Ival Pythonica

A/N: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its characters, etc. They are all the property of J.K. Rowling. For no profit of any kind, I am simply borrowing her characters for a short while. Only the Original Character of Megan Malfoy is my own, though her last name is borrowed from J.K. Rowling.

Megan and Lupin walked hand in hand towards the double doors of the front entrance. After Lupin had washed up and redressed, Megan tried to analyze his face. It betrayed nothing but happiness. Megan was tempted to ask questions about the previous odd mood which seemed to disappear, replaced by his normal quiet, calm, countenance.

Earlier, Lupin had pulled on his warmest overcoat which was worn and had been patched in places, a pair of dark blue cotton gloves and dark blue boots almost reaching his knees. Megan had put on her silvery-blue overcoat which was lined with fur, her fur lined black leather gloves and her dark blue dragonhide boots. These also had a soft, fur-like lining. She tied her hair back in its golden ribbon and grabbed her cloak with the fur edging.

When they were ready to go, Lupin grabbed his patchy cloak, took one look at Megan and laughed.

“You look like your going on an expedition to the Arctic Circle! Does everything you own have fur on it?”

“No. The rest of my wardrobe is velvet.” She grinned.

“Your father spoils you rotten, buying you all those expensive clothes. You look far too dressed up to be playing in the
snow.” He looked down at himself. “Furthermore, I feel underdressed next to you.”

“You look fine, Remus! Your clothes fit your personality and mine are just an example of how my father shows love and our status amongst the Wizarding Community. Besides, I love these clothes for winter because they keep me very warm.”

“So be it then. My lady, if I may?”

Lupin bowed mockingly to her and offered his arm. Megan laughed and took his arm, reaching her hand over to lace her fingers in his. They left his apartments and he stopped for a moment, warded the door with his free hand and off they walked to the front doors in a comfortable silence.

Now, they stepped out side and down the steps. The snow was shin deep and the consistency perfect for snowballs and building things. It was the kind of snow so wet and clumpy it seemed amazing it was still frozen.

Lupin and Megan walked around the lake and then stopped at a large tree, where the branches had protected the ground near its base from the storm. Sitting down on the cold but dry ground, Megan rested her head on Lupin’s shoulder and looked straight ahead.

“You know how many years ago I used to sit under this very tree everyday?” Lupin inquired.

“Many years ago I am sure.”

“I, James, Sirius and Peter, but especially I, loved this tree. It has seen and heard so many things over the years.” He sighed and patted the bark of the tree.

“If only branches could talk.” Megan said with a joking sigh.

“If they could, I think I would still be in detention. I know Sirius and James would be.” He laughed.

“You were such a troublemaker back then, huh?” Megan asked.

“Well, no. I was mostly in trouble by association. Your cousin and James were the troublemakers. They caused more trouble than the Weasley twins in their day.” He smiled, starring off as if looking wistfully into the past.

“That is saying something!” Megan raised her eyebrows.

“I was the bookworm. You know, they even made me a Prefect, hoping I would reign in those two? I couldn’t though. They were a force all their own.”

“So, you did as all good friends do?”

“Look the other way.” They both said at the same time.

After laughing, they fell into another silence. Megan looked around her at the beauty of the snow.

The castle looked like a giant multi-layered cake. The snow covered every peak; every window ledge, all the crevices and crannies open to the elements. Some of the windows were lit up with candles in their windows or lights shining from within the rooms. On a second glance, with the lights, it almost looked like a birthday cake. Megan imagined at any moment someone would come along, blow out the lights and cut a chunk off one of the towers, showing the inner bricks like grey blocks of cake. She giggled at the thought.

“What is so funny?” Lupin looked at Megan then the castle.

“The castle looks like a giant birthday cake and I was thinking if I were a giant, I could easily mistake that is a tasty treat rather than a building.” She giggled again.

“You are so ridiculous sometimes.” Lupin kissed her forehead.

“If I have learned anything in this life, you have to laugh or you’ll cry.”

“True, very true, my dear.” He nodded.

Megan stood and walked out from underneath the tree, looking around.

The grounds were coated in white. Every tree top looked like a wildflower, as if you could pick it out of the ground and blow the snow off, scattering it like seed petals. The hills were so covered with snow they had lost almost all their height and slope.

