Chapter 10 - Revelations
I had been away for the weekend to visit my parents. I was in need of the break and I was missing them dearly.
I enjoyed myself, we went out for a meal, caught up on everything, went bowling, the cinema, usual muggle activities. It was nice to be back to 'normal' for a few days.
It also helped me to take my mind off of him.
Severus Snape.
But now, another school week begins, and I am back to reality.
In good news, however, Dumbledore had allowed for us to have a ball. We had so much going on with studies and the rising of the Dark Lord, we all needed a little pick-me-up. So at least there was that to look forward to.
I was getting ready for the ball. I slipped into my gorgeous red gown, I bought it with my parents at the weekend. They helped me to choose it, so it added sentiment.
It was a boho style dress, it hugged my curves nicely and splayed out into a beautiful train behind me. A sexy split down the middle-ish part to expose my right thigh. Gold embedded at the waist and under my bosom. The dress was strapless, exposing my shoulders. The neck exposing my cleavage in a sophisticating way, leaves more to the imagination.
I wore my hair up in a half up half down style, my hair cascading in beautiful curls down my back. The other half worked up into a neat bun, where a Slytherin clasp held it into place. A nice touch, even if I do say so myself.
My makeup was light, my lips baring a beautiful deep shade of red lipstick. I had simple gold swirl earrings, and a long gold necklace that plunged down my cleavage to accentuate that area. For the first time in a long time, I felt sexy, I felt amazing.
As a finishing touch, I pulled on my long red gloves that reached my elbows. I couldn't just walk around with my dark mark on display.
I sighed as I covered it, pulling the glove to fit neatly.
I sat on the bed and slipped on my red silhouettes, and said a silent prayer that my feet would survive the night in them.
I got up, straightened my dress, and walked out of the dormitory. The other girls were already dressed and in the Great Hall. I was running fashionably late.
In the common room area stood Draco, checking his watch.
We had agreed to go together. We were best friends and instantly knew we were going to go together. We didn't even have to ask. He just asked what colour my dress would be and that was that.
He was clad in a red suit to match my dress. White shirt, with a red bow tie. His bleach blonde hair slicked back. Black shiny smart shoes to match. He looked amazing.
How is he single again?
Then again, Draco was picky when it came to dating. But him and Pansy Parkinson were becoming close so fingers crossed the dating train has finally left the station. A choo choo!
Draco's head snapped up as he heard my heels on the stone steps as I walked down them, my hand on the rail gracefully.
His mouth gaped open, his jaw almost hitting the floor.
'Holy fuck, Cleopatra.' He choked as he ran his hand through his blonde hair, straightening the slick-back style.
I blushed as I walked over to him as he looked me up and down.
He held his arm out for me to take.
'Now I see why you were named after an Egyptian Queen.' He chuckled.
'You look incredible, your future husband is a lucky, lucky man.' He winked as he escorted me out of the common room.
'You look rather dashing yourself!' I said as I squeezed his arm.
The doors to the Great Hall opened upon our arrival.
The room was full, beautifully decorated, I could hardly recognise the room. Flowers and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. White roof canopy chiffon curtains draped across the ceiling. Ice sculptures dotted here and there, a small platform stage where the musicians were performing. The ball was beautifully and very well orchestrated.
Every student and teacher wearing their best outfits. Ball gowns and suits everywhere you turn. The room was beaming with celebrations.
The room momentarily went quiet upon mine and Draco's arrival.
A few gasps and whispers were heard as we walked in.
A group of Hufflepuff girls even called me beautiful. Very sweet.
Harry, Ron and Hermione came running up to us, Hermione fussing over my dress and complimenting it. She also looked stunning in her ball gown. Everybody looked incredible.
The hustle and bustle quickly resumed as we mingled. The teachers too far away to spot any of them just yet.
The orchestra began to play, a very beautiful classical piece. Draco held out his hand with a smile.
'May I have this dance, Queen Cleopatra?' He said with a grin.
'Oh yes, kind Sir, I would love to.' I giggled as I took his hand.
We waltzed to the music. We were actually rather good at it, catching a few eyes.
Draco spun me around into a dip, I threw my head back to emphasise the dip when my eyes made direct contact with Lucius Malfoy. He was watching me with absolute hunger in his eyes.
As Draco pulled me back up to him I whispered to him in a panic.
'You never told me your father would be here!'
Draco's head snapped in the direction his father was as we danced.
'I don't talk to him anymore, Cleo. I had no idea. I'm sorry-'
'Don't apologise, Draco. Of course you wouldn't know, I should have realised.' I smiled softly as I rested my chin on his shoulder as our dance was coming to an end.
