Hogsmeade weekend at last, Taranis thought as she sat down at the breakfast table next to Minerva. "Are you going into town today?" She asked as she poured some hot coffee.
"Yes, someone needs to keep an eye on the students, you?"
"Yes, I'll be working with Snape this morning, but it'd be a nice break this afternoon."
The girls and I are meeting out front at one if you care to join us?"
"Love to, ah good morning Severus have a pleasant evening last night?' the Potions Master stopped in front of her.
"Interesting to say the least," he drawled.
"Oh, and thanks for the help last night, that was quick thinking on your part, you know I'm not good with punishments at all. How you go the boys to think it was accidental too, that was very ingenious of you. I'm afraid I can't think on my feet that fast at all," she smiled up at him and looked over at where Minerva was giving her a questioning look she giggled. "It was so funny you should have been there, I was lucky to have Severus right behind me you know."
The Potions Master scowled as he sat down and speared some eggs. She didn't really think he did that on purpose did she? Surely not to his own house? At least she appeared grateful for his intervention, any of the other professors would have more likely told him to mind his own business. Her laughter washed over him and he looked to where she sat deep in conversation with Professor McGonagall, who was conspicuously eyeing him. He gave her a look of innocence and continued his breakfast in silence.
After breakfast they met in his lab and started to work straight away, "oh, Severus, I'm going into Hogsmeade with the girls at one today," she placed her hand on his arm, "you don't mind if we take a break do you?"
Severus froze at her touch, though it was pleasant, and not alarming at all. I've never been able to stand having another person touch me, he thought, and suddenly realized that she had made the same gesture several times in the past. He was startled! Why am I just now realizing that this woman has been touching me? He nodded to her, "fine."
Poppy had to stay at school to nurse a sick patient, but the other four female professors sat around a table at the Three Broomsticks drinking Butterbeer. "I guess this stuff is ok," Taranis said as she eyed her glass, "although some sex on the beach would be better wouldn't it?" They all started to laugh, the room was filled, while mostly with students, Remus Lupin was sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione. There was another man with them, one from the Order meeting, but she couldn't recall his name. The two men noticed her gaze and after talking to each other for a moment, headed over to their table.
"Good afternoon ladies," Lupin started, "we just thought we'd come over to say hello. Taranis I don't believe you've been introduced to Sirus Black, he's Harry's godfather," he inclined his hand to a tall dark haired man.
Very attractive, she thought, nice tan, and his slightly mussy hair went well with what she could see of a gorgeous body. The leather jacket made him look like a bit of a bad boy. He extended his hand and she took it, blushing as he held on to it for longer than etiquette required.
"Professor, it's a pleasure to meet you," his voice was deep, but lacked the sensual tones of Severus'.
"Nice to meet you as well Mr. Black," she said nodding her head. "I think Harry's trying to get your attention," she motioned to where Harry waiving him over.
He motioned to Harry that he'd be one moment and turned back to their table, "ladies," he said as he bowed slightly, making eye contact with the other three and lingering over her last before they left.
Xiomara gave Taranis a sly look, "honey, he wants you."
"Don't be silly, we just met."
Saffron patted her arm dear, "I'm afraid there's no mistaking that look, he wanted to eat you alive, and I might add if it were me he was interested in, I just might let him."
"Perhaps some Polyjuice potion for Christmas then," Taranis grinned at the thought of Black kissing her, only to have her turn into Professor Sprout.
"You'd best get him warmed up for me first."
"He does seem like a dangerous sort though," Minerva added.
"All the better my dear," said Sprout.
"Well Saffron," Taranis said, "perhaps we could set 'you' up with someone then, maybe Mr. Moody is single?" she said with a glimmer in her eye as the woman chocked on her Butterbeer.
The woman was coughing, tears in her eyes, "I think I just inhaled my drink, thank you Taranis."
"That would be an interesting combination though," Xiomara added laughing.
"Ok you matchmakers, I need to pop over to the apothecary for a moment and pick up a few things, are you going to be here for a while?"
They nodded in response, "I'll fill them in on your little trick or treat last night while you're gone," Minerva replied smiling.
Taranis headed down the street making a mental list of the ingredients she wanted, she also needed to repay Severus for what she had borrowed earlier when she heard raised voices from an alleyway.
"The Da'an Nok is 'not' appropriate I tell you," she instantly recognized the rich baritone.
A confident haughty male voice replied, "none the less, it is what 'we' desire."
"It cannot be done! There is one similar, the Ma'an Kor that would be more appropriate"
"You will do as you are asked!"
Taranis wondered what was going on, who was Severus arguing with? Those potions are ancient ones, very dark and deadly. Was he in trouble? As she decided to go and check she debated on the best approach, deciding the malicious attitude Severus used would suffice, so she started down the alley. They didn't notice her until she was almost upon them, "Professor Snape," she drawled, "I hope everything is well here," looking over to the other man for a moment, a very handsome man with long white blond hair who was eying her with undisguised interest, "can I be of any assistance?"
