Mistress of Slytherin
Mistress of Slytherin
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color:#003600\'>Author’s Note: I’m sorry I didn’t mention this before, but as this
fiction is set during the Chamber of Secrets, there is a fiction preceding
Mistress of Slytherin. It is called Journey to Passion. That fiction will
include all of the details pertaining to Jessica and how she became involved
with Snape. I hope that you’ll read it before continuing with Mistress of
Slytherin!!! It didn’t receive a single review stating that it was a waste of
time, so I can guarantee that if this fiction sparks your interest, Journey to
Passion will as well! Thanks! … and enjoy! ~ Lara
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color:#003600\'>Chapter One – The New Professor
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of September.
horizon, high on the cliff over the lake, stood the many turrets and towers of
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Its spotless corridors, classrooms
and dormitories hadn’t been as sparkling clean as they were now since the
previous September 1st. Each painting and suit of armour stood or
hung gleaming in the empty, moonlit corridors. The professors had all prepared
classroom lessons necessary to educate the witches and wizards of tomorrow.
exceptional professors of Hogwarts had all congregated at the Head Table
overlooking the four House tables stretching down along the vast length of the
Great Hall. They were all chatting amongst themselves and were eagerly
anticipating the arrival of their students – all exceptionally eager, except
for one.
was hardly the one to look forward to the beginning of a whole new year of
teaching at Hogwarts. It was almost easier to look forward to a Death Eater’s
meeting than it was the first of September. Condemned to teaching at the
acclaimed school of witchcraft and wizardry for the last eleven years and what
for he thought would be eternity, Professor Severus Snape, Master of Potions,
Head of Slytherin – dread the first of September more than any other day of the
year.
the school year, but each less and less as every new day meant it was one day
closer to the last day of classes. The last day of school meant two months of
either time of solitude, or time spent in the company of the one person in his
life who he considered a true friend. Even more than a friend, she was his
adherent, his conscience, his soul deep desire, and oddly enough, she was
determined to be the bane of his existence.
Eden.
previous school year, on Halloween night to be exact. After practicing medicine
in the Muggle world for six years, Jessica had been taken into the safety of
Hogwarts for protection from the Death Eaters who had murdered her mother,
Espiranza Van Eden, the daughter of Albus Dumbledore’s youngest sister,
Guinevere de Marquis. Not only was Jessica the grandniece of the famous and
powerful AlDumbDumbledore, but also the undisclosed and illegitimate daughter
of the world’s most feared dark wizard, the villainous Lord Voldemort.
quite remarkable pair of emerald green eyes like her mothers’, skin like ivory
and a long, dark curtain of silky hair, it took no effort for Severus Snape to
melt in her tender embrace. In fact, that was precisely where he had spent
of
of the last two months. With Headmaster Dumbledore’s permission, Snape had
taken Jessica back to her native London, then on to Paris, Rome and then
Athens. They had returned to Hogwarts with enough time for Snape to prepare for
the coming school year, but to his utter pleasure, they had returned with not
quite enough time to meet this years new professors – the Defence Against the
Dark Arts professor particularly.
Jessica whinged as she squeezed his hand and practically dragged him along the
wide, open corridor. “He simply can’t be any worse than the last one,
can he?”
Jessica and rolled his eyes, bearing a look of doubt. “One cannot compare the
likes of a babbling imbecile to someone as smug and self-righteous as Gilderoy
Lockhart,” he said, slowly sounding Lockhart’s name out as if he had a
mouthful of dirt. “The Headmaster’s decision to appoint that
superous ous son of a Bludger as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is
incomprehensible! I find it both
insulting and humiliating to think that the Headmaster believes he is
the most worthy and knowledgeable contender.”
her throat and ran her hand up and down along the sleeve of Snape’s black
robes. “Well, I’m quite certain his expertise in the area of the Dark Arts
exceeds that of Potion making. He doesn’t have the patients you do, Love. He’s
quick, eager and risky it seems. It’s rather obvious he has an absence of
caution, care and precision.”
brows together and looked down his shoulder into Jessica’s emerald eyes. “And
just how might you know so much about him?” he asked irritably while
making a face that made Jessica think he really did have dirt in his mouth.
books,” Jessica retorted. “Haven’t you?”
