If you see ANYTHING you recognize from the books, then it belongs to JKR. The rest is mine. If I were making money off of this story then my creditors would not find it necessary to call my house at night during supper. Next time they ask me how I am doing, I just may break down and really tell them.
The weeks following the meeting in the Headmaster's office were vexing
in their capriciousness. Like a basking lizard, days would linger
and lounge upon the sun warmed rock of time only to dart ahead with a seemingly
invisible flick, before settling once more, eyes half-mast and immobile.
Olivia was unsure which was the more provoking of the two; the long
stretches where the days seemed unending or the sudden accelerations which
left her breathless and shaking with the realization that her confrontation
with Voldemort drew ever nearer.
It had been the early morning chat with Dumbledore that had set the harried and haggard pattern for the days to come.
The ancient wizard's gnarled fingers had stroked the cap of brown satin atop Olivia's bowed head; his blue eyes, for once, void of their annoying twinkle. Grief, deep and painful, gouged ravines of sadness in the old man's face before they were planed smooth by the blade of his will. Lifting Olivia's pensive, green eyes up to meet his, Albus raised a questioning, white brow while inclining his head towards the silent figure by the hearth. The Potions Master sat before the snapping fire, his face averted, looking for all the world, like a guilty seventh year.
At Olivia's negative gesture Dumbledore sighed and gave her a disapproving frown, which she returned.
"When can we expect the blessed arrival, my dear?" The Headmaster asked gently.
"Poppy says that I am about ten weeks along, Uncle. That would put the birth near the end of June." Olivia replied.
"So soon?" Albus groaned, then added as if in afterthought, "It would seem I was a bit conservative in my estimation of Professor Snape's ardor. Alas, I had plans for those galleons." Shaking his white head ruefully, Dumbledore moved to a nearby table where a gleaming tea pot sat surrounded by a collection of breads, hams and flavored butters. "For the safety of you both, Olivia's condition must be kept a secret for as long as possible." Stroking his flowing beard, Albus gazed at the heavily carved ceiling of his round chamber. "I suppose I could present Argus his winnings in the form of a pay bonus." he mused aloud.
Olivia muffled a startled shriek and the icy figure by the fire whipped around in his chair, a black scowl building on his brow. "Winnings?" Snape barked. "Winnings? What are you babbling about, old man?"
Albus shrugged innocently. "There was a bit of a wager amongst the staff..."
Olivia interrupted. "There was a bet as to when you and I would do the nasty."
"Are you saying that the sexual activities of Miss McGonagall and myself have been the focus of another of your blasted wagering pools?" Severus' voice had moved from a low, menacing whisper to a near roar by the completion of his question.
Dumbledore directed a steaming, umber stream of tea from the pot into a waiting cup while pondering his reply. "Ah--." Two sparkling cubes of sugar dove into the aromatic brew while Albus stalled. "Yes." He quirked a snowy brow. " Digestive biscuit?"
"Damn!" Snape growled, retreating behind the upholstered wings of his chair. "Oh bloody, bloody damn!"
"Relax, Severus." Dumbledore chided gently, handing Olivia her tea. "We shall continue on as if nothing has yet occurred. In the sense of fair play, however, I must turn the winnings over to Argus." He then added in a disappointed, wistful tone, "It was the largest pot in seventeen years." The old man floated a cup to Snape's chair, where it impatiently nudged his hand. Moving to a spot near Olivia, Albus sat with a tired groan. "Now, tell me of your meeting with Voldemort."
Pushing his indignation aside for the moment, Professor Snape revealed all that had transpired in the night. Part way through his speech, Severus rose from his chair and began to pace the room. Olivia and Albus watched and listened.
"So, Voldemort's plans have been destroyed and he is yet unaware?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Yes." Snape answered shortly from his new position at the frost covered window, the morning sun touching his face with gold. "Lucius played the part of snitch well and Voldemort has been appraised of Black's arrival and his appointment as Miss McGonagall's Champion. It was an easy matter to convince Voldemort that Olivia's efforts at my hearing were manufactured only to gain freedom for Black, allowing the wizard to join with her. The Dark One is of the opinion that Black has the divine protection of Brigit's legendary lover, Silvanus." Here, Snape cocked a questioning brow in Olivia's direction.
"That's news to me." Olivia said. "Brigit made no mention of Silvanus' involvement outside of the fact that the two of them cannot be reunited until this has been played out to its...conclusion."
Albus nodded. "Voldemort will be defeated." He made it sound like a question.
Olivia answered. "This is not going to be the end of him, you know. Harry Potter will still have to face him in the future, but the failure of the ritual will significantly weaken the Dark Lord, giving Harry time to grow into his strength." At Dumbledore's questioning look, she continued. "According to Brigit, Voldemort's use of the Conceptus would have been an unnatural event in the weave of time. I was created to halt that event, thus allowing time to continue on its original course. When I face him once more..."
"You will have to confront Voldemort again?" The old wizard asked sharply.
"Yes, and it will be his undoing." Olivia hoped her words sounded strong and sure, but she had her doubts.
"And what about afterwards?" Dumbledore probed gently. Severus listened to the conversation as he watched several first years made their frozen way towards Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures, their heavy cloaks dragging in the snow. He did not see the angry glare Olivia flung at the Headmaster, but he caught the intensity of her words when she responded.
"Life goes on."
"So it does." Albus whispered slowly. "So it does."
Olivia lowered her eyes, breaking the painful contact with her uncle's piercing azure stare.
Snape's low baritone broke the uncomfortable silence. "Lucius and Voldemort spoke of Draco and their plans for bringing him into the Death Eater fold. Draco had been given the task of recruiting his house mates in the search for the Dark Lord's reluctant bride. Fortunately, the device that carried her image was unable to function within the enchanted walls of the school."
Olivia shivered as she remembered the teen's cold, flat gaze the day he presented her with the missing hair band.
Leaning back into his chair, Albus Dumbledore peered intently through the half-moon frames of his spectacles. "I urge the utmost caution, Severus. Young Mr. Malfoy is currently receiving extra guidance from you in certain aspect of his education?"
Snape nodded, solemn.
