Arianrhod's Vessel

once more, we find ourselves standing on the edge of a cliff. one wrong step and its all over but the crying and... oh wait. this is the wrong speech. who took my cue cards? ~shuffles some papers and blushes~ oh, my bad. here they are, buried under the speech. it says here that i'm to tell you all that i own nothing here but a few of the characters and places. all else contained here in that you recognize belong to one j.k. rowling. they are her creations and she owns them. i'm only borrowing them and i can state unequivocally that i am making no money off this.

this chapter will start the beginings of some of the less savory happenings in this story. if the idea of sexual relations with a minor squicks you, please don't read any further. this chapter is mild, but the sexual references will continue from here. you have been duly warned.

finally, if you find that you're enjoying this, please feel free to leave me a note. i always appreciate knowing how my readers feel about my stories.

Chapter Five: Caught In A Triangle
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The memories came at her from out of nowhere. One moment, Nisha was sleeping peacefully upon the large, soft bed in Lucius' home. The next, she was tossed into a dream of such clarity that she felt the very same fear and confusion she had all those years ago. Her first meeting with Severus Snape had been frought with a deep fear, a sense of forboding and a confusion that had taken many years to understand. Even now, she didn't dare admit to herself how much looking at him had affected her.

During her stay with the Malfoys those many years ago, Severus Snape had become a regular visitor. He and Lucius would hole up in the library. Nisha had always wondered what the two of them had been up to, as she'd been certain they'd been planning something. She'd known later what had been going on, but at the time, her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she'd taken to spying on the two of them in hopes of learning what they'd been about. It was one of those times she'd been spying that she'd gotten caught. Normally, Nisha was always gone and hiding by the time the doors to the library swung open to reveal Snape's perpetual scowl and Lucius' broad grin. That time, however, she hadn't been so lucky.

Nisha stood at the door, her ear pressed to it tightly in hopes that she would hear something of importance. She knew that Mr. Snape and Lucius were plotting something in there and innate curiosity insisted she find out what it was. She was more than certain that their plans somehow involved her, but she didn't know how. She felt spying would be the best way to find out what it was. That thought in mind, she hadn't been prepared when the door had suddenly snapped open with no warning that they were done.

As the door swung wide, Nisha found herself stumbling back. Mr. Snape was glaring down at her, his black eyes hard and unreadable. Before she could stop it, a blush stained her cheeks and she knew that she was caught. With a sigh, Nisha pulled herself up to her full height and met his gaze head on. She barely held the urge to flinch in check when he gave her the full benefit of his scowl.

"Do show yourself out, Severus. I have some things to attend to," Lucius' voice called from the interior of the library. Snape's head turned to look back into the room over his shoulder.

"Of course, Lucius. I shall see you again, no doubt. Good day," he replied with as much politeness as Nisha had ever heard him use, then the long fingers of his right hand curled around the door knob and pulled the library door shut. The two of them were alone in the hall and Nisha hoped that she wouldn't quake with fear before him. There was such a hateful look on his face. "Spying on us, child?" he hissed at her angrily.

"There wasn't much to hear," she responded sharply, determined not to be intimidated by him. Snape took three steps across the shining marble floor until he was standing directly before her.

"Honesty? How strange. I would have expected a lie from you, Nisha," he said, his tone holding a small amount of respect for her truthfulness.

"What good will a lie get me?" she asked him, wondering why she felt tingly instead of afraid. The man was most frightening, especially when he was so angry. She continued to meet his stare without flinching. She could smell the clinging scents of his potions supplies. There was a tangy smell that mingled with more subtle odors. The scent coming from him, though slightly stale, was heady and she wondered why she suddenly wanted to lean forward and press kisses to his thin lips and cheeks.

"Nothing but trouble, Nisha. Best you remember that," he said, almost a warning. She frowned at him, the spell created by the thin cloud of mixed scents vanishing with the use of his sharp tongue. She looked up at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Mr. Snape," she reminded him crossly. One raven colored brow shot up at the declaration and a hint of a smile played at the corners of his lips. She didn't like the idea that he was perhaps mocking her. "Best you remember that."

