Astronomy Tower, 11 PM
Severus stares up at the ceiling above his bed as the early morning light finally filters through the green waters of the lake outside his bedroom window. He wars with himself on whether or not to go to Grimmauld Place as breakfast time quickly approaches. Severus regrets treating Miss Fayne so coldly yesterday, her expressive eyes filled with confusion and hurt continuously surfacing in his minds’ eye since the moment he left. He isn’t upset with her so much as he is with himself— for allowing the raging beast of his jealousy to convince him to do what he has always done best; to push her away.
He scowls at himself as that damned picture brands itself into his skull once again— Domitian. More like fucking Adonis, he growls internally. His own insecurities gnaw at him as he imagines what Lucienna’s ‘friendship’ with someone who looks like that entails. His chest tightens at the thought of the man’s hands gliding across her perfect curves like his own had.
It’s not as if we belong to one another, he attempts to soothe himself. Or are really together at all, for that matter, his mind adds with just a tinge of wistfulness.
Was it naive of him to assume that night in the kitchen had been anymore than lust? He meticulously combs through their conversation that night for perhaps the millionth time.
No, it can’t have been just that.
He springs up from the bed and begins to quickly dress, determined to ignore the thorny part of him that urges to simply wash his hands of the girl entirely.
I’ll just smooth things over. No matter, he assures himself as he steps through the floo to Grimmauld Place, much too anxious to bother walking to the apparition point.
“Severus! Uhm… good morning.” Remus greets, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
He surveys the kitchen that is notably bereft of the witch’s presence before acknowledging the lone couple, narrowing his eyes in suspicion upon Sirius’s satisfied smirk. “Has Miss Fayne not come down yet?” He asks, ignoring Remus’s timid greeting.
Sirius’s smirk widens before he feigns a look of surprise. “Oh, she hasn’t told you?”
Severus merely arches a questioning brow, waiting for him to continue. He stiffens as Remus raises his hands in a cautious gesture before saying, “Now let’s all just—“
“She went to Domitian’s last night,” Sirius blurts before Remus can continue.
Severus’s disbelief promptly gives way to anger as he stalks closer to the couple.“What?” Severus hisses lowly.
“Said she’d see you all Sunday, at Hogwarts,” Sirius continues, smirking again as Remus tenses with a grimace.
“You fucking dogs,” Severus spits, anger coiling tight in his chest as he continues to advance toward them with a vicious gleam in his eye, “had one fucking job!” He ends in a roar, slamming his hands against the table and leaning close to the pair. “And you let her leave without a single word to anyone?!”
“Now, Severus—“
“This isn’t Azkaban, Snivellus,” Sirius jeers, jolting out of his chair.
Remus quickly stands and places a hand on Sirius’s shoulder. “We did tell Albus—“
“It’s really none of your concern!” Sirius exclaims, glaring at Severus with a determined sneer.
Severus suddenly straightens, taking a deep breath through his nose to calm himself. “Mark my words, you useless vermin,” he hisses, squaring his shoulders and pinning them both with a threatening gaze, “If any harm should come to her, I will make a life sentence in Azkaban seem like a fucking holiday once I’m through with you.”
Remus shudders as Severus spins around with a sweep of his cloak and disappears into the fireplace.
“Well,” Sirius chirps, swiveling his head to Remus with a mischievous grin. “I’d say that went well.”
Remus groans and trudges out of the kitchen without a word.
***
Lucienna wakes up the next morning with a pressing weight on her bare chest. She peeks her eyes open and smiles as she meets a familiar pair of glowing yellow eyes.
“Good mornin’, Lynyrd,” she rasps sleepily, running her fingers through the giant cat’s fluffy black fur. Lynyrd butts his head against her chin before hopping off the bed with an impatient pip and looks at her expectantly. “Alright, alright, give me a minute.”
She looks over to the other side of the bed at the still-sleeping form curled up there, her glossy auburn hair splayed across the pillow. She always wonders about the inner lives of those she spends nights like the one previously with, but it rarely gets to that point of conversation. However, there can be something singularly intimate about that fact, she thinks— the sudden affinity some strangers can form between one another for a fleeting moment before returning to their respective lives. She carefully shuffles her way off the bed so as not to wake her and tiptoes to the wardrobe. She shrugs into a velvet, dark crimson dressing gown as she walks back to the bed to grab her wand. With a flick of her wrist, she conjures a single purple Dahlia and lays it on her pillow next to Odette before slinking out into the hallway with Lynyrd hot on her heels.