"We must keep a close eye on our youthful Slytherin. Perhaps a suggestion that Draco spend his Yule holidays gaining extra credit here at school is in order? What say you, Severus?"
Snape nodded once more, his black eyes hooded. Having Draco remain within the protective walls of the school would prevent any move by Lucius to force the teen to accept the dark mark. It will also make it much easier to place my hands about Draco's tanned throat should my hopes for the boy to be in vain, Snape mused warily.
The grandfather clock chimed and Dumbledore released a heavy sigh. "We will need to meet with Sirius Black immediately following dinner. His life is in serious peril now that Voldemort has taken the bait. Your lady laid her plans well, my dear." Dumbledore winked at Olivia, who flinched, surprising the snow-haired mage. Turning his focus to Professor Snape, who had risen and was donning his cloak, Dumbledore admonished, "Study the prophesies carefully, Severus. The answers to all our questions may very well reside within the leaves of that book. I will, of course, be available to give you whatever aid is in my power."
As Professor Snape solicitously laid Olivia's cloak over her shoulders, Albus continued. "Olivia, my child, go rest. You have kept watch through the night and have been rewarded with Severus' safe return."
"I will sleep later." Olivia replied tightly. "I have to continue on as if nothing has changed. Missing class would raise too much suspicion." Albus frowned and Snape glowered, but she held her ground against the two mighty wizards. Firming her jaw, Olivia folded her arms over her chest, unmoving.
"Promise you will visit Poppy sometime today?" Dumbledore pleaded in his best feeble-old-man voice. "Just to put my mind at ease."
"She shall go forthwith." Snape declared, taking Olivia's elbow possessively. "If Madam gives you permission to stay up with the rest of the boys and girls, you may go to class." His smoldering eyes and tone brooked no disagreement and Albus smiled serenely.
"Splendid. I shall see you at lunch." He said, walking the couple to the door.
Snape tucked Olivia's hand within the crook of his elbow as they exited from behind the sneering gargoyle, earning himself a look of pleased surprise from the woman at his side. "I have been commanded to woo you, milady, and my courtship begins today. It must appear to anyone who would carry information to Voldemort that I am succeeding in my bid to lure you from Black. We must be cautious however and proceed slowly lest we raise suspicions."
Olivia faked a pout. "No groping under the Head table then?"
Snape leaned to whisper hotly in her ear. "Olivia, you may grope to your heart's content.
*********************************************************************************************
Professor Snape was no more comfortable with the passage of time than Miss McGonagall. As the days grew even shorter and the stones making up the dungeon walls grew colder, the Potions Master had chained himself to Surinim's book, clawing through pages of mindless drivel. If the power of Snape's daunting anger alone could have forced the tome to reveal its secrets, they would have thrown themselves upon the floor in abject fear. However they merely skittered from his questing, like fleeing first years, hiding from the burning study of his gaze. The scriveners assigned to preserving the mutterings of the insane prophet had been, if anything, zealous in their devotion to duty for they had indeed written down everything. Bits of prophesy were tucked into meandering discourses upon the uselessness of virgins, the eating habits of trolls, planting schedules, shopping lists and beer recipes. Woven into these mind numbing monologues were tiny beads of information, so small as to be almost undetectable in the dross. Blurry eyed, Snape would extract these jewels and place them upon his slowly growing string of knowledge in the hope of one day discerning the pattern.
...think I don't see you? I know what you are doing! Sneaking, creaking, nasty creatures! Go back to where you came from before I order those scribbling fools at my door to chop you all down. Creep into you yard will you? Bringing those damnable birds with their screeching and flapping. Dropping your trashy leaves into my pond! I know what you are after. Yes! I know what you plan, you bark covered demons. I hear you at night, plotting and The hunt will come swift as leopards. Like fierce wolves at dusk will they come. As vultures shall they sweep down to devour. Take ye therefore the Beloved and flee for the Hound will be no more. Preserve ye the Champion for the moment of his task has been set. planning. I hear what you say to one another when you think no one is listening. Filthy, leaf-dropping rabble!
Snape rubbed at burning eyes before gripping his quill to copy the line to an already cluttered sheet of parchment. He had been through the book three times in as many weeks and still new bits of prophesy continued to rise to the surface. It was maddening! At one point, he had even reverted to "foolish wand waving" in an attempt to charm the desired text from the rubbish, but to no avail. With a ragged sigh, he returned to his torture.
....but with two pints of beer added to the three quarts of dragon's blood, one could alter the existing potion to create a new elixir that would open the imbiber's eyes to the The Feast is prepared. On that day shall she stand alone before the holy flame as the sun stands alone in the sky, bringing light to the dark places. things that have been kept invisible by means of Dark Spells and Enchantments.
The Potions Master snorted at the dead prophet's stupidity. Any fourth year with a spoonful of brains could tell you that beer dulled the effects of dragon's blood. What dribble!
I said I wanted a virgin! You idiots! Yes, a virgin. Get one here quickly. I have a theory to investigate. Stop wasting my time. Behold the serpent. As the moon requires the stars to fill the night sky, so must the serpent be surrounded by his disciples that his meager strength be bolstered. And don't be bringing any of the skinny ones. No meat. No meat on them at all! Get me a good, juicy one with lots of flesh.
With a snarled curse, Snape slapped the book closed and poured himself a stiff drink.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"No!" Sirius barked, flinging himself from his chair before Dumbledore's
merrily burning fire. "I have just gotten my life back. I will
not let you force me into hiding again!" He turned hate filled eyes
to where Severus leaned, with bored elegance, against a tall, book lined
cabinet.
Olivia made to speak, but hesitated as Albus raised a withered hand for silence. "Sirius, your life is now at an even greater risk than when you were hiding from the Ministry." Black only snorted rudely and turned his broad back on the Head Master. Undaunted, Albus went on. "I would not see you killed by Voldemort's followers when we have it within our power to protect you while continuing to feed misleading information to the forces of Dark."
"Ha! One of those followers is planning to kill me." Sirius responded hotly. "You're loving this, aren't you, Snape? What's to stop you from making a bit of a mistake and really do me in?"
Professor Snape raised on black brow, letting his lips pull back in a wicked, feral smile.
"Damn you!" Black yelled, throwing himself across the room, furniture tumbling from his path.
