To Love and To Lose

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters that you recognize. The new ones are my own creations. The name of the Naked Lady pub I took from a TV program called ‘The A-Team’. Thought if a woa wonderful idea.

I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. But unfortunately Real life rose up and bit me on the ass…But here you go. I hope you enjoy it…if you do…please let me know.

RWH


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Ten


Wednesday evening- Snape’s quarters 4/23

Once more, as a daily result of his enormous tasks as Professor, Severus sat at his desk going over the results of the Dabbelen potion test from the earlier class. He found himself subconsciously nodding at the results of a particular paper in front of him. It hardly bore a red mark on it and the writing was fairly intelligent and conclusive, a most highly enlightening paper over all.

The few good papers in itself was a rarity to his class but the most fantastic thing about this particular one was not the common name of H. Granger on the top but the identity of no other than N. Longbottom. For once, the bane of his existence did not cause any undo disasters nor did he disrupt the class for any reason what so ever. Even the forever-knowledgeable Miss. Granger seemed impressed with how easy the normally incompetent child was brewing that evening. She didn’t have to help him out or whisper words of service once.

He chuckled and gave himself a nice, mental pat on the back. Jessica would be proud of this. He would have to inform her of his success so far, with this little experiment he had going with this boy. Maybe Longbottom would work out after all. If things proceeded along at this rate of…shall we say…non-disastrous ways, he may start to ease up on the lad.

Then he chuckled. “Very doubtful, old man. Can’t let them think you’ve gone soft in your old age.”

Longbottom still had another year to go in his class and had a lot more to accomplish to prove himself worthy of passing potions. Hard work and dedication, aside from an obstreperous atmosphere, would eventually help to build up this child’s mind as well as his phobia to standing up for himself.

Still, one successful potion under his belt should give the lad a since of accomplishment. Maybe enough to pass the class. That is if he deals with the rest of the school year in a similar fashion. There were many more potions to brew and many more dangers to put himself in. He just hoped that the boy could continue in this line of self-improvement.

His thoughts were rudely interrupted as a familiar crackling sound caught his attention. He looked up, chasing all thoughts from his mind, and groaned as he saw the fire in the hearth turn a deep shade of orange.

Someone wanted an audience. He pushed the papers to the side and turned to face the fireplace placing the famous steel mask on his face.

“Yes…who is it? Do you know what time it is?”

A gleeful face appeared in the flames and Severus audibly sighed at the familiar gray eyes.

“What is it Lucius…It’s late…”

The man grinned and tutted at his ‘friend’

“Now, Severus. Is that any way to greet an old friend? I mean, you haven’t been to visit us in months. Certainly you aren’t staying away for a reason?” The man’s voice oozed insincerity as his eyes swept over the dungeon chambers looking for anything and nothing.
woulwould hardly call you a friend, Lucius. What do you want?” Severus glared back at the man deliberately not answering his question.

The face scowled in disappointment for a moment, his brows knitting together in agitation, then, he grinned again showing perfectly even white teeth.

“An invite, Severus. Friday evening I am hosting another ‘party’. I expect you to come, no questions and no arguments. I don’t have to tell you what would happen if you refuse…this time.”

Severus sighed and rubbed his brow. Oh this was just great, even long after Voldemort’s death, the remaining free deatheaters still seemed to revel in these dark orgies. He hated them, hated the ego building, power trips that purposely caused torture and death to women and men. He hated being a part of that in any way. However, To refuse one meant you were harassed constantly, friends and family were not excused from the harassment either. That would mean that if they found out about Jessica. It would be worse for her being that she was a muggle. Since it was Muggle women, that was the victim of choice at these gods forsaken ‘parties’.

He glared at the deep-set eyes of the man that used to be his best friend from years ago. Years that seemed so far away that an eon was to fast and too soon to have been wasted in his dealings with this particular person.

He took a deep breath and clenched his jaw before speaking. “I assume that my own plans are moot with you?”

Lucius grinned with a mean spirited snicker. “I hardly think you have a date, Severus, unless you count grading insolent yard ape’s papers over the weekend more exciting than our revels.”

Snape shook his head. It looked like Jessica would be without him this Friday.

Damn.

He finally ran a hand through his dark hair and gave the figure in the fire a frustrated but resigned sigh. “Very well, Lucius…Friday evening.”

Lucius grinned again and paused before cocking his head at him giving him a curious look.

“You…didn’t…have a date. Did you?”

Severus snarled and stood up pushing his work into a satchel to take back to his chambers. “Like you said many times in the past, Malfoy…Who would date me?”

“Quite.” Malfoy agreed and tilted his head to the dark man in agreement. He shrugged his invisible shoulders before finishing in a primed yet disdainful voice “Until Friday… and Severus… leave the bad mood at home.”

Severus snarled and reached for his decanter, his hand found a double old fashioned glass and he hurled it with all him might at the fireplace as Lucius’s head vanished along with a loud rumbling laugh.

He fell back into his chair and moaned. This was so unfair. After a long week with incompetent children, he longed for a nice quiet weekend away. Now, he would have to endure an evening of drudgery and quick stepping to avoid the things that Lucius no doubt had planned for him.

He was ‘NOT’ looking forward to this weekend, Not in the least bit. He would have to find some way to let Jessica know that he wouldn’t be there.

He paused and thought for a moment… Well, not on Friday at any rate…

He smiled at that, feeling a bit better.

Not Friday…but Saturday…Saturday he will have all day with her, that will have to do…For the time being.


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A/Ns and Acknowledgements:

Leftywrite: I cant help thinking of Severus as completely evil. I always felt he had SOME romanticism in him. I try to bring that out. I hope I succeeded. Thank you for reviewing it means a lot to us amateur writers. Plus I loved that little poem…gonna keep it.

Aprilgrey: Sorry it took me so long for an update. RL has been hectic. I hope you like this chapter. Thanks again for your continued support.

Azkaban’s Worst: Sorry about the short chapters. I am trying to lengthen them. I will happily read and review you fic in response to your kind words here. Thank you for reviewing.

Seraphina: I hope you liked this chapter. I wanted more of Malfoy in this fic so I decided to add some elements. I hope you continue to read. Thanks for your support and comments so far.

Tracy: There’s more to come…thank you for your time to read and more especially…reviewing.

Hope you all liked this one…more will be posted within the next few days.


Red Writing Hood