Chapter 13. Bewitched
Astrid stared at herself in the mirror for what seemed like an eternity, taking in every aspect of her image. Her blonde waves had been tamed into a low loose bun, some shorter waves falling forwards framing her face. She'd spent what seemed like hours applying her makeup, she did the full works. Nude pearly eyeshadow covered her lids, blended into a medium brown at the corners, followed by black smoky liner and layers of mascara, giving her a foxy wispy look. Coral pink blusher was dusted on her cheeks, a shimmering bronzer applied just on her cheekbones and temples, with a light dusting on her nose of course, her freckles still showed through defiantly, giving her a sun-kissed beach babe vibe. She finished the look with a rosey nude lipstick, sheer, and topped it with dab of oily gloss. She kept her brows natural and neat, fluffing them up with her brush.
She sighed as she set the brow brush down on the counter, her hand trembling.
"You can do this, try to have fun, ignore him, he doesn't matter, you matter." She told herself in the mirror, hyping herself up.
Astrid stepped into her dress, waving her wand so that it fastened itself securely at the back, thank merlin for magic she thought, she'd never get it on with her trembling hands otherwise.
After slipping on her nude strappy heels, she was ready.
Astrid took one last look at herself in the mirror before leaving her chambers and starting down the many flights of stairs from the tower to The Great Hall. When she approached the hall students had already begun to gather outside in anticipation, it was a sea of brightly coloured dresses of all shapes and styles, the boys generally wore black with the odd navy or grey dress robes.
"Not long now guys, you all look fantastic," Astrid smile as she slipped passed the students and through the doors, closing them securely behind her, there was still ten minutes until the room would open to the crowd of waiting teenagers.
As Astrid walked in, she was taken aback, the Great Hall had been transformed into a winter wonderland, what looked like snow fell from the ceiling, the walls looked as if they had been frosted with ice and three stunning Christmas trees took up a prominent position at the end of the hall beneath the giant window that showcased the nights full moon just outside. Round tables had been setup at the side of the hall closest to the entrance, the dance floor placed further back in front of the shimmering Christmas trees.
In the middle of the dance floor Professor Dumbledore and Professor Umbridge were briefing the staff, governors and parental chaperones, Astrid tried to slip in unnoticed, finding a space next to Severus, who glanced down at her briefly. He was dressed in his regular black robes, maybe a smarter version of them, but very much the regular Snape attire, nothing out of the ordinary there. Umbridge's dress was, of course, a bright hot pink, a thick brocade fabric with a lighter pink pattern going through it. A pink hat with a large pink feather sat upon her head.
"We must be vigilant for any signs of alcohol consumption, any suspected students must be sent straight to myself, as for student relations, dancing is allowed with hands above waists, anything else, cuddling, kissing and such is prohibited and should be sent straight to myself," Umbridge addressed the room as she read from her pink clipboard. "Ah Professor Moody, nice of you to finally join us, this meeting started exactly… seven minutes ago," Umbridge squeaked.
"My apologies Professor," Astrid breathed, her cheeks threatening to grow hot as all eyes turned to her, including the eyes of a certain chairman. Lucius stood at the other side of the huddle, a tall slim woman pulled grasped his arm at his side, Astrid tried not to stare, opting instead to use her peripheral vision to get a good look at Mrs Malfoy. She was beautiful, pale, her hair a mixture of white blonde and brown, pulled back in a half up half down style. She had thin highly arched eyebrows, and red lipstick donned her lips. Her dress was black with green beadwork, tying in with her husband's black dress robes with black patterned waist coat adorned with a subtle green pattern.
"Perhaps next time you'll spend less time gussying up so that you remain punctual," Umbridge squeaked, her voice like nails on a chalkboard in Astrids ears. The girl simply nodded in agreement as she stared at the stone floor of the hall. "I guess we are ready for them," Umbridge squeaked gleefully, it was one of the few times Astrid had seen the woman genuinely excited. "Mr Filch! Open the doors!" She called out, and Mr Filch did just that, pulling the doors open he let in a flood of teenagers. Most of the staff had dispersed to the edges of the room, Professor McGonagall chatted with Dumbledore at the foot of the Christmas trees, watching as the students arrived.
Astrid made a beeline for the drinks table, where fruit punch, non-alcoholic of course, was being served by Professor Burbage.
"Drink Professor?" Burbage asked, holding up a pre-prepared cup of pink juice.