Olivia sprang to her feet, intending to place herself between the two black-haired mages.
"Cease!" Dumbledore's voice rang with staggering power, freezing the other three where they stood. Stroking his white beard, the ancient wizard glowered angrily before gesturing to the chairs. "Sit!"
Wordlessly, they obeyed.
Dumbledore pushed his glasses to his forehead and rubbed at his tired eyes. Allowing the spectacles to settle once more on his pointed nose, the Headmaster addressed the chastised trio before him.
"Sirius, I can not stress strongly enough the severity of the situation. And you, Severus!" Dumbledore glared over his half-moon rims. "Your baiting of Sirius is not helping in any way. An event set in motion before the world was formed is coming into fruition and you both would continue on with your childish bickering?" Now the old wizard was roaring, causing Snape and Black to shrink back into their chairs.
Olivia watched the Headmaster with her heart hammering. Never in all her life had she witnessed Albus in a rage, and it frightened her.
Silence descended on the tableau, only the occasional pop and hiss of the fire breaking into the stillness. Oddly enough, it was Sirius Black who spoke first.
"Forgive me, Albus." the rangy wizard pleaded. "I forgot for a moment why we were all here. You are correct. This is much bigger than any history Snape and I share." Looking up at the still fuming Dumbledore, Black begged with his eyes.
If he had a tail right now it would be twitching between his legs! Olivia thought meanly to herself.
With a heavy sigh, Black asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I believe Severus and Olivia have a plan." Dumbledore stated, raising a white, bristly brow. "Severus?"
His face still pale with anger, the Potions Master leaned forward, placing his elbows on his black knees. When he spoke his voice was low and tight. "I have been commanded by Voldemort to court Olivia from her chosen protector. I am to gain her trust and hopefully her devotion, thus preventing her from taking Black to her bed."
"What makes Snakeman believe that you won't jump her as well?" Black sneered.
Olivia threw Sirius a dark frown, but Severus cut off any words she might have uttered. "Fortunately, Voldemort views me in much the same light as the rest of the world's population." Snape voice carried a load of bitterness. "He believes me neutered by my fear of retribution; that I would never risk my life for the bliss of intimacy." Severus could feel Olivia's green eyes searching the planes and angles of his face, but he would not meet her gaze.
"It must appear that I am wooing Miss McGonagall out of spite for you, Black. The farce must be slow and very public. When the time is right and the tension high, you will be allowed to strike out at me."
Sirius straightened in his chair. "So, I get to throw the first punch?" He grinned as Snape nodded, then sobered. "What about Harry?" The animagus asked Dumbledore.
"Harry must not be made aware of what we do." Dumbledore replied sadly. "His pain must be real, or Voldemort will see right through our scheming."
Turning his startlingly blue glance to Olivia, Sirius inquired softly. "You are in agreement with this?"
"Yes." Came her prompt reply. "Voldemort will believe that Severus has followed his orders. It will, hopefully, buy us the time we need to research the prophesies, discover the time and the place of the appointed meeting."
Seeing the even deeper lines of depression growing on Sirius' handsome face, Olivia tried to locate a grain of compassion for the suffering wizard. To her shocked amazement, she felt her heart contract in pain as tears filled her vision before spilling slowly down her cheeks. The vengeful taste of anger faded from her mouth and she felt shamed by the thoughts she had earlier entertained of Black dying slowly under her hand. Brushing the wetness from her face, Olivia reached out and seized Black by the fingers.
"Sirius," she paused, swallowing her sorrow. "Help me, please." Green eyes, shimmering with tears, captured and held Sirius bound. "I love him, Sirius. I love Severus Snape with all my heart. I am pregnant with his child and Voldemort must not find out!" Struggling around a sob, Olivia continued. "Help me protect him, please. Help me protect my Beloved and Champion."
Black looked at the softly weeping witch beside him, his thumb absently stroking the back of her pale hands. Over her bowed shoulders, the animagus could see Snape's attempts to mask his own shock at Olivia's heartfelt plea. With his free hand, Black cupped Olivia's chin, her tears spilling on to his tanned skin.
"Tell me what you want me to do."
***********************************************************************************************
"If you ask me," Ron huffed, tossing his books down and scattering them over the scarred surface of the library table. "She's barking mad for even giving Snape a second glance, much less walking out with him after dinner." The red-head missed Hermione's answering glare as he attempted to collect the books into a more orderly pile.
"You're right about that one, mate." Harry Potter agreed, slouching into one of the hard chairs and dropping his heavy book bag to the floor. "What sort of woman would pass over a guy like Sirius for that greasy haired old bat?" He shook his black head at the foolishness of women.
"I bet old Snape's just doing it to get back at Sirius." Ron declared hotly. "I mean, we have been here for seven years and not once in all that time has Snape been seen with a woman and now, all of a sudden, he can't stay away from Miss McGonagall? If she belonged to any other bloke, Snape'd not even give her the time of day."
Hermione snorted as she opened her Arithimancy book and roughly flipped through the pages. The young witch tried to let the sniping and grousing of the two boys at her table wash over and away from her, but she felt her anger rising with each passing statement.
"Always thought Snape batted for the other team, you know?" Harry said, stretching until the joints in his shoulders popped.
"Lor' Harry! That's an ugly picture!" Ron groaned. "Not even Filch would look twice at Snape. He's got to be the ugliest bloke on the entire planet! And mean to boot."
"Maybe she is just trying to make Sirius jealous." Harry mused. "You know how women are. They aren't happy until you are at their feet declaring your undying devotion."
"Maybe McGonagall has never had a fellow and is stringing them both along." Ron whispered. "Or maybe Snape has just put her under a spell."
"I dunno." Harry replied. "She's a right looker, if you ask me. She must have had plenty of chances to get some before. You may be right about the spell though, or maybe he's using a potion. Snape'd have to get a woman dosed to the gills before she would fall into the sack with him."
Her skin was so hot, Hermione swore she could smell her hair burning. What idiots!
"Oi, 'Moine." Ron broke into the witch's blistering thoughts. "If you were Miss McGonagall, would you toss over a bloke like Sirius for the likes of Snape?"
"In a skinny minute."
