Chapter 33

The Slytherin Common Room

"You really trust him? You believe everything that comes out of that viper's mouth? You really don't have an ounce of common sense, do you?"

Laurel hadn't been able to answer him, but of course, Draco was right. Not an ounce of common sense. She felt stupid. If what the young man said was true, if Severus knew what the mission Draco had been given was about, then he had lied to her. He had not just kept information to himself, he hadn't left out insignificant details, he had plainly lied to her, and that revelation cut her deeply.

And now, reacting at the vision of the office door closing behind the boy, she stood up and opened it with trembling hands, following the figure of the slytherin who disappeared as he turned a corner of the long corridor while a small voice in her head kept wondering why Severus had decided that she was not worthy of having any information.

"Draco, wait!"

Her hurried footsteps echoed off the stone walls, but Laurel didn't worry that the noise might alert Filch again; she needed to reach Draco, she needed to ask him what he knew, what secrets Severus was keeping from her.

Draco, Remus, Harry. One after another they warned her about Severus, but she had turned a deaf ear to their words. Trusting, enthralled as she was by the dark wizard, she dismissed the countless warnings, brushing them aside, piling them in a corner of her mind until the weight was impossible to bear.

"I will tell you all in due course. I promise".

He made that promise many months ago and she waited patiently. She needed answers now and she knew it would be very difficult to get any out of Severus. She had thought that he just needed time to trust her, but the likeliness of a horrible reality was pounding down on her now: Was he just using her? Was her just a toy to amuse himself with?

"Draco!" — She called again, rushing to catch the blond blur slipping noiselessly down a passageway that had suddenly opened in the solid stone wall.

"No! Draco!"

The door solidified before her, barring her entry. Laurel pummelled her sweaty fists, begging the impenetrable wall to give way, but to no avail. She could taste the feeling of indignation in her mouth, it burned her chest, it scalded her throat and she felt how that vicious bile spread over her face, making her eyes water with rage.

"What are you doing?" — The silky voice made Laurel turn her gaze at the tall, dark figure standing next to her. — "You are not supposed to be here".

"Severus".

The sudden appearance of the wizard in that narrow and dark corridor took her by surprise, however, her resentment only worsened when she heard the admonition tone in his voice.

"I need to talk to Draco". — She replied dryly, and turning her back on him, she continued to pound against the stone wall.

"It will not open for you". — He said while arching an eyebrow, surprised by Laurel's behaviour.

He tried to take her hand, but the woman quickly pushed it away, glaring at him.

What was happening to her? What had happened in the last few hours for her to act this way? His body went cold at the thought that Laurel had somehow found out about his secrets, she had discovered his involvement in the death of the Potters, of his beloved Lily. But how? Only the headmaster had that knowledge, and Severus was sure that he would never reveal the pact they had made fifteen years ago, the pact in which he had sworn to protect Harry above all else. It was not possible.

Draco.

Of course, Laurel must have found out about the Unbreakable Vow. How much could Draco have told her?

"Laurel". — He whispered, leaning towards her, grabbing her wrist and forcing her to turn her eyes to him. — "No outsider has entered the Slytherin common room for more than seven centuries. And of course, Salazar Slytherin would roll over his grave if a Muggle would ever set foot in it".

"Yes, I know I am only…"

Before the outraged woman could finish her sentence, Severus straightened up and spoke loudly:

"Arbor Serpentis".

An entrance sprung open in the wall, giving them way to a narrow passage through which filtered the same ghostly light that flooded Severus' chamber.

The man took a step forward and turned to Laurel, who didn't move a muscle.

"Come in".

The woman shook her head, her eyes fixed on the greenish reflections bouncing off the black stone slabs. A soft gust of cold air blew through the passageway, ruffling her hair and dispelling her anger, replacing it with a sudden feeling of vulnerability.

Laurel felt the same terror she had experienced that night she had been presented to the Dark Lord at the Malfoy Manor. She relived the intense pain of the blows of the whip on her bloody skin and instinctively she hugged herself, hunching her shoulders and bending her back, trying to take up less space. She knew that at the end of that passageway she would find herself in hostile territory. This was their domain, the territory of Lord Voldemort, of the Death Eaters, of magical superiority doctrines. She was not allowed to enter.

"Don't be afraid, Laurel". — Severus moved closer to her again, whispering in her ear. —"You must go in if you want to find Draco".

Laurel couldn't answer him, her throat was dry. Looking into the dark eyes that urged her on, she took a hesitant step forward.

The passageway led into a vast and sumptuous room. The lofty ceiling was supported by tall marble columns from which several greenish lamps hung. The narrow windows were the same as those in Severus' room and offered the same view, making it clear that the common room extended partially under the lake. The walls were decorated with various medieval paintings, and Laurel even made out what appeared to be the enormous skull of a dragon, adorning an opulent fireplace.

"Miss Parkinson, did you notice Mr. Malfoy just entering the common room?"