Snape hissed, his uncanny words slipping off his tongue reassuringly. “Know
your enemies better than your allies,” he advised again in his low, velvety
voice that was both delight and torment to her ears. “Did your uncle not teach
you that?”
NOT your enemy, Severus!” Jessica assured in the most confident tone she could
muster. “Where do you get such an idea?”
published work,” Snape said. Jessica watched as his pace quickened and his long
strides became even longer. Even as his anger and frustration escalated and his
pace became heavier, Snape still moved smoothly and soundlessly while his cloud
of black robes billowed dramatically behind him in his wake.
with Vampires,’” he continued. “A rather catchy title, I suppose.
Nevertheless, I felt that it would be in my best interest to continue
familiarizing myself with his accomplishments should he and I ever cross
paths. Rather ironic now, I say.” He cocked an eyebrow and looked shrewdly at
Jessica.
glare with a harsh look of her own. “You’re worrying for nothing, Love.”
Snape retorted sharply. “You know damned well that I will not lose any sleep
worrying about that bloody imbecile.”
uptight about meeting him!” Jessica demanded rather sternly. “You’ve put it off
long enough. Now is the time to forget about all the things you’ve read about
him and start paying attention to the real thing. Perhaps then you’ll figure
out why he got the job, and you didn’t.”
came to a sudden halt, his outstretched hand grasped Jessica’s arm tightly and
spun her around to face him. Glowering down at her, Snape angrily flickered his
gaze back and forth between each of Jessica’s emerald eyes and his brows drew
together in a menacing scowl. He held Jessica’s arms tight in his hands as his
black, empty eyes bore into her.
me that way Severus Snape,” Jessica said without even flinching under his
intensity. With one swift motion she freed herself from his grasp and took one
step back. “You know I don’t mean that to insult you. The point I’m
trying to make is that there is a good reason my e che chose Gilderoy Lockhart
instead of you, and the sooner you find out what that reason is, the better.
You’ll most likely have a better chance at the job next year,” she said more
softly.
muscles in his face and even let the corner of his mouth turn up into a half
smile. He lifted his hand back up to Jessica’s arm and affectionately began to
rub her where he had grabbed her. “Perhaps I will just have you find out
everything for me,” he suggested teasingly. “Merlin knows that would be
an easy task for you to pull off.”
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Jessica’s face. Her cheeks turned pink and she sighed bashfully. “That it would
be,” she agreed. As if there were only clouds beneath her feet, Jessica
dreamily began walking down the corridor leading to the Entrance Hall, her
fingers lazily trailing up along his chest. “It might take a couple of days,
but I think I would thoroughly enjoy such a mission. What sort of girl wouldn’t
jump at the idea of gradually warming up to Gilderoy Lockhart?” Jessica reached
her hand up and tickled just beneath his chin with her fingertips. “I could
have him surrender to my warm embrace in record time.” Jessica then taunted him
with the starry twinkle in her eye. “Before you know it, he’ll unleash his
guard and confess each of his deepest – and perhaps even his most intimate -
thoughts, and all without speaking one word. And then-”
and stopped again. He pulled Jessica’s hands away from his face and gave
Jessica the sinister look she had already grown quite accustomed to.
Jessica reminded.
I did not mean it like that!” Snape assured. “I was only-”
first, knowing that Snape would never admit to trying to make a joke. She
cocked her left eyebrow and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Was the
seemingly humourless Severus Snape trying to poke some fun at me?” Jessica
teased as she slowly pushed herself up against him. She ran her fingers along
Snape’s sides and began to tickle him under his ribs.
irritation and tried to push Jessica’s bothersome hands away. “Stop it,” he
pleaded softly. Jessica moved her hands further down his body and began poking
just above his waist.
she said with a smile.
hissed. “I do not find this amusing.”
