Chapter nine - The honour of Spain

Severus realised he had a problem. Someone is his position couldn't have an obsession. He needed a clear mind. He needed his mind to be sharp. Not think about a bloody woman all the time. But he could not stop. Her curvy, slender body was imprinted in his mind, along with her beautiful, big eyes and her full, rosy lips... Why did she had to be talented and bright and witty too... The way she had disarmed Lambert, with her certain movements. He thought he had even seen an amused smile on her lips, looking at the nervous French boy. Why couldn't she be shallow and giggly and annoying like the rest of them. He told himself he would not have given her a second thought if she had been shallow. But she really was perfect. She was by far his most talented student, and he had heard from his colleagues that was she equally skilled in the other subjects she was taking, being clever, studious and well-read... It wasn't his fault he was intrigued by her. She was-

He sat up on the couch, where he had been trying to read Unwise Potions from the Sixteenth Century. Maybe he needed to visit Samantha. She hadn't come over in a while and he needed some distraction. He was spending way too much time in the shower as it was. He got up and summoned his travelling cloak with an impatient flick of his wand.

A week later on Saturday, the students were allowed to go to the nearby village of Hogsmeade. Gina enjoyed the twenty minute walk to the village, chatting with Jonne, Jill, Lorene and Helen, the two seventh year Hufflepuffs who Gina had potions with and who had decided to join them.

Gina had been in the paper twice that week, printing inaccuracies about her chances of becoming queen one day and about her past dating life. Gina had gotten a lot of attention and compliments for her performance in the first task. Boys were trying to get her attention at classes and in the great hall during meals, obviously hoping to become the next princess' boyfriend. Her days of anonymity at Hogwarts seemed to be over.

Hogsmeade was a picturesque little village of cottages and shops. Being the only all-wizarding village in Britain, a lot of witches and wizards in the area did their shopping there and it was very busy in the narrow streets. They went to the Hogsmeade Post Office first. Having only one owl, a long-eared owl called Retaco, Gina had a stack of letters she wanted to send to friends and her cousin and nieces in Spain. It took Retaco a week to deliver a letter and fly back, and she didn't want to send her continuously, not wanting to tire her out to much.

After the post office, they split into groups. Jill and Helen wanted to get a haircut, and Jonne wanted to go to Zonko's Joke Shop.

Gina went with Jonne. She felt uneasy. She wouldn't put it past her family to show up here or send someone to follow her when she left the safety of the school grounds. Jonne, seeing her worried expression, took her hand. 'Thinking about your family?' he asked quietly.

'Sí.'

'Don't worry querida,' Jonne said, squeezing her hand. 'They won't make a scene when it's so busy. And I'm here to protect you. I might not be much use in a regulated duel but I can poke wands in eyes like no one can.'

Gina smiled at him.

The atmosphere in the joke shop was one of excitement. It was packed. Gina watched the happy students peruse through the shelves stacked with joke items Gina had never dreamed of excising. Why someone would even want to invent -or buy- a Nose-Biting Teacup or Frog Spawn Soap Gina didn't know, but lots of Hogwarts students seemed to disagree.

Gina watched Gregory Munts, a chubby Hufflepuff boy, stash up on Dungbombs and Hiccough Sweets while Jonne disappeared in the crowd. Jonne came back fifteen minutes later with a bag, refusing to tell what he bought. Gina had fun guessing what it was during their walk over to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and Tomes and Scrolls, a tiny book shop, where Jonne waited patiently outside while Gina looked around.

'My little nerd,' he said fondly, ruffling through her hair and planting a kiss in her neck. 'Ready to go? I want a drink.'

They met up with Jill, Lorene and Helen at the Three Broomsticks, were they drank warm Butterbeer. The students in the pub were rather loud, not just happy to be out and off the school site for a while, but also anticipating dinner that evening, when the second task would be revealed, which would take place on the 5th of November.

That evening at dinner, everyone finished eating rather quicker than usual, very eager to know what the second task was going to be. Unlike other nights, the hall became very quiet ten minutes into pudding. Some students were actually quietly but firmly 'encouraging' fellow students to eat quicker. Jonne looked indignantly at Gabriela when she put the bowl of profiteroles out of his reach, but he didn't object. Eventually Dumbledore stood up, smiling at the look of anticipation on the students faces.

