Chapter 20- Spells

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"Valentine's Day will be interesting this year."

Severus looked up from the essay he was completing at his desk. Considering Tom's expression as much as his words, he replied, "Why is that?"

Twirling a quill absently, his roommate said, "It's always amusing, watching others pair off, seeing blokes suffer Madam Puddifoot's shop of horrors, and listening to those bloody singing Valentines."

In the silence that fell, Severus' gaze drifted to the window and the snow falling outside. His thoughts focused inward, on the events that had taken place in the month since school had recommenced. On the surface, not much had changed. He and Eris still kept their…friendship…private. The routine of classes, schoolwork, and study took up where it left off. After a few weeks, the holidays began to take on a dream-like quality when compared to the reality of Hogwarts life.

His experiences at Greyback House had been no dream, however, and the new undercurrent in his relationship with Eris proved it. He had no desire to sit around trying to analyse the particulars, however. Severus was content that they had a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another. He looked forward to increasing that contentment after dinner, when he met Eris in the library.

A hesitant-sounding knock on the door had the boys exchanging inquiring looks. After each shook their head, negating that they were expecting a visitor, Severus called out, "Enter."

Claire Forbes walked into the room. The brunette looked miserable, with dark circles beneath her eyes. "Tom, may I speak with you…alone?"

A look of deep satisfaction spread across Wilkes' face before he assumed a careless manner. "Surely anything you have to say can be said in front of my best mate. Go on, we're listening."

Snape didn't allow his surprise at hearing the 'best mate' appellation show, although he did raise a brow at the girl's incredulity.

Swallowing a retort, and her pride, Claire asked softly, "May we at least go where he can't see? This is hard enough, without those eerie eyes looking at me."

Tom stood and gestured grandly to his bed. "I'd call them piercing, myself, but never mind. Step into my office." Winking at his friend before closing the bed curtains, the boy's voice was clearly heard. "What can I do for you Claire?" When the girl mumbled something, he chided, "Speak up, luv."

"I want you to break the spell."

"What? I thought having Sutton eager to spend every waking minute by your side was your dream come true."

The mockery in Tom's voice was mild, for him. Severus wondered if all the little comments his roommate had made since placing the entrancement spell had indicated more than his dislike for Clive.

A shuddery breath sounded. "At first it was. He wanted to be with me, do anything I asked, said he could stare into my eyes forever…." Bitter laughter threaded her words. "Stare vacantly. Entrancement isn't real. He can't tell me why he cares. He just does. The weeks have slowly become hell and I can't take anymore of Clive's mindless devotion." Brokenly, she pleaded, "Please make it stop. I don't want him. I want…."

"Who? Who do you wa…."

The triumphant note in Tom's voice abruptly cut off. It didn't take psychic powers to deduce what was going on behind the curtains. After a few minutes, Severus dropped a book onto the floor, as a subtle hint that someone could unfortunately hear what he thankfully was unable to see.

When the couple emerged from their snogging session, he averted his gaze. In no way, shape, or form did he wish to view any 'memories' the two might project. After Tom had escorted Claire to the common room, he sauntered back into their dorm to gloat, "Sutton's going to be devastated to lose two girls to blokes he loathes."

"I hope that thought sustains when cherubs are dumping pink confetti on you this weekend."

Tom denied, "Claire wouldn't want to go there…would she?"

Smirking, Severus advised, "Better practice your aversion spells, or you'll come back covered in glitter and tiny hearts."

Sitting down heavily in his desk chair, the other boy groaned. "Gods, is it worth having a Valentine, putting up with that shite?" He grinned. "Yeah, it is." Picking up a quill and tapping it against the desk top, he asked, "How are you going to celebrate with your secret Valentine?"

"None of your business."

"You don't know?"

Refusing to answer, Severus rose and crossed to his trunk, taking out clothing in preparation for a shower. Behind him, Tom snickered. "You can always suffer with the rest of us at Madam Puddifoot's."

He spared only one word before heading into the lavatory. "Never."

Later, sitting with Eris in their favourite section of Goblin poetry, he asked her opinion of Madam Puddifoot's establishment. Severus was hoping the answer would be negative, and also that the distraction would keep his errant fingers, which had pulled out shirt tails in order to stroke a smooth abdomen, from sliding upwards. After tracing curves concealed by fabric, his fingertips twitched with the urge to feel skin against skin.

"I've been dragged inside a few times. The windows are always steamed up from the teapots, the food looks better than it tastes, and Puddifoot hovers around like a crazed cupid. I'd love to go there with you." The fingertip that had been dipping into her navel inadvertently poked in reaction to the last assertion. "Ohhh! I was only joking!"

He narrowed his eyes. "Really, then why aren't you laughing?" Severus began tickling.