After a moment of sucking silence, Hermione raised her eyes from her book to find the boys just as she expected; eyes wide with shock, their jaws slack and dangling.
"You're joking, right?" Ron asked in a ragged voice.
"Nope." Hermione replied lightly, a wicked smile slithering over her face. "And I would have to fight any number of other girls here at the school to reach him."
"Ok," Harry laughed nervously. "Now I know you are having us on. There isn't a girl at Hogwarts that wouldn't run screaming if Snape laid a finger on her."
"Is that so?" Hermione demanded.
"Yea." Both young men chimed.
"I can prove it to you." Hermione stated flatly, shrugging her shoulders.
"How?" Ron asked, leaning back into the hard wooden slats of his seat.
"You name any girl in the library...no, better make it four, ask any four girls in the library if they think Professor Snape is sexy. I dare you."
Harry threw his hands into the air. "I am not going to ask anyone if they think Snape is sexy! That's disgusting, that is."
"You are just afraid I will be right." Hermione replied smugly.
"No way." Ron shouted, and then cringed as Madam Pince glared at him from her desk. Lowering his voice, he pushed his freckled face closer to Hermione's. "Are you saying that the girls think Snape is...is..." He swallowed loudly.
"Hot? Yes, we do." Seeing their looks of stunned disbelief, Hermione sighed, closing her book. "What do you think we chatter about late at night? Charms and Transfiguration?"
"Girls talk about sex?" Harry inquired in a hushed whisper, his eyes large behind his glasses.
"All of the time. Women are no different in that respect. We enjoy sex as much as guys do, we just don't swagger and crow like most guys." The boys looked at each other before turning back to Hermione.
"And you talk about...Snape?"
"Ooo, yes!" The young witch sighed, closing her eyes.
Ron blanched. "That is so wrong."
Harry shushed him with a wave of his hand as Hermione's brown eyes snapped open, brimming with fire. "So," the young wizard inquired blandly. "What's so great about Snape?"
Hermione chewed her lower lip as she seemed to give the question deep consideration. When she spoke, the wizards drew closer, hanging on her every word.
"It's...well, he has so much....presence." She said breathlessly.
"Presence? What the bloody hell-"
"Mr. Weasley! You will quiet down or I will be forced to banish you from these premises!" Madam Pince's strident tone flew across the room like a hurled javelin.
"He fills the room." Hermione breathed. "He is all dark, brooding sensuality, tightly encased in those black robes. A girl just knows that if you could get him to let go...the passion would break over you like a storm." The boys watched, stunned as Hermione shivered and her cheeks flushed a hot pink. "When he looks at you with those black, black eyes it is like he can see clear down into your soul and that he knows just what your deepest desires are." She ran her fingers through her soft tangle of hair. "During class, when he stalks around the chamber like some wild, dangerous beast, you can feel your heart pounding in your chest with fear while the blood pools hot and swirling in your belly." Hermione allowed a soft moan to leak from her lips.
Harry and Ron squirmed uncomfortably in their chairs when Hermione ran her hands over her arms, licking her lips as her eyes trembled shut. "And his hands!" she panted. "His hands are lovely; so large and fine. A woman could watch them all day as he cuts and chops the ingredients for his potions. The way his fingers brush over the mortar or flex to capture a pinch of lacewing... so elegant, so sure in their movements. Like a dance, really. You can just imagine how they would feel moving over your skin, knowing just where to touch a woman to make her moan."
"But it is his voice that has us all creaming in our jeans. When he speaks, it is like warm oil pouring all over your body, caressing you, burning you. I have stood outside the Potions classroom the first day of class since our second year, just to hear his speech to the first years. I close my eyes and feel the tone and cadence of his words move over me and into me, harsh, yet so...so seductive. I can pretend that he is breathing on my face, hot and fast, and he whispers to me in that hypnotic voice as his hands do things to my body that cause me to...to... Ahhhhh!" Hermione sighed dramatically, trembling as if in the throes of passion, the boys panting in time with her soft cries.
Limp and spent, Hermione rested her head against the back of her chair. She knew her face was flushed and beaded with sweat, but it had been worth every second of the energy she had invested in shocking the dense wizards she called her dearest friends. Opening her eyes a crack, she choked back a laugh at the sight of Harry and Ron, their eyes still wide, staring in stunned disbelief at their panting comrade.
Hermione sat up abruptly, brushing the curls from her damp cheeks and glanced at the hourglass on the counter. "Oh, it's getting late. I have rounds before the curfew bell. Gotta run, guys. See you later, ok?" Snatching up her book, Hermione sped away, her swaying hips causing her robes to swing enticingly.
Open mouthed, Harry and Ron shared a look of amazement, before Harry licked his dry lips with an equally dry tongue. "So, Ron...you think we should do like Hermione said? You know, ask some other girls what they think of Snape?"
Ron swallowed. "You think they will all have the same sort of reaction?"
"We can hope so." Harry replied eagerly.
"What are you waiting for then?" Ron asked, rising from his chair, casting his brown eyes over the chamber for likely females.
From where they stood concealed behind the massive shelves, Professor Snape and Remus Lupin watched Miss Granger's retreating form. Snape felt the blood stinging his cheeks even as his heart pounded in his ears. Who would have suspected that the Little-Know-It-All had it in her to display such passion? Worry began to creep over Snape's mind as he turned his black eyes on Remus Lupin. What must the werewolf be thinking?
Lupin met Snape's gaze. "She's right!" The brown haired wizard gasped. "Your eyes are soul-searching! Touch me, Severus!" Remus moaned quietly. He doubled over laughing a second later as Snape hastily backed away, shaking his black head.
"Lupin, you are a total ass." Snape snarled, adjusting his robes with angry jerks.
"I know, I know." Slapping the Potions Master on the shoulder,
Lupin grinned. "What say you buy me a drink and tell me more."
**********************************************************************************************
Olivia's laughter shook the bed, causing Severus to lift his head from
the pillow to scowl down at the woman curled warmly at his side.
"I see nothing humorous in Miss Granger's behavior. It could have
caused an unfortunate rift between Lupin and myself that we can ill afford
at this time."
