Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to J.K. Rowling and various companies. Any others belong to myself. This is written for entertainment purposes only, not for financial gain. No copyright infringement intended.

Note: A short chapter of interlude. Time frame: a couple of weeks have passed since Celeste's arrival at Hogwarts.

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Old Habits

Chapter 5

Neville Longbottom and a skinny Hufflepuff fifth year stopped her in the corridor as she left the classroom. With the changing of classes, the tide of students looked upset at the unmoving trio until they realized one was a teacher.

Neville and Sara had multiple questions about her last lesson, Muggle music. Celeste answered them both, assuring them if they paid attention in class there would be no trouble with the quiz. She offered them extra tutoring in her office if needed.

As she was about to set up a time to meet them, a hand took her elbow. The two students' eyes widened slightly.

"Professor Yolen," Professor Snape interrupted silkily, turning her attention to him, "I must see you immediately."

"One moment, Severus. I was arranging tutoring—"

Snape's eyes slid oily over the two students in front of her.

"I must insist," he replied in a low tone. "It is a matter of some urgency."

"Um . . . that's okay, Professor Yolen," Sara said. "Neville and I can catch up to you later."

Neville nodded in agreement, and the two students hurried away. Even as Snape guided her away, Celeste heard Neville say,

"I'd hate to have Snape hunt me down for an urgent message!"

Snape didn't release Celeste's arm as they strode through the hall. Classes were about to start again, and the most of the remaining students hurried passed them to not be late. Although curious as to their destination, Celeste was surprised when he paused abruptly and swung her into an unused side corridor.

He backed her up to the wall, and without even casting a glance to make sure they were unobserved, kissed her solidly on the mouth.

She made a startled sound of surprise, immediately muffled by his tongue invading her lips. The kiss was hungry, insatiable, and after the first moment of amazement Celeste found herself holding him even as he pressed against her. Their tongues entwined erotically.

Finally Severus broke contact for air but didn't move away. He panted into her mouth as he watched her.

"You're exquisite," he murmured with a throaty undertone.

"I remember you used to say that when we were in much more intimate positions," she teased, just as softly.

He closed his eyes and gave a muffled moan at the memory. When he reopened those bottomless eyes he coaxed, "Say you'll spend the night with me tonight, Celeste. We've skittered around it long enough."

Celeste paused.

"Do you feel what you do to me?" he demanded. The deep lust hadn't left his voice.

She could very easily feel what she did to him; even heavy teaching robes left little to the imagination as he pressed to her. Impatience radiated from him, commanding an answer.

Celeste touched her tongue to her lip, coyly, before saying,

"Big Bad, I—"

"You know, it's usually the students we must pry apart in the corridors."

Both Severus and Celeste startled like deer and automatically stepped apart guiltily. Neither had heard Dumbledore's approach.

He stood, a slight smile on his face as the two teachers attempted to straighten their robes and stutter an apology. They made a point to not look at the other. Dumbledore finally had to break the awkwardness himself.

"Oh, don't mind me. I simply need to speak with Professor Yolen regarding those delightful Muggle records she loaned me. Please, finish your conversation."

The two were silent.

"I believe you were about to answer Severus, my dear," he prompted Celeste.

She gave Dumbledore a tight smile and turned to Snape.

"Severus," she said formally, "I think this discussion would best be completed at a later time. Nine o'clock, your room?"

"That would be acceptable," he replied, just as formal. With a quick glance toward Dumbledore, he leaned close again, his mouth near her ear. "Wonderful. I await with feverish arousal, love."

Severus moved away again. Catching Dumbledore's eye, he gave a curt nod.

"Headmaster."

With a rustle of his robes, he turned and was off down the hall. Celeste watched him go.

"I haven't seen a look that wistful in a long time, Celeste," Dumbledore interrupted quietly.

"That's because I haven't been back here long," she replied distractedly.

"I'm also pleased to see Severus is capable of another emotion besides rage and guilt."

Celeste knew better than to correct Dumbledore. Her tongue, however, didn't. "That's low, Headmaster. You know exactly what Severus is capable of."

"Yes I do," he replied quietly. "I meant to say I'm pleased he is comfortable enough to express himself. I apologize for misspeaking."

She nodded. With an effort not to think about what he'd feel when she left, Celeste forced a smile at Dumbledore.

He returned it. "Now let's see about those records, shall we?"

Celeste nodded and walked with him to his office. Her thoughts, however, stayed with Severus.