Disclaimer: Not JK, not willing to let Valentine's go just yet. The characters demanded that the day after be described in a series of povs to show that after they got drunk on romance, they had a 'Love Hangover'. : )
Chapter 35- Love Hangover
Propped against pillows, sipping a cup of tea, Lorelei gazed at the man reading The Daily Prophet in bed beside her. Severus was grimacing in reaction to some article, long strands of shiny black hair falling into his face. She smiled blissfully. Last night, on Valentine's Day, he had asked her to dance. If she hadn't been fathoms deep in love with Snape already, that public gesture from a private, contained man would've won her heart. Swaying in his arms, she had been oblivious to the stares and whispers that eventually caused her partner to steer them toward the staff exit. The dazzled woman had gone along out of a desire to follow wherever he might lead. Her Valentine had wanted to escape being the cynosure of all eyes. Ending up in her quarters had pleased them both.
"What are you so cheery about?"
What a wonderful voice he had. Even now, when the inflection was mildly inquiring, a delightful shiver traveled down her spine. Setting her tea cup on the bedside table, she gazed beyond him to the enchanted window and smiled dreamily, "It's such a beautiful day." As he set it aside, the paper rustled. Out of the corner of her eye, the siren watched him look toward the window and then glance back before stating,
"You're either daft or drunk. The sky is leaden gray, and the wind bending the trees is probably as cold as the proverbial witch's…."
She laughed when his hand reached out and caressed the portion of her anatomy he'd almost described. Giving her lover a melting look, she nodded, "I've got a love hangover." He made a huff of amusement. She tried to keep a straight face, but couldn't prevent a giggle. Lorelei asked smilingly, "Where did that 'cold as a witch's' expression come from anyway? My….it's not cold."
Thin, mobile lips curved promisingly.
"I neither know nor care. I'm more concerned with the matter at hand. It may be warm, but….are you satisfied with that….or would you rather be….hot?"
Another one of her Muggle tunes filled her mind and she softly sang, Some Like it Hot until he stopped her song with his smiling lips.
In the private quarters of Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin accepted a tray from the Ravenclaw house elf Thinky. Thanking the elf, the man gently nudged a stack of books that looked in danger of toppling, smiling when they became a straight tower of knowledge once more. His sweetheart was always buying tomes and texts that she thought he might like or could use in his work for the Siren Corporation. Good thing he enjoyed research. His changeable darling had found a treasure trove on her last shopping expedition. Giving the books a last, fond look, the former DA professor carried the serving tray into the bedroom.
Tonks lay in a tangled sprawl across the bed. He said cheerfully, "Good morning, love."
"Wha? Huh? Whattimeisit?"
Chuckling as the woman woke with a start and started to fight her way out of the confining sheet, he replied with an indulgent smile, "If that slurring question was what I think it was, the time is early enough for you to have breakfast in bed with me before you have to get ready for your first class."
Free at last, the metamorphmagus blinked sleepily and then yawned and dashed for the loo. She returned a few minutes later wearing a smile and the shirt he'd been wearing last night. Gesturing to the cleared mattress, Tonks said eagerly,
"Set that down- everything looks great, I'm starved." Hopping on the bed and hungrily reaching for a rasher of bacon, she took a bite and grinned, "You look great too."
The golden eyes appreciating his bare chest sparkled. Sitting in trousers with his bare feet on the floor, Remus smiled wolfishly. They tucked into breakfast, enjoying the quiet time together. After the food was devoured and his partner was on her third cup of coffee- the little addict- he mused, "I wonder if last night's scene will have any repercussions on Snape's work for The Order." Hair still red from Valentine's Day shook,
"I hope not- for Lorelei's sake. Don't think I've seen anyone happier, except me, when you finally kissed me on our third date."
The premature gray blended into longish brown hair in the dim light from the window. Looking out on the overcast day, the man contradicted, "I believe you were the one who kissed me."
His lover argued,
"No, I distinctly remember going out to dinner, asking you in for a drink, and then you kissed me….all night."
Fighting the urge to growl appreciatively at the memory, Lupin countered while standing and then pulling his love into his arms, "We went out to dinner, you asked me in for a drink, you spilled my drink all over my shirt, practically ripped it off in order to 'clean it', then took a long look at my manly chest and threw yourself into my arms."
A tint of pink made Tonks' skin look even creamier. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes before saying,
"Oh yeah….but you touched your lips to mine first. I just…."
Responded with her whole being, just the way she was doing right now. Remus backed his partner toward the bathroom, in a hurry to conserve water by sharing a shower.
