Warning:

The next chapter contains scenes with explicit sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.

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"... and don't forget that this stairway disappears on Tuesdays and Fridays".

"Tuesday and Friday". — Laurel repeated in a nervous voice, her eyes fixed on the painting of an old hag smiling at her in a sinister and toothless way. — "I still don't know how I would remember all this".

Severus was leading the woman through the castle, showing her the various passageways and towers, the library and the school grounds; the Great Hall and the Quidditch pitch. Amongst the changing stairs, the disappearing steps, and the doors that led nowhere, Laurel felt an excruciating fear of getting lost.

"By the time the Christmas holidays are over you will know how to find your way around" — Severus answered. — "I know it can be a maze, but if it becomes too complicated you can ask one of the ghosts".

"Ghosts?"

Severus stopped walking and turned to look at her, surprised.

"Yes, we have come across quite a few". — He said, arching an eyebrow. — "They have greeted you. Have not you noticed?"

Laurel, absolutely dumbfounded, only managed to repeat:

"Gho... ghosts?"

"I should have guessed. Only a few Muggles can see them. You should not be afraid, they are harmless. Except for Peeves, the poltergeist ..." — Severus was thoughtful for a moment. — "I think it would be better I stay with you most of the time. Peeves would be very happy to take possession of a Muggle's body".

Laurel nodded; her face paler than usual. She gave a slight start when she realised the hag had followed her, jumping from painting to painting, and was now offering her a steaming goblet of toxic fumes. While it was wonderful to be outside of her prison lock, it was too much information to process in a single day and she felt like her head was about to explode.

"How come Muggles never found Hogwarts? It must be very difficult to hide a site of this size".

"Muggle-Repelling Charms." — He replied, heading back toward the dungeons with a brisk step, his cloak billowing behind him. Laurel had to hurry to catch up. — "If there are any Muggles lurking near Hogwarts, they will only see some ruins with a sign indicating imminent danger, or they will suddenly remember that they have to do something urgently and must leave. It is simple, but quite effective. Until now".

Laurel nodded silently, in her mind there was still that constant reminder: She was a Muggle, she was an Akardos, and she did not really belong to that world, she was an outsider and most wizards saw her as a mere freak; others, more reactionary ones, saw her as a menace. And that was why she was now searching for a gesture of encouragement in Severus' eyes, the wizard who had been with her from the very beginning, the man who had protected and guided her through this new world. However, she realized that since Lupin's visit, he was behaving more distant than usual, avoiding getting too close and speaking to her in a cold and formal tone. Laurel was about to ask him what was wrong with him, but then he stopped and motioned for her to enter a room.

"This is my office. I have enchanted the door to make it easier for you to come and go as you please".

Laurel looked around. Severus' office did not have windows to let in natural light, something quite understandable considering the huge number of shelves full of glass jars with rare and exotic contents that were necessary to keep in a cool place away from sunlight. And what better place than that, that more than an office, it was a chiller during the winter.

"I'll light a fire." - He muttered, realizing that Laurel was beginning to shiver and rub her hands, trying to warm them.

Laurel walked over to his desk, and something caught her eye right away, something that was completely out of place in the dungeons:

A pretty clay pot with a plant with bright green leaves blossomed before her eyes, flourishing with tiny whitish flowers that then fell like snowflakes, vanishing into thin air, only to sprout again an instant later. The sweet fragrance it gave off and its continual blossoming produced a hypnotic tranquillity.

"It's yours, I was hoping to give it to you before".

Laurel winced at the feel of his soft voice tickling her ear. Severus had the ability to move like a cat, always furtive, always stealthy.

"Thank you". — She whispered. — "It is lovely. I did not know that bay laurels could be so small".

"They are not. This one has been charmed".

"Clearly." - She said as she caressed the fragrant leaves

Laurel turned and gave him a little kiss on the lips. Severus made a move to hug her, but barely tensed his body and faint red spots appeared on his face.

"Is there something bothering you?"

"No". — He answered dryly, taking a step back, away from her.

"You're using Occlumency, Severus." — Laurel took a step toward him, looking into his empty eyes, closing the distance. — "It is not common you use it when you are alone with me."

The red blotches grew even more.

"I do not want to make you feel uncomfortable".

"Honestly, I'd rather you do." — Laurel crossed her arms. — "It would hurt much less than now that you are so distant".

"Distant?"

The emotions he was trying so hard to control were beginning to stir violently under the layers of Occlumency. He may have grown up, he may have learned to appear mature and in control, but beneath the dark robes and cold demeanour, the same adolescent fears and needs and feelings of inadequacy remained frighteningly constant.