'As you all are waiting, I will get to the point,' he said in a clear voice. 'The second task, which will take place on Sunday the 5th of November, consists of a challenging obstacle course. Timing will weigh heavily for points this task. The champions will have to try to pass the obstacles as soon as possible, being challenged in many ways. Adaptiveness, creativity, improvisation will be needed. There are many possibilities of things -or beings- blocking your chosen path, and this task will determine which champions are most able to cope with them. As this task will determine which four champions will continue to the third and forth task, we are giving them plenty of time to prepare in any way they see fit. The four champions who complete the obstacle course the quickest, and with the least points taken for injury, will be participating in the third, and the final, of the Triwizard Tournament. For now, that is all. A very good evening to you.'

Before Dumbledore had sat down again, a loud chatter broke out, as everyone wanted to discuss this new information.

'This should be no problem for you Gina,' Gabriela said happily, leaning towards them and looking excited. 'And I'm not too worried myself. It sounds fun.'

José looked less enthusiastic. Gina looked at Jonne, who was staring at a pretty blond girl who was sitting at the Slytherin table.

'What do you think Jon?' Gina asked grinning.

'What? Oh. You know, should be fun.' Jonne said vaguely.

'You didn't even listen did you? Gabriela asked incredulously. 'You are unbelievable. Is sleeping around the only reason you participate in the Tournament?'

'It's the main reason,' Jonne said slowly. 'Well...' He thought for a moment. 'Second is not having to do end of year exams. And not having classes.' He grinned happily, looking very content. 'So three reasons. That's not bad, if I say so myself.'

'You are unbelievable,' Gabriele said fiercely. 'There were a lot of other students who were dying to participate. Defend the honour of Promodores. Of Spain.'

'Yes yes,' Jonne said sounding bored. 'You can do that very well on your own. Besides, only one or two of us will continue to the third and fourth task anyway. And it won't be me.' He got himself another cup of coffee.' I'll be chilling the rest of the school year.'

'There are four students continuing to the next tasks,' Gabriela said haughtily. 'If José had preformed better it could have been the four of ùs. Squashing opposition in only two tasks. It would have been spectacular. A record.'

'Keep on dreaming,' Jonne said laughing. Gina smiled a little too. Gabriela really was very ambitious. Gabriela stood up, looking insulted, and left the great hall, which was still very crowded and noisy. Jonne leaned over to Gina. 'I still have to show you what I bought at Zonko's,' he whispered in her ear.

'Show me?' Gina said smiling. 'Really? This afternoon you were very strict. Keeping secrets and everything. Not even a tiny hint. And now you want to show me?'

'Maybe it wasn't appropriate to tell you this afternoon,' he said a little hoarsely, locking her eyes with his blues ones, unmistakeable longing in his eyes. 'With all those kids around.'

'We were alone,' Gina laughed. 'But I'm interested. Give me a hint.'

Jonne bend over her, putting a hand on her waist and breathing in her ear. 'It can go inside you,' he whispered very quietly. Gina felt her nipples harden.

'You didn't buy that at Zonko's,' she whispered back.

'I did. It vibrates,' he mouthed back.

'What about Clair?' Gina couldn't help ask quietly. She didn't want to take part in any cheating.

Jonne leaned in again, planting a quick kiss in her neck. 'We're not together.' He groaned softly in her ear. 'I'm going to play with your clit until you come screaming,' he whispered. His hand reached out on the table and he took a few cherries from a bowl of fruit, looking at her intently. 'But first I want dessert,' he said hoarsely.

Gina felt very aroused. She looked at his crotch, which moved.

She took his hand and they hurried out of the great hall, making their way across the grounds in the direction of the Promodores carriage.

'Please let not bump into Gonzalez,' Gina wealed softly, when she opened the carriage door. Jonne stroked her bum under her skirt. She groaned a little. A minute later she let herself fall on Jonne's bed, having taken off her clothes. Jonne jumped on top of her, already naked too, kissing her deeply and stroking her between her legs. She pushed herself against his hard chest. When he reached up, rummaging on the bedside table her eyes followed the small stripe of tiny blond hairs on his underbelly, to his erected cock.

