XIX: A Lesson In Lust

Chapter XIX: A Lesson In Lust

Music and laughter could be heard coming from the Great Hall as all the students celebrated Valentine's Day with a feast. The Hall was decorated with sweet smelling flowers, all white and pink, and everyone – both students and staff alike – was looking forward to a harmonious and frivolous evening. Everyone, that was, apart from Charis Byrne, who was sitting in the deserted Hogwarts library, hunched over a book of Arithmancy, trying to concentrate. She had no date, no reason to smile and no desire whatsoever to watch others being happy. She had even turned down Jack's company, who was dateless as well, but who was going to the feast anyway. As sweet and caring as Jack was, the mere thought of sitting in the Great Hall surrounded by kissing couples made Charis' stomach turn. Staying in the common room had not been an option either. Even there, people had nothing better to do than hugging, kissing and being overly sweet to each other. And so Charis had fled to the library, the only place she was certain that no one would be snogging. And she had been right, the library was indeed deserted. Not even Madam Pince was around this evening. Even she had got a date.

Charis blinked, her green eyes a little pink from crying. As much as she tried to study, she could not stop her mind from thinking. Who was she kidding? She wanted to be in the Great Hall too, of course. She too wanted to have a good time and laugh and dance. But how could she? How could she be there and watch everyone else being happy? Zabini had chosen to take Portia Avery, a beautiful and snobbish Slytherin, to the feast. As if to rub salt into her wounds, Portia and Charis could not be more different. Portia was, of course, a pureblood; a striking brunette, tall and slender, her pretty face only marred by the fact that she usually looked as if she had something unpleasant under her nose. They were perfect together, she and Zabini, and even though Charis knew that she should not shed a single tear for that backstabbing Slytherin, she had no stomach to sit and watch them cavort in front of her.

And then, of course, Severus would be in the Great Hall as well. He would be scowling at the decorations and deducting points for snogging, but he would be there, wearing his dress robes and looking stunning. Charis blinked and tried to get the picture of her Potions master out of her head, but as much as she tried, she could not forget his eyes, the way he had looked at her at New Year's Eve, or the way he seemed to look at her now and then at meal times or when they met in the corridor. In lessons, he was his usual nasty self, of course, dishing out spiteful comments and doing his best to make her feel insecure. But when they caught each other's gaze it was as if something were shared between them, something unspoken. Charis shook her head. It sounded preposterous to even vocalise it, but there was something there. And if she had thought the events with Zabini would have weakened her feelings for Severus, she was sorely mistaken. The more glances they shared, the more she convinced herself that he did want her, and the more she longed for him, too.

The light was dim at the back of the library where Charis was sitting, but that was just how she liked it. Being amongst all those books provided comfort somehow. And she did not really care that she had read the same page three times now without taking anything in. Sitting there with her nose in a book was almost like a kind of meditation.

The sound of rustling robes made Charis look up from her book, but there was no-one to be seen, and Charis lowered her head again. Some of the books in this library seemed to have lives of their own and made noises at times. Hopefully, there was nobody pathetic enough to spend their Valentine's here, Charis thought. She was not in the mood for company.

A noise from the Restricted Section made her glance up again, and the sound of footsteps and more rustling of robes filled her stomach with dread. That was no book making noises. There was indeed someone else there in the library with her. She craned her neck to see who the shadowy figure approaching was and wished that she could Disillusion herself when she realised that it was none other than Severus Snape himself. She didn't feel confident enough to face him tonight, so she swiftly lowered her head back down to her book to avoid being seen. But it was too late – Snape had already spotted her. He never missed anything. And without taking his eyes off the book he was holding, he muttered in a low, silky voice, 'Such typically Ravenclaw behaviour to be spending Valentine's in the library.'

He casually perused the book, noticing that Charis was blushing, and he grinned inwardly. As if he were really surprised to see her there.

He had dutifully made an appearance in the Great Hall after his return from Malfoy Manor, but had scowled enough for Dumbledore to excuse him after only a few minutes. But those minutes had been enough time for him to notice that the little Ravenclaw was absent. And he had decided to go looking for her.

He snapped the book shut crisply, replaced it back on the shelf and let his long finger trace the spines as he searched for another, his back to Charis.

'No date, Miss Byrne?' he wondered softly. 'I was under the impression you might have at least two.'

He plucked another book from the shelf swiftly, opening it and scanning his eyes down the page, not missing a single movement or reaction from the girl.