"I think you're getting confused, Laurel." — He said through his teeth. — "I think you are forgetting that I have not detached myself from your side in days, that I have not been able to sleep since you were attacked, that I have not had a decent meal, nor have I had time to change clothes, to clean myself... But you have the nerve to say that I am distant".

Laurel turned red too, his outburst taking her by surprise.

"I didn't mean ... Of course, I appreciate everything you do!"

"Maybe Lupin was a lot more loving to you". — Severus was raising his voice, leaving Occlumency aside. - "Maybe Moony told you how despicable I am..."

"Severus, calm down and listen to me". — Laurel took his arm, whispering softly, trying to appease the clear feeling of jealousy that overwhelmed the wizard. — "I still don't understand why you dislike Lupin so much; but I just want to make it clear that you are the only person that I care about, the only person I love".

"Then why have you let him get so close?" —He growled, the red blotches turning a deep scarlet. — "I saw you two when I entered the infirmary, he had his snout glued to you".

"I agree with you, yes it may have looked quite bad". — Laurel twisted her hands, her blushing spreading all over her face and neck. — "I asked him... I asked him if he could smell the stench of Greyback on me".

"And?"

"He said no".

"Why did you ask him? Wasn't it enough when I assured you that over and over again?"

"No offense... but I'm sure Lupin has a better nose".

Laurel smiled sheepishly, moving a little closer, sounding him out carefully. She reached for his lips, kissing him slowly and he was quick to respond, reliving the kisses of that night in Hackleton. A pleasant tingling spread throughout her body, increasing when he felt Severus' hands roaming her back, reaching her waist. She realized how the wizard was reluctant to go lower, as if an invisible line prevented him from doing so. Laurel let out a giggle against Severus's lips, who opened his eyes and looked at her tenderly, the red spots completely gone.

"Even if you stink of him, Laurel, do you really think I'd stop caring for you?"

"But I would care. It's bad enough having to be a Muggle, to be Akardos. You deserve someone who isn't a burden, someone who wasn't..." — Laurel's murmur drowned in her throat before she could finish her sentence.

"It doesn't take a genius to know that Greyback did something worse than just biting you". — Severus hugged her waist, speaking slowly into her ear, trying not to let the hatred he felt for that monster seep into his words. — "I wanted to kill him that very night, I sneaked into the cellar and was about to murder him. But I realized that I was only doing it for my own satisfaction, I knew that his death would not make you feel better, I knew that it would not help you at all. My priority was to get back to your side, to make sure you were safe. I couldn't leave you alone".

Laurel was breathing heavily, her face buried in his neck, doing her best to control the sobs she didn't want to let out.

"First, I need to know, Severus, would you think the same of me if I told you?"

"The answer is obvious; nothing could change the way I feel or think about you. You can tell me as much or as little as you want, Laurel". — He replied. — "Or nothing, if that makes you feel more comfortable".

Laurel felt her legs tremble and the scalding sensation in her throat burned her insides. She had to tell him, she had to get rid of that secret that tortured her soul, that oppressed her body. She trusted Severus.

"He touched me... in a terrible way... I don't even want to remember..." — She sputtered, her eyes reddening. — "I don't want to cry; I want to be strong... strong".

Her legs gave out, but Severus held her, leading her to one of the chairs in his office, sitting with her on his lap.

"You can cry, every time you cry a little pain goes away." —He whispered. — "What that beast has done to you was not your fault, it doesn't change at all how valuable you are".

Severus let her cry out, hugging her body tightly for several minutes. When he felt that her lament subsided, he wiped her wet cheeks and pointed to the small laurel tree.

"You are named after an evergreen tree, Laurel. It never withers, it never loses its leaves, it is a symbol of triumph, of immortality. You are the same, strong, kind, noble. You can face whatever life throws at you, and I am sure that you will always be victorious... "

Laurel chuckled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, her brittle voice saying softly:

"I suppose most women like to be compared to delicate flowers, but I think I prefer your comparison".

A flash of unease crossed his face as he thought for a moment of Lily, his beloved lily. Was he letting the beautiful flower wither in his heart? Was he now seeking shelter under the shade of a dense evergreen tree?

He snapped out of his reverie when he felt Laurel getting to her feet.

"I think I should let you rest, Severus". — She said planting a peck on his cheek and taking the clay pot in her hands. — "Thank you very much for being there for me, now you must take your time to recover. I'll find my way back to my room, don't worry".

"Wait". — He stopped her, his voice babbling awkwardly. — "Would you like to have dinner with me? I don't feel like talking to the staff or seeing the students, I would rather have dinner in my office... But maybe you'd rather attend the banquet in the Great Hall..."

"I would love to have dinner with you". — Laurel gave him an encouraging smile, realizing that the man was not used to making such invitations. - "At seven o'clock is fine?"

