Beltane Fire (Spring Fever Challenge)
Challenge: Spring Fever
Team: The Order of the Flaming Chicken
Rating: PG13 for this one
Characters: Mr and Mrs Snape. And others.
Summary: A complication.
Word count: 700 in bites
CXL
Severus stopped to stare at Hermione. “It’s Potions grades that have you in such a temper?” He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m touched.”
The stubborn woman stepped back, folding her arms across her chest. Lamentably, this obscured his view. “Lies! Admit it, Severus. I was one of the best.”
“You were terrible at Potions.” Severus couldn’t help himself. His eyes followed the carmine line that travelled along her throat to her kissable lower lip.
Lifting her chin, Hermione growled, “Liar.”
He smirked back. “Slytherin.”
Hermione drew her wand.
“Easy now...” said Severus, holding up his hands in surrender. “I said were. ”
CXLI
A shadow moved just out of the corner of Severus’ eye, but he’d kept his eyes on Hermione’s wand.
“I’ve arrived just in the nick of time, Green Man.” A witch in an elaborate white gown with tight curls dipped an ironic curtsy to him before she said, “Granger. I’ll take my crown back.”
The tip of his wife’s wand lowered as her eyes narrowed to peer at the newcomer. It was somewhat difficult to make out her features with the blazing light of the bonfires behind her.
“Marietta?”
The unwelcome witch ignored Hermione, favouring him with a lustful once-over.
CXLII
“That’s Undersecretary Edgecombe to you, Miss Granger.” Marietta held out a hand, wiggling her fingers in a gesture of impatience.
Severus let his hands relax, for Hermione’s wand and ire were shifting to a more worthy target.
A storm brewed in Hermione’s eyes as she demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”
“It’s simple. Someone slipped a cursed ribbon into my trousseau. Naturally, there will be an official investigation into the matter, but now I am perfectly well and able to reclaim my position as May Queen.”
Severus moved to Hermione’s side, readying a defence.
Hermione laughed in Edgecombe’s face.
CXLIII
“That won’t be possible, Madam Undersecretary of... where is your dismal little corner of the Ministry again? The Magical Census Bureau?” Hermione’s voice was scornful.
Marietta’s shoulders stiffened. “It is my right. I insist upon it.”
Severus shook his head, saying. “Impossible, I’m afraid, Madam Undersecretary. Miss Granger cannot abdicate, we are bound for a year and a day.”
Hermione turned and smiled up at him beatifically. “Mrs Snape.”
Wits overcome with a strange joy, Severus missed it when Edgecombe’s lips curved into a wicked smile. “We shall see about that.” Lightning-quick, she grabbed his wife, disapparating away.
“Hermione, NO!”
CXLIV
Wheeling, Severus searched the crowd, his attention pulled in a thousand different directions by flashes of light and echoing cracks from the boisterous crowd. His heart thumped wildly in his ears as he searched.
How dare she touch my Queen?!
He closed his eyes, working to regain his equilibrium. It came to him in his second steadying breath.
We are bound.
Carefully he extended his senses, focusing on the sacred connection of man and wife.
The faintest whisper answered him, but the bond was too new. Unconsummated.
He knew Hermione was alive, but he was no closer to finding her.
CXLV
Overhead, a voice magically carried over the noise of the celebrations. “Gentle brothers and sisters, thank you for joining us tonight as we revive the old ways for the good of our people.”
The glow of wandlight directed the crowd’s attention to the speaker who stood on a boulder within the sacred circle. The music tapered off, and the crowd hushed. Into the silence, the bonfire crackled and snapped in its own destructive susurration.
“Gather around, sisters, for it is time for all our maidens to take to the woods. Each will leave a token on a sacred tree, our private petitions for the blessings of the Goddess.”
Manoeuvring closer, Severus took advantage of his height to case the crowd, looking for a curly-headed Goddess.
The men shouted, expressing dismay at being left behind. The amplified voice of Marietta Edgecombe rose over them, adding, “Should a wizard hunt down a willing witch and gain her favour, he too may worship the Goddess tonight.”
A wave of jeering drowned out the excited giggles of the women.
Gaggles of witches in white gathered in knots about the edge of the crowd.