She winds her way through the labyrinthine hallways to the large balcony overlooking the back gardens, knowing Domitian can usually be found there in the morning. She spots him leaning his elbows against the stone balustrade as she steps out into the cool, early-morning air.
“Good morning,” she greets, stopping at the nearby table to pour a cup of coffee before joining him.
“You would think watching the sun rise would get old, but it never does,” Domitian replies wistfully as he gazes out onto the sprawling lawn, watching intently as the trees are slowly painted gold.
Lucienna nudges her shoulder against his with a grin. “You’re such a romantic,” she sighs dramatically.
“How else am I to endure eternity?” He frowns before giving her a side glance and breaking out into a grin of his own. He studies her for a moment, his gaze softening before he asks, “How are you really, little dove?”
Lucienna drops his gaze and sips her coffee. “I’m fine,” she finally says with a shrug.
“Lucienna,” he prods, turning to face her.
Lucienna gives a heavy sigh as she searches for her next words. “What is there to say that you can’t already guess?”
He nods solemnly. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, then.”
Lucienna takes a big gulp of her coffee before relaying everything that has happened to her since she was taken by the Catholics at the beginning of the summer. He listens intently as she talks about her time at Grimmauld place (leaving out the more intimate details of her and Severus) and expresses her worries about what is to come. “I just feel like I keep being thrust into these new worlds and I have no idea what the rules are,” she finishes, her brows pinched in frustration.
“You make your own rules, Lucienna,” Domitian says firmly, stepping closer and lifting her chin up to meet his gaze. “You are powerful beyond measure and have done marvelously thus far. You have to trust your instincts, love.”
Tears prick the backs of her eyes as she meets Domitian’s deep blue gaze. “How can I? Look at where I’ve gotten myself, Dom— where trust has gotten me.” Lucienna pulls away to swipe at the tears on her cheeks and turns from him to collect herself. She tightly grips the balustrade to stop the trembles quaking through her limbs, her gaze landing on the thin, silvered scar snaking up her wrist. She clenches her jaw as a raw fury suddenly rips through her anguish. “After what She did to me… what She let themdo to me…”
“You think Lilith had something to do with your capture?” Domitian asks incredulously.
Lucienna jerks around to face him, pinning him with a stern gaze. “How could she not?”
“Luce…” he says softly, gently grasping her shoulders. “Lilith immediately dispatched search teams for you once she realized something had gone awry— Threatened to raze the Vatican once she realized who had taken you. The bodies you left behind aren’t the only reason they haven’t dared to come back for you. I didn’t realize— I simply thought your animosity had to do with the tension between you two before all this happened.”
“She didn’t…?” Lucienna whispers as her eyes widen. Her rigid posture deflates in Domitian’s grasp as she struggles to accept his words, relief and lingering suspicion roiling within her tight chest. “Then how did they know about me?”
Domitian’s gaze hardens. “Hadrian,” he hisses, his lip curling with disdain. “Luckily, he’s dead now.”
Lucienna’s blood runs cold, draining the color from her face. She reaches up and twists the lapels of Domitian’s robe in her fists as her knees buckle. His arms swiftly wrap around her waist in support, looking at her with concern as he holds her to him.
“Domitian, if that’s true…” She gasps, her heart thundering against her breastplate as her eyes desperately search his, “I’ve fucked up, Dom, really, I’ve— oh fuck, I can’t breathe,” she pants, pressing her forehead against his chest as her head spins. Memories of her torture flash behind her eyes— and now Hadrian, his icy blue gaze gleaming with derision, watching it all.
“Lucienna!” Domitian gasps as her feet give out completely beneath her. He gently lowers her to the ground with him and tilts her head up as he rubs soothing circles down her back. “Breathe. Slowly, now,” he soothes, demonstrating with his own breath. “Open your eyes, look at me. Just focus on me.”
Lucienna opens her eyes and attempts to take long, calming breathes, focusing on Domitian’s gentle expression and soothing touch. Her pulse begins to slow, her blurred vision sharpening.
“That’s it,” he murmurs, giving her an assuaging smile. He moves his hand from her chin and moves a lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Stay here with me, Dove, and tell me what it is.”
Lucienna swallows hard, fighting to keep her calm. “He’s not dead, Domitian,” she explains in a broken whisper, clenching the fabric of his robe in her fists again. “I couldn’t.”
He searches her gaze for a moment before he nods in understanding and draws her into his arms. Lucienna tucks her head into the crook of his neck and squeezes her eyes shut as they burn with unshed tears. “Don’t you fret, Lucienna,” he says determinedly, his chest rumbling against hers. “It is nothing that cannot be dealt with.”