"Oh, I most certainly will, Nisha. You can count upon that," he intoned with a great deal of seriousness. She knew that he was still mocking her, so she smiled sweetly and motioned up the hall.

"Allow me to walk you to the door, Mr. Snape," she offered graciously and turned to glide toward the main doors. She knew that she was being watched. She could feel his black eyes boring into her back, studying her as she moved. She grinned and decided to mimic Narcissa's gliding gait, knowing instinctively that men would simply gawk at the blonde woman as she walked past them. She wasn't aware that, walking as she was so that her hips swayed seductively, Severus Snape followed after her with the most unchaste thoughts running through his head about the child before him.

When she opened the door, she was greeted with a scowl so deep that she thought he'd never get the look off his face. "Good day, Mr. Snape," she told him cheerfully.

"Good day, Nisha," he replied curtly and then stalked out the door.

Nisha had been overjoyed by his reactions. She knew that he'd been affected by her movements and that knowledge had instilled in her a sense of glee she was seldom lucky enough to feel. The euphoria had followed her through out her day, making the evening meal a most pleasant affair despite the fact that Narcissa hadn't joined them and her absence had seen Lucius scowling into his soup.

The evening meal had been a quiet affair. Even though she'd been happy, she knew that Lucius was not and so tried to keep her joyful feelings to herself so as not to disturb him. Dobby had hovered near by, anxious to please and avoid a round of serious self-abuse for displeasing his Master. The little Elf had done just that by making sure the wine glass before Lucius had remained full through out the course of their silent dinner.

It wasn't until after their dessert that Lucius had bothered to acknowledge Nisha's presence. She hadn't minded, knowing that he'd been preoccupied with something else. But when the table had finally been cleared of the remnants of their meal, he'd finally glanced up at her and offered her a smile. Nisha had returned it with blinding intensity, glad to see that he was once more in a pleasant mood. It was a night she didn't think she'd ever be able to forget.

"Come for a walk with me in the gardens, Nisha. The night is still young and magic rides the air this night," Lucius said graciously as he stood from his place. She nodded her agreement and slipped from her chair. With all the grace of a tiger, Lucius came to her side and offered her his arm. She took it with a smile and allowed him to escort her away from the table.They were silent as they moved together to the large French doors that opened up onto the extensive lawns and gardens behind the manor house.

With a grand gesture, Lucius opened the doors for them and escorted Nisha out into the night. The air was warm enough that Nisha didn't need a shawl or cloak for her shoulders. Torches were flickering with flames, casting their shifting light upon the grounds for the two as they strolled across the thick grass. There were soft calls of night birds and animals to fill the silence, the faint sound of a babbling brook in the distance. For Nisha, it was as close to heaven as she thought she was likely to get. She was alone in the dark with a kind man, his presence a security against any dangers of the night. His touch was a wonderful source of solace to her and she thought that there couldn't be any place better in the world to be at the moment than on his arm and strolling amongst the fragrant blossoms of his gardens.

They stopped when they stood amidst towering rose bushes, the blossoms selflessly spilling their glorious scents out into the night air. A small stone bench was positioned under an awning of painted lattice. The rose bushes had grown up around the small structure, enclosing it with the lush greenery of leaves and thick branches covered with large thorns and pale white roses. It was a wonderful bower and Nisha was more than delighted when Lucius helped to settle her on the bench, then took a seat next to her.

"Its so beautiful out here," Nisha sighed softly, closing her eyes to enjoy the warmth of the air and the night sounds that came to them from the trees in the distance. Lucius glanced at her, smiling softly at the look of peace on her face. It had been a while since Lucius had been out in the garden. And to now see it through the eyes of a young woman. It was like discovering it all over again. He was seeing the colors and experiencing the smells for the very first time.

"It is beautiful, Nisha. And I'm glad that I can share it with you," Lucius told her softly. She turned to look at him, her golden eyes shining in the light of the torches. There was happiness in them. A real happiness that he hadn't seen in them since she'd come to the house. He was glad he'd given her this gift. He smiled at her, inching closer to her on the bench. She didn't seem to notice, all her attention on the flowers and the night surrounding them.