"Please Charity, thank you," Astrid smiled, taking the cup from her, in truth she wasn't really interested in having a drink, especially a soft drink, she just wanted something to place in her hands so she didn't feel awkward. She turned towards the students who had begun to gather around the dance floor, admiring their individual senses of styles. Astrid smiled when she saw Pansy Parkinson, should've bet money on her wearing green, she thought to herself as she took a sip of her juice.
"Found a dress I see," Severus said as he came to stand shoulder to shoulder with the young woman.
"Well observed Severus," Astrid smiled curtly, "I got it this morning, I didn't really have much time for browsing so I just picked one," Astrid shrugged, downplaying her gown a little.
"Well, it was a worthy choice," Snape drawled, "It matches your eyes," Astrid could have pinched herself, a compliment from Severus, without an insult to go with it? Never.
"Thank you," Astrid half smiled as she took another sip from her goblet.
"Enjoying the punch?" Severus asked, making small talk, his eyes were glued on something on the other side of the dance floor, but Astrid's short stature prevented her from seeing over the heads of the students who were still filing into the hall, finding their friends along the perimeter of the dance floor.
"I'd personally prefer something stronger," Astrid rolled her eyes. Without a word Severus reached into his black robes and pulled out a small flask, popping the lid off he held it out subtly for the girl, which she took eagerly, lifting it to her nose for a sniff.
"Firewhiskey, Severus you are full of surprises," Astrid smiled, pouring a little into her cup and handing the flask back. Severus securely tucked it back into his robes as Astrid took a gulp of her drink, feeling the warmth of the firewhiskey fall down her throat.
"I'm not one for… social gatherings like these… but since I have to be here, a little drink will help the evening go by," Severus said simply. Most of the students had spilled into the hall now and gathered around the edged of the room, watching the empty dance floor with anticipation. That's when Astrid spotted who Severus had been staring down from across the room. Lucius Malfoy stood on the opposite side of the hall, glaring in their direction, his wife clung to his arm, and next to her stood the moody face of Draco Malfoy. Astrid took another large swig when she saw him, allowing the warm liquid to dull her senses a little bit.
"He hasn't taken his eyes off you yet," Severus muttered distastefully.
"He's with his wife," Astrid stated.
"Yes, a show of strength for their son, Draco is still very much angry about his fathers' straying eyes," Severus sighed dully.
"And hands," Astrid chuckled into her cup as she took another drink. She almost earned a smile from Severus. "You told me to stay away from him, and I did," Astrid reminded the potions Professor.
"I know, it seems he doesn't know when to give up," Severus spoke lowly.
Professor Dumbledore stepped forward with Professor McGonagall, his hands clasped together, ready to make a speech. All the chattering voices in the hall came to a close.
"Welcome, Students, Staff, Governors, Volunteers, to the Hogwarts Yule Ball," Dumbledore opened warmly, "I'd personally like to thank Professor Umbridge for putting together this fabulous evening, with the help of Mr Filch, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout." Dumbledore seemed a little strained to thank the pink professor, the smile dropping from his face temporarily. "We shall kick off the evening as usual, with a dance, Professor Flitwick, the music please," Dumbledore announced gleefully, taking Minerva's hand and leading her to the dance floor. A handful of daring students also joined the Professor's on the dance floor.
Severus un-expectantly held out his hand to the young professor.
"A dance, Professor Moody?" He asked, the corner of his lip almost twitching up into a remnant of a smile. Astrid's eyes glanced to Lucius across the room, who's narrowed gaze was fixed on the pair of them, seeing Severus outstretched hand caused his jaw to tense, his teeth to grit.
Astrid glanced back to the hand extended before her. She tipped her head back and finished her drink, downing the fiery liquid, she popped the now empty goblet back on the punch table.
"What the hell," She breathed as she took Severus' hand, wrapping her fingers around his palm, as he closed his fingers around hers. The potions master led to the young professor onto the dance floor, to the surprise of the golden trio who Astrid spotted out of the corner of her eye. Ron's face was dumbfounded.
"Is that Professor Moody dancing with Snape?" Ron asked, unable to believe his eyes.
"It certainly looks to be Ronald," Hermione commented, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
Severus took the lead just as he did in rehearsals, guiding Astrid around the dance floor slowly, Astrid was much more aware of his finger tips on her back this time though as they turned around the dance floor.
"I didn't think you much of a dancer Severus," Astrid admitted, knitting her brows together.
"I am not typically… however when the occasion calls for it," Severus spoke in his usual bored tone, Astrid couldn't help but roll her eyes with a small smile.
"Why ask me to dance?" Astrid wondered aloud, the alcohol clearly making her a little daring.
