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.

Severus and Megan stayed in the Hospital Wing until she calmed down as much as was expected. He finally stood, carrying her in his arms, and nodded a goodbye to Madam Pomfrey. She nodded back and turned to clean up the bed Megan had been in. Snape carried Megan through the double doors of the Hospital Wing and down the winding corridors to the Dungeon. He walked straight to the door to his private quarters, only pausing to pull out his wand and dissolve the brick wall. He stepped over the threshold and walked towards the bedroom.

Snape made a sharp turn and went into the bathroom. He sat Megan on the edge of the tub and with a wave of his wand the tub was filled with hot, bubbly water. He proceeded to undress Megan and picked her up to place her gently into the full tub.

Megan sighed and relaxed into the hot water, closing her eyes.

“Relax and enjoy the water. I will return with a healing potion for the headache and a cup of tea.” He turned and walked from the room.

Megan stared mindlessly at the wall. The images from that day she killed her mother flashed through her mind. She could not shake the image of her mother’s wide, crystal blue eyes, shocked in her last moments of death by her daughter’s hand.

“What have I done?” Megan whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Snape, in the other room, was pouring several vials of liquid in a small, round glass. The gold, purple, red, and very deep green swirled in the clear glass. He grabbed a crystal stirring rod and swirled the liquids around until they turned a dark, dark, red. Next, he grabbed a silver goblet and poured the liquid into it. With tea cup in one hand and potion in the other, he walked back into the bathroom.

Snape stopped in the doorway and sighed heavily. He took in the sad sight of Megan, looking small, pale and frail in the large tub. She was crying again. Snape felt his heart would break into pieces at her pain. He took a deep breath, braced himself and walked forward. Snape sat on the edge of the tub and handed the goblet to Megan, who took it dutifully.

“Drink this down and you will feel better immediately.” He said soothingly.

“I don’t think anything will make me feel better ever again.” Megan muttered, sniffling.

“Nonsense. You will heal with time. Give it time, Megan my love.”

Megan nodded and drank down the goblet in two gulps. She realized by the texture, taste, color and smell what Snape had done.

“This is not just for a headache, Severus.” She looked at him darkly, eyes puffy from crying.
Snape scrutinized her face.

“What did I give you then?”

Megan smelled the empty goblet again and with a finger took a drop from the bottom of the goblet with her finger. She placed the drop of the liquid on her tongue and closed her eyes, moving her tongue around in her mouth.

“I would say, Pain Reliever Potion, Calming Draught, Muscle Relaxant Potion, and Warming Draught, and a dash of Emotion Regulator Potion.” Megan opened her eyes.

“Yes, that is precisely the mixture.” Snape stared at her wide eyed. “I had no idea your abilities had advanced to such a level that you could decipher just by taste and texture the contents of a potion. I must say I am impressed.”

“It is not just ability,” Megan blushed. “I have had an excellent teacher.”

“No, a Master can teach his Apprentice many things. However, what you just accomplished requires a deeper natural talent. I have met few who could do what you have just demonstrated to me.” Snape smiled. “Oh my Megan, I always knew you were talented but this is wonderful. You will be one excellent Potions Mistress someday.” He reached out and took the goblet, then leaned down and kissed her lips lightly

Suddenly a voice came booming though the bedroom into the bathroom.

“SEVERUS!”

Snape stood and yelled.

“ONE MOMENT!”

He took the empty goblet and tea cup Megan had drained.

“I suggest you rinse off, dry and put on the pajamas I left on the counter. That would be Albus, no doubt asking after you and if the Mutt . . . I mean Sirius . . . can come visit. Prepare yourself for company, my love.” He turned and walked out.

Megan stood, toweled off and put on her green flannel pajama pants and button down top. She walked into the bedroom, brushing her hair as she went and listened to the conversation between
Albus in the fireplace and Severus.

“How is she, Severus?” Albus’ glowing face asked from the flames.

“I administered a potion mix that seems to have calmed her and stopped her pain. Well, the physical at least. The emotional on the other hand . . . oh Albus, I do not know how to help her pain. She looks like a ghost of herself since she realized the truth. We were making such progress with this curse and now this bombshell. What should we do?” Snape sat down on a chair by the fire.

