Ouch! Down to four reviews for that last chapter - thanks you four for your very valued reviews. I know JessiokaFroka's been away, (the following chapter has not been betaread). Perhaps the rest are recovering from Thanksgiving over-indulgence. Lol, Severusgirl x
Snape's back! Enjoy...
Chapter Seven
BIRTHDAY SURPRISES
"Mmmmmm. I love the weekend."
Andi snuggled up against Severus' back feeling warm and comfortable and dopy from sleep. She didn't want to open her eyes yet, she just wanted to savour this togetherness the weekends brought when time was theirs and responsibilities to the school, few.
She was learning to accept being without him during the week, but still, she missed him so much. He occasionally called in during what was now known between them as his 'graveyard shift', but no longer stayed the whole night, returning to his own quarters in case he was called upon.
It wasn't just in the bedroom she missed his company. Sometimes, after a particularly tiring or hectic day, she would return to her own empty rooms and think how nice it would be to settle down on the sofa together, and relax with a glass of wine and a book or something, just to be in each others company.
She couldn't, however, visualise their relationship ever reaching that level. The school week was just that. He barely registered her if they passed in the corridors and there was no hint they were more than working colleagues, even in the Staff Room.
She realised he was an intensely private man, and the thought of anyone, particularly the students, knowing any more about him than he was prepared to reveal, revolted him, but still, she found it difficult.
He turned over to face her, his arm slinking around her waist and pulling her close.
She planted kisses on his shoulder as she let her hand run down his back, stroking his buttock.
"Mmmm," he murmured in her ear. "You are very tempting, but we must go to breakfast."
She stopped and thought. "Is there any chance we could have breakfast together today? I mean here, instead of miles apart at the staff table."
"We are expected to attend."
"I know but..." She hesitated. "Today is my birthday, and I just thought it would be nice."
He pulled away slightly and looked down at her. "Today is your birthday?"
"Yes."
"Why was I not informed of this until now?"
"It slipped my mind. There's been a lot going on - I guess I forgot."
He moved off her and got out of bed. "Stay there."
After watching him leave the room, she flopped back down on the bed.
Last year's birthday had been spent on a shopping spree with Liz, lunch at Langham's and then in the evening they'd gone to a club where she'd met John.
She could never ever have anticipated the change in her circumstances the following year would bring, but she realised that even though this year's birthday would be low-key, she would rather be here with no celebration at all, than back in her old life.
"Breakfast will be here momentarily."
"Really? We're eating here? In private? Oh, thank you," she said, kissing him. "That's brilliant."
"I am not practised in supplying gifts. What is it that women like?"
"Just breakfast here with you is my birthday treat...no, Severus," she said as he picked up his wand. "I don't want a gift you've conjured up just because you feel you should. Truly, this is treat enough."
"Is there nothing else,..?" he murmured, nibbling her ear.
"W-elll..."
"Hmmmmm?" Gently he pushed her back down on the bed and slipped his leg between hers.
"You could continue doing that...Ohhh...!"
-------
He tried very hard to remain in an even temper during the morning, but by midday, she sensed he was getting edgy and thought it best to get out of his way before it could develop.
"Listen, I'm going to see if Vincent wants to walk into Hogsmeade with me - do a bit of shopping. I'll have lunch out." She pulled on her cloak.
"You are forgetting something." She turned to him. "Your wizard protection."
She walked over to him. He tapped her head with his wand and murmured the spell that would give her temporary protection whilst out of the Castle grounds.
She smiled up at him. "You do look after me."
"I dare not leave it to Bellchambers. Why are you going with him?"
"He has a good eye for clothes - and he makes me laugh." She kissed him. "I'll see you later."
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When she returned around four, she opened the door quietly and peeped in. The room was empty. Going into the bedroom, she put her bags on top of the bed and went to the bathroom to run a bath.
She was bathed, perfumed and made-up by the time she heard him come in.
He came to the bathroom door.
"Where were you?" She smiled as she brushed her hair up into a tidier knot.
"The Hospital Wing."
She looked at him, quickly.
"A Gryffindor and a Slytherin caused a commotion whilst watching a Quiddich practice, injuring themselves and two other pupils. Personally, I would have let them fight to the death, but..."
"Oh, dear. Well, I suppose that's the disadvantage of living over your work."
"I notice there are empty bags on the bedroom floor. You had a successful trip?"
"Yes I did," she said, eagerly. "I found this wonderful little boutique called Peitho's Persuasion. They sell robes and underwear and jewellery..." She saw his eyes begin to glaze over. "And guess what? They sell Muggle underwear!" she said, following him into the bedroom. "I couldn't believe it. Why would a wizard shop sell Muggle clothes?"
"They are known as 'imported goods'."
"Well, anyway, they had loads of stuff from this really lovely lingerie shop in London-"
"Really." he said, in an uninterested voice and began walking away into the main room.
"It cost me a week's wages but..." She opened the dressing-gown and let it slip halfway down her back, standing with the confidence of a woman who knows how sexy she looks. "Do you think it was worth it?"
