The eyes of Winter

Chapter 16...

Snape turned the vile around and around in his hand,
watching the dark purple potion swirl and churn within it.
The Karhem had surprised him, her work was almost flawless.
He had not expected it to be, even putting her with Potter
hadn\'t thrown her.

\'My own celebrity table.\' He laughed silently at his own joke,
and set her vile down in the rack with the rest of them.
Sneering at the thought of Winter knowing she had done well.
Her attitude was insufferable. He had been head of Slytherin
house for years now, and had never met another with such a
voracious temper. Besides himself of course.

She had left early, but now everyone was gone.
Silent except for his own breathing. Now she was gone,
and he hated to admit to himself that he missed watching
her. Try as hard as he could, he could not stop himself.

\'So different, not like these *girls*.\' he sighed.
Her looks at first had made him cringe, but after he
saw her shatter the barrier in the Great Hall something
had moved within him.

Secretly within himself, where even Severus didn\'t
look too often, laid his deepest thoughts. Among
them was the almost contempt for her, never having
to deal with a student who was more powerful than himself.
Especially a Slytherin, and even worse a woman. A woman
who stirred both hatred and something else a bit darker.
Even if she did not know what she held within her own veins.

He had been consumed lately, not wanting to think of
anything else. But he found it increasingly harder to stop,
and her little games made it almost impossible. He had seen
her pass his desk today, making something so trivial
into something unbearably erotic. Not even attempting
to hide what she was doing. Her long fingernails,
colored black, scratching lightly across the wood
almost made him come unglued.

\'Fucking little vixen\', he was lost now, in his dark
thoughts. The only conclusion he could ever come to
when it concerned her, was it was Death-Eater residue.
How could he ever care or love a woman after what he
had done to them in the past. Whipping, cutting, bleeding
them, among the gentler things he had performed on their
awaiting bodies. He knew that glimmer in her eyes, oh yes,
it wasn\'t trouble....it was power. Power over flesh,
and of earth, and he both loved and hated the little bitch
for it.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The mid-morning sun was almost nonexistent as she met Malfoy
on the steps. She had quickly changed into her riding clothes
and boots after leaving potions. Readying herself for the
demonstration Hagrid had asked her to do for his class.
Malfoy was coming down the steps, with his two cronnies
in tow. She could tell he was trying not to smile, but
was happy to see her again, but not too happy for others
to notice.

When he had reached her she pulled his tie out of his school
sweater and pulled him near with it. Face to face she planted
a small teasing kiss on his lips. Crabbe and Goyle were trying
not to look, but giving each other looks of longing. Draco
had all the luck, and the looks.

\"Meet me at class, I\'ll be right there.\" Getting closer to his
ear so no one could hear her. \"Watch me today, my pet. You
might just learn something.\" Smiling deviously as he
fingered the metal studs of her favorite collar.

\"Alright.\"

She turned and began her trip to the stables. Today would be
interesting. She didn\'t know why she had said yes when Hagrid
asked her to ride Onyx in front of his whole class, but she
agreed. Only because she was proud of Onyx and what he could
do. Her grandfathers inheritance abled her to buy him as a
yearling nearly five years ago. She never imagined he would
grow to be so large, but it suited her being she wasn\'t
the smallest either. Tall, and thin but muscular with wider shoulders.
Built like a \"Brick Shithouse\", as Toby put it. Winter never
minded though, she was strong and able to hold her own when
needed, and she liked it that way.

Winter reached the stables to find Hagrid waiting for her.
To her surprise he already had saddled Onyx and was waiting
quietly next to the large man. Not many could do this. The
horse was picky about who saddled him, but then again Hagrid
did bring him his meals. She was sure it was the reason.
Onyx wasn\'t dumb enough to bite the hand that now fed him.

\"Morning Hagrid!\",she called out.

