Rom To My Private Dungeon

****

Chapter 10

Maracuja woke the next day with a smile on her face and stretched. It was about 11, and her spirits flew with the birds chirping outside as she smiled at the sun greeting her through the gauzy curtains. She felt refreshed despite having only gotten about 5 hours sleep. Bounding out of bed, she leapt towards the window and threw open the curtains. A couple of birds joined her on the sill, singing as though just for her. Maracuja danced toward the bathroom and treated herself to a bubble bath. Hoping to be able to nick something from the kitchens, she dressed quickly, dried her hair with a wave of her wand, and made her way to the Great Hall.

****

Snape woke the next day with a scowl on his face and stretched. It was about 11, and his teeth grinded at the sound of the infernal birds chirping annoyingly outside. He squinted at the sunlight pelting his brain, which he found too brilliant to be allowed. Picking up his wand, he muttered a spell and the birds went flying. Another wave of his wand and the heavy curtains thudded closed to block out any and all sunlight possible. He felt exhausted, spent from only 5 hours of sleep after his little self-indulgence. Groaning discontentedly, he looked down to see its sticky reminder. Snape mocked himself for his moment of lost control. He wasn\'t particularly hungry, but thought a nice strong cup of coffee and a scone might do. So, after a quick cleaning spell, his clothes found their way into a hamper and his sheets were good as new. Needing to restore himself to a publicly acceptable state, he took a quick shower and threw on a set of everyday robes. Moving slowly, he climbed the stairs out of the dungeon and made his way to the Great Hall.

****

It seemed the entire castle had slept in. Breakfast was normally late on weekends in the summertime, but Dumbledore and the remaining faculty with interns were all just arriving round the table. Neither Snape nor Maracuja heard or saw each other as they entered the Great Hall from opposite sides. He entered the room watching his own feet and grumbling to himself. She floated in blissfully unaware of her surroundings. Suddenly, a shrill cry cut through the room and Madam Pomfrey\'s intern jumped. Hagrid\'s intern had brought a newly-hatched clabbert to the table, removed it from its box and was now feeding it scraps of sausage.

\"It\'s aw-right,\" Hagrid calmed her. \"Clabberts t\'ain\'t no trouble a\' tall. Cute little bugger, idn\'t she?\" The clabbert took a tiny nip out of Hagrid\'s finger as he attempted to feed it another bit of sausage. His intern, pleased with herself, sat the box down on one of the many empty chairs.

Snape\'s scowl deepened as he looked up. His eyes unintentionally locked with Maracuja\'s before taking a glance over the table to find the source of the commotion. His haggard face caught the eye of McGonagall, who smiled broadly and offered him some coffee.

\"You look like you could do with a spot of this,\" she smiled mischievously.

Snape\'s lips twitched into an ironic smile, but he shot daggers at her with his eyes. \"Strange, I don\'t see Madam Hooch this morning. Any idea why she\'s not at breakfast Minerva? I believe you were the last to see her last night.\"

McGonagall shot daggers back at him and hastily reached for the bowl of porridge.

Maracuja made to approach Snape, grabbed the cream from the table and whispered in Madam Pomfrey\'s ear. \"Not much of a morning person, is he?\"

\"Not much of an any-time person, dear\" she responded back.

Maracuja continued her approach. \"Why, good morning. Say, do you take cream in your coffee?\" she toyed.

\"No\" he answered in a sullen baritone voice, taking a seat between two empty chairs. \"Black and bitter. I\'ve no wish to camouflage the taste of reality.\"

Maracuja was not put off by this response. On the contrary, she distinctly recalled a similar mood the day before at lunch. She sat down next to him, smiled playfully and whispered in his ear, \"Black coffee is the elixir of life some mornings.\" He raised one eyebrow to give a biting response, but words failed him from the combination of fatigue, amusement and impressed astonishment fighting for dominance in his brain.

\"Indeed. It\'s a wonder muggles discovered it at all,\" was all he could manage.

At this point, Snape found himself at a loss. He couldn\'t believe how her words had dissipated his foul mood, as he much preferred being angry and dour to nervous and shy.

Maracuja, pleased with herself, took a sip of tea and reached for a scone. After a few nibbles, she remarked to no one in particular, \"These funny little muffins. I like them. We do not have these in my country.\"

\"They are called scones, dear.\" Madam Pomfrey pointed out. \"You might want to try them with a bit of clotted cream and some jam. Quite lovely.\"

This seemed to open the table up to more amiable conversation.