He took a cherry, with it's little twig still attached, and put in between his lips. Gina moaned softly when he reached down and drew a trace from her breasts to her belly, than softly nudged her clit with the point of his nose before placing his mouth between her legs and pushing the cherry inside her. He pushed in deeper with his tongue and licked her. Gina gasped when he pulled it out by the twig with his fingers. It was gleaming in the candle light. He sat up and took it on his mouth, biting on it and leaning in to kiss her. Kissing her deeply, she tasted the salty sweetness of the cherry. She closed her eyes in enjoyment when he pushed another cherry inside her. She curved her back when he pushed if deep inside her with his fingers, letting two fingers slide in and out of her.

'You feel so good,' Jonne said hoarsely. He sucked on a hard nipple, and than her belly, the insides of her thighs. Gina felt her insides contract around the round cherry. 'You taste so good.' He licked her before pulling out the cherry and putting it in his mouth. 'Best dessert,' he mumbled, spitting out the cherry pit and sucking on her clitoris.

'Listo ahora,' Gina gasped.

He didn't need telling twice. Jonne pulled a condom out of the upper drawer of his night stand and was on top of her a moment later, penetrating her.

'So impatient,' he whispered in her ear, moving in and out of her, pulling back completely and ramming back in her as deep as he could.

'Oh Merlin,' Gina moaned.

'We haven't even gotten to the vibrating toy,' Jonne groaned.

Gina put her legs firmly around his waist in answer. 'Next- time,' she brought out. 'Don't stop...'

When Jonne licked her neck and her earlobe she couldn't hold it anymore. She came groaning loudly, contracting around his cock, closing her eyes and relishing in the hot waves washing over her. When she finished he pulled back, firmly spreading her legs even wider. He sat on his knees between her legs, removed the condom and placed a hand on his cock, moving it up and down. She knew exactly what he liked, and put one hand on a nipple, pinching it, and another on her clit, rubbing it softly. She bit her lip and softly moaned his name. She watched him come, groaning, his eyes on her hands, his lips slightly parted. He lowered his head, leaning his forehead on her belly, continuing to come, until he was completely empty. He kissed her stomach and when she sat up he surprised her by kissing her on her lips, placing a hand in her neck.

'I love fucking with you, he said fervently. I love you.

Gina grinned. She casts a cleaning spell and reached for her clothes. 'So sleeping with the last few girls was less fun than you hoped?' she asked smiling.

'Oh Merlin.' Jonne pulled his T-shirt over his head. 'You have no idea,' his muffled voice came from under the shirt. His blond head reappeared again and he looked at her putting her bra back on. 'I don't know what it is, but English girls are so complicated. They want so much from me and they don't fucking listen to what I say at all.'

'You are a rather special bird,' said Gina. 'And I say that with love,' she added smiling.

'I know that.' Jonne sat next to her on the bed and leaned against her shoulder. Five seconds later he was kissing her neck again. 'You are really wonderful querida,' he whispered, again in the fervent tone he had used a minute ago. His hand despaired under her shirt and found his way under her bra, softly kneading her nipple.

'Could we-' He hesitated. 'Could we do this more often? You could sleep here sometimes, like the old days...'

Gina leaned away from him a bit. 'Five seconds after sex is a little soon for me, she said smiling, pushing his hand away. 'And you are only saying that because you are a little desperate. You just to need to find the right English girls. Or women.'

Jonne sighed and sat down next to her. 'I would have thought you had more needs than sleeping with me every few weeks or so. Or are you fucking someone else too?'

'I'm not,' Gina said slowly. 'And I don't know...' She looked at her hands for a moment. 'I... fancy someone and I really want to-' She shook her head and stood up.

'I thought so,' Jonne said, looking at her with a calculated look on his face. 'Who is it?'

'Good night Joni,' Gina said smiling, taking her bag and making her way to the door.

'Tell me!' Jonne called after her. 'We'll reel him in!'

Gina closed the door behind her, shaking her head and smiling. She walked into Gabriela when she turned the corner.

'Hi,' Gina said a little flatly.

