Sparks

Sparks 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine:

The Slytherin Dungeons:

Tarquin was gazing into the fire in his room when he heard a tentative knock on the door.

"Who is it?" thought Tarquin mournfully. "I just want to sit here and be miserable by myself."

"Tarquin," said a soft voice through the door. "It's me, Circe."

Tarquin opened the door with a surprised yet pleased look.

"Circe," asked Tarquin. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see if you are okay," asked Circe with a serious look.

"Just peachy," said Tarquin with a morose look. He ushered Circe in and went back to gazing into the fire.

"You are so melodramatic," chided Circe.

"Hey," protested Tarquin sulkily. "I just played my last game of Quidditch here at Hogwarts and it's a game we lost. Forgive me if I'm a tad depressed."

"How did the others take it?" asked Circe.

"Marcus took it too calmly," said Tarquin pensively. "I was expecting him to a least make an attempt to choke that freaking keeper. His reaction made me feel guilty. I hate feeling guilty."

"But are you okay?"

"Well," said Tarquin. "I'm not throwing myself off the North Tower after supper if that's what you're asking."

"Merlin, you are so sarcastic sometimes," said Circe with her hands on her hips.

"I know," said Tarquin with a smirk. He turned and began to maneuver her toward the couch. "So Circe, why don't you comfort me? I am just getting over a terrible loss. It's quite broken me up."

Circe squeaked as her knees connected with the edge of the sofa and she fell into the cushions. His mood changes were unnerving sometimes. Quick as a flash, Tarquin maneuvered himself beside her. He turned so he pressed her into the cushions.

"Hmmm silence," mused Tarquin with his mouth hovering an inch from her face. "I think I finally found a way to shut you up."

Circe smiled slowly then pulled his mouth down on her own. She could feel his lips curve in a smile as he softly kissed her soft mouth. Her heartbeat accelerated when Tarquin deepened the kiss. Several minutes passed in silence as they exchanged passionate kisses while pressed together on the sofa.

"I think you should stop," said Circe breathlessly. The feel of his face stubble against her skin was making her lightheaded. It felt so utterly masculine.

"Liar," said Tarquin as he kissed her throat. "If you want me to stop, I suggest you untangle your fingers from my hair and stop pressing your body against mine. But if you do, I'll hex you Circe. Now please touch me."

Helplessly Circe arched her body up against him as she ran her hands over his broad shoulders. She gave a shocked gasp when Tarquin ran his hand lightly over her breast. She moaned when his hand returned a second later and ran firmly up her curves. When Quidditch roughened hands started to undo the buttons on her blouse, Circe's eyes snapped open and she pulled away from Tarquin.

"What is wrong?" asked Tarquin. Circe looked into his passion darkened eyes and wavered. Tarquin gave her a soft coaxing kiss as he urged her to fall back into the soft cushions.

Several heated minutes later, Circe gave a soft moan then wrenched herself away and started to rebutton her blouse.

"How did he manage to get this many buttons undone?" thought Circe. She turned red as she diverted her gaze from Tarquin. She was as bad as those girls from Ravenclaw were.

Tarquin grasped her chin so he could turn her face to look into her eyes. She flushed as she took in his tousled dark curly hair and lazily passionate light green eyes.

"I want you Circe," said Tarquin simply.

"I know," said Circe as she bit her lip, "but I can't."

"Is it because of that bloody betrothal," asked Tarquin with a frown.

"Funnily enough," said Circe with a rueful smile, " it isn't."

"Then," whispered Tarquin as he pulled her into another hot drugging kiss, "come to bed with me."

Circe blushed and shook her head wordlessly. It suddenly terrified her how tempted she was to just say yes. She touched his face softly. Tarquin wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against him and whispered softly in her ear.

"I know," coaxed Tarquin, "that it would be your first time Circe. I would make it good for you." Tarquin kissed her ear softly.

Circe stiffened then pushed Tarquin's hands away.

"Am I that gauche and naive?" asked an embarrassed Circe.

"No," said Tarquin as he tried to hold her hand, "just innocent."

"I won't sleep with you Tarquin," said Circe as she pulled her hand away from his own. "No matter how much my hormones want me too."

