished by the sun). We spent the rest of the night drinking from each other and making love.
Immortality! Powers! I was excited by these prospects. I am afraid that I am unable to control my magic, for I have not had any proper training. Surely these vampiric gifts could compensate. Already I feel the thirst for blood, but I know no one will ever taste as good as Persephone, and I cannot bare the thought of eternity alone. I know I love her, even if it is rather hasty. Maybe . . .
5 January 1887
Persephone and I are getting married! But, first, I have another story to explain.
I returned to London for the first time in ten years to search for my parents who never came to rescue me. After a bit of investigating, I learned that they had died just a few months ago of malaria they acquired from a trip to the Americas. I found their lawyer who asked me to reveal a birthmark on my left forearm, that is, to be sure that I was the Snapes' heir. Convinced, he handed me several documents, including deeds of estates, bank notes, and my father's journal. I haven't' looked through all these items yet, but will eventually. This will give me the money to buy Perse's contract from the madam that owns her! And she and I will have a splendid future waiting for us in London!
--Severino
Severus had become so entranced in the book that he had not noticed a figure creeping up from behind.
"A gift from your father?" came a man's hollow voice.
Severus jumped and snapped the journal shut. He spun quickly in his chair to see Voldemort smiling down on him. "Ye, Vold--what am I supposed to call you, anyway?"
Voldemort smiled again at his pupil. "Professor Ahriman, of course." He took a deep breath and sunk into the chair across from Severus. "I remember when my father handed down his journal to me. I was less than pleased, kept only one page, burned the rest."
"This probably isn't going any better for me," Severus held up the leather book. "Apparently, I'm spawned from whores," he frowned.
"Purebloods?"
Severus shrugged. "As far as I can tell, but my great, great grandfather didn't even know how to perform magic."
"How enigmatic!"
"Severus?" came a tinkling voice.
"Professor Ahriman" arched an eyebrow curiously. "Is that she? Why her voice is simply melodious!" He turned to see Lily approaching them and gave Severus a sheepish smile. "A redhead? Is she as fiery as she looks?"
"She can be," Severus smirked.
Spotting the two in the corner, she strolled over to them. "Found you! Could you not hear me calling for you?"
Severus glanced at Voldemort for a second. "No, I guess I was too busy talking."
Lily looked at Voldemort. "Oh, I'm sorry, I could barely see you over there in that dark corner! I can leave if I'm interrupting."
Voldemort held up a hand in protest and offered a handsome, friendly smile. "That is quite unnecessary. See, I'm a new professor here and I was simply introducing myself to Mr. Snape. I'm Professor Ahriman, Sex Magic and Theory."
"Lily Evans," she offered a hand.
"Please do not think me ungentlemanly if I do not shake."
Lily withdrew her hand and nodded embarrassedly.
Voldemort rose from his chair. "It was nice meeting you both. I will enjoy having you in my class. Now, if you'll excuse me." And he left.
"Sex Magic and Theory?" Lily smirked. Severus could swear he heard her say "Sign me up for that course" as she studied his profile while he walked away from them. She turned back to Severus. "He seems nice."
Severus shrugged. "I guess."
"What do you mean? Severus, what's wrong?"
Severus sighed. "There's been a lot of talk going around about kids from our year joining Voldemort's cause. And you know that it's really prevalent in Slytherin, and . . . I don't know, I've just been rather wary lately."
"And edgy."
Severus laughed quietly. "How astute of you! Listen, I want you to know that I'm sorry for saying that earlier. That's not the real me, you know."
Lily looked down at her book. "No, I'm not sure I do know."
Severus smiled shyly and slowly closed in on her. "The allow me to show you."
As his lips drew nearer to hers, Lily was sure she'd die of anticipation.
