Disclaimer: I don't own any HP characters; I just borrow with tacit approval- i.e. Jo doesn't say NO!
Chapter 16 - Workin' for the Weekend
Dismissing her first years Slytherin/Griffindor History of Magic class, Professor Lorelei knew the students looked forward to writing two feet of parchment on Nicholas Flamel's contributions to the wizarding world with the same joy she felt about having to read them- none. Sometimes, the learning process was like eating unwanted vegetables- you did it, but you didn't have to like it.
The combined class had been unusually restive today. Perhaps it was the dry course material, which defied even a compelling voice to make more than mildly interesting. Maybe if the curriculum stressed comprehension of events more than a short term memorization of an endless list of dates...Nah. Withdrawing the note she had caught the Slytherin George Greengrass trying to pass and immediately confiscated, the curious woman opened the missive. Staring at the parchment, Lorelei broke into peals of laughter.
"I just chucked out my last lot of the day, so I'm pretty giddy myself, but you seem unusually happy...What gives?"
Casually tossing a remembrall in the air, Nymphadora Tonks smiled from her position in the doorway. Giggling, the raven haired woman held out the note. Tonks moved into the classroom and took the parchment. After a stunned second, she too began to laugh. Each time eyes met, the professors would dissolve into howling merriment once more. Finally, taking deep breaths and wiping tears, the pair was able to scan the parchment with only the odd snort or chuckle breaking their composure.
"Erm...talented little bugger, eh?"
Pressing lips together, Lorelei nodded then said with giggle in her voice. "Good likenesses...no wonder the lad turned crimson when I seized it. Thank Merlin, he didn't pull this on Severus in Potions."
"Oh, yeah...shudder to think."
Drawn on the square of parchment was a bare-breasted mermaid lounging on a rock jutting out from the sea. Behind her, a sea-serpent loomed, as if poised to devour. It was a talented sketch...perhaps too talented. The mermaid's face and inky dark spiraling hair looked uncannily like Lorelei's, and the shape of the serpent's head, expression and eyes were eerily similar to Professor Snape's.
"What're you going do with that, then?"
Giving Tonks a 'what else would I do with it' look, the siren replied, "Frame it, of course!"
Walking beside Tonks heading for the Great Hall, Lorelei felt more restless than her students had been earlier. It was only the middle of the week, and time seemed to drag when she longed for it to fly by. Looking forward to Saturday, she started humming. When the other woman asked her what she was humming, she sang a bit of the Loverboy song, after explaining that it fit her mood, Everybody's Working for the Weekend. Her changeable friend agreed, and then complained when Lorelei asked if she was ready to try on her costume for Saturday night's ball.
"That's what this remembrall was for...but I couldn't remember what I wasn't supposed to forget. Frowning, she added, "I can't believe you talked me into it in the first place."
"Don't feel bad, you're in good company. Severus couldn't resist me either." Tonk's mouth dropped, and promptly shut again. Amused at the reaction to her teasing boast, Lorelei smiled, "What can I say? I'm irresistible."
"Really?"
The cool drawl froze her in place. Squeezing her eyes closed, the inwardly groaning woman winced in embarrassment. Opening reluctant orbs, she beheld the sardonic visage of Professor Snape- looking down his nose at her. It was a very noble nose...sexy, too. A gleam of something dark and dangerous flared in his obsidian eyes and she knew her eyes were sending her acceptance of anything he cared to offer. An endless, brief moment passed as they stared at one another. Tonks cleared her voice and broke the spell.
"Um...we're blocking the door to the Hall, you two, and Flitwick and MaGonagall are headed this way..."
Severus moved to the side to let the ladies pass. A small folded parchment fell out of Lorelei's pocket. She watched, aghast, as the eagle-eyed man noticed the paper fluttering to the ground. After stooping to retrieve the parchment, his shrewd eyes narrowed at the dramatic reactions of the women. Tonks' face was a study of amused horror, and Lorelei chewed on her bottom lip. The raven haired professor reached out her hand to take the missive back, but MaGonagall's tart, "Chat later, it's time for dinner...move on please" propelled her into reluctant motion.
Moving into the Great Hall, Lorelei looked back at the Potions Master. He was riveted by the opened parchment in his hand. Raising his head, he met her gaze. Midnight eyes flamed. Curving mobile lips in a way that curled her toes, Snape refolded the drawing, and held it up in an unspoken challenge before putting it into his pocket and sauntering over to his customary place at the Staff Table.
If you want it, come and get it
Pacing back and forth in front of the large canvas guarding Severus' quarters, the robe clad woman ignored the curious gazes of the painted knight and his lady. She was too busy holding an internal debate with herself.
