Words of warning: This chapter involves some sexual activity. Hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to drop me a line! ;)
Chapter Six – The Message
All of the other professors and what looked like all of the students had already gathered in the Great Hall for the Halloween feast by the time Snape and Jessica arrived. The Headmaster and Professor McGonagall greeted them both at the Head Table and then Snape discreetly pulled the chair out next to his and let Jessica sit down.
She was wearing his preferred colour for the occasion, an evening gown of deep green with black trim. Her dark hair was pulled up into a chignon at the back of her head and soft, shiny ringlettes hung down her back and about her shoulders. There were green and silver trimmings weaved into her hair and she wore diamond earrings to match. The locket Snape had given her last Christmas was around her neck and the Slytherin emblem hung elegantly above her breasts. The rounded décolletage had silver lace trimming and attracted more attention than just the gaze of the Potions Master.
Gilderoy Lockhart was several seats away and – still in disbelief – watched unnervingly as Professor Snape accompanied Jessica. Snape kept his conversation with Jessica small, still unwilling to give the students any reason to believe that his interest in her was fond and affectionate. The older students all knew to show her proper respect and assumed that Snape was only doing the same. Rumours of her being related to the Headmaster had spread about the student body, but in regards to her having any relation to Lord Voldemort, the students and even some of the other professors were kept in the dark.
Jessica could sense some of Lockhart's emotions and peeked over towards him now and then. Their eyes would meet for a second, but Lockhart would only bear an awkward smile and then quickly engage himself in a conversation with Professor Flitwick who was sitting next to him. She could sense feelings of regret, humiliation and even traces of jealousy. Jessica had allowed Lockhart nearly six weeks to let his affectionate feelings for her to grow stronger and for not telling him sooner about Severus wrought a heavy feeling of guilt. She knew right from the start that he was smitten with her and for that she felt she owed him an apology.
After a silent dinner (at least between Snape and Jessica) the Great Hall slowly began to empty. The students had less than an hour to return to their dormitories before curfew and then the staff would rejoin for their own Halloween celebration.
Professor Lockhart stood up from his seat and exited through the staff door almost directly behind Jessica. She picked up her napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth before dropping the cloth onto her empty plate.
Snape was lazily swirling the last of the red wine in his goblet around in his hand. He was almost in a daze, waiting anxiously for the occasion he hated so much to come to an end. He was usually the last to arrive and the first to leave meal times, but on occasions such as Halloween, the Headmaster requested that he make an honest effort to endure a better part of the festivity.
"Severus, would you excuse me for a moment?" Jessica asked and softly pressed her hand to his sleeve.
Snape discreetly slipped his arm away from her and looked curiously at her. "For a moment," he agreed and eyed her conspicuously. "I will be on my way shortly." He tipped the goblet against his lips and swallowed the last of his wine before glancing in Dumbledore's direction hoping to see him make a gesture that would release him of this obligation to stay any longer.
No such luck.
"Thank you." Jessica stood up from her chair and exited through the same door Lockhart had disappeared through only a moment ago. She could hear footsteps echoing along the way and picked up her pace until she could see him several feet ahead of her.
"Professor Lockhart!" she called and skipped forward.
He spun around and looked rather surprised to see Jessica hurrying after him. "Miss Van Eden," he greeted, "good evening."
"Good evening to you," she returned. Jessica stood a ways away from the professor as she spoke to him. "Listen professor, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance earlier to apologize for what happened in the Hospital Wing. I should have told you a lot sooner about Severus, it's just that he is a very private man as you have probably already noticed." She tried hard to maintain some composure as she watched Lockhart listen to her apology, feeling slightly humiliated all over again. She knew it was an embarrassment for him to face her after what Snape had said to him in the Hospital Wing, but with the guilt and responsibility Jessica felt, she was determined to change that.