In a dormitory room in Gryffindor Tower, Harry awoke with a smile on his face. Life was ironic. Here he'd gone to so much time and effort to try and get with Cho and it had all been for nothing. He'd slipped and called her another name and she'd told him off in front of everybody at the dance. Merlin, when he'd said he wasn't good at romance stuff- he'd been bloody prophetic. Meeting up with Morrigan MacDuff in the Entry Hall had more than made up for the disaster with Cho, however. The Slytherin girl had wanted to snog him to get back at her ex-boyfriend and her lousy date to the dance. He hadn't bought her a bloody Valentine's present, or complimented her or held her hand. Yet he'd gotten to kiss Morrigan, to stroke that long, black hair and her soft, white skin while she returned the favor.
Harry had pressed the girl against the wall, and she'd pulled him closer, eagerly returning the kiss instead of pushing him away. He smiled in satisfaction. That alone made his Valentine's Day happy- not love, not romance- just to be wanted after being rejected again and again.
"Harry, you awake yet? Almost time for breakfast, mate."
Grinning, the boy ran a hand through his hair and sat up, opened the curtains and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Meeting Ron's gaze, he ignored the frown on his best friend's face. Opening his trunk, the teen picked out a uniform. "I bet loads of people get detention for falling asleep in class today. When did you finally go to bed?"
"One in the morning…hey…about last night…"
Shaking his head, Harry adjusted his round glasses and reassured, "Don't worry about it. Cho and I were history that should never have repeated itself." He grinned at the consternation on the face before him, "Really, everything's okay…I think I might've found someone else….so everything's cool. See you at breakfast."
Ron's mouth opened and closed, like a fish, making his best mate laugh on his way into the bathroom.
Watching Harry have a laugh over his confusion, Ron's face scrunched unhappily. Bloody hell, couldn't that boy get a clue? He went from one romantic disaster to another, without stopping to think about what he was doing. Slamming the door to the chamber behind him, Ron stomped downstairs knowing what he was doing- developing a ruddy ulcer, that's what. The girl waiting for him in the Common Room exclaimed,
"You look upset, what's wrong?"
Dropping onto the sofa next to 'Mione, the boy rested his cheek against the top of her head. Taking long, deep breaths that calmed him down and gave him the distinctive scent of his girlfriend's strawberry shampoo to smell, his large, calloused hand reached for her smaller, delicate one. The feel of her soft skin touching his made that miserable 'my best mate's a nutter who won't listen to reason' feeling stop burning a hole in his gut. After a few more minutes of comforting silence, he confessed, "I don't know what to do about Harry. He said that he's over Cho….thinks he's found someone else."
Sitting up straight and looking down into sympathetic eyes, Ron waited for Hermione to make it all better. She smiled and in a rare burst of public affection kissed his hand before lowering it and giving his fingers a gentle squeeze.
"I don't know what to think, much less say. Harry's been so….unreachable….lately, I couldn't even begin to talk to him. We just have to deal with it- let him know we'll be there for him and….let him live his life."
Jumping to his feet, the lanky teen's wide mouth turned down. "I think we should have him locked in the mental ward at St. Mungo's until he snaps out of it."
Giving the silently chiding look that let him know she thought he was acting like a three year old throwing a tantrum, 'Mione stood, smoothed back her hair and said briskly,
"Really, Ronald- you know that St. Mungo's isn't the answer. They haven't done a thing for Neville's parents, have they? You can't give someone else your problem. We're Harry's friends, so it's up to us to help him get through this and become his old self again. Look, here he comes now. Let's go have a talk."
"No. You talk to him if you like, but I need a break….I'm going to check out a book from the Library….see you in the Hall."
Striding out of Gryffindor Tower, Ron wanted to get away from the people he was closest to before Weasley temper got the better of him. He liked the old Harry better. The one who was more interested in Quiddich than girls…. The red-head knew that it wasn't fair to want to have a girlfriend yet wish his mate didn't, and it gave him a massive headache. Once in the library, the conflicted teen found a book on Mountain Trolls for History of Magic and sat down at a table in the back. He didn't want to read. The boy just wasn't ready to go be accepting and supportive of his best mate's barmy actions. His headache was killing him…Ron rubbed his forehead and was just about to go to the Infirmary when a girl's drawling voice asked,
"Bad headache?"