***
After dinner, Lucienna returns from a long walk to find Domitian waiting for her at the top of the wide steps that lead to the back gardens.
“Feeling better, Dove?” He asks as she reaches him.
“Yes, thank you,” she smiles, genuinely feeling much lighter than she had earlier in the day. “I’ve come to a decision, actually. I’m going to call my first Court. Tomorrow, before I leave for Hogwarts.”
“Brilliant!” He says excitedly as he sweeps her into his arms and twirls her around, beaming at her.
“Put me down, you old bat!” She laughs with a half-hearted struggle against him.
Domitian sets her down with a chuckle. He feigns seriousness, though mirth still dances in his eyes, as he steps back and drops to one knee with an over-exaggerated clearing of his throat. “Queen Lucienna, it would be my deepest honor to arrange the Royal Court on your behalf if you so will it of me.”
“Oh, I suppose,” she sighs before rolling her eyes. “Now rise, peasant.”
He stands, giving her a broad smile, and clasps her hands. “Perfect. Now that that’s settled, I have a surprise for you.”
“I am not in the headspace for another vamp orgy,” she deadpans, pursing her lips in exasperation.
“No, no, no,” he quickly chirps, leading her by the hand into the house.
“What is it, then?”
“It’s a surprise! Something to keep your spirits up,” he explains as they wind their way to some undisclosed location. Lucienna arches a skeptical brow but allows him to tug her along.
“So, I’ve been wracking my brain about your Severus,” he finally says after several moments of walking in silence. “And I’m shocked to admit that I don’t have a crumb of information on him.”
“He’s not my Severus,” Lucienna replies, side-eyeing him. “And that doesn’t surprise me. He’s a very private person.”
“Nonsense, no one is that private,” he scoffs. “I was wondering how you might feel about me asking around about him.”
“No. That’s not a good idea right now,” she says firmly as they stop in front of the doors to the library. “I’ll let you know if anything comes up, though.”
“Very well,” he acquiesces with a tip of his head before raising his brows suggestively. “Though the mystery is quite tantalizing.”
Lucienna’s cheeks warm as she averts her gaze up to the ceiling with a sly grin.
“Vixen! You are keeping things from me!”
“I am not! Just because I don’t tell you every nitty-gritty detail, doesn’t mean I’m keeping things from you,” she says, shaking her head. “Besides,” she sighs, deflating slightly, “I’m not sure there will be anything more to tell.”
Domitian steps forward and grasps her shoulders, stooping his head to catch her gaze. “He’s a fool, then.” He states decisively, bending to place a quick kiss to her neck before turning her toward the doors. “Off you go, now.”
Lucienna pauses before opening the door, turning her head to look at Domitian over her shoulder. “Thanks, Dom,” she says softly, smiling when he gives her a wink before leaving her.
As soon as Lucienna steps through the door, a blur of flaming red hair smacks against her, two arms flinging around her with a tight squeeze. “Mina!” She exclaims, wrapping her arms just as tightly around one of her best friends.
She smiles at her friend’s excited laughter and pulls back to look into her warm amber eyes. “I thought you were coming tomorrow,” Lucienna says, still shocked.
“Oh, don’t cry!” Mina chuckles, swiping at the tear Lucienna didn’t realize had fallen. “Domitian asked us to come early.”
“Us?”
“Surpriiiiiiiise!” A voice shouts as her other friend, Fin, pops up from behind a nearby sofa with his arms spread wide.
“You’re kidding!” Lucienna laughs as she rushes forward to hug his tall, lean frame. “You cut your hair,” she notes as she pulls back, raising herself on her toes to tousle his black curls. “It looks nice.”
“Yes, and I’d like to keep it that way,” he huffs playfully as he returns her gesture with his own scrub to the top of her head. “Mina told me the Brits like their twinks tidy.”
Lucienna laughs as Mina rolls her eyes. “I also told you that you’re too moody to be considered a twink,” Mina quips.
“Oh, go whinge about it to your mum, ginger,” Fin replies in a terrible imitation of a British accent.
“That needs some work,” Lucienna grins. “God, I’ve missed you guys so much! Let’s go to my room,” she says, urging them toward the door. “Tell me everything I’ve missed.”
Mina and Fin give her a thorough report of their summer adventures, which they spent at Bran Castle in Romania— the real one, that is— with the their other magical vampire peers. Both sharing a penchant for eavesdropping, they shared every morsel of gossip they accumulated while skulking about the vampire queen’s home— soon to be her home.