“Isn’t lovely how the snow does this?” Megan said twirling around as light snowflakes began to fall again.

“Does what?” Lupin had come to stand beside her.

“It evens out all the land, covers all the building and trees so they look the same. It covers everything in a blanket of white that equalizes and purifies everything. If only I could roll in the snow and be purified, cured of all this evil put upon me, it would be so spectacular to be so pure again!”

Megan knelt down in the snow and grabbed a handful of it throwing the snow above her head. It fell down around her as she smiled.

“You’re going to get all wet!”

“It’s wonderful! Come on, Remus, play in snow.” Megan beckoned with a glove covered in melting snow.

“Oh, no I don’t think so! I am too old to be playing in the snow.”

“You’re never too old to have fun! Come on, I dare you.”

“No, no. It’s not going to happen.” He shook his head, smiling.

“Oh, is that so?”

Megan reached into the snow and rolled up a snowball. She palmed it from hand to hand, grinning wickedly at Lupin.

“Don’t you even dare think about it, Miss Malfoy!” Lupin backed away, palms extended in front of him.

Megan hurled the snowball and hit Lupin in the center of his face. The snow splattered and slid off his face. It coated his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. The snow was soft enough it didn’t hurt him. Lupin wiped the remaining melting snow off his face and grinned.

“All right, you asked for it!”

Lupin reached down and started to make a snowball as Megan did the same. Lupin launched his snowball and hit Megan in the shoulder. Her return shot caught him square in the chest. They both reloaded and launched again. Megan was quicker, rolling out of the way, the snowball whizzing by her head by inches. Her snowball hit Lupin in the kneecap. He ducked behind the tree and made another snowball, while Megan prepared her next shot. As he crept around the tree to throw, she was nowhere to be seen. Lupin walked forward to where she had been and looked around, for a moment he panicked.

“Megan?”

Suddenly, a hand reached around and smashed a handful of snow in his face. Lupin grabbed Megan’s arm and pulled her down into the snow. They hit the ground, the snow taking the impact, puffing up in a cloud of flakes. Lupin landed on top of her, both of them in fits of laughter. Lupin stopped laughing as the snow swirled down around. He leaned down and kissed Megan.

Megan wasn’t surprised in the least. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing back. She licked his bottom lip, causing him to open his mouth. Her tongue slipped inside and they began to duel with their tongues, rolling around in the snow. Each was fighting to be on top of the other as they kissed deeply. It had a certain heat to it but it was more playful than passion.

After a moment, Lupin pulled back from the kiss, having managed to roll on top again. He smiled and brushed the hair back from her face. The ribbon had been lost in the snow as they rolled around play-fighting and kissing. He sat up and scooted back from Megan, his breathing a little rapid. White puffs of air blew from his lips in quick succession.

“I surrender! Megan, you had best be careful. I said this would have to come from baser instincts instead of romance and you very easily seem to appeal to my lustful natures. We keep kissing like this, I may start doing things in the snow I would rather not.” He breathed deeply and sighed. “I don’t know how any boy has managed to resist you. You are just a flame on the surface but give you a little encouragement and you become an inferno!” He laughed.

“I am sorry. I was just being playful. I got caught up in the moment. Can you forgive me?” Megan pouted jokingly.

“Yes, yes, of course I can!” He doubled over in laughter. “I didn’t say I wasn’t enjoying it. I was in a way giving you a compliment. I mean just look at you lying there.” He gestured over her body. “Your hair spread out over the snow, the sparkle in those blue eyes, a red blush to your pale cheek bones and such a radiant smile. You put those traits together and you get . . .”

“The most beautiful fallen angel to ever grace this Earth.” A voice said, from behind them.

They both looked at the tree behind them.

“SIRIUS!” Megan shouted, jumping up and running over to him.

She threw her arms around her second cousin who lifted her into a spinning hug. He set her back on her feet and held her at arms length by the shoulders. He looked her over.

“My Megan, I missed you so much! Look at you! You got taller and thinner it seems. You have become a stunning young woman.”
He hugged her again tightly.

“You look well, Sirius. I am so glad you’re here but why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I asked you to visit but you never answered my letter!”

“I wanted to surprise my favorite girl for Christmas! I even brought gifts for you.” He grinned.