Blue eyes darkened with pain met long-lashed brown. Blaise Zabini stood by his table. When she didn't smirk, or tease, or wink, he admitted, "Yeah. I've been trying to avoid Madam Pomfrey. I hate medicine, but it's either that or I start banging my head on the table."
"I could fix you up."
Ron stared so doubtfully it prompted the Slytherin to say,
"New Year's Eve, you had a headache. Ginny massaged it away, right?" When he nodded, she arched a dark brow, "Where'd your sister get the skills…that's right, me." Waggling long, elegant fingers, she proposed, "C'mon, it'll be my good deed for the day. Trust me; you'll like it much better than medication."
He scowled, "What's in it for you?" Immediately, the boy felt a blush creep up his neck. He'd said those words over holiday right before the exotic-looking girl had taught him to kiss. Thankfully, she didn't mention that. Instead, Zabini confessed,
"I'm a nice person….most of the time…and I like to help people…sometimes." Responding to his disbelieving gaze, she snapped, "Alright. Fine. I just wanted to help you out, and…if you tell anyone this I will call you a liar…I really like your hair."
"You like my hair?" He was gobsmacked. Rolling her eyes, Blaise retorted, "Yeah, it's…so…red and feels so…make up your mind, Mr. Freckles, massage or medication. I've got better things to do than inflate your ego."
He smiled through the pain, "I'll try anything. Go ahead." Standing behind him, the girl began massaging his temples before slowly working her way into his hair. Her slim, dexterous fingers soon had his head lolling back on his neck in the relief from pain. He heard the smile in her voice when she said,
"I bet Granger can't keep her hands off your hair, huh? Especially now that you've let it grow out. If I thought she wouldn't hex my arse, I'd show your girlfriend how to get rid of tension headaches, but as it is…"
A short burst of laughter escaped. Opening his eyes, Ron saw impish eyes gazing down at him. His grin made her giggle. She asked,
"Better?"
His headache was gone, but the truth was, Hermione didn't play with his hair, and the sensation of relaxing fingers sliding through the strands and massaging his scalp felt so good that he didn't want it to stop…yet. Closing his eyes, he shook his head and said gruffly, "Almost. Maybe just a few minutes more…okay?"
"Okay"
The corners of Ron's mouth curved into a contented smile.
The moment her boyfriend left the Common Room, Hermione wanted to follow him. Like every other Weasley except Percy, who seemed to care about no one but himself, Ron was an emotional person. He was taking his friend's actions personally when he shouldn't. She herself had reasoned that Harry would confide in them when and if he wanted to, and logically deduced that worrying about him was a waste of time.
Fleetingly, she wished that Ronald was less emotional, but soon conceded that his intense, passionate nature was what had attracted her in the first place. He warmed her up and she cooled him down. They were perfect for each other. Even while she chatted with Harry and tried to be caring while respecting his right to privacy, Hermione wondered why she was still standing there. Neville and Colin came down the Boys' Staircase and joined them. That was the opportunity she'd unconsciously waited for. Stepping away, she headed to the Library.
Once inside the hallowed halls of learning, she asked the girl assisting Pince if she'd seen Ron. The skinny sixth year Hufflepuff smiled oddly and told her that he was somewhere in the back. Turning, Hermione stiffened when she heard the girl snicker. Refusing to give a person obviously jealous of another's intelligence the satisfaction of asking what was so funny, the Gryffindor marched onward. Her steps slowed when she heard a peculiar sound. It was groaning… Silently moving forward, Hermione heard her boyfriend moan,
"Merlin, Blaise….that feels so good!"
She was torn between rushing forward and hexing her lying, cheating, no good bastard of a boyfriend and that slut he was with and running away to crawl in a hole somewhere and die. The girl forced herself to step forward and peer around a bookcase. Her mouth dropped. They weren't snogging…or groping…Zabini was standing behind Ron and massaging his hair! The girl was running her fingers through red locks and enjoying it, by the look on her face and the smile on her lips. Suddenly, Ron's eyes opened. He said,
"Thanks. My head was about to explode, and now I feel great!"
"No problem. If you ever think Granger wouldn't blast first and ask questions later, remember my offer to give her a few pointers."
Reassured by the casually friendly tone of the pair's conversation, Hermione almost stepped into sight and took the girl up on her offer. Ron's next words made her freeze,
"You sure gave me a few pointers. It made all the difference. Really…"
"Don't get mushy on me Weasley…and take care of yourself, okay?"
