A brunette witch waved her wand and candlelight flickered to life, illuminating the cavernous, musty room. For the moment, she was alone, but the solitude did not last long. Witches and wizards dressed in various colors of inconspicuous robes trickled down the stone stairs, many commenting on the medicine bottles that were stored on the shelves they passed on their way in.
"'Warfarin'?" one silver-haired wizard read from a large bottle.
"An unnatural form of spoiled sweet clover," a witch, who was waiting near him offered.
"Odd. How do you know?"
"My sister's husband is a Muggle healer. They put the most dangerous things in their bodies if you ask me. Take one too many pills and you're apt to bleed out on the floor."
"Why in Merlin's name would any of them do such a thing?"
The witch shrugged. "Suppose in hopes it helps them live longer."
"Can't imagine that would help them any."
At Diolinda's suggestion, Cassie's followers were using the basement of this small apothecary to meet. It was on a quiet street full of other Muggle businesses, one that seemed safe from being stumbled upon by others of the magic population.
All eyes turned to the young black-haired witch as she appeared at the bottom of the staircase. It was as if they sensed her presence, their need to gaze upon her almost visceral as they sunk to the floor in unison. Cassie studied them as she approached what she assumed to be her chair at the front of the room. Every time she saw these people like this, she couldn't help but wonder if she really should warrant such a reaction.
The room was eerily quiet and she longed for something to shatter the awkward silence when she realized that it must be her. "Rise," she said, heat rising to her cheeks. As the dozens of witches and wizards obeyed her without question, she quickly added, "Please."
Romily waved her wand and chairs materialized. After everyone was seated, Cassie found her voice. The first topic addressed was Bianca the Seer. Diolinda informed them that a healer who might be able to help had been found.
"Where are they located?" asked Cassie.
"Venezuela. She is aligned with our views and very skilled."
"Get her here."
"Yes, my lady."
Maksim, a slender middle-aged wizard who was employed in the ministry's Department of International Magical Cooperation, gave an update on the Krasnota's activity. The Magical Duma was keeping them at bay, but barely. Cassie kept her expression stone-cold as many pairs of eyes fell on her at the revelation.
They discussed the need to keep tabs on Stellan to ensure his safety while he took Harry's place. Shifts were assigned, two people at a time. As Cassie's followers volunteered, Romily used her wand to write their names on a carefully lined chart. Cassie's hand drifted to the right side of her neck, her fingers lightly rubbing over the spot where the ancient vampire had bit her. The puncture wounds from his fangs were almost healed, but she could still feel something. An ache. A tingle. A whisper of the dark creature that had bled her.
"Lady Black?"
Someone was talking to her, but it didn't register in her consciousness. She still had her hand on her neck and her blue eyes were glazed over as she recalled that night. How her life drained from her with every drop of blood Stellan consumed. That nauseating, dizzying feeling as she fought to stay awake. The look of pure terror in Severus's onyx eyes as he commanded her to drink the life-saving elixirs he had thought to bring along with them.
His white-hot anger when he realized that Dumbledore had left them as soon as the soul-mimic ritual had been completed.
"My lady," Diolinda repeated, lightly bowing as she came to stand in front of her mistress's chair. Cassie's eyes came into focus when she remembered where she was.
"Yes?" she asked, her hand flying from her neck to join the other on her lap. She could feel Romily's stare burning her.
"There is one more topic that Isidora would like to bring to you," said Diolinda. Cassie's eyes flitted to the young witch with short dark brown hair. Isidora's round face broke into a nervous smile when they locked eyes.
With a nod from Cassie, Isidora from Atacama took Diolinda's place and bowed so low that her nose nearly touched the musty floor. "Rise," Cassie said hurriedly, partly because she was still uncomfortable with these displays of homage, and partly because she didn't want the girl's face smudged with dirt.
"I have been thinking of ways for you to effectively communicate with us, as you have tasked us with," she said quietly. Cassie motioned for her to continue, her attention effectively peaked. Vauntie, a middle-aged wizard, had previously suggested they all bear tattoos that Cassie could use to summon them. He had been briefly puzzled as to why she had swiftly shot that idea down. "I believe I have found a charm that will enkindle our wands so they will heat and quiver enough for us to feel them in our pockets. Then, the magic will allow us to Apparate to your side."