“… then she yelled ‘find her!’ and I thought her eyes were going to burn out of her head.” Fin finishes his retelling of spying on a private Court meeting with Queen Lilith as they reach the door to her room. “Seriously, I’ve never been more scared in my life!”
“Every advisor looked like they were about to piss themselves,” Mina laughs, flopping down onto Lucienna’s bed. Her expression quickly sobers as she peers at Lucienna with wide eyes. “We were so worried about you, Luce.”
Lucienna reclines against her pillows as they all make themselves comfortable on the bed and gives them a crooked smile. “I’m just glad y’all are safe,” she replies.
Fin stretches out on one side of the bed and plucks Lynyrd from his slumber to resettle him onto his chest, patting his fur lovingly. “So?” He asks, turning his head to her with raised brows. “What’s the story?”
Lucienna quickly shares everything she told Domitian earlier, again skimming some of the gory details and the kitchen romp with Severus.
“Hold up,” Mina interjects with a raised hand as Lucienna was beginning to describe what little she has learned about Hogwarts. “Back to Mr. Dark Eyes,” she says, narrowing her eyes at Lucienna with pursed lips. “You fucked him, didn’t you?”
“You did!” Fin exclaims, bolting upright and jabbing a finger at her flushed face. “Since when do we keep details like that to ourselves?! I tell you everything!”
“We did not fuck!”
“But you almost did,” Mina grins, waggling her eyebrows.
Lucienna grins despite a strong attempt to stifle it and finally gives in, telling them everything. “But then he was a complete dick the day I left, so who knows,” she ends in a shrug.
“What happened before that?” Mina asks, frowning.
“Nothing really,” Lucienna says before relaying that day to them in hopes they might catch something she missed.
“Luce,” Fin groans, “I say this as your friend— sometimes you can be really fucking stupid.”
“What? Nothing happened!”
“The picture of Domitian…” Mina trails off with a pointed look before rolling her eyes at Lucienna’s clueless stare. “He’s jealous!”
Lucienna blinks, replaying that day again in her mind. It did seem like his demeanor only changed after the whole photo debacle. “Oh… that actually makes sense now,” she says, almost to herself. “Well he was still an ass about it,” she huffs, raising her chin. “We’ll see, I guess.”
***
The next evening, Lucienna scrutinizes her reflection as she steels herself for her first Court meeting, her heart already fluttering with adrenaline. She turns to look at her back in the mirror, wondering again if she should glamour the thin silvered lines stretching from shoulder to waist exposed by her backless dress. The thin chains draped across her back, hanging from the delicate plates of silver feathers molded to the tops of her shoulders, do little to hide her scars. She doesn’t particularly care to hide them, yet isn’t quite sure this is the setting to draw attention to them. She gives a decided flick of her wand to cast the glamour and turns back around, smoothing her hand over the flowing black skirt of her dress and adjusting the matching silver band cinching her waist just below her plunging neckline. Feeling distinctly queenlike despite her nerves, she gives one cursory glance to her perfectly tousled French twist (all thanks to Langelo) and sweeps out of her room.
Lucienna spots Domitian leaning against the wall just before she reaches the dining room and gives him a nervous smile. His gaze flits across her form appreciatively as he walks to her and gently clasps her hands in his.
“You look magnificent, my dear,” he murmurs as he leans in to kiss her neck. “Lilith is waiting. Perhaps you two can talk before the others arrive.”
Lucienna simply nods, hoping her expression is as stoic as she thinks, and moves past him to the door. She slowly pushes the door open with a deep, steadying breath, her gaze immediately landing on the figure standing before the window to the left of the room. Lucienna takes a moment to observe Lilith before announcing her presence. No one could deny that she is a sight to behold, with smooth skin the color of cream and honeyed blond waves ending just above her shoulders, now contrasted sharply by the one-shouldered, black silk dress draped around her tall figure.
Lucienna draws closer with silent steps, freezing immediately when Lilith whips around with a quiet gasp. They simply stare for a moment, green eyes meeting grey, both equally unsure of how to proceed.
“Lilith,” Lucienna finally greets to break the silence, her heart thudding loudly in her ears.
Lilith’s shocked expression crumples as she rushes forward and gathers Lucienna in her arms, crushing her against her chest. “Please, Lucienna…” She whispers against her ear. “I’m so sorry, I—“
“I know,” Lucienna cuts in, heaving a ragged breath of relief as she wraps her own arms tightly around Lilith. “Just… don’t. Not now.”
A few moments of silence pass before they finally disentangle themselves. Lilith hesitates before raising a finger to gently sweep back the stray hairs from Lucienna’s eyes. “And everything before—“
They both whip their heads to the door behind them as it swings open and the other council members file into the room.
