Of Death and Fire

what dreams


CHAPTER 12: "In that sleep of Death, what dreams may come?"
 
Hagrid was quick to carry Morgaine's unconscious body to the hospital and place her on a bed. Madame Pomfrey took a brief examination of her condition and she was not pleased with her findings. Seeing her frown, Dumbledore asked for her estimation.
"Not good, Headmaster", replied the Mediwitch. "All of her vital energy is drained and the only thing that has kept her breathing is her elven blood. I fear to say she won't survive the night. But she does, she'll probably have a good chance of getting over it".
"Is there any assistance you require, Poppy?" asked Dumbledore, placing his palm on the elf's forehead. It felt cold and dry. It felt dead. The wizard tried to hold back a shiver.
"I'm afraid I have no experience with this kind of ailment, and much less experience with elfish physiology. I believe that Professor Snape would be of great value", replied Madame Pomfrey, looking at Snape.
"Certainly, Headmaster", replied Snape to Dumbledore's silent request, one more profound than Pomfrey's verbal one.
"I'm staying too", declared Hagrid, and crossed stubbornly his arms across his chest, as all heads turned to him. "Elves are magical creatures, aren't they? And I'm the one entrusted with the care of magical creatures, ain't I? Plus", he added, with his eyes begging Dumbledore for his permission, "she's my friend".
"Very well, Rubeus", said Dumbledore with a sad smile. "Stay and assist as you can. And please keep me informed of any change, for worse or better, no matter the time".
With one last look on the elf's pale face, the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall withdrew.
~*~
But there was one factor no one had anticipated. As soon as Pomfrey and Snape tried to work healing spells on Morgaine, the hospital room became the eye of a tornado. Books and bottles flew off the shelves and crushed at the other side of the room. The beds begun shaking, and several objects were aimed at them by unseen hands.
"It's her ghosts", shouted Snape over the turmoil. "Her familiar spirits may think we try to harm her".
"This is no safe place for us", agreed Pomfrey. "Is there somewhere else we can move her?"
"In her room", replied Hagrid, picking up the listless body. "It's warded to keep all spirits out". Looking at Snape's questioning look, he added, "I told you she's my friend".
They moved her fast into the safety of her own chambers, and the manifestations came to an end. While Pomfrey worked her magic, Snape ran to his office to get a few potent revitalizing potions. On his return, he found McGonagall in the room, holding a scroll.
"It's Whitebone's reply", she explained. "He cannot attend at the moment, but he has sent a countercurse that can help stabilize her. From then on, it's up to you".
As Professor McGonagall was reciting the spell over Morgaine's body, it seemed as if some color was restored on her skin. Her breathing became easier, and at the end, she shifted a bit on her bed with a soft moan.
Then Pomfrey took over and shed a few drops of Snape's potion between the elf's lips.
"Now all we can do is wait", she said.
"Madame Pomfrey, a suggestion, if you please", said Snape. "This is going to be a long night, and you have other patients to take care off. Since I have no classes tomorrow morning, it only makes sense that I should watch over her". And with a rather annoyed stare at Hagrid he added, "as so will our Gamekeeper, to my best guess".
Pomfrey tried to find one solid reason of denying this, but she could come up with none, apart from a slight tingling in the back of her head, suggesting this was a very bad idea. She nodded, and left, saying she was expecting to be summoned at the first sight of trouble.
Hagrid took a seat beside the fireplace, while Snape unhooked the first few buttons on his shirt, taking a seat close to Morgaine's bed.
~*~
The hours passed agonizingly slow. Every now and a while, Snape would pour a few drops of strange liquids between Morgaine's pale lips. She seemed more stable now, and he let the tension lift from his shoulders. Hagrid at the other side of the room was sound asleep, and Snape begun evaluating the events of the day.
For one thing, if he could help her back to health, Dumbledore would owe him. And having the Headmaster owe you a favor was always a good card. Then, it was the stunning revelation that she was indeed a virgin. Malfoy's instinct had been correct in the first place. He played with the idea to keep this to himself, but he realized that this was hardly a secret anymore, not with half the school being present. It would be a surprise if it didn't reach the Daily Prophet as well. Unicorns being born under human eyes make a good story on any day.
So, he should come up with a plan quickly, since he was sure that Malfoy would visit very soon. He let his eyes travel on the woman's body beside him. His gaze caressed the soft breasts moving slowly in every breath, moved to her pale lips and the soft skin of her neck. Feeling a very uncomfortable erection manifesting, he thought that sometimes the best time was the present one.
He reached out with his hand to touch her lips, and they parted slightly under his fingers, releasing a soft moan. It would be easy, he thought. He could easily get rid of Hagrid, sending him after an errand, to fetch a potion or ingredient. It wouldn't take much time; he was already rock hard and she was in no state of raising any objections. It would be over and no one would know but him.
And, again, it was way too risky. In the slight chance of getting caught on the act, how could he explain his action? "Oh, Professor Dumbledore, I was just checking her temperature".... He shook his head to banish the embarrassing picture in his mind. Consensual sex was one thing; rape was quite another. Moreover, he thought, moving his hand from her lips to her neck, barely touching her skin, it would be a waste. He had grown to like the woman. There was fire in her, and seducing her would be a unique delight, spiced by the fact that he could harvest her blood.
Reaching the decision to take his time with her, he sat back and crossed his arms across his chest, pulling his cloak tighter around him. But, once more, his body refused to comply with his mind's decision. His erection had grown from an annoyance to a complete distraction. He should get rid of it, and this was hardly the time of self-release. He tried to focus on his supplies, and gratefully remember he had a last vial of a counter-aphrodisiac potion. This should do the trick, he thought, and he stood up to wake Hagrid.
A few minutes later, having drunk the potion, he felt his body relaxing and returned to the care of the virgin elf.
~*~
At dawnbreak, Morgaine shifted slowly and opened her eyes. Her whole body felt sore, and had had no recollection of her surroundings. Slowly, last day's events returned in her mind. But how on earth had she ended up in her own bed? And why was she still alive? Looking around her room, her eyes froze on Snape. And what the hell is he doing in my room?
Not daring to move, she let her eyes study him. He was sitting on a chair beside her bed, facing her. There was a book on his knees, but he seemed asleep, resting his head on his left hand, supported by the back of the chair. Her eyes traveled on his tired face, dark circles under his eyes, locks of dark oily hair falling on his unshaved face. The first buttons of his shirt were undone, giving him a relaxed and more accessible appearance. As he lifted his head, starting from his nap, she closed her eyes, pretending to be still asleep.
She felt his hand cupping her forehead, and electricity traveled down her spine to her loins, reminding her that she should soon visit the bathroom. Time to "wake up", she thought, and moved slowly under his touch, mumbling something.
Snape turned to Hagrid and told him to go get the Headmaster.
"So, young elf, it seems you've escaped death for one more time", he said, unaware she could hear him. "Good to have you back", he added smiling.
But Morgaine's eyes were still closed, and couldn't see the shadows of schemes that played upon his face.
 
 
 
Author's request: Now you've read it, what about a review?
And, by the way, this chapter's title also comes from Hamlet.