Chapter Nine – I Object!
"And just what exactly do you think you can do underwater in less than three minutes?" Snape asked in a tone of voice that made Jessica think he thought she was playing him for a fool.
Jessica's eyes lifted to match the gaze of the intrigued Potions Master. There was a twinkle gleaming in her emerald eyes and a crafty smile spread across her lips. "Well, I may never have performed fellatio before in my life, but I am not ignorant of the fact that it can very effectively stimulate a male orgasm. And because you have already given me two, I think it's only fair that I return the favour."
Jessica lifted her hands from the water and touched them to his shoulders as she leaned in to dot his nose with a soft kiss. She looked back into his eyes and kissed his lips while slowly letting her hands slide down his warm, wet chest.
Snape encased his arms around her and kissed her affectionately, but by no means gently. He let his tongue slip between her lips and was enthralled to feel Jessica drawing him into her mouth and suckling avidly as if giving a small demonstration of her objective.
The tips of Jessica's fingers grazed gently over the shape of his arousal. Snape closed his eyes and sighed heavily as he surrendered to her touch. He leaned his head back against the wall and felt Jessica's body sinking further into the water.
* * *
Snape was still fast asleep in her bed when Jessica awoke. She rolled over to face him and stretched her arms and legs. She then tucked her hands beneath her cheek and looked carefully at his face, admiring the absence of any coarse wrinkles, foul expressions and calculating scowls. He was lying on his side breathing lightly through his large nostrils. His arms were curled up under his pillow and the quilt and blankets were tucked securely around his body.
Jessica smiled to herself knowing that the ivory blankets were all that covered his naked body. Although she had given up her plan to persuade him into lovemaking after getting out of the tub, Jessica's entire body felt more satisfied than it ever had before. Snape had delivered his promise and kept Jessica's mind off of last night's terrible events by giving her all of the love and attention he had to offer.
Careful not to wake him just yet, Jessica moved slowly to the edge of the bed and touched her feet to the floor. She was just reaching for her dressing robe when a strong hand suddenly encased her arm. Jessica gasped as she was swiftly pulled back down onto the bed.
"And just where do you think you were going?" Snape whispered, a touch of delight playing in his voice. His hands slowly began to slither along the length of her body before his lips closed around her throat and began to suckle affectionately.
Jessica giggled and wrapped her arms around him as he tickled her with his lips and tongue. "How long have you been awake?" she asked.
Snape hummed delightedly before breaking his lips from her flesh. "Only since you tried to escape," he answered. "You didn't think you could get away from me that easily, did you?"
A smile played on Jessica's lips as his own began to tease her flesh again. His arms ran soothingly up and down her sides while he left a moist trail of kisses down between her breasts and towards her naval.
Jessica hummed and stretched her arms above her head. She marvelled in the sensations Snape created as he brought his hands over to gently caress her exposed breasts. He kneaded her affectionately while slowly trailing his kisses back up, nearing her perky nipples.
She closed her eyes and moaned as his lips closed around her and sucked hard. Her body was reacting rapidly. Jessica could feel the dense heat between her legs thicken as his mouth and hands continued to stroke her.
"Oh gods, Severus," she murmured as the throbbing between her legs began to ache with wanting. She moved her knee to rub most agreeably against his fresh erection. As if he could read her mind, Snape brought his hand down between her legs and began to smooth her moisture along her folds.
Jessica parted her legs for him and cried out with need as his fingers continued to circle about her intimacy. "Please," she whispered and lifted her hips, urging him to enter her.
Snape wasted no more time and thrust into her, thus erecting one of the most erotic sounds he had ever heard Jessica compose. "I want you so badly," he whispered into her ear as he stroked her insides.
Jessica's arms wrapped tight around his neck and held him close to her. "And I you," she returned.
As he brought her to orgasm, Snape looked deep into Jessica's desire-filled eyes with a wanting all his own. Recent events had left him with a need stronger than he ever imagined possible. He had to have her. If not to accumulate the Virgin's Blood, it was for his own need to be inside of her.
He loved Jessica, and to wait any longer to make love to her was torment beyond the torture of even the Cruciatus curse.
Tonight, Jessica heard Snape voice in the silence of his mind. Tonight I will have you.
* * *
It was still early in the morning when Snape escorted Jessica to the Headmaster's office. The walked slowly, perusing the circular office and each of its intricate, magical devices. Snape stepped up to a silver instrument that stood on a spindle-legged table and emitted tiny puffs of smoke. He delicately brushed his fingers along the device and then, with a sneer on his face, quickly turned away from it.