“We can talk soon,” Lucienna assures her, giving her a meaningful look and squeezing her forearm before moving to greet the others.
They soon all settle around the table, Lilith and Lucienna facing each other from the two ends, and the council members look to Lucienna expectantly.
“Right. Let’s begin,” Lucienna says with a surprisingly steady voice. For what feels like the hundredth time in only two days, she brings the council up to speed on her capture, her dealings with Dumbledore, and what little she knows about the current unrest in the wizarding world. Lucienna couldn’t help her satisfied grin as they all agreed with her plan to attend Hogwarts, as well as her wariness and consequent handling of Dumbledore.
“So what is our current position in this war?” One of the advisors asks as the meeting nears its end. “What are we to do?”
“We wait,” Lucienna and Lilith reply simultaneously.
“And we watch,” Lilith adds with a half-smile as they lock eyes.
“For now.”
***
Severus slinks into the Great Hall at the last acceptable minute, sparing no glances to his colleagues as he takes his seat between Filius and Hagrid. He can feel Albus’s twinkling gaze pricking his periphery—likely full of masked reproach for his late arrival— but he quite plainly does not give a damn. His blood still boils just thinking of his last conversation with the headmaster, who strictly forbade him from reaching out to Miss Fayne in order to ascertain her safety. Which, Severus acknowledges, should not have come as a surprise— she isn’t the Chosen One, after all. He scolds himself yet again for even broaching the subject with the old man rather than simply acting on his own— Next time, I won’t bother, he promises himself. Severus continues to seethe inwardly as Remus’s voice floats down the staff table, the urge to ring his scrawny neck still strong.
“Severus, old friend,” Lucius Malfoy calls, appearing at his elbow.
“Lucius,” he replies in a bored tone as he looks to his friend, not bothering to stand in greeting. “What are you doing here?”
Lucius gives a pointed look to Filius in silent indication for him to move down a chair, ignoring the professor’s grumbling as he slips into the now vacant seat with his usual elegance. Severus rolls his eyes. “Have you ever known me to miss a good show?”
“I rather think you prefer to make a show than watch one,” Severus drawls.
“Well,” Lucius says with a mischievous smirk, “Thank heavens the night is young.”
The doors open then to admit the first years, their heads bobbing like a row of ducklings as they follow behind Minerva’s prim form. Severus struggles not to shake his leg in impatience as the sorting ceremony drags on, clapping dutifully only when one is sorted into his own house.
Finally, Dumbledore stands and makes his way to the podium. A hush fills the room as he raises a silencing hand and Severus can’t help but smirk minutely as Lucius straightens in his chair with anticipation.
“Now. Before the feast begins,” Dumbledore bellows with his usual cheer, “I am excited to announce that we also have thirteen new, very special students joining us this year. Hogwarts will be home to the first ever magical vampires in history.” He raises another quieting hand as excited whispers rise throughout the room, every house table buzzing with energy. “Please join me in giving a hearty welcome to your new peers and heir apparent to the vampire throne, Miss Lucienna Fayne!”
Severus and Lucius rise to their feet and join the applause, soon followed by the rest of the staff table as the doors swing open once more. Severus is quick to mask his unexpected awe as he finally sets eyes on Miss Fayne’s lithe figure gracefully gliding down the aisle with her head held high, followed closely by her companions. An overwhelming tightness suddenly constricts his chest as he watches her stride directly up the steps of the dais and stand next to Dumbledore with her hand held out expectantly, undeniably overshadowing the commanding presence of the headmaster despite her much smaller stature. Severus had no doubt she was powerful from the first time he laid eyes on her, but this— the unleashed strength and magic emanating from her, permeating every molecule of oxygen in the room— ripped the air right from his lungs.
Where had she been hiding that?
“We appreciate your hospitality, Headmaster Dumbledore,” she says with a polite smile as he takes her hand.
Severus rips his gaze away from Miss Fayne as Lucius leaves his side and, in typical fashion, struts like a pompous peacock to stand before the witch, reverently keeping to the top step of the dais below her. Severus smothers a snort as he watches Miss Fayne turn her head and raise a curious brow, looking down her nose to scrutinize the arrogant man before her.
“Your grace,” Lucius purrs, extending his hand with a bow. Severus feels a flash of satisfaction as she gives a small, derisive smirk at his blatant groveling and gives him her hand. He presses his lips to the back of her hand with a slow, dramatic bend of his waist. “Lord Lucius Malfoy.”