'Are you finished?' Gabriela asked a little grumpily. She had a steaming tea mug in her hands, which she had apparently just made in the carriage kitchenette.

'Yeah, sorry about that.' Gina couldn't help grin a little. 'But you còuld cast a sound blocking charm in your room you know.'

'Yòu could cast a sound blocking spell,' Gabriela shot back. 'It would be quite polite'.

'So sorry,' Gina said. She was tired and wanted to go to bed. 'It's just that you have to do it every time, you know? Because it wears off.'

Gabriela rolled her eyes at her. 'Yes, good point,' she said a little sarcastically. 'Good night Gina.'

'Buenas noches Gabriela.'

Next morning, Gina saw a picture of herself and Jonne on the front page of the Daily Prophet when she sat down laying next to a stack of pancakes. Jonne was holding her hand and kissed her on the cheek. She recognised the book shop in the back of the picture.

Gina didn't read the article underneath, but starting eating her oatmeal. She wasn't very happy with the piece, not in the least because her mother would be outraged. Her mother didn't like it when Gina was seen flirting or kissing boys she wasn't in a serious relationship with. Gina sighed and pushed the thought of her family out of her mind.

After breakfast, Gina and Jill went down to the Quidditch stadium with Bill and a group of Gryffindors. They were planning on a friendly game of Quidditch and had asked if Gina and Jill would like to watch. They had a good time sitting in the sun in the grass, watching Bill almost flying off his broom when trying a complicated zigzagging move to get past the opposing Chasers, and Elliot Hart miss hit a Bludger spectacularly, causing the Bludger to hit the Whomping Willow, which stood lonely in the middle of the grounds. The tree began to sway wildly and obviously ferociously with its branches and knots, nearly knocking the glasses of a first year Hufflepuff, who was so unwise to stand within its reach. Snape, who had unfortunately seen Elliot hit the Bludger, took twenty points from Gryffindor and gave Elliot detention. They walked walked back to the castle, laughing and chatting merrily, and Gina and Jill ended up having lunch with the Gryffindors, eating pancakes and talking to Bill about spells that would be useful to learn in their next defence group meetings. It was very pleasant not to do homework or study for the Tournament for a while, and she went to bed that evening feeling happy and relaxed.

Severus was in a bad mood all weekend. He had decided to finally pick up the Occamy eggs he had ordered weeks ago at J. Pippin's Potions on Saturday and it had not been fun to watch that Northern kid kiss miss Aldaya in front of Tomes and Scrolls, but he had been even more displeased when he saw their picture in the Sunday edition of the Daily Prophet. Seeing hìm ruffle her hair and kiss her over and over again... After quickly scanning the article Severus had slammed the front page on the table so ferociously Flitwick had given a startled squeak. Severus had mumbled he had seen a fly, what might have been more believable if he had not stabbed his toast next.

The article had stated miss Aldaya had forgiven her boyfriend pretty boy Virtanen for his past missteps, including going to the Triwizard Ball with Clair Bridgewater. The article might have described him differently... That was not the point. Was it true? Were they a couple now? Had they been? Severus had seen the boy leave with Clair Bridgewater at the ball. It had been very obvious they weren't going to say good night to each other with a peck on the cheek in the Entrance Hall. And Severus had seen miss Aldaya standing close to the double doors when they left. She had seen them leave together and had looked totally unfazed. Was she such a good actor? Or was she so in love with the prat she would forgive his philandering?

They did not look very in love, or like they just had a heart warming reconciliation. They were just having breakfast as usual, sitting with the Beauxbatons champions at the Ravenclaw table. They weren't even sitting next to each other of talking to each other. Miss Aldaya was reading a book, something she often did at meal times.

She was wearing a cream white dress of some thick, soft looking material today, which looked warm and comfortable but was tight enough to show the contours of her breasts.

Merlin, what wouldn't he give to-

He sighed. He couldn't visit Samantha again today. Not so soon after the last time. She would start thinking he lìked her. It had been tedious enough to have her spout nonsense about wanting a relationship with him once, about a year ago. He had immediately made it very clear that she should not get ridiculous ideas in her head. She had already looked a little happy to his taste last week. Usually Samantha visited him. And if she would come over too often he would just send her away. He wasn't so stupid as to give her any control over their arrangement. He thought of her long legs and perky breasts, trying to shift his thoughts to hèr instead, but she couldn't keep his interest. Not with miss Aldaya sitting so close to the high table today.