Jessica was on the other side of the room, seemingly unaware of the old headmasters and headmistresses in the portraits watching her carefully, almost apprehensively as she neared a shelf holding nothing but the old, tattered Sorting Hat.
In complete silence, Snape watched Jessica as she leaned back onto a large, claw-footed desk to admire the Hat from a distance. He'd have given one of the three opposing Houses ten points to know exactly what she was thinking as she gazed up at the Sorting Hat.
Jessica was thinking many things at that moment. She was intrigued, apprehensive, and even frightened, all at the same time. Her fingers were flexing anxiously behind her where Snape could see them.
Where neither of them was aware of him, Dumbledore stood atop his balcony and watched Jessica just as interested and patiently as the Potions Master. He was gently pulling at the white, wiry hairs of his beard while a tiny grin plastered atop his thin, pale lips.
"Go on," he encouraged in a silent whisper.
Almost as soon as he had spoke, Jessica pushed herself from the claw-footed desk and approached the shelf. At first, her hands anxiously reached out to touch the rim of the Hat. She rubbed her fingers softly back and forth as if she were expecting it to jump out at her.
Once she decided the Hat posed no threat, Jessica delicately lifted it from the shelf. She tipped it upside-down and looked inside. Although there was nothing unusual inside, Jessica still felt hesitant to try it on.
She heard footsteps behind her and suddenly remembered that Snape was there with her. His hands settled carefully atop her shoulders and he began to rub affectionately. Jessica closed her eyes and let the tip of the pointed Hat tickle under her chin.
After a heavy sigh, Jessica let her hands drop to her sides, the Sorting Hat still secure in her right hand. Snape pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rocked gently with her.
"I know there is nothing more I can say to convince you that what's in here…" he encased his hand around her heart, "… is not determined by what's in here," he said and let his fingers brush against the tattered material of the Sorting Hat.
Still well hidden in the shadows of the upper floor, Dumbledore stifled a chuckle as he watched the seemingly disheartened Potions Master embrace and sooth his youngest grandniece. Although he was aware of the direction their relationship was going, Dumbledore had never witnessed Snape's soft affection for her. The elderly wizard watched as Snape dragged his fingers across Jessica's tummy and reach for the soft curls of her hair that hung over her breasts.
Jessica's long, dark hair was pulled into two ponytails that hung over each of her shoulders. Snape caressed the curls between his fingers and then slipped his hands back down her sides.
With both of his arms under hers, Snape helped Jessica lift the Hat back up and then eased it atop her head. She hesitated for a moment before Snape hushed reassuringly into her ear before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Once the Sorting Hat was in place, Snape let go of Jessica and slowly backed away from her. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched carefully.
Jessica kept her eyes closed and fixed the Hat to fit appropriately over her head. She breathed heavily as she waited for something to happen.
"Ah," whispered a soft voice, "I was wondering what happened to you, Jessica Van Eden."
Jessica kept her eyes held shut as she answered. "I think you already know."
The Sorting Hat hummed curiously. "You have a great deal of trepidation in your heart," it said. "Hardly the trait of a Gryffindor, wouldn't you say?"
"Would it matter what I think?" Jessica asked grudgingly.
"Perhaps. I can see a definite line of Slytherin, one that runs all the way back to the beginning of Hogwarts. I can also see a strong existence of Gryffindor. That is an interesting combination, Jessica."
"My mother was the first in her family to become a Slytherin," Jessica reminded. "Why?"
"Espiranza was a shrewd young girl," the voice said, "brave like those before her, but awfully self-seeking. Your mother wanted something different, and I gave her what she most sought after. I'd have done the same for you, Jessica."
"You'd have put me in the House I wanted to be in?" Jessica asked.
"From time to time, where one belongs and where one is placed is not the same," the Sorting Hat told her. "Although you belong in Slytherin, I may have found another House to place you in, but it matters not anymore."
Jessica squeezed her eyes shut tight and tore the Hat from her head. Breathing heavily as if she had been holding her breath in the entire time, Jessica slapped the Hat back up on its shelf. She backed away right into the arms of the Potions Master.
He turned her around and cradled her chin in his hand. His dark eyes perused hers carefully. "By the look on your face, I can only assume that you were given the answer you have feared all these years."