\"Did yer sleep well, Ms. Foy-or?\" Hagrid inquired innocently. \"Some people find it hard their first night in the castle, yeh know.\"

Dumbledore locked eyes with Snape in warning as Maracuja responded. \"Why, yes, Hagrid. Thank you. My room is most delightfully comfortable.\"

Snape and Dumbledore exchanged looks again-Dumbledore surprised and Snape self-satisfied.

Idle chitchat continued throughout the meal-weather, food, that morning\'s Daily Prophet cartoon. At one point Hagrid\'s student lost control of the clabbert and it attempted to climb down the front of her bodice. Snape found to his immense relief that the only comments about the party were a few vague but forced remarks about it being \"fun\" and \"different.\" But shifting eyes and fidgeting body language told the true story. The people at the table were too sheepish and nervous to delve into the subject too deeply. The potions master counted his blessings and hoped it would last.

When he had finished eating, he stood up and excused himself. Maracuja stood and made to follow him.

Dumbledore quickly spoke up before the two could leave, \"I suppose the interns could use a bit of orientating to our summer schedule. For those of you who are unfamiliar, we hold weekend brunch from 10 - 12, tea at 4 and dinner at 8. During the week, mealtimes are 8am, noon and half-six. But interns, particularly those who have never been here before, may want to spend some time exploring the grounds and Hogsmeade. Unlike the regular academic year, students and staff are welcome to take their meals off the grounds. And, of course, there are those who know how to tickle the pear. Now, as this is a Saturday, I imagine some of you may wish to go exploring. I leave it up to interns and faculty to determine whether to start today or on Monday.\"

There were nods of acknowledgement and then \"tickle the pear?\" could be heard in soft murmurs and giggles as people exited the Great Hall and the food vanished from the plates.

****

Snape paused a moment to consider his plans for the day. He was eager tgin.gin. Yet, he couldn\'t deny a certain nervousness, wondering how to proceed after their dalliance the night before.

\"Potions ingredients!\" he thought. \"Yes. Women love to shop. And I won\'t have to face her alone-yet.\"

On that thought, he turned around mid-pace and faced Maracuja. \"Have you been to Diagon Alley?\" he enquired.

\"Diagon Alley?\" she repeated questioningly. \" I\'ve heard, but never been. Any reason in particular you ask?\"

\"Yes. Well, I should think it would be prudent if I introduced you to my suppliers. You will need to know how to shop for ingredients, and I\'ve no intention of allowing anyone to cheat you in your transactions.\"

Maracuja smirked. \"You think I will get cheated by your English shopkeepers? Ha! Rom women are well versed in the ways of men trying to take advantage of them. Just wait and see.\"

Snape briefly ruminated over the thought of any man taking advantage of Maracuja, and then raised an amused eyebrow. As he made to leave the room, he instructed, \"Meet me in my office in 15 minutes. We can floo from there. I\'ll arrange to unlock my fireplace so the main network can be temporarily opened.\"

\"Oh,\" she grimaced, \"I, I do not floo.\"

\"What do you mean you \'do not floo\'?\"

\"I am allergic to floo powder. I can tolerate speaking to someone, but to use as transport will make me ill. No, we must find another way.\"

Snape sighed in annoyance. \"Well, nobody\'s perfect\" he thought. \"Very well, then. We can fly.\"

\"Hmmm. I am afraid I am at a loss. I did not bring a broom,\" she confessed.

\"We can both ride on mine\" he responded dismissively, without thinking, and waved her away.

Out of nowhere, Dumbledore interrupted. \"Are you going to Diagon Alley today? Would you be so kind as to obtain some fresh Jobberknoll feathers? I should like to do a little experiment this summer with memory potions. Oh, and would you fetch me a few packets of Polos? You know, those lovely little mints with the holes in the middle?\"

Snape groaned internally and rolled his eyes, but agreed.

****

15 minutes later, Maracuja quietly appeared at Snape\'s door. She found him in his stores, rechecking his stock and quietly making notations. She noticed again how elegant and relaxed he seemed when no one was around. His unconscious, graceful body movements were fluid as he alternately reached up, bent down and glided from shelf to shelf like a dancer. The quill in his hand made a slight scratching noise as he updated his list. She did not know why, but this made her smile.