He turned his head to give a cursory look over his shoulder and then spun around to face her, giving her his immediate and full attention.
"You like it?" she laughed, as she posed in an emerald green basque, black thong and black silk stockings. "I wanted Slytherin colours, so I had the woman change the black lace into silver and she put in a silver ribbon to lace up the front, see-"
He was across the room in an instant, his mouth silencing her, his arms lifting her as he pushed her back onto the bed. He was on her in an instant, a hand running up her stocking-clad leg to the bare part of her thigh, kneading the flesh, tracing the lace and clasp of the suspenders, stroking the tops of the stockings again.
"Ohhh," she gasped, completely surprised and aroused at the speed of his reaction. "You do like it."
He looked down at her body encased in silk and lace and let out a deep, throaty growl.
He buried his head to her breast, his tongue snaking out to capture the nipple hiding behind the silver lace, and bringing it into his mouth. His fingers had now left her thigh and travelled up to the edge of her thong, pushing it aside. She could do nothing but grasp his back and rock her hips to the rhythm of his probing fingers, before...
"Oh my!" she gasped. "That is not your finger!"
At last, he brought his face back up and she was able to kiss him, desperately, hungrily, as in one swift movement he pushed completely inside her, making her cry out with surprise and excitement.
"I apologise," he rasped in her ear, his thrusts hard and insistent, "but I...cannot...last..."
"You don't...have to..." she managed to call out before she arched her back and screamed with complete abandonment as the most powerful orgasm crashed over her.
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"Ohhh noooo...it's Sunday!" She groaned as Severus threw back the covers, pulled on his robes and went to see who was knocking on the door at seven in the morning.
Andi pulled the covers back over herself and put a pillow over her ears.
She had definitely had too much wine last night during dinner and after they had got back to Severus' quarters. Hell, it had been her birthday; why shouldn't she get a tiny bit drunk?
She stretched luxuriously, realising she was still in her new underwear. Mmmmmm. Money well spent, she thought.
"Andrea."
She heard his muffled voice through the pillow. She brought her head out, her smile disappearing as she saw the expression on his face. "What on earth is it?"
"The Headmaster. He wishes to see you."
Glancing doubtfully at her silk-covered body, she got out of bed and pulled on her dressing gown, making sure every bit of lace was hidden before she followed Severus out of the bedroom.
Dumbledore stood by the refectory table. He didn't look as though he'd just got out of bed.
"Andrea, my dear, I am so sorry to disturb you."
"That's OK. I know you wouldn't do it if it wasn't important," she said, glancing at Severus and wondering what on earth was going on.
"I thought you both should see this before you go to breakfast." He unfolded a newspaper and handed it to her.
The Sunday Sleuth looked to be a tabloid newspaper and smelled strongly of cheap ink. On the front page was a picture of Cornelius Fudge, Andi's grandfather, trying to hide behind his hands. The bold, black headlines above the picture read:
'MINISTER IN LOVE-CHILD SCANDAL'
"What?" cried Andi, in disbelief and cast her eyes over the rest of the page.
'Minister For Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was refusing to comment last night on revelations that he has a love-child.
The Sleuth has unearthed indisputable proof that Fudge (72) had a brief affair with a Muggle forty-eight years ago which resulted in the birth of a daughter, Genevieve.
Heartless Fudge refused to have anything more to do with his lover, Josephine Carver (decd), when informed of her condition, forcing her to return to the Muggle world and raise their child alone.
The whereabouts of Genevieve is not known, but The Sleuth can exclusively reveal that her daughter - and granddaughter of Fudge - is currently working as Music mistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Professor Andrea Carver (28) refuses to have anything to do with her high-powered grandfather denouncing him as a 'disgrace to wizard-kind'.
Professor Carver began teaching at Hogwarts in September this year, since when her name has been romantically linked with Severus Snape (42), the last surviving heir of the House of Snape and currently Potions master at Hogwarts.'
Andi's breathing had been getting heavier with disbelief as she read, finally crying out in dismay as she read the last paragraph.
Snape took the paper from her and began reading.
Andi looked up at Dumbledore.
"How do they know all this?"
"I am afraid any information can be gained if one asks the right questions of the right people."
"But...but I do talk to my grandfather. How can they print such lies...and quote me when I haven't even said anything...and how dare they write about me and Severus?"
Snape finished reading. His face whiter than Andi had ever seen it, his expression stony. He placed the newspaper on the table, turned, and without a word or a look, left by the main door.
Andi went to follow.
"No, my dear, leave him."
"But...I have to go to him...I want to know...this is just the worst..." She choked a sob. "Oh my God, Albus, what on earth do I do? I could lose him over this."
I know in the US 'suspenders' are called something else, but I couldn't think what that was - you all know I mean the sexy things that hold stockings up, though, don't you and not what old men wear on their trousers!!!!
FemmeLoki - You remember the pink shirt, but not the name? hehehehehe!
Helena Oe - I read your review with surprise. All I will say is, be careful what you wish for.
Thousandl - I shall write to Starbucks and ask for a share of the profits!
Topps - Thanks for a lovely review. I'm not in the USA - I'm in England.