Gently, Lucius reached out and took her hand. It was warm and, as soon as he touched it, her fingers automatically curled into his. She turned to smile at him again, her eyes shining in the dim light from the nearest torches. His eyes glowed in the soft light, a pale gray that seemed silver in the combined light of the flames and the moon above. There was a look in them that Nisha had never seen Lucius give her before. Tenderness.

She knew he was a hard man. And she knew that he kept his emotions close. He didn't show many people his gentler side. But she knew it was there. One night, when she hadn't been able to sleep, she'd slipped silently from her room to roam the halls until the restlessness passed. She'd stopped at the door leading into the Malfoys' private bed chambers. The large wooden panel had been cracked and she could see, through the small opening, Lucius on his knees on the floor. His arms had been around Narcissa's delicate shoulders. She'd been crying, her face buried in her husband's shoulder. Nisha had heard and witnessed the scene and had known that there was a genuine affection between the two of them. It was a scene she hadn't gotten to witness often. Nisha had instinctively known it was something that was special and private, so she'd never mentioned it to him.

Now, sitting here in the moonlight, she could see that tenderness once more. It was in his eyes as he stared down at her. The lines of his face had gone soft and she swore that looking upon him in that way was like looking upon the face of an angel. She offered him a faint smile, her eyes wide with her feelings. Lucius returned the smile and inched closer, slipping his arm around her shoulders so that her body touched his from shoulder to hip and thigh. He was so warm beside her, so human. She relaxed almost immediately and leaned against him slightly. "Do you know what else is beautiful, Nisha?" his voice was low, washing over her with all the intensity and power of a waterfall and the gentle, silky softness of the finest silks. She shuddered and shook her head.

"No, I don't," she replied softly, staring up at him breathlessly.

"You, Nisha. You're beautiful, too," he told her. He turned at the waist so that he was facing her more directly. His hands lifted, his long fingers gliding effortlessly through her hair as he continued to stare at her. Even in the dim light, she knew he could see the blush that stained her cheeks with his comment.

"Thank you for saying so, but I'm not beautiful," she shook her head, her lips tilted up in a smile. "Narcissa is beautiful. I'm plain next to her."

'Its true that Narcissa is beautiful. But there are different kinds of beauty and you possess a beauty as great as hers. Simply in your own way," he told her in a near whisper. She felt her heart flutter in her chest. "You captivate me, Nisha. There is something about you that I find bewitching. I could spend the rest of eternity looking into your eyes and searching for that special quality that so attracts me."

Nisha didn't know what to say. No one had ever spoken to her like that before and she was more than embarrassed by it. Her blush deepened and she lowered her gaze, her head dipping down to hide her reaction to his words. A pair of fingers curled under her chin and tipped her head up so that he could ssee her face. She colored even further, bringing a smile from him. Lucius moved closer to her, the heat of his body radiating out to warm her. His hands reached up to cup her face, cradling her cheeks between them. His head dipped down and she felt a strange fluttering in his chest and lower. Of their own accord, her eyelids fluttered closed. Then his lips were touching hers.

The kiss was like nothing she'd ever felt before. No one had ever dared to touch her like this and Nisha found herself adrift on a sea of feelings and emotions. A charge of excitement and electricity coursed along her veins, sending shockwaves of delight to every part of her body. Her body went limp next to his and she soon found herself pressed tightly against his. He was all hard muscle next to her feminine softness. She liked the feel and inched herself closer to him.

His hands slipped lower until they were on her shoulders, then began gliding down her back. The touch was light, bringing forth a series of tingles that Nisha found she liked a great deal. She wasn't sure what she should do with her hands. She wasn't so brave as to touch him as he was touching her, but it felt awkward to leave them in her lap. Finally, she put them on his shoulders, her fingers curving over them to hold herself steady and to keep him close. He sighed against her lips, then she felt his tongue trace along the seam of them and it was her turn to sigh.