"That sounds perfect."
Isidora's cheeks flushed. "Thank you, my lady."
Cassie dismissed the meeting after their wands were enchanted. She was grateful to be done. Even though days had passed since Stellan had drained her blood, she still grew fatigued easily. She couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts' dungeons so she could crawl into bed.
"She's full of ideas, that Isidora," Romily murmured as the last wizard ascended the staircase, leaving the two young witches alone. "Suggested that we call ourselves Santos de la Sangre. Saints of the Blood."
"It's catchy," Cassie replied wearily. She could barely muster enough energy to even pretend to be enthusiastic.
"It's brilliant," Romily countered. "She and a few others are designing crests and everything. They're hoping to present them to you soon."
Maksim and Dashiell Smith, who were slated to track Stellan first, were outside the apothecary building when Cassie and Romily emerged.
"My lady." Dashiell bowed with Maksim alongside him.
"Be careful," she warned them. "Stellan knows that we plan to guard him, but I don't know how thrilled he is by the idea. He might try to provoke you. I want a full report of his behavior by owl."
"Yes, my lady."
It was late when Cassie returned to the castle. Boros slid out from the shadows as the front doors closed with a loud creak behind her. The snake wound around her legs as she walked, hissing to her in greeting when his head rested near hers.
"The one-legged man followed my mistress."
"Did he Apparate?"
"No." Boros nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. "Followed my mistress to the gates. Came back to the castle after."
"Where is he now?"
"His cave."
To Boros, Moody's office was his cave. So the DADA professor bothered to follow her to the edge of the grounds but not off of them. What did he suspect? Would he ask where she had gone that night?
The witch and her familiar made their way down to the dungeons. Exhausted as she was, Cassie had to deal with a pair of Slytherin seventh-years out of bed along the way.
"But Miss Black!" Dolion Cozbi protested, "We are headed to the common room, I swear - "
"No matter. It's two hours past curfew."
"But we weren't up to anything," the brunette boy continued, pushing his length of hair out of his eyes. "We were with Professor Moody the entire time!"
"Moody," Cassie repeated incredulously.
"Yeah, he can vouch for us!" the other boy, Coby Kilpatrick, chimed in.
"What were you doing in Moody's office so late?"
"Practicing spells, of course."
Cassie looked Cozbi over as she contemplated his words. How easy it would be to look into the boy's wide eyes and reach into his mind, even if it was only for a moment or two. She would be certain if he was lying to her and Moody would never have to be involved. Would Cozbi be able to sense the invasion in his obvious state of anxiety over whether or not he would receive detention? If he did, it was unlikely he would even know what had happened. The risk was minimal.
She shook her head slightly as if to shake the intrusive thoughts from her head. Boros shifted on her shoulders.
"Consider your punishment pending until I have a chat with Moody. Get to bed," she snapped. Their transgression was not what irritated her. She had broken countless school rules as a student, spending nights out of bed and in the arms of her Head of House. What she wasn't looking forward to was having to ask Moody whether what they said was true.
The Slytherins hurried down the corridor from her. She trudged along to her destination.
The potions classroom was empty. Cauldrons for the next morning's lesson were sitting on each workstation, ready for the pairs of students who would attempt to concoct antipyretic potions. Excitement bubbled in Cassie's chest, for that meant that Kalina, who had been given Cassie's quarters for the remainder of her stay, was tucked in bed for the night. She would have Severus to herself.
The Potions Master was in his favorite armchair, his eyes glued to a French spell book when she entered their bedroom. Boros slithered down to the floor and settled near the fireplace as she took off her traveling cloak. In that amount of time, Severus had made his objective assessment.
"You must drink another blood-replenishing elixir." With a snap, he shut his book. He crossed the room to his potions cupboard in a few long strides. Cassie, now in nothing but her underclothes, turned to see the raven-haired wizard brandishing a vial at her.
"I drank one this morning."
"And you will drink another," he reiterated, popping off the cork with his thumb. With a sigh, Cassie obliged, allowing him to tip the blood-red potion into her mouth. He cocked an eyebrow at her as she finished.
"Just admiring my view," she told him truthfully. He was dressed in nothing but the dark green lounge pants that she had gifted him long ago, a look that she never grew tired of.