Surprise flashes across Lucius’s face when Miss Fayne simply tips her head in acknowledgement before he quickly recovers. With a slight raise of his walking stick, a house elf materializes at his side holding a large wooden crate balanced in his bony arms. “As a gesture of goodwill from the Board of Governors, as well as my own family, I humbly present a gift I can only hope is acceptable for a person of your most esteemed stature.”
Severus narrows his eyes as Lucius removes the lid of the crate and exposes a black, scaly egg the size of a grown man’s head.
“That can’t be what I think it is,” Hagrid gasps. A loud screech cuts through the flutter of gasps and whispers as the half-giant leans forward for a better look, causing the staff table to scrape loudly against the stone floor. “Oops,” he mutters, dragging the table back to its place with another grating noise.
“The egg of quite likely the last Transylvanian Ivorytalon, native to the Carpathian Mountains,” Lucius says silkily with a boastful smile.
Miss Fayne places a hand on the egg, her skeptical expression dissolving to one of wonder. “It’s alive,” she muses softly. Then, schooling her expression, she removes her hand and pins Lucius with a sharp gaze. “A thoughtful gesture, Mr. Malfoy.” She turns to Dumbledore then, and asks with another polite smile, “I trust this could be delivered to my room?”
“Yes, yes, of course!” Dumbledore nods cheerfully.
Lucius, clearly expecting more of a response, awkwardly tips his head and ambles back to his place beside Severus.
“A show, indeed,” Severus mutters to Lucius under his breath as Dumbledore begins announcing the houses of the new students, who have apparently already been sorted separately.
“Do you think she even liked it?” Lucius whispers back with a puzzled frown.
“Did you expect her to look kindly on your attempt to achieve the impossible task of purchasing favor with the vampires— and in front of an audience, no less? Don’t be thick, Lucius. This is common knowledge.”
“It most certainly is not common knowledge!” Lucius hisses. “That egg costs more than my house!”
“Which one?” Severus quips drily, ignoring his continued mumblings as two of the vampires are successively announced as Slytherin.
“And finally, Miss Lucienna Fayne…” Dumbledore bellows, drawing an excruciatingly long dramatic pause. Severus holds his breath…
“Slytherin!”
Severus smirks devilishly as he applauds, supremely satisfied by the loud groans that can be heard from the Gryffyndor table despite the raucous celebration of the other Slytherins. His gaze follows her as she glides toward her new house table, an entrancing warmth spreading through his chest at her glowing smile. He stops breathing again when she turns to look directly at him, her smile growing wider as she arches a brow in acknowledgement. He gives a stiff nod before she turns away, keeping a tight hold on his self control as he wills his expression to remain neutral.
Perhaps I haven’t yet ruined everything, Severus muses, his mind suddenly reeling with possibilities.
***
After meeting her fellow Slytherins in the common room, Lucienna is relieved to finally make it up to her dorm room with Fin and Mina. Dumbledore readily agreed that it would be convenient for the vampires to room together in each house, should they wish to. Really, it was just Lucienna’s excuse to negotiate Fin rooming with her and Mina, per his adamant request.
“Oh, we definitely got sorted into the posh house,” Fin smiles, diving into the plush canopy bed in the center of the three with a satisfied sigh.
“Do you think Daddy Malfoy makes many house calls?” Mina smirks, kicking off her shoes. Lynyrd gives an indignant meow as Mina scoops him up and plops down onto the bed closest to the door that appears to be Lucienna’s. She pushes aside the school materials that Hogwarts kindly supplied for all of the new vampires and eyes the heavy crate before prying off the lid.
Lucienna immediately begins stripping off her dress as she rolls her eyes. “For my own sake, I hope not.”
“How do you even hatch a dragon egg?” Fin asks, moving to inspect it closer.
“Fuck if I know,” Lucienna shrugs. She digs through her trunk for the comfy dressing robe she took from Domitian’s and secures it around her before chunking her toiletry bag onto the bed. Peering down at the egg, she places her hand over it like she did before and again feels the slow, steady thrum of life emanating from it. She smiles as Lynyrd jumps into the crate and curls up next to it, sniffing at the black scales intently. “Lenny seems to approve, at least.”
“What is thiiiiis,” Mina suddenly squeals, startling both Lucienna and Fin.
“What is it?” Fin asks excitedly, snatching the small scrap of paper that Mina had just frantically waved around. “It’s blank.” Fin deadpans, looking to her questioningly.
“It was sticking out of Luce’s potions book,” Mina explains with a pointed look to them both.