"No worries, Miss Van Eden," Lockhart said with the biggest smile he could muster. "My attention to detail was plagued by your beauty. I should have recognized the look in his eyes when I made my pass. After all, I'm Gilderoy Lockhart!"
He puffed his chest out proudly and smiled again. Jessica laughed courteously at his valiant manoeuvre as he thrust his fist against his chest. As acclaimed and heroic as he appeared to be, Jessica found his gestures to be rather arrogant and trivial while his emotions battled between anxiety and a fierce desire to impress all who paid him any attention.
It was this particular conflict of emotions that made Jessica curious and anxious to discover more about him. "Perhaps we will still be able to have tea together in the future – as friends," she suggested.
"Indeed," Lockhart hastily agreed. "As a matter of fact I would like to show you some of what I have written of Hogwarts thus far. I have made mention of you, however, I do desire your approval before publishing this piece of literature."
A part of Jessica dread the things she'd discover Lockhart had written about her and perhaps her genealogy, but another part was extremely curious and flattered that such a famous author would make mention of her in what would be a best seller.
"I'd like that," Jessica told him. "Perhaps next week once I have a chance to clear everything with Severus. He'll want to – "
"… rip … tear … kill …"
Jessica stopped in mid-sentence when she heard the cold, eerie whisper. She looked around wondering where it had come from. It didn't sound like it had come from in front or behind her, but rather all around her. She'd never heard such a voice before. It was cold and murderous and sent a chill up and down her spine.
"Yes, go on," Lockhart encouraged.
Jessica looked back at him, having completely forgotten what she had been saying to him before the voice had distracted her. Perhaps it had been one of the ghosts, she thought to herself.
"I'm sorry, I thought I heard something strange," Jessica replied.
"… soo hungry … for so long …"
Lockhart was looking curiously at her when she heard the same murderous voice speak again. "Did you hear that?" she asked him although it didn't appear that he'd heard anything strange at all.
"Ah, it would seem to be that I am the only one in the castle who is not hearing voices," Lockhart said with a smile.
"Then you did hear it?" Jessica said, perplexed by his contradicting statement.
"No, no. I didn't hear anything," he claimed.
"Then how did you know it was a voice I heard?" she asked, sure that she hadn't told him what particular sound she'd heard.
"… kill … time to kill …"
At that, the staff door opened again and light footsteps sounded down the corridor. Jessica knew it was Snape and swallowed hard as she prepared herself for him to step around the corner to see her with Lockhart.
Judging him by the way he suddenly took on a state of worry, Jessica knew Lockhart was expecting to see Snape as well. And sure enough, a swirl of black robes made way around the corner and the Potions Master found Jessica and Lockhart standing no more than three feet away from each other.
Snape suspected it was Lockhart whom Jessica had left the Great Hall to catch up with, and to her surprise, it did not arouse his anger. The moment Snape arrived at the scene he merely approached the pair and wrapped a protective arm around Jessica's waist.
"Is everything all right?" he asked her.
Jessica lifted her eyes to the ceiling and listened carefully. She had a gut feeling she would not hear the voice again. Something inside of her told her it had moved on, but had not disappeared.
"No," she said and shook her head delicately. "Something's wrong."
* * *
After Harry and his friends had been excused from Lockhart's office, Professor Dumbledore touched his finger to the crooked bridge of his nose and slid his spectacles up a tad. He eyed each of the professors left in the office, starting with Professor McGonagall and ending with the Potions Master.
"Well, if you don't mind me saying, professor," Lockhart began valiantly, "I think I should be left to handle this situation. Clearly that silly message on the wall was only a practical joke, and I happen to be a very skilled interrogator. I will have the little delinquent in your office by Monday morning. Now, as for the cat – "
"That's quite all right, Gilderoy," Dumbledore said softly. He cleared his throat and watched Snape, with his arms crossed tight over his chest, irritably roll his eyes. "This matter must be taken more seriously. Now, I don't want any of you to fret. We must remain calm, but alert. The students must not see any of us over-reacting to these circumstances or they themselves will react excessively. I want you all in my office tomorrow morning."