Again my eyes going back to Lucius'. Jealousy was brimming in his eyes at mine and his son's closeness.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Breathing in Draco's scent that calmed me down, as he rubbed my back reassuringly.
The music came to an end and the room filled with applause, Dumbledore and McGonagall stood on the outskirts beaming as they clapped us. The other teachers following suit. But I didn't see Snape here...
Knowing him, he's probably on duty making sure nobody is up to no good.
I pulled away from Draco. He kissed my hand softly and smiled reassuringly.
'Hey, I'm here. You'll be fine, don't worry.' He said gently.
I smiled and nodded.
The rest of the night was going smoothly. We were laughing, dancing, drinking (the Headmaster allowed some alcoholic beverages for sixth years and seventh years. We had enough teacher supervision that they deemed it okay).
I caught a glimpse of Professor Snape.
He was mid conversation with the Headmaster when his eyes did a double-take spotting me.
'Yes but by the time it comes to their newts, they'll--'
He stopped his sentence. His eyes fixated on me. Taking in my appearance, his mouth open slightly in disbelief. I noticed by his chest movement that he took a sharp inhale.
My heart fluttered.
I noticed Dumbledore catching on. His eyes sparkled as he nodded and slowly backed away from Snape. Giving him his moment.
I hadn't seen Snape since his confession to Draco about him being in love with me.
We both were frozen: our eyes locked from across the room. Again, feeling like there was nobody else there but me and him.
He looked like he was in awe.
His stare went from my face, down my body, lingering slightly on my exposed thigh, and then back up to my face again.
I'm sure I saw him mouth the word 'wow' but that could have purely been my imagination.
His eyes came back up and locked with mine one last time, I could see the emotion in his eyes. I smiled a small smile, and even offered him a seductive wink. He let his mask slip temporarily at the sight, but he quickly put his guard back up, and shook his head as he broke the stare. He turned and upon noticing that Dumbledore had gone, Snape left the room.
My heart was beating so fast before Draco came up behind me.
I turned to him.
Draco had had a bit too much to drink and was starting to slur his words. I couldn't help but giggle at him.
I hadn't had quite as much as him but I had had enough that I was tipsy.
'Am gonna go shpeak- I mean speak to Pansy.' Draco hiccuped.
I laughed and nodded. 'Shoot your shot, I believe in you!' I cheered.
Hopefully the liquid luck of alcohol will build his courage up to ask her out. She's very accepting of mine and Draco's friendship. Doesn't question it or berate it. She supports us. And it's amazing to see Draco so laid back and happy tonight.
'I've got my fingers crossed!' I shout after him.
He drunkenly put a thumbs up and blew a soppy kiss to me. 'You'll sti-hiccup-still always be me-hiccup number one!' He shouted back. I laughed and shook my head.
He's my best friend in the whole world and I'm so grateful for him.
I smiled to myself as I walked over to the drinks table to pour myself another glass of red wine. The images of Snape and how he was looking at me flashing through my mind.
As I was pouring, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
'You look absolutely stunning tonight, Miss Rivera. Breathtaking. I am very lucky to have been able to... experience you.' Lucius whispered as he ran a hand down my arm.
I stepped back with my glass in hand.
'Don't give me a reason to throw this drink all down you and ruin that lovely suit of yours.' I said menacingly.
As soon as I am away from Draco he appears like a rat up a drain pipe. How predictable.
'What do you want, Mister Malfoy?' I asked as politely as I could muster.
'Isn't it obvious? I came here to see you. As Governor, I'm lucky enough to get invited to these events. And what a perfect opportunity to see you...' his eyes trailed up and down my body. His eyes lingering on my chest, and then on my exposed thigh. He licked his lips and stepped forward. Resting a hand on my shoulder as he leaned to whisper in my ear.
'How I'd love to ride that dress up your thigh and fuck your brains out until you don't even remember your own name.'
I shivered. Suddenly feeling very warm in my pelvic area
I shook any thoughts out of my head and straightened myself.
Lucius smirked, he knew what effect those words had on me.
'As I have already told you, Mr Malfoy. We cannot continue this... relationship.' I said steadily.
Before I gave Lucius a chance to reply, I turned on my heel and walked away. The train of my dress billowing at my movement. I looked over my shoulder and saw Lucius' eyes fixated on my ass.
I looked forward again and rolled my eyes.
I walked out of the room into the corridor, glass still in hand. I rounded the corner to where it was more quiet, the sound of my heels clicking on the stone flooring echoed off the walls.