Is midnight too late to casually drop by and ask for your naughty drawing back? What do I say, 'Sorry, for not coming sooner but I've just worked up the nerve because I don't want you to take my being here the wrong way?' What if he won't let me have it back? It's mine, my student drew it. If reason doesn't work, do I wrestle him for it? Hmmm...that sounds like fun...
"What sounds like fun?"
Oh, how bad habits came back to haunt. With a burst of nervous laughter, Lorelei turned to face the man addressing her from his doorway. His floor length robe of black velvet looked very soft...and touchable. She glimpsed a bit of smooth chest...was he wearing anything underneath? Getting a hold on herself, she ruefully admitted, "Wrestling you for my drawing if you won't give it back." He wasn't blinking...was that a good thing or a bad thing? Finally, he blinked and asked softly,
"Who's the artist...you?"
"Heavens no." she laughed with genuine amusement, "If I was the artist, I'd not be asking for it back. That drawing would just be one of hundreds I'd have done by now."
"Hundreds?"
Uh oh, he'd caught that slip. She tried to cover, "Yes, of course...because an artist would draw all sorts of sketches...lots of sketches...hundreds..."
Leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms in a way that was quite distracting, what with the exposing of more pale, manly, chest and all, the Potions Master took his time surveying her attire. How convenient to be able to present an impassive facade to the world. She made a mental note never to play Wizard Poker with the professor. The woman knew her face had shown her appreciation of his form, but he gave away few clues to his own thoughts. Did he find her long red satin robe and the matching nightgown peeking from beneath it sexy? They were from the new Siren's Secret line, and she couldn't refuse gifts from family, could she?
Fathomless dark eyes traveled from her tumbled hair down to her painted toes. Were the feathery scarlet mules a bit much? Large, anxious eyes searched Severus' lean face. His lips were curving...eyelids hooding...muscles in jaw tensing...Praise Merlin; he did find her just as desirable as she found him!
Straightening, he moved toward her and she met him half way. Satin slid against velvet, and feminine lips met masculine. Slipping her fingers through his silky hair, the kiss deepened, and hands began to roam. Following him blindly as he slowly led her back towards the open doorway; her lips were torn from his by a piercing shriek that traveled down from the main corridor.
Running behind Snape, Lorelei was thankful that the mules were comfortable as well as pretty. Raising the skirts of her robe and gown to run up the stairs, she still had them clutched in her hands when she ran into the entry way and came to an abrupt halt, bumping into the back of the Potions Master. Grabbing hold of his arm, she steadied and stared open-mouthed at the scene before her.
It was immediately apparent that Peeves had been playing a trick on the Hogwarts staff. He had wickedly zipped round and projected unearthly shrieks to make everyone coming bounding out in their nightclothes and meet in the entry of the Great Hall. Currently zooming around the high ceiling, the poltergeist cackled madly whilst pointing in glee.
Taking in the varied attire worn by her colleagues, the relieved woman felt like laughing with him. Professor Flitwick wore a gray striped robe with a matching nightcap. Tonks wore flannel pajamas imprinted with tiny sheep. Sprout's frizzy hair was done up in rag curlers, and Professor Sinistra's face was covered in green goo. The other professors were equally amusing in their various night robes. Only meeting the flinty stare of the Transfiguration Professor caused Lorelei's wide smile to falter and die.
Disdain, thy name is Minerva.
The tall, upright Head of Gryffindor House looked down her thin, sharp nose at the Assistant Professor's attire. Her raised brows and pursed lips practically screamed, "Shameless Hussy!" at the other woman. Taken aback at the look , Lorelei tightened her grip on Severus' arm and returned the favor. Dark eyes scrutinized MaGonagall's tartan bathrobe and severely utilitarian hairnet.
Catching Severus pursing his lips at the extreme contrast between siren and martinet old maid, her lips started twitching. As Headmaster Dumbledore came strolling into the entry, dispatching Peeves and soothing his staff, the 'shameless hussy' slipped her hand into the Potion Master's, and squeezed gently before pulling away to a discreet distance. Tonks came over and laughingly asked,
"What were you doing when Peeves started shrieking?"
Snape and Lorelei's gazes met and held. With a smile, she replied to her friend's spoken and the smirking man's unspoken question, "Trying to persuade Severus to show me his etching."
Congratulating her last student on successfully using the 'Ridikulus' charm to defend themselves against a Boggart, Tonks dismissed the fifth years class. Sinking down into the chair behind her desk, the scarlet haired woman gave a heartfelt sigh of relief. All day long, she had dragged round feeling tired- even after taking a Wakeup potion. Last night's sleep had been interrupted by Peeves' little prank, and afterwards her dreams had been disturbed by images of Snape and Lorelei snogging in the Entry in front of the whole staff. It was seeing the couple in their night robes...hadn't she instinctively known that day outside Lorelei's office that visions of Snape in a bed robe would be traumatic? Lorelei's ensemble's though...
