Disclaimers: I do not own these characters except for Jessica Weaver and
Other characters that you do not recognize. The others belong to J.K.R.
RWH
~~~
***
Twenty-Two
Severus returned to his room at the Leaky Cauldron exasperated and angry. He tossed his coat onto the bed feeling almost like giving up, almost. He had no luck finding Jessica so far, none whatsoever and he were beginning to feel just a bit discouraged. There were no street corner near Pilmour and Turnhound that he didn't investigate, stopping to ask more than a few questions and giving descriptions of her to the people living among those apartments.
No one saw her or admitted to seeing her. He was cursing his ineptitude to have thought to bring Veritaserum with him. It would have helped the old codgers to remember past that morning. As it were no one remembered seeing her anywhere in the vicinity and he had to take their word on it as he had no way of checking if they were telling the truth or not. Some people preferred to stay out of any possible confrontation or any such rot as that. Not that he blamed the, not really but all he wanted was to be sure that she was alive and well. And to take her home with him and never let her out of his sight again.
Wizard world be damned.
She had to be somewhere, unless she had returned to the States to be with her family but he didn't think she wouldn't do that. He didn't know what her reasons for leaving home was and he never had the nerve to ask. He didn't want to put any unnecessary pressure on her. When she was willing to tell her story he would have been willing to listen.
He sighed. "It's a bit to late to worry about that now, Severus.. you idiot."
Still, he had a good feeling that she didn't leave England. He was sure that she wouldn't go far away from him if she really understood how he felt about her. And he knew she wouldn't be satisfied without knowing if he was safe and sound as well. That would be one reason for her to stay. He was equally sure that she was also looking for him in order to satisfy that need to know itch that resides deep inside the conscious mind.
So, if she was looking for him, suffice to say that she would stay around the area she last seem him. Near her apartment or near her old work. He would back track to those two places again tomorrow. He may even talk to her superintendent one more time to see if she had returned at all.
He reached in his jacket and pulled out her barrette and the parchment with the locating spell.
Just one more attempt before dinner.
He sat the parchment down on the rickety desk, placed the hair decoration on top of the parchment He spoke the enchantment, softly barely above a whisper then he watched To his surprise he didn't have to wait long within moments, the barrette began to dance, spinning across the parchment. He watched, holding his breath until it came to rest.directly on the Leaky Cauldron's sight. His heart skipped a beat as he stared at the name of the building.
She was here?
With a bellow, he was out of his door and charging downstairs screaming out her name.
"JESSICA!"
_~_~_~_~_
At that same moment, Lucius Malfoy emerged from the hearth in the Leaky Cauldron, his vivid grey eyes skimming the customers sitting in the darkness of the room. His eyes took in the patrons slowly until his gaze fell to a young woman, it had to be her. She was kneeling on the floor cleaning up a spill with a dirty rag, He assumed that the menial work meant that she had no wand and hence was the muggle woman that Severus was desperate to find. He didn't stop long to ponder why she, a mere muggle was working in a wizarding establishment. He would have to speak to Tom about that later.
He placed a smile on his face and walked over to the stooped woman Taking in her dark blonde hair pulled back into a low tail. She was small. A dainty woman that looked much too delicate for the type of elf-work that she was in the midst of doing. Her face was streaked with dirt, she looked tired, but healthy enough. Funny that this mere strip of a woman had Severus all tied up in a bunch.
He cleared his throat. "Miss Wheeler?"
She looked up, startled. "Yes?"
His grin stretched, reaching out a hand to her. "I'm Lucius Malfoy. Severus sent me to get you."
"He did?" She looked confused for a moment then her eyes widened as the news sunk in. She took a deep breath and smiled beautifully which caused Lucius to shudder inwardly mentally thinking about how this tiny woman would feel under him as he ravished her. Now he could see what Severus saw in her. She was simply appeared.. delicious. His mind was abruptly brought back at her next words. "Where is he?"
Lucius allowed a sad look to grace his face for a moment before answering. "He's at my home, he's been.. ill."
"Oh, no.. How bad?" She had rose from the floor and was now staring up into the man's grey eyes her own showing her own fear of his health.
"I think he will feel better when he sees you. Come with me." He held out his hand to her.
"Of course. " She took his hand and he led her to the fireplace. "How did you know I was here?" She asked as she stepped into the hearth, a bit nervous about what was going to happen. She had seen people leave and emerge in the flames and worried that it was painful.
