Ival Pythonica

A/N: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its characters, etc. They are all the property of J.K. Rowling. For no profit of any kind, I am simply borrowing her characters for a short while. Only the Original Character of Megan Malfoy is my own, though her last name is borrowed from J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Thank you to all those who have reviewed so far! It is about to get very interesting and complicated. I have a general idea as where I want this story to go because I wrote this about half way through once before and then deleted it. I have done a lot of different things with this rewrite and since I never finished the original, I still don’t know how it will end. I am going on a chapter by chapter basis with reviews helping me decide the direction. So, I thank those who have reviewed and added me as their favorite author/story. I am honored. I apologize this chapter took so long to get to my faithful readers. I encourage those who have never read it to check it out and those who already read it to hang in there until the end! Sorry for the long A/N!!

Megan followed Snape, still holding his hand to the end of the short foyer where they came to a dead end. The stone walls stood on all sides, making Megan feel claustrophobic.

“Where’s the door?” Megan asked.

Snape smiled and drew out his wand. He pointed at the brick wall and announced:

“Reveal the home to its Master.”

The brick wall melted away and Snape stepped through, pulling an awestruck Megan with him. After they walked across the threshold and were safely on the other side, the wall reformed behind them. Megan turned and using her free hand, touched the stone, as if to see if it was real. It was hard and cold, solid stone. Megan smiled.

“Leave it to you to make the entrance to your home a movable brick wall. Most people just use wards, but not you.
Paranoid?” Megan chuckled lightly and shook her head.

“Well, I like to protect my privacy. Paranoia is something I could rightfully claim after the years of fighting for the Light and the Dark Lord. However, it is simply my own personal form of wards and Dumbledore, as well as you now, know my secret. I do not give such keys to my privacy so willingly; it requires me to have a great amount of trust in the person. So you’re in a very exclusive club of people, also a very small one.” He smiled.

Megan just raised her eyebrows at him, blinked, and then shook her head. She looked at him strangely, as if studying him.

“What is the matter, Megan?” He looked concerned.

“I’m just not used to you smiling; it’s . . . a little disturbing.” She stammered for the correct word.

“You do not like my smile. Would you rather I scowled and snapped at you as I have always done?” Snape’s voice was icy once again but there was a tinge of hurt in his eyes and voice.

Megan touched his shoulder and smiled.

“No, I actually love your smile but I am not used to it. This side of you is all so new to me; you have to give me time.”

“I see. I understand and will try my best to give you the benefit of the doubt as we proceed. If you have anything you wish to say or need to ask, please do not hesitate. Believe it or not Megan this is as new to you as it is to me, but we can discuss that later. Please, make yourself at home.” He turned and gestured around his living room, unblocking Megan’s view.

Megan had an intake of breath and her jaw dropped.

It was gorgeous. The floor was wall to wall stones in multitudes of shades of brown. It reminded Megan of smooth cobblestone streets. Every inch of available wall was covered in high bookshelves, crammed with books. However, they seemed organized and thoroughly dusted. The wood of the shelves was a dark mahogany, glossed to a high sheen that caused the firelight to make them glow.

Megan walked over and ran her hand over the shelves. The wood was as she thought; dust free, smooth and the books were spotless. Snape had organized them by author on some sets of shelves. On others, when there hadn’t been an author, he had organized them by subject or title. Megan walked around the room’s edge and looked at every shelf, amazed. She ran her hands over the bindings and read some of the titles. Many of the binding were leather or animal hides, some volumes were so discolored and the bindings so used, that they had to be hundreds of years old. Megan sighed as she looked them over.

Snape had stepped up behind her, enjoying watching her enjoying something so much. Her love of books was the same as his and sometimes surpassed it. He had a swell of pride that she liked his collection, even seemed to envy it.

“Is it a nice private library?” He asked.

Megan turned to see him right behind her, looking over her shoulder.

“Yes.” She let out a sigh. “I have never seen such a collection of material outside of a library in my life. I could spend my entire life in this room reading from the first book through to the last book on the last shelf. You have some of the most fascinating books and some very hard to find volumes in your collection. How long did it take for you to amass this collection?”

“Since I was about ten I began to collect any book about potions I could find, whether out of date or in vogue. After all these years I still search book stores, estate sales, little shops, and the papers for personal sale ads. I never stopped collecting and probably never will but I must say I am running out of room.” He glanced around the room.

“You look like you have room on that set of shelves.” Megan pointed to a set of shelves in a far corner, which she started walking towards.

The case was mahogany shelves like the others but it had a glass covering. Megan touched it and was shocked strongly, landing on her backside. Snape helped her up.

“Are you alright?”

“It’s a magically electrical warding device. I have read about it but never saw it done or experienced it. I can safely say it is quite effective.” Megan brushed off her pajamas and peered into the case.