Standing there, rendered speechless, Jessica clasped the folds of Snape's robes in her hands and held on tight. She had both known and feared that the Sorting Hat would declare her a Slytherin. However, she never suspected it would have given her a choice to be sorted elsewhere.
Snape and Jessica both turned to the staircase as the steps began to creek under the Headmaster's feet. Snape released Jessica completely and stood tall as Dumbledore joined them on the main floor.
"Good morning, my dear," Dumbledore greeted kindly. "Severus," he said and nodded towards the Potions Master.
"Good morning, Uncle." Jessica stepped up to the elder wizard and put her arms around him. Jessica could feel that his hug was unusually tight and affectionate that morning. She could even sense a trace of apprehension from him, reminding her of the awful feelings she could sense from him last night.
"I do hope that you slept well after the unpleasant events of our previous evening," Dumbledore said and eyed each of them. Snape discreetly turned himself away and left Jessica to answer.
"Quite well, Uncle Albus," she replied. "How is the boy?"
Dumbledore shook his head hopelessly. "Mr. Creevey was indeed Petrified," he said and glanced at Snape. "Minerva has already advised the rest of the staff. It is as we feared, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and our students are in considerable danger. The Ministry of Magic has already responded to my letter regarding Mr. Creevey's attack, and as I had predicted, they are taking no more chances."
Jessica felt her heart jump into her throat. "What does that mean?" she muffled.
Looking equally uneasy, Snape's eyes darted back and forth between the Headmaster's crystal blue eyes. "That means, that until we can end this, the Ministry will be in tight control of the situation. Their instructions must be followed promptly and precisely."
Dumbledore looked at his brooding Potions Master and knew that Snape was aware of how cautiously the Ministry was going to proceed with the peril, and he knew precisely how they were going to start.
"The Minister is arranging for Jessica to be removed from Hogwarts," Dumbledore advised him. He watched as Jessica's eyes and mouth fell open.
"Uncle Albus, no!" she cried. "I haven't done anything! This isn't my fault, I swear it!" She turned to Snape, her eyes begging for him to do something. "Please," she uttered in a whisper, "I have no where to go."
"I understand that, Jessica," Dumbledore said. "The Ministry will arrange a safe place for you to stay, just as long as it takes to discover the real culprit behind these attacks."
With her arms crossed over her chest, Jessica slouched in her position and stared angrily out the window behind the Headmaster. "Where will I go?" Jessica asked, indifferently.
"That is being arranged," Dumbledore said, "Minister Fudge will advise us as soon as a decision is made."
"Do we have a say in the decision," Snape said, stepping into the conversation.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Unfortunately not, Severus. However, I would like to believe that the Ministry is capable of placing Jessica some place where she will not be in danger."
"The Ministry is fully aware of the dangers that brought Jessica to Hogwarts last year," Snape reminded. He thought about what Lucius had told him yesterday and knew that the Death Eaters would be pleased to hear of Jessica's removal. Such an event would make it that much easier to capture her again, and with the threat of Voldemort's return, it was likely that they would try just that.
"Cornelius promised his response before the end of the day," Dumbledore continued. "Until then, I would like to remind you Severus, that when you are not with students I do not want Jessica out of your sight." The Headmaster looked very seriously at Snape while settling his hands atop her shoulders. "If you cannot be with her, I will arrange for one of the staff to be with her."
"That will not be necessary," Snape said grudgingly. "Since our last conversation regarding Jessica's safety, I have been devising a defence preparation." He looked cunningly at the young witch and then back at the Headmaster. "With your permission Headmaster, I would like to start training Jessica in the ability of Defence Against the Dark Arts – which will require the use of a wand."
Dumbledore slowly began nodding his head, considering the proposal.
"Absolutely not!" Jessica argued. "I've told you dozens of times why I have never bothered learning magic!"
"Jessica, listen to me," Snape began. "You cannot protect yourself from the rest of Voldemort's supporters by threatening to poison them. Those who remain and are still loyal will stop at nothing to see you turned over to their side! I will not sit back and watch as you are sent out into their world, knowing that there isn't a damned thing you can do to protect yourself."
"How do you know they'll come after me again, Severus?" Jessica asked angrily. "How do you know?"
Snape looked at Jessica with a scowl on his face that would have made any one of his students tear off in the opposite direction. His knuckles turned white as he squeezed his fists at his sides. "There is always that possibility."
"My father's followers have nothing to gain from me unless he returns," Jessica reminded. "What makes you think these attacks are going to help bring him back?"