Charis swallowed. At least two dates? What the heck was he insinuating now? That she would go out with just about any guy? 'No, sir,' she replied quietly, not wanting to go down that road.

'And why is that?' Snape asked, his nose still in the book.

Charis took a steadying breath. She could just as well tell him the truth. 'No one asked me, sir.'

'Ah.' Snape snapped book shut triumphantly. 'I am very pleased to hear it.'

Charis could not help but look shocked. Whatever did he mean by that? But before she could make sense of his words, Snape swirled around, his face sour, glaring at her accusingly.

'Do not give me that look, Miss Byrne.'

Charis did not know what to make of that, so instead she cast her eyes back down at her book, one part of her hoping that he would leave her alone and another part hoping that he would stay.

She heard the click of his boots as he stalked across the room towards her, but did not dare to look around as he swished up behind her, looking over her shoulder.

'I sincerely hope you are not reading up on Love Charms, Miss Byrne,' he growled.

'Arithmancy, sir,' she replied quietly, completely aware of his physical presence looming behind her. She could almost feel the warmth of his body against her back, and she did not know if she wanted to flinch away or lean back into him.

'Much better,' Snape murmured. 'Because Love Charms, Miss Byrne, are for Hufflepuffs.' And with that, he placed his hands either side of her, trapping Charis between his body and the table, leaning in to peer into her book.

Charis realised she had been holding her breath unconsciously; her hands were beginning to feel clammy and her pulse starting to race. What was happening? What was Snape doing?

'Don't you agree, Miss Byrne?'

Snape's head was now right beside hers, and Charis could smell Firewhisky on his breath as it tickled her neck. And was she just imagining things, or were his words slightly slurry?

'Love charms flout one of the three basic laws of witchcraft, sir,' she answered breathlessly whilst staring resolutely ahead. She did not even try to move. Part of her wanted to make her excuses and get the hell out of the library. But she also wanted his proximity, wanted him to lean in even closer. But he would not do that, surely? This was the library, for Merlin's sake.

'Excellent answer, Miss Byrne,' Snape agreed smoothly, nudging against her, and Charis stiffened. Was that the tip of his wand pressing up against the small of her back, or...? Her eyes opened wide as she realised that the wand was actually a heavy, urgent bulge, and she bit her lip to stop herself gasping.

But then Snape surprised her once more with his next question.

'What is your opinion of love, Miss Byrne?' he asked in his low, velvety baritone.

Charis was momentarily stunned. Surely, Severus Snape was not asking her this, not after her little confession back in his office a couple of months ago. He had asked her then to forget about him and to keep her feelings for him under lock and key. And so far, she thought she had managed well.

'Which kind of love, sir?' Charis asked cautiously.

'THE love, Miss Byrne,' Snape whispered, his breath tickling against her ear.

Charis could hear her blood rushing in her ears. 'I ... think that those who find love are the luckiest people of all,' she started. 'But I think that this particular gift is not for everyone. And it comes with a high price: the price of love is also opening yourself up to be hurt ... '

She broke off and closed her mouth, afraid to say any more, afraid that she – once more – would confess her love for him. She desperately tried to control her heart rate. It was now pounding so hard, she was afraid Severus might be able to hear it.

'Quite so. And it only brings trouble,' Snape mumbled, his lips grazing her earlobe, making ripples of pleasure shoot down her spine. 'You offer your very soul and get thrown away like a used glove.'

Then he stepped away abruptly, drawing his robes around him, and Charis finally dared to look up. His dark eyes were glittering.

He looked down at her calmly for a few moments and Charis returned his gaze, not knowing what he wanted her to say or do.

'Come with me,' he suddenly commanded. 'I want to show you something.'

Charis followed the dark wizard as he stalked back towards the Restricted Section, admiring the ripple of his robes. He was a magnificent sight.

It took him mere seconds to find the tome he was looking for. 'Do you know this book?' he asked, holding up a heavy-looking, leather-bound copy of Bewitching the Senses.

'No, sir, I don't,' Charis replied, confusion welling up inside her. Why would he ask her this? What did he want?

'There is an interesting chapter in here about love,' he continued, pronouncing the word love as if it were covered in something that tasted highly unpleasant. With a wave of his index finger, the book fell open on the correct page, and he put it in on the reading table with a soft thud.

'Your little friend seemed to be very interested in this passage a couple of months ago. Care to see?'

Charis nodded and stepped forwards gingerly, leaning over the table.