Laurel had not noticed the presence of the teenager sitting in one of the leather chairs. Her long, slender body reclined on a small polished wooden table, and around her were various books and crumpled pieces of parchment. Turning her pale, haggard face toward the professor, she immediately stood up out of respect.

"Pro... Professor Snape..." — She said surprised to see her head of house together with his assistant in the common room so late at night. — "I saw him come in just now. He went to his dormitory".

"Did he tell you what he was doing outside at this hour?"

"I asked him, but he didn't answer me." — The girl replied with a hurt voice. — "He completely ignored me".

Snape nodded, looking at Pansy with piercing eyes. Laurel knew he was reading her mind.

"Go to sleep Miss Parkinson." — He finally said. — "You can finish that essay in the morning. And next time I expect you to be more diligent in finishing your assignments".

"Yes sir". — The girl scrolled the parchment, setting the books aside and before heading up an elegant marble staircase that descended into the depths of the dungeons, she shot Laurel a curious look. — "Goodnight".

"Good night, Pansy". - The woman answered watching as the dark-haired girl disappeared down the stairs.

"I can go to the dorms and get Draco". — Snape whispered, his deep voice echoing in the empty room. — "Although honestly it would be too suspicious, needless to say counterproductive. But if you want it that way…"

"Nope. There's no need".

Laurel turned her attention to Severus. The indignation and resentment that had gripped her only a few minutes ago seemed to languish, transforming into a sad feeling of disappointment.

"Do you wish to speak to me now? Tell me what is going on?"

"You lied to me". — Laurel watched for any changing expressions on his face, but Severus managed to keep his usual cold countenance. Only a sudden dilation of his pupils gave her the hint that he didn't like what he was hearing.

"Lie? I have never done such thing".

"Draco told me". — She said letting out an exasperated sigh. — "You hide information… you lie…"

"Perhaps if you could tell me what Draco told you, I could clear this up. Don't you think?"

Laurel looked around her. There was not a soul in the common room and everything was dead silent. This, however, did not stop her from looking back at Severus suspiciously.

"Do you want to talk about this in such a public place? Why did you let me in here anyway?" — She asked, annoyed. — "I know it was not your intention to get Draco".

The wizard let out a proud little smile: Laurel was beginning to learn to be more cunning, slyer. He found her angry gestures irresistible.

"Wise words". — He whispered as he took her surprisingly by her waist, pushing her against one of the marble columns. — "I want to be able to change things, Laurel. What better way to do that than by desecrating Slytherin's stupid ideals?"

"Wha…?"

Laurel gasped in surprise before her lips were devoured by Severus' mouth. His warm breath made her entire body surrender and her eyes closed as the man's deft tongue begged for passage. Laurel opened her mouth, playing clumsily, trying to keep up with him. His hands descended until they reached her hips and there, he began to lift her robes with desperate movements.

Touching her bare skin, Severus' strong hands squeezed her thighs firmly, lifting her into the air, bracing the woman's back against the cool marble. Laurel hugged him by his neck, wrapping her legs around his narrow hips, feeling against her that stiff bulge pushing against his fly.

The wizard slid his mouth to her ear, gently nibbling at her earlobe, his tongue caressing the most sensitive part of her neck. Laurel had to grit her teeth to stop the groan of pleasure that came from having his eager body so pressed against hers.

"Have you gone mad?" — She managed to say when she felt his fingers tugging the delicate lace fabric of her underwear.

"A little". — He answered, his face still buried in her neck.

"Severus, put me down." —She whispered, half hoping he would ignore her request.

He obeyed. Taking her by the waist again, he helped her to put her feet on the floor, however, he didn't seem to want to move away from her. His lips made their way back to her mouth, but the woman stopped him.

"You think I am this easy to convince? Do you think this is the way to clear things up?"

"No, you are right". — A soft tinge blushed his face. — "I just couldn't stop myself. Being here alone with you…"

"Why do you want to be with me if you lie to me? Why do you want to be with me if you cannot trust me?"

"But I didn't lie!"

Laurel clicked her tongue and shook the head impatiently.

"So tell me, what mission does Draco have to fulfil? Why have you asked me to find out something that you already knew very well?"

"It's just a misunderstanding. I thought Draco would trust you more if you were kept out of it".

"Well, that clearly did not work!" — Laurel hissed. — "You were trying to use me, like the little lab rat you think I am."

"No… No…" — Severus whispered, rubbing his eyes anxiously. — "I thought you had understood that there are certain things that it is better that you do not know. I thought you agreed to that condition, Laurel."

"I'm not a poor little sod, Severus. Why can't you trust me? Why am I the only one in this school who doesn't know that Harry Potter is Lily's son, for example? Why can't you just tell me that?"

Severus snapped his head up, looking straight at her.

"Come to the office". — He said taking her by the hand and leading her towards the exit. — "I have to explain some things to you".