There were rows and rows, at least three shelves full, of leather bound volumes with the dates etched into the sides. The dates went back nearly thirty years. It dawned on Megan what they were.

“You keep journals? You of all people keep journals?” She was astounded.

“Just because I am a man, Megan and a very busy one, does not preclude me from keeping a journal. I find that by writing my emotions and daily events down on paper it relieves some of my stress. I have used electric shock magic because it is the newest and most effective form of protecting my secrets.” Snape was using his scolding professor voice.

Megan shrank back a bit and blushed in embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean to assume anything because of your gender or personality. I apologize. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. If it is meant to be private it is none of my business what they contain.” Megan looked close to tears.

Snape sighed. “I apologize, as well. I did not mean to snap at you. As I explained earlier, I highly value my privacy. It is not just applied to you; it is applied to all who enter my rooms or my life. Please, let us forget this incident and look at the rest of the apartment.” He turned and gestured towards the fireplace.

Megan walked over and stood behind the sofa placed just a few feet from the fire. With a cursory glance she could see the sofa was a plush material, almost velvet in texture. It had two matching armchairs sitting just off to the sides of the sofa. They were high backed and arranged in a diagonal line to the ends of the couch. In front of the sofa was a coffee table made of the same mahogany. Its surface was about two and half feet off the floor with four legs that ended in clawed feet, like an old fashioned bathtub. Under the top of the table was another shelf with periodicals, mail and rolled parchments stacked neatly in piles. Again the chairs and tables were dust free and the table glowed as the firelight danced off its highly polished surface.

The Fireplace jutted out of the wall by three feet with a stone hearth, its mantle was covered in awards and framed achievements but there were no pictures or portraits of any kind. Above the fireplace was a cloth tapestry of the Slytherin Crest. Its threads were of real spun gold, silver, jade and black granite. It glowed like a beacon of light, almost brighter than the fire in the fireplace.

“Wow. That is impressive. I didn’t know they could spin jade and black granite into thread to weave in tapestries. It’s beautiful.” Megan walked forward and ran her hands over it.

“You would be surprised what wizards and witches have been able to do that Muggles have not figured out the capabilities of.” Snape snorted.

Megan wheeled on him suddenly.

“You have such a disgust it seems for Muggles. Why on Earth would you? Some of your best students and some of the best witches and wizards to walk through the gates of Hogwarts were Muggles.” Megan stared at him hard, anger rising in her.

“I have no disgust for Muggles.” Snape retorted defensively. “I just cannot comprehend life without the use of magic. Just look how far we have come with Potions, for example. Meanwhile, the Muggle medical community still struggles with diseases, aliments, and problems that our magic has cured or helped in the wizarding community long ago. It actually is almost sad. I feel sorry they do not have the advantage we do, that is all.”

Megan took a deep breath. “I am sorry again. My temper is rather short since this curse has zapped me of my energy. I cannot wait to be free of this.” Megan sighed and sat down in one of the chairs.

“Megan,” Snape began sitting on the end of the couch nearest her chair. “there are some things we must discuss before this evening goes any further. Must speak honestly with you about many things you do not know and some things you many think you know but do not know the truth. It is best you know my feelings going into this. I also request I not be interrupted for we have only until dawn and too many questions would prevent me from telling all there is to tell and helping solve the curse. May I proceed in what I have to say?” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, starring intently at Megan.

“Yes, by all means, Severus. I would gladly give you the floor, so to speak, but may I ask questions afterwards and can you please try not to treat it like a lecture?”

“Of course I can do that, Megan. However, this is very difficult for me to say some of these things. So, I many pace around in front of the fireplace or not talk directly at your face at times. It is of no disrespect to you. I just have a lot to say. Is that satisfactory?” He stood and looked down at her.

“Yes, please tell me what’s going on in your head because to be honest I am confused by the display of romantic gifts and affection. You, Severus Snape, have pulled a complete personality change on me and I wonder if it’s an act for my sake and the curse or true feelings. We have kissed before, though not like tonight’s greeting, and the next day it was as if it never happened. So, I always wondered what was going on with you. Please, go ahead and inform me as you wish.” Megan sat back, arms crossed and watched him start to pace.

“When I discovered you were cursed, I was, for lacking of a better term, pissed. I had students at school that teased and abused me with magic. Like you, I was always outcast for my associations. Though I admit your association is not with a demented, sociopath and his followers but whatever the case may be, I have been where you have been. Then again, all the torment I have received as a student could never compare with the curse that has been placed upon you due to your father’s and my own actions. You are only a catalyst for their distribution of pain. I feel as responsible as your father would feel if he knew. We made some bad decision when we joined the Dark Lord and I came back to my senses, your father, unfortunately did not. He, as usually, escaped punishment which is good in this case because he is all you have left of your parents. Even if Lucius is not a candidate for Father of the Year, he still cares. I care.

