Skuld: making your mind up

Chapter 16
The usual disclaimers blah blah blah.
Sorry if this is going down hill but I really want to try and get closer to finishing.


Walking down the torch lit corridors from dinner back to the infirmary for the night shift she turned on hearing footsteps behind her,
“Ah, Good evening Miss Skuld, you are looking very well tonight.” The cold tones of Igor Karkaroff echoed slightly in the narrow passage. As he caught her up they continued along together for a short way.
“Thank you professor, that’s very kind.” Not wanting to get into too much conversation, she found he made her uncomfortable without any obvious reason.
“You know, I find the weather here does not seem to agree with me, I cannot seem to,” he paused and stopped her progress by placing his hand on her shoulder, turning her back to face him, “find any release, from a constant ache. I wondered if you might be able to offer me any assistance.”
“I’m sure if you come to see Madame Pomfrey or myself in the infirmary we may be able to help. What seems to be the problem?” she turned again slightly to continue walking, but found herself firmly planted to the spot without a violent wrench out of his grasp.
“Miss, I’ve seen the way you looked at me this evening, and I’m sure that you alone could find a remedy for my problem.”
“Professor! I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. I certainly wasn’t trying to cause you any misunderstanding.” Mia put both hands up and pushed him away full in the chest as the man stepped forward to edge her into a darkened alcove behind them.
As she prepared to slap him soundly round his bearded face, a deep resonant voice came from behind, “Ah Miss Skuld I was hoping to have words with you, I hope this is not an inopportune moment.”
Karkaroff stepped back from her rapidly and Mia smiled in genuine relief at seeing her unlikely rescuer Severus Snape. “Not at all Professor Snape, unfortunately the professor seems to have a problem which goes beyond my expertise.”
“How unfortunate Igor, it seems you will have to seek assistance elsewhere.” Snape stepped towards the pair and Karkaroff immediately took a step back.
“Yes, Severus it is most unfortunate, “he narrowed his eyes, then looked at Mia, “If you change your mind my dear I shall be more than happy to give any treatment you should suggest a chance. Now good evening to you both I must be getting back to the students.” With that he turned and strode quickly away.
After watching him round the corner, Snape took at step again towards Mia, so that she was one again in the darkened recess of the corridor wall.
“You should be more careful, bad things can happen to young, defenceless women in darkened corners. If you continue to flaunt yourself to the whole male wizarding population you should realise that you may gain unwanted advances.”
“But what about the desired advances, we both know whose attention I want to get and it looks like I have it.” Closely hidden in the alcove she realised they were once again close enough that she could feel the heat emanating from him, and smell the earthy, smokey scent garnered from the day spent over a cauldron.
“We’ve had this discussion, and I thought I’d made myself clear.” He was close to her ear now, and his hair brushed her cheek, as she turned her face towards his.
“You’re as clear as the black lake Severus, there’s no reason I can see that we can’t have this.” She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair brushing it back so as to allow her lips and curious tongue access to his pale neck, softly kissing the line above his robes collar. She heard him inhale deeply in her hair; his hand resting at her waist. She felt his other hand tentatively cup her jaw, drawing her face away from his collar, and into the line of his intense stare.
“I have too many complications, obligations, to meet.”
His heart was beating hard in his chest; she could feel it and it mixed with her own rapid pulse, wondering how it was she felt so lost in that deep gaze.
“What about obligations to yourself? I want to be with you, I could ease your burden, some things don’t need to be complicated, I….” her voice trailed off as she felt his breath on her lips, their face so close together, all it would take was to tilt her face slightly, and lean forward. Their lips met softly at first then deepened as he pressed himself hard up against her and her bottom met the cold stone wall behind. She closed her eyes the last image burned into her the sight of his coal black lashes also falling shut against his cheeks. Tongues caressed then fought as both moaned into the others waiting lips. Hands roaming across undiscovered territory. Then she felt him freeze suddenly drawing away, Mia looked up into his eyes rapidly, and he shhh’d her,
“Foot steps, someone’s coming.” He hissed, smoothing his robes, in a flash he pulled out his wand and cast a disillusionment as a gaggle of excited girls raced past on the way to their dorms. After they’d passed, they looked at each other in silence for a moment.
“I have to go” he turned away, “you should stop this foolishness.”
“And you should stop running away from yourself Severus” She called after him.