That was when Snape took his chance. Swiftly, he moved behind Charis, placing his hands once more on the table either side of her. Once again, Charis was trapped, and her breath hitched in her throat as his low voice muttered in her ear.

'It says here that love is more dangerous a weapon than any potion ever brewed.'

His breath tickled the back of her neck, and when she finally managed to breathe again, Charis found her breathing had become shallow.

'It is like a poison,' Snape went on. 'Spreading through your veins ...'

The vibration of his voice made goosebumps erupt on Charis' arms.

'It makes you incapable of any logical thought, makes you dance like a puppet. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Byrne?'

Charis felt him press his chest against her back, and she let out a little gasp. How many times had she dreamt of being this close to him again?

'The heart can often rule the mind,' she stammered, 'but those who manipulate the hearts of others for their own gain are the danger ... that is akin to the Dark Arts.'

Snape was now standing so close she could feel his breath in her ear. 'Has your heart ever been manipulated, Miss Byrne?' he asked, inhaling deeply. He could smell her scent, the delicate hint of roses, coming from the soft, sensitive skin behind her ears.

To this, Charis said absolutely nothing. They both knew full well that her heart indeed had been manipulated, twice. And that Snape himself was one of the perpetrators.

'Have you ever manipulated anyone?' he drawled in his rich baritone, his voice loaded with euphemism.

Charis swallowed dryly. 'It depends in what context, sir.'

'Have you ever promised anyone love and then used them solely for your own purposes?'

Snape's lips almost brushed against Charis' ear, and she shivered.

'I-I would hope not, sir,' she stammered. 'I have never set out to hurt anyone.'

'And that is why you are not in Slytherin House,' Snape growled in response.

He knew that what he was about to do was wrong. He knew that the girl had genuine, pure feelings for him. And he knew that those feelings would make it impossible for her to resist him. But still, he pushed his hips forwards and began to grind against her buttocks. He, unlike her, was in Slytherin House.

Charis' eyes opened wide as she once more felt the thick, heavy bulge pressing urgently against her. And when his lips brushed her ear, oh so slowly, she started to tremble.

'But you have been hurt by a Slytherin, have you not?' Snape whispered. 'Heartthrob of Hogwarts ... Oh, I heard all about that. Suffice to say, a young woman of your potential should not have been sullied by a BOY of his age.'

His hands slid up over Charis' hips, feeling their contours. He was indeed angry at Zabini, for taking what was rightfully his. Tonight, he was going to claim her as his own. Tonight, he would take what he should have taken months ago. Tonight, they would finally get what they both wanted. The looks she had cast in his direction when she had thought that he had not been looking had not escaped him. He knew she still wanted him. And, inexplicably, he still wanted her, too.

He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her towards him and found her pushing her bottom back in response.

'Don't you agree, Miss Byrne?'

Charis moaned a little at the twin sensations of his whispered voice in her ear and the bulge now nestled into the curve of her buttocks, and Snape tightened his grip around her waist.

'I take that as a yes,' he murmured, voice now heavy with arousal, before he latched on to her neck, sucking and biting at the delicate flesh.

Charis whimpered as shivers of pure pleasure shot down her spine. And as he began to grind once more, she instinctively began grinding her hips, too. It was just like that evening in the Room of Requirement, except this time there was no music and the only rhythm was the sound of their frantic heartbeats and their ragged breaths.

'I have not forgotten our conversation in my office or the events that led to it,' Snape growled. 'Do you remember how I told you that those events were triggered by nothing more than lust?'

He squeezed her hips and pulled her even closer towards his crotch. Charis let out a little moan.

'You do know the difference between love and lust, don't you, Miss Byrne?'

His large hands moved up her body to cup her breasts. They were so sweet and full, and Snape's erection was becoming uncomfortable now, straining through his robes.

'Yes, sir,' Charis replied hoarsely. 'Neither are easily controlled...' Quite how she managed to find her voice was beyond her as she now felt quite dizzy.

'No, they are not,' Snape agreed, his hands still cupping her breasts. 'Look at me.'

Charis moved her head to the side and locked eyes with Snape. Once again she had the feeling he was boring in to her very soul. And Snape found the look he had been hoping for: desire, need, pure lust.

A surge of power shot through him, and he could contain himself no more. He claimed Charis' mouth with his own at the same time as he began to stroke her nipples between fingers and thumbs.