Giggling, she sputtered, "I…I should make you go sit at a centre table, for torturing me!"

His fingers stilled as Severus gazed into her laughing face. "Will it cause distress, if others think you have no one to go with?"

Brown hair shook. "No. Not as long as we know." Smiling shyly, Eris said, "Will you be my Valentine?"

How blue her eyes were. Oddly touched, he nodded. "Yes. Will you be mine?" She kissed him in answer. Their lips melded together in a way that he should have been used to, but still faintly surprised as well as delighted. His fingers had just begun to glide upwards once more when a voice pierced the air.

"Stop that deplorable behaviour at once!"

Eris rolled off his lap, frantically stuffing her shirt back into the waistband of her skirt. Smoothing her hair, she tried to placate, "I'm so sorry, Madam Pince. We got carried away by the…erm…inspiring poetry…I'm afraid."

Severus finally learnt that there was indeed a figure of authority Eris Greyback could not wind around her little finger. Glaring like a fury, Irma Pince took a deep breath and promised, "You were carried away by vile lust and nothing else, young woman! I shall make it my pleasure to inform your Head of House, the Headmaster, and your parents of this scandalous conduct. When I am done, you will never defile the hallowed…."

The woman froze, mid-diatribe. Eris was pointing her wand and chanting beneath her breath. After several incantations, she pulled him by the arm. "Come on, before she snaps out of it."

Feeling as though he were seeing a side of the girl he had never expected to exist, Severus asked while they moved quickly to the stairs, "What exactly did you do?"

"Something learnt from watching Father and Uncle Fenrir—I put her into a trance in order to use a memory charm. Pince will come to, remember nothing of what she saw, and think she was there to shelve a book." Biting her lip, she said, "I couldn't let her go shrieking to everyone, could I?"

Relieved and admiring, he said, "No. You saved us embarrassment and trouble." Downstairs, he followed her out of the library. In the outer corridor, he guided her toward the nearest statue, Alan the Articulate. Backing her against the wall, he praised, "It was very, very Slytherin of you."

Smiling happily as a Hufflepuff, Eris wound her arms around him. Her kiss was a satisfying blend of sweetness and cunning.

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Following the couples holding hands and leaning towards each other as they talked on their way into Hogsmeade, Eris felt a pang of envy. She didn't want to trade places with any of the girls, but she would've liked to walk openly beside her boyfriend. It wasn't an option, with his ambitions, and her family to consider, so she listened to Narcissa gush over the enormous ruby heart pendant Lucius had sent with two dozen roses and daydreamed Severus was holding her hand.

"Yes, it quite overshadows anyone else's paltry presents, doesn't it?"

Realising that Cissy was asking a question, Eris replied in a way she thought would suffice, "Quite."

In front of them, Claire turned her head to say, "I'm quite sick of hearing you brag, mate. Some of us are very happy with our tokens of affection and don't care to have it rubbed in our face that Malfoy spoils you rotten."

Tom Wilkes snorted, reaching up a hand to touch the small ruby heart earrings in his new girlfriend's ears. "Those tokens set me back plenty, my ball and chain."

Bumping Tom's shoulder with hers, Claire protested with a big smile, "Ball and chain! What cheek. I don't know why I put up with that."

"Want a reminder?"

Giggling in a way that had Narcissa stating baldly 'Please spare us all', Claire nodded and tugged Tom's hand. "Yes, but away from those jealous witches I call friends."

The two ran off the path. Narcissa sneered, "Go on, freeze your lips together for all we care!" Smiling at Eris, she said, "And I thought Diana and Emma were revolting with their swooning over boyfriends. Oh well, it's nice to have one friend who isn't arse over teakettle for a silly boy." When the affirmative she'd expected didn't come, the blonde demanded, "You are just friends with Snape, right? Tell me you don't harbour some bourgeois passion for him."

"I don't harbour bourgeois passion." The answer made her best mate smile again. Good thing Cissy hadn't just said 'passion.' Greybacks were never common, so she wasn't lying—exactly.

"Remember that stupid Muggle story you once read to me? Snow White and Rose Red? We look like them today, except prettier, because we've got Wizarding skin products, and fashionable clothes." Narcissa gazed from her long white cloak to Eris' red with smug satisfaction.

Shaking her head, because her mate was such an elitist snob, Eris said wryly, "Neither of us has to marry a bear, either."

"You might end up marrying a boar, spelt b-o-r-e, if your Father decides to accept Rabastan Lestrange's offer."

Eris stopped in the middle of the path. "What?"

"Didn't he tell you?" Seeing her friend's headshake, Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Fathers. They think their daughters should be the last to know." Heaving an aggrieved sigh, the girl explained, "Rabastan told Rodolphus, who informed Lucius, who naturally shared such an interesting piece of gossip with me, that he had formally requested the honour of asking for your hand in marriage after you leave Hogwarts." Linking her arm through Eris', she hugged it in a burst of affection. "We'd be almost sisters, since my sister would be your sister-in-law. Wouldn't that be something?"