\"Ello\' Winter. You all set to go?\" His bushy beard waving in
the breeze. \"Class is about to start if your ready to head
down there. They should be waiting.\"

He was kind and she couldn\'t bear to be cross with him.
Her memories of the fairy tales of her youth flooded back
to her. Remembering as a little girl the story of Jack and the
Beanstalk had bothered her. She had always taken the giants
side. He was only minding his own business and this little
prick Jack comes in and steals his things, and of course
was made into the bad guy. She still never understood it
after all these years. He reminded her of the giant, but not
as angry, that\'s for sure.

\"You alright there, Winter.\" It brought her out of her
daydreams.

\"Oh, yeah.\" She smiled, and he helped boost her up. Not
needed, but appreciated nonetheless. His large hands helping
her easily into the saddle.

\"Thanks.\" She sighed contently as her body settled into the
black leather saddle.

It was one of the only things that brought her inner peace, and she
almost swam within the feeling it gave her as Onyx took off.
Wanting once again to run, but she stopped him after a few strides.

\"Easy. Not today, my friend.\" Soothing his restlessness with
her voice.

\"No no!\" Hagrid called after her. \"Go ahead. I\'ll meet you down
by the paddock near my house. Give the old boy a chance to
stretch his legs.\"

Not needing another word, she dug her heels into his
quivering sides. Letting him run, chomping at the bit,
pulling for more reins once again. She rounded the corner
wall of the castle, Onyx\'s hooves digging in the ground
as he sharply turned, heading for Hagrid\'s hut. She saw
them not far ahead, in a sea of black robes. Looking around
as they stood by the paddock looking in expecting to see
some new creature, but it was empty.

To her delight it was Neville who saw her coming first,
barreling toward the crowd as large hooves thundered on
the hard ground. His eyes wide as he let out a loud, \"EEEEEPPPP!\"

Everyone turned at this, and began to scurry in all
directions. Parting like the Red Sea.

Amid small screams and yells of surprise and confusion.
Only Malfoy stood still, not moving as the horse and rider
came at him. Leaning on the fence, with only an expression
of cool defiance. Unshaken by the fury that came at him ever
closer.

Winter saw his face, the expression it carried, but never
pulled back. Not wanting to be tested and tried. Locking
eyes, neither willing to submit to the other, at least not
in public.

\'Well\', she thought, with a sly grin coming on. \'He wants to
be hot shit, then we\'ll let him.\'

She gave Onyx the slack he wanted, his large hooves were almost
rumbling the ground now, approaching a now stone still
Malfoy. Their eyes still locked, taunting his mistress
with the lack of fear in his eyes. She wrapped her
fingers into the black hair of his mane for extra leverage,
as she urged the great horse on.

She knew what she was about to do, and decided not to pull
back as she reached the fence. Drawing dangerously close,
it was too late to do anything now anyway. Winter moved
her body with the movements of her horse rippling underneath
her, and raised off the saddle a little as Onyx pushed from
the ground with his powerful hind legs. Taking the fence,
jumping over it and a astonished Malfoy. She watched him beneath
her as Onyx sailed over the white paddock fence, now only a
blur of black. Only inches from the hooves that could of
brought him a painful death.

Onyx landed hard in the paddock sending dust and dirt flying.
Winter was jolted for a second but quickly recovered and
turned him around. Facing the looks of shock and awe.

\'Oh what you won\'t do for your precious reputation,
my lovely one.\' She thought as Onyx returned to the fence,
sides heaving. Still not breaking her gaze on Malfoy, as
startled students began to slowly come back to the rail,
and look with a mixture of wonder and fear.

Only some held anger in their gestures and expressions as
she finally began to look around. Most were Gryffindors of
course, with sour looks and violent whispers. No doubt
telling each other what a bitch they thought she was.
To their horror she only smiled at them, but it was full
of venom, just like the Slytherin she truly was becoming.