Each of the professors in the office nodded their understanding and made way for the door. McGonagall left first, then Lockhart; and when Snape was just about on his way out Dumbledore summoned him back.
"Severus, a word with you please," he called.
Snape looked relieved that the Headmaster wished to speak with him alone. He closed Lockhart's office door and stepped quietly up to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I – "
"I know what you are about to say, Severus," Dumbledore assured. "I want you to know that I do not suspect my grandniece is in any way responsible for what has happened tonight, contrary to what the legend tells us."
Snape pursed his angry lips and gently tapped his boot against the floor. "I do fear for her safety. Jessica is the youngest heir. That alone is reason enough to suspect her, and the Ministry of Magic surly will once they hear of this."
Dumbledore nodded his head slowly and began grasping at the wiry hair at the tip of his ashen beard. "Yes, I do expect as much, which brings me to my point. Our by-laws require me to report this unpleasant event to the Ministry immediately. I am also required to name any suspected culprits."
"Jessica is NOT – "
"I know, Severus," Dumbledore said quietly. "However, contrary to what you and I believe, that will not be a sufficient enough reason for the Ministry to allow Jessica to remain at Hogwarts should something like this happen again."
If at all possible, Snape wrapped his arms even tighter across his chest and bent his eyebrows in immense fury. "Jessica was brought here because there is no place safer for her! The Ministry cannot remove her!"
"Calm yourself, Severus." Still, Dumbledore spoke quietly as he paced the room. Each of the portraits of Lockhart around the room watched him carefully, wanting to hear each word he said. "I will be writing to the Ministry tonight, detailing both the events of this evening and my recommended plan of action."
Snape breathed a heavy sigh. He looked sideways at one of the portraits on his left and scowled at the Lockhart staring back at him. "And just what is your recommendation?"
"I suggest that we at Hogwarts proceed with caution." Dumbledore picked up a small metallic instrument sitting on Lockhart's desk and examined it quickly. "And, as I understand, you still spend a great deal of your time with my grandniece?" he said, and looked curiously in Snape's direction, awaiting confirmation.
There was a subtle look of resentment on Snape's face as he grudgingly admitted to the statement with a tiny nod.
"Good," Dumbledore said. He picked up another small instrument from the desk and studied it as well. "Then I don't see how it will be a problem for you to devote your full attention to her for the next couple of weeks, or until we can solve this matter. If she is not in the Hospital Wing with Madam Pomfrey, I want you by her side bearing witness to all of her actions – for her own protection."
"Jessica never left my sight at all this evening until the end of the Halloween feast when she met Lockhart in the corridor," Snape declared. "It seems to me that Potter was the only one about the castle at the time of the attack."
Dumbledore looked quite seriously at Snape and then shook his head. "Severus, this sort of magic is far beyond young Harry's ability."
"As it is Jessica's," Snape reminded and looked once more at the petrified cat lying on the table.
"Need I remind you Severus, that I do not suspect Jessica on any account?" Dumbledore asked and began petting Mrs. Norris.
Snape stared down at the toe of his boot. "Of course not, Headmaster."
"Good." Dumbledore made way for the office door and held it open for Snape. "Then I'll see you tomorrow morning."
* * *
The surface of Jessica's bathtub water rippled when the vibration of the sitting room door slamming shut reached the bathroom. For a man who always managed to slip about the castle without making a sound, Snape's footsteps were unusually loud and heavy.
Jessica could feel his anger before the sound of his footsteps even reached the bathroom door. She was expecting him to enter, but then heard his footsteps turn away and head for her bedroom.
"Severus?" she called.
It was too late. He was already gone and couldn't hear her. She breathed a heavy sigh and grudgingly stepped out of the steaming tub she had just climbed into not two minutes earlier.