“That, my friend, as you know well, is a pain that takes time. All we can do is keep reminding her there are those that love her dearly and she is not a bad person. Her mother was known better to you than anyone else, so you can help the most. Additionally, you love her more than any of us. Show her this love as much as possible. Megan needs your support the most right now. I also have located a good friend of Megan’s who will stay at the castle for Christmas. That should improve things a little.”

“Who is this now?” Severus said with irritation. “Is not Black enough of a complication?”

“This young lady will not be a complication. Megan needs a girlfriend to confide in and talk to about this situation. Everyone else is too invested in the current situation or biased, such as Sirius. She will give Megan a fresh set of ears and eyes. She will arrive tonight, in fact within the hour. I will escort her to your quarters when she arrives and I have arranged quarters for her in the dungeon a few doors down from yours. She will be able to visit and find Megan much easier that way.”

“Do I know her? Who is this young woman?” Severus raised his eyebrow at Albus.

“No. She was not a student here. She is another young witch from America who resides in London. She runs a business with Megan. A tattoo parlor, I believe. Her name is Isabella Huntington. Lovely young woman as she is, I am sure she will charm you as she has others.”

“She, I mean they, run a tattoo parlor! You speak as if you know her. Do you, Albus?”

“Yes. We have met on a few occasions but that does not matter right now. I assure you it is a very good idea for Megan to bring Isabella here. I will stop by within the hour. By the way,
Sirius would like to know if he may come down now to speak with Megan. What shall I tell him?”

“Yes. I suppose he may. All these people in and out tonight! How am I to cure Megan and be alone with her with this impromptu party?” Severus exclaimed in exasperation.

“We will all not stay long. I have briefed Isabella on the curse and the current situations as of this very moment. She will not need to be filled in nor will Isabella or Sirius stay long. They know there is work and love to be done.” Albus smiled.

“I see. Very well, then. See you in an hour, Albus.”

“Yes, within the hour, Severus. Prepare Megan.”

Albus’ face disappeared from the fireplace and the flames returned to their usual shape.
Megan walked into the room and sat down by the fireplace in the chair opposite Severus. She continued to brush her hair, staring at the flames.

“So, Isabella is coming?” Megan asked quietly.

“I see you were listening to the conversation.” Snape smirked. “Yes. I assume this is good news? You do not look enthralled at the idea of a supposedly “good friend” coming to Hogwarts.”

Megan set down her hair brush and leaned back into the chair, crossing her arms across her chest.
Her eyes stayed glued to the dancing flames of the fireplace.

“No, actually I am very happy she’s coming. I haven’t seen Isabella in months. It will be good to catch up and chat. Furthermore, the Headmaster is right. I need someone outside this insane circle of curses and death to talk to. Isa never fails to make me laugh.” A ghost of a smile crossed Megan’s features.

“I must ask because I cannot comprehend this idea.” Snape looked up at Megan inquisitively. “You young ladies actually are in business together and of all things a tattoo parlor?”
Megan looked at Severus and smiled wide.
“Hard to believe, isn’t Severus? I would have never thought myself in league with such a business either. However, it is more lucrative than I could have imagined.”

“How did you get involved in ‘such a business’ as you put it?”

“Well, one day about a year ago, I was angry with my father and dealing with my mother’s recent death. I decided I would do the unthinkable and get a tattoo. I walked into Isabella’s shop, which was new in London and completely empty. It seems although she had the skill, her customer rate was low. She and I talked about her business while I got the tattoo. I found I liked her a great deal. Isabella was an American witch educated at The Academy, the American equivalent to Hogwarts. She had traveled to London, where she had always wanted to live and, since she had fantastic artistic talent, opened her dream business. We must have talked for hours.” Megan stared off into the distance, as if remembering that afternoon all over again.

“You have a tattoo! Where is it? I have known your body quite intimately and never saw any tattoo.” Severus looked astonished, so much so, Megan burst into laughter.

“It is a small cauldron with a serpent wrapped around the base. It is on my lower back and quite small, maybe 3 by 3 inches. You may not have noticed since we were face to face all night in semi-darkness.”

“Show me.” Severus gestured to her.

Megan stood and lifted the back of her pajama shirt. There in the center was a shining silver cauldron with a dark green serpent coiled around the base of the cauldron. She looked over her shoulder and saw Severus’ jaw on the floor. Megan put her shirt back down and sunk down into the chair once more.

“I had no idea and I assume neither does your father. He would be incensed!”