I stopped and I leaned back against the wall and sighed. Lifting the glass up to my mouth to take a large sip of the content. I closed my eyes as the liquid warmed my throat, feeling the alcohol go straight to my brain.
Just as I opened my eyes, my hand with the glass in was slammed into the wall behind me, causing the glass to fall from my hand and shatter to the floor.
'Lucius!' I yelped.
'Cleo, we need to talk.' He said sternly. My wrist still in his grasp.
'Lucius, I don't understand why you can't just-'
'I'm in love with you.' He growled.
I froze.
'At first I thought it was just raging lust. But you're all that I can think about. You run through my mind daily. Your beauty. Your body. It has a vice like grip on me. And I need you, Cleo.' His voice sounded desperate.
My mouth was open in shock. My eyes searching his for answers.
'From the moment you were on top of me in that alleyway, your courage to poison me. The first time I felt your lips on mine, a cursed one yes, but it was then that I knew you were the one. I just can't get enough of you.'
Lucius' free hand went straight to my thigh, lifting it and wrapping it around his waist.
'You can't say you don't feel the same...' He purred as his hand went higher and higher up my thigh.
'Lucius, I--'
Just before his hand could go any higher, footsteps quickly rounded the corner.
'Get your hands off of her, Mister Malfoy.' Came the distinct voice of Severus Snape.
Lucius let go of me, raising his hands up 'innocently'. You could hear my heel make contact with the floor when he let go of my thigh.
I rubbed my wrist uncomfortably that was previously pinned to the wall.
Snape's eyes flashed to me momentarily with a look of concern, before they snapped back to Lucius and the look changed from concern to pure rage.
'Ah, here he is again. Coming to Miss Rivera's rescue. Ever such the Knight in Shining Armour you are, Severus.' Lucius drawled.
'And what exactly makes you think that it is appropriate to have a student pinned up against the wall? Who is clearly in a vulnerable state from inebriation.' Snape gestured to the broken glass on the floor where the spilled wine had pooled.
I hadn't drank THAT much. I thought to myself. But that was beside the point.
'Relax, Severus. No harm has come to the girl. It was all consensual.' Lucius snarled.
"The Girl."
'It didn't look very consensual to me, Lucius.' Snape growled.
'Come on now, Severus. Don't tell me you're jealous.' Lucius chuckled.
'Merely protecting my student.' Snape said through gritted teeth.
'Okay then, so you won't mind if I do this...'
Lucius then turned and crashed his lips to mine.
My eyes were wide open, my hands up, palms facing out by the side of my face as I murmured in protest, the sound of my voice being muffled by Lucius' mouth.
My eyes shot to Snape. His face was full of rage.
Snape grabbed Lucius by the scruff of his coat and threw him back, causing Lucius to fall onto his backside on the floor.
Snape then instantly stood in front of me, his back to me, covering my body with his.
'May that be the last time you ever lay your hands upon Miss Rivera.' Snape said warningly, his wand raised, pointing directly at Lucius' chest.
Lucius was propped on his elbows. His chest rising and falling quickly as he blew a strand of hair out of his face.
'I can't promise anything.' Lucius grinned.
Snape didn't lower his wand.
I was incredibly turned on by his protectiveness.
Lucius got up to his feet. He placed a finger on Snape's wand, lowering it gently. He then looked over Snape's shoulder at me.
'See me tonight, Princess.' He purred.
That was it for Snape.
He stuffed his wand in his sleeve, balled his hand into a fist, pulled it back and landed the most hardest punch I've ever seen. So hard it sent Lucius flying back and blood spatting everywhere from his nose.
'OOMPH! What in Merlin's FUCK, SEVERUS!?' Lucius yelled as his hands held his now very broken nose.
'Give me a reason not to kill you, Lucius. I beg you.' Snape's voice was full of sarcasm as he remained standing in front of me.
My mouth opened in shock.
'You will regret this, Severus.' Lucius spat.
'I am nowhere near finished with you, Cleopatra.' Lucius snarled as he stormed away. His dripping nose leaving a trail of blood behind in his absence.
Snape slowly turned to look at me.
Our first time being alone with each other since the Amortentia tuition.
'Are you alright, Miss Rivera?' His tone was professional, but I could hear the emotion behind it.
I nodded sheepishly.
'Thank you.' I whispered.
'Won't you get into trouble for-'
Snape held his hand up to silence me.
'I will deal with that, Miss Rivera. My only concern right now is you.' He said delicately.