“When I heard the terms of the contract, I have to admit I panicked and was disgusted but not for the reasons you might assume. I was disgusted that these girls came up with such a Dark curse and rested it upon your innocent shoulders. I was disgusted because the terms of the contract are by their nature sick and twisted but not because I would have to sleep with you, no not that. What disturbed me was this unblemished, beautiful girl with so much potential had to give herself to not just one man but two against her will or die. You do not deserve such degradation and humiliation. Then I was forced to make a choice: let you die, which I could never under any circumstances do, or force myself upon you to make you live. I am afraid this will have long reaching consequences on our friendship, our student-professor relationship and our Master-apprentice relationship. I could ruin your future by saving it, which is why I will now explain the kisses from before.

“I have been attracted to you for a long time now, maybe a year. You were so bright, eager, determined, and had a natural gift and love of Potions I had not seen since myself. You have such a bright, optimistic attitude and, when allowed, a vibrancy that lights up a room. Your smile sends tingles to my very toes and just a touch of your skin against mine, I go crazy with ideas. I have desired your body since you became of age but only gave in twice to the temptation. The first kiss in the lab was my mistake of letting my guard down. Our bodies were so close, our hands intertwined, our bodies moving as one to create something, your perfume wafted off your skin in the heat of the potion and I looked into your eyes. I was spelled bound. On instinct I brushed our lips together and realizing what I was doing, stepped back and pretended it never happened. However, I dreamed of that first kiss for months and when the garden party came, again it was the atmosphere of the blooming flowers’ fragrance, the wonderful lilac perfume you wear wafting off you with the breeze, the beautiful sapphire cotton gown you wore and the tendrils of your hair blowing loose from your hairdo to brush your lips and eyelashes. If that gnome had not bumped us together I may have kissed you anyway and if I had not been called away so quickly, I might have kissed you as I wished, as I did at the door tonight.

“As time went on and the feelings get stronger, I tried to be colder towards you, to ward off the feeling I had welling up inside me. The last time I loved anybody, Lily; she left me for Potter and was killed. After that day, I vowed I would never love another woman again. I have not touched, kissed or been with physically any woman since my small interaction with Lily and a couple of young Slytherin girls while I was a young man at school. I am afraid I cannot please you, afraid how I might be out of practice in the art of love making and to be frank; I am scared to death about all the things I just admitted to you. You have this curse hanging over your head and now I profess my affections for you, my care for you, my need for you in my life, my desire for you! Dumbledore said to wait and I had planned on just explaining what I started with but I ended up babbling and letting it all out! What have I done?”

Snape stopped pacing and walked over to the cabinet on the other side of the room by the door. He took out a glass and poured a shot of Fire Whiskey, swallowing in one gulp. He felt like a fool and could not look at her. He waited for harsh words, laughter, and any type of rejection. There is only silence, until Megan blurted out:

“Can I have a shot of that? I think I could use one.”

Snape jumped her voice was so close. Megan was standing right behind him. She reached over and poured from the bottle into his shot glass. She took it from his trembling hands and downed the liquor. It burned her throat for just a moment, and then she felt the warmth slide down into her belly. She set down the shot glass and reached up, grabbing Snape’s face, turning it towards her. She searched his eyes which were frantic, terrified, and ashamed. Megan smiled at him and said:

“I have fallen for you, too. I also have dreamed of those kisses, desired your body, begun to need your company, your companionship, and I have desired above all else to have you tell me you felt the same. I wish the circumstances were different but they aren’t. I care for you, too. I also have a confession to make: I am a virgin. No man has kissed me but you and no man has touched me or shared my body in any way. I never loved nor desired any man but you.” Megan leaned up and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Snape stood stock still in shock, then elated by her confession kissed her back like he wanted to inhale her very essence. His tongue searched every corner of her mouth, felt every edge of her tongue and he gripped her around the middle as if he could pull Megan right into him.

After a few moments, Snape broke the kiss. He stepped back and smiled so wide he felt strange doing so.

“I cannot find the words to express the relief I feel at hearing your words. I feel as if we can proceed onto the execution of expelling this curse from your body. That is if you’re ready?”

“I am. I just ask because I am so new to all this, be gentle with me, be slow with me and please be careful with me.” Megan’s eyes and face betrayed her suddenly nervous state.

“I will be as gentle with you as if you were made of the most fragile glass.” Snape loving stroked her cheek. “I suggest you have another glass of Fire Whiskey and freshen up. The bathroom is connected to my bedroom through there.” He pointed to a mahogany wooden door to the left of the fireplace. “I will meet you in the bedroom after I put out the fire in here. Help yourself to anything you need and take your time.” He kissed her lips lightly.