Charis moaned into his mouth as they kissed. Oh, gods, she had been imagining his kiss for so long, and this was everything she had imagined and more. He was very much in the lead, and his kisses were hungry and passionate yet skilful and sensuous.

After some time, Snape moved his kisses down her jaw line and towards her neck, and Charis rolled her head back to give him better access. And he sank his teeth into her neck and started pulling up her robes.

Charis gasped, half wanting this, half panicking at the same time. They were in the library! What if they got caught? But the sound of Snape's voice once more sent all rational thoughts out of her head.

'Lust can be just as powerful as love,' he growled, his hands sliding up her soft, pale thighs. 'The good thing with lust, however, is that is can be over in a blink of an eye,' he continued. And before Charis knew it, his hand had slipped into her knickers.

She mewled softly as he felt her, clean-shaven and hot under his hand. Two deft fingers part her lips, and her sex betrayed her arousal as he found them coated in slick wetness.

Her mouth, however, was very dry. She still did not know if she should let this carry on or if she should push him away and run. But every nerve end was on fire and her knees were feeling weak. Yes, gods, she wanted this. She wanted it so much!

Snape latched onto her neck again, two fingers deftly stroking her clit, spreading the moisture around her sensitive nub as his erection still pressed at her behind. And Charis let her head roll back on to his shoulder and moaned. Oh, gods, right now she didn't care if Madam Pince, Draco Malfoy or anyone else walked in. All she could concentrate on was the sublime pleasure the dark wizard was giving her.

Snape softly whispered 'Evanesco', and Charis' knickers disappeared instantly. He paused his ministrations between her legs and put his free hand between her shoulders.

'This is your one chance to say no, Miss Byrne,' he muttered, voice thick with lust. 'Do you want this?'

Charis looked shyly over her shoulder and nodded slowly, green eyes meeting black. How could she say no?

Without warning, he pushed her upper body down onto the desk and spread her legs slightly, making her exhale with shock.

'THIS, Miss Byrne, is lust,' he growled, entering her with one swift motion.

He moaned deeply. Merlin, the girl was so hot and tight, her flesh so slick for him.

Charis' back arched as she moaned loudly, too. She thought Zabini was big, but he was nothing compared to Severus. He filled her completely, stretched her. And she had no words for the sensation.

Snape kept his hand right between her shoulders, pinning her to the table, whilst he stood pounding into her with slow but forceful strokes. He was the one in control. He held the power.

Charis gripped on to the edge of the table for support, her face to one side, whimpering with each thrust. The pages of the book in front of her were crumpled and torn from the force. Madam Pince would have a fit when she saw it, but neither Charis nor Snape cared, so lost were they in the moment.

'Tell me you do not like it, and I will stop.'

Charis made a mewling sound of frustration and pushed back on to him as a response. How could he think that she did not like this?

Snape smirked. Of course she liked it. Of course she wanted him. She wanted him just like this – in control, firm and commanding. And he was going to take his pleasure from her tonight and have her helpless in her desire for him.

He shifted slightly, changing his angle so that he precisely hit her G-spot. And Charis could not help but howl at the sensation, having never felt such exquisite pleasure. Snape's fingers were still working at her clit as he ploughed into her, and it was too much to contain.

'Keep your mouth shut, you silly girl,' he hissed, secretly pleased at her response.

Charis' whole body was tingling, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, desperately trying not to make a noise. But Snape heard her muffled whimpers and if anything they aroused him even more. The girl just could not control herself, and he was making her feel like that, so strong was her desire.

He thrust into her hard, hitting that magical spot again and again and again. And Charis once more cried out, and her knuckles whitened as she gripped on to the side of the table for support.

Snape pinned her down even harder. 'Silence,' he snapped, his free hand pinching her clit.

Charis bit down on a finger to stop her moaning, and Snape felt another rush of power from the control he had over the girl.

'Yes, you like this, don't you?' he asked roughly, picking up pace.

Charis could only offer a muffled whimper in response.

His fingers rubbed deftly against the girl's clit, faster than ever, and he enjoyed the hushed moans escaping from her.

'You are close, aren't you?' he hissed, his desire-soaked baritone husky and coarse.

'Yes, Severus,' Charis answered breathlessly, her body tensing as her climax began to build.

'Then come for me,' he moaned, thrusting into her so hard she gasped.

It only took a few more quick thrusts and she cried out again, muscles contracting like crazy as her orgasm hit her.