"Professor Flitwick was busy," Severus said sternly. "That was a joke," He added monotonously, making the girl smile her first genuine smile in a while.
"I think my father would skin me alive if he found out I was dancing with you," Astrid mused.
"I'm well aware of your fathers' feelings on me, what if he found you dancing with Lucius?" Severus countered.
"My life wouldn't even be worth living," Astrid chuckled, "That's why he wasn't to know about… you know. How is my father by the way? Have you seen him?" Astrid enquired, wondering how her dear old dad was getting on.
"He's retreated to a safehouse in the highlands, say's he's working on a plan," Severus leaned forward to whisper in her ear, she felt his fingertips slip down to the small of her back, a dangerous game to be playing with Umbridge prowling about.
"Sounds like him," Astrid commented with an eye roll, he was always working on a plan. Astrid saw the corners of Severus mouth twitch upwards as he looked passed her into the crowd behind. Astrid was about to tilt her head to have a look when Severus halted her.
"Don't look," Severus ordered, with some amusement in his voice, "Lucius is about to pop," As Severus rotated them around the dance floor, she caught sight of Lucius' tight exterior, he gripped his cane so hard his hands had gone white. He stood up straight as if he'd had something shoved up his spine, and his neck and jaw were tense. His wife seemed to be oblivious to her husband's sour mood as she fawned over her son, pushing his blonde locks out of his eyes and fussing with the boy's collar.
Astrid became deeply aware then she was being used as a show of power, one death eater to another. Releasing her hold of his shoulder she nudged Severus' elbow up, leading his hand back up her back to a more appropriate hold, she returned her hand to his shoulder hesitantly.
"Was this just a big dick competition between the two of you?" She hissed as she glanced between the two men.
"Don't be ridiculous Astrid," Severus said firmly, "It was a message, for him to leave you alone, perpetually," Astrid counted her lucky stars the music was coming to an end, two more turns and the last violin faded out. Astrid jumped apart from the Professor, as if she had an electric shock.
"Thank you for the dance, Severus," She hissed through a false smile as Umbridge watched the two of them closely from just a few short meters, "but I must really go get some air now," She breathed, pushing passed the potions professor and weaving her way through the dance floor as the next piece of music began. She navigated her way around the tables and chairs, and out of the main doors.
Astrid breathily found her way to the grassy courtyard she had spotted Lucius and Severus in one fateful night; however, it wasn't grass anymore. Its open square was now covered in a fresh blanket of snow. Snowflakes fell from the sky in large crystals, covering the castle in a white fluffy fleece. Astrid held out her hand to catch one in her hand, watching it melt on her warm palm. The sound of fast approaching footsteps caused Astrid to duck behind a pillar, out of sight, slowly she slid down the stonework into a crouch. She didn't know if it was Severus or Lucius pursuing her, and she was not in the right mind to face either of them. She pressed a hand to her fast-beating heart as she listened.
The foot steps became crunches as the individual stepped into the courtyard, tarnishing the perfect blanket of snow. Then a second pair of footsteps came into ear shot, and the click clacking of metal on stone.
"What in merlin's beard was that Severus?" The angered voice of Lucius Malfoy called out across the courtyard.
"I'm not allowed to dance with a colleague now Lucius?" Severus asked with a smirk.
"If you wanted the girl, you should have voiced it to me, not put on a show, Severus," Lucius hissed.
"I don't want the girl, Lucius, I want you to leave her be,"
"You know I can't do that," Lucius said gravely.
"She's a spy you fool," Severus revealed to the man. "The order tasked her with seducing you, with extracting information from you, and I dare say, probably me as well," Astrid grit her teeth as she heard the treachery pour out of Severus' mouth.
"Impossible, I know her, know what she's capable of, she isn't a spy, she's nothing like her father, she's just a naïve little girl," Lucius scoffed. Astrid pressed herself into the brickwork of the pillar she hid behind, slowing her breathing she dare not even open her eyes for fear of attracting attention to herself.
"She's a spy Lucius, I would know, I was there when the order put her up to it, besides I found these in her desk just this morning," Severus announced smugly, holding two pieces of parchment for Lucius to see. "A note stolen from my desk about the prophecy, and a cryptic message about a meeting from young Mr Potter, it seems Umbridge's theory Potter is training an army somewhere in the castle is correct,"
"Hand me those! Let me see with my own eyes!" Lucius demanded. There was silence for a moment or two, Astrid resisted the urge to take a peek around the corner.