Jessica’s request. “Come on, just a little giggle.”
her hands away from touching him anywhere she knew he was ticklish. “Enough!”
he bellowed once again. Snape took a firm grip around each of Jessica’s wrists
and then strode up to the edge of the corridor and barred her up against its
cold, rough wall. He fastened her hands up above her head and bore his dark,
hollow eyes into her. “What has gotten into you, Jessica? Why are you behaving
like a… child???”
him for a moment and then lazily let her eyelids fall shut. She moaned in a way
that made Snape’s entire body shiver with delight and then relaxed her hands
until he finally let her go. “And what’s wrong with a child’s behaviour?” she
questioned. “Why should only the children have all the fun with you?”
to speak, but before he could voice a single syllable, Jessica had stretched
her neck upward and planted a warm, ardent kiss on his lips. Her boldness took
him by surprise, as he was quite prepared to start lashing out at her for
asking such ridiculous questions. Appalled at how good her kiss made him feel
when all he wanted to do a moment ago was scold her, Snape tried to resist Jessica’s
affectionate endeavour. His hands pushed back on her shoulders, but his lips
refused to pull away from her kiss.
Snape knew Jessica was not ignorant to the fact that
he was partial to most of his students, but her mockery was what angered him
most of all. Although, as Jessica coaxed him into a deeper kiss, the
enthralling feel of her soft, moist lips stroking against his compelled Snape
to bend his head down and indulge in the full sensation of her sweet kiss. His
s sts stopped pushing her away and quickly began to gather her into a tight,
passionate embrace.
and readily opened her mouth, inviting him to a taste of her intimacy. She
leaned forward and let her body melt into his as her hands came down and began
groping at his chest as if trying to make way through his robes to the bare
flesh beneath.
doing that,” Snape murmured after finally backing away from their kiss. He
brushed his hands down along the front of his robes as if to wipe away every
trace of Jessica’s fervent hold. Jessica watched him pull his cloak around his
body and then bend his knees slightly as he gave a subtle tug and the front of
his trousers, which felt considerably tighter than they had before Jessica’s
kiss.
for six months,” she reminded and tried to ignore him as he regained his
composure. “You nearly lost your mind,” Jessica continued. She reached up and
straightened Snape’s white collar before moving on with him through the
Entrance Hall.
six-month period he would never forget, Snape did not like being reminded of
the loneliness and despair he suffered while Jessica lay in a death-like coma
for the last half of the previous school year.href=\"#_edn2\" name=\"_ednref2\" title=\"\">
Jessica could feel Snape’s despair accumulating. As much as he hated thinking
about the many weeks he spent grumping at her bedside, Snape also needed to
remind himself of how lucky he was to have Jessica back. She was his single ray
of light shining through a glut of black clouds. He felt that his life was
nog bug but an empty, desolate existence without her.
affectionately at Jessica, studying the tiny gold trimmings she had weaved into
her locks of dark hair. The golden flowers matched the golden embroidery in her
gown perfectly. As much as he hated seeing her dressed in scarlet and gold, he
couldn’t keep the flames in his heart from warming his entire body. However, he
couldn’t bring himself to admit how beautiful she looked this evening.
that blasted colour?” he asked.
wearing scarlet dress robes to dinner tonight?” Jessica asked. “I seem to
remember it was Gryffindor who last year won the House Cup.”
you’re so concerned about representing your own House, then why don’t you
wear a touch of green instead of that dreadfully depressing colour all the
time?”
her eyebrows. “And I also know that Minerva isn’t too concerned about wearing
her colours either. I already saw her this evening dressed from head to toe in
dark green robes.”
suppose,” Snape said with a touch of renewed pride in his voice. “It has been a
long time since any House but Slytherin has been awarded the House Cup.”
have returned her gesture by wearing her colours as long as Gryffindor
prevails,” Jessica suggested even though she knew such a thing would never go
over with Snape.
said. “And don’t think that you should have bothered either just to be
polite. Your efforts will probably go completely unnoticed.”