Her hair was still piled atop her head and kept dry while beads of water dripped from her body onto the floor. She hastily grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her tiny form.
After quickly drying off, Jessica picked her dressing robe up off of the counter where she had left it and slipped her arms through the sleeves before tying the belt tight around her waist. Her dressing robe was soft pink in colour. It was made of silk and draped down to just above her knees.
"Severus?" Jessica called again when she entered the sitting room.
Although the fire in the sitting room was burning steadily, the air felt considerably cooler against Jessica's legs than it had in the bathroom. She hurried across the room and into her bedchambers.
After closing the door behind her, Jessica walked up to her bed and crawled up onto the mattress. Snape was there, lying on his back with his left arm resting across his head covering his eyes. His right foot was hanging over the edge of the bed and his left leg was bent upwards. Jessica curled herself up against him and settled her chin on his chest.
She brought her arms up to massage through the many layers of his clothing, rubbing up and down along his chest. "Will you talk to me Severus?" she asked softly. "I want to know what happened this evening. What did that message mean?"
Snape took a deep breath and let it out in an extensive groan. He shook his head and moved his arm away. When he opened his eyes Jessica could see a build up of anger and fury. Whatever the Headmaster had brought the professors into Lockhart's office to discuss had obviously disturbed him a great deal.
"I'm not so sure I should tell you," Snape said. "That message had a great deal to do with… you."
Jessica's heart felt like it had skipped a beat. She had been able to sense that the message on the wall that had been written in blood stirred up a lot of anxiety amongst the staff and students, but she couldn't quite fathom what it had to do with her.
"All right Severus, now you have to tell me what you know about it," Jessica declared. "Enemies of the heir, beware? What does that mean? Enemies of what heir? And what is the Chamber of Secrets?"
Snape rolled over onto his side and took a tight grip on Jessica's hand. "That particular heir is referring to the heir of Slytherin… Salazar Slytherin. He built a hidden chamber somewhere in the castle that can only be opened by his heir."
Jessica narrowed her gaze and looked curiously at him. She began shaking her head in bewilderment. "And?"
"And," Snape repeated angrily. "The Chamber is home to a deadly monster, one that can be controlled by the heir alone. You are the youngest known heir of Slytherin, Jessica."
Although she could tell that Snape was being completely serious, Jessica let out a little laugh. "That's ridiculous, Severus. Why would anyone write something like that about me in this school? I have no enemies here. Especially none that is feline. You know I love cats."
The fury in his eyes began to build. Jessica could see it clearly. "It is no laughing matter, Jessica. Clearly you are completely ignorant of what has been said about the hidden Chamber of Secrets. The monster has killed before. But, perhaps it will seem more real to you when another human is attacked, or when the Ministry decides to take you away from here so that they can claim that they have caught the culprit behind this whole thing."
Jessica immediately wiped the smile from her face. "Severus, what are you talking about? I haven't done anything. I didn't write that message on the wall. You know I didn't!"
"Of course I know that," Snape reassured. "But it will not be so easy explaining that to the Ministry of Magic, especially when they know just how much of a Slytherin you are."
Jessica's brow bent angrily as she scowled at him. "Don't say that, Severus. It's not funny."
"No, it is not funny," he guaranteed, "as I told you before. Now the Headmaster will be in contact with the Ministry tonight, so tomorrow morning we will have received their instructions. Until then your uncle has asked me to keep an eye out for you, so tonight you can come on down and stay with me in my quarters."
"Are we still going to the staff gathering?" Jessica questioned. "My costume is all ready in the other room." She smiled again and brushed her finger under his chin, tickling back and forth. "I'll bet you just can't wait to see it."
Jessica giggled softly before nestling her lips under his chin and capturing his Adam's apple with a kiss. She had just managed to suckle his skin into her mouth when Snape ruthlessly shoved her away and sat up. She let out a tiny gasp of surprise as she fell onto her side.