Severus wove between people, searching for that lovely face in vain.
Team: The Order of the Flaming Chicken
Rating: PG13 for this one
Characters: Mr and Mrs Snape. And others.
Summary: A complication.
Word count: 700 in bites
CXL
Severus stopped to stare at Hermione. “It’s Potions grades that have you in such a temper?” He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m touched.”
The stubborn woman stepped back, folding her arms across her chest. Lamentably, this obscured his view. “Lies! Admit it, Severus. I was one of the best.”
“You were terrible at Potions.” Severus couldn’t help himself. His eyes followed the carmine line that travelled along her throat to her kissable lower lip.
Lifting her chin, Hermione growled, “Liar.”
He smirked back. “Slytherin.”
Hermione drew her wand.
“Easy now...” said Severus, holding up his hands in surrender. “I said were. ”
CXLI
A shadow moved just out of the corner of Severus’ eye, but he’d kept his eyes on Hermione’s wand.
“I’ve arrived just in the nick of time, Green Man.” A witch in an elaborate white gown with tight curls dipped an ironic curtsy to him before she said, “Granger. I’ll take my crown back.”
The tip of his wife’s wand lowered as her eyes narrowed to peer at the newcomer. It was somewhat difficult to make out her features with the blazing light of the bonfires behind her.
“Marietta?”
The unwelcome witch ignored Hermione, favouring him with a lustful once-over.
CXLII
“That’s Undersecretary Edgecombe to you, Miss Granger.” Marietta held out a hand, wiggling her fingers in a gesture of impatience.
Severus let his hands relax, for Hermione’s wand and ire were shifting to a more worthy target.
A storm brewed in Hermione’s eyes as she demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”
“It’s simple. Someone slipped a cursed ribbon into my trousseau. Naturally, there will be an official investigation into the matter, but now I am perfectly well and able to reclaim my position as May Queen.”
Severus moved to Hermione’s side, readying a defence.
Hermione laughed in Edgecombe’s face.
CXLIII
“That won’t be possible, Madam Undersecretary of... where is your dismal little corner of the Ministry again? The Magical Census Bureau?” Hermione’s voice was scornful.
Marietta’s shoulders stiffened. “It is my right. I insist upon it.”
Severus shook his head, saying. “Impossible, I’m afraid, Madam Undersecretary. Miss Granger cannot abdicate, we are bound for a year and a day.”
Hermione turned and smiled up at him beatifically. “Mrs Snape.”
Wits overcome with a strange joy, Severus missed it when Edgecombe’s lips curved into a wicked smile. “We shall see about that.” Lightning-quick, she grabbed his wife, disapparating away.
“Hermione, NO!”
CXLIV
Wheeling, Severus searched the crowd, his attention pulled in a thousand different directions by flashes of light and echoing cracks from the boisterous crowd. His heart thumped wildly in his ears as he searched.
How dare she touch my Queen?!
He closed his eyes, working to regain his equilibrium. It came to him in his second steadying breath.
We are bound.
Carefully he extended his senses, focusing on the sacred connection of man and wife.
The faintest whisper answered him, but the bond was too new. Unconsummated.
He knew Hermione was alive, but he was no closer to finding her.
CXLV
Overhead, a voice magically carried over the noise of the celebrations. “Gentle brothers and sisters, thank you for joining us tonight as we revive the old ways for the good of our people.”
The glow of wandlight directed the crowd’s attention to the speaker who stood on a boulder within the sacred circle. The music tapered off, and the crowd hushed. Into the silence, the bonfire crackled and snapped in its own destructive susurration.
“Gather around, sisters, for it is time for all our maidens to take to the woods. Each will leave a token on a sacred tree, our private petitions for the blessings of the Goddess.”
Manoeuvring closer, Severus took advantage of his height to case the crowd, looking for a curly-headed Goddess.
The men shouted, expressing dismay at being left behind. The amplified voice of Marietta Edgecombe rose over them, adding, “Should a wizard hunt down a willing witch and gain her favour, he too may worship the Goddess tonight.”
A wave of jeering drowned out the excited giggles of the women.
Gaggles of witches in white gathered in knots about the edge of the crowd.
Severus wove between people, searching for that lovely face in vain.