Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AN: Thank you for the reviews.
Mark Darcy: Faithful reviewers like you, JennSmith and Don Raphiel inspire me to continue to write and update…so I tip my hat to you and wanted the other readers to know who to thank for the frequent updates. Oh and I promise not to let the plot interfere with the smut.
I also forgot to give credit where is due…Aniya, Amber, and most of the ballrobes were Midnight Lily's idea…although I did come up with Aniya's name.
Chapter 36 Paint My Love
Paint my love
You should paint my love
It's the picture of a thousand sunsets
It's the freedom of a thousand doves
Baby you should paint my love
Been around the world
Then I met you girl
It's like coming home
To a place I've known
Michael Learns to Rock "Paint My Love"
They had dropped Amber off and her home on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. It was a charming two story cottage with a brick walled garden. Amber and Alexis firmed up plans for lunch tomorrow before exchanging hugs and saying goodnight.
Alexis snuggled close to Snape in the carriage. It was just before two a.m. and she was very sleepy, "What do you think of Amber?"
"Is that a trick question?" Snape teased while playing with a tendril of Alexis' hair.
"No. I just wanted your opinion. I really liked her."
"She seems pleasant enough," Snape responded disinterestedly.
Snape had to wake Alexis up when they reached the castle. Keeping an arm around her, he helped her to their dungeon quarters.
Alexis smiled at him sleepily as she walked to the bedroom and began to disrobe. Snape stood in the doorway enjoying the show. A quick shimmy had the dress pooling around her ankles. Snape drew in a deep breath. All Alexis had been wearing under the robe was thigh high stockings, a wisp of panties and a belly chain.
Turning to face him Alexis asked, "What do I do with Aniya? Do you think she would like to stay with Star?" Alexis walked over to the basket where the baby dragon lizard slept. Putting her hand on the edge of the basket, Alexis felt Aniya slither down her arm and curl up protectively next to the sleeping infant who was at least twice her size.
Snape told her, "Aniya says she will watch over your pet and teach her what she needs to know."
"What does that mean?" Alexis asked.
"Aniya is going to train Star to be a guardian."
Alexis pulled back the covers and settled on the bed kicking off her shoes, "I don't think I can move. But I need to finish getting ready for bed," she yawned.
"Allow me," Snape offered silkily.
Running caressing hands from her calves up to her thighs before skimming them back down rolling her stockings off. He repeated the gesture with her panties. He smiled at the belly chain. Alexis had taken his locket and transfigured the chain to be long enough to fit her waist. Next he climbed up onto the bed and started pulling the emerald clips from her hair. Alexis was now lying on the bed wearing nothing but her engagement ring, his locket, and a smile.
Alexis summoned her wand and with a wave, Snape was completely naked, "It's only fair," she smirked.
Snape rested his head between her breasts and breathed deeply of her scent. Alexis stroked her hand through his hair before rubbing his neck muscles. Snape began trailing kisses down her chest to her stomach pausing to flick the locket with his finger, "I think you should keep it this way," before making his way down to her thighs. Alexis obligingly moved them apart for him. Snape found the aroma of aroused woman a potent aphrodisiac and his body hardened in response to the stimuli. Parting her folds he began with a long lick before settling down to an alternating sucking and flicking. It didn't take long for Alexis to reach her climax.
When the last shudders of her orgasm had faded, Snape flipped her over onto her stomach and lifting her hips, entered her from that angle. Alexis's moaned in pleasure as he found new spots to stimulate. Alexis found her second release as Snape came inside of her.
Snape pulled the covers over them and he and Alexis settled down to sleep securely wrapped in each others arms.
Alexis woke up just in time to get ready to meet Amber at the Duck and Drake pub in Hogsmeade. Snape insisted that she take Aniya and Aniya insisted that Star accompany them. Wearing Aniya as bracelet and with Star perched on her shoulder, Alexis left Snape busy getting ready for start of term.
Alexis had taken several of the photos that Snape had developed of her sporting the Snake painting. Blushing, she quickly spelled them to look like photos of Hogwarts. She had an idea for a birthday present for Snape. She was just hoping she could pull it off.
Amber had already arrived when Alexis got to the pub. Alexis noticed that everyone seemed to be staring at her. Deciding that it must be Star they were looking at she joined Amber at the table. Amber looked at her with sympathy and a touch of amusement, "Have you seen the Daily Prophet this morning?"
"No, I overslept and had to hurry to get her in time. Why?"
"Well my dear, you and your darling Professor made the front page?" Amber handed Alexis the newspaper.
Alexis stared wide eyed at the picture of her and Snape at the Malfoy's ball. Reading the caption she groaned, "'Potions Professor Seduces Draluck Heiress 'what kind of shite is this? We announced our engagement last night, not that I was pregnant with his love child?" Looking for the byline she groaned again, Rita Skeeter, who else would write such trash.
"She does eventually mention the fact that you are engaged, at the very bottom of the article, after she talks about how you were moved from St. Mungo's to Hogwarts after being the only person to wake up from the Sleeping Death Curse."
