Thanks for your reviews. Phew, thank goodness you were all OK about that scene. I was a bit worried, I have to say.
Re this next chapter, I have to say that, alcohol aside, I have never taken recreational drugs in my life, so I have had to rely on a little research and a LOT of imagination for this scene. Apologies to anyone who knows better...!!! And I wish, I wish I had sufficient word power to translate onto the page how I picture Snape in this scene. I've done my best but...
STONED AGAIN
As she awoke, the memories of the previous night gradually filtered into her brain and she began to evaluate the situation.
First was the memory of what she'd done on the banks of the lake, but that was OK. She was not responsible for that. She had been under the influence of the Night Diamond and could hardly be held accountable. It was also an absurd idea that he'd been watching. Of course he hadn't - relax.
Then came the memory of knocking on his door and displaying her body through a wet dress.
That she could definitely have done without. Why the hell did she do these things? How could she have acted so blasé about it when he'd pointed it out?
Before she could go any further with that embarrassment, she remembered how he'd looked when he'd opened his door. His shirt...undone and...everything. What a total surprise that had been.
It was that memory which seemed to dominate all others and occupy her thoughts for the next ten minutes or so, until she looked at her watch.
It was almost seven. Breakfast was sitting on the little side table and, wouldn't it be nice to eat outdoors this morning?
She gathered up the croissant and the fruit into the little cloth that sat on the tray, poured the orange juice into her water bottle and then, throwing on a cotton dress, left her room.
She realised she'd slowed down as she got to his door. Was he having breakfast right now, sitting at the refectory table? Or was he still asleep in bed..?
Oh, for goodness sake!
She hurried up to the Entrance Hall and out through the doors into the morning air.
It was so silent outside and everything smelled fresh and dewy.
The temperature was all ready warm, but the grass was cool under her bare feet as she took a straight walk in a different direction, towards the forest.
The freedom of the open air after the stuffiness of the castle was wonderful. She began to run, loving the air rushing over her, through her dress, cooling her body, blowing her hair behind her.
The forest was dark, but she had no intention of going inside; she knew she'd never find her way out if she did. She wanted to walk along the edge, just to have a different view for a change.
Shards of sunlight lasered in between the trees, casting spotlights on the interior floor - it was breathtaking in its beauty.
She found a nice clear spot and sat, opening her little breakfast package and began to eat. She was just inside the forest, but could still see the castle entrance. She was OK. She wouldn't get lost.
The fresh fruit was good. Grapes, kiwi, strawberries and mango - all cold and juicy. It was a very pleasant way to eat breakfast, that is until something that looked like a giant wasp began buzzing around her head, obviously attracted by the sweet juice. Andi waved it away once, twice, but it was persistent. On the third approach, she caught it a glancing blow and realised her mistake in an instant.
The wasp gave an almighty, angry squeal and went ballistic, hovering angrily before making its dive at her.
She tried to turn away, but the wasp had caught her on the base of her neck, towards her right shoulder. A burning pain immediately burst in her neck and she felt the poison flowing through her veins as rapidly as anaesthetic.
The wasp had gone, but the pain in her neck grew steadily worse and the effect of the poison was all ready similar to having drunk a great deal of strong wine.
She realised she was in trouble.
Dropping the fruit, leaving everything behind, she staggered to the edge of the forest. Before she got out of the shade, however, she stopped in amazement.
There were two trees at the entrance of the forest and they were making a noise. Not the normal rustle of leaves, but....the trees were arguing!
"...obviously milk goes in first..."
"Oh, my dear, that is SO uncouth. You put the tea in first..."
"Who are you calling 'uncouth'? I'll have you know we drink from bone china..."
"Darling, you must always drink from Limoges. You are SO common...just like your mother..."
"Don't you bring my mother into this...."
Andi backed out of the forest, staring at the trees in shock...oh, something was wrong - really, really, wrong.
Turning towards the castle, which now had pink glitter icing over the top, she saw the grass before her had turned into a green lake, with gentle waves rippling across it.
But she had to get back to the castle, and quickly. A corner of her mind remaining to recognise the wasp, or whatever it had been, had injected some kind of poison that was affecting her brain, but that corner was rapidly being filled by the visions before her eyes.
She realised she would have to swim for it.
Tentatively she put a foot in the water-grass. Amazingly it held her weight. She stepped forward.
HA! She was walking on the water.
She walked quicker and quicker, her feet sloshing through the water-grass while the green waves lapped around her ankles. Sheer euphoria filled her every fibre - she was walking on water! She was just like Jesus! This was SO fantastic! She had to tell someone, quickly.
Speeding forward, feeling happier than she'd ever felt in her life, she yelled at the top of her voice,
"SNAPE! HEY, SNAPE! COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!"
The poison had established itself. Her mind was completely possessed by the drug.
As she neared the castle, her cry changed to a ringing, singing voice and she began dancing through the water.
"Snapey! Snapey! Come out to play! The moon is bright and light as day. Come see what Andi can do today! Hahahahaha! Snape-erini-fettuccine..!"
Jesus forgotten, she was now Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story:
"Mah feet are made of clay; made of clay. Arn't the geraniums lo-vely, Professor. Oh, C.K. Dexter-HAY-ven..!"
She turned her face to the sky which was now scarlet and alive with dolphins jumping over shooting stars. Arms stretched to their limit, she was trying to catch them when a sound reached her ears...drawing her attention away from the sky...
...a familiar sound...a gliss...music..! And a voice...
"...what will they say
Monday at school...?"
...she knew that! It was from 'Grease' and it was the introduction to 'Sandy'.
The band seemed to be behind her. Eagerly, she turned. There was a figure, dressed in black, walking sideways down the steps of the castle in time to the music.
John Travolta!
No!
It was Snape - and he was singing!
"Sandy, can't you see
I'm in misery...."
He sashayed towards her, singing the song.
She squealed as she jumped up and down, clapping her hands in delight.
He got closer,
"...love has flown, all alone..."
As he reached her, she put her arms out, grabbed his hands and began dancing with him.
"...Oh, Andi, Ba-e-by someday
When High-yi School is done..."
He had a great voice! They were dancing brilliantly and he was singing about her!
The music faded as they reached the steps of the castle.
She stepped up the first step, and then she...
...stepped up the first step, then she...
...stepped up the first step.
"I can't get up the step!" she laughed. She seemed to be replaying the same scene over and over...
...they were running down a corridor, hand-in-hand; there was a big secret. She wasn't telling.
How did she get on the sofa? He was sitting next to her, touching her shoulder. Why was he doing that?
"OW!" She screamed as he touched the sting. "What the fuck..?" She smacked him, catching him a blow on the ear. It exploded in a mass of orange gunge.
She screamed again.
"OH! OH! Your poor brain..! I didn't mean to...I'll help you put it back..." She began pawing at his shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She stopped, looked directly into his face and then threw her arms around him, holding him tight. "Oh, please...don't die...I need you...please...help me!"