After watching her boyfriend reply, 'You too', the Gryffindor Prefect ducked back behind a nearby bookshelf. Once the Slytherin passed by, an irresistible impulse took hold of Hermione. She used a Disillusionment Charm and followed the girl. In the outer corridor, Zabini paused and spoke aloud,
"I can take the long way to the Great Hall and be a few minutes late for breakfast, or I can take a shortcut through a corridor that gives me the creeps and arrive before Crabbe and Goyle eat all the muffins. Hmmm…I have an inexplicable craving for carrot raisin…creepy corridor it is!"
The day she'd returned from Christmas Holiday, Hermione had realized that Ron had kissed someone before her- and learned a lot. Now that talk of 'pointers' had her inner list queen piping, None of the other girls on your possible snogging partners list admitted to kissing him, and that girl did visit over holiday, and he didn't tell you about it, and he has been protective…and evasive…and suspicious. The little know-all had chimed in; if you jinx the Slytherin in a deserted corridor, she'll have to tell, and then you won't have to wonder any more…you'll know...
The voice of Reason loftily reminded that coercing information was beneath her, but she ignored it and slipped down the corridor after the other girl. Once they'd turned off into the hallway that was little used because few students were aware of the passage hidden between empty classrooms, Granger pulled out her wand. Her intellect almost convinced her to turn around and forget the crazy plan. The exact moment she put her wand away and started to pivot on her heel, however, the Slytherin started singing 'Weasley is our King'. The Gryffindor version…it was too much to take. Hermione whipped her wand back out and pointed it at the other girl's back. Her voice rang out strong and clear, "Tarantallegra!"
Zabini started dancing uncontrollably, her feet moving in a soft-shoe pattern. Unnerved and angry, the girl shook her short curls when the Gryffindor broke the Disillusionment charm and became visible,
"Why are you jinxing me, Granger?"
Hermione asked stonily, "Did you kiss Ron when you visited Ginny over holiday?"
The Slytherin was now doing The Charleston like a '20's flapper.
"What did Weasley say?"
Face flushed, the Prefect answered,
"I didn't ask Ron, I'm asking you"
Transitioning into the jitterbug, the other girl replied, not even out of breath,
"Hope you like seeing me dance, because I'm not telling you anything. If you have to be a know-it-all, talk to Mr. Freckles."
"Don't call him that! He hates it!"
Moving side to side in a twist, Zabini smiled tauntingly,
"Did he tell you that? Didn't think so…wonder what Ronnie-Boy would say if I told him his girlfriend jinxed me to find out whether or not he'd kissed me?"
The Slytherin did a step, cross step, step and clap move from side to side. It looked like something from the seventies. Hermione stared in annoyance. This wasn't working out like she'd planned. She threw the girl's words back at her, "You do that, and I'll go have a talk with your boyfriend. Wonder what Terry-Boy would say?"
The girl was doing a high stepping dance now that looked like it took a lot of energy to sustain. Glaring daggers, Blaise demanded,
"Why do you care who Ron's kissed before you, Granger?"
"Because!" The second the word slipped from her lips, the Gryffindor knew she'd gone over the edge of reason. Deciding to make the most of being crazed with jealousy, she said fiercely,
"Because I wanted to teach Ron how to kiss, that's why!"
Now moving in a sinuous belly dance, Blaise gazed incredulously, then said angrily,
"You wanted! Did you stop and think for one minute that maybe this was one area that Ron wanted to teach you something? He's a guy. Most guys want to make a move and rock your world, not have to ask for instructions and feel bloody stupid! You should be flattered that he wanted your first kiss to be awesome instead of awful, but your pride is more important than his feelings, isn't it?" Blaise sneered, "Do you even care about him at all?"
Staring with frustration at the girl currently doing bounce steps and hip-hop moves, the Gryffindor yelled, "Of course I do- I love him!" The instant the words rang out, Zabini smiled and asked,
"Does he know that?"
"I do now."
Hermione's eyes became huge and uncertain. Ron materialized behind her after breaking his charm. He stood silently while she released the other girl from the jinx and watched the Slytherin gather her things. Softly, she said, "I'm sorry." She was apologizing to both of them, but the girl rolled her eyes and scoffed,
"Gryffindors. Roger a perfectly good ruthless plan by going soft. Whatever. No big deal, alright? Go kiss and make up or something. See you."
Even after Blaise sauntered out of sight, Hermione kept her eyes averted from the boy behind her. The girl was mortified. She whispered, "How much did you hear?"
Moving in front of her, Ron's expression was serious and intent.
