They had agreed that she should wear the cloak and walk behind him. And so, Severus marched on, forging a path through the deep snowbank by melting the snow with a heated shield charm. As they rushed up the mountainous path to the Castle, she occasionally bumped into him through an odd dip or sudden rise. Severus looked over his shoulder, glad the gale had erased any evidence of their route.
He was frantically thinking of excuses to give the headmaster for being late. And for being in such a … state.
They were half-frozen from the rather perilous journey up the slippery hillside by the time the courtyard walls came into view. The snow had turned a cobalt blue in the growing night.
In the shelter of the long entrance tunnel leading to the courtyard, Holly grabbed his hand and forced him to turn toward her. Her head popped out of the invisibility cloak, floating close to him. Her face was ruddy from the cold.
"When can I see you again?"
Severus glanced to the sides in search of prying eyes. But only gargoyles stood witness. "Surely you can survive my absence for a few hours," he said coolly, playing for the time he needed to create the artefact for her. It was essential he start this very evening.
Holly's head floated closer, now smiling.
"Then I might visit tomorrow," she stood on her toes to kiss him quickly. Their heads collided painfully and he chuckled, despite his foul physical state.
"You have to," he said. And when she seemed surprised, he clarified, "for a birth control potion."
"For the last time… or next time?" her eyes glinted in the darkness.
"The last time," he said, unphased.
Severus pulled her hand to his lips and slipped off one glove off in the process. She seemed entranced by his unexpected action. He brushed his lips over her cold skin and scars, studying her face as he did so. She seemed to bloom under his touch. A small hand came to rest on his chest.
He kissed her palm before pressing a vial of Dreamless Sleep inside it and dropping her hand again. For a second, she seemed stunned but gathered herself quickly, and, floating closer she pressed her cold lips to his in a desperate kiss that hinted at the wanton desire he knew was pooling between her legs.
Unable to help himself, Severus reached into her cloak to pull her against his body, rubbing circles across her lower back and buttocks. She was warm and soft, starkly contrasted with the biting weather. He deepened their kiss and Holly moaned softly into his mouth. For a short moment they were melted together in the shadows of the cold tunnel.
"Tomorrow then," he stated, pulling away from her magnetic heat with all the strength he had.
"I guess…" she sighed.
"Come," he turned in a flurry of robes, fearing he would give into the temptation to take her right there against the wall.
The Potions Master swept up the spiral staircase to the headmaster's office. It was five minutes past seven. At the top, he stopped to catch his breath, drying his wet cloak, shoes and socks with a quick spell. He rapped on the wood, waiting for the headmaster to grant him entry. Severus rubbed his hands together to warm them up, very much wanting to hide the fact that he had very recently trudged up to the castle through the snowstorm.
No sound came from within.
He tried the handle and was surprised to find the door opening at his touch, revealing an empty office. Several magical wards were set off by his presence, but he was allowed entry. He stood frozen in the doorway, watching for movement.
The old man must be later than I am . . .
It took a while to set in.
Well . . . perfect.
Severus slipped inside, shaking off his cloak and taking a seat by the cold hearth.
He felt more rested than he had in months, which probably had something to do with the six hours of sleep he stole on the floor of the Changing Rooms.
No wonder my back is killing me. Merlin knows all I needed was a good fucking and a six-hour nap with her in my arms.
The memory of their latest divine collision resurfaced in full colour. Her touch was so fresh, and he swore he could smell her on his robes. The memory of her warmth was enough to make his cock harden and his chest ache.
His body was a knot of pain, muscles aching in places he had no idea even existed. His knees and hips felt bruised. And most notably, there was a coiled desire in his loins, yearning for more of the witch. He had tasted the forbidden fruit of her flesh and wanted to gorge himself.
They shared a strange, carnal attraction that compelled them to act like animals in heat when left to their own devices. He could think of no witch that had ever had this effect on him, which was a frightening thought in itself. Lily was only ever interested in being his friend. Whereas Holly wished to know every part of him…
She makes me feel alive. She makes me want to feel alive.
There was no turning back. Severus knew that when she darkened his doorway again, they would fuck.
Let them burn me at the stake then, he decided.
