Disclaimer: Ditto on disclaimers from previous chapters.

AN: italics thoughts

Chapter 23 Werewolf

When I see that moon movin' through the clouds in the sky
I get a crazy feelin' an' I wonder why

Oh the werewolf, Oh the werewolf
Comes travelin' along
He don't even break the branches
Where he's been gone

For the werewolf have pity, not fear, an' not hate
'Cause the werewolf might be someone that you've known of late

Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf
Comes travelin' along
He don't even crush the leaves
Where he's been gone

Cat Powers "Werewolf Song"

Snape had stayed up late finishing his lesson plans for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classes the next day.

He found that even though he was tired he couldn't sleep. Lucius Malfoy's words kept running through his thoughts. He had often wondered why Alexis wanted him. She didn't need his money; she could buy and sell him several times over. She was beautiful, intelligent; it was becoming increasingly obvious that once she completed her training that she would be a very powerful witch. It was like her body retained the memory of the magic that it had learned and the new mind inhabiting it just needed a reminder.

She would soon be able to leave Hogwarts and, as Lucius had pointed out, take her place in wizarding society as the Draluck heiress. The men would swarm her. He remembered the attention Alexis had received in the Wizards Club. Those men hadn't even known about her wealth and pureblood; they had simply been drawn by her beauty.

Now that Alexis was a part of his life, Snape could not imagine life without her. For once Lucius was right. He would have to find a way to firmly fix her attentions upon himself. He would get her to agree to marry him and they would have the shortest engagement possible. He wouldn't feel secure until she was his, legally, emotionally and magically.

He wished he had someone to ask for advice on how to court and woo a woman….Snape finally fell asleep trying to come up with a plan to get Alexis to fall in love with him.

Alexis followed Harry and the rest of the third year Gryffindors into the DADA classroom. She wasn't looking forward to this class. She took a seat in a shadowed corner in the very back of the class. She didn't want her presence to influence the way Snape taught the class. No matter how much she might want to play peacemaker, she could not change the dynamics of the Potter Snape relationship. To many future events hinged on the fact that they loathed one another.

Alexis watched Snape storm into the classroom, I wonder if he knows how sexy he is striding along like that. It has been entirely to long since I've had a chance to grab that good looking arse.

Alexis was jolted from her perusal of Snape's admittedly fine body. She watched as he proceeded to belittle the class and Lupin's teaching. Her heart went out to Hermione Granger when Snape called her an insufferable know it all. She had to bite her lip when Ron Weasley stood up to Snape.

Alexis saw Snape stiffen as he finally noticed her. When she gave him a small smile he seemed to relax slightly.

After Snape had arranged Ron's detention, ugh cleaning out bedpans without magic, Alexis approached the teacher's desk where Snape was gathering his materials.

He was watching her warily, "I suppose you have a comment to make on my teaching?"

"Not at all Severus; I would not dream of commenting on something of which I have so little experience."

"Some find my methods harsh."

Alexis realized that Snape was worried about her reaction. She was puzzled by this as he had only been slightly more acerbic than when he taught potions. She had been assisting in those classes all year.

Alexis noticed the time and knew she had to leave in order to catch up with Harry. Giving Snape a lingering kiss, she smiled and turned to go, "Sev one thing you have to understand," Alexis was almost at the door, "I love you warts and all."

Alexis almost made it out before Snape shouted, "Petrificus Totalus."

AN: Short chapter but this was the best stopping place. Next chapter is written and ready to be posted.