"Oh, get over yourself, Severus!" Olivia chided as she smiled into her lover's snapping, black eyes. "Remus has no more reason to be jealous of you than you have to be jealous of Sirius Black. He knows just where Hermione's affections lay. I just wish I could have been there to see the show." She sat up, the sheet falling away from her body. "Did Harry really ask her if girls discussed sex?"
"Yes." Snape replied shortly, still miffed at being used by Miss Granger as a means to taunt the Gits of Gryffindor. "It was most unsettling to discover that young ladies of supposedly good breeding are conversing about the reproductive process without my own name being dragged into the matter."
"I can understand their attraction to you..." Olivia began, but Severus glowered fiercely as he interrupted.
"I can assure you Olivia, that the females of Hogwarts are not attracted to me. Miss Granger merely used me as the stick for beating a bit of sense into the thick heads of her friends, nothing more."
"Au contre, moi dear professeur." She purred, stroking her fingers over Snape's flat nipples, causing him to jump and grab for her hand. "I have seen the ladies watch you glide around the corridors, your robes sweeping behind you like their darkest dreams." Olivia leaned in and claimed his lips in a sweet kiss. "Face it love, you are just what their mamas warned them about."
Severus gave a loud snort and grabbing Olivia by the shoulders pulled her once more into the circle of his arms, her head resting on the broad expanse of his chest. "Foolishness!"
She didn't complain about his proprietary manner. Wrapping her arms around his lean torso, Olivia draped a leg over Severus' hip, his limp manhood warm beneath her knee.
"Actually Severus, this couldn't come at a better time." She murmured, placing her lips briefly on the cool skin of Snape's chest.
"How so?" His voice rumbled under her ear.
"Well, we want people to believe that there is some real competition between you and Sirius. Hermione's little demonstration just gives the story an extra bit of credibility and spice. It will be all over the school by breakfast."
"Lovely! Just what I need, to become the target for lusting, pubescent, females."
The bed gave a huge jolt and Cat's pointed face appeared over the tops of Snape's blanket-tented feet. The animal's low rumble filled the bedroom as he quickly made his way up the Potions Master's body to flop down in a furry, vibrating heap near Olivia's face.
"Hello, Big Boy." Olivia crooned while Cat rubbed his whiskered face against her chin. Grinning, Olivia kissed the wet, pink nose.
"Ach, Olivia!" Severus roared. "Tell me that you did not just kiss that animal on the mouth!"
"What about it?" She inquired, taken aback by his reaction.
"What about it? What about it?" He mocked, scrubbing against her retreating mouth with a corner of the sheet. "You do not know where his mouth has been!"
Olivia pushed his hand away. "I know exactly where your mouth has been and I still kissed you!" She grimaced.
Snape pushed himself into a sitting position, irritably punching and arranging the pillows. Cat gave an equally irritated, "Yowl!" and jumped from the bed. "That is different."
"How so?"
Tossing his mane of black hair from his even blacker eyes, the wizard crossed his arms over the bare skin of his chest. "It just is."
"Well, if we are going to get scientific about it..." Olivia grinned, sitting up to straddle his hips. Running her fingers into the long, tangled satin of Severus' hair, Olivia touched her lips to his, her breasts grazing the crisp, dark hair on his chest. Her soft, green eyes held him bound, unwilling to wrestle free. "I meant what I told Sirius." Olivia whispered, her breath moving over Severus' face like a blessing. "I love you with all my heart. I will love you until the end of my days."
Severus swallowed hard against the lump of emotion growing in his throat. Curling his fingers around the nape of her neck, he pulled Olivia into a kiss that sapped the strength from her limbs, leaving her trembling with each breath.
Pressing his lips to hers once more, Severus whispered her name as a prayer, "Olivia."
Callouses abraded the tender skin of Olivia's breasts as Severus swept his hands down her sides to knead the firm slender hips riding him. He quaked with the unaccustomed feelings that Olivia generated within his formally decayed and withered heart, employing the organ for purposes other than circulating blood through out his frame. Words of love, plain and unadorned, fell from her lips as naturally as honey dripped from the comb. Her kisses inflamed him at the same time, cooling the embers of anger and loneliness that had warmed the wizard for so long. The whisper of her skin against his declared secrets yet to be revealed. Severus' soul flourished and grew under the gentle, nurturing light of Olivia's affection.
His hand traveled to a spot on Olivia's belly, just above her moist nest of curls. "Will our child be disturbed from his slumber by our play?" He inquired tenderly, nipping along her jaw.
"Oh, he will be lulled by the rocking. Just like a cradle. I doubt even the pounding you give to his chamber door will waken him." Olivia smiled wickedly.
Severus returned the smile, upping the degree of wickedness.
He could want for nothing more.
##############################################################################################
"Never assume, Mr. Malfoy." Olivia advised, peering over her glasses at the blond Slytherin. "You either know or you do not. This court cares not a whit for your assumptions."
Draco's cheeks reddened and his lips formed a thin line as he muttered a grudging, "Yes ma'am."
"Carry on." Olivia said crisply.
Draco nodded and checking the roll of parchment in his hand, continued with his closing argument. "In the 1960 case of The Crown v- Vladeski, the presiding judges ruled that the 'biting in self-defense' plea, while applicable in situations involving members of the Wizarding populations, did not constitute a valid defense in cases involving Muggles. Writing for the majority, Judge Festus Dill exempted Muggle attackers from the protection of the self-defense argument, stating that due to their lack of magical ability, Muggles were fundamentally incapable of creating a climate of imminent danger and that Vladeski had ample opportunity to avoid the bite that resulted in the death and resurrection of the victim." Clearing his throat, Malfoy risked a glance in McGonagall's direction before continuing.
"In addition, Vladeski's argument that he "bit, but never swallowed" was not accepted as evidence of Vladeski's lack of intent to do harm."
The shattering klaxon of the school bell signaled the end of the period and caused Malfoy's shoulders to slump in relief. Over the din of students scrambling for books and satchels, Olivia called out the homework assignment. "Two and a half feet due at next class time on the results of The Crown v-Vladeski and the Dark Creatures Rights of the 1970s. Mr. Malfoy, a moment please."