Wonder if she'd hook me up with something like that for Remus...he likes me in blue...
"What a wicked grin...thinking about Mr. Lupin, are you?"
Just the woman she wanted to see. Standing, Tonks smiled and said as she crossed the room, closed and warded the classroom door- wouldn't want any kiddies playing with the Boggart on the sly, "Yeah...and I think he'd like to see me in one of those satin numbers you wore last night...where do I find one?"
Lorelei laughed and invited, "Come to my quarters and you can take your pick...I've several that're one sizing charm fits all."
"Brilliant."
Descending the stairs to the corridor housing the two Potions Professors, the metamorphagus tried not to glance in the direction of Snape's quarters or imagine exactly how Lorelei had been persuading him to let her see that etching. Hearing the other woman murmur her password, Tonks waved to the Siren and her lover on the canvas and followed her friend inside. The Assistant Potions Professor's place was very...different...than her office.
Instead of bright colors, neutral tones of cream and sage and wood were used for furniture, carpets, and to tint the plaster on the walls. Lorelei led her through the lounge with its wall to wall bookcases and four large comfortable chairs encircling a low table in the middle of the room to the bedroom beyond. The large four poster bed draped in velvet wasn't to the spiky haired woman's taste...all that Slytherin green... She watched, amused to see the side wall slide back to reveal a closet equitable in size to the bedroom itself. Changeable eyes lit at the sight of a blue satin gown. The royal blue gown...with matching blue hair would knock Remus Lupin's socks off.
"Now go try this..."
Glancing up, Tonks frowned at the dress held before her. "What's that?"
"A little black dress...every woman needs a new one and you said you've been too busy to shop. Don't argue, just go!"
Grumbling, Tonks went into the bath to try the dress on. Why was Lorelei's sunken bath so much bigger and nicer than hers? She'd heard rumors that the siren had a way with house elves...now she believed it.
"Everything alright in there?"
"Be right out!" Tonks opened the door. Lorelei was smiling that wide smile that showed all those unfairly perfect white teeth. The metamorphagus assumed that smile meant the little black dress was thumbs up.
"Remus will slaver like a wolf when he sees you in that!"
Smiling at the thought, and thankful this weekend wasn't a full moon, Tonks reluctantly admitted, "It's a nice dress...even if it is too short...and too clingy, and too...sexy..."
Thanking her friend for the dress, she headed back into the bath to change. She pretended not to hear the loony woman's challenge.
"When you're wearing that to dinner Saturday night, ask Remus if there's such a thing as too sexy."
Scanning the headlines of the Daily Prophet to see if anything merited his deeper perusal, Severus Snape idly wondered why this week had seemed so long. In the past, time had marched on in an orderly fashion. One hour turning into one day, one week, so on and so forth. The demands of teaching and his secret work for the Order had been the only variables in his life, and even they were easily integrated into the schedule of one as meticulous as he. It was ironic that one woman was more disruptive than a Dark Lord and a cadre of Death Eaters. Or a classroom full of Neville Longbottoms. Smirking, he firmed his lips to prevent an unseemly smile.
"Good Morning"
His lips twitched. Here came trouble. Sighing as though he were conferring the greatest of favors, he said dryly, "Is it?"
Dropping into the chair beside him with far too much energy and enthusiasm for this time of morning, Lorelei ducked her chin a bit and looked up with appealing eyes.
"It will be if you'll allow me to sit in on your last class today."
He should have known this was coming. Since the siren had swept into the school like a fresh ocean breeze, the woman had asked to observe him "in action". He had rightly refused her every request- she was far too distracting.
"I promise to wear my Invisibility Cloak and sit quietly in the back...you'll never know I'm there."
Narrowing skeptic eyes at the minx who was all too obviously trying to work some feminine magic and entice him into breaking his iron resolve, he was about to tell her 'no' yet again when she whispered a word that proved too powerful to resist.
"Please."
That word, spoken in that tone, with that look in those eyes, caused some unknown power to bypass his brain and make him say, "Very well"
Permitting a brief kiss and hug before gently removing the siren's arms from around his neck- who knew when academic over-achievers might come into the Hall for an early breakfast. Appearances, unfortunately, must be maintained. Reaching for his coffee, Severus gave his companion a sideways glance. Daft woman...she was smiling as though he were Father Christmas.
