After Party

Intoxication Interruptus

Natalie flexed her leg, rubbing against Snape’s heavily protected shin under the table. After a very long, thoughtful pause, Tonks added her never, “I have never given a massage.”

Natalie quickly tossed back yet another shot, alone.

“You all have to be kidding me!” She snorted, nearly choking on the alcohol still burning its way down her throat.

“The story, Natalie!” Alexei prodded his counterpart.

“Oh for goodness sake, it isn't anything exciting. I worked as a groom in a show stable. Rubbing down show horses was required. The skill translates well to human subjects. Plus, I have five rather athletic brothers who were always pulling muscles.” She smiled, refilling her shot glass.  “Your turn, Remus.”

“I have never used an Unforgivable.”  He sneered across the table at Snape, clearly thinking he trapped the former Death Eater. Two hands reached for shot glasses. Alexei and Snape both downed the contents, after silently acknowledging each other.

“Aw hell!” Natalie cursed, removing a small pendant, glowing with a faint white light, from under her robes. “Someone has left their dormitory.”

She stood up, leaning slightly against Snape as she did, flashing him a quick glimpse down the bodice of her dress.

“Would you care to join me in intimidating an errant student?” she invited the grim faced wizard.

“Certainly,” he intoned gleefully, offering her his arm, expectation warming his shriveled heart.

“Don’t wait for us,” Natalie instructed as the couple made for the door, winking slyly at Ana just before they left. Their departure was heralded by raucous laughter.

Snape and the smaller witch strode quickly across the darkened lawns of the school to the carriage of Beauxbatons. She led him around to the back side of the carriage, tapping her wand on an ornate scroll. A door appeared, and she led Snape through the door.

The magically enlarged interior of the carriage was very luxurious. Natalie pushed open the first door they approached.

“Where is this errant student?” Snape asked suspiciously.

“What errant student?”

Natalie graciously assisted him in removing his heavy cloak. She lit a stand of candles on a small table. Quite uncharacteristically, Snape laughed.

“You are a devious witch.”

“Hopefully, Remus will keep Ana entertained for quite a while.”  Natalie added as she brought two full glasses from a small wooden bar, setting them on the occasional table in front of a dark blue settee.

“May I hope to sample your massage skill?” Snape flirted coyly, finally daring to hope.

“Certainly, Professor.” She grinned, a hint of lust clouding her bright, blue eyes. “But you will need to be shirtless.” She arched one eyebrow at the man in anticipation.

“Indeed,” Snape purred, his long, pale fingers already working nimbly to loosen the silver buttons of his waistcoat.

Natalie settled on the settee, drink in hand, prepared to enjoy the show.

TBC