Draco planted himself firmly between the aisle of desks causing the torrent of escaping teens to break and flow around him. One hand gripped the strap of his book bag while the other buried itself deeply into his pocket. With one hip jutting forward and his weight resting on the unbent leg, Draco's pose was one of bored nonchalance. Olivia wondered if the youth practiced before a mirror.
Removing her glasses and folding them carefully, Olivia beckoned Draco to her desk. On the scored, wooden top lay her grade book. Spinning the thin, spiral book so that it could be easily seen, Olivia pointed to the page with one blunt nailed finger.
"Look here, Mr. Malfoy." She commanded. "And here. And here." Draco's eyes followed the pale digit across a neatly inscribed row of numbers. As he reached the last figure, Draco raised his eyes to find Miss McGonagall's smiling face, her own green eyes glowing with quiet pride. "Well done, Mr. Malfoy. You have made an amazing recovery. Your marks are the highest in the class. I appreciate the effort you have been putting into your work."
The son of aristocratic Malfoys wanted to respond coolly that he didn't give a fig about her appreciation, that as a Malfoy, he was expected to outshine the off-spring of lesser wizards. Yet Draco, the teen, tensed and waited for the inevitable, 'But...'
It did not come. Instead, Miss McGonagall's smile faltered slightly and she closed the grade book, sliding it into her briefcase. "I just wanted you to know that your hard work has not gone unnoticed nor unrewarded. I have sent a note to your head of house, advising him of your progress. That will be all."
Draco quickly turned on his heel and reached the door with Snape-like grace and speed. At the portal, he paused. "Thank you, Miss McGonagall."
"You are quite welcome, Mr. Malfoy." The witch replied, gripping the handle of her bag and moving to the door. As the pair exited the class, Olivia spoke in a brisk tone. "Dueling Club tonight! Wear your trainers. We're kick-boxing again."
With a pained sigh, Draco turned to the left and headed for the dungeons.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The air in the Great Hall pulsed with the deep, driving sound of a throbbing bass, while a wailing electric guitar swirled and climbed its way through a bower of percussion and horns. Growling with the beat, Bob Seger demanded, "Come to Papa!" The four house tables had vanished and the floor rolled and receded like a wave as the scantily clad students advanced and retreated along its length.
Three shuffle steps to the fore, a round-house kick, three shuffle steps to the rear, followed by a punch, before the whole mass performed a quarter turn and moved through the pattern once more.
Dumbledore sat at the high table, his index fingers keeping rhythm with the steady boom-boom-ba-BOOM. As the students slid into a retreat and punch, the headmaster's thready cry joined their throaty "Hai!"
Professor McGonagall laughed weakly and pressed the palms of her hands to her ears, while her eyes followed the movements of one particular participant in the waving, churning mob of sweat and muscle below her. Olivia bobbed and slid in sync with the music and the students around her. Minerva tisked at the thought of a witch in her day participating in such a raucous event. And with child! Olivia would have her way about it, though and nothing Minerva said or did would stop her headstrong daughter from jumping into the thick of things. Shifting her eyes to where Severus stood by the wall, Minerva felt a spasm of sorrow claw at her heart.
Snape observed from the sidelines. He had refused most adamantly Olivia's plea that he join the students in their workout. He had snorted. "I refuse to gyrate about the room in Spandex. It lacks dignity." Olivia had given in, but had squeezed his waist in parting while muttering some nonsense about admiring a man who chose to keep his love handles.
He had refused to let himself demand a definition of her words. He instinctively felt it would not be a good thing.
Now he stood, arms folded over his chest while the pitiful excuse for music tortured his ears and his glittering, black eyes feasted on the delicious display of firm flesh shuffling and kicking out on the floor.
Olivia was attired in, by Severus' estimation, what amounted to nothing more that under things. The tight gray shorts appeared to have been painted upon her flexing thighs, accentuating the slender muscles and curved buttocks. A sleeveless tee declaring, "No Pain-No Problem!," stuck to her sweaty, upper body, while curls clung to her flushed, damp cheeks.
Snape had all but frothed at the mouth when Olivia announced her intention to participate in the weekly aerobic sessions. He had ranted and railed for close to an hour while Olivia sat and calmly endured his tirade. She had then handed the winded wizard a copy of a well-thumbed, Muggle book entitled, "What to Expect When You Are Expecting." A slip of neon pink paper glared at him from its home in the pages. She had shrugged meekly, hiding her smile of triumph. "That's my note from Madam. She says that I am fit as a fiddle and has given her blessing to anything I want to try. Well, not the bungie jumping thing, but that was just a joke."
She had left him holding the book.
The passing and pausing of days had been kind to Olivia. No longer were her mornings and noontime's spent bowed humbly before her porcelain altar. The fading nausea had been replaced by a surge of energy and appetite. Olivia had thrown herself back into the teeming life of the school. As she moved in step with the throng of heated bodies, she would periodically stop and check her pulse, catching Snape's cool eye on her each time. "He is such a dear." Olivia told herself. "A dear old bear in barbed wire boxers!"
Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously when the floundering figure on Olivia's left stumbled, trodding heavily upon her toes. "Sirius!" She cried, jumping away.
"Sorry, 'Livvy." Sirius panted, his normally tanned face nearly purple with exertion. "Bit rusty." Wiping the sweat from his face, he jerked his head towards the far wall. "What say we take a breather. It will be time to start soon."
With a nod, Olivia followed.
Severus Snape watched as Olivia and that oaf, Black left the floor. Tonight would be the night their plan would go into action. Tonight, Sirius Black would sign his own death writ before the eyes of the entire school.
"Ready anytime you are, Professor." Julian Vincent's deep bass invaded Snape's thoughts. He inclined his glossy head to the stocky, black police officer who had been hired to instruct the students in the art of wandless warfare. With a flick of Snape's wand, the grinding noise ceased. Officer Vincent's voice filled the void. "Ok people, let's see what you remember from last week!" he bellowed. Stalking to the front of the panting, steaming throng, Vincent dropped into a side facing crouch. "First position! Go! Second, go! Third...no, no, no! Back up and this time, do it right! Your opponent ain't gonna be yo' mama!"
