No One's Lapdog

No One's Lapdog

Chapter nine (epilogue)

When the students had gone to bed and the castle finally lay dark and silent, Rowena ventured cautiously across the Entrance Hall and out into the grounds draped in her warm winter cloak and with her broom under her arm. It was a full moon and the stars shone as brightly as ever. It was so cold her breath came out in little puffs of smoke, and the chilly air made her eyes water. She walked briskly in the direction of the Quidditch pitch, her heart beating a little faster than usual, wondering whether Snape was there already, waiting for her.

The thought had hardly entered her mind when she suddenly sensed someone or something was advancing swiftly on her in the dark. She stopped dead in her tracks, turning around as she whipped out her wand, squinting into the dark shadows. Nothing was moving. She hesitated a little, then continued her walk but didn't pocket her wand. Suddenly, a shadow appeared out of nowhere, quickly growing larger. She didn't even have time to look up before she felt herself being swept off her feet and into the air, her breath knocked out of her. She tried to raise her wand, but her arm was pinned against her side. The attacker hoisted her up on his broom and held her roughly in a strong embrace, one arm around her and the other arm securely holding on to the broom handle. Turning her head, Rowena looked straight into Snape's eyes, shining like black diamonds in the moonlight. The shock and surprise showing in her face made Snape look very pleased with himself.

'Thought I'd offer you a ride,' he whispered softly in her ear. 'Didn't scare you, did I?'

Rowena stared at him, her mouth open. She had to admit he had successfully caught her off guard, sweeping her off her feet in a very impressive manner. And she had so totally fallen for his tactics. She suspected Snape had an inkling certain fair maidens enjoyed being whisked off by brave and mysterious knights clad in black... Her heart was still beating wildly inside her chest, and her stomach did an extra flip as she gazed into his black glittering eyes. They were so beautiful. He was so strong, so elegant, so... handsome. Well, sort of, in his own way. Her hero. She smiled back at him, meeting his eyes with her cheeks burning.

'Scared, me? I love it,' she murmured in response, leaning against his chest.

Circling lower and lower, Snape steered his broom downwards, not in the direction of the Quidditch pitch, but towards the lake's edge. They landed smoothly in the shadow of the very same beech where they had fought their first duelling match the previous year. Snape immediately let go of the broom and turned towards Rowena, his eyes alight with fire as he reached for her. Rowena let herself be gathered into his arms, happily trapped forever in her lover's dark gaze. She smiled as she returned his kiss, smoothing out that curl on his upper lip. At last.

Look into my eyes - you will see

what you mean to me

Search your heart - search your soul

and when you find me there you'll search no more

(from Bryan Adams's 'I Do It For You')

The End