He scoffed at her. "Tonight you will rest."
She mirrored his vexation. "I've done nothing but rest since that night - "
"You attempt to persuade me when you've just returned from one of your little meetings?"
Her hands balled into fists as she glared up at him. "You asked me not to teach or tutor these last few days and I've humored you, but I can't afford to take a break from these meetings. Not when Stellan needs to be guarded!"
The corner of Severus's mouth lifted into a snarl as his mind drifted beyond the room. Before he was lost to the disquieting thoughts of his brilliant mind, Cassie reached up to grab his face. She had an agenda tonight, and losing his attention to this topic was not it.
Cassie locked her blue eyes onto his black ones before she spoke, assured that she had his undivided attention. "I have it under control." She said it clearly, evenly. She knew that Severus wished things were different, having had this discussion a dozen times since it had happened. Sirius should have insisted that Stellan drain him, the cowardly dog. And if not him, then Severus could have taken his place. Harry was not her responsibility.
But that was not how it had played out. Stellan had insisted on her.
She stood on her tiptoes, tilting her face up to kiss him. His lips were so soft, so inviting as he slowly began to melt into her touch, his pale face still between her hands as he leaned down to press into her.
Her hands left his cheeks, slowly moving down his bare shoulders, his lean torso, coming to rest on his hips. A quiet grunt left his throat as she dug her fingers into him and pulled him forward. She could feel him through the thin green fabric of his pants. Her lips left his mouth and she planted a kiss on his collarbone, grinding her pelvis into him. Already her breathing hitched as she nibbled at the sensitive skin on his chest.
Severus's hands gripped her upper arms and pushed her away. "You need to rest."
She could feel the heat in her cheeks and neck as she looked up at him. "Sev - "
"I am not going to argue about this. Get to bed," he commanded.
Cassie could see the resolve in her fiance's eyes. Knowing it was no use at this point, she rounded to her side of the bed. She pulled back the thick gray coverlet and crawled underneath, but not before removing her bra and panties and making a point to throw them at Severus's slipper-covered feet.
"Vixen," he snarled under his breath. With an expression of ambivalence and a final glance at her, he strode from the room.
Cassie flopped back onto her pillow, huffing in frustration. For several minutes, she tried to heed his advice and settle down for sleep. He wasn't wrong, after all. She was still replenishing blood after losing nearly all of it.
Even in her exhaustion, her eyes were wide open as she stared at the canopy above. She grabbed her wand from the bedside table and with a graceful wave, the night sky appeared on the dark fabric. Even as the stars flickered and the moon emitted a soft, ethereal glow, she could not be lulled into a slumber.
Severus was on her mind as her hand traveled between her legs. A soft moan left her lips as she touched herself, her aching core finally getting some form of stimulation. She slammed her eyes shut and pictured her raven-haired fiance as the one making those sensations. Her lower belly pulsed but then stopped as her hand came to a halt. Her mind was still on Severus, but she wondered what he was doing. Was he in his classroom, sitting shirtless at his desk as he tried to keep himself busy so she could sleep? How pointless.
She sat up, flinging back the coverlet and padding across the cold stone floor. He could try to command her like she was one of his students, or he could buck up and surrender to what they both wanted.
She had been wrong: he was sitting shirtless in his office, the small dark room warmed by the orange flames of the fireplace. He was writing something on an essay, and by the looks of it, he was actually pleased by the student's work. His face darkened, however, when he noticed Cassie's naked form in the doorway.
His narrowed eyes were locked on her as she strode toward him, his Adam's apple bouncing in his throat as she straddled his lap. "Please, Sev," she whispered, nuzzling his neck. She smiled into his skin as his arms encircled her, his warm hands leaving tingles across her bare back. "I want to feel you." She caught his earlobe between her teeth. His sharp inhale told her that she had finally won.
She wrapped her legs around his slim waist as he lifted them both from the chair. She continued to nibble at his earlobe as he carried her back to his quarters, humming in satisfaction when he lowered her to the couch and settled himself between her legs. This time as they kissed, he didn't hold back because of his perception of her frailty. His tongue pushed into her mouth, exploring her like he hadn't done his hundreds of times before, stealing her very breath as he paused only to graze her bottom lip between his teeth.