\"Bloody hell!\", the red haired boy from Potions exclaimed as
he looked through the space between the rails, resting his
hands on the top one, leaning in. \"How did you do that?\"
His curiosity taking precedence over his slight fear.

Winter looked at him barely paying him any mind. \"Wasn\'t me\",
she shrugged, \"It was Onyx.\"


\"Hah,\" barked Pansy. \"What a stupid name for a horse.\"
She had obviously overcome her crying fit, but was still
suffering from stupidity.

DJ and Calub who had moved to the top of the fence, now
sitting on it facing into the arena, turned their heads
to look down on their friends ex, not really feeling
like her mouth.

\"Shut up dick tease,\" DJ berated her. \"No one asked for
your negative opinion. If Winter wanted it, she would have
beat it out of you.\"

\"Really,\" Calub picked up where DJ had left off, \"Your the
last one here that needs to talk about stupid names.
*PANSY*!\"

This made most of the Gryffindors laugh, and
some of the Slytherins. She stood there shocked that her
own house members had seemed to turn on her, but she
shut her mouth regardless.

\"Well done, gentleman.\" Winter spoke softly in their
direction. Watching their faces as her praise made them smile
widely.


They were now level with her as they sat on the fence,
Malfoy joining them on the left. Everyone seemed to think
was a good idea and most were clamoring to the top to
get a better look. Girls more slowly, because of their
school uniforms. Winter shuttered at the very thought
of a pleated skirt.

She saw Hagrid in the distance over the top of their heads,
walking briskly toward the class. Most of the Gryffindors
had come to the top of the fence also, but their faces
were still sour. She saw Harry and nodded in his direction.
Barely a greeting, but he didn\'t seem to mind. He waved back
in her direction until the girl next to him jabbed him in
the side. The same girl from the platform, bushy hair and all.

She turned to her fellow housemates and winked. Malfoys
eyes giving away no emotion, just mischief brewing like
a cauldron of trouble. Walking Onyx over to the group
of three sitting on the fence, two boys and a girl,
she rode in close to them.

\"Hi Winter!\" Harry greeted her as the girl in the middle
rolled her eyes. \"Guess what? We got an A in Potions.
The first time ever for me. Snape can\'t even stand my
presence.\" He laughed , and the red haired kid joined in.
\"OH yeah, that\'s Ron and this is Hermione.\"

She brought her head up at the sound of her name, \"Charmed, I\'m
sure.\" Narrowing her eyes at Winter. She only looked back,
not letting it flare her temper.

Ron only had a simple \"hello\" for her, not wanting to get
elbowed in the ribs too. The girl in the middle was his
girlfriend, but seemed to dominate them both with her scowls.
Sitting in between them with her feet looped through the
next rung down.

\"What\'s so great about having a horse anyway? Their stupid
animals.\" Hermione had found her tongue again. \"Their nasty
and they stink!\"

Onyx perked his ears up, and exhaled deeply sending snot and
spit in her direction. Catching the Gryffindor off guard
making her lose her balance and topple back. Her feet caught
on the board which left her hanging helplessly. Skirt
flying up, exposing her white cotton panties to almost
everyone. Sending the Slytherins into hysterics.

Winter had Onyx walk forward so that she was looking over
the fence down on the struggling girl. Ron desperately trying
to pull her up without falling himself.

\"HHHMMMM,\" Winter talked over her. \"Nasty and stinky, huh?\"
Looking down to where her panties barely covered her crotch.
\"Reminds me of something. Can\'t think what though, I\'ll let you
know!\"

At that the Slytherins erupted even harder. Her face was a
red as a beet when Ron finally pulled her up, dangerously
close to tears of embarrassment. Hermione could of swore she
heard that horse chuckle, then threw his head up and neighed
loudly.

Winter patted him as she walked away, \"Good boy, Onyx\", and
as he turned he flicked his tail, swatting Hermione in the
face. Winter noticed that the girl had clenched her fists
along with her mouth, knowing now to keep it shut. \"Bye
Harry.\"

Hagrid was almost there, and she moved Onyx along the row of
students. Back to the Slytherins, some who were still laughing.