"All of it. I smelled your shampoo in the library, and out in the corridor. I heard Zabini talking to herself and figured you'd heard something, were planning on doing something. I just couldn't believe my eyes…or my ears…so I watched, and listened…and…you love me?"
Trying to pull herself together, Hermione attempted to speak with her usual briskness, "Really, Ronald, do you think I'd be so jealous that I'd hex a girl if I didn't? That would be illogical."
Pushing annoyingly bouncy, fluffy strands of hair out of her face, she searched his eyes, "Do you love me?" The smile that greeted her question made tears spring and her heart soar,
"Really, 'Mione, do you think I'd be so jealous of Lockhart, and Krum, and anybody else you've ever noticed if I didn't?" His hands framed her face, "I love you…I've always loved you."
The kiss that followed was the sweetest that she'd ever known. Sliding her arms around Ron's neck, she threaded her fingers through bright strands and silently vowed to touch them every chance she got from now on. Hermione's rational mind couldn't fathom how acting so rashly could possibly have led to something so wonderful. Sighing happily as her boyfriend explored her mouth and caressed her body with large, talented hands, the girl accepted the fact that some things couldn't be explained, and love was a mystery.
Sitting between Fiona Flint and Vincent Crabbe, Morrigan MacDuff ate a few bites of salad before pushing her lunch away. She wasn't very hungry. The Slytherin girl slanted a glance over at the Gryffindor table. Last night, she'd been so angry and hurt, both with her now ex-boyfriend and her prat of an escort, Montague, that making out with Harry-Bloody-Potter had seemed like a perfect way to get revenge on the males who treated her like she was an effing tissue. Something to use and discard… She saw Harry looking at her with the same intensity that he had last evening when he'd kissed her so hungrily; she blushed to think of it even now.
Looking down, she thought unhappily that her tie should be crimson and gold instead of silver and green. She'd been bold, but hadn't calculated how she'd feel the morning after. Unable to sit there and pretend that she was okay when she felt so messed up it was pathetic, Morrigan abruptly stood, told her friends that she needed to run get a book before the next class and hurried out of the Hall. In the main corridor, she turned when Potter called her name. Catching up to her, the boy who looked so cute with his round glasses and rumpled hair said,
"I wanted to talk to you."
She walked over to the statue they'd kissed behind the night before, leaned against the back wall and said, "So talk."
Potter was giving her that devouring look again. Like he wanted to kiss her and never stop. It made it hard to think straight. She looked down. When Morrigan looked up again, Harry was way too close. He whispered,
"I can't stop thinking about you. When can I see you again?"
She smiled crookedly, "Depends."
His gaze lifted from her lips to her eyes.
"Depends on what?"
"On what you want from me- if it's to get a leg over, forget about it."
He shook his head.
"That's not what I want…well, not all…"
A rueful smile curved her lips. At least he was honest; unlike some guys who promised to love you forever and then wanted to see other girls when you were apart. His hand reached out, touched her hair. She said bluntly, "If you want to go with me because you're getting over somebody, that's okay- I'm getting over somebody too. But I won't put up with you calling me anybody else's name, and I'm not going to sleep with you."
Those extraordinary eyes focused on hers. The girl felt like he was really looking at her, as a person and not just a girl who'd snogged him stupid. He nodded, asking,
"Want to go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?"
Her spirits lifted. She smiled, "Yes."
Harry smiled appealingly,
"May I kiss you…Morrigan?"
Her lips pressed against his in answer.
Inside Greenhouse 7, Neville's round, pleasant face glowed with anticipation while he waited for his girlfriend to arrive. They'd agreed to hurry through lunch in order to do this together. Puttering around, he straightened an already orderly row of ladyslippers, admiring the tiny shoe-shaped blossoms. Arranging all the items he and Bindy needed on a potting table, the boy started humming.
"Is that the song you said your parents liked when we heard it last night?"
Meeting the sandy-blonde Ravenclaw's smiling gaze, he nodded, and then did something impulsive. Taking Bindy's hands in his, Neville swung them up, causing the teens to spin around and face each other again while he sang, "Something tells me I'm into something good."
Letting go of her hands, the Gryffindor pulled his girlfriend close and hugged her soft curves. He wished that every happy thought he ever had about his folks wasn't followed by the sad realization that they might never really be his parents again. Neville wanted to believe that the Healers at St. Mungo's would find a way to make his mum and dad well again. But he couldn't.