"From Severus's dungeon. The note was left on his desk. Since he was at my home, I took the opportunity to come for you myself." He explained as he helped her into the chamber beyond the fire logs.
"Oh. Well, Thank you.. " She gave him another smile and turned to look outside of the hearth while standing inside the vast chamber of wonderment. Her mind still worried about the green flames and that of Severus's illness.
"Stand close and hold my hand." Lucius smiled. Jessica reached out and had just taken his hand once more in hers when she heard her name being called.
"JESSICA!"
She looked up and saw Severus running towards them terror in his eyes as he saw her with Lucius.
"SEVERUS!"
She tried to jerk her hand free from the other man's clutch but Malfoy's grip tightened and he pulled her into his chest calling out a destination as he thew some weird looking powder onto the ashes.
"MALFOY MANOR"
"LUCIUS!" Severus raged and stood dumfounded as Malfoy and Jessica disappeared. "NO!"
_~_~_~_~_
"Let me GO!"
"Shut UP!"
Lucius quickly stepped out of the grate and tossed her bodily to the floor and turned back to the fireplace with his wand drawn, half expecting Severus to come barreling in in a blaze of fury.
"Who are you? Why did you bring me here?" She demanded staring up at him with fury in her eyes.
He glared and she shrunk away from the anger in his blue-gray eyes, He looked deranged and she noticed that his stick of wood was pointing at the flames. From the last few days she knew that piece of wood can to some amazing things and she didn't want to think what kind of bad things it was capable of doing, in the wrong hands.
"I said SHUT UP!" He growled and she closed her mouth with a snap. No since in making him even angrier than he was. And he looked so normal just a moment ago. She watched him as he continued to stand at attention watching the flames. After a minute the flames crackled and Severus's disembodied head appeared in the flames. She breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't stupid enough to waltz willy-nilly into a possible line of fire.
"Ah, Severus.. I was expecting you." Lucius drawled with a hazy grin.
"Give her to me, Malfoy." Severus's face hovered in the flames and he didn't look none to happy.
"I will, in time." He turned to glance at her and gave her a manic grin that churned her stomach. "When I'm done with her."
"You touch her and I will kill you, Malfoy."
"Such harsh words to use for a mere muggle, Severus. You surprise me. Why did you lower yourself to 'Their' standards? Purebloods not enough for you that you have to go slumming? I thought you would be above all that."
"What I do and who I choose to see is none of your business, Malfoy."
"I know a lot of people who would disagree with that."
"Those 'people' no longer matter anymore, Malfoy, In case you missed it.. Voldemort lost!"
Jessica's face paled more as she watched Malfoy's face flush with anger and his grip tightened on his wand. She was starting to get really scared now.
Malfoy's voice screamed out his anger, his voice raising as he allowed his emotions to take over. "No! He lost but his cause didn't, Severus, The cause is still alive and kicking. And as long as there are purebloods out there willing to fight for the cause.. Voldemort still lives."
"He is dead, and so is the cause, your friends are dying out Lucius. Soon you will be sought and you will be placed among your friends."
Lucius smirked and looked back at Jessica. His eyes narrowing in thought.
"If that's the case, perhaps one last temptation." He turned his wand towards her.
"Lucius!"
Jessica could hear the fear in her lover's voice and instinctively folded her arms around her middle, unconsciously trying to protect the unborn baby that she carried from whatever that stick of wood could cause. Ever the observant, Malfoy, noticing the gesture she made, lowered his wand with a frown.
"What's this?" He moved closer, ignoring the hovering man in the flames and waved his wand over her stomach, Her eyes widened as she saw him smirk and turn back to the fire with a triumphant laugh.
"Well, well, well." He chuckled at Severus's look of curiosity. "It looks like I have an additional.bargaining chip on the table here. Not only do I possess your lover, it seems I also have.. your child.. " He let that sink in for a moment. ".. in my possession as well."
Jessica felt her eyes watering up as she met Severus's dark ones through the flames. This was not the way she wanted him to find out about the baby. She felt a sob escape and turned her face away from them both, humiliated.
Severus watched her crying and wanted nothing more than to step through the flames and take her into his arms. But first he had to deal with her captor. "What do you really want, Malfoy? I can't believe that you would go through this merely to have the woman that I claimed."