I bit my lip, flooded with emotions from how caring and protective Snape was being.
Without even thinking, Snape brought his hand up to my face, running his thumb along my lip to stop me biting it. Just like he did the first time.
I felt butterflies in my stomach.
'It's a bad habit, Miss Rivera. Those beautiful lips do not deserve such self-devouring.' As if catching himself on what he said, he pulled his hand back and stepped back.
'I-I'm sorry, Rivera. I-' He stuttered.
I reached out and took his hand in mine. I placed his hand on my cheek and leaned into his touch. He instantly relaxed.
'Please don't apologise. You've done more than enough for me.' I whispered.
I stepped forward, keeping his hand on my cheek.
'No.' Snape said sternly as he gently pushed me away.
'We have spoken about-'
'Why do you do it!?' I snapped. I couldn't hold it in any longer.
'Why do you keep denying me and pushing me away when we BOTH know that that isn't what you really want.'
'Miss Rivera, you are drunk.' Snape said through gritted teeth.
I growled.
'Fine, I'm slightly tipsy, but not enough that I don't have my wits about me.' I said angrily.
'Really? Your "wits" about you? The same wits that wound up having you pinned in a quiet corner by Lucius Malfoy?' He snapped back. Instantly regretting what he said.
I stumbled back, as if his words physically attacked me.
'Rivera-'
'No. no im tired of this SHIT, Snape.' I dabbed beneath my eyes at the tears that were threatening to ruin my makeup.
'I'm not Lily. I never was, and never will be. Yes, her fate was fucking AWFUL, and I'm sorry about that, but it wasn't your fault. Don't tarnish me with the same brush as your past.' Snape's eyes widened slightly at my sudden confrontation.
I started walking towards him slowly.
'You think that pushing me away is going to make your feelings for me disappear? You're wrong.' My eyes narrowed dangerously.
Snape scoffed. 'What feelings? Miss Rivera, this teacher student crush fantasy that you have going on isn't-'
'I know that you are in love with me.' I interrupted him.
He froze before forcing a fake laugh.
'In love? With a student? Don't be so-' I interrupted him again.
'Fine then! Denial is a river in Egypt, Professor. And last time that I checked, we're not in the middle of a fucking dessert.'
Snape looked bewildered.
'Please inform Draco that I will return tomorrow morning.' I slurred my words slightly, the dehydration from the alcohol really kicking in.
'And where do you think you're going?' Snape retorted.
'You heard Lucius. He told me to meet him tonight.' I was just about to walk past Snape as I said 'And if you won't-'
Before I could finish my sentence, Snape grabbed me by the arm and slammed me against the wall.
I yelped from the startling motion. Grunting slightly when my back hit the wall.
'You stupid girl.'
Oh he was angry.
'All of that just for you to go crawling back to him? What is wrong with you?' Snape shouted.
'You wanted him dead when you first met him, and now you want to crawl into his bed?' His voice was full of venom and... was that... hurt?
Shit.
I couldn't tell him, nor would I ever tell him about my actual relationship with Lucius. And how this would most definitely not be the first time we would engage in coitus.
'It was a joke.' I muttered.
Snape let go of me and ran a hand through his black hair.
'Follow me. I don't feel safe leaving you alone now I've seen Mister Malfoy's interaction with you. We'll sober you up and then you can return to your dormitory.' He said plainly as he turned on his heel and began walking towards the stairs that led to the dungeons.
I rolled my eyes but obeyed as I followed him. My heels clicking on the stone flooring.
Snape briefly glanced over his shoulder at me.
Fuck me, she is absolutely stunning. She could truly have any man she wanted. Snape thought to himself as he continued his path to the dungeons.
'My pepper up potion stash is in my chambers locked in a cabinet. It is your choice whether you want to enter or remain outside.' He spoke as he walked.
I smiled to myself at his gentleman like nature. Well, from an outsider looking in, my Potions Master twice my age leading me to the dungeons whilst I'm intoxicated does seem a wee bit inappropriate. But I understand his concern. And I've always felt safe with Snape.
'I'm okay with coming in, Professor.' I responded.
Snape nodded silently.
We rounded the corner to his chambers.
He muttered the password that granted us entrance. We entered and I sat myself down on the sofa that I remember very well from the night that I came back an absolute mess from becoming, or rather forced into, a Death Eater.
'Make yourself at home why don't you.' Snape drawled sarcastically.
I grinned to myself...
...This is going to be an interesting night...
End of Chapter...
ooooo I'm keeping you on the edge *evil laugh,
what do you think is going to happen?
See you in the next one xoxo