“I doubt that,” Jessica whispered under her breath.
“Besides, I’m going to dinner with you as your escort, not as your House
mascot,” Jessica assured.
think you ought to have complemented me as the Head of Slytherin?”
to complement your colours if you actually wore something to complement.
Honestly Severus, you look absolutely boring.”
turncoat, dear,” Snape retorted mockingly.
bother you that much, I have no doubt that you can change their colours in the
blink of an eye,” Jessica said in a rather injured voice.
agreed. He stepped a little closer to her and leaned his head down to her ear
as they walked. “Or I could remove them completely,” he whispered in a
threatening voice so full of sincerity, Jessica could feel his temptation wrap
tight around her like a coarse blanket.
Jessica hissed at him.
anything back, they stepped into the Entrance Hall where the caretaker, Argus
Filch was giving the floor one last cleaning.
bother,” Filch said without looking up at the couple. “It’ll only be another
hour before those filthy kids arrive, then I’ll have to start this cursed job
all over again.” Jessica concealed a giggle while Snape grumbled in agreement
with the caretaker.
anything to each other until Snape reverently opened the doors to the Great
Hall for Jessica. “Go on,” he said blandly and stepped aside.
Jessica nodded graciously and stepped into the Great Hall. Snape swept in
behind her and the door closed shut behind them. Their bodies were warmed the
moment they stepped inside. The sea of floating candles lit and warmed the
Great Hall, and just above them hung the long, scarlet and gold banners marking
Gryffindor as last year’s winner of the House Cup.
banners and smiled as she pointed up at them. “Next year when we do this, those
will be green and silver.”
rather wearily. “Is that what Sybil told you?”
more readily. “Then perhaps you stand a chance at being right. I will of course
be expecting you to dress accordingly for the occasion.”
Trelawney was seated near the end of the staff table right next to the
gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. She very rarely joined the rest of the professors in
the Great Hall for meals, but for special occasions, she was sure to be spotted
among them.
almost immediately and both Jessica and Snape looked up when they heard the
eminent voice of the Headmaster who was rising from his chair in the middle of
the table. His hands were raised in front of him and his gleaming smile made
Snape feel like his humble entrance wasn’t inconspicuous enough to go
unnoticed, as he had hoped it would.
lovely in those colours,” Jessica heard Professor McGonagall whispering to
Madam Hooch from behind the table. They were both smiling at Jessica when she
turned her head to look at Snape who – judging by the scowl on his face – had
obviously overheard McGonagall as well.
Dumbledore said as he made his way down from the table. “Jessica, my darling,
you look absolutely radiant tonight. A splendid choice of colours I might add.”
He took both of her hands with his and then leaned forward to place a single
kiss on her cheek.
Jessica gave the Headmaster a hug and then stepped aside so that he could greet
the Potions Master accordingly. “Completely unnoticeably, aren’t I?” she
whispered disdainfully as she moved back.
put a scornful look on his face before the Headmaster’s booming voice claimed
his attention.
Dumbledore began, “I don’t believe I’ve seen you since before your departure.
How did you enjoy the holiday?”
“It was adequate,” Snape assured in a hushed tone,
“except for the inconvenience of Muggle transportation,” he said and tossed a
rough look at Jessica, who had insisted they restrict themselves to travelling
by ground transportation from city to city.
“Well, you can’t have expected to Apparate or fly by
broomstick with Jessica, she hasn’t learned either method yet,” Dumbledore said
with a chuckle.
“And she probably never will,” Jessica added,
looking convincingly at Snape. “Muggle transportation is perfectly adequate,
and probably far more enjoyable than soaring hundreds of miles up in the thin,
bitter cold air on a tiny stick between my legs.”
“The constant bickering was a nuisance as well,”
Snape muttered under his breath. He slowly crossed his arms over his chest and
narrowed his eyes.