"It would be something all right."

Eris hardly heard Cissy natter on about how they could shop together, lunch together, avoid Bella at family gatherings and betroth their children if she had a boy, and Eris had a girl. An icy sense of dread was sweeping over her.

Her mother and grandfather had each hugged her longer than they ever had before when the group returned to school. Father had smiled fondly when she had bid him goodbye. Uncle Fenrir had pinched her cheeks before growling at Erik that the boy better protect his 'fair sister's virtue'.

Oh Merlin, it all made horrible sense now.

The cold wind whipping its way past her hood wasn't responsible for the frozen expression on Eris' face. Fortunately, the man waiting for the girls at the Hogsmeade Inn thought otherwise. "You look chilled to the bone, have some cider."

Taking the cup of warm, spiced drink, she drank it and tried to make her lips curve. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."

"Please, call me Lucius, since we're practically one big family." Wintry amusement lightened his gaze. "You may even call me Luci if you prefer, Eri…."

Narcissa huffed, "Stop bringing that up, please, I despise that nickname. You're powerful and noble and deserve a name to match, Lucius."

Bringing Narcissa's hand to his lips before tucking it into the crook of his arm, the wizard smiled with what looked like genuine fondness. "Thank you, my dear."

Maybe the two would be happier together than she'd thought. Eris drank her cider in silence while the couple chatted of people they knew and what they wore, or did, or were rumoured to be doing. After half and hour of such meaningful conversation, Lucius turned to her and said, "I heard the most interesting story from a Ministry associate the other day. It seems that an investigation is being conducted into the activities of some Welshman." Pausing to tap his lips with a finger, he drawled, "Now what was his name?"

Narcissa ruined his ploy by supplying helpfully, "Ree Aprig or something similarly outlandish."

His jaw tightened, but the man said without a trace of irritation, "Rhydian Ap Meurig, actually. Wrote a book on transfiguration, but an accuser claims his real source of income is derived from teaching illegal arts."

"I don't think any arts should be illegal," his fiancée insisted.

"Neither do I," Lucius agreed smoothly, "but the Ministry takes a dim view of wizards training illegal Animagi, so the fellow better hope no evidence is found. Don't you agree, Eris?"

Rhydian was cannier than the Slytherin who occasionally found their way to his door. Someone who couldn't master the spells and wanted his galleons back might have accused him, but no evidence would be found.

As though the conversation barely held her attention, Eris agreed, "Mmm…." Catching sight of a robed figure through the window, she said, "I'll leave you two to enjoy your time together. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Opening the door, she paused when Lucius called, "I ran into your grandfather in Diagon Alley the other day. He asked me to give you his best, Kettling."

She half turned and replied with outward calm, "Thank you."

Narcissa complained, "That's another nickname I can't stand. Really, Eris, aren't you a little old to be called 'kitten'?"

"I think it suits her better than you know, darling," Lucius murmured.

Eris forced a polite smile before saying goodbye and making her escape. Dashing across the street, she followed the hooded figure into an alley and gasped when she was pulled against a lean, masculine body.

"Those who shadow my steps pay a price."

Her knees became weak. Tilting her head to look up at the cloaked face, she whispered, "I'll gladly pay."

His lips were cool, firm, and deliciously clever. She turned and pressed against him, rising on tiptoes to return his warm kiss. Eris was counting on Lucius being the type to enjoy holding something over someone. If he gave her enough time before telling Severus his suspicions, she could share the true nature of her secret without her boyfriend taking it badly. She hoped.

Eris knew that he thought she'd gone to Wales to get extra tutoring so she could ace transfiguration. If Severus found out from someone else that she'd done much more than that…. Shuddering, she decided not to think about it.

"Are you cold, Valentine?" His voice was low, and induced a pleasurable type of shiver.

"Not as long as I'm in your arms."

He smiled, likely amused at her sentiment. She couldn't help giving him hints about her feelings now and again. If that made her a romantic fool, then so be it. Kissing him soundly on the mouth, she said, "Lead on, Valentine."

"Don't you want to know our destination?"

"I'm with you, and that's all I need to know."

Severus' face softened with pleasure. He lifted her hand to his lips. Uncaring whether he'd got the gesture from Malfoy, she felt warmed when he pulled down the glove to kiss her skin. Reaching for his hand, Eris felt the muscles in her cheeks stretch as she smiled in what was no doubt a foolishly romantic fashion while he gently squeezed her fingers.