When she did, her mouth parted slightly. Lucius took it as an invitation and slowly slid his tongue into her mouth. The action sent shockwaves through her system that pooled thickly between her thighs. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but she knew she liked it and it was suddenly important that his hands touched her everywhere. Her body ached to feel his hands running all over it.

She whimpered when he pulled away. Her chest heaved and her eyes felt as if they were too heavy to open. It took great effort to pry them open. He was smiling when she looked up at him and she couldn't help but return his smile with one of her own. She felt lethargic, yet full of energy all at once. She didn't quite understand what was happening to her. She only knew it felt so very pleasant and was like nothing she'd ever felt before.

"As I said. Beautiful and captivating," Lucius told her softly.

Nisha had gone to bed that night floating on cloud nine. She hadn't really known then what was happening. It had taken time, and a talk with Narcissa, for her to understand what was going on with her body. And then, she'd thought herself in love with Lucius. He'd been so gallant and so caring where she was concerned. It hadn't occured to her until it was too late that he'd only been out to serve his better interests. By then, he'd not only destroyed her feelings for him, but he'd shattered any dreams she'd ever had.

During the years she'd been gone, Nisha had often thought about those times when she'd been in Lucius' arms. They had been some of the happiest times of her life and it had pained her to realize that they hadn't meant to him what they'd meant to her. That had been the deciding factor in her plans to stay away from him for the rest of her life. She only wished that the Fates had been willing to acquiesce to her decisions.

~*~*~*~*~

Severus lifted his head and set the book down, then rubbed tiredly at his eyes. He'd spent the entire day and much of the night searching through his vast library looking for something, some small article of written information, that could possibly explain the niggling suspicion he had about Nisha. When Lucius had called him and asked him to sit with her, the aristocrat had not so subtly insisted that Snape use Legilimency on her to find out what she was hiding. Snape had done his best. And he'd literally hit a brick wall.

He hadn't been able to find anything inside Nisha's head. Point of fact, he hadn't been able to get into Nisha's head. He'd gotten a good glance into her eyes, but hadn't been able to get past them. She hadn't been trying to block him. In fact, if Severus had to guess, he didn't think that Nisha had known he was attempting to read her mind. She'd just had a very strong, very natural blockade that he'd not been able to push through. No matter how hard he'd tried. He knew that an ability such as that was practically unheard of within the Magical or the Muggle community. There were a few lucky souls who were very gifted Occlumens and could prevent almost any attack on their mind. But he didn't know of any, himself included, who could completely block their minds.

He knew that there was something very odd about Nisha and he was almost more than positive now that she wasn't human.

When he glanced around his private rooms, he noted that the candles had burned low during the course of his long and exhaustive research session. His eyes ached from hours upon hours of reading and squinting at print that was small and cramped and tiny. Some of the texts he'd been looking in were handwritten, one of a kind books that hadn't been published for the general public. His library was vast and held a large number of rare tomes that he was certain not even Dumbledore had seen. And not a single one of them held even an ounce of the information he sought. There was literally nothing to be found about Nisha and her unusual abilities.

Severus frowned and closed the book, pushing it away from him. He was tired and disgusted. All of his life, books had been a refuge and a solace for him. They'd been his friends when he hadn't had anything or anyone else. They'd been a place to run away and hide, to dream of a better life for himself. For the first time in his long, lonely life, his friends had let him down. He had gone to his books in the hopes that they would shed some light on the current situation and instead came away disappointed and disillusioned, shattered at their inability to help him. He knew that he had to figure out who and what Nisha was. It was now a moral imperative that would course through his veins and plague his mind at nights. It wouldn't allow him to sleep until he had the answers he sought.

Dropping his face into his hands, Severus gave in to his exhaustion. He needed to sleep and refresh his mind so that he could think clearly and start his research again. Whether Lucius wanted to know or not, Severus planned on finding out why Nisha was so strange. He was going to understand why she'd been able to do the things she'd done. He had to know it with an all consuming need.