“You’re staying? You’ll be here the entire Holiday?” Megan jumped up and down, excitedly.

“Yes! I will be here for the next three weeks. I wrote to Dumbledore and he said he would set up an apartment for me on the first floor.”

Megan jumped up and down and hugged Sirius again, nearly knocking him over. She clung to him, the scent of the outdoors and his slightly spicy cologne was so familiar. Megan hugged him as close as possible; she began to cry out of sheer relief and comfort of his presence.

Lupin watched the exchange with happiness of his own. He stood and walked over to Sirius. He patted the man on the shoulder. Sirius looked up from resting his head on top of Megan’s and a wide smile spread across his face. His eyes practically lit up like candles. Sirius was so happy at this moment and Lupin was glad to see them both so happy, until he heard Megan sobbing slightly. The sound wiped the smile off both men’s faces.

Sirius pulled Megan back from his chest and looked at her face. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and smoothed her hair.

“Whatever is the matter, Megan? Why are you crying?” Sirius asked.

Megan didn’t know what to say as she looked into his dark eyes. It occurred to her Sirius didn’t know what was going on or he wouldn’t be this happy. She didn’t want to lie, so she chose a small slice of the truth instead.

“I am just really, really, happy you’re here. I haven’t seen you in nearly a year! I missed you very much.” Megan tried to smile.

“Well, I don’t want to see you cry over it, my dear. You should have told me and I would visited sooner than now. In your letters you sounded fine. I must admit I had no idea.” He hugged her again and then sat down with her under the tree.

Lupin sat opposite them under the tree. He listened but part of him was starting to feel a very large black cloud about to shortly descend over everything.

Once Sirius knew the truth, knew what he was doing with Megan and, better yet, what Snape was doing with Megan, he would blow his top. Sirius had legendary hatred for Snape and everything associated with him. Sirius could barely stand her apprenticeship with Snape, and continually complained to Lupin about it. Sirius even told Megan if Snape ever got out of line, he would take care of him.

Unfortunately, the hatred was shared. Snape resented Sirius in Megan’s life and called him a “distraction” from her studies and a “bad influence for a good witch.” When the shit hit the fan, it was going to be like an atomic explosion and Lupin knew it.

“No more tears. It’s a happy time!” He slung an arm around Megan’s shoulders. “Remus, Merlin, it’s been forever my friend! How are you? What have you been up to?”

“Yes, it has been a while. I have been teaching and reading. Nothing exciting really has been happening.” Lupin shrugged.

“That’s a shame. I was hoping there was some interesting gossip or news, after all I have been gone a year!” He threw some snow at Lupin who dodged most of it.

Megan watched the two old friends chat and took a good look at her second cousin. Sirius looked very healthy since she last saw him. He had put on some weight and filled out his frame nicely. His face still had its narrow features like hers, a family trait, but the cheeks had filled out a little. Sirius’ face had a ruddy glow, his skin a slight tan, his smile and eyes sparkled and his hair fell in shoulder length jet black waves. He wore a jacket, pants, and cloak of a heavy cloth material and a pair of slightly scuffed black boots.

“So, where is everybody? This place is practically dormant.” Sirius looked around.

“Well, I, Megan, Minerva, Albus and Severus are the only ones staying this year. It has been rather quiet.” Lupin eyed the grounds, purposely not looking at Sirius for the second time.

“Remus, you aren’t telling me something. Look at me.”

Lupin finally looked Sirius straight in the face.

“I can see it in your eyes, old friend. And you Megan, you are awfully quiet as well, so that leads me to believe you also know something.” He turned to Megan and an odd look crossed his face as he sniffed the air.

“Megan, you smell like Remus.” He whispered, sniffing again closer to her head.

Megan ducked away from him and scooted back a few feet.

“Well, I gave him a couple of hugs today and was playing in the snow with him, so maybe some of his scent rubbed off.” She shrugged and looked at Lupin.

“Yes, Sirius, you know how you always tell me my cologne is too strong.” He tried to chuckle.

“No.” A confused look crossed his face. “She smells like your essence, as if she has been skin to skin with you.” He leaned across and sniffed Lupin. “And you smell of her essence as well.” A dark looked crossed his face. “Remus, don’t tell me you and Megan . . .”

“Now, Sirius, it isn’t like that at all!” Lupin stood and put his hands up in front of him.

