"Welcome to Muggle Studies, everyone. As you know from last night, I am Professor Kionora Verales. I am taking the place of Professor Dimsby. Now, can anyone tell me where he left off at the end of last term?" Immediately a hand shot up. "Yes, Miss…" her eyes went to the busy-haired, female Gryffindor seated in the second row.
"Granger, Professor. Hermione Granger, and Professor Dimsby had been covering airplanes and jets. We learned what makes them fly without magic and what kind of fuel they use." Kio nodded with a smile,
"Alright, excellent. Thank you, Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor." She then turned to the entire class speaking clearly, "We are going to go more in depth with airplanes this term, class. This will be followed by another aeronautical wonder, the space shuttle. We will learn about the Muggles, their space race, and how it all started. We will also cover some of the Muggle military, and the usage of satellites. This term will be spent 'in the air' so to speak." She grinned at her students, flicking her wand toward the chalkboard, white-silver writing appearing upon it. "Please, copy your syllabus as it appears on the board, then open your books to page two hundred sixty-three, which covers the first flight of some American Muggles called the Wright Brothers. For your assignment you will write a foot and a half of parchment on the first flight and how it affected the laws of flight that Muggles use, among them one called the Law of Aerodynamics, but you don't need to get too technical. Also, please include how it affected the brooms we use today, if at all. I'll be here at my desk if you have any questions." With that she sat at her desk, quill in hand, writing her lessons out for the rest of the week. For a while the only sounds heard were the rustling of pages and the scratching of the quills. At the dismissal bell she waved goodbye at her students, welcoming the new batch thereafter. The rest of the day's classes were similar in fashion: she welcomed them, asked where the previous professor had left off, collected summer assignments if there were any, introduced the term's subject, instructed them to write down their syllabus, followed by reading and their assignments.
She was so busy with her classes that she hadn't given the previous night any thought… at least not until dinner. She had not seen Severus at lunch, having decided to take a siesta instead. She had just sat down between Kingsley and Minerva, hearing about their first day experiences when she caught sight of Severus. Suddenly the previous night came rushing back to her. She grew pale as she could faintly detect her handprint on his cheek. He caught her gaze and scowled, his eyes boring into hers. "Tonight I will go to his office and see what last night was all about. And to stop this foolishness before it goes any further." She tore her gaze away from him and forced herself to eat in a nonchalant manner. The food tasted like ashes in her mouth. She smiled and laughed whenever it was appropriate, but her thoughts were on what was to come.
Severus looked up to the sound of knocking at his door.
"Come in." He placed the rolls of parchment he was correcting into a desk drawer, his eyes registering surprise when he saw it wasn't a student, as he first thought.
"Professor Verales. What brings you to my office this evening?" he calmly drawled, a look of cold fury glowing in his dark eyes, reminding her that last night's events were not forgotten either.
"Severus, ... I… I just… wished to know what you were doing knocking at my door at 3:30 in the morning!" she finished, her eyes glowering coldly. "Two could play this game," she thought to herself. He sat back, hands folded on his desk. Deliberately avoiding her question he looked up to her face,
"Would you like some Merlot?" She just gaped at him and nodded numbly. He stood, gesturing for her to take a seat while he poured the wine. She just sat collecting her thoughts and her will, trying to ignore the spicy scent of his aftershave… the way his long fingers held the wineglasses as he placed one before her, the same fingers that had teased and sweetly tortured her. Oh, how she remembered those fingers! She felt her cheeks begin to flush, and the faintly familiar ache arose in her womb.
"It has been a long time, Kio," She heard him say softly. Nodding, she closed her eyes to gain control of her emotions (among other things!).
"Why did you return? I was so sure you never wanted to see me again." His eyes studied her as he sipped his wine. Angrily, she opened her eyes,
"You are right, and I still don't! Don't be so presumptuous and fucking cocksure that I came back for the likes of you, Severus Snape!" She stood, trembling with anger, her wine untouched.
"Why did you come to my chambers last night?" She repeated angrily,
"Did you think that the years had softened my heart? Erased my memory? That I had forgiven you?" She let out a mirthless laugh,
"Don't you even begin to entertain such a notion!" Turning on her heel, she made her way to the door. Pausing, she turned to him her green eyes blazing,
"Don't you ever do that again! Don't you touch me ever again! You try that stunt again and I'll hex you into next year!" With that she attempted to turn the knob, but to her dismay it didn't budge! He had put a locking charm on the door! She turned angrily to face him, finding herself looking at his chest. He had gotten up so quietly that she hadn't heard him come behind her. His eyes bore down on hers.
"You mean this stunt?" He grasped her hands in his and held them up over her head, pressing her body against the door with his own, dipping his head to kiss her. She struggled and fought against him as his tongue pried her tightly pressed lips apart, but his searing kiss made her melt, igniting the long dormant flame within her, melting her icy core to hot liquid metal. She began to bend to him, his lips reclaiming her. She stopped struggling, kissing him back. Finding her compliant, he picked her up, carrying her to his desk and seating her upon it. She clung to him, kissing him hungrily.
Delighting in his small victory he kissed her passionately, his hands running down her shoulders, arms, and over her chest to her waist, around to her back to undo the clasp to her robe. She offered no resistance, yielding herself to him. Suddenly, his left forearm burned, and he abruptly pulled away from her,
"I must go, Kio," he murmured, grasping his arm as if in pain. She looked at him confused, then a hot fury swept across her face as she realized what he meant.
"Still doing his bidding, Severus? Still hurting others, I see. You selfish, arrogant prat!" She shoved him hard from her, "Don't you ever come near me again, Severus Snape. I mean it this time!" She stalked toward the door. Finding it easy to open she gave him a last look of anger, hurt, and great sadness. It was the same look she had given him when he had betrayed her.
"I hate you." She slammed the door behind her. Through her tirade he had just looked at her, his gaze one of pain and regret. After she left he just stared at the door, the words sinking in, stabbing his formerly cold heart. He still loved her. He had never stopped loving her, not even when she told him she was half-Muggle, not when she had turned him away even after he had stayed by her bed at St. Mungo's, and not even now when she hated him.
He hadn't wanted to do what he did, say what he said, but what good was he to the Order if the didn't act like a double agent? He cried no tears as he took his coat and made his way out to the grounds. He had given up crying a long time ago. He could still feel, however, and though pain was an ever-constant presence growing up, this one held a sting and an acute sharpness that took his breath away. Slowly he made his way to the Dark Forest. She hated him! His hands clenched tightly as his heart withered in his chest at this realization. She deserved better than what he had given her, and he had hurt her badly. She wanted no part of him. "…and she will get her wish." With that thought, he DisApparated into the night.
Morning Fey – glad you are enjoying it! Nothing should ever stop you from getting a good snog, especially with a guy like Snape! he he! I'm still teasing. Not going to reveal quite yet what he did, though it is very close. Btw, here's more pining. LOL. ya know ya love it!
MisBeSnaping – sorry about the length, I hope this one is to your satisfaction. It's a little crazy with my schedule and I do my writing a la Rowling style- on the train home!
Keep enjoying everyone and I'll keep writing! Blessings!