He stood and set the books to the side, making sure they were stacked in neat piles on the surface of his desk. To him, being tired was no excuse for being sloppy. After a few moments of moving things back and forth across the top of his desk, he was satisfied with the picture of tidiness his books, papers and others things made. Standing, Severus stretched his back slowly, working the kinks out that had developed during the long hours of reading. It had been a long time since he'd done any marathon reading and, like it or not, he wasn't as young as he used to be.

He knew the path to his bedroom well enough that he could walk it in the dark. He did so this time, making sure to put the candles out as he went. The unimistakable odor of spent flames followed him as he went. Upon reaching his room, he went about his nightly routine as he readied himself for sleep, then put out the last of the candles and climbed into bed.

~*~

Severus awoke with the tendrils of the dream still clinging to the deep crevices of his brain. He frowned at the memory of all that naked flesh. The images colliding about inside his mind brought back the problem he'd been trying to solve the night before, which brought a deep frown to his face. He was still no nearer to solving the mystery that was Nisha.

HI foul mood persisted, following him to the Great Hall for the morning meal. The look on his face was so fierce that he unintentionally frightened several first year Hufflepuffs by simply looking at them. One and all in the large room knew he was in a particularly nasty mood by the way he speared the innocent sausages laying on his place, followed by the ritual stabbing of the accompanying eggs.

By the time he got to his classroom, he was completely impossible to deal with. The urge to strangle anyone who crossed him was so strong that students and staff alike had scurried out of his way as he'd stalked up the hall. No one wanted to incur his wrath. His temper was not made any better by the fact that, as he prepared the classroom for the day's lessons, he realized he would be dealing with third year Slytherins and Gryffindors. And that meant the Golden Gits of Gryffindor. Harry 'Put on this Earth to be Annoying' Potter, Ronald 'The Stupid Sidekick' Weasley and Hermione 'I'm too Smart for my Own Good' Granger.

His day was just getting better and better as the unending seconds of the eternal Hell that was his life ticked by slowly.

It was about half way through the class that the idea hit him. He had, at the beginning of the hour and in his surliest voice possible, given out the day's assignment. Then he'd settled into the chair behind his desk, his mind once more feverishly turning over the issue of Nisha. As he'd sat there, pondering her origins, his attention had been drawn to the bushy, bent head of Hermione Granger. As usual, she was busy trying not to get caught as she helped Longbottom with his potion.

As much as the girl annoyed him with her incessant questions, Severus had to admit that she truly was one of the brightest Witches to ever grace Hogwarts. He'd heard Lupin discussing her with McGonagall and had to admit, even if only to himself, that the girl was indeed clever. She excelled in her education, though she didn't really do so well in social settings. She was much like him in that respect. He disliked admitting such things, but he saw hints of himself in the awkward girl.

During the past two years of having her in his class, as with the current year as it had progressed so far, he'd seen her turn in paper after paper and potion after potion that had been highly researched and detailed or properly and meticulously brewed. She was, by far, one of his best students. She never failed in her work, given the conversations he'd overheard about her between other teachers. She, of all people, might be able to assist him in his quest for information.

He was smiling by the time the class was at an end. It was a completely Slytherin thing he was going to do and it would do his House proud. He had to force a scowl back onto his face and then leveled a dark gaze on them all. "Time is up. Bottle up you work, label it with your name and turn it in up here on the edge of my desk. Then you will clean up your messes."

He watched as the class scrambled to do as they'd been told. All of them soon had their bottles settled upon his desk. There was a faint cacophony of sound as they worked the cleansing spells to obliterate any trace of their potions from their work spaces. As the hour neared its end, he glanced up and centered his gaze on Hermione as she slipped her things into her bag. "Miss Granger."

She glanced up at him. "Professor?" she asked curiously.

"I should like you to stay after class," Severus told her, making sure to keep his tone bland and clueless. She stared at him for a few moments, then looked between Potter and Weasley. Both boys wore a decidedly unhappy look upon their faces. Even from across the room, Severus could see that there was deep mistrust in their eyes. He acknowledged their feelings with a faint hint of a smile.