“Then explain why she smells like she’s been in your bed!” Sirius stood, hands balled into fists at his side.

Megan looked between the two men and saw the evitable about to happen. She had forgotten that even after a cleaning spell, Sirius could smell sex or someone else’s scent on a person’s skin. A faint smell meant a hug, a stronger smell meant more hugging or sitting close by one another but if sex or full skin to skin body contact happened, the scent was remarkably stronger. Sirius probably hadn’t picked it up at first because he was so happy to see them. Now, that they were relaxed and talking, Sirius would smell it on the air, on them and the truth would be revealed.

Megan cursed under her breath for what was about to come. She stood and got ready to be assaulted with questions or jump between them, when she saw a figure in the distance. Someone was coming through the main gate and walking towards the castle.

A figure in black swirling robes with a quick stride, carrying many paper wrapped parcels.

Severus Snape.

Megan saw him turn his head and look in their direction.

“Oh Merlin, no.” Megan said aloud.

Neither man heard her.

“Well, Remus! Explain!”

“There is an explanation but it is long and will not make sense unless you allow me to explain it all from start to finish. I am not having an affair with Megan, if that is what you are thinking.”

“You have slept with her, I can sense it! What explanation could make any of this okay?”

“Megan has been cursed by the other Slytherin seven years with ‘Ival Pythonica.’ There are conditions to free her but they are complicated. Are you familiar with the curse, Sirius?”

“She’s been cursed?” He looked at Megan, horrified. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, I . . . I didn’t know where to begin.” Megan sighed.

“I do, I think. Sirius let me explain what’s happened.”

Megan took this opportunity to start walking away. She called over her shoulder:

“You explain it to him; I don’t want to be here when he explodes.” She trotted off toward the figure of Snape.

Snape heard yelling and looked towards the lake. He recognized Lupin and, unfortunately, Sirius Black under the tree having a heated discussion. It occurred to him maybe Sirius was learning about the curse and Megan’s latest activities. He smirked to himself knowing it would burn Sirius Black to know he was sleeping with his precious cousin, whom he counted like a daughter. He stood and watched hoping to see the explosion of Sirius’ infamous temper, but then Megan was leaving them to come to him. He stood still watching her.

Her hair flowed behind her as she jogged through the deep snow. As she got closer her nose and cheeks were pink with cold and effort and her lips were slightly red. She smiled as she came up to him, and he remembered those lips and how he had so rudely assaulted them this morning. A wave of guilt flashed over him briefly as he watched her smile up at him. His heart melted at the sight and he realized how cruel he had been.

“Hello, Severus.” Megan leaned up and kissed him on the lips.

“Megan, my love, it is nice to see you. I thought it would be hours yet.” He glanced up at the clock in the tower. “Yes, it is four hours to go before sunset. As much as I love your presence, you should really be with Lupin. It is a requirement, remember?” He scolded her softly.

“I know. I won’t stray long. I just wanted to see if you were still mad at me, you know after this morning? Your behavior was so unkind after last night I didn’t know what to think.” She looked down at her shoes, kicking at the snow.

Snape set down his packages and sighed. He reached forward and put a finger under Megan’s chin, lifting her gaze to his.

“I am not mad at you, Megan. I had a temper tantrum this morning because you had to leave my bed when I so wanted you to stay. I woke up thinking at first we could spend the day in Hogsmeade, buying supplies and have a nice lunch. Then I remembered you had to run to the arms of Lupin and I became furious. I should not have been so rough and rude with you. I apologize for my actions. Can you forgive me?” He palmed her cheek and brushed his thumb across her lips.

Megan leaned into his hand and closed her eyes.

“Yes.” She opened them and looked up at him. “I forgive you, on one condition.”

Snape raised his eyebrows. “And this condition would be?”

“Kiss me.” She leaned in and whispered.

He leaned forward and whispered against her lips. “It would be my pleasure, my love.”

Snape pulled her body towards him, wrapping her tight against him. He placed a light kiss on her lips, then another and another. The fourth kiss she opened her mouth to his and he eagerly dove into her mouth, kissing her like he could suck the breath out of her lungs. He reveled in the heat of her mouth, dancing expertly over her tongue. Megan moaned but it was smothered by Snape’s kiss. He felt it and heard it, though. He shivered and continued to kiss her, tasting the many flavors of chocolate, snow and mint on her tongue.