Arranging his features into one of stern authority, he cautioned, "You must arrive early and remain after the students have left..." Snape broke off as Lorelei licked her lips...now she was smiling as though he were her present from Father Christmas. Looking down at his paper, he drawled in a tone guaranteed to send dark shivers down the susceptible woman's spine, "If you misbehave in my classroom, I shall be very, very strict." He heard her inhale sharply before saying breathily,
"Oh Teacher, I promise to be really, really good."
During his last class, the Potions Master found himself acting paradoxically- relaxed and tense at the same time. His class of Slytherins and Gryffindors were raising brows and opening eyes in surprise at his manner. Sixth years were marginally competent, so he allowed them to assemble the ingredients for the day's potion whilst he explained that the potion, a medieval version of Nauseous No More, was first developed by Hildegarde of Bingen. Reading from the Causae et Curae, he cited the history of medicinal and magical herbs.
His uncritical and impassive manner was probably scaring the Gryffindors more than sneers and sarcasm ever had. The lackwit Longbottom, especially, kept starting at every shadow. Killing with kindness...tempting, but no. Severus knew his genial...for him...manner was due to the unseen presence in the back of the classroom. He forced himself not to look too often...that annoyingly observant Granger girl had followed his gaze back several times already. If she tried to walk back to Lorelei's spot on some pretext or other, he was sending her to his storeroom and accidentally locking the door behind the little know-all.
The tense feeling was also due to the Invisibility Cloaked professor. He could feel her dark eyes following his every movement. While he talked, he imagined her eyes becoming heavy with desire as he made 'potion ingredients sound sexy'. Once, he could have sworn he heard her gasp as he swept over to check on Longbottom's progress. He had stood before the hapless boy's table and shown him how to agitate his potion correctly. The movement of his hands hadn't seemed anything but instructional until that soft inhalation had reached his sharp ears. After that, he 'helped' several more students.
Reiterating the list of ingredients the students should have already added, he cautioned them before they added the final five, "Marigold, Basil, Yarrow, Nettle and Valerian are all beneficial for stomach ailments, but if placed too quickly into an overly bubbling cauldron, the fumes they release acts as a powerful...aphrodisiac. Therefore, I suggest you check your cauldron's temperature and add each ingredient slowly and carefully...otherwise; you will embarrass yourself and your classmates."
The class was abuzz with excitement after that. No one wanted to be crazed with lust; but they all wanted fervently to see someone else overcome...and hopefully do something worthy of spreading round the Great Hall. Professor Snape had prepared a few flagons of antidote, just in case. He wanted no Howlers from irate parents demanding to know why he allowed salacious potions in his dungeon, thank you very much.
Time passed without incident until just before the end of class. Neville Longbottom had spent too much time preparing his herbs and evidently felt that tossing in the last five ingredients with a few seconds wait in between was taking adequate time and care. Before the professor could do more than shout, "NO!" Granger, Potter and Weasley had taken their wands and blown the fumes away from Neville...directly toward the back of the classroom.
Staring in shock, Severus mechanically told the students to fill a flagon, label it and leave it on his desk before they left. The teens hurried to leave his classroom, as usual. The 'dream team' looked as though they expected an Order of Merlin for saving Longbottom from his own ineptitude. He sneered at them and closed the door in Granger's curious face. Warding the door, he moved to the desk and picked up a flagon of antidote.
"Merlin, I thought they'd never leave."
Lorelei took off her Invisibility Cloak. Her face was flushed and her dark eyes were dilated. Nervously taking a step back, the Potions Master swallowed hard when the amorous woman smiled wickedly and removed her robes. She was wearing a very short black mini skirt with a tall pair of black boots. He'd not known that retro was back in style...it suited those long legs of hers quite well. Hips swaying, the siren moved in close and pushed him into his chair. Before she could do more than sit on his lap, he gave her the antidote and said, "Drink"
Licking away the last drop, the wanton twined her fingers in his hair and set her lips to his. Long, slow, deep, soft, wet, kisses followed. Smiling against his mouth a good long while later, Lorelei asked,
"When is that antidote going to take effect?"
Severus smirked, "It was instantaneous."
The incorrigible woman smirked in return, "That's what I thought." before resuming her assault on his mouth, and body, and heart.
A/N: Causae et Curae is an actual medieval text and the herbs mentioned - yes, medieval types called Marigold an herb - were used for stomach ailments and also for their aphrodisiacal qualities. Medieval Times...must watch A Knight's Tale again!
Special Yay for Bull Durham. Kevin Costner tells Susan Sarandon in the baseball film, "I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet, kisses that last three days." I second that emotion. lol Also borrowed from classic Canadian rockers Loverboy, cause who hasn't worked for the weekend? Know the chap was fluffy...sometimes fluff is its own reward. Let me know how you liked it and Review!