"But - " sputtered Tarquin.

"When I sleep with a man for the first time," said Circe quietly as she tucked her blouse back into her skirt, "it will be because he loves me. And Tarquin, you do not love me."

Circe got up and left the room as Tarquin stared at her in stunned silence.

"But I do love you Circe," said Tarquin to a silent and empty room.

"Merlin," thought Tarquin as he buried his head in his hands. "I am such a thick prat. Why couldn't I just say it to her?" He buried his head in the cushions of the sofa and gave a long sigh. "Is it because I'm afraid that she doesn't love me back? But I seriously don't think she'd snog just anyone. She does have feelings for me. I see it her eyes. Does she think I just was looking for a shag? She must know she means more than that to me."

The Hogsmeade Brasserie:

Just before Marcus entered the Hogsmeade Brasserie, he stood outside and took a deep breath of the fresh spring air.

"Merlin," thought Marcus. "This dinner is going to be long and painful. I hope I can nip in, eat and run. Please, oh please, let my mother not be here."

As Marcus was being led to his table, he gave a small groan of disappointment. His entire family was sitting at the table. He stiffened his resolve and walked forward.

"Marcus," smiled Natalya Flint. "We weren't expecting you for awhile yet."

"I was finished early," said Marcus shortly as he sat down.

"Is that anyway to greet your grandparents and mother?" said Aurelius Flint with a raised eyebrow. Marcus looked at his father coolly.

"Hello," said Marcus stiffly as he lifted his menu and concentrated on it.

"Marcus," said Aurelius with an edge to his voice.

"What," said Marcus coldly.

"I heard the seafood at this establishment is quite outstanding," said Natalya with a nervous smile as she tried to diffuse the tension at the table.

"Marcus," said Marcus's grandmother hesitantly. "I'm sorry about the game."

"Yes," said Aurelius with a small smile. "I thought you said you were good at this game."

Marcus stiffened and then gave a mental shrug. "Thanks," said Marcus dryly.

"It was your last game," began his grandmother. "I know you'll miss it greatly."

"Time to leave games behind boy," said Aurelius with a hard look.

Marcus finally looked at his grandmother and gave her a nod. She looked at him anxiously. A brief stab of guilt went through Marcus when he realized how upset she really was. His grandfather was giving him a glare that clearly said, 'do not upset your grandmother'.

"Can we order now?" said Marcus as he glanced around for the waiter. At that moment, his glance collided with Katie's. Her bright smile faded.

"What's wrong Katie," asked Start Bell with a concerned look at his daughter. Beside him, his wife gasped as she caught sight of the Flints.

Katie and Marcus stared at each other for what seemed like eternity to Katie. She snapped out of her reverie when her father put his arm around her waist.

"Katie," said Stuart gently. "Do you want to go?"

"No," said Katie as she raised her chin. "I was just surprised to see him, that's all."

As the host was leading them to their table, Stuart asked him for a private table on the other side of the restaurant. Katie gave her father a grateful look.

"Isn't that the girl you brought for tea, Marcus," said his mother innocently when she noticed the party at the door. "You don't see her anymore, do you?"

Marcus gave his mother an incredulous glare. Aurelius gave a cool triumphant smile that Marcus wanted to knock off his face. He clenched a fist under the table.

"No," said Marcus shortly.

"That's Ivy Parkinson and her husband," said Natalya with a smile as she tried to attract Ivy's attention. Marcus smothered a groan of embarrassment. His mother was so oblivious.

"That is Katie's father and her stepmother," said Marcus with a shake of his head.

"Really," said Natalya with surprise.

"Yes," said Marcus impatiently. "Can we order now?"

"We are waiting for guests," said Aurelius as he leaned back in his chair to get a better look at Marcus's face.

"Guests?" asked Marcus. He got a queasy feeling in his stomach when he saw the look of glee on his father's face.

"Yes," said Natalya brightly. "The Romanovs are joining us shortly. It would be nice to get to know each other, won't it?"

"And to get formalities out of the way," said Aurelius. "You know, signing the contracts."

"I hate my life," thought Marcus hopelessly, as he looked at his parents in utter horror.