"What's wrong with you?" Jessica demanded. She kept her legs held tight together as she hoisted herself up onto her shoulders.
Snape was sitting at the foot of the bed with his head in his hands. His fingers were intertwined in his hair and were slowly massaging his scalp as he thought. "Regardless of what the others will be doing this evening, you and I will be staying in."
Jessica sat up on her knees and tucked her hands in her lap. "Oh? Well I do believe Nefertiti will be very disappointed. As I recall, you have been quite anxious to see my costume."
"It will have to wait," Snape told her.
"I see." Jessica began crawling down to the foot of the king sized bed. She reached her arms around his neck and began loosening the buttons of his frockcoat. "This isn't because you have chickened out of wearing your costume, is it?" She slipped his arms through the sleeves of his cloak and tossed it aside before recommencing with the buttons.
"I have no costume," Snape reminded her.
"Oh, but you do," Jessica said. "I picked one up along with my own. What is Nefertiti without her loving husband, Akhenaton?"
Snape slowly turned around to look at Jessica with the most disgusted expression on his face she had ever seen. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Actually, I'm quite serious. Come on, I'll show you." Jessica tried to push Snape off of the edge of the bed, but he refused to budge.
"I will not wear anything of the sort in front of anyone," he assured. His black eyes filled with warning as he met Jessica's gaze again. Feeling no fear from him, Jessica mustered a charming smile and let the twinkle of her emerald eyes dazzle him.
"I would hope, that to you, I am not just anyone." She dipped her head down and settled her lips atop his cheek and kissed him lightly while her fingers played in his hair. Snape began to surrender to her touch and moved his lips to meet hers. "Come on, we don't have to stay dressed for very long," she promised him after he pulled away. "You and I can live as king and queen of Egypt for the next hour or so. I'm sure there's even something you can do to make this room look at feel like we're really in Egypt."
"Don't hold your breath," he warned.
"Oh come off it, Severus. Why won't you let me have a little fun? This is sort of our one year anniversary," Jessica reminded. "Don't you think it's about time you and I start behaving like husband and wife?"
Jessica giggled softly into his ear and kissed the nape of his neck while her fingers tickled his throat.
"I think you have had a touch too much wine," Snape said. "Besides, Nefertiti and Akhenaton did not live very happily as husband and wife."
Jessica settled her chin on his shoulder and sighed heavily. "Then why don't we just forget about role-playing and just be Severus and Jessica tonight?" She dotted her mouth to his cheek and slowly made way to seal her lips upon his.
The touch of his warm lips returning her kiss set Jessica's heart at ease. She had managed to break through the barrier he had created and now had him right where she wanted. With his senses settling down, he began to indulge in their kiss, enjoying it for all that it was worth.
He slanted his mouth and eased Jessica's lips apart, inviting her to a taste. His hands embraced her silk clad arms and leaned her back into the bed. He warmed her with his body, blanketing her with black velvet and deep kisses.
Jessica's heart was pounding so fiercely, she was sure Snape could feel it, too. His hot, tender kisses made her mouth water and his hands travelling across her skin spread warmth and excitement all the way to her core. His kiss left her knees feeling weak and her body began to throb with a deep yearning to feel him consumer her. Surrender to her. Seize her and then ultimately claim her.
Jessica could feel his hands slipped up and down along her sides, slowly easing her dressing robe up, only an inch or so at a time. As her skin was slowly exposed to the chill of the air, his touch warmed her, awakening the sensations she longed to experience with him.
"Severus," she whispered into his ear. "Please."
In that one simple word, Jessica conveyed her utmost desires, her yearning for him, and her plea to become his. Completely. Her voice was so full of persuasion and promise Snape was certain her words had erected not only a long line of goosebumps on the back of his neck, but a firm shaft of evidence that he desired her just as well. His stomach twitched uncomfortably and he instantaneously broke off their kiss. Snape lifted his head and looked down at Jessica with unmistakable desire in his eyes.