Snape shed his outer garments, folding them neatly and laying them out of harm's way. With cat-like grace, he moved among the students, correcting, criticizing, giving an occasional grunt of approval, before he made his way to Olivia's side. "Are you ready for this?" He inquired in an undertone.
Olivia jerked her head in affirmation, then added heatedly, "If he hurts you seriously, I'll kill him for real!" Her green eyes glowed with a vengeful fire and Snape felt his heart warmed by its blaze.
"You will have to get over this, you realize?" He inquired as he moved into the steps of the drill.
"You're one to be giving advice about releasing the past." Olivia grunted, planting her right foot hard to the floor and slamming the heel of her hand out at her invisible attacker. Her compassion for Sirius and his plight had dulled a bit over the passing weeks. He had fallen into his role as Snape's competition with relish and never let an opportunity pass to belittle the Potions Master.
Vincent grilled them for half an hour before ordering the group to break up in pairs. "The objective is to neutralize the enemy. Get the wand out of their hand. Get 'em on the ground if you can. Use those holds I showed you. Get to it!" He barked.
Just as planned, Sirius grabbed Olivia's upper arm, pulling her to a clear section of floor. "You work with me tonight, Olivia." Flashing a triumphant smile at a seemingly fuming Snape, Sirius slid his hand down to Olivia's slender wrist and pulled her tightly against his body. "What you going to do now, pretty lady?"
Olivia faked a knee to the groin and Sirius released his hold, allowing her to step away. "Good reflexes!" He said, grinning.
Olivia wanted nothing more than to hex the flashing white smile into a jar of pickling solution and present it to Severus as a token of her unwavering devotion.
"You want to go first?" Sirius asked.
"Sure." Olivia replied, pulling a miniature wand from her waist band and enlarging it with a spell. A slender, stained rod of oak, the piece was not a true wand, for it possessed no core. It felt strange in Olivia's hand, but she knew she had to keep suspicious minds at bay. Balancing on the balls of her feet, Olivia mimed tossing a curse. Sirius dropped to the ground, neatly avoiding the 'spell' and hooked his left leg forcefully behind her ankles. Only her nimble reaction kept Olivia from spilling heavily to the stone floor.
After a few moments, the pair changed over and it was Olivia who attempted to diswand Sirius. They broke off their struggles when Vincent called for the adults to circulate through the lunging, tumbling, bellowing crowd to monitor the efforts of the students.
Draco had Blaise Zabini in a hammer lock, using the black haired Slytherin's own wand to wedge the captured arm up higher. Olivia patted Draco's shoulder, "Well done, Draco. Well done. You can let him go now."
"Yes ma'am." Draco answered, then stunned Olivia by springing quickly away from his newly freed opponent, who instantly wheeled about in a crouch, fists pulled in tight to his body.
"Whoa!" Olivia cried above the noise of combat. "What sort of games do you play in the Slytherin common room?"
Swiping his silver-blond hair from his eyes, Draco answered with a rare grin. "We have been watching the telly in the common room after hours. Have you ever seen "COPS"?"
"Bad boys, bad boys, whattcha gonna do? Whattcha gonna do when they come for you?" Olivia chanted while the youths chuckled.
"So Draco, what will you do when they come for you?" Olivia teased, only to curse her own stupidity as Draco's face froze.
"Most likely I will die." Nodding curtly, Draco turned his back, beckoning Zambini to attack.
Olivia felt her face flame and fighting down the desire to apologize to Draco for her careless words, moved away once more into the throng.
A shrill whistle captured everyone's attention, shutting off the yells of the students like a faucet.
"Ok, that was fair." Vincent bellowed. "Barely." With a heavy frown, the black man wiped glistening sweat from his face. "I want to see those take down moves we worked on and I wanna see 'em done right! Get your adversary on the ground, people! Drop 'em! Drop 'em! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir!" The student's response shook the window panes.
"Then get to it!" Officer Vincent roared.
Severus approached Olivia through the crowd. As he drew near, the wizard ran slender fingers over his ribs, muttering the spell that would protect him from the hammering he would shortly receive from Black. "Shall we be about it then?" He whispered, leading Olivia to a more open area of floor.
The first moves were innocent enough; Severus' forearm was about the slender column of Olivia's throat, the other, a band of iron muscle, pressed her to his tall frame. Bending his knee, Snape gently lowered the trapped woman to the stones, his weight forcing her into a tender yielding.
"You are supposed to resist, Olivia." Severus rasped against her temple.
"I can't, for the life of me, think of one reason why." She quipped before cupping her left fist into her right hand, blasting her elbow into his ribs. She was immediately released.
Crawling rapidly over the hard floor, Olivia felt long fingers fasten themselves about her ankle. Her upper body hit the stones, forcing a "huff!" from her lips. Snape dragged the prone witch to where he knelt, his hands climbing her legs until he gripped the springy waist band of her shorts.
"Yield or be unclothed!" The Potions Master snarled.
"Never!" Olivia yelled and flipped to her back. The movement pulled Severus forward and down over Olivia's body, pinning the hand holding her shorts beneath both of their bodies.
"Lay still!" She hissed. "He should be here in just a..."
"Get off of her, you bastard!"
Black's scream tore through the raucous bedlam created by the wrestling students, leaving a hole of silence.
Olivia watched in unfeigned horror as Black grabbed a handful of black mane and Snape's head was ripped from her sight. Scrambling hurriedly to her feet, she gasped. Sirius' knee blasted into Severus' face, the blood flying wide as the raging animagus hurled the battered wizard into the crowd of horrified students.
Panting in rage, Black advanced upon the Potions Master, who, wiping blood-matted hair from his eyes, was attempting to rise. Snape was bent double by the blow as Sirius' booted foot crashed into his midsection.
"Nooooooooo!!" Olivia cried, launching herself upon Snape's attacker and sinking her teeth into his ear.
With a pained bellow, Sirius whirled, flinging Olivia from him. She landed with a practiced roll, screaming in pretend pain. Laying as if stunned, Olivia watched Julian Vincent and Remus Lupin tackle Sirius, dragging him down under their combined weight.
"Sirius Black!" The Headmaster strode into Olivia's line of sight, followed by Minerva, who quickly knelt by her daughter's side.