"Yes, Sir," Hermione nodded, a tight look upon her face.

"We'll wait for you outside," Ron told her. She nodded at them, then watched as the two of them filed out behind the rest of the class. When they were all out, Severus flicked his wand at the door and closed it so that he and Granger were left alone and with a certain amount of privacy. She approached his desk and stood before it, her hands clasped together in front of her.

"Miss Granger, since you seem to have so much free time on your hands while in my class, I believe I shall give you another assignment to occupy your time,' he told her, making sure his voice was terse. He also made sure to appear busy by grading a first year's report on the uses of some of the more common potions ingredients and their uses.

"Professor, I don't think that I..." she began, only to have him interrupt her. His head snapped up, his black gaze fixed on her.

"Were you or were you not helping Longbottom with his potion?" he demanded.

"Yes, but I... " she began again.

"Then it is obvious to me that you do not have enough to do. So, as I said, I will assign you a project to keep those idle hands of yours busy," Severus snarled at her. Hermione frowned, but said nothing. He relaxed back into his chair, his hands steepled before him in a pose of deep contemplation. "I want a report from you."

"What kind of report, Professor?" Hermione asked, a soft sigh escaping her.

"I wish you to research and unusual topic," Severus began, knowing he would have to word this carefully so that she didn't ask too many questions. "As you know, potions is a specialized part of magic. But there is a large world of magic out there. Larger than what we are taught her at Hogwarts. There are also magical beings in this world we know little about. Some, we only know of through myth and legend."

"What is this to do with a Potions assignment, Professor?" she asked and he could hear the mounting curiosity in her voice. If not for the fact that he was trying to look stern, Severus would have smiled at her eagerness.

"Potions do not succeed without magic," he replied easily, having anticipated such a question. "And we know much about the magic of our kind. Of humans who are born with magic in their blood. But, as I said, there are other races, other peoples, who are magical. I feel, as you are Muggle born, that it is important for you to understand all magical peoples if you are to understand the magic you possess. So, I wish you to do extensive research on other peoples of magic and write me a report on these peoples. Include all races you came across and the types of magic they possess. How their magic presents. Take as much time as you need. I will not assign a date on which the paper is due. But I will look for thoroughness.."

Hermione stared at him for several long moments, then a look came into her eyes. "Of course, Professor. You do realize, of course, that a report such as this will require the use of the Restricted Section in the library."

"Of course, Miss Granger. I will write you a pass," he nodded, drawing a blank piece of parchment toward him. He lifted his quill and dipped it into his ink well before leaning down to write out the requested pass. He signed his name with a flourish, then set the quill aside. Silently, he passed the note to Hermione. When her fingers curled around it to take it, he held it tightly and leveled a gaze on her. "Do not fail or disappoint me, Miss Granger."

"Of course not, Sir," she told him. With a nod, he let go of the parchment and watched her take it. She moved to her bag, scooped it up and left in silence. Severus leaned back in his chair once more, a smile upon his face. He was certain that, with Hermione looking for answers for him, he would know soon enough what Nisha was. He would not cease in his own efforts at discovering the truth, naturally. But there was only so much he could do between his teaching duties and his personal commitments to Lucius. Not to mention anything that he was asked to do by Dumbeldore.

When he found out what Nisha was, he planned on telling Lucius. There was a deep sense of mystery surrounding the girl and Lucius Malfoy was not the only one who wanted the mystery solved.

~*~*~*~*~

Nisha slid from the bed, flinching as the scabs on her back pulled. The combination of sleep, potions and salves had been working their healing magic on her wounds. She was healing slowly and had been ordered to remain in bed until it was deemed she was well enough to leave it, but she was tired of laying in bed all day long. It was one of those times when Lucius had left her alone, so she knew she had some time before to stretch her limbs.