“No, father has no idea. Don’t tell him either! It will be our little secret.”

“Again, I must ask, how does the ink stay so luminescent? Most tattoos fade over time, don’t they?” Severus looked puzzled as he got up and walked towards the liquor cabinet.

“That is the thing, really. I noticed the tattoo faded terribly in just a week. So, I went back and complained to Isabella and requested a touch up. Isa apologized and explained it was one of the reasons she was always losing customers. Her inks she created just would not hold up to human or wizarding skin. So, I examined her inks and they were a nightmare. I then decided to help her. I went home and brewed a brand new set of inks, 30 shades in total. I came back to Isa’s shop the next day and gave her the inks, bottles of them, and asked her to touch up my tattoo with the new inks. She reluctantly did as I asked. When she saw how my touch-up with the new inks shinned and glimmered, Isa was impressed. She thanked me and I left. About two months later I got a letter to come to the shop. The shop was packed! She took me into a back room and said since I gave her those inks her business had been booming. She needed more inks and had a business proposition for me. I supply the inks, she does the tattoos, and I get forty percent of the profits. I agreed. In six months, I received enough profits and the business was so profitable I bought half the business. We have become very close friends and partners ever since.”
Severus handed Megan a small glass of Fire Whiskey and sat down opposite her with his own glass. He looked as if he were thinking hard about what Megan had said.

“So, this explains why you always have money for your own supplies. You’re a business woman with profitable returns. I bet your father is proud.”

Megan nearly choked on her Fire Whiskey.

“No! My father has no idea about the business and don’t tell him! He would NOT approve of my choice in business or Isa!” Megan’s eyes went wide.

“Why not? You have made money and a good friend of the wizarding community. I have to say I am proud.”

“The business puts permanent marking on human beings with magically enhanced inks. Besides, Isabella is muggle born, although a good witch and well educated, but none of that matters. The
word muggle is enough stain to make my father scream bloody murder against me having anything to
do with Isa!” Megan slugged down her Fire Whiskey.

“I see. Well, then I will not tell Lucius but I will find it interesting to meet this young lady.”

A loud knock sounded from the hallway. Severus sighed and grabbed his wand and headed for the brick wall.

“Who is there?”

“It’s Sirius.” A muffled voice yelled through the wall.

Severus sighed and tapped the brick wall. It melted away and Sirius stepped through. He sighed himself and extended a hand to Severus, who reluctantly took it. They shook briefly and Sirius then stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“So, Severus this is your home? It’s nice.” Sirius said as he walked into the living room.

“I am glad you think so.” Severus said through clenched teeth.

Megan stood and smiled. Sirius walked forward and opened his arms which Megan fell into and grabbed on tight. Sirius rested his chin on her head and closed his eyes briefly. Then he leaned down and kissed her hair.

“My poor Megan, how are you?” Sirius let go and looked at her carefully.

“Okay, considering the circumstances. How are you?”

Sirius shrugged and looked at his cousin.

“Please, take a seat, Black. Would you like a glass of Fire Whiskey?” Severus said, refreshing
his and Megan’s glasses.

“Yes, please Severus. I appreciate the gesture.” Sirius took the glass and sipped it.

Sirius sat down on the couch and Megan resumed her chair, glass in hand. Severus sat in his chair and leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment then sitting up straighter.

“I have some things to say to Megan but as the curse contends, she must always be with you. Would you mind if we spoke as if you weren’t here?” Sirius looked at Severus.

“Please, say what you must. I will not interrupt and, considering the Unbreakable Vow, I will not start a fight with you. Megan means too much to me to upset her or, for that matter, lose her.” Severus took a gulp from his glass and set it down.

“Very well, Severus.” Sirius turned to Megan. “First, I must apologize for my behavior earlier today. You know very well the hatred I have for Severus; it is no secret to anyone. When I heard about how badly you had been cursed and what the conditions were, I panicked. However, then I saw you two in such an intimate embrace. It was all too much to handle. I went on instinct to protect you, not to hurt you, Megan. Secondly, then my unintended injury to your head caused you to remember the worst day of your life. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to be the reason you know about the events of that terrible day. Thirdly, I may have been estranged from Narcissa the last few years of her life; however I know she loved you more than anything in this world. She would want you to know you are not at fault. You reacted on instinct that day, as we all did and unfortunately your instinct lead to your mother’s demise. But I know deep down she would forgive you, tell you it wasn’t your fault, tell you she loves you still, and that she is immensely proud of her little girl who has become a strong and beautiful young woman. She would want you to hold your head high, let go of the pain and concentrate on getting better. Then walk into that courtroom and bury those girls. Be the Malfoy woman your mother was and that I know you can be!” Sirius shook Megan’s shoulders slightly.