Frowning, he thought of the small mystery that had been bothering him since that Christmas over a year ago. Gum wrappers. Who kept leaving gum wrappers in his parents' room? The mediwitch had confirmed that mum and dad didn't chew gum, hadn't had any visitors that did- that she knew. Neville shook his head. Every time he and Grandmother visited, he questioned everyone he could find about those wrappers. So far, no one had seen anything. It made him suspicious. Brown eyes lightened with self-deprecating humor. He'd drive himself spare and earn a room at St. Mungo's if he kept thinking up conspiracy theories. Drawing back, he gave Bindy a kiss and said with determined cheerfulness, "Let's get planting."
His girlfriend's easy laughter made the teen smile. He led her over to the potting table and pointed to the pot standing in readiness. She reached into a pocket and took out three heart-shaped seeds. Neville planted them and together they gently watered the pot and placed it under a growing light. He gave the girl pushing her long fringe out of her eyes a mock-serious look, "You know what makes Passionata Fruit Trees really grow, don't you?"
Twining her arms around his neck, Bindy kissed him with a passion that was quite…inspiring. He returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm. Beside them on the table, a green sprout pushed its way through the soil and stretched its tiny leaves toward the light.
In the Great Hall, Kieran sat beside Cassandra and gazed thoughtfully at her face. His girlfriend had reverted to her old self today. Heavy kohl ringed her eyes and black lipstick outlined her soft mouth. When she took a bite of her sandwich, black fingernail polish contrasted starkly against her white fingers. When she'd met him in the Common Room this morning, wearing the black and a defiant expression on her face, the selkie boy hadn't commented. He'd been born in the dark, but it wasn't last night. Obviously, the whole Valentine's Day experience had overwhelmed the girl. She was withdrawing, trying to either deny that their friendship had deepened into a relationship or… His eyes narrowed. Did she think that he only liked her when she was pretty in pink? He smiled. His little anemone cautiously unfurled her tendrils,
"Why are you smiling?"
He grinned, "Just wondering if that lipstick will rub off or not."
Across the table, Scarlett laughed out loud. Beside the girl, Lexx looked almost friendly while giving a half-smile. That was real progress. Since the spiky haired boy had been told of his now-girlfriend's feelings, the animosity he'd first shown the 'exchange student' had greatly lessened. A few days ago, he'd even allowed the other youth to teach him a Gaelic song.
The musician, along with the others in the little group that were so different from their housemates and yet still very Slytherin, had become his friends. They helped him with the subjects that baffled him and accepted his…uniqueness…without question. He would miss them when he returned to the sea. Perhaps next year… Suddenly, Cassandra pushed herself up and clambered over the bench, almost running from the Hall. Kieran followed. He caught up to her outside on the front steps. Warily, he asked, "What is wrong?"
Arms crossed, she looked straight ahead, not meeting his eyes. Tonelessly, she uttered,
"You're not coming back after Easter Holiday. You'll swim off and..."
"I will return, next year." Carefully, he wrapped his arms around her, encouraged when she didn't stiffen or step away, "and this year…OWL your parents…tell them you wish to go home with a friend for the break…call me Kiera if that will make them say yes."
Her rare, wide smile looked the same, regardless of the differences in makeup.
"I've already written the letter. I was just waiting for you to ask. That was the vision I had last night, you and me, swimming together and…"
Bright pink blushes looked very attractive with black. He could grow to like it. Using his lilting, musical voice for all that it was worth, Kieran coaxed, "What else were we doing together, Cassandra? Taking a walk on the beach? Collecting shells?" Laughter rumbled in his chest when she pulled his head down to hers. Kissing was definitely the best thing about being human, although he had a feeling that one day she'd show him what else made humanity a blessed state. For now, he returned her kiss and was thankful that her lipstick was kiss-proof.
Fabricating cramps to skive out of class and stalk a boy who's stalking another girl is a new low, MacDougal. Mindy's derisive thoughts didn't make her move from her position in the hallway, though. She stayed in the doorway of an unused classroom, watching Creevey stand beside the statue of Orlando the Obliging.
The Gryffindor had his camera in hand, waiting for his favorite photography subject to come sashaying up the dungeon stairway from her Potions class. In a conversation with Luna before breakfast, the girl who wasn't so loony had advised that Mindy use Colin's attraction to her as a way to bring him closer to her and further away from his crush on Zabini. It was good advice, but so far, she hadn't had a chance to think up a plan, much less put anything into action. Deciding that she'd just have to make things up as she went along, the Ravenclaw strolled over to her fellow fifth year and asked bitingly,
"When Boot's draped all over his girlfriend, what do you do- cut him out of the picture?" The boy whose pale blond hair gave him a falsely innocent look smirked,
"Of course…or I focus in on a favorite body part. Why are you out of class early? Come to drool over Girly-Locks?"
