A Moment in Time

Pen name:  Pittwitch

Story:  A Moment In Time

Fandom:  Harry Potter

Pairing:  Severus Snape, Aurora Sinistra

Rating:  Adult +

Warnings:  Sappiness, angst, AFFO, oral

Fic type:  Flash fic < 1,000 words.

The heavy iron-handled wooden door slammed shut behind the menacing person of Severus Snape.  Instantly, the fire in the hearth in his quarters sprang to life, radiating warmth and light from its flickering flames.   Growling in annoyance, he flung his snow-sprinkled cloak at the closest armchair as he turned towards the small table that held his beloved brandy decanter.  Stunned, the surly professor stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the sight of his normally staid mantle piece decorated with fresh pine boughs, sparkling fairy lights and gleaming Slytherin silver bows.

“Albus!” he roared in anger.  “No decorations.  I said it over and over again,” he ranted, striding towards the offensive holiday garland.  He spied a black-wrapped box, tied in silver and green ribbons, nestled into the greenery.  He picked it up and slid the card out from underneath the silk ribbons.

Lover,

I know that you despise the trees and the trimmings,

but I hope this small bit of festive garland

And the gift inside the box brings you some holiday cheer.

With a scoff, the professssor untied the bow and carefully peeled back the paper.  Lifting the lid, he found a snow globe, the scene: a tiny, homey cottage, its lights blazing, protected by dark green evergreens, with sparkling snow drifts just waiting to swirl. 

“Silly bird …” he commented drily to no one at all.  “A snow globe?”

He rolled his eyes and set the gift on the table next to the sparkling crystal decanter that held his alcoholic anti-dunderhead potion – aged brandy.  Pouring himself a generous amount, Snape settled into the smooth leather of his sofa and proceeded to stare menacingly into the flames of the fire.  As he sipped, his dark mood lightened in tiny increments.  Finally, well into his second glass, the sour Potions master deigned to lift the snow globe out of the box, resting it on his lap to study the tiny scene.  With a barely concealed smirk, he set his snifter aside to shake the globe vigorously.  Immediately, he felt the sucking pull of a Portkey tugging at his navel, propelling him through space until he tumbled rather ungracefully into a snow bank outside a life-sized version of the snow globe’s cottage.

“Fucking hells,” he sputtered, spitting snow. 

“It’s about time,” a woman called out as she threw open the door to the cottage, letting the warm light of many candles dance upon the snow.  Her dark blue velvet gown captured the tiny snow flakes like so many ornaments.

“Bloody hells, woman!” Snape grouched as he scrambled to his feet, brushing the frozen crystals from his clothing as he strode towards her, irritated and cold.

“What?” she challenged back.  “Honestly, astronomy is not my only talent.”

“I am well aware of that,” he growled as he captured her waist and pulled her into his chest.

“As if I would allow you to sulk away our holidays,” she tutted, laying two warm hands on his sallow cheeks. 

“I could be summoned again at any moment,” he retorted before leaning forward to kiss her pale pink lips.

“Then we shall celebrate with every moment in between,” she vowed, rising on tiptoe to meet his urgent demand.  “Inside, though, would be my preference.”

“By your command, m’lady Aurora,” Snape murmured, dancing her backwards into the cottage, closing the door with his leather-booted foot.  The door closed with a bang.  Sinistra smiled against his thin lips.

“Mmmmm, so much promise in those words, lover,” she whispered with a sultry smile gracing her face.  Staring deeply into his eyes, her worries began to recede and passion grew.  Her fingers nimbly undid his onyx buttons as she danced backwards towards the bedchamber where the fire crackled merrily and the blankets were already turned down.

“I can only promise this moment, now,” he answered sadly. 

“A moment in time, forever in our memories,” she admonished him before turning to lead him by his hand to her bed, where she would hold him in her loving arms as long as his masters would allow, making the most of their stolen moments together just as she had done so often before.  She slipped the heavy wool of his jacket off his shoulders and let it fall ungracefully to the floor, not pausing at all before attacking the even tinier buttons of his linen dress shirt. 

“Really, Severus,” she stamped her foot in annoyance.  “Can’t you simply charm these blasted buttons!”

“If I did so, I would miss the wonderful expression on your face as you wage war with them, love,” he replied with a snicker as he peered down his nose at her progress.

“Harrumph,” she pouted, stepping back, throwing up her hands in defeat.

“Well, perhaps just this once,” he purred.  With a uncharacteristic flourish of his wand, he banished all of their clothing, leaving her sputtering in indignation.

“Severus Snape!  You are an insufferable git!” she exclaimed, dashing for the warmth of the bed.

He smiled greasily at her shivering, naked backside as it disappeared beneath the downy comforter.  “Yes, yes I am,” he agreed readily.  “Your insufferable git … for the moment.”

“Under the blankets with you, before you catch your death,” she rebuked him.

“If only I could be so lucky to die this way,” he snarked.

“Keep grousing, and I will be glad to oblige your wish,” she bantered back, grabbing at his bobbing cock to speed his progress.

“Easy woman!” he sputtered.  “I do use that particular wand, you know!”

“I know many uses for this wand,” she countered, as she disappeared beneath the blankets, giggling with maniacal glee.

“Ahhhhhh, yes!  I do enjoy this use!” Snape purred, allowing his head to fall back on the stacked pillows.

“Mmmmmhmmmm,” came Aurora’s muffled agreement from under the blankets and around her mouthful.

“I may grow to like snow globes after all,” Snape whispered as his eyes fell closed and his body relaxed into the moment, time suspended until his arm would burn once more.

A/N:  Dedicated to the wonderful Danyealle:  this little plunnie managed to escape the plunnie-chipper purge in the ShoutBox the other night.