Alexis was quickly reading the article, "And after she mentions in excruciating detail how wealthy I am. Oh and this is nice, she notes how much a Professor at Hogwarts is paid annually. She moves fast we just filed the betrothal agreements two days ago and she already has the amount of my dowry. She didn't even have the decency to note that it is the largest dowry ever paid. She makes it sound like Severus took advantage of me in my vulnerable state and now is marrying me for my money."
"Are you sure he didn't?" Amber asked carefully.
"If you knew how hard I had to chase him," Alexis chuckled at the memories of their frustratingly, strange romance, "At least we told the rest of the Hogwart's staff Boxing Day." Alexis shrugged deciding to talk it over with Severus before deciding what, if anything, to do about the Daily Prophet and Rita Skeeter.
Alexis ordered a butterbeer and a plowman's lunch for herself and a small plate of sliced meat for Star. Amber admired the kitten sized dragon lizard who basked in all the attention. Alexis and Amber were soon laughing and talking together as if they had been friends for years determinedly putting the article behind them in order to enjoy the day.
By the time lunch had finished Alexis felt comfortable asking Amber for help with Snape's birthday gift, "Amber, Snape has a birthday coming up in eight days. I wanted to do something special for him and a little naughty, but I need your help."
Amber grinned, "Well if you're asking me to join you two for a threesome, I can't say I'm not tempted. If I was into that sort of thing you would definitely be the couple I would try it with."
Alexis blinked several times, "Well, now I am not going to be embarrassed to ask you for help with what a really had in mind….although if I swung both ways you would be top on my list too." Alexis caught the teasing glint in Amber's eyes, "You git, you really had me going there for a moment."
"So what is it you really want help with?" Amber laughed.
"Well, I want to have a portrait painted of me to give to Severus."
"What's so naughty about that?" Amber looked disappointed.
Pulling out the photos and saying the charm that would allow Amber to see what they really were, Alexis handed them to her, "I want the artist to use these photos."
Amber's eyes widened in appreciation, "Wow, these could almost make me change my mind about a threesome," winking at Alexis, "almost."
"You know you are a prevert," Alexis smirked.
"Don't you mean a pervert?" Amber was flipping through the photos.
"Nope a pre-vert. You haven't achieved pervert status yet. But keep trying you are almost there."
"I think I know just the artist. She has a studio here in Hogsmeade. You want to head over there now?"
Alexis nodded and the two witches left enough money on the table to cover their meal and headed out into the cold January day.
A few minutes later they were standing in front of a small shop at the end of a cul de sac. There were two windows on either side of a narrow door. Displayed in one window was a portrait of a snotty looking woman beckoning imperiously to anyone who passed to enter the shop. The other window had what appeared to be a still life of a table holding a bowl of fruit. As Alexis and Amber approached the door, a shifty looking man snuck into the picture and took an apple out of the bowl of fruit.
Alexis gave Amber a questioning look, "Are you sure about this?"
Amber just smiled mischievously, "You don't think she'd put her more 'interesting' work on display in a public window?"
Still looking unsure, Alexis followed Amber into the studio.
"Hey Cass are you in here?" Amber shouted to the seemingly empty place, "We could steal you blind."
"Amber is that your loud bray I hear or has a donkey wandered into my fine establishment?" a tall slender witch came out of the back. She was wearing a paint covered smock and a large grin.
"Cassandra Stoneweight, I would like you to meet Alexis Draluck," Amber introduced.
Cassandra wiped her hands clean on her smock and then shook hands with Alexis, "So what can I do for you?"
"Alexis wants to see if you can handle a commission for her, but you better show her some of your special portraits," Amber smirked.
Caassandra's grin got even wider, "I should have known anyone Amber brought in with her would be a special commission. Come back here to the private gallery."
Alexis followed the artist into a small back room and then through another doorway from which Cassandra had to remove several charms and spells before she could open it. Stepping inside, Alexis looked at what at first appeared to be staid portraits of various witches and wizards. Cassandra waved her wand and one by one, the portrait subjects changed from staid to salacious. Alexis winced at one portly wizard who was now wearing a dog collar and leash and nothing else.
"Show her the pictures," Amber urged.
Alexis handed over the pictures to Cassandra after removing the privacy spell. Cassandra whistled, "Who painted the snake? That is pretty good work."
"So do you think you can do a portrait from the photos and have it ready in six days?" Amber questioned.
"Six days? You don't ask for much," Cassandra complained, "I'll have to put off some other commissions so it will cost you extra?"
"I can accept that. I would want the same charm you used on these portraits so that…"
"Naturally, that is included in the cost," Cassandra smiled, "let me take some quick pictures of you in a more formal pose and then I can get started."
Alexis and Amber left the studio an hour later. Cassandra had taken several rolls of film of Alexis looking prim and proper for the public portrait, several of which had included Star and Aniya.
Looking at the time, Alexis hugged Amber and made arrangements to Owl her about meeting for drinks at the Three Broomsticks during the week.
Returning to Hogwarts, it hit Alexis that only thing she was going on regarding Snape's date of birth was J.K. Rowling's website. Seeing Professor Dumbledore in the entry hall, Alexis stopped him, "Albus, would you happen to know Severus' birthday?"