“Okay, thank you Severus.”

Megan took the second glass of Fire Whiskey and walked over to and the through the door. Megan nearly dropped her glass when she saw his bedroom.

The floor was wall to wall plush forest green carpet. It was so thick and lush it was like walking on air. The walls were stone but instead of book shelves, there were tapestries and paintings by famous witches, wizards and Muggles, too. The colors were all mute tones as if someone threw a film over the original to dim its shine. There was one space of wall where an armoire stood. The top was two doors and the bottom three drawers, mahogany of course. The bed was a four poster, again in a deeply polished mahogany, with a canopy of silver gauze hanging down over the bed. When Megan drew back one of the practically sheer gauze curtains, she saw the duvet was also forest green with two fluffy looking pillows on each side of the bed. The left side’s pillows looked a little more used than the right, proving his earlier statement that no one had shared his bed, ever. The duvet was rolled back to exposed black cotton sheets, which to Megan’s touch were so soft she could barely believe it. Megan pushed down on the mattress and it was a foam mattress, similar to Muggle beds she had seen advertised. When she pulled her hand away, it seemed to keep the shape of her hand for a few seconds before smoothing out.
Megan stepped back and noticed the snake-like sconces on the walls holding white candles which burned but did not drip onto the carpet. The melting wax simply evaporated before it hit the ground. There were two mahogany bed tables on each side. Severus’ had a glass of water, candelabra with white no-drip wax candles, already lit, and a book with a silk book mark holding his place. The silk book mark looked startling like blue hair ribbon she had removed after a Potions session and when she was finished cleaning up in the ladies room, she came back to discover it missing. Severus at the time claimed to have not seen where it went. He had obviously stolen it as a memento.

“Like what you see?” Severus was standing in the doorway, watching her.

“Yes, the room is absolutely gorgeous and so comfortable.” Megan breathed the words in a whisper.

“Wait until you see the bathroom.”

Megan turned and walked around the foot of the bed. She headed straight towards the left wall and opened the door. Another gasp came from her lips. She set the Fire Whiskey down on the sink and glanced around.

The walls, floor, and ceiling were all black and forest green tiles. The tub was black marble with silver fixtures and it was large enough around to bath at least three to four people. She walked over to it. The tub’s edge came up to her mid-thigh and was probably three feet deep. She turned to find the sink and toilet were also black marble with the same silver fixtures. On closer inspection the handles were all round, the faucets and toilet flush handle were serpents. In the sink and the tub the water came out of the snake’s open mouth, fangs barred. There was a mirror about four feet wide by six feet long above the deep sink. The walls had the same snake sconces in the corners of the room and one above the tub with the same no-drip white wax candles. The room gleaned so bright Megan had to almost shield her eyes to the light.
“Just when I thought your place could not get any more impressive, here is another spectacular room.” Megan turned and smirked at Snape, who shrugged.

“I may be the scourge of Hogwarts and all students cower before the “Giant Bat” but I have the right to live in luxury in my own home. What did you expect? That I slept on a bed of nails and I used a chamber pot without washing my hands? Did you assume I did not shower and that the rumor my hair is greasy was true?” He laughed at the expression on Megan’s face.

“Well . . . no I did not believe such things but this is like a miniature palace. It was not as I expected you to live. I expected more meager I guess. You always tell us, ‘Less is more.’ So, I assume you lived with no muss, no fuss, as the saying goes.” She shrugged.

“Well, I may say those words concerning Potions but in my home, I like to live in total comfort. I wish, however, you tell no one about the details of my home. Like I said . . .”

“I know. I know. ‘You value your privacy,’ I got it already.” Megan chuckled.

“Alright, now freshen up and I will see you in the bedroom. Take your time, there is no rush. We have more than enough time.” He shut the door with a wink.

Megan shook her head, looking into the mirror. She looked around and saw a small bag set on the floor by the sink. It contained all her toiletries. She washed her face, hands, and neck and brushed her teeth. Than she brushed her hair thoroughly and slowly, taking her time to detangle it. Finally, after Megan used the facilities, she looked over at the door. Hanging on the back was an ice blue nightgown. Hesitantly, Megan tried on the garment. It fell with inch wide straps down to a modest bust line with underwire accentuating the swell of her breasts without showing too much cleavage. The dress slid down her natural curves softly, landing at her mid-calf. Looking in the mirror, Megan noticed the ice blue color set off her eyes, skin and hair, beautifully.

Taking one last look in the mirror, Megan sighed. She grabbed the glass of Fire Whiskey, downed it in one gulp and turned to walk to the door. But even with the alcohol and the encouraging words from Snape, Megan was still nervous as hell.
She stood up to full height, breathed deep and grabbed the knob. She turned the door, opened it and began to walk through.

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