A Witch's Blood

Chapter 4

Finally! Chapter4! I can only wonder how long this story will keep going. Al usual, read, enjoy, and please review!

"Gaston!" I cried out, as I awoke from my dreadful nightmare.

Startled, I peered at my surroundings. From what I could plainly see, I was in the apartment of one who enjoyed collecting antiques. The room was very cozy, and darkly lit. I believe that the lighting serves to setting ambience.

The fragrant smell of coffee swept me to my senses. I didn't realize until just now how hungry I was. My stomach growled as if to acknowledge my understanding.

"You're awake," stated Snape. He stood in the entryway that seperated the living room from the kitchen with two cups of coffee in hand. Poised, Snape gracefully walked over to Maria and handed her a cup, which she took silently with both hands. "Earlier today, in the pub, you said your name was Maria?" he asked as he sat in an armchair opposite of the couch.

Maria nodded. "Yes," she answered.

The red head took a sip of her coffee, but Snape just decided to put his cup down on the coffee table. After a moment of silence, Maria spike up. "Why'd you do that?"

Snape leaned back into his armchair. "I assume you mean why I helped you. Well, I was reading my favorite book, and it just so happened that I heard your screams for help. I tried to ignore the racket that you were making, but I found my attempts unsuccessful. That's why." The man's face was blank.

Maria's, however, darkened. "And what happened to Gilby?" she asked, glowering at her cup.

"The man who was groping all over you earlier? Well," Snape began, "Let's just say he has learned to keep his distance... He won't be bothering you any longer without having to go through me first." A sly smirk came to his lips.

Maria frowned, apparently unhappy with the thought of having a guardian. "I'm sure to be evicted from my flat..." Snape nodded, signeling for her to continue, "... since, Gilby was my landlord as well as my employer."

"So, you're saying you would've rather let Gilby have his way with you? That's a normal activity?"

The girl shook her head. "No. That wasn't what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"I meant that I now need a new job and a place to stay for a while."

An exsperated sigh was then let out, passing over Snape's lips. "If you must, you may stay here until you find a new flat. As for money... you provide your own. I don't care how you get the currency to pay me, as long as you don't do anything demeaning to yourself."

A confused look crossed Maria's face. "What?" she asked.

"You can stay here in my flat, with me being your new landlord for the time being, until you find a different place to live! It's not so difficult a concept to grasp! One would think you a dunderhead!"

Frustrated, Maria stood up. "I don't think so," she said before heading for a door which led downstairs.

Snape was slightly surprised, but kept a cool disposure. "Why?"

"Because," she faced him, "I don't appreciate being looked down upon as weak."

In an instant, Snape was beside Maria. "Really? It didn't seem like Gilby had a problem with that. I'd go as far to say that he didn't think of you as anything more than a lowly slave, inferior to him."

Her hand barely even reached the brass door knob when Snape took hold of her wrist. He made her face him.

The closeness between Snape and Maria was... uncomfortable. But, there was an electric spark passing through the pair also. Maria's wrist was small, perfectly fitting into Snape's calloused hand. In a seemingly slow and fluent movement, Snape started leaning his head in closer to Maria's. The space between their lips became less and less... the intensity was killer. But- "Don't touch me!"

CRACK!

In the blink of an eye, Snape was thrown backwards by an invisible force. The feriousity of this unseen power sent him flying onto his coffee table, it having broken under his weight and strength. Somewhat dazed, Snape looked at an enraged Maria, who glowered at him from the other side of the room.

"You're no mud blood," said Snape with dawning reaalization, "You're a witch."

Maria sneered. "And you're a pig!" With that, she left slamming the door on the way out.

'How dare he try that on me! Chavanist pig! Save the girl and get a kiss! Or maybe more!; I fiercely thought on my way down to the first floor. 'He's like all the others! I'd damn myself to Hell before kissing that slimey git!'

Not knowing where I was going, nor caring for that matter, I strode on forward. Anywhere would be better than here. Anywhere would be better than with him!

Wildly, I swung my arms in front of myself, preparing to perform a spell. I was still in the middle of Snape's flat, but what do I care? Warmth built up into my hands, and a bluish glow started to emanate.

"Teratos Portellus!"

I watched, unamazed by this oh-so-familiar spectacule. A ray of lightning shot from my hands and transformed into a brilliant multi-colored portal. Th eportal, I knew, would lead to my favorite spot: a quaint little lake located near Oxford.

The reason I'm using this portal, rather than that lame teleportaing crap, is because I find this method of transportation much more easy on the sense. Without hesitating, I stepped through the thundorous portal.

In an instant, I dound my surroundings replaced with lush greenery and a fantastic expanding river. A large oak tree was placed a few feet to the left of me, my dear tree. For years, I would come to this tree and sit under it, whenever I was filled with woe or anger.

The grass beneath me felt cooling as I sat down beneath my wonderful oak tree. Relaxing. The sweet breeze caressed my skin, of what was bare anyway. A shame I wasn't alone... I'd like to think I'd enjoy the scenery more if it were so.

"Maria," came a deep voice.

I answered back. "Gaston."

/'/\

Chapter 4 is finished! I feel so proud of myself! The giddiness I feel is so great, that I can't think straight. Chapter 5 will be submitted sometime in late September likely, since I now have another OC project under way.