Lucienna blinks before understanding dawns on her and she jolts forward to snatch it from Fin’s hand. “What does that mean?” He asks, dancing out of her reach.
“Let me see!” Lucienna demands, trying to remain stern even as a hopeful grin tugs at the corners of her mouth.
“Severus teaches potions, duh!” Mina playfully chides.
“Riiiiight,” Fin nods with a mischievous smile, thrusting the note back to Lucienna.
They all huddle around the note as words begin to scrawl across the paper at Lucienna’s touch.
Astronomy tower, 11 pm.
Please.
S
“That’s hot,” Mina and fin say in unison. They all burst into a fit of giggles before Lucienna quickly sobers, clutching at her hair with panic.
“Fuck! Do I go? What do I wear?! It’s nearly 11 already! I’m not going,” she rambles, pacing across the room as her stomach churns.
“Don’t even pretend, bitch. You’re going,” Mina grins, grabbing her by the shoulder and smoothing her hair down.
“Just wear this,” Fin adds, plucking at her long sleeve.
“It’s not too much?” Lucienna asks, biting at her lip.
“Of course, it is,” Mina answers, thrusting Lucienna’s wand in her hand before turning her to the door with a small shove. “Now go!”
***
Lucienna is relieved to find the tower empty as she arrives, very much needing a few minutes to calm her nerves before Severus appears. She slows her breathing as she stands on the balcony, a cool breeze soothing her as she looks out into the dark night.
She doesn’t turn when she hears Severus arrive, grasping on to her shreds of tranquility as his precise steps draw closer until she can feel his warmth close at her back. She lets the charged silence stretch, waiting for him to speak first.
“You looked every bit a queen tonight, Miss Fayne,” he finally says softly.
She stiffens at his formality. “I should hope so, Professor.” Her heart leaps into her throat as he raises his arms at her sides and rests his hands on the balustrade near her own.
He tilts his head close to her ear as he looms over her, his senses swimming with her subtle scent of amber and rose as she leans almost imperceptibly closer— almost, he smirks internally. He draws in a deep lungful before slowly exhaling a warm current against her neck. “I… apologize for my behavior the time we last met,” he says genuinely. Heartened as her stiff posture begins to relax, he presses closer, just barely grazing her back with his chest. “Please forgive me, Lucienna,” He murmurs lowly.
“Hmm…” Lucienna hums as if considering, fighting the shiver that threatens to give her away as his mouth brushes across her skin.
“I’ll do anything to persuade you…” she feels him grin against her neck, “…Your grace.”
“Anything?” She asks with an arched brow and the slightest tilt of her head to allow him more access.
His chest shakes with a low chuckle. “A true serpent,” he remarks, daring to finally press his lips to the sensitive spot just under her ear, tasting her briefly with the tip of his tongue. Her eyelids flutter closed as she slowly arches her backside into him. His hands move to grasp her hips and hold her tighter against him. “But for you, yes,” he murmurs, nipping her gently with another kiss to her neck.
Lucienna turns in his arms to look up into his dark eyes, mesmerized for a moment by the deep amber flecks glinting in the moonlight that she had never noticed before. She cups the side of his face with one hand and he dips to meet her as she stretches up on her toes to capture his lips with her own. They both sigh as their mouths move together, gently at first before growing in passion as Lucienna parts her lips to run her tongue along the seam of his upper lip. Severus surges forward, pressing her back against the stone balustrade as his arms snake tightly around her waist and he fully claims her mouth with his tongue. A moan catches in her throat as his hand caresses down her back and palms her ass with an aggressive squeeze.
Lucienna pulls back slightly to catch her breath, their pants mingling between their mouths as she holds him a hair’s breadth away with a firm hand on his chest. A sensuous heat pulses through her veins, setting her every nerve ending on fire— a flame that only the two dexterous hands of her dark professor can soothe. She looks up from under her lashes to meet his hooded gaze, emboldened by the unencumbered desire reflecting back at her.
“Kneel.” She orders in a soft yet commanding voice. Her heartbeat spikes to a dizzying pace as a purely carnal glint sparks in his gaze before he drops to his knees for her, his hands slowly trailing down her sides and past the swell of her hips to grip her upper thighs. Lucienna observes him for a moment with panting breaths, committing this achingly erotic image to memory— of this alluringly formidable man kneeling at her feet simply because she has asked him to, gazing up at her like a ravenous panther biding its time before she lets him devour her whole.