"Really Severus, one of your young Slytherins no doubt."
"I am not a Slytherin sir," she said with a defiant tilt of her chin, "I am a Gryffindor, the sorting hat said so thank you very much."
"It wanted to put you in Slytherin though didn't it?" Severus glared at her.
"Well it didn't did it?"
"Impertinent little thing isn't she? Don't you know better than to interrupt your elders child? Severus isn't detention in order here? Fifty points or so as well should suffice? You should be aware that I am a school governor," the man said with a haughty arrogance.
Taranis could feel the evil radiating from the man, and even though he thought she was a child, desire. She had dressed casually that day, jeans and a tight sweater, hair back in braids. Do I really look 'that
young though? "I was not aware that you were a governor, I'm afraid I don't know who you are at all? And yes Professor Snape, go ahead, maybe twenty points and a weeks worth of detentions."
Snape stood with his arms crossed scowling down at her, "as much as I would like to punish her Lucius, throttling might be more appropriate?"
The man smiled, leered was more like it, "an interesting suggestion Severus, I could see where that could have it's, advantages, however that should probably wait until she graduates don't you think."
"I have graduated."
The Potions Master stood in silent fury watching them spar, as the other man responded, "really, how is it that I don't recognize you? I do so like to keep 'abreast' off all the students you know."
"I did not attend Hogwarts, and I have recently relocated to the area."
"Ah! A new young witch in the area is always a nice amusement."
"Then you will be sorry to find I am no one's 'amusement'." Taranis squared her shoulders and scowled at him in the eye. Bastard, she thought, pompous jerk!
"Are you by any chance related Severus, she's definitely got your cheery disposition."
That, pissed her off! Before she knew what she was doing she felt herself drawing off of the lustful feelings that surrounded her, she knew they were always there when she was close to Severus and this man was radiating a lot of his own. Taranis gathered all of this energy she could, feeling a slight tremor under her feet as she drew it up through her and smiled licentiously as she radiated them with sexual desire. She found she was able to keep it in sort of a bubble around them by maintaining only a slight pull to prevent it from escaping. "Yes, I can definitely see the resemblance? Perhaps this is more to your liking?"
The man's eyes opened slightly wider as he smiled, "that is interesting my dear, I can see now that I was definitely in error. Severus, who did you say this lovely young creature was?"
"Lucius Malfoy may I present Professor Aislin.."
Lucius Malfoy! Shit! Before she even looked at Snape she knew she was in trouble, she glanced over at him, oh he was furious! The energy that had surrounded them evaporated in the instant it took for his rage to wash over her. Big mistake!
"The new Dark arts Instructor?" Severus nodded grimly. "Well you hardly look experienced enough for that post, good grief! Is Dumbledore stooping so low as to recruit them fresh out of school?"
"While I'm flattered at my 'supposed' youth Mr. Malfoy, appearances can be deceiving. I assure you I've been out of school since before most of the students were born, and lets suffice to say that I have more than enough knowledge of the dark arts to teach children." Taranis continued to glower at the man, but she was getting pretty uncomfortable. This man is one of those 'Death Eater' guys! Ok, what is Severus doing here taking orders from him?
Slowly it dawned on her, he was a spy. Of course! The 'wrong crowd' he'd spoken of must be these Death Eaters. Since he was working for the Order, that was the only logical explanation as she refused to believe it was the other way around. Taranis, make your excuses and get the hell out of there.
With a bored look on her face she started, "Severus, Mr. Malfoy, thank you for the pleasant conversation, I find I have other things to attend to."
"It was a pleasure to meet you Professor Aislin," he said leering at her.
"I would however, advise you that there are dozens of students milling around out there and that if you don't wish to be over heard again, perhaps you should go elsewhere." She turned to leave and then stopped, "oh and Mr. Malfoy, the Da'an Nok requires 'fresh' gnarled toad and unfortunately they've been extinct for fifty years. The Na'an Kor is a 'much' more appropriate choice." Ignoring Snape's glower she left the alley.
"Why Severus," Lucius looks at him questioningly, "you've failed to mention what an interesting and talented young woman our new professor is."
"Yes, I had no idea how talented she was myself."
"Aislin, I believe Draco has mentioned her. Why does the name sound so familiar?" he inquired of Severus.
"Her father is Raykir Aislin," he replied gravely.
Realization dawned on Lucius, "Headmaster of Stormhaven?" Severus nodded silently. "My my, that is intriguing Severus. I understand he went to Durmstrang. Fine school, the curriculum is more to my liking than what we have here." Malfoy considered this new information for a few moments before he smiled, "this could well be an interesting addition to Hogwarts after all."
Severus stood in silent fury. Fool! What did she think she was doing? Damn her, she didn't tell him she could manipulate emotions! Piquing Malfoy's interest like that was not a smart thing to do. As he headed back to Hogwarts he contemplated his growing desire to throttle her after all. . .
.