"I want your loyalty, Severus. I want you back in our fold. I want your devotion and I want. you.. to be my second in the new world order."
Severus's eyes left Jessica's sobbing form and reluctantly settled back on his ex-friend. He was sure he was mistaking what his ears were hearing.
"Your.. second? Meaning what, exactly."
"If you ever attended any of the revels you would know." Malfoy mocked shaking his head. "You see, I intend on keeping the cause going. I have assumed the leadership and I, like Voldemort, need a right hand man."
Severus snorted at that. "You dare to trust me now?"
Lucius's eyes turned to Jessica's figure taking in her sniveling features with a rolled eye expression. Funny how a woman can look so desirable one moment then totally repugnant the next. He motioned to her with his wand. "Remember.. I have a bargaining chip."
"I will not do anything if you possess her Lucius. I do not trust you with her. I know you too well."
Lucius laughed. "Smart man. All right, lets make a deal. I will return her and your child to you in return for your loyalty."
"And what if I betray you after I get her back?"
"Simple, Severus, you can not protect them forever and I have others that will do my bidding at a mere word from me."
Severus glared at the man then turned his dark eyes to Jessica. She was still lying, curled up, on the floor. He was relieved to see that she had stopped sobbing. He took a deep breath as she raised her head and turned to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked as he searched her face to the truth. His mind was racing with the possibility.
*A child.. he was to have a child*
She bit her lower lip and barely nodded causing Severus to take a sharp intake of breath, making a decision that actually didn't take much time to actually decide on. Child or no child, he loved her and wanted her safe. "Very well, Lucius, send her back and you have my promise."
Lucius took her arm and jerked her from the floor and into his embrace, savagely kissing her. When he pulled back from her bruised lips, he gave her a malicious grin, lowering his voice he leaned in and nuzzled her neck whispering into her ear.
"You had better hope he does not betray me, my dear, for if he does you and your child's life are forfeited.. to me."
"NOW Lucius!" Severus's voice thundered causing Jessica to shiver. She kept her eyes on Severus as Lucius turned her to the fireplace and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"It's a pity that I didn't get a chance to *play* with you. Severus may be a dark wizard, but you have not tasted *dark* until you taste a Malfoy."
She shivered again at the veiled threat before he pushed her into the green flames ignoring Severus's surprised expression.
"HOGWART'S" Malfoy called out and laughed as she vanished and a curse escaped Severus's lips before he vanished as well leaving a laughing Lucius Malfoy behind.
Severus pulled his head from the flames and cursed vividly before leaping into the hearth, bellowing..
"HOGWART'S!"
Severus appeared in the Headmaster's office, jumping out of the flames and looking around the room frantically searching for her.
"JESSICA!"
"Its all right, Severus. She's over here." Severus swiveled his head to see Albus standing in the doorway, supporting a very scared woman in his arms. There was a very confused yet curious look on the elder man's expression as he watched the emotions overtake his Potion Master's face at the sight of her.
"Jessica?" Severus took a step forward then stopped as she pulled from the elder man's embrace, with a loud sob, ran over to him, and threw herself into his arms.
"S.. S.. Severus.. " She sobbed into his jacket. "I thought.. I thought I would never.. see you again."
"Shh, My love. It's all right. You're safe now. Shh." He whispered into her hair as he held her close trying to comfort her. He marveled at the feeling of having her once more in his arms, safe and sound. He ran one hand through her hair while the other one gently rubbed her back. He missed having her in his arms and wanted to saver every moment of it.
When he felt her calm down a bit he gripped her by the shoulder and pulled away enough to tilt her chin up to gaze into her face. "Is it true?" His voice was deep and soft as he spoke. "Are we to have a child?"
She nodded timidly and smiled reaching up to caress his face. "I was going to tell you the night.. the.. the night the club caught fire but then.. then I got kicked out of my flat.and.and then I couldn't find you.. anywhere. I tried.. I really tried." The tears started again as she clutched onto him. "I was so scared that I wasn't ever going to see you again."
A clearing of a throat caught Severus's attention and both men's eyes locked in silent understanding. Albus nodded once and indicated the door. "I will let you two be then, for now. I trust, Severus, that you will find her a place to stay while she is here?"
"Yes, sir." Severus muttered still holding her close in his embrace.
"Then come and see me, as soon as possible. We need to discuss this."
Severus nodded at the request but did not let his love go. "I will be back as soon as I get her settled, Albus."
