The Saints of Donovan
Chapter 9
Several weeks passed in the apartment, a bitter sort of silence lingering about the three residents. Donovan stayed in his room all day and snuck out at night, when he was sure that Severus wouldn't be concerned with his absence. The teenagers he had surrounded himself with for a little while began to bore him and he eventually decided against meeting up with them. His mind was on other things. He found himself drawn to the churches near by, and gained his sanctuary on the roof tops where all was forgiven and infallible.
Nessa wouldn't speak to Severus at all. Severus knew by her countenance that she would be that way for a while. She had closed her mind off to him completely, and didn't even grant him a passing glance when they were in the same room. Her door at night was locked and Severus found himself sleep deprived and longing for just some acknowledgement from Nessa.
The summer weeks were coming to a close, and the leaves were turning along the London streets. This meant two things: Nessa would be leaving soon, and Donovan would be joining Severus at Hogwarts.
Nessa hovered over Severus' naked, quivering form, her yellow tinted hair trickling down one side of her neck. His face was calm yet slightly confused, as he reached up to caress her bare skin.
"Nessa…" he breathed into the still air, slightly confused by her sudden change of heart. She smiled softly and bent down, placing small teasing kisses on his neck as her hands traced down his stomach. He gasped lightly as her hands reached his more sensitive parts. Nessa bit down into the soft flesh of his neck, and Severus pulled her tightly against his body. He devoured her lips greedily with his own as he rolled her onto her back.
Severus shot up in bed, his hair dripping in sweat and his body shaking. It had been a dream. He snarled and threw the covers from his body. He hadn't had a dream that erotic since he was a student.
He shambled his way down the hall and into the kitchen, clutching his unbuttoned shirt around him. It was so cold in his flat, and he'd never really realized how stark everything was. Staring through the kitchen window he looked at his reflection as it seemed merged with the austere London streets. Nessa was right; he was an insufferable old man.
"Can't sleep?" Nessa's soft voice came from the hall entrance. Severus turned to see Nessa's grey skin glowing silver in the moonlight. He stared at her blankly for a short time, inwardly longing for her to tell him things he'd never desired a woman to declare to him but felt were vital for her to protest. Nessa took this vacant expression as snide and cruel and looked away from his gaze, striding passed him to the stove. Severus blinked and stiffened his upper lip as he was brought back to a cognitive state.
He stood there, silently, his face slowly tightening into a scowl as he tried to think of something to say to her.
"This silence can't continue like this," Nessa said, as she turned the kettle on. Severus blinked, his heart racing suddenly.
"Yes, yes I know," he started as Nessa turned to face him. He locked eyes with her, as she took a tiny step towards him.
"We're going to have company here soon." Nessa sighed, crossing her arms and leaning against the counter. Severus tilted his head, his hopes silently shattered.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, collecting himself.
"I received an owl from Myrtle tonight. Seems Lucius' son has caused nothing but trouble for our fellow death eaters. They want to send him here." Nessa said, bracing herself for Severus' disapproval.
"So, Voldemort wants me to play sitter this summer it seems. Sending me two teenagers like this…" he grimaced, his teeth grinding together. Nessa sighed and pulled open the cabinet behind her.
"We have to do work with the order soon as well, or have you forgotten?" she said, pulling two mugs out of the cabinet and placing them next to the stove as the water came to a boil.
"No, I haven't…at least then that plump Weasley woman can keep the boys occupied. I know Draco won't go whining to the other followers, he's never wanted to be a part of daddy's business." Severus snarled, pouring the hot water into the two mugs for Nessa.
"He won't go tattling?" Nessa asked, furrowing her brow.
"No, he's known I've been working both sides since he was a second year. I've treated him more like a son then his father or mother ever had. I gather that's why he's acting so much these days. His father is in prison, he can't beat him when he acts up." Severus growled sarcastically.
"Alright then, I'm off to bed. Draco will be here tomorrow morning; I'll go prepare a room." Nessa said, finishing her sentence with a yawn. Severus watched her go, his eyes lingering where they shouldn't have.
"So, this is a student from that 'school' you work at?" Donovan asked as the three of them stood in front of the living room fire the next morning.
"Yes, but I consider him like my very own family, so pay him respect. He probably won't be too happy there's another guest, so don't take his remarks too seriously if he treats you poorly." Severus said, as he waited. Donovan sighed. After what seemed like an excruciatingly long wait, a slender form started to emerge from the fire. A boy about the same age as Donovan strode out of the flames. Everything on him was black; his suitcase, his turtle neck and his trousers. His face was what stunned Donovan. This boy, Draco, had silver white hair, sleekly combed around his pale sharp face. He looked as if, under any other circumstances, that he would be very handsome. His eyes were a stunning azure blue, but were shrouded in pink where the white of his eyes stretched towards the pupils. This shade of pink got darker around his eyes, sinking into bags, making him look as tired and old as Severus. His face had no emotion, he was simply gaunt. Donovan felt very sad when he looked at him, and wished he didn't have to greet this boy.
"Good morning Draco, breakfast is in the kitchen." Nessa said, taking his bag for him and exiting. Severus approached Draco, and without saying a word, placed a gently hand on his shoulder.
"Come." Was all he said to Draco, leading the broken boy out of the room. Draco hadn't even looked at Donovan, which left him feeling very unsettled.