Albus twinkled at her, "It is a week from tomorrow. But I must warn you that Severus really doesn't enjoy birthday celebrations. I hope you weren't thinking of throwing him a surprise party. We tried that once about ten years ago," Albus sighed, "it was time to redecorate the teacher's lounge anyway. And it really didn't take all that long to rebuild those walls. Although come to think of it, if you wanted to try again, the fourth floor Muggle studies classroom is due for renovations."
Alexis couldn't tell if Dumbledore was teasing or not, "I was thinking more along the lines of a private celebration. If Remus is willing do you think it would be acceptable for him to guard Harry this weekend?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more, "I have no objections to those arrangements. No my dear I really must get to my office. I have run out of lemon drops and must see if my new supply has been delivered yet."
Alexis stared after the headmaster totally bemused. Seeing Harry and Ron coming down the stairs reminded her that she needed to make sure Aniya didn't spill the beans about the painting.
"Harry, do you have a moment?"
Alexis was surprised by the look in Harry's eyes. It was a combination of disgust and distrust. "Harry what is the matter?"
"Is the article in The Daily Prophet true?"
Alexis let out a sigh, "Harry, you and Ron follow me please?" She headed to a deserted classroom. When the two boys had reluctantly followed her in, she closed the door and settled herself on the top of a desk.
"Harry, I know that you and Professor Snape don't get along," at Harry's snort of derision, Alexis smiled wryly, "Let me re-phrase that, I know that you and Professor Snape actively hate and despise each other. If either of you were to fall off the face of the earth, the one left would want that day declared a national holiday. Is that a more accurate description?"
Harry couldn't prevent a small smile, "That pretty much sums it up."
"I am going to let you in on something that most adults would just tell you that you will understand when you are older."
Ron and Harry both looked interested.
"Sometimes you are not going to understand what your friend sees in a boyfriend or girlfriend. You are going to know that your friend can do so much better than the person that they have chosen. You are going to think that the other person treats your friend badly. The only thing you can do in that situation is…just continue to be a friend. If you try to change your friend's mind you will just end up fighting with them and you may lose your friend. Eventually either your friend will find out on their own that you are right about the boyfriend or girlfriend or you will find out that your friend saw something in that person that no one else did."
Harry and Ron were looking unconvinced.
"Yes I am engaged to Professor Snape. I love him and hope that if you cannot be civil about it, you will chose to ignore it. I don't want this to change our relationship and that you will still consider me someone you can trust. I swear that anything you tell me in confidence will remain in confidence."
Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Harry replied, "I just hope you know what you are doing. Miss. Draluck you are nice and beautiful and smart, you could have anyone you want."
"Thank you Harry. I do have who I want," Alexis smiled, 'Now after all that I have a favor to ask."
"No, I won't give you away at your wedding," Harry teased.
"Drat, will you at least throw Professor Snape a bachelor party?" Alexis teased back.
Ron and Harry pretended to retch at that thought.
"I'll take that as a no. Harry, would you ask Aniya not to tell Professor Snape where I went today?"
Harry looked curious but had a brief conversation with Aniya. Looking back at Alexis, "She says that she won't tell him about the gift."
"Thank you. Now is everything settled as well as it going to be?"
"Yes Miss. Draluck," Ron and Harry chorused cheekily.
"Good, dismissed. Enjoy the rest of your holiday,"
Alexis watched the boys hurry from the room before heading to find Remus to see if he would do her a favor.
Snape looked up from his lesson plans as Alexis entered their quarters, "Did you have a pleasant lunch with Amber?"
"Yes, although being front page news came as a bit of a shock," Alexis smiled wryly as she settled Star into her basket and then took off her cloak and undid the fastenings of her robes. Leaning down she took off her boots and wiggled her toes. She was wearing the socks Dumbledore had given her for Christmas.
Snape was prepared when she came over and settled into his lap. The first couple of times she had done it he had been surprised. Now it was an accepted part of their routine.
Alexis gave him a kiss hello before settling against his chest with a sigh, "Do you think we could have something in our rooms tonight instead of going to the Great Hall?"
"I'll have Slinky arrange it. Are you feeling ill?"
"No just tired. Are we going to do anything about the article or just ignore it?" Alexis yawned.
"What did you want to do?" Snape asked as he looked continued to look over his lesson plans. He had gotten used to working around Alexis.
"I thought about buying The Daily Prophet and assigning Rita Skeeter to covering Muggle news. But I figured that would set Muggle Wizard relations back by about a century," Alexis rubbed her head against Snape's shoulder, "How do you always smell so good?"
"I didn't know that I did?" Snape smirked as he corrected the course outline for the seventh years advanced potions class.
Snape continued to work for a few minutes before a soft snore told him that Alexis had fallen asleep in his arms.
He looked at Aniya who was still curled around Alexis' wrist and asked her, "What did you do all day to make her so tired? Lunch and shopping?"
Snape put aside his papers and carried Alexis into the bedroom and tucked her in. A yawn surprised him and he decided a nap sounded like a good idea as he settled next to her.