The elder smiled once more at her. "Be well, child and do not fear, you are safe here." Jessica stared after him as he exited another door then turned her gaze back to the man in her arms. Her eyes widened as she glanced beyond his shoulder taking in the moving paintings surrounding the walls
"Severus.. where am I?"
"You are at Hogwart's. It's where I live and work."
"How.. where.. " She turned confused eyes up at him. "The.. Fireplace?"
"Floo network. Come, I will try to explain to you. I'm afraid there is a lot about me I neglected to tell you." He wrapped a supporting arm around her waist and led her to his chambers. They had a lot to discuss.
~~~
A/Ns and Acknowledgements: Thank you all so much for your comments. They are very helpful.
Magdellin: Thank you for your comments. It wasn't a very good chapter but I've been fighting a major sinus headache and hadn't been able to think too clearly. Don't worry, there will be a happily ever after.eventually. It's getting there.
someone28: All right I wont tell, but I'm sure after this chapter you already know. LOL.more on the way soon.
Emma-Kitty: She and Severus will get together soon, just keep reading.
J.S. Sumner: They are coming together.see? They know now.now comes more difficult things.ugh.writing as I go now.I'm finally caught up to my notes. But I like playing cat and mouse.I'm tom.you're jerry.works for me!
NiteQueen: hehe.yes he is BAD.isn't he? Thanks for the words and I've got them back together. Enjoy the goodness.so far.hehehehe
LisaViola: A soap opera? Hum.don't know how to take that one..LOL.
Shemhamforash: Well, it was his office and how was she to know that he wasn't just coming back from lunch, dinner.bathroom.whatever? She had no idea that the letter wouldn't be found by the wrong person. Right?
Aprilgrey: hehe.yeah.cliffhangers.gotta love them and hate them.
Glinda: Ahhh.yes you will.you know you love it! :D
Loraine: Sneak? Why.baby.I have NO idea what you are talking about. My pleasure at any rate. Love you too.
Talene: Thank you and may the Gods bless you as well. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Umbridgeitis: I love getting your reviews. I am happily updating as fast as RL allows me to. I would love to read anything you have written. Just direct me there. And.Yes.they will and already have. LOL
~~~
Please don't forget to review!
Blessed Be!
RWH
RWH
~~~
***
Twenty-Two
Severus returned to his room at the Leaky Cauldron exasperated and angry. He tossed his coat onto the bed feeling almost like giving up, almost. He had no luck finding Jessica so far, none whatsoever and he were beginning to feel just a bit discouraged. There were no street corner near Pilmour and Turnhound that he didn't investigate, stopping to ask more than a few questions and giving descriptions of her to the people living among those apartments.
No one saw her or admitted to seeing her. He was cursing his ineptitude to have thought to bring Veritaserum with him. It would have helped the old codgers to remember past that morning. As it were no one remembered seeing her anywhere in the vicinity and he had to take their word on it as he had no way of checking if they were telling the truth or not. Some people preferred to stay out of any possible confrontation or any such rot as that. Not that he blamed the, not really but all he wanted was to be sure that she was alive and well. And to take her home with him and never let her out of his sight again.
Wizard world be damned.
She had to be somewhere, unless she had returned to the States to be with her family but he didn't think she wouldn't do that. He didn't know what her reasons for leaving home was and he never had the nerve to ask. He didn't want to put any unnecessary pressure on her. When she was willing to tell her story he would have been willing to listen.
He sighed. "It's a bit to late to worry about that now, Severus.. you idiot."
Still, he had a good feeling that she didn't leave England. He was sure that she wouldn't go far away from him if she really understood how he felt about her. And he knew she wouldn't be satisfied without knowing if he was safe and sound as well. That would be one reason for her to stay. He was equally sure that she was also looking for him in order to satisfy that need to know itch that resides deep inside the conscious mind.
So, if she was looking for him, suffice to say that she would stay around the area she last seem him. Near her apartment or near her old work. He would back track to those two places again tomorrow. He may even talk to her superintendent one more time to see if she had returned at all.
He reached in his jacket and pulled out her barrette and the parchment with the locating spell.
Just one more attempt before dinner.
He sat the parchment down on the rickety desk, placed the hair decoration on top of the parchment He spoke the enchantment, softly barely above a whisper then he watched To his surprise he didn't have to wait long within moments, the barrette began to dance, spinning across the parchment. He watched, holding his breath until it came to rest.directly on the Leaky Cauldron's sight. His heart skipped a beat as he stared at the name of the building.