'Now THIS is how a man fucks, Miss Byrne,' he muttered, slowly withdrawing and pushing in again, softly rubbing her clit as she came down from her peak.

Charis could barely see, panting on the desk, still gripping on to it. Her pulse was thudding like a drum in her ears and her sex felt swollen and tender. But she clenched her muscles as best as she could, desperately wanting Severus to reach his climax, too. Oh how she wanted to feel his warm seed flowing into her.

Snape noticed. By Merlin, he did. And he wanted to release himself into her tight, hot flesh, but he knew better than to lose all of his control. He must not let himself. Letting go would mean that she had made him, and he was not ready to hand the girl that kind of power over him.

'Lust, Miss Byrne, is a powerful weapon,' he growled. 'Remember this.'

Then he withdrew, still keeping Charis pinned down on the table with his left hand. Her bum was still bare and exposed, she looked vulnerable and submissive on the desk in front of him, and he exhaled raggedly, closing his eyes to memorise the delicious sight in front of him. Oh, this was an evening he would not forget in a hurry.

Why had he withdrawn? Feeling somewhat confused, Charis looked over her shoulder to see Snape's face: his eyes had closed, his mouth was slightly parted. Was he withholding for her sake? Charis wondered with a sudden rush of affection.

Then his eyes snapped open. 'Don't move,' he growled, releasing his hand from her neck and leaning in to whisper in her ear. 'Lust, Miss Byrne,' he repeated. 'Never forget how powerful a weapon it is.'

Charis shivered as she felt him place a gentle kiss behind her ear before standing. And then all she heard was the rustle of robes and then the click of his boots across the stone floor as he walked away.

She could not move even if she wanted to. She could feel the cool library air against her legs and behind, and her mouth was dry. And she felt dazed and in awe as Severus slammed the door and left her alone and shaking in the dimness of the library.

* * *

Snape carefully closed the door of his private bathroom behind him, the blood still rushing in his ears. He was so aroused that he was shaking. He needed release, and he needed it now.

He turned on the shower and did not even take the time to take off his robes manually. A murmur and some wandless magic, and he stood naked, with his right hand firmly wrapped around his cock. He was still hard, not having reached his peak, and as he stood there now, in the privacy of his own bathroom, he felt his member swell once more.

... Charis on the desk spread wide for him ... Morgana being lapped into ecstasy by Lucius ... Bella's wet mouth, lips parted slightly in pleasure ...

All those pictures invaded his mind unbidden, and Snape began to stroke his impressive manhood with a firm hand. It would have taken a eunuch to fight those pictures.

... Morgana's fevered kiss and the tingle of his lips ... Morgana's mouth at Bella's nipples, suckling greedily ... himself grinding against Charis as she let him explore the outline of her body and touch her in the most intimate way imaginable ... Charis muffling her ecstatic outcries with her hands, outcries for which he was responsible ...

Snape tightened his grip around his length. Morgana had tasted so sweet. And Charis had been so tight around him. And he did not know whose touch he was imagining when he stroked himself now, harder and faster, grabbing on to the tiled wall for support.

He knew that those thoughts were wrong, but he could not help himself. Both girls aroused him, each in their own, unique way. And he imagined Charis' rosy scent and the taste of honey on Morgana's lips, heard the blood rush in his ears and felt his cock throb in his hand.

He felt as if he had been hit by a Stunner when he peaked, and he shuddered as he released jet after jet of his seed onto the white tiles. And if he had been shouting out Charis' name or Morgana's, he did not know. All he knew was that it felt good, so indescribably good!

Breathing raggedly, he let himself fall against the wall and sank to his knees, too drained to keep standing upright. He kneeled down, warm water tricking onto his back he continued stroking his swollen sex, gently easing himself down from the intensity of his climax, imagining the touch of two small, warm hands.

When his breathing had slowed down and his heartbeat had returned to normal, Snape growled and slammed his fist against the cool tiled wall.

Great Merlin, what had he done?! Charis was his student, for fuck's sake!

He had never had sex with a student before. Never! Until tonight. He had taken advantage of a girl who was in no position to say no. And he hated himself for it.

He scrambled up and turned off the warm water, leaving the cold pouring down him, hoping that the icy drops would help him to think clearly.

What had he done?

The evening had started with anger and spite. How he had hated to take Morgana to Malfoy Manor. How he had hated to see Lucius' glee and the lusty look in his eyes when he had touched the girl. And how he had wished that it were him who was touching her.

When he had left