He caught her involuntary smile over his derogatory comment and grinned,
"What's this? A sense of humor about your one true love…?"
"I never said he was my one true love. I said that I liked him, and I did."
Colin asked curiously, "Past tense? What's the matter- gone off Tarzan, have you?"
She smiled ironically, "Yeah."
Creevey seemed very interested in checking his camera lenses all of a sudden. Mindy took a step forward and told the boy, "Guess why?" He looked into her eyes for a magical moment and then shifted his gaze to look over her shoulder. His jaw dropped. She tried to protest when he dragged her behind the statue without warning, but he clapped a palm over her mouth and whispered,
"Hush! Look there!"
They pressed closely together, watching in shocked fascination. Professor Snape was using the mobilicorpus spell to levitate a couple who looked frozen in a horizontal embrace up the steps and toward the Infirmary.
"Professor, wait…is Blaise, I mean…are they going to be okay?"
The couple now floating in air were halted close enough to the two hiding that the watchers could see that Boot and Zabini had been in a clinch when they'd been petrified. Out of the corner of her eye, Mindy saw an expression cross Colin's face that combined unhappiness and jealous anger. After several moments, his features turned impish. He lifted the camera. She pulled it back down and glared. He grinned unrepentantly. They heard Snape promise Malfoy that the students would be fine after antidotes to the aphrodisiacal vapors produced by the day's potion and the petrificus charms used on the pair afterwards were administered. The Slytherin Prefect returned to the dungeon, presumably to dismiss the class while the professor used his wand to set the two looking like erotic statuary into motion once more. After they'd drifted out of sight, Colin observed,
"That was bizarre. I wonder if Pomfrey would let me into the Infirmary."
"No, she wouldn't, so don't try." Soft blue eyes turned hard briefly, and then laughed,
"I was only joking."
A calculating look crossed the adorable schemer's face. She asked, "What?"
"You didn't seem upset to see Boot in a petrified embrace. Maybe you really are over the Ape Man."
She countered, "I asked you before to guess why."
His eyes hooded. Her heart began to pound. He moved so close that she could see each long, individual eyelash. Colin brushed his lips against hers, barely touching, teasing her. He pulled back.
"I think you like somebody else."
Mindy considered him through her reddish blonde lashes. Taking the initiative, she sank her fingers into his pale hair and kissed the boy until his hands tightened on her hips. Immediately stepping back, she promised,
"One day you'll like somebody else too."
For a moment, the Ravenclaw thought that the Gryffindor would make another move, say something, but he merely smiled, picked up his camera bag, shoved his equipment into it and said,
"We'll see."
Her eyes narrowed. The most infuriating, exciting, challenge she'd ever come up against walked away with a cocky strut in his stride. Meters down the corridor, Colin half-turned and called,
"Come with me to Hogsmeade next weekend?"
The girl's lips curved upwards, "We'll see."
Hours after dinner, when the students retired to their common rooms and the school became dark and quiet, Severus strode across his lounge, a hooded cloak over his arm. Sitting beside the woman stretched out on his sofa reading a book, he peered at the cover: Dracula. An inquiring eyebrow rose, "How many times have you read that novel?" A faint tint of pink appeared on Lorelei's cheekbones.
"I plead the fifth."
He smirked, "Five times, hmmm…I suppose you'll be waiting up, wanting me to nibble your neck." His lover's rueful smile and blush caused a huff of amusement to escape. Interpreting the look on her face, the man obligingly bent and brushed aside spiraled curls to place his lips against her throat. The breathy 'Oh Severus' that greeted his playful slide of teeth against soft skin was as gratifying as it was amusing. Kissing his partner goodbye, the Potions Master reluctantly drew away and headed for the portrait hole. Behind him, Lorelei urged,
"Take care, love"
Glancing back while the portrait rose, he nodded, "As you wish."
Placing thoughts of his lover's smile, and anything else that might distract or be used against him behind an impenetrable psychic wall, Snape turned his formidable will to becoming the perfect tool for the task at hand, projecting an aura much more frightening than that of a fictional vampire. He had been summoned to a meeting with those who supported the Dark Lord covertly, maintaining their 'normal' lives in order to serve Voldemort by gaining Ministry secrets or subverting the truth anywhere from the pubs to the press. The Cadre, as the group pretentiously called itself, was meeting this night in a home at the edge of Hogsmeade. The cottage was neat and presented a disarmingly pleasant façade to the community.