She was here?
With a bellow, he was out of his door and charging downstairs screaming out her name.
"JESSICA!"
_~_~_~_~_
At that same moment, Lucius Malfoy emerged from the hearth in the Leaky Cauldron, his vivid grey eyes skimming the customers sitting in the darkness of the room. His eyes took in the patrons slowly until his gaze fell to a young woman, it had to be her. She was kneeling on the floor cleaning up a spill with a dirty rag, He assumed that the menial work meant that she had no wand and hence was the muggle woman that Severus was desperate to find. He didn't stop long to ponder why she, a mere muggle was working in a wizarding establishment. He would have to speak to Tom about that later.
He placed a smile on his face and walked over to the stooped woman Taking in her dark blonde hair pulled back into a low tail. She was small. A dainty woman that looked much too delicate for the type of elf-work that she was in the midst of doing. Her face was streaked with dirt, she looked tired, but healthy enough. Funny that this mere strip of a woman had Severus all tied up in a bunch.
He cleared his throat. "Miss Wheeler?"
She looked up, startled. "Yes?"
His grin stretched, reaching out a hand to her. "I'm Lucius Malfoy. Severus sent me to get you."
"He did?" She looked confused for a moment then her eyes widened as the news sunk in. She took a deep breath and smiled beautifully which caused Lucius to shudder inwardly mentally thinking about how this tiny woman would feel under him as he ravished her. Now he could see what Severus saw in her. She was simply appeared.. delicious. His mind was abruptly brought back at her next words. "Where is he?"
Lucius allowed a sad look to grace his face for a moment before answering. "He's at my home, he's been.. ill."
"Oh, no.. How bad?" She had rose from the floor and was now staring up into the man's grey eyes her own showing her own fear of his health.
"I think he will feel better when he sees you. Come with me." He held out his hand to her.
"Of course. " She took his hand and he led her to the fireplace. "How did you know I was here?" She asked as she stepped into the hearth, a bit nervous about what was going to happen. She had seen people leave and emerge in the flames and worried that it was painful.
"From Severus's dungeon. The note was left on his desk. Since he was at my home, I took the opportunity to come for you myself." He explained as he helped her into the chamber beyond the fire logs.
"Oh. Well, Thank you.. " She gave him another smile and turned to look outside of the hearth while standing inside the vast chamber of wonderment. Her mind still worried about the green flames and that of Severus's illness.
"Stand close and hold my hand." Lucius smiled. Jessica reached out and had just taken his hand once more in hers when she heard her name being called.
"JESSICA!"
She looked up and saw Severus running towards them terror in his eyes as he saw her with Lucius.
"SEVERUS!"
She tried to jerk her hand free from the other man's clutch but Malfoy's grip tightened and he pulled her into his chest calling out a destination as he thew some weird looking powder onto the ashes.
"MALFOY MANOR"
"LUCIUS!" Severus raged and stood dumfounded as Malfoy and Jessica disappeared. "NO!"
_~_~_~_~_
"Let me GO!"
"Shut UP!"
Lucius quickly stepped out of the grate and tossed her bodily to the floor and turned back to the fireplace with his wand drawn, half expecting Severus to come barreling in in a blaze of fury.
"Who are you? Why did you bring me here?" She demanded staring up at him with fury in her eyes.
He glared and she shrunk away from the anger in his blue-gray eyes, He looked deranged and she noticed that his stick of wood was pointing at the flames. From the last few days she knew that piece of wood can to some amazing things and she didn't want to think what kind of bad things it was capable of doing, in the wrong hands.
"I said SHUT UP!" He growled and she closed her mouth with a snap. No since in making him even angrier than he was. And he looked so normal just a moment ago. She watched him as he continued to stand at attention watching the flames. After a minute the flames crackled and Severus's disembodied head appeared in the flames. She breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't stupid enough to waltz willy-nilly into a possible line of fire.
"Ah, Severus.. I was expecting you." Lucius drawled with a hazy grin.
"Give her to me, Malfoy." Severus's face hovered in the flames and he didn't look none to happy.
"I will, in time." He turned to glance at her and gave her a manic grin that churned her stomach. "When I'm done with her."
"You touch her and I will kill you, Malfoy."