She gently rapped on the door to get his attention. He spun round, his robes following his body movements with a barely audible swoosh.

\"I am just about ready,\" he confirmed, making one last notation.

Snape put away the scroll and collected his broom. Maracuja watched as he set the wards on his doors and made sure everything was secure.

\"You have much security here,\" she observed. \"Are you worried, even with the children gone?\"

\"I am always worried,\" he warned.

On that note, he silently turned around and led the way out. As they made their way through the castle to the front doors, Maracuja could not help but wonder why this man seemed so cautious. Overcautious, in her mind, but then she knew there was more to him than what lay on the surface.

Once on the grounds, Snape mounted his broom and gestured for Maracuja to join him.

Maracuja sat down in front of him and leaned back. Snape wrapped his arms around her and instinctually began smelling her hair. It was fragrant but exotic-rosemary, orange blossom, freesia. She was so warm and sweet in his arms. He revelled in the embrace for a moment, nearly submitting to her warmth by responding in arousal before returning to his senses. \"I\'ll never be able to navigate like this!\" he thought to himself.

\"I think it\'s best if you ride behind me and hold on,\" he instructed in his most convincing neutral tone.

Maracuja was disappointed. She rather enjoyed the feel of Snape\'s embrace. But, following his instructions, she stood up and sat down behind him. Wrapping her arms tightly around his middle, she comforted herself in resting her head against his back.

Unseen to each other, they again wore identical smiles as the broom took flight.

****

The time seemed to fly along with them, and before they knew it Snape was safely landing the broom in front of Flourish and Blotts.

Their first stop was the cauldron shop.

\"Though I am not in need of any cauldrons, I thought you might enjoy perusing their interesting supply of equipment. Mind you, I do not recommend anything other than the standard pewter or cast iron cauldrons.

He pointed to the display in the window. \"Self-stirring cauldrons are fine for housewives making soup. But do not think for a minute they can replace individual wand technique for even the simplest of potions.

Maracuja reflected back on Snape\'s wand technique the day before. A smile crept across her face. \"I am interested to learn more about your wand technique,\" she tentatively whispered. \"I was much impressed with the results on your last potion.\"

Snape stiffened and quickly glanced about to see if anyone could hear them. \"Still interested in me\" he noted to himself with pleasure. Thinking about the wand technique he\'d like to show her, Snape gave her an uncharacteristic wink, cleared his throat and responded, \"undoubtedly.\"

Encouraging her to have a look around, Snape approached the shopkeeper and informed him of the special order Neville Longbottom\'s grandmother would be making, so he knew it met Snape\'s approval. Then, glancing downward he found a new stock of phials in the counter display. He called Maracuja over to see them. \"I noticed these phials are charmed to withstand movement. You might find them useful during your travels.\"

Maracuja nodded in agreement and came in closer to examine them. It seemed that, in addition to a few standard charms, they were made of a special \"unbreakable\" muggle ingredient that did not contraindicate with any potions making. Pleased with this find, and the thoughtfulness she felt Snape had displayed, she gave the shopkeeper 4 galleons and pocketed her new purchase.

When they exited the shop, Maracuja turned to Snape and gently squeezed his arm. \"That was thoughtful, Severus. Thank you,\" she said softly but seriously.

Snape looked down and into her eyes. He wanted to kiss her just then, but settled on a nod of acknowledgement. They stood silently for a moment, regarding one another. Snape found himself once again filling with nervous tension, his heart rate increasing and his mouth slightly drying. \"Do I allow myself this?\" he struggled inside.

They were not granted much time to admire one another. Diagon Alley had become more crowded and people began to push and shove their way past. Taking that as his cue to move, Snape ran his hand down her arm and to her lower back, leading the two of them towards Slug & Jiggers Apothecary. In the slightest of movements, he grazed the inside of her palm with an index finger. They both shivered slightly at the subtle intimate contact and she gave him a brief smile. His confidence increased.

Perusing the wares set out front of the apothecary, he warned in Maracuja\'s ear. \"Never purchase black beetle eyes from the barrels before the store entrance if you can help it. While they are fine for everyday student use, in small supply stores they are usually old and tend to disintegrate into dust before you are ready to use them. It is much preferable to keep a supply of live black beetles on hand to harvest as needed.