Albus Dumbledore trembled with rage, glaring down at the black haired mage who continued to struggle against his captors. Nearby, Severus rose to his feet, gruffly shrugging off Draco Malfoy's attempts to assist his Head of House.
"Have you lost your senses, man?" Dumbledore roared. "What
is the meaning of this shameful display?"
Shaking off his captors, Sirius glared at Dumbledore through the tangle of hair that fell over his twisted features. "He was touching her! Couldn't you see how that bastard was pawing Olivia?" He ignored the gasps coming from the students who stood frozen around him.
"You will mind your tongue, Sirius." Albus stated, his voice soft yet containing a core of steel.
"You tell me to mind my tongue while that piece of dirt tries to have his way with your niece?" Black screamed. "He was forever trying to take what was beyond his reach, to sully everything that was good and pure with his filthy hands. He is still trying."
Professor Snape pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the blood that continued to pour from his shattered nose. He approached Dumbledore, waving off the older wizard's concerned look. "I will survive." He muttered thickly.
"And that is a damned shame, if you ask me." Sirus growled, coming to his feet. "Still trying to get in with your betters, Snape? Well, a snake will never walk upright, no matter how hard it tries."
Olivia had regained her legs but leaned heavily on Minerva's shoulder. At her outraged gasp of, "Sirius!" the angry mage turned in her direction.
"Olivia, you chose me. We were happy until he started slinking around."
Olivia shook her head numbly, her face a mask of confusion.
"Can't you see what he is trying to do?" Black moaned. "He doesn't care for you. He doesn't have it in him to care about anything except bringing pain and suffering to everyone who comes close. He will destroy you, Olivia."
"That is a lie!" Snape declared.
"No! It's all true! Look what happened to Lily. You wanted her and when she refused to be fouled by your touch, you allowed her to be killed! You let Lily and James die because they had what you have never deserved to possess!"
"Enough of this." Dumbledore stated firmly. The look he fixed upon the heavily panting Black was hard, yet sad. "Sirius, as much as it pains me to do this, I have no other choice. You have attacked a Hogwarts instructor, made mindless accusations, you have brought distress to the students of this institution and you have embarrassed yourself in the process." Albus paused and sighed. "You are therefore banned from these premises." Horrified hisses and whispers swirled around the group. Over the sounds of stunned disbelief came Harry Potter's pained cry.
From behind him, Severus heard a harshly whispered, "No!". Glancing over his shoulder, Snape spied Draco Malfoy's pale features. "Interesting." Snape thought to himself. "Quite interesting."
"No! Professor Dumbledore, please." The blacked haired youth pushed his way through the crowd until he stood before the Headmaster. "Let me talk to Sirius, please. We can work this all out."
Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "Mr. Potter, I understand your grief, yet my decision stands. Perhaps by seeing your suffering, Sirius can come to terms with the damage he has done this night." Bringing his blue eyes up to face Sirius, the old wizard continued. "It is best you leave now, Sirius."
Sirius looked pleadingly around at the crowd, hoping against hope that someone would speak for him. He met Lupin's gold-flecked gaze. "Remus?"
"Come on, Sirius. I will walk with you." Lupin said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
Sirius looked to Olivia, who turned her head away.
"Fine!" Black snarled. "I will be waiting with a rousing "I told you so, " when he dumps your ass." With that parting stab, Black made his way to the huge double doors followed closely by Lupin. The slamming of the portal behind the two wizards broke the spell of disbelief that had held the audience bound.
Before the hall could begin to buzz with excited speculation, Dumbledore gave the order for the students to return to their houses. Disappointed, the teens began to file out, following their respective Prefects to the dormitories.
"Will you be all right, my dear?" Minerva inquired, concerned.
"Yes." Olivia replied with a nod. "I had a cushioning spell, so there was no harm done." She watched as Ron and Hermione attempted to comfort a grieving Harry. "It will be difficult, so painfully difficult for Harry." she whispered.
"Yes, but necessary." Minerva observed sadly. "Shall I walk you to your chambers?"
"No Mama, that won't be necessary. I want speak to Severus."
Minerva's gaze flicked to where Snape stood deep in conversation with the Head Master before coming back to rest on her daughter. "Yes. You two have much to discuss." The older witch pursed her lips, as if debating within herself. "You underestimate Severus, Olivia. Talk to him. Tell him the truth. He deserves to know." With a brief kiss, Professor McGonagall left the hall.
Olivia moved to where Julian Vincent knelt on the floor, packing his equipment assisted by Draco Malfoy. "Julian," she began. "I am so sorry about what happened here. I didn't know that Sirius felt so strongly... Well, I am sorry you got pulled into it, is all."
"No problem, Olivia." The police officer replied as he stood and tossed the heavy canvas bag over his shoulder. "Glad to have been here to help. Same time next week?"
Giving the black wizard a smile and a nod, Olivia escorted him to the doors of the Great Hall and bid him good night. She turned to find Severus directly behind her, Draco at his side.
"Miss McGonagall, I have asked Mr. Malfoy to see you to your chambers. The Headmaster is most adament in his demand that I see Madam about this bit of damage." He pointed to the swollen mess of his nose.
"No, really. It isn't necessary for Draco to escort me. I am fine."
Draco stepped forward. "Miss McGonagall, if I may be so bold? With what happened here tonight, I shouldn't be surprised if some of Black's more staunch supporters assigned you the blame. I would feel better knowing that you made it safely to your quarters. It is no trouble."
Olivia knew her expression was one of shock and quickly responded. "If it will please you then, Draco. Professor." She nodded politely to Snape and then allowed Malfoy to hold the huge door open for her to exit.
Two days later, a grief-stricken Harry Potter attacked his Potions Master.
Whew! I thought I would be able to produce chapters faster if I stayed away from the groups and fanfiction, but I was wrong. I just can't go any faster. The chapters have taken on a life of their own and keep growing as I write. I was hoping for short chapters coming out a a faster pace, but I don't think I have it in me to write short pieces.
I am trying, however.
Big thanks go to shadowycat and Zee for all of their help beta-ing this monster. Their input is worth its weight in gold.
I hope that the story is holding together and that I am covering all of my bases. If I have missed anything, be sure to let me know. I will plug all the holes as soon as I find them.
Huggs to you all.