His heart skipped a beat when he looked up and saw her watching him. How he was glad he was a skilled Occlumens. And how she amazed him... She did not look caught or flustered when their eyes met and she did not look away either. Sighing inwardly, he raised his eyebrows a fraction and pretended to continue reading the paper. When he looked up again five minutes later she was bend over her book again.

He watched, seething, as the Northern boy stood up a few minutes later, walking over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders and stroking her hair to one side, planting a kiss in her neck. She pushed him away without looking up from her book. Severus knew that was how two people who were sleeping together looked like. They were too comfortable together. He knocked over his goblet of pumpkin juice, soaking the newspaper, cursing under his breath.

Gina didn't enjoy her classes much on Monday, especially Herbology. In the relative chaos of Greenhouse Seven, students had a lot of room to manoeuvre and talk to each other, while collecting supplies and putting pots away. They were pruning Alihotsy today and Gina really wanted to keep her thoughts with her work, since professor Sprout had said that the leaves of the plant could induce hysteria and uncontrollable laughter when not properly cut and had demonstrated it at the beginning of class, which had looked really easy, but it was difficult. Lucian Bole came up to her from behind when she did a step back to look at her tree from a little distance, startling her and asking her if she lìked boys cheating on her.

'I thought Spaniards were pròud,' Bole hissed softly. 'I didn't expect you to let your boyfriend get away with cheating on you so openly.'

'Since when is slow dancing cheating?' Gina shot back, turning her back on him.

'Where do you draw the line than?' Bole asked in a hoarse voice, bending over her. She froze when he put a hand on her lower back. 'If he screwed her? Would that bother you?'

'I would not mind you leaving me alone,' Gina said, pushing him aside with her elbow so she could reach her pruning shears. 'I'm trying to prune a tree here, but I wouldn't mind cutting something else off so fuck off.'

Bole gave her a furious look but left to his own workstation.

Gina felt a little better when she got her essay on the correct way to graft a Snargaluff back at the end of class by a smiling professor Spout, who had a smear of dirt on her nose and something that looked like a Sneezewort flower in her flyaway grey hair. Gina had gotten an E. Smiling, she left with the Hufflepuffs as soon as the bell rang, so Lucian couldn't walk next to her on the narrow road between the greenhouses and the castle.

Gina had Transfiguration next, and met up with Bill in the Entrance Hall. Chatting about Quidditch and the upcoming second task, they made their way to the third floor. They were working on Trans-Species Transfiguration again today, having to turn Racoon into a Stork.

Gina was very hungry by lunchtime. She ate her way through a stack of toast and descended the steps down the cold dungeons for potions when the bell rang after lunch. When professor Snape told them they would start brewing Varitaserum today Gina could hear Andre and Tarjei groan quietly and Helen even gave a little squeak. Snape ignored them and waved his wand. The instructions appeared on the black board.

Gina couldn't help smile a little when she collected the ingredients she needed. She had brewed Varitaserum, Poción de la Verdad, before, but her fellow students obviously had not. There was a lot of muttering, soft swearing and nervous snapping at each other when people used the scales too long. Gina stared at the instructions when she had almost finished the instructions.

'What is 'poach', Tarjei?'

'What?' Tarjei muttered distractedly, adding Ethanol and stirring so quickly his potion splashed around. Gina held out her hand to stop him.

'Slowly,' she said. 'You're spilling it on people. We'll all start blurting out our secrets.' She looked at the musky potion. 'Well... probably not... What have you done to make it look like a pound here?' She saw professor Snape look at her from two desks down. She thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitch.