He was undeniably hard as he ground his clothed hips into the young witch's wet core. His black eyes watched her greedily as she writhed beneath him, begging him for more with those flushed cheeks and lips swollen from his kisses.
The color in Cassie's cheeks. He had feared he would never see it again. It had only been days since he had held her ashen, nearly lifeless form in his arms and begged her to drink the potions he had fortunately had the forethought to bring along.
If he hadn't, if he had been careless enough to look over that detail, he might be in mourning the loss of his fiance instead of ravishing her in his sitting room. The thought almost brought him to tears at that very moment.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, locking him into place. The movement brought him back to the present, where Cassie was alive and well, looking up at him with lust-blown blue eyes. He must have momentarily pulled away from her and she was having none of it.
He wouldn't deny her any longer. He couldn't. Not when her hand had slithered into his pants and was gripping the flesh of his arse cheek so deliciously. The other was buried in his hair, her fingers pulling just enough to tug on the roots near his temple.
He shifted his weight to his knees, moving into just the right position so he could reach her bare breasts. "Sev," she exhaled as his mouth found her pink, erect nipple. Both of her hands were now in his hair, stroking and tugging at his black strands as he suckled her. Few places were more heavenly than this, and he would be there very soon.
He settled back to his original spot, planting kisses on her neck before his mouth rested near the shell of her ear. "Promise me you'll be a good girl," he said quietly as he pushed down his pants to free himself. He was rock-hard with desire and he wanted nothing more than to plunge himself inside her, but conditions had to be met. His fingers stroked her core lightly as his warm breath tickled her ear, and he continued. "If I give you what you want, you have to promise me."
"I promise," she whimpered softly as his finger found her wet entrance, "I'll be a good girl, Severus."
His name on her lips made his cock twinge. Past the point of playing games, he pushed himself inside of her, a groan erupting from his throat as the warmth and wetness gripped him. He could hardly fathom why he had fought so hard against this earlier that night. If the girl wanted to trade rest for this, he supposed that was her prerogative.
Cassie's legs wrapped around him tighter as he pumped inside her. It restricted the movement of his hips, but no matter. He intended to go slowly, to take his time. She might be up for a good romp, but he would treat her delicately. To him, she was more precious than a vault full of galleons or the rarest potion ingredient.
His thrusts were hard, although controlled. Cassie gripped the flesh of his buttocks, urging him on as her breathing became more labored. He admired the way her breasts bounced with every snap of his hips and the way she whined when he hit just the right spot. He pressed his thumb into her clit and she cried out, begging nonsensically.
"Shhh, my love," Severus whispered. "Relax." At his words, she settled back into the couch cushions. He kept going at the same pace, his thumb making circles, adjusting pressure as he could see that she was nearing release. Her climax hit her in waves, her legs finally relaxing around Severus's waist as she came down from her high.
He afforded her no time to breathe as he continued to pursue his orgasm. Shaking, Cassie reached up to grip the back of her lover's neck, pulling him down to her. "Come for me, Severus," she whispered as he thrust at his controlled, even pace. Beads of sweat were accumulating on his forehead, and she wiped her thumbs across his skin. "I want you to come inside of me."
He groaned at her words, his control cracking. He increased his pace as his hand splayed across her neck, gripping her throat just enough to make her whine. He finished inside of her with an unhinged moan and he caught her smile as he collapsed, a panting, sweaty mess on top of her.
Severus lay with his head between Cassie's breasts, taking in the sound of her steadily decreasing heartbeat. She was running her fingers through his hair, intermittently pausing only to twist the locks together and let them unravel before burying her hand into his strands again. It was one of the most complete, content moments he had ever experienced in his life.
Her breathing was deep and even, and he thought he had finally accomplished his goal of helping her fall asleep. Then, she spoke. "Sev?"
"What?"
She yawned before she could continue. "Come with me to bed?"
He sighed wearily. "Of course, my love."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The main corridors of the castle were full of students. The bell had just rung and most of the pupils were making their way to their next classes. The mix of various house members and grades made for a sea of black robes with multi-colored trim all moving in different directions. It made it hard for Cassie to make it to her destination promptly. She had a surly look on her face as she stepped around students and dodged Peeve's well-aimed toilet paper ball. The students who did notice her moved out of her way. They whispered to one another, wondering why she was in such a poor mood. Unlike her fiance, she rarely showed that side of herself to the student body unless there was good reason.