Like she usually did, Jessica ignored Snape and
allowed Dumbledore to usher her over to the end of the table where a tall,
blonde man wearing aquamarine dress robes was standing, giving a lively speech
to the attentive professors surrounding him.
with his hands in the air and watched as Dumbledore approached with Jessica by
his side, and the subdued Potions Master a few steps behind him. Jessica
recognized the man immediately when he parted his lips to bare a famous,
glimmering, ear-to-ear smile that was accompanied by a tiny chuckle.
excitedly and pointed at Jessica. “Don’t tell me, Albus. This is the lovely
grandniece you’ve been telling me about, Jessica Van Eden.”
right,” Dumbledore confirmed. “Jessica, allow me to introduce you to our new
Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor –”
finished for the Headmaster in a gallant voice and outstretched his hand
towards Jessica. “Please, call me Gilderoy.” He gently picked Jessica’s hand up
and raised it to his lips. “Enchante, mademoiselle,” he said before bowing down
to touch her hand with a kiss.
repeated. “I am delighted to meet you, Gilderoy.”
all mine, I assure you. Your uncle has told me a great deal about you.” He
chuckled again and then released Jessica’s hand. He stood at his full height
and puffed his chest out admirably.
glanced sideways at Dumbledore and smiled, wondering exactly how much he had
told Lockhart about her. Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled behind his half-moon shaped
spectacles and then he subtly backed away and rejoined the professors at the
Head Table. “I am in no doubt he’s probably led you astray,” Jessica continued.
toothy smile and his cheeks seemed to flush. “I truly hope not. In fact, I
would indeed be honoured to hear more about you… first hand. Perhaps we could
have a quiet dinne my my private chambers some day soon.” Lockhart winked his
eye and smiled dashingly at her.
although Jessica knew Snape would never grant her permission to stand for one
moment alone behind closed doors with Gilderoy Lockhart. “I am particularly
interested in hearing more about Year with the Yeti. Fascinating. Truly
fascinating.”
an abundance of false modestly. Jessica peeked over her shoulder at Snape and
watched him lazily roll his eyes. “It was indeed a interesting year, but not
nearly as exciting as I intend to make this year at Hogwarts.”
about your experience here?” Jessica asked curiously.
he assured promptly. “And I also intend to include every detail about the
personal relationships that will surely blossom… and I do hope to include many,
many details about Hogwarts’ most intriguing, lovely young witch. As much as
your uncle has told me about you, you still remain a mystery to me. After
finally meeting you in person, I wonder, how it is that a charming young lady
such as yourself, is still a bachelorette?”
step closer to Jessica and crossed his arms irritably. His eyes bore down into
Lockhart’s, but Lockhart was too preoccupied with Jessica to notice the Potion
Master’s severe glare. Jessica could feel Snape’s fury beginning to overwhelm
and knew that it wouldn’t be long before he stepped between them.
Lockhart-”
Lockhart insisted.
and forced a pleasant smile onto her face as she corrected herself. “As I was
going to say – if my uncle truly did sha share very much about me, you would
not be wondering such a thing, I am sure.”
tossed his head back and laughed. “What sort of wizard in his right mind
wouldn’t fancy having a lovely bride like you?”
close to Jessica, she could feel the warmth of his breath wafting on the back
of her neck as his fuming temper prepared to erupt. “Perhaps there is no such
wizard who dares to accept a particularly notorious, malevolent wizard
as a father-in-law,” he said very quietly.
around so quickly she felt as if she’d pinched a nerve somewhere in the back of
her neck. Her eyes narrowed into a mean scowl as she watched Snape step up
beside her and gaze warningly at the new professor.
in a baffled sort of way and his bottom lip began to quiver as he tried to find
the words to say. “I, uh, I b- b- beg your p- pardon.”
of her neck, Jessica saw Snape’s chest rise as he took a long, deep breath. “It
seems to me that you intend to write a book about her,” he said. “If that is
the case, you may want to look into her family tree before depicting her as the
cherub of the wizarding world. After all, your attention to detail is quite
remarkable. It would be a pity – and not to mention an embarrassment – to
exclude such a vital portion of information.”