Severus stared intently at the portrait of headmaster Dilys Derwent pretending to sleep.
I will not allow the Dark Lord to harm Holly… or anyone else, for that matter . . . not even Dumbledore. . .
He scratched his chin absentmindedly, wondering when his loyalties had gotten rotten.
I must have lost them in her immaculate little cunt.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Severus smiled to himself, recalling the way he fit perfectly inside her.
She felt like home.
And he was homesick already.
It wasn't until the hearth glowed green with Floo fire that Severus shook himself from the daze and reinforced his Occlumency shields. He held a hand in front of his eyes to protect him from the sudden burst of light heralding the arrival of the headmaster.
Several portraits shrieked at once. Dumbledore was injured.
"Severus," Dumbledore slumped against the hearth, "Severus…" he stumbled forward, falling to his knees on the hearthrug,
"Headmaster," Severus rushed to the crumpled wizard's side, quickly creating an orb of light as he flicked away the corner of his cloak to kneel.
The man looked haggard, the flesh of his right hand blackened and drawn as if dead. "Please..." he begged, eyes unfocused. Then he doubled over.
The following events were a blur: Severus helped the headmaster onto a chaise lounge, ignoring the simultaneous panicked advice of about thirty portraits. He picked up the black hand and inspected the ring on Dumbledore's charred-looking skin, careful not to touch it. He turned the hand over again, trying to decide a course of action. He then retrieved a handful of potions from his stores via Floo, mixing two potions in a chalice he borrowed from Dumbledore's cocktail trolley. A thick golden potion resulted, and he propped the headmaster up, opening his mouth and pouring the thick potion down his throat.
Severus stoppered the empty bottle and began chanting counter-curses under his breath, willing the headmaster to wake up.
But as the wizard sprawled in front of him, Severus could not stop thinking of the vial of Veritaserum burning in his pocket and Holly's absurd insinuation.
The Slytherin inside him reared its head and hissed.
I need to know the truth of the matter . . . before it is too late . . .
The old man was as vulnerable as he would ever be. One drop of Veritaserum and Severus would finally know what to do, how to help her. Besides, the headmaster would have slept it off by morning and be none the wiser.
Dumbledore would rather be buried with his secrets.
Severus's hand shook slightly as he uncorked the vial, keeping the motion hidden from the watchful portraits. He kept his eyes locked on the wizard's lined face for any signs of awareness.
When none was forthcoming, he ran a finger over the Veritaserum vial's wet brim and brushed it over the headmaster's cracked lips before checking his pulse.
Severus was careful to pocket the vial inconspicuously.
Seconds later, Dumbledore's eyes opened. He licked his dry lips and struggled to sit up.
"Save your strength, headmaster. I have managed to contain the curse to your hand," he spoke firmly as he pressed on the wizard's shoulder.
The old man sighed but obeyed, seeing no immediate threat. He closed his eyes and leaned into the pillows Severus had propped him up with.
"What happened?" He demanded gently of the Headmaster.
"I made a mistake, Severus." He lifted the black hand again to emphasise his point.
"Did you plan on getting hurt tonight?"
"I did not plan this," he paused, eyes closed. "But I expected trouble. Please accept my apologies for making you wait. And my thanks for being here. Otherwise, I fear I would have been dead already."
"Why, why did you put on that ring? It carries a curse, surely you realised that. Why even touch it?"
"I... was a fool. Sorely tempted..." Dumbledore whispered, his head shaking.
Severus blinked, unsure what he meant.
"What's so special about it?" he asked, eyeing the black stone on the ring.
Severus willed the Veritaserum to get to work. He could see the old man fighting the truth from spilling over his lips. But he was weakened by the dark curse and quickly lost the mental skirmish. Looking conflicted, he said at last:
"It belonged to the Dark Lord." The old man looked ashen-faced and doubly tired.
"Tell. Me. Everything. And spare me no detail."
Dumbledore looked away, staring instead into the dancing flames as he started to speak.
A/N: Dearest friends, I have all but forgotten about this story and still intend to finish it. You'll be glad to know I've outlined all the chapters and already wrote most of the next three. Thank you to everyone who has followed, favourited and shared their thoughts - you are the gasoline to my fire 3
See you in the next chapter!