It had been a few days since shed seen his friend Mr. Snape, but she couldn't quite get their conversation out of her head. She couldn't help but think that there was something different about the dark man. She knew, all those years ago, that he hadn't cared her her. Lucius had explained to her once that Snape didn't like children. And he'd proved it when ever she'd been in his company. Their last meeting, though, seemed different. There had been a certain kind of tension between them that she'd needed time to puzzle out. It had finally come to her that the tension had been of a sexual nature. Now, Nisha sat in the window seat in her room, wrapped in the softness of a thick cotton robe, thinking over what she'd learned.

Thirteen years ago, Nisha had met Severus Snape and had discovered that he was a bitter man with little interest in much outside his books and his potions. After a time, she'd learned that he'd found her fifteen year old self enticing and appealing. Underneath that dour exterior of his, he'd been aroused by her developing feminine form.

Now, as a grown adult, Nisha could see that little had changed about him. He was still jsut as bitter and introverted as before. However, now he seemed to be deeply entrenched in sorrow and unhappiness. She could see that something had changed between then and now, some personal tragedy had befallen him and affected him. She could sense that within him. Deep down, he suffered, too.

"Honestly, Severus," Narcissa gave him a gentle smile. "I don't understand why you chose to isolate yourself. Certainly there's a Witch out there who would make a suitable bride. Must you be so dreary and depressing all the time."

"I have no desire to be burdened with an emotional female. I have no need for a bride," Severus told her curtly, looking up from the piece of parchment Lucius had handed him.

"But surely you don't mean to spend the rest of your days alone," she persisted. Nisha was in the hallway, listening in on the conversation with all the unabashed curiosity of a child. She could see through the slight crack in the door. Lucius sat in a wing back chair while Narcissa lounged on a low settee. Severus sat in a straight backed chair, his face closed off so that there was no expression to read on it.

"Unlike Lucius, I have no need for a clinging wife. I have no wish to be subjected to the possibility of a pack of spoilt, squalling brats. I am perfectly content to be alone and unencumbered by such burdens," he told her, his tone lacking both warmth and friendliness. Nisha saw brief passing of sorrow cross Narcissa's face before she composed it into a mask of icy disdain.

"I do not believe Lucius finds himself burdened with a wife. And I do not believe that he would believe himself burdened with a son and heir," she snapped. "Its no wonder that no woman will have you, Severus. Your outlook is so depressing."

Nisha saw the look in Snape's eyes, even from where she stood. Despite the blank look on his face, it was obvious to her that Narcissa's words had hurt the man deeply. Despite his claims, Severus Snape wanted exactly the things that he didn't think he'd have. A family. Someone to love and someone to love him. And Narcissa's words, said out of spite, had wounded him like nothing else could. She'd shattered the few dreams he'd harbored for himself. And, suddenly, Nisha found herself wanting to find a way to make those dreams come true.

Nisha came back to herself from the memories and stared out the window. It had been a long time since she'd allowed herself to think about the feelings she'd developed for not only Lucius, but Severus, as well. Perhaps, if she hadn't felt something for Lucius, she wouldn't hav found herself in the position she was in now. Perhaps, if she hadn't been responsible for Narcissa's pregnancy, she might have been able to find a way to give in to her desires for Snape. She sighed and stared blindly out the window. Her thoughts were now focused on a tall, pale man who despised her.

Severus Snape had never been what one could call handsome. He was too thin, his skin too sallow, his nose too large and his hair too stringy. And yet, Nisha had felt some kind of inexplicable draw to him. A pull that even now frightened her, because having seen him had returned that feeling to her with greater intensity. When she'd been a mere fifteen, she'd thought that she'd been deeply afraid of him. And perhaps she had. But she'd also been drawn to him because she'd seen the intelligence in his eyes. She'd sensed the loneliness in him. And she'd seen, most importantly of all, the beauty of his soul.

end chapter five.
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my thanks go out, as always, to my group of supporters and encouragers. they always help me see things through and i couldn't do this without them. thanks, guys! you're the best!

finally...

to Julie: i hope this chapter is as well received as the last one was.

to LariLee: well, here's the next chapter. i'm still working on who will end up with Nisha. obviously, she has feelings for both men. she only needs to sort out which one means more to her. i'm sure we'll see that when we get there. i hope you enjoy.