Maracuja listened attentively.

\"Boomslang is best purchased whole and shredded as needed. Any of these pre-packaged supplies are designed for convenience, not efficacy. Laziness will unequivocally provide poor results.\"

Maracuja nodded in agreement just as the shopkeeper emerged from behind a door.

\"Ah. Professor Snape. So glad to see you again,\" came a slightly slimy voice from the vendor. He was a short, wiry man with manic grey hair, a patchy beard and stained fingers. \"May I be of service?\"

\"Indeed\" Snape responded dismissively. Then, in his most commanding tone he warned, \"Please allow me to introduce Ms. Feuer. She will be assisting me. Since she may be purchasing supplies on my behalf, I expect you will treat her as though you are dealing directly with me. Any change in the quality of my supplies and, well, let us say you will not be pleased with my reaction.\"

The shopkeeper shrank in response, but quickly regained his composure. \"But of course,\" he responded cordially. \"I would never do anything to...offend...one of my best customers. Especially not to a lady as pretty as this.\" He gave a sleazy grin and Snape wondered how the man ever survived on Diagon Alley when he clearly seemed more well suited to Knockturn Alley.

Maracuja stepped forward and gave the man an imposing once over before speaking. A cold \"Good answer\" was her only response.

The man cowered in surprise.

\"By Merlin, she knows how to take care of herself\" Snape thought, and a spark of pleasure went off inside him.

Snape handed the shopkeeper his list, with instructions for shipping location and time. \"As per usual, I will pay upon inspection of the item\" he reminded the man.

The shopkeeper grumbled, but agreed to the terms. He always agreed to these terms. Snape was one of his most profitable accounts, owing to the vast amount of supplies he needed during the academic year. \"T \"The Jobberknoll feathers are for Headmaster Dumbledore. You need not owl them, I will take them with me,\" he instructed further. The exchange of Galleons was made and Snape slipped the feathers into one of his robe\'s pockets.

Snape left the apothecary with a curt \"Good day\" thrown at the shopkeeper. The potions master held the door open for Maracuja, who swept through the door ...and promptly collided into a girl with bright pink hair who had come barreling through at that very moment.

\"Oh, I\'m so sorry miss\" she blurted out, \"there I go again, just bumping into people.\"

Snape walked out and reached down to give them both a hand.

\"Professor Snape!\" came a squeal as a thin blur jumped up. \"It\'s me! Nymphadora Tonks!\"

Snape squinted his eyes in disdain. \"Ah, yes. Ms. Tonks. Still attempting to master that most useful skill of placing one foot in front of the other I see. To what do we owe the pleasure?\"

Tonks ignored the insult and jumped up to give him a hyperactive hug. Snape stiffened under the embrace and did not return the gesture.

\"I got in!!! I got in!!!!\" she squealed again. \"I\'m going to be an auror! I start training in a fortnight. I thought you should know-they were particularly impressed with my proficiency in Potions. I owe you such a debt of gratitude. I couldn\'t have done it without you.\" She gave him an affectionate tap on his arm with her fist.

Snape betrayed himself with a fleeting smile, but quickly recovered. \"Congratulations, Ms. Tonks. I suppose the safety of the wizarding world may one day lie in your hands. Merlin help us all.\" He paused briefly, and then offered, \"You owe me no debt, Ms. Tonks. You worked hard for this. I am just relieved to still be in possession of most of my storage jars.\"

Tonks laughed in response. \"You are so funny! Well, guess I\'ll see you around.\" Without a second glance, she scampered. .

Maracuja dusted herself off and chuckled. \"Aw, how sweet, Severus. You should be proud.\"

\"I fulfilled my duties, nothing more. Now, about your education...\" he started.

But Maracuja scooped her arm in his and headed them towards the Leaky Cauldron. \"I see I am not the only one who finds you funny.\"

\"Only because she is no longer my student,\" he noted dryly.

A blackboard outside the Leaky Cauldron advertised \"Garden now open! Summer menu available! Why not enjoy a tall refreshing butterbeer?\"

Maracuja gestured. \"I think it\'s time for a break,\" she smiled.

****

A/N: Thanks everyone for your patience and interest. Real life definitely got in the way, but I hope to heat things up again soon.