Jessica whispered his way.
brushed his shoulder against her and took one step in front of her to face his
adversary and mustered a deep, penetrating look, scrutinizing Lockhart’s every
move. “Perhaps you should start by looking into the first three years of Miss
Van Eden’s life. That, I can honestly say, would be shocking news,
surely an impressive bestseller.”
Lockhart looked blankly at Snape for a moment, and
just when Jessica thought he was going to turn as white as a ghost and keel
over backwards, Lockhart’s lips sprung into a smile and he pointed excitedly at
Snape.
good, mate. Very good indeed!” He stretched his arm out towards the Potions
Master. “Gilderoy Lockhart,” he introduced enthusiastically. “It must be an
honour to meet me face to face.”
Lockhart’s introduction. Jessica looked up angrily at Snape and saw his lip
curling slightly. “This is our Potions Master, Severus Snape,” Jessica
announced once she was sure Snape had no intention to introduce himself. “He has
been anxious to meet you, Gilderoy.”
breath. “Anxious, indeed.” He then reached his hand out and shook with
Lockhart.
grip,” Lockhart said. He pulled his hand away rather quickly and Jessica looked
down at Snape’s white knuckles. “What a sport! I like that!” Lockhart recovered
enthusiastically; although Jessica could see him tenderly rubbing the hand
Snape had shook. “Wow, what a year this is going to be! You’re quite an
adventurer yourself, aren’t you, Severus? You’ll have to tell me all about
yourself one of these days. I have met very few men in my travels like you.”
curved slightly. “I somehow doubt that.” The cruelty in his voice was brutally
evident now, yet Lockhart didn’t seem to realize that he was the target of
Snape’s bitter behaviour. Jessica could feel Snape’s loathing for the new
professor escalate with every passing moment and knew that if she didn’t try to
end the conversation soon, the grudge would only intensify.
hope that you’ll enjoy it here at Hogwarts,” Jessica said sincerely. “You
certainly deserve it.”
predicted – and had been counting on - Jessica’s last comment earned her a
particularly snide look from Snape, which she ignored. After the audacity Snape
had to start talking about her like that, Jessica intended to ignore him
throughout the duration of the evening. And, to ensure that it left a scar in
his memory, Jessica had it in mind to devote her attention to someone who
wouldn’t try to demean her heritage.
Lockhart said full-heartedly. “And I do hope that you and I will have plenty of
time to meet again. I do intend to write a book all about my experience
teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.” He leaned a little bit closer to her
and whispered into her ear, “I certainly look forward to dedicating an entire
chapter to you, my lady. I hope that later this week you will stop by my
chambers to arrange an interview.”
smiled again and allowed for Lockhart to kiss her hand one more time. His lips
were soft and warm and felt exceptionally gentle against her skin.
backed away from her and then whipped his wand out from his aquamarine robes
and mred red a quick incantation before a single red rose appeared in his hand.
Lockhart bowed as he held it out for Jessica to take.
whispered as she hesitantly stretched her hand out, “it’s beautiful, Gilderoy.”
beautiful as you are,” Lockhaaid aid in his most charming voice.
Snape hissed derisively. “It matches your gown perfectly, and it is just as
appropriate I might add.”
previous quarrel over Jessica’s attire, Lockhart failed to hear the intended
insult in Snape’s voice. He just stood smiling, bearing his bright white teeth
until Snape could no longer bear his company.
Eden,” Snape said and began leading Jessica away. “I will gladly help you find
a place to put that.”color:green\'>
name=\"_edn1\" title=\"\">footnote\'>[1] For details
pertaining to Jessica’s conception, se fan fanfic titled ‘Journey to Passion’
chapter 6 and 17. To learn all about Jessica, just read the whole bloody thing.
*wink*