Megan looked at Sirius with startled wide eyes. She nodded her head.

“I . . . I . . . think I can do that. I know mother would not want me to wallow in sorrow and get myself killed by forgetting to accomplish curing of this curse. I will act as a Malfoy woman should act. I will set aside my sorrow for another time and concentrate on the present. Thank you Sirius, I needed to hear someone tell me this. But I worry about your opinion of Severus. Can you handle Severus and me together?”

“Of course I can. It is to save your life. Why would I not?” Sirius face was a mask of confusion.

“No, not just the curse, cousin.” Megan stood and walked over to Severus’ chair, sitting down in his lap.

“You mean . . . you and him . . . together? After the curse is over? As . . . as . . . a couple?”

Sirius stuttered and blinked furiously at the two of them. Severus wrapped his arms around Megan’s waist and Megan nestled her head on his shoulders.

“Yes. You may have made an Unbreakable Vow not to interfere with my heart’s desires and what decisions I feel are best for me but I need your approval. I need to know, from the heart, that you will bless my decision to love Severus and be with him when all is said and done. Can you
tell me that?” Megan begged with her eyes.

Sirius looked at the two of them and opened and closed his mouth. No sounds came out but stutters and gasps. Finally, he looked into Megan’s eyes and into Severus’. He saw the love radiating from them both and saw how he looked at Megan. With a deep breath and a nod, Sirius spoke.
“With out question I see how real your love is, as startling as this all is to me. I will welcome Severus into my heart and family as long as he treats you well and loves you truly. However, the minute he hurts you . . . well let’s just say I will deal with it.” Sirius tried hard not to glare at Severus, who looked very surprised.

Megan nodded and smiled widely, sweetly for the first time all evening.

“Good! Now that this is all settled, let’s have a drink.” Megan clapped her hands together. “In celebration of this momentous occasion, I believe champagne is in order.”

“Yes, so do I!” A female voice rang through the living room.

Megan looked over at the doorway to find Isabella leaning on the doorframe, bottle of champagne in hand. She smiled at her friend. Albus was right behind her, smiling himself. He gave Megan a wink.

“Isa!” Megan yelled as she vaulted from Severus’ lap and ran for the doorway.

Isa set the bottle on a table by the doorway and opened her arms to her friend. Megan took in the sweet almond-oil scent of her long curly golden-red hair. Isabella was an inch short than Megan with a curvy figure and ample bosom. She had a heart shaped face with golden skin and a dusting of freckles. Her eyes were green as summer leaves and her lashes matched her hair. Isabella had large round pouty lips that always had a natural slight red tint to them. She was funny, intelligent, a highly skilled witch, and sweet-natured. Though she was known to pull a prank of two and could be the life of any party or room, she mostly kept to herself. Megan was her only close friend in many, many years. Her mellow, almost musical voice and laugh ringed in Megan’s ear.

“Easy their Blondie! You wanna break my ribcage?”

“Blondie?” Severus asked incredulously.

Megan pulled back from Isa and stood beside her friend. Isabella pulled gently on Megan’s silver
blonde hair.

“Isn’t obvious?” She twirled the lock around her fingers and let go.

Albus walked behind the two girls as they proceeded closer to the center of the room.

“May I introduce Miss Isabella Huntington, of London. These two men are Professor Severus Snape and Sirius Black.” He gestured between everyone.

Isabella shook Severus’ hand and then turned to Sirius who looked at her closely, eyes wide. Isabella, too, looked slightly stunned as she allowed Sirius to take her hand and kiss the knuckles. She blushed as his lips lingered a little longer than proper.

“My, my, Megan never mentioned she had such a stunningly beautiful friend.” Sirius marveled.

“Really? Well, Megan never mentioned she had such an attractive cousin, either.” Isabella smirked.

Megan looked at Severus and then Albus, wide-eyed and surprised. She could see the looks between the two and knew what she was seeing.