The villager who opened the door did also. Large boned, jovial faced, and outgoing, the man was often seen down at The Three Broomsticks, where he scoffed at rumors of You-Know-Who's activities and influenced many a villager. Immersed in his role for the evening, Snape brushed past the man without a word of greeting. Once inside the lounge, he sneered at the group milling around with drinks in hand. The men nodded deferentially or slid their gaze away, intimidated by someone with an actual Dark Mark to prove his allegiance.
Shaking his head when the 'host' offered him a whisky, the undercover 'Death Eater' stood in a corner, hood shadowing his features, listening impassively while the group settled down and began their meeting. As to be expected, not much of import had been learned or done since the last gathering. This bunch was more talk than action, and Snape had long since concluded that Voldemort assigning him the chore attending and reporting on The Cadre's activities was another example of the wizard's malicious, perverted nature.
"Sorry I'm late, I was doing some self-affirmation and lost track of time. I say, I'm pleased as punch to be here."
Outwardly expressionless, but inwardly incredulous, Severus stared at the vacuous Ancient Runes Professor. The man entered the chamber and headed for the only standing room available- next to Snape. Smalley, with his brownish-blond hair, insipid features and inane smile was one of the last people he would've expected to support the Dark Lord. Reaching the far corner, the idiot peered up to see underneath the hood and stammered in a voice that carried across the room,
"Professor Snape! Why, I never would've thought you'd be here in a million years. Not with a beautiful lover like Lorelei waiting for you!"
Glaring, Severus' eyes locked with the blabber mouthed cretin's. Images immediately flashed before his inner eye. Smalley meeting with an inner circle of Death Eaters, looking willing to do anything to become one of them…the man meeting an attractive female journalist…shaking hands with the editor of The Quibbler, smiling and approving a headline, 'Secrets of You-Know-Who Uncovered'…
Breaking the connection by averting his gaze, the lean professor wondered how the other man could be so abysmally asinine. Did he really believe that he could escape the Dark Lord's wrath after such a betrayal? Not that the simpleton would learn much more than Voldemort's favorite wine, food, and method of torture, but the very act of selling information for money signed the fool's death warrant. Others in the room crowded around after hearing Smalley's words. One asked,
"Lorelei is Snape's lover? Go on with you!"
Appearing bored and indifferent was becoming increasingly harder to do when the men started gossiping about his love life instead of strategizing how to take a small step for pureblood supremacy. Stuart enjoyed being the center of attention. He assured everyone that he'd been told that she was by the professor himself just last night at the Valentine's Dance. Unable to remain silent any longer, the man whose Dark Mark was probably glowing with his unseen anger pointed his wand at Smalley, "Silencio"
The slow-witted creature tried for quite some time to talk without a voice. Cold, implacable eyes scorned each attendee while Snape drawled contemptuously, "How displeased our Master will be with my report that The Cadre is more interested in trivial matters than in securing his power. I shall OWL at once. I suggest you start composing an abject apology." He moved toward the door, only to be importuned by his leering host,
"So Stuart has the right of it? You're that bint's lover, then?"
Curling his lip, he warned with icy menace, "Stuart or anyone else who persists in inquiring about my women would do well to start testing their food and drink…so many poisons are untraceable…"
Satisfied by the man's white face and stuttering apology for his impertinence, the cloaked figure nodded curtly before disappearing into the darkness. Snape knew that he'd put an end to The Cadre's interest, but Smalley was another matter. The man was dangerous in his blathering way, and had to be stopped.
Back at the castle, Severus went directly to his office and composed a note to an intermediary in a code that only Voldemort and a few members of the inner circle would be able to decipher. Smalley's plans to sell information about the Dark Lord to The Quibbler were exposed. Whatever happened, the Runes Professor had brought it upon himself by his greed.
Sealing the missive, and heading to the OWLery, Snape sent the parchment sealing the other professor's fate without a qualm. On the way back to his quarters, the personae of 'Death Eater' was placed back into a far recess of his mind and sealed away until needed once more. Thoughts and memories of a warmer nature were allowed to fill and thaw the mind and heart that had been so cold. Looking every bit a creature of darkness, Severus swept into his quarters and eagerly embraced his lover and the light.
A/N: Love Hangover is an old Diana Ross song, and Some Like it Hot was breathed by Marilyn Monroe in the movie where Tony Curtis is prettier than she is! Review and make my day!