"At seven is perfect". — He answered quickly, a smile lit up his face.

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Laurel was laying on the small bed in her bedroom, her head buried in the soft feather pillow, staring up at the miniature laurel tree on the nightstand, her mind replaying every moment of the past few hours.

That night, Laurel returned from Severus's office after having dinner. Their conversation focusing on their research, on her progress in making some potions. They talked about the other teachers; about the curriculum he had planned for the second term that would start in a week. Laurel was beaming as she remembered her school years and her favourite subjects, as well as the teachers she hated and her group of friends she hadn't heard from in a long time. Neither of them noticed that it was already past midnight, until she gave the first yawn.

Severus insisted on accompanying her to her bedroom, and once there, they said goodbye in front of the door with a light kiss on the lips that turned quite fiery in a matter of seconds. Severus reached out his hand to open the door, but he stopped when he felt the tension in the woman's body.

"Sleep well". — He had whispered with a purr of desire in his voice, before turning around and going back to his chambers.

Laurel shifted on the bed, punching the pillow in frustration. She had freaked out, she really wanted to be with him, to feel his body next to hers. She took a deep breath and made up her mind to do what she would never have dared to do. She got up from the bed and checked herself in the mirror, adjusting the low neckline of the grey satin nightgown that she had taken from home, she smoothed her hair and took another deep breath, calming her nerves. Putting on her slippers at once and covering herself with a robe, she made her way to the dungeons.

Laurel closed the office door behind her, swallowing hard, calming her shaky breathing. The fire crackled in the fireplace, illuminating the clock on the desk. It was very late, and Severus should be in bed. Her gaze flicked to the dark wooden door that, she knew, connected his office with his bedroom. Laurel clenched her fists, feeling her hands grow sweaty. She was afraid of being rejected, after so many months living so close to him, she knew that he was an extremely complex man, but she was already there, she did not intend to retrace her steps.

She opened the door slowly, trying not to make too much noise. For a moment she felt that she had been transported to a place that was not Hogwarts. Soft blue-green light flooded the room, rippling off the dark walls, giving the impression that the room was submerged underwater. And it didn't take long for her to realize that this was exactly the case as she saw what appeared to be a gigantic squid, speeding through the narrow windows.

Her eyes turned to the poster bed and fixed on Severus, his black hair, spilled over the pillow, was all that could be seen of the figure of the man dozing under a heavy duvet.

Laurel walked over to him, taking off her robe, lifted the duvet, and settled carefully beside him, tucking herself in next to him.

"Severus." — She whispered caressing his face.

"Laurel".

He opened his eyes so calmly, Laurel realized he had never been asleep. Laughing she whispered:

"You knew I would come".

"I was hoping you would, it wouldn't be very honourable of me to be the one sneaking into your room".

Severus stroked her hair, and he couldn't help noticing her pronounced cleavage, the desire began to take its toll on him, and he discreetly shifted his body, so that Laurel wouldn't notice. A rather difficult task, feeling the heat of the woman's body getting closer and closer. Her bare legs entangling with his.

There was something different in her eyes, a glint of irrepressible desire that Severus had never seen in any woman's gaze. God, how he wanted her, how he desired her. He wanted with all his soul to embrace her, to sink into her arms and drown in her. He had not felt such a sensation before, he had never longed to touch a body with such passion.

Yet deep down he knew he was walking a tightrope, his fate tied to Dumbledore's, to the Dark Lord's. He knew that he was going to hurt her, he always did, he was a bastard who hurt everyone around him, he was not worthy of that light, of that woman who looked at him with yearning and tenderness and who had never doubted him.

Laurel seemed to sense his hesitation, because she suddenly approached him, kissing him deeply, biting his shapely lips and enjoying the delicious taste of his mouth. Severus forgot about his fears, returning her kiss with lascivious impulsiveness.

"Are you sure this is what you really desire?"

"You are everything I could ever desire".

It was Laurel who sat first, taking off his pyjama sweater, kissing his neck, slowly moving down his hairless chest, leaving behind a trail of kisses and nibbles; her long hair, tickling his belly. She continued until she reached his navel and there, she nuzzled the faint trail of hairs that went lost inside his flannel pants.

Glaring at him with a smirk, she pulled them down, exposing his black boxers and pale long legs. Severus caressed her face, tracing her lips with his thumb and she took it in her mouth, sucking slowly, like a preamble to what was coming. Suddenly the cold of the dungeons vanished, Laurel seemed to radiate an exceptional heat, a fire that arose from her body and that burned him completely, making his sallow skin take on a healthier colour.

"You deserve it, love". — She purred as she took off his underwear and planted little butterfly kisses that made his dick thicken even more.

