Sweet Soul Music

Disclaimer - All that you recognise is JK Rowlings. I don\'t lay any claim to them.

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Chapter Fourteen.

They sat leaning against the sofa with their arms draped over each other as the last remaining candles flickered and died. The gentle music in the background reflecting their moods as they enjoyed the afterglow of their lovemaking.
“You know, tomorrow is Friday?”
Cat looked at him in mock astonishment. “Your powers of deduction amaze me, professor”
“Very droll, that’s not what I meant and you know it” he replied sarcastically. “No more classes for two days. We can make the most of it.”
“I would really like that but……” The sudden look of rejection on his face made her reach out and stroke his cheek. “I have to go to my flat in London and check my post”
“Well, I suppose I could come with you if you wanted?”
“Oh no, there is really no need I’ll only be gone for one night” She answered back quickly. Something in the back of his mind jolted at this, she didn’t want him there. Why not? There was an awkward silence for a moment before Cat stretched her back stifling a yawn.
“It’s getting late, as much as I’d like you to stay, it would be best if we spent the night in our own rooms”
“Of course, wouldn’t want the students to get the right idea now would we?” he remarked dryly as he gathered his clothes.

Severus couldn’t sleep that night, although physically exhausted his mind wouldn’t allow it. She had dismissed him far too quickly earlier when he suggested that he accompany her. Was she hiding something from him? Did he even have the right to assume she wanted to spend time with him? It dawned on him that he had no idea where they actually stood as far as their relationship was concerned. Should he discuss it with her or just let it run its own course?
“No, I’ll speak with her when she returns from London.” he finally decided “I’m probably reading more into this than necessary.”

Cat snuggled down under her duvet smiling, her thoughts awash with pleasant images of the man who had just left her. She enjoyed his company and found it stimulating on so many levels beyond the physical.
“Severus Snape, Where have you been all my life?” she whispered dreamily as sleep overtook her and her subconscious mind brought up his image.

He sat at the breakfast table looking at the bowl of porridge in front of him. The combination of his lack of sleep and niggling worry making his appetite diminished. Looking across at her briefly he tried to bring some semblance of order to his thoughts. Just what did he want of her? He was surprised when the more primal side of his brain didn’t offer any suggestions, making him think deeper.
No, he would speak to her this evening, rather than wait. His mind made up he went over to her.
“Could I have a brief word with you please?” he said in his severe professor’s voice.
“Of course Se….Professor” Cat quickly corrected herself as she stood up from her seat.

“I was wondering if perhaps you would join me in my rooms this evening for a drink” he said quietly when they where out of earshot of the other staff.
“I’m so sorry Severus but I’m afraid that I can’t” she replied her voice edged with disappointment. “I have something I have to do for the headmaster tonight and an early train to catch in the morning. Perhaps we could spend a lazy Sunday together when I get back instead?”
Her voice seemed sincere enough but something still didn’t sit right with him.
“That seems like a satisfactory solution.” he smiled slightly at her. He needed to find out what she was up to somehow, best not let her think he suspected anything untoward.

The day passed quickly for Cat but she still found time to think of last night, he had been so gentle and tender that a piece of her was starting to fall for him big style. It had all happened so quickly that she found it hard to take in. Yes, she’d had friends that were lovers and she’d had lovers that were friends but no one quite like him. She found herself wishing he was there as she went through her collection, looking for the right songs for next week’s ball. No doubt her emotions would influence her selection somewhat, but she didn’t care.

The more time he spent away from her that day the more his suspicion grew. Alone in his study with a bottle of whisky his mind raced. So, she didn’t want to see him this evening, obviously that meant she was avoiding him for some reason. Adding that to the quick refusal of his offer of spending the weekend together his slightly inebriated brain came to the conclusion that she was hiding something important from him.
“Well,” he said to himself slurring ever so slightly “I think I’ll look into this some more” and he downed the remaining drops from his tumbler.