"Who have you shown these to?" Lucius enquired, shoving the two pieces of parchment in his pocket.
"No one," Severus said monotonously, "I'm not the one tasked with spying on the girl, that's why I've handed them over to you Lucius." Astrid eyes widened, she clasped her hand to her mouth to keep from gasping, the revelation that the two of them were both tasked to spy on each other coming to light.
"He told you?" Lucius swallowed.
"He did, I have the Dark Lords complete trust Lucius, you on the other hand, old friend, are faltering," Severus warned. "And if the Dark Lord finds out she was spying on us both Lucius, he will order you to kill her," Severus warned darkly. "The Dark Lord would see us losing far more than we are gaining by keeping her alive,"
"I understand that," Lucius hissed, pacing now.
"So, what are you going to do?" Severus asked, his voice devoid of all emotions, as if he wasn't just discussing the possible murder of the woman he just danced with. There was silence as Lucius thought, Astrid could still hear his pacing footsteps crunching through the snow.
"Old friend, do you care for her?" Severus asked suddenly. More silence. "No one need know of her… espionage… burn the notes if you wish to do so, no one will hear it from my lips,"
"That is treason to the Dark Lord," Lucius hissed.
"Yes, it is," Severus said simply. "Do not rush your decision, Lucius. Kill her, or lie and let her live, only you can choose. But if she lives, you cannot pursue her, it is a risk to both of your lives, and to mine as an accomplice of your deceit,"
"What of the Dark Lord?" Lucius asked hesitantly.
"Feed him pieces of nothing, make her insignificant to his cause, he will focus you on a different task before long,"
Astrid listened as the crunching footsteps retreated away from her, quickly becoming footsteps on stone, the clacking of their black leather shoes growing distant. Astrid released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding, her hand clutched at her heart that beat painfully in her chest. Tears burst at the corners of her eyes, cascading down her cheeks.
Astrid stood slowly, listening for any sign of the two men. Her eyes glanced up to the castle before her, the moonlight bouncing off the snowing roofs and pitches. She spotted her tower. She shook her head no; she wasn't safe there; it was clear both men were able to break in to her chambers easily.
"Dumbledore's office," She breathed. After listening for a second and deciding the coast was clear Astrid gathered the front of her gown from the floor, and broke into as much of a run as she could manage in her heels. In any other circumstance, running through a castle in a ballgown, dress cascading behind her, hair loosening from its bun, would've been a princess fairy-tale moment, instead she felt like something out of a muggle horror film, looking over her shoulder every ten seconds for any sign of either Death Eater. The halls were eerily quiet, not a soul anywhere, everyone in the castle was in the Great Hall, enjoying the night.
As Astrid rounded a corner the wind was knocked out of her as an arm enveloped her waist and pushed her hard against the wall.
"Just where are you running off to princess? It's not midnight yet." Lucius said darkly as he held her waist tightly with one hand, the other pressed his cane under her chin, forcing her eyes up to him.
"Get off of me!" She yelled, beating on his chest and kicking the man in the leg, her attempt at fighting back was futile though as Lucius pinned her leg against the wall with his own.
"You must think yourself so clever, spying on me," He spat, pressing the silver snake head of his cane harder onto her throat, "Your sweet, naïve innocent act was very convincing, I'll give you that," Astrid struggled against his hold, lowering her eyes as much as she can to avoid his manic eyes.
"Let me go Lucius," Astrid cried as she pushed against his chest. "Please!"
"She begs! Do you really think batting your lashes and saying please is going to work on me darling?" He asked with a smirk. Astrid reached for her chest and lay a hand over her heart which painfully pounded against her chest, her breaths became uneven, unsteady.
"Don't feign injury now dear, tell me, do you even have a heart condition?" He asked, raising his brows. He ran his cane down the girl's neck, over her collarbone and smacked her hand away from her chest where he lay his cane against her sternum.
"I do," She whispered, she closed her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks, "Everything I told you was true Lucius,"
"Lies, you were spying me, lying to me," Lucius hissed,
"And you to me!" She shouted, her eyes shooting open with fiery intensity, "Are you even separated from your wife? Huh?" Astrid asked furrowing her brows.
"Don't you dare speak of her," Lucius hissed, pressing his cane harder into the girls breast bone, pushing her firmly against the wall.
"You are a hypocrite, Lucius Malfoy," Astrid seethed through the pain. "You lied to me, tricked me into bed with you, yet become enraged at the notion of me doing the same to you," She spat, her words dripping with hate. "But I didn't lie, everything I told you, everything I shared with you, was real and true because I'm a shit spy," She chuckled at herself darkly, "But you, you're a good one,"
Lucius was at a loss for words, his brain deciphering whether to believe her or not. What was truth and what was lies?