“Okay you two, break it up.” Megan said softly, pulling Isabella away from Sirius.
Megan sat down in her chair and Isabella sat on the floor in front of it.

“How was your trip?” Megan asked.

“Delightful. I received a letter via owl from Albus and came straight away. I was upstairs for an hour being briefed on the situations going on around here and then shown to my rooms. The house elves have me all unpacked. I would have been here sooner but I had to make a lot of calls to reschedule tattoo appointments I had this week. It was trying to say the least but they all rescheduled for after the holidays, so no business lost. By the way, I have a check for you of last month’s profits. We did very well so far this holiday season!” Isabella beamed up at her friend.

“You can give the money to me later and tell me all about shop business. I am just so glad you’re here!” Megan leaned down to hug Isabella’s shoulders.

“Yes, Miss Huntington will be staying down the hall. So, tomorrow you two can catch up. For now I think we best be on our way. Sirius are you coming?” Albus asked.

“Indeed, I am. May I give you a tour of the castle, Miss Huntington?” Sirius offered his arm.

“Yes, you may.” She took his arm and started to walk out the door. She turned back to Megan. “Tomorrow, you and me, conversation needed. Got it, Blondie?” She smiled.

“You bet. Sleep well and behave.” Megan warned, laughing slightly.

The two left with Albus right behind them. He turned and nodded with a smile. They turned the corner and the sound of the brick wall opening and closing began a silence.

“What a charming young woman.” Severus remarked.

“Yes, Isa can charm the pants off anybody.”

“It looks to my eyes that Sirius may want exactly such a situation to occur.” He smirked.

Megan turned around to protest but Severus was right there. He quickly pulled her into a tight embrace and descended on her mouth. Their tongue battled fiercely and Megan felt a very familiar fire start to build inside her body. They kissed and kissed until Severus pulled back panting. He leaned harder into Megan, his arousal hard and solid against her abdomen.

“The couch. Now.” He growled, pulling her with him.

Megan followed without protest. Severus sat and pulled Megan across his lap, kissing her feverishly. She moaned and wriggled against his body. As he kissed her deeply, she reached down and stroked his member through the rough cloth of his pants. Severus pulled away from her lips with a deep groan.

“Stand up.” He ordered.

Megan followed his orders and stood. He hooked his thumbs into her pajama pants and yanked them down. As Megan stepped out of her pants, Severus reached down and, with a lift of his hips, pulled his pants and underwear off in a flash. His member bounced against his lower abdomen with the hardness of his need. He reached for Megan and grabbed her hand, yanking her back into his lap. Megan swung a leg over each side of his lap and reached down to guide his member into her core, which was dripping and pulsing. Megan lowered herself down swiftly and screamed out in pleasure.

Severus grabbed her hips and pushed his own off the couch to match the rhythm Megan was creating. He pushed up hard as she came down with each thrust. Soon she was riding Severus hard, bouncing up and down, hands gripping his shoulders, head thrown back, and incoherent words babbling from her lips along with screams and moans. Severus reached between them and ripped her pajama shirt open, buttons flying in all directions. He grabbed her breasts and pushed them together, burying his face in them. He laved one nipple and then the other. Megan began to shake violently and bellow as their flesh slapped together again and again. Severus abandoned her breasts and buried his face in her neck, while wrapping his arms around to pull her closer. He felt his orgasm mounting with increasing speed as Megan walls convulsed over and over, squeezing his member. It sent shivers of delight through his body as his member was milked by her core. Megan let out a long loud howl and Severus felt a gush of fluids coat his lap. He bellowed louder than Megan as his own climax crashed over his body in powerful waves. Megan slowed down her movements but Severus still clung tightly to her.

After a few moments, Megan pulled herself away from Severus leaning back to see his face. He was sweaty, flushed and gasping for breath. She smiled and tried to catch her own breath.
Severus pushed the hair out of Megan’s face and cupped her flushed cheek. He smiled and leaned forward to lightly kiss her swollen lips.

“I love you.” He whispered.

“I love you, too.” She whispered back.

“I don’t think this couch has ever seen this kind of action. In fact, none of my furniture ever has.” He laughed.

“How about we rectify that?” Megan raised a challenging eyebrow at him.

Severus gave her a devilish smile.

“How about we try the chair as our next round of pleasure?” He inquired.

“That sounds pretty good to me.” Megan returned his evil grin.