"I never said anything like that!"
"Calm yourself, Severus – " Dumbledore tried to interrupt.
"You didn't have to say anything!" Jessica continued. "I know you were thinking it. You're practically terrified that it's all going to happen again. I can tell, Severus."
Snape lifted his hands in aggravation, poising them in front of himself as if preparing to strike her. Instead, he let out a ferocious growl and pivoted around angrily before stalking about the office.
"Severus," Dumbledore called softly, "is there something you care to discuss?"
"No," he said immediately, although his lips were twitching to repeat all that Lucius had shared with him the previous afternoon. "You know as well as I do what may come of these events. I can only suggest that the best course of action would be to get Jessica a wand and have her learn how to use it. As we learned last year, even the protection of the castle isn't enough on its own. She needs more." He looked into Jessica's eyes with a deep, penetrating stare. "She needs to learn how to defend herself against me," he said in a hushed tone. "It is the wizards with my knowledge and skill whom she needs to prepare for."
Dumbledore nodded again. He walked around in silence gazing up at each of the past headmasters and headmistresses in the portraits. They were chatting amongst themselves, some of the nodding in agreement and others looking apprehensive about the idea of training Jessica with a wand.
"Very well, Severus." Dumbledore finally agreed, much to Jessica's disapproval. "As soon as you have the time, I want you to take Jessica with you to Ollivander's, and until the Ministry arranges for her to leave the castle, you will work with Professor Lockhart in her defence training."
Snape looked at Dumbledore in sheer disbelief. "Headmaster," he griped, "Lockhart's assistance is anything but necessary. I am fully capable of –"
"Unless I am mistaken, Gilderoy is our Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Dumbledore reminded. "Although I have no doubt that you are perfectly capable of handling the task on your own, I will ask him to assist you."
Jessica glanced at Snape, knowing that the Potions Master was only two Knuts away from abandoning the entire plan in order to avoid bringing Gilderoy Lockhart into the making. Regardless, Snape forced himself to bare a nod of agreement and held his arm out to Jessica, ready to usher her out of the Headmaster's office.
"Why didn't you tell me about your silly idea, Severus?" Jessica asked once they were in the privacy of Snape's chambers.
As he loosened the tie of his cloak, Snape strut aggressively into his bedchambers without even tossing a glance in Jessica's direction. "Simply because the matter is not up for discussion," he said from the bedroom. "You are going to learn magic and you are going to learn it now."
Jessica stomped angrily in Snape's footsteps, following him into his bedchambers. He was there changing his clothes and didn't even look up to see her. "How many times more do I have to remind you that I do not want to learn more than what I already know? Even Uncle Albus gave me his consent all those years ago to not attend Hogwarts. Don't you think he would have spoken then if he was in disagreement?"
"That was a long time ago. Perhaps his reasons have changed," Snape told her as he buttoned his trousers up hastily. "Regardless, he has agreed to your training now, and that is precisely what you will be doing from now until the time you leave Hogwarts. I may even see to it that your training continues while you are away."
Snape pivoted around as he slipped his arms into the sleeves of a thick, white dress shirt. Even as she stood there holding a grudge against him, Jessica couldn't help her eyes from falling to his chest. Her eyes raked his naked torso and her body warmed just at the thought of running her hands across his defined muscles.
Snape caught a glimpse of the desire in her eyes and was tempted for a brief moment to let her live out the fantasies she was creating in her mind. Although he enjoyed the way she looked at him, Snape postponed his response knowing that that evening he would have all the time he needed to let himself loose.
"We will be going to Diagon Alley this afternoon," Snape told her as he fastened the final buttons of his frockcoat. "And since we have to take the train, I suggest we leave immediately, as it is a rather extensive trip going both ways." These last words were spoken with bitterness and resentment. Since he had learned to Apparent, Snape was sure he could count the number of times he'd had to take the Hogwarts Express on one hand.
"Well, you sure don't waste any time," Jessica said with a bitterness all her own. She knew that the only reason he had to take her to London was to buy a wand.
"It just so happens to be Sunday," Snape reminded. "I highly doubt you will find yourself still here next weekend." He refastened his cloak and then ruthlessly ushered Jessica out of his bedchambers. "Perhaps by the time we arrive in London, you will realize that I am only trying to protect you."
"I know what you're trying to do, Severus," Jessica said softly just as they were leaving his quarters. "And my father is going to love you for it."