Jessica recognized that look all too well. "Don't say it, Severus," she begged. "Please don't say it. I can't bear to watch you leave me once again."
Leaving was always the one thing Snape knew he could do to stop himself from finishing what he had started with Jessica. He knew how badly he tortured her by arousing her with his kisses of passion and deep, soothing caresses. It was only fair that he either give her the release she longed for, or at least explain to her why he could not.
Perhaps, he could find a way to give her release. Although he would have to confine his own, Snape knew Jessica deserved to unleash her passion and desires. She wouldn't be able to stand him warming her with his touch and then leaving her to cool just when her body needed to feel his heat the most.
Snape looked into Jessica's glittering eyes and slowly pressed a kiss into her forehead. "I love you," he whispered to her. His fingers whisked down from her face to her neck and then from there all the way down to her hips. His fingers caressed her silken flesh while his lips sought the creamy, white skin beneath her robe.
Afraid and worried that he would stop and walk away at any moment, Jessica hesitantly brought her hands down to his neck and began to massage her fingers into his skin. Snape slowly lifted his fingers to touch the inside of her thigh and then rose to caress her waist.
Jessica watched in amazement as Snape reached for the tie keeping her dressing robe together. He slowly pulled on one end and loosened the knot until it came undone. After eagerly spreading the folds, Snape took a deep breath and filled his eyes with her naked beauty.
Although he had come into the bathroom a number of times while Jessica was bathing, Snape felt as if he were seeing her undressed for the first time. Her breasts were full and round and were capped with nipples of dark pink. He kneaded her breasts gently, feeling their aroused thickness before tasting her nectar again.
Jessica squeezed his head to her chest, willing him to draw her deeper into his mouth. As he complied, Snape brought his right hand up to caress the inside of her thigh. He rubbed up and down, slowly nearing her intimacy with every stroke.
Slowly parting her legs for him, Jessica moaned again when his fingers brushed softly against her moistened crevis. "Show me, Severus," she whispered. "Show me what it will be like to make love to you."
If her sensual whisper wasn't enough to persuade him, it was the feel of her silky, soft intimacy that made him want her. Snape lifted his lips from her taut nipple and settled his mouth upon hers, kissing her passionately as he massaged her carefully, preparing to fulfil her desperate desire.
When Snape drew his lips away from hers, he looked down into Jessica's eyes and watched them flutter closed as his fingers touched her glistening entrance. "Look at me, Jessica," he commanded, and her eyes opened immediately. "Watch me, and don't ever look away."
Jessica vigorously nodded her understanding and breathed in quick, short gasps as his fingers rotated, circling her heated opening before slowly entering her. Jessica inhaled a deep breath as his fingers filled her. She tried hard to keep her eyes open and locked on his as he had requested, but the desire to close her eyes and indulge in the sensations was overwhelming. Her eyes began to flicker, and as if to remind her of his orders, Snape thrust deeper causing her only just enough pain to set her eyes back on his.
Her lips quivered as she breathed. Jessica cried out in both agony and pleasure as her body was obligated to accommodate for this brand new sensation. Her hips began to move with his gentle thrusts and the discomfort quickly ceased.
"Do you enjoy this?" Snape whispered into her ear as he pressed into her tight walls. He could feel her hot breath wafting across the side of his face and her fingers clutching him dearly.
"Yes," she moaned. She held his body down against hers and finally closed her eyes, surrendering to the full sensation of him being inside of her. He swept along the inside of her walls, feeling her liquid heat coating his long fingers. Snape began to moan into her ear, marvelling at the sensation of touching her so intimately for the first time.
Gods, why hadn't I thought of this before? he questioned himself, although her already knew the answer. It took him every ounce of strength and will power not to take her with him to the end. As badly as Jessica wanted to make love to him, Snape's desire to take Jessica as his lover was even stronger. And if it didn't come at such a terrible cost, he would have long ago.