"Just kill me already Lucius, I'm bored of this cat and mouse game, just end it," Astrid whispered, her voice a little hoarse, "I heard you and Severus talking back there, I know it's coming," Lucius clenched his jaw and exhaled deeply, raising his free hand he hit the stone wall to the side of Astrid's face. Astrid turned away instinctively, her hair shielding her face as she closed her eyes.
"You have done this to me," Lucius whispered harshly into the girl's hair, his nose grazing her ear gently. "You have… bewitched me," Lucius raised his hand to the girl's chin, firmly placing it between his thumb and forefinger he turned her face to meet his. Astrid's bottom lip trembled as she stared into his eyes, usually so blue and calm, his eyes now reflected the heated intensity that raged inside of him.
Lucius ran his thumb over her quivering lip.
"I meant it," He whispered, "I meant it when I said I would let the Dark Lord strike me down for one more night with you," Astrid stared up at his eyes, searching for truth in his words, a single tear slipping for her drying her eyes. Shifting his hand from her chin, Lucius caught the tear as he caressed it away, eventually resting his hand in in her hair, planted firmly to the side of her face.
They stared at each other for what seemed to be a millennium when their lips crashed together, the two of them meeting half way. Lucius dropped his cane to the floor, the metal clattering against the stone work as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. The kiss deepened in intensity as moans escaped the both of them. Lucius pulled his lips away, kissing down her chin to her jaw, suckling on the skin down her neck. His hands moved to her gown, pulling the layers of tulle up and away as he searched through her skirts for her. Finding the soft skin of her leg he grasped the limb, raising it up and resting it on his hip.
His hand roamed down over her knee, passed her thighs to her waiting heat. She ached for him, her sex pulsing against her baby blue lace thong. Lucius pulled the thin fabric aside with his finger as he tested her readiness, absorbing her moans with a deep kiss as he slipped a finger inside her, and then another. Lucius pushed his tongue into her mouth as he played with her core, curling his fingers inside her he pressed on her sweet spot, earning a whine of pleasure to escape the young woman's lips.
"Shhh my love, you don't want us to get caught do you?" Lucius whispered against her lips as he broke off the kiss, glanced left and right, his eyes searching up and down the corridor. Astrid shook her head no weakly, as he unzipped his trousers, releasing his waiting cock. Astrid pushed herself onto her tippy toes, as high as she could go as Lucius positioned himself at her entrance. Lucius pushed the soft lace of her soaking thong out of the way with his fingers as he pushed into her. Astrid bit her lip to hold in her moans as her head rolled back against the stone wall.
The two panted hard as their bodies moved rhythmically against each other, Lucius' hand searched the girl's gown for her other leg, finding it he lifted her by her arse and wrapped the leg around his waist, he pushed her against the wall anchoring her in place as he thrusted into her petite body, her walls tightening around his cock more and more with every thrust, he could feel himself getting close as her dripping pussy gripped his length. Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, burying her face in his neck, his straight blonde hair tickling her face as she muffled her whimpers against him.
"I'm s-so close," She cried in his ear as she let out breathy moans. Her cries were enough to send him over the edge, Lucius pounded into her just a few more times before spilling himself inside her with one last rough jerk, which in turn caused Astrid to reach her release, her walls spasmed against his throbbing member as her back arched against the wall. Her legs quivered against his waist, the muscles threatening not to hold her weight. He held her against the wall as she rode her orgasm, the man panting against his spent lover He let her down gently, caressing the skin of her legs delicately as he placed her down onto unsteady legs. She gripped the wall for support, as she pulled the layers of her gown down around her. Lucius pushed his spent throbbing cock back inside his trousers, securing them with the zipper with a sigh. Once straightened out he embraced his young lover, cupping her face lovingly he kissed her forehead delicately.
"This will be the last time I see you for quite some time angel," His voice cracked as he whispered against her soft skin. "Please take care, distance yourself from the Potter boy, for your own sake my love," He kissed her forehead again, then her sweet button nose, and then her lips, he savored the kiss before pulling away abruptly, he commanded his cane to his hand effortlessly and stalked down the corridor. He left the young professor in a daze as she came down from her high, comprehending what exactly had just happened.
Please let me know your thoughts, if you like the direction it's going in etc, I'm just sort of winging this one as a distraction at the moment, but I hope you enjoy it anyway, thanks for reading!