"Such harsh words to use for a mere muggle, Severus. You surprise me. Why did you lower yourself to 'Their' standards? Purebloods not enough for you that you have to go slumming? I thought you would be above all that."
"What I do and who I choose to see is none of your business, Malfoy."
"I know a lot of people who would disagree with that."
"Those 'people' no longer matter anymore, Malfoy, In case you missed it.. Voldemort lost!"
Jessica's face paled more as she watched Malfoy's face flush with anger and his grip tightened on his wand. She was starting to get really scared now.
Malfoy's voice screamed out his anger, his voice raising as he allowed his emotions to take over. "No! He lost but his cause didn't, Severus, The cause is still alive and kicking. And as long as there are purebloods out there willing to fight for the cause.. Voldemort still lives."
"He is dead, and so is the cause, your friends are dying out Lucius. Soon you will be sought and you will be placed among your friends."
Lucius smirked and looked back at Jessica. His eyes narrowing in thought.
"If that's the case, perhaps one last temptation." He turned his wand towards her.
"Lucius!"
Jessica could hear the fear in her lover's voice and instinctively folded her arms around her middle, unconsciously trying to protect the unborn baby that she carried from whatever that stick of wood could cause. Ever the observant, Malfoy, noticing the gesture she made, lowered his wand with a frown.
"What's this?" He moved closer, ignoring the hovering man in the flames and waved his wand over her stomach, Her eyes widened as she saw him smirk and turn back to the fire with a triumphant laugh.
"Well, well, well." He chuckled at Severus's look of curiosity. "It looks like I have an additional.bargaining chip on the table here. Not only do I possess your lover, it seems I also have.. your child.. " He let that sink in for a moment. ".. in my possession as well."
Jessica felt her eyes watering up as she met Severus's dark ones through the flames. This was not the way she wanted him to find out about the baby. She felt a sob escape and turned her face away from them both, humiliated.
Severus watched her crying and wanted nothing more than to step through the flames and take her into his arms. But first he had to deal with her captor. "What do you really want, Malfoy? I can't believe that you would go through this merely to have the woman that I claimed."
"I want your loyalty, Severus. I want you back in our fold. I want your devotion and I want. you.. to be my second in the new world order."
Severus's eyes left Jessica's sobbing form and reluctantly settled back on his ex-friend. He was sure he was mistaking what his ears were hearing.
"Your.. second? Meaning what, exactly."
"If you ever attended any of the revels you would know." Malfoy mocked shaking his head. "You see, I intend on keeping the cause going. I have assumed the leadership and I, like Voldemort, need a right hand man."
Severus snorted at that. "You dare to trust me now?"
Lucius's eyes turned to Jessica's figure taking in her sniveling features with a rolled eye expression. Funny how a woman can look so desirable one moment then totally repugnant the next. He motioned to her with his wand. "Remember.. I have a bargaining chip."
"I will not do anything if you possess her Lucius. I do not trust you with her. I know you too well."
Lucius laughed. "Smart man. All right, lets make a deal. I will return her and your child to you in return for your loyalty."
"And what if I betray you after I get her back?"
"Simple, Severus, you can not protect them forever and I have others that will do my bidding at a mere word from me."
Severus glared at the man then turned his dark eyes to Jessica. She was still lying, curled up, on the floor. He was relieved to see that she had stopped sobbing. He took a deep breath as she raised her head and turned to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked as he searched her face to the truth. His mind was racing with the possibility.
*A child.. he was to have a child*
She bit her lower lip and barely nodded causing Severus to take a sharp intake of breath, making a decision that actually didn't take much time to actually decide on. Child or no child, he loved her and wanted her safe. "Very well, Lucius, send her back and you have my promise."
Lucius took her arm and jerked her from the floor and into his embrace, savagely kissing her. When he pulled back from her bruised lips, he gave her a malicious grin, lowering his voice he leaned in and nuzzled her neck whispering into her ear.
"You had better hope he does not betray me, my dear, for if he does you and your child's life are forfeited.. to me."
"NOW Lucius!" Severus's voice thundered causing Jessica to shiver. She kept her eyes on Severus as Lucius turned her to the fireplace and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"It's a pity that I didn't get a chance to *play* with you. Severus may be a dark wizard, but you have not tasted *dark* until you taste a Malfoy."
She shivered again at the veiled threat before he pushed her into the green flames ignoring Severus's surprised expression.