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Leading Eris down a narrow side street off the main thoroughfare, Severus began to wonder if he was taking pride a step too far. His sponsor had offered to pay for a private room at the Hogsmeade Inn, but he had declined the offer. Lucius had already given him funds that had purchased Eris' cameo brooch over Christmas with enough left over to last until the end of the school term. He refused to ask for more. Malfoy's money had strings attached.

"Charming sign."

Eris' laughing voice brought Severus' attention to the weather-beaten wood that the wind was causing to sway in its corroded bracket. The sign depicting a boar's head dripping blood creaked with each scrape of wood against rusted metal. He almost instructed her to walk past, but since she didn't look disgusted, said, "Raise your hood. The clientele of this establishment is more discreet than that of the Broomsticks, but caution is always advised."

Once she had shrouded her face with the hood of her cloak, Severus concealed his own features and guided her across the narrow way to the disreputable looking tavern. Inside the small common room, the patrons, most of which hid their faces from view, gazed curiously at the new customers.

Without being told, Eris kept close to his side as they made their way to the bar. Slamming a tankard of beer onto the rough wooden surface, the old barman gave it a tap with his wand to send the drink down to the warlock grunting his thanks. One of two Slytherin boys perched on barstools said thoughtfully, "If'n you did a bit of refinishing, sanded the scratches and polished it up with loads of wax, you could slide the mugs without magic."

The lanky barman pulled his grey beard thoughtfully before looking meaningfully at the second boy rolling his eyes over his friend's comment while raising a fist.

"Ow! What'cha do that for Laurie?" Lane Jugson heard the derisive laughter of the other customers and jumped up from his stool. Backing away from his larger companion, he raised both hands while Laurence Keane raised his wand. "Keane, I forgot, I'm sorry. Don't make me spew slugs again." The boy's face turned a shade of green. Clutching his stomach, he turned and spat a slug, directly into a broad-shouldered hag's firewhiskey.

"Why you little…."

While the boys were running out of the pub, Lane spewing slugs left and right, Severus approached the barman and threw down a small pouch. Lifting it, the wizard barked, "Last room down the corridor on the right."

The boy escorted his companion to the small, dim corridor. Opening the room he'd paid for, he ushered her in, shutting and warding the door behind them. After utilising a series of security spells, because he did not trust the walls not to have eyes or ears, Severus removed his cloak and took a good look around. "What the pub lacks in atmosphere and sanitary conditions, it makes up in décor."

Eris hugged him and smiled. "I'd bring my own glass if I had to drink here, but the rest can be changed with a few spells. Watch." A short time later, the tiny chamber was rid of dust and grime, and the rickety table and chairs had been transformed into furniture that was sturdy and comfortable.

When she took off the cloak, he stared. The red satin trousers and top were modest enough, but all he could think about was how easily his hands would slip over…or under…the material. Severus cleared his throat, praised Eris' transfiguration skills and held out her seat.

With a wave of his hand, he lit the candles on the table. Looking at his timepiece, the boy was relieved when Slinky stepped out of the fireplace. The punctual elf bowed and proffered a picnic basket. Succinct thanks caused round green eyes to glow with pleasure. Waving the useful, but tiresomely ingratiating creature off, he turned and placed the container on the table.

They ate while discussing a range of topics from a mutual liking for snow, DADA being of less use than a book of common spells, and finally to the upcoming N.E.W.T.'s.

"I believe in studying, but not to the point of running screaming from the common room." Eris smiled.

He shared her amusement, thinking of the Hufflepuff rumoured to be recuperating from stress in the infirmary. "Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests may be aptly named for the weak, but those confident in their abilities will receive the outstanding marks their scholarship is due."

"You may receive all Outstandings, but I'm confident only in Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures," she responded. Although he personally could never accept less, she seemed truly content with the prospect of Exceeding Expectations on the rest of her exams, explaining, "I don't want to be an Auror, or a Healer, or something with specific qualifications, anyway."

"What do you want to do?"

Eris shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I know what I don't want to be forced into."

He had an idea what that was, but asked anyway, "What?"

A look of deep sadness, followed by one of determination crossed her face. Leaning towards him, she answered, "Marrying Rabastan Lestrange or anyone else my family decrees."

The resolute gaze never leaving his made the boy's heart race for some unfathomable reason. Severus looked down at his plate while asking, "Where will you go, if you turn your back on your family?"

The warm, soft hand that covered them stilled his fingers drumming a random beat onto the tablecloth. "I'll think of something." The smile in her voice eased the tension he felt. "I've got skills, you know."

Severus' lips curved as his gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. "I know."

When she rose and came around to sit on his lap, he said while his hands began to roam, "This wasn't a skill I was referring to."

Slippery material was easily un-tucked.

The silken warmth of her skin against his was a better present than the box of Boomslang skin. After a kiss that was tender and thorough, he whispered in a low voice that earned more kisses, "Everything about you is outstanding."