Gina finished stage one of her potion, hoping poaching was escalfar, and after getting a nod from Snape, labelled it and set in aside in the ripening cabinet. Snape walked over to next set of desks where the Hufflepuff girls were working. Gina saw Helen look alarmed that Snape already came to check their potions. She was red in the face and looking close to tears. Gina knew she was one of the students who had trouble keeping up, receiving snide comments from Snape quite lot, the most noticeable one Gina heard was Snape telling her she was the only student who was able to brew a Babbling Beverage with Ginger Root, Armadillo bile and Scarab Beetles. Which incidently were the three ingredients needed for a Wit-Sharpening Potion... A potion Gina had learned to brew in her third year. Of course Helen hadn't understood what he mend, though Gina, who had stood behind Helen, had had trouble not to laugh.

When Gina walked back to her desk to clean up, Helen came from out of nowhere, walking right into her. Gina felt her ankle double up and she was on the ground before she realised what happened.

'Oh, I'm sorry Gina,' Helen squealed, looking panic stricken. 'Are you hurt?'

'It's fine. I have flexible ankles. It happens all the time,' Gina murmured. She grabbed her ankle and swallowed, trying to ignore the stabbing pain.

Snape walked over to the uphold of students around the desk. Gina, feeling flustered, made to stand up.

'Sit down,' Snape said curtly. He put a hand on her shoulder to keep her from standing up.

Gina felt a feeling much like an a electric shock when he touched her. Her breath caught in her throat.

'Foolish girl,' Snape growled to Helen. He crouched next to Gina and removed her hands from her ankle.

'I-It's fine,' Gina said quietly. She was a little out of breath. It did hurt very much. 'If I can just get my wand, it's on my desk. I can fix-'

'Just sit still,' Snape interrupted her. His black eyes bore into hers for a second and Gina felt light-headed. She looked at his face when he got out his wand and tapped her ankle. She hadn't been so close to him before and couldn't stop herself from studying his features. His nose was a little crooked and there was a slight crease between his eyebrows. His skin was even paler from up close, contrasting with his black hair and eyes. Gina noticed he had missed a tiny spot below his left ear shaving this morning.

Gina felt the familiar hot and than very cold feeling of a healing charm and she looked down quickly.

'Thank you,' Gina said quietly, not looking up. She was sure she was going to start blushing if she did. Andre and Helen helped her get up.

'Tipos... guys, I'm fine,' Gina said a little irritated. She didn't look at Snape and resumed cleaning up. She still felt flustered and a little embarrassed. The last thing she wanted was look vulnerable in front of Snape. When the bell rang, she hurried out of the dungeon.

Severus felt extremely bad tempered after class. First he had touched her. As if he needed the memory of her soft hands and skin of her elegant ankle in his hands, and her delicious spicy and flowery scent in his mind along with his twisted thòughts of how it would feel to touch her.

Secondly, he had noticed how she had looked at him... He had looked up just in time from healing her ankle to see her gaze fixated on his face. He wasn't stupid. He was trained in observing and reading people. He closed his eyes when he remembered her breath catching in her throat. For some idiotic reason she liked him. The beautiful princess, the most popular and most admired girl at the school, liked him. The most hated teacher, the grouchy sarcastic Potions master. The girl who's ex boyfriend and 'best friend' who kissed her all the time both looked like bloody magazine models. Severus didn't think he was that ugly but that was all you could say about it really.

Severus closed his eyes. This made things much, much worse. It wasn't hard to stay away from her when he thought she was not interested in him. He would never force himself upon her. He wasn't into that sort of thing. He knew some of his fellow- He shook his head.

But that look on her face had shot a wave of longing up his chest so powerful he had wanted to jump on her on the spot. He had felt tingles of electricity run through his body when he had touched her hands.

She is of age, he thought. She is an adult.

He pinched his eyes closed, thinking about her long legs, her firm breasts in her dress robes...

She is a student. A student. He couldn't possibly...

It was such an insane thing to consider he started questioning his mental state. He wasn't a regular teacher. His relationship with Dumbledore wasn't just that of an employer and employee. He needed Dumbledore's trust. To stay out of jail. To stay alive, possibly. He could never regain Dumbledore trust again if he would do what he wanted to so badly. Therefore he couldn't...

He couldn't take his thoughts anymore. Pushing them to the back of his mind, he closed that particular compartment. He would look in there again later. Walking to the door of the classroom, he opened it and let the waiting fifth years Slytherins and Gryffindors in.