"HOGWART'S" Malfoy called out and laughed as she vanished and a curse escaped Severus's lips before he vanished as well leaving a laughing Lucius Malfoy behind.
Severus pulled his head from the flames and cursed vividly before leaping into the hearth, bellowing..
"HOGWART'S!"
Severus appeared in the Headmaster's office, jumping out of the flames and looking around the room frantically searching for her.
"JESSICA!"
"Its all right, Severus. She's over here." Severus swiveled his head to see Albus standing in the doorway, supporting a very scared woman in his arms. There was a very confused yet curious look on the elder man's expression as he watched the emotions overtake his Potion Master's face at the sight of her.
"Jessica?" Severus took a step forward then stopped as she pulled from the elder man's embrace, with a loud sob, ran over to him, and threw herself into his arms.
"S.. S.. Severus.. " She sobbed into his jacket. "I thought.. I thought I would never.. see you again."
"Shh, My love. It's all right. You're safe now. Shh." He whispered into her hair as he held her close trying to comfort her. He marveled at the feeling of having her once more in his arms, safe and sound. He ran one hand through her hair while the other one gently rubbed her back. He missed having her in his arms and wanted to saver every moment of it.
When he felt her calm down a bit he gripped her by the shoulder and pulled away enough to tilt her chin up to gaze into her face. "Is it true?" His voice was deep and soft as he spoke. "Are we to have a child?"
She nodded timidly and smiled reaching up to caress his face. "I was going to tell you the night.. the.. the night the club caught fire but then.. then I got kicked out of my flat.and.and then I couldn't find you.. anywhere. I tried.. I really tried." The tears started again as she clutched onto him. "I was so scared that I wasn't ever going to see you again."
A clearing of a throat caught Severus's attention and both men's eyes locked in silent understanding. Albus nodded once and indicated the door. "I will let you two be then, for now. I trust, Severus, that you will find her a place to stay while she is here?"
"Yes, sir." Severus muttered still holding her close in his embrace.
"Then come and see me, as soon as possible. We need to discuss this."
Severus nodded at the request but did not let his love go. "I will be back as soon as I get her settled, Albus."
The elder smiled once more at her. "Be well, child and do not fear, you are safe here." Jessica stared after him as he exited another door then turned her gaze back to the man in her arms. Her eyes widened as she glanced beyond his shoulder taking in the moving paintings surrounding the walls
"Severus.. where am I?"
"You are at Hogwart's. It's where I live and work."
"How.. where.. " She turned confused eyes up at him. "The.. Fireplace?"
"Floo network. Come, I will try to explain to you. I'm afraid there is a lot about me I neglected to tell you." He wrapped a supporting arm around her waist and led her to his chambers. They had a lot to discuss.
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A/Ns and Acknowledgements: Thank you all so much for your comments. They are very helpful.
Magdellin: Thank you for your comments. It wasn't a very good chapter but I've been fighting a major sinus headache and hadn't been able to think too clearly. Don't worry, there will be a happily ever after.eventually. It's getting there.
someone28: All right I wont tell, but I'm sure after this chapter you already know. LOL.more on the way soon.
Emma-Kitty: She and Severus will get together soon, just keep reading.
J.S. Sumner: They are coming together.see? They know now.now comes more difficult things.ugh.writing as I go now.I'm finally caught up to my notes. But I like playing cat and mouse.I'm tom.you're jerry.works for me!
NiteQueen: hehe.yes he is BAD.isn't he? Thanks for the words and I've got them back together. Enjoy the goodness.so far.hehehehe
LisaViola: A soap opera? Hum.don't know how to take that one..LOL.
Shemhamforash: Well, it was his office and how was she to know that he wasn't just coming back from lunch, dinner.bathroom.whatever? She had no idea that the letter wouldn't be found by the wrong person. Right?
Aprilgrey: hehe.yeah.cliffhangers.gotta love them and hate them.
Glinda: Ahhh.yes you will.you know you love it! :D
Loraine: Sneak? Why.baby.I have NO idea what you are talking about. My pleasure at any rate. Love you too.
Talene: Thank you and may the Gods bless you as well. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Umbridgeitis: I love getting your reviews. I am happily updating as fast as RL allows me to. I would love to read anything you have written. Just direct me there. And.Yes.they will and already have. LOL
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Please don't forget to review!
Blessed Be!
RWH