Winter and Malfoy exchanged knowing looks, laughter behind
their eyes. \"Please excuse me, gentleman. Duty calls.\"

She began to exercise Onyx letting him warm up his muscles
again. Trotting around the paddock. Not paying the interested
faces any mind. Hagrid was climbing over the fence, it only
took him two steps to get in. She came into the center standing
next to him.

\"Allright class. Everyone is here I see.\" Hagrid began.
\"Now I know this is suppose to be care of *Magical* creatures,
but I figured since most of you have never been near horses,
you might be curious. Winter here is going to show you what a
good trained horse can do.\" He turned to her, \"Ready there, Winter?\"

\"As I\'ll ever be, Hagrid.\" She was ready to get this over with,
wanting to get her hands on Malfoy. Just being around him made
her attention span lower a few notches. He was too damn sexy
for his own good. She snuck a look at him, and he was looking
right at her. Wanting to know exactly what she was going to do.

Hagrid moved to the side and Winter addressed the class. \"Now,
does anyone know what riding is all about?\" No one answered.
\"All right then, I\'ll tell you. Riding is built on a trusting
relationship. It\'s not like getting on a broom. A horse is a
living, breathing animal. Not some enchanted stick of wood.
They have thoughts, emotions, and their own way of doing
things. You can\'t command and receive like a broom, you must
have communication with your horse, and this is done with a
series of hand and leg signals.\"

The class looked confused, but most were interested. \"Here,
it\'s a lot easier to show you. Just watch.\"

Moving Onyx around she began to drill him. Making him move sideways,
his legs making big X\'s as he sidestepped over and over in a
straight line. Then she pulled up on his reins and pushed with
her legs, signaling him to trot in place. Highstepping as he
pulled his legs up seeming to prance. Winter smiled as she
heard some girls gasp.

Pushing him further he broke into a slow canter circling the
paddock. Pulling slightly on the reins and pushing her knee
into his side he began to make zig zag lines in front of the
students. Even Hermione watched, but not wanting to let anyone
know she was.

\"That\'s just your basic, now to the fun stuff.\" She looked at
her blonde Adonis, and she saw the look of actual interest.
\"You may say, well that\'s all fine and good, but what is it for?
Just watch.\"

She pulled her wand from her boot, and signaled to Hagrid.
He began to throw pumpkins right at her as she expertly
maneuvered around them and blew them up in mid-air. Sending
pieces flying. Hearing the cheers of her fellow Slytherins,
somehow knowing one was Malfoy.

She stopped him in the middle looking out among the faces.
Some bored, but most still paying attention. One of the
Gryffindors yelled out, \"I still prefer my broom!\"

Winter smirked in his direction, \"Oh I see. Well can you do this
with your broom?\"

She dismounted, and sent Onyx away with a slap on the rump.
He took off trotting around the pen until he heard her sharp whistle,
then broke into a run heading right for Winter, standing at a
low crouch in the center. \"ONYX, COME!\"

If she had been next to Malfoy she could of felt his every
muscle tighten. Watching the huge horse barreling at her
was almost too much for him to take. Almost losing himself
and screaming at her to move, but he didn\'t. She didn\'t
move either, only stood as the horse approached her. As
he passed her she grabbed two handfuls of mane and
used the force of his movement to heave herself into
the saddle. Slipping onto him with a small grunt of
exertion. Cantering around to face the boy who had been
rude and interrupted.

\"Hah,\" she scoffed, \"Do that with your damn broom!\"

\"Very nice, Winter. Thank you for the demonstration.\"
Hagrid was beaming, obviously his love of animals
expanded to the Muggle world too. \"Ok class, learn
the parts of the horse and hand in a page with your
thoughts on what you learned today. Due Friday. Class
dismissed!\"
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