Megan entwined herself in Snape’s arms, feeling the passion she only felt with him. Kissing Lupin was nothing compared to the fire Snape caused in her body. It smoldered and burned, she could feel the flames of desire engulfing her body and she was losing herself in the heady feeling of his kiss.

Suddenly Megan was ripped off Snape with such ferocity; she landed on her butt in the snow.

“YOU FILTHY BASTARD!” Sirius screamed.

Megan watched as Sirius glared at Snape, hands balled so tightly in fists at his side, his knuckles were white. Remus had come running up beside him, putting a hand out to restrain him.

“Now, Sirius this is not Severus’ fault! There are other people to blame! This is not the way to handle this!” Lupin pleaded.

“Not his fault? HE and her ASSHOLE father put her in this position by being the traitors they are! She has been cursed because of her lineage but also because of her close relationship with HIM!” Sirius jabbed a finger at Snape.

“Black, I suggest you back off and stay out of this. You aren’t emotionally stable enough to deal with this, let alone intelligent enough.”

“I’m intelligent enough to hurt you.”

“Look, mutt, I do not have time for your games. I know more ways to torture you than your tiny brain can possibly comprehend. You do NOT want to start a fight with me, Black.” Snape stood to full height and glared down his nose at Sirius.

“Mutt? I would rather be a dog than a cockroach like you!”

“At least a cockroach can stay clean. How bad are those fleas this time of year, Black?” Snape sneered.

“I would rather itch from head to toe than rob a cradle!” Sirius screamed.

“What’s the matter, Black? Are you mad that Megan has to sleep with me or that she enjoys it so much so can’t wait to come back for more? You know she has the soft skin I have ever felt and her lips . . . well they can do wonders.” He licked his lips and smirked again.

“You son of a bitch, I’ll kill you!”

Sirius charged the few feet between them. Snape reached for his wand but it was too late.

Sirius swung back and punched Snape in the face. Snape stumbled backwards, spit blood and went to grab his wand again but Sirius was too quick. A punch connected with Snape’s in the stomach. Snape fell and coughed up some blood, spattering the snow scarlet. Sirius went to kick Snape but Snape grabbed his foot and pulled Sirius down into the snow. Snape turned and kicked at Sirius’ leg, which made a crunching noise in the kneecap. Sirius rolled over and managed to kneel, reaching for Snape again.

This all happened so quickly that Megan and Remus had little time to react. Lupin tried to get between them but was pushed away by Sirius after the first punch, knocking him on flat on his back in the snow. By the time both men were on the ground, Megan managed to crawl over and try to get between them.

“SIRIUS, NO!” Megan shouted, as he was lunging for Snape again.

Sirius didn’t seem to hear her. He lunged for Snape, swinging back another fist. Megan dove in front of him to grab his arm but miscalculated. Instead, she put herself directly in the line of fire. Sirius’ heavy fist slammed into Megan’s head, catching her square on the right temple.

Megan felt herself start to fall towards the snow. Her head spun as she landed face first. All she could feel was the cold wetness against her skin as she struggled to move. She couldn’t. Her limbs failed to do as she wanted, even rolling over wasn’t possible.

“MEGAN!” Lupin yelled rushing over to her.

Both men had stopped fighting and turned their attention quickly to Megan. Snape went to roll her over but Lupin got there first and said:

“No, let me! Don’t either of you touch her right now!”

Lupin managed to roll Megan unto her back. He brushed the snow off her face and leaned down to listen to by her mouth.

“She’s still breathing.” He checked her neck. ‘She’s got a pulse but it’s a little weak and rapid. Megan? Megan, can you hear me?”

Megan forced her eyes open; however it took a lot of effort. She looked at the three faces looming over her. Everything looked blurry and double, she couldn’t tell one face from another. She tried to blink but all she saw was the same thing. She tried to sit up with Lupin’s help. He had to pull hard in order to get her in a semi-sitting position. Her limbs still weren’t able to move on their own.

“How do you feel, Megan?” He asked, propping her up in his arms.

“Everything looks blurry . . . I can’t move . . . my head . . . it . . .”

Megan passed out cold, falling limp in Lupin’s arms.