Of Death and Fire

CHAPTER 8: It Weaves a Dangerous Web

CHAPTER 8: It Weaves a Dangerous Web

 
During the following weeks, Morgaine tried to fit in to the Hogwarts routine. She realized she was rather good at teaching, although it would never qualify for her list of favorite activities. The next thing that came to her attention was that, after Snape, she was the teacher the students feared the most. Not because of her attitude; unlike Snape, she was always calm in the classroom, never having to raise her voice. She didn't have to. During her lessons, not even the Weasleys dared to play their usual jokes. The eerie, cold air of the room, the occasional fly-bys of inanimate objects, the whispers that sometimes filled the room contributed to a discipline consisting of fear. But her students seemed to respect her, always addressing her politely in and out of class.

Her relations with the rest of the staff became warmer as well. She would occasionally find herself enjoying a cup of wine near a warm fire, sharing stories and ideas with several of her colleagues. Lockheart was kind of a pest at first, but after spending a night with a serious poltergeist manifestation in his room, he kept a safe distance. She still spent a lot of time with Hagrid, enjoying the company of the big-hearted fellow. As for Snape, he stayed off her path. But she was aware that he was watching her close. It became a kind of a game to her, to try and catch him looking at her. With no success, eventually. However, at the rare occasions she dared invoke the Sight, she could see that, although the anger was still there, there was a growing glow of respect in his aura. Barely visible, but present.

~*~

Fate was set in motion the day of the first Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Slytherin. She was outside of the Main Hall, waiting for Professor Flitwick to join her for the game. She was standing gracefully in the warm daylight, her long red hair shinning in the breeze, wearing her simple black dress and her red jasper pendant. She was as happy as a cat purring at the sun, when she saw the two men at the other side of the hallway. And her heart stood still.

They were talking to each other in low voices, as if weaving a dark plan. Both dressed in black, both pale, both Slytherin. The one was Snape, with a lock of dark and greasy hair falling oves eys eyes, not really noticing it. The other man was as tall, but with long, blond hair and an arrogant expression in his face. His resemblance with Draco Malfoy didn't escape her; this man was obviously his father. He suddenly looked up, and his gray eyes caught her gaze. Morgaine felt her knees turn to jelly. His eyes stirred inside her a feeling long forgotten. Caught in Malfoy's mesmerizing gaze, she barely noticed Snape's expression regarding this silent exchange.

"Here you are, dear", said cheerfully Professor Flitwick, breaking the spell. Morgaine inhaled deeply, relieved to meet the tiny guy. As they moved away to take their seats, she felt two pairs of eyes burning on her back. She dared ask Flitwick who the other man was.

"Oh, this was Lucius Malfoy, dear. Creepy fellow, if you ask me", he replied, confirming her suspicions.

~*~

At the other side of the hallway, a similar discussion took place. As soon as Morgaine and Flitwick were well away, Malfoy turned to Snape with excitement.

"Who was this woman, Severus?" he asked, his voice colored by lust.

"This would be Morgaine Greenleaf, the new teacher on Necromancy", he replied, choosing his words carefully. "And", he added, "she happens to be Dumbledore's distant relative".

Malfoy's eyes gleamed with renewed interest, as he had expected.

"Have my eyes fooled me, Severus, or is she of elfish blood as well?" he asked again, with a dark scheme already forming in his head.

"No, you're right", Snape replied back, trying to keep his own mixed feelings beyond the other man's grasp. "She's half elf, from her mother's side".

"Then, old friend", said Malfoy in his silkiest voice, "I think I'll stay for a drink after the game. Hogwarts has turned interesting all of the sudden".

~*~

The game ended in favor of the Gryffindor House, but Morgaine found herself unable to recall any of the game's details. The red jasper pendant was burning her skin, a clear sign of danger close by. The prophecy of Leonin was flashing in her mind: "no mortal man can resist the darkness. But beware, for it weaves a treacherous web".... And with the spirits' warning several weeks ago, she felt lightheaded, as if she was a pawn to a game beyond her reach. And the fact that Lucius Malfoy was openly staring at her from his seat across the field wasn't helping either.

The rest of the day passed like a dream. Declining an offer for an after match celebration she headed to her room, hoping that a good night's sleep would restore her peace of mind.

~*~

Not far from her, in the Potion Master's study, Lucius Malfoy was indulging in a glass of ruby red wine. A few feet away, Severus Snape appeared busy watching the dark shapes forming on the surface of his own wine.

"Come on, Severus", said Malfoy, a wicked smile lighting his face. "Don't tell me you have never thought of throwing her in your bed. Or on her knees", he added, his grin getting wider, as he pictured the scene in his head.

"Can't fool you there, Lucius", he replied, raising his eyes from his glass. "But, in case you haven't noticed, she's neither a squib nor a common witch. She's a necromancer and her kin tend to get nasty if you get on their bad side".

Malfoy shook his head. "I have to agree with you on this. But it's weird, come to think of it. Elves and necromancers rarely mix". He took another sip of his wine. "You don't suppose she's still virgin, do you?" he asked, with the faintest hint of hope in his voice.

Snape's eyes flared with sudden interest. "That's what you have been planning all along!" he said, finally getting to the core of the matter. Virglf'slf's Blood, he thought. One of the rarest ingredients in an alchemist's cupboard, and the one most seldom mentioned. He sat back, staring once more into the flames dancing in his wine. "No, Lucius, I don't suppose she's still a virgin. Not with this figure, and definitely not under Whitebone's care for ten years".

"I guess you're right", admitted Malfoy. "I'm certain that old crone beat us both in harvesting her blood". The wicked smile returned to his face. "Severus, are you in for a bet?"

The other man's eyes gleamed with interest. "What do you have in mind?"

"I bet", said Malfoy leaning forward, "that I'll have my way with her before you do".

"Not fair, Lucius", he replied, kind of disappointed. "Remember, she's been my student. Meaning, she probably hates my guts". He shook his head, trying to dissolve the memory of their last encounter.

"Then", Malfoy said eagerly, "let us raise the stakes. I bet", he said, looking into the other man's eyes, "that not only will I get to fuck her first, but I'll lead her to threesome".

Now Snape could hardly keep a straight face, feeling his penis move in his pants. "The three of us?"

"Why not?" asked Malfoy, leaning back in his seat. "It isn't as if we haven't done this before. But", he added in a casual voice, "if you get to bed her before I do, I'll admit my defeat".

"And what shall we bet on?" inquired Snape, accepting the challenge.

"Who cares?" said Malfoy. "After all, it's the hunt that counts".