With her tongue she traced a line from the base of his penis to the tip, delicately savouring the sparkling droplet that had appeared there. She gently kissed his glans and then introduced it into her mouth, sucking, moving her tongue from side to side, causing spasms of pleasure.

Her mouth was tender and warm and although Severus had the impulse to close his eyes at such pleasure, he did not want to miss that gorgeous sight of his cock going in and out the mouth of that nymph that had miraculously appeared in his miserable life. He brushed her hair away with one hand, holding it, as he gently pushed her head toward his cock, his orgasm getting closer and closer.

Laurel took a deep breath and looked into his face: his jaws clenched, his breathing ragged, his eyes half-closed. He was close. She then moved to lick his balls, as she stroked the delicate skin of his perineum, slowly massaging with the tips of her fingers. Severus groaned in surprise and his cock twitched. Laurel giggled in satisfaction and took a deep breath, preparing to shove that precious phallus down her throat.

Severus let out a moan when he saw how the woman's eyes brightened with tears and her breath ragged, trying to control the gagging that his well-endowed cock produced deep in her throat. That vision, that noise she made with her mouth, was enough to make him come. He tried to push her away, a bit shy to come into her mouth, but she slapped his hand away. His hot, thick liquid came out forcefully and she held it in her mouth for a moment, savouring his seed, devouring it devoutly, and then cleaning him properly with her tongue.

What a precious little thing, what a lovable, docile pet! He adored her, worshipped her as he had never worshipped before. He adored Laurel, the goddess with golden skin.

He wasted no time, he sat on the bed, taking her by her small waist, kissing that mouth of heaven, caressing her hard nipples through the lustrous and soft satin, descending with his big hands until he reached her ass, realizing then that the very innocent and cute Laurel had crawled into his bed without wearing any underwear.

"You are fire, Laurel". — He laughed maliciously as he took off her nightgown, admiring her rounded tits, moving to the rhythm of her breathing. Her plum-coloured nipples, hard and attentive to the friction of his fingers, to the caresses of his tongue.

Severus positioned her spread legs around his hips. His sensitive shaft was still up, standing against her glorious ass crack, ready for more. Her wet pussy against his pubes, moving rhythmically, leaving a trace of shimmering fluid.

Severus caressed her swollen clit, while nipping her nipples. Laurel moaned with pleasure and felt her insides beg to receive him. She gently pushed him away from her breasts.

"Allow me". — She whispered, her slight giggle tickling his ear before pushing him back onto the bed.

She took his penis in her hand and settled it into place. She began to ride him, first slowly, then faster, up and down, her hips gently wobbling from side to side, making him feel her tightness more intensely. Severus took hold of her hips, his thumb rubbing her clit vigorously. Laurel did not take long to moan his name, to let out little gurgles as she felt her pussy tighten, her orgasm almost ready. Severus could feel her contractions as well, holding her firmly, he began to push into her harder, his cock fucking her madly.

"Yes, fuck!"

The spasms in Laurel's body were about to make him come a second time, but before closing his eyes and letting himself go, he admired the body of that woman who was offering him immeasurable pleasure. Her long hair covered part of her torso, and glistening on her chest, the necklace that made her his. The shiny emerald eyes of the snake reminded him of something, but he couldn't quite remember what, and in all honestly, at that moment, he didn't give a fuck.

He pinched her clitoris between his fingers, massaging and thrusting as he ejaculated inside her warm cunt, growling unintelligible obscenities. Laurel threw her head back, feeling her body jerk in spasms of pleasure, tiny, coloured dots danced in a frenzy in front of her eyes, her body totally anesthetized by the ecstasy of climax.

Before she fell backwards, Severus took her in his arms, laying her on his chest, pressing her body against his, as if he never meant to let her go.

He buried his nose in her hair and still breathing heavily, he whispered:

"Don't leave".

"What?" — Laurel looked up at him, not understanding.

"Leave me. Don't. Ever". — Severus kept his face buried in her hair; his eyes closed. Laurel would have thought he was speaking in his sleep, but the clarity of his voice left no doubt that he was fully conscious.

"I won't". — She answered. — "Never".

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Severus woke up suddenly, without any idea what time it was. He remembered, she visited him in his dreams, and she reminded him: The snake's emerald eyes were the same colour as Lily's.

He closed his eyes tightly, and for the first time he wished he would never think about Lily again, he did not want to keep tormenting himself every night, he did not want to continue brooding over his guilt.

He turned to the naked woman who was next to him, fast asleep, both protected from the icy cold of the dungeons by the heavy duvet and by the mutual warmth of their bodies.

He held her tightly, inhaling the sweet scent of her body, imitating her slow, placid breathing, until in just a few minutes he plunged back into dreams.