She acts before he can strike first, swiftly untying the sash at her waist without looking away and peels the front of her robe back to drape down her sides, exposing herself to him. A deep shiver runs through her then— whether from the cool night air on her bare skin or his heated gaze blazing a trail down every inch of her body like a near-tangible caress, she couldn’t bother to discern. Severus wastes no time, hooking his fingers into the waistband of her underwear and dragging them down her legs. After throwing the scrap of fabric aside, he grazes his nose along the crease of her thigh, one hand snaking up to caress her breast and pluck at its hardened peak while the other digs into the flesh of her hip with a possessive grip. A low growl rumbles against her thigh before his hand moves from her hip to the back of her knee to hitch her leg over his shoulder. Lucienna adjusts back against the stone behind her as he hooks his arm over her raised thigh. A relieved mewl escapes her when one of his long fingers dips between the lips of her throbbing pussy, gliding over her clit with a teasing touch as he licks and nips his way up her sensitive inner thigh. Anticipation crawls under her skin as she tries to remain patient under his languid ministrations but her mind screams more, more, more, her entire body suddenly aching with need as his finger continues to spread her own arousal that seeps from her core up her inner lips with methodical, steady strokes.
“Severus,” she pleads in a broken whisper, her eyes fluttering closed as she reaches up to cover his hand on her breast with an urgent squeeze. Lucienna’s eyes pop open when the sensation of his finger disappears only to snap closed again, her head jerking back as he spreads her pussy open and laves his tongue from hole to clit, wrenching a surprised moan from her chest that pierces the still night surrounding them. A deep tremor chases down her spine as he groans against her and sucks her tender flesh into his hot mouth, quickly releasing from her with a crude, wet sound.
“Is this what you want from me?” He asks huskily. Not pausing for a response, he delves his tongue back into her slick folds, his prominent nose rutting against her swollen clit.
“So good…” Lucienna whimpers, threading her fingers through his silky hair and arching into him as a pulsing pleasure tightens and builds deep within her as he continues to devour her.
“Answer me, witch,” he demands darkly, his words vibrating through her. He suddenly thrusts two fingers into her tight, dripping cunt as he continues vigorously lapping her pussy. His chest shudders with a primal groan as she arches against his face with a wanton cry.
“Fuck— Oh, Christ, yes!” Lucienna moans breathily, grinding into him as her cunt flutters around his thrusting fingers, desperate to reach that imminent peak of ecstasy. Lucienna looks down, marveling at the sight of Severus’s head buried between her thighs when his molten gaze snaps to hers. He curls his fingers to rub against her inner wall and closes his mouth around her clit with a firm flick of his tongue. Her head arches back with a stifled whimper as every muscle in her body tenses before she finally shatters and writhes against him, drowning in a mind-numbing bliss as her throbbing cunt clenches tight around his fingers and drenches his hand in her slick juices.
Once her climax ebbs, Severus gently removes his fingers and caresses up her thighs while her twitching muscles slowly relax, utterly transfixed by the deep flush painting her milky skin as he observes her. With little thought, he rises to his feet and draws her close. “Look at me,” he commands, his voice still gruff with desire, as he tilts her chin up. He grins, satisfied by the sultry haze in her mossy eyes as he peers into her heavy-lidded gaze. He runs his thumb across her full, pink mouth before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Lucienna can feel the hard length of his cock pulse against her as she melts into his touch, her skin prickling pleasantly with goosebumps as she tastes herself on his tongue. She gives an indulgent press of her hips against his before pulling her head back with a sigh. “I should go,” she says, a smile tugging at her mouth. “If I remember correctly, it’s well past curfew, Professor.”
“Perhaps a detention is in order, Miss Fayne,” he replies silkily, tilting his head to run the tip of his nose up her cheek to her temple. “Then I could keep you trapped in my classroom for as long as I like.” Lucienna leans her head to the side as his lips travel down her neck, her nerves tingling as his mouth hovers near her ear. “That ought to straighten you out, don’t you think?”
“Is corporal punishment still legal here?” She asks, feigning indifference.
Severus quickly draws back to meet her gaze with a furrowed brow. She blinks up at him with a wide-eyed, expectant expression before she breaks into a grin. His brief uncertainty dissolves into a devious glint in his eye, his hands tightening around her hips as he instinctively presses into her. “Exceptions can be made for particularly… devious students,” he purrs, sliding a hand down to cup her ass between her thighs. “…Such as yourself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.” She replies softly with a raised brow. She presses a lingering kiss to his jaw before disentangling herself from his grasp. “Goodnight, Severus,” She says with a sultry smile as she wraps her robe around her and turns from him to leave.
“Goodnight, Lucienna,” she hears him whisper as she disappears down the stairs.