She was on her way to the headmaster's office. She had not received owl post at breakfast, but a letter had been delivered to her only minutes ago while she had been helping Hagrid round up his borrowed herd of Qilins.
Luckily, Dumbledore was in his office when Cassie nearly shouted the password and ascended the spiral staircase. He seemed to be busy with nothing when she entered, and he looked amused when she slapped the letter on his desk.
"To what do I owe this visit?"
"Your friend Stellan!" she barked. "He bit off the fingers of one his guards - my people!"
Dumbledore examined the letter. "Can they not be grown back?"
"That's beside the point!"
"What is the point?"
Cassie glared at him. "He has been purposely antagonizing, trying to evade everyone that we send. Not to mention that he led Maksim and Isidora into corporeal quagmire the other day!"
"Yes, that is rather unfortunate. How is Maksim feeling?"
"He's still in St. Mungo's," Cassie said through gritted teeth. "He's going to recover, but that's not the issue. How do we explain a ministry official running through Moesgard Forest on his day off when he's previously done nothing of the sort?"
"Perhaps he desired a small change in scenery."
"This isn't a joke, Albus!"
"I apologize, Cassiopeia. I do not wish to convey in any way that I am joking. I find it unfortunate that Stellan is making this harder than it needs to be," said Dumbledore gently.
"I am using my followers on your orders." She planted her hands on his desk and she leaned down to look him in the eye. "Their allegiance to me cannot be compromised for the vampire to amuse himself."
"I agree."
Cassie waited for Dumbledore to continue. When he didn't, she asked, "You'll talk to him?"
The headmaster handed back her letter, then folded his hands neatly in front of him on the desk. He made a point to meet her intense gaze before he spoke. "When I said I needed you to handle this situation, I meant in its entirety."
"Fucking useless," she swore under her breath as she stormed from his office. Now the corridors were much emptier, but everyone she passed knew in an instant to avoid her. Even Filch jumped into a broom closet to get out of her path.
She saw Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman at the far end of the corridor, likely there to see the infuriating wizard whose presence she had just left. No wonder Dumbledore didn't have time to deal with Stellan, she thought icily. The Triwizard Tournament will always take precedence.
Barty Crouch Junior was leaning up against a statue of a Selkie, acting like he was skimming through a book about foe-glasses and related trinkets when he was actually watching Cassiopeia. She had looked angry, yet determined when she approached the headmaster's office. When she left moments ago, she just looked enraged.
He pushed himself away from the statue, intending to follow her, when another interesting sight greeted him. His father, accompanied by Bagman. The pair of wizards was fast approaching. He wondered if it would be more beneficial to stalk them instead. He hadn't seen his father up close since his master had freed him. It seemed that the Imperius Curse was holding well, but it wouldn't hurt to be sure.
Cassiopeia lived in this castle. It was likely that she was returning to the arms of the filthy half-blood traitor, anyway. He could find her later.
He turned, walking slowly behind Crouch and Bagman as they talked about trivial matters of the tournament. The thump from Moody's wooden leg was a dead giveaway, and Crouch turned to glance behind them. Crouch Junior shot him a gnarled, sinister half-smile. His father turned back to Bagman, none the wiser.
In the dungeons, Cassie and Severus were seated across from one another in the Potions Master's office. She had updated him on the contents of the letter and consequently, her conversation with Dumbledore. As Severus contemplated the implications, his fiance rose to her feet.
"Where are you going?" he demanded.
"To confront him," she said, heading to his quarters to fetch her traveling cloak.
"You will do no such thing - " he started, jumping to his feet to follow her.
"I wasn't asking your permission," she snapped.
"Then at least wait until I can accompany you," Severus protested, placing his hands on his shoulders. "I have one more class to teach."
"Fine." She scribbled a reply back to Romily before gripping the smashed piece of parchment in her fist. Her trip to the owlery didn't use up enough of her time, and she went out to the grounds to pace in front of the doors while Severus taught his class. She hoped it went smoothly so Severus wouldn't be delayed taking students to the hospital wing, or she might have to leave without him.
"Care for some company?" a gruff voice called out. Cassie audibly groaned when she saw Moody at the top of the stairs, his fake eye whirring in every direction. She didn't bother to answer. "Waiting for someone, eh?"
"Do you need something, Mad-Eye?"
"Just wondering what you're up to."
"I didn't think it was anyone's business but mine."
"And Dumbledore's, perhaps?"
Cassie remained silent. She glanced at the wizard, feeling exposed as both of his eyes fixed on her. "If you plan on keeping students out past curfew in the future, I would appreciate you accompanying them back to their common rooms."
"Seventh years are perfectly capable of walking themselves back."
"It's school policy."
"Since when do you care about anyone's policies?"
Cassie narrowed her eyes at him. She had worked side-by-side with this wizard and thought she had gotten to know him to some extent. Perhaps it was the retirement, or maybe it was that he was suspicious of everyone since Harry's name had been put into the Goblet of Fire. Something to her seemed off.
"Have you spoken to Dora lately?" she inquired. She couldn't read the expression that flashed across the wizard's face. She was about to question it when Severus appeared at her side.
"Ah, Snape," said Moody. "Should have known it was you she was waiting for."
Severus cocked a quizzical eyebrow at the DADA professor. "I would invite you to accompany us, Moody, but as three is a crowd..." He offered his arm to Cassie. She took it with a small smile. "Unless of course, you enjoy dinner by candlelight at Clos Maggiore."
Moody studied him. "You expect me to believe that you're heading out on a date?"
"Yes," said Severus, leading his fiance toward the main gates.
The DADA professor didn't attempt to follow them. Cassie was grateful, as she had enough to worry about as they prepared to meet with Stellan.
Their first step was to meet Romily in her apartment above Madam Puddifoot's. There, the brunette witch gave them a Portkey that had been illegally obtained by Maksim. "We have a supply of them," she explained as she pulled what looked like an empty toilet paper roll from a box.
On the list of things that Cassie had to do that day, traveling to Akureyri by Portkey had not been one of them. Romily wasted no time in leading them through a thick gathering of snow-covered trees and into a large brick building. It stood alone in what landscape they could see with the naked eye.
"He likes solitude," Romily said ominously. "Having someone with him constantly has aggravated him." The foyer of the house was dark. As Cassie's eyes adjusted, she made out the forms of two people: Billiard Bristol and Diolinda. She lifted her wand to light it, but Romily pushed it down to her side.
"No magic," Severus reminded her quietly, "Unless absolutely necessary."
"I'm getting tired of following others' demands," she muttered as she shoved her wand back into her pocket. She missed the worried look that Severus and Romily exchanged as she moved to the entrance of the sitting room.
"Stellan!" she called abruptly, leaving Diolinda and Billiard at the entrance. Severus and Romily trailed a few steps behind her. "A word!"
There was no movement in the dark house. She turned around, about to ask where the vampire was and if he had slipped them again when a large hand grabbed her neck. "I wondered when you would decide to stop by," Stellan purred into her ear.
She twisted out of his grip and stepped back, earning a chuckle from the blond vampire. "This isn't a social call."
"Oh? Then to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Hmm...let's see. Perhaps biting off David's fingers - "
"He was being rude."
"Or leading Maksim and Izzy into danger," she continued. He smiled, his fangs visible. "This isn't what we agreed to."
"I didn't agree to being followed." He was taking slow, long strides through the room. She and the others had to keep turning on their heels to keep him in their sights.
"Albus made it clear that after the ritual had taken place, it would be of utmost importance to keep you safe. This is how we're keeping you safe," she snapped back.
"I've been alive for over five centuries," Stellan replied calmly. "What makes you think I am incapable of keeping myself...safe?"
"Your life is now equally valuable to Harry Potter's," Romily piped in. "Extra precautions need to be taken."
The vampire was on Romily in a flash, his face an inch away from hers as he growled, "Is it you that decides that my life is less than Harry Potter's when this is done?"
The room froze. Stellan's attention was pulled away from Romily when he realized that Severus had drawn his wand and had it pointed directly at his heart.
"Sit. Down," Severus commanded, his wand arm steady. The vampire growled lowly, straightening up and giving Romily a chance to back away.
"Daring of you, boy," Stellan said, a hint of admiration in his voice as he obeyed Severus.
"That goes for the rest of you," the Head of Slytherin snarled to the rest of the room. Romily sat in a wicker armchair without a protest. Cassie, however, apprehensively took a seat next to her fiance. She didn't trust Stellan, especially after seeing him move that quickly.
The tension deflated only after Severus put his wand back into his pocket. Cassie knew they would argue about this later, that he would be unhappy that she had let tempers flare to this point, but hers had yet to cool.
"I can smell the magic in a wizard's blood without tasting it," Stellan said, lifting his head to sniff in Severus's direction. "Yours, boy. Yours is something astounding. I wouldn't have minded having yours, except..." His head whipped toward Cassie. She squirmed in her spot under the vampire's stare.
Stellan noticed when Severus placed a hand on her knee to calm her. He clicked his tongue as his blue eyes looked between the two of them. "That ring is from you, isn't it, boy?"
Cassie swallowed down the ball of anxiety that had formed in her throat. "Enough."
Stellan chuckled. "Your lackey disapproved of my meal."
"David?"
"Is that what his name is? He tried to interfere. I had to teach him a lesson - disgusting blood, though. I wouldn't keep him in your ranks." Another sickening smile spread on his face.
"That won't happen again. Anyone interfering with your hunting, I mean."
"It better not."
"I need you to agree not to attack any other guards."
Stellan seemed to mull this over. "Would you like to know what my meal was?"
"No."
He leaned forward in his chair, soberness now etched on his chiseled features. "Jealous, huh? Don't worry, she wasn't nearly as appetizing as you." His blue eyes flitted over to Severus. The Potions Master remained poised next to Cassie, likely fighting to keep his emotions in check. "Funny. Looking at you, I would question any loyalty you have toward her...but I can feel the rage inside of you. It emanates from you like heat, boy. I would enjoy seeing it boil over."
"Enough," Cassie repeated, this time much more forcefully. "You will keep your guards, and you will not harm them. Do I make myself clear, Stellan?"
"I would much rather have you guard me," said the vampire. Beside Cassie, Severus stirred. "Your boy can spare you for a little while."
"We have a week before the first task. If we get through that, you will get your reward - "
"I will get my reward," Stellan countered lowly, licking his lips, "No matter the outcome. No...maybe I will get a taste now." Like lightning, he moved across the sitting room. With a swipe of his arm, Severus flew across the room and into the wall, crumpling to the floor. Romily was yelling for the others as Stellan pinned Cassie's arms to her sides with the strength only an ancient dark creature could possess. She pulled against his grip, desperate to get her wand, afraid to let loose a wandless magic that would harm the others when a loud BOOM! hit Stellan square in the chest. Severus's spell had pinned Stellan up against the opposite wall, and the vampire was struggling to break free. Severus kept his wand pointed as he reached down to pull Cassie up from the couch she had just been attacked on.
Stellan's slick blond hair was disheveled as he laughed, his fangs on full display. "There's that heat turned into power, boy! Use it!"
"You're insane!" Cassie yelled. The vampire grinned at her. Severus released the spell and he slid to the floor in a sitting position.
"Perhaps he is a match for you," Stellan mused. Cassie shook her head in disgust as she directed Romily to the front door.
"You will keep your guards," she repeated through heavy breaths. "You will not harm them. And if I have to come back here, I will make sure you spend the rest of the tournament locked in a cage!"
Romily was still shaken as they returned to Hogsmeade. Severus calmly gave her tips on vampire determent, likely to help her feel safer in her apartment. "If you would like a supply of sleeping draughts," he told her quietly, avoiding drawing attention to the fact that she might now have nightmares about large, blonde vampires, "You need only ask."
The couple returned to the castle gates arm and arm. Cassie didn't think about how disheveled they probably looked until she saw Moody standing there as if he were waiting for them. The look on his face was triumphant as though their appearance somehow proved something.
"Sex in an alley behind the dumpster," Cassie whispered as they passed him to head down to the dungeons. "You should try it sometime."
They left Moody alone in the entrance hall as Severus chided her choice of explanation. Boros, who had been watching Moody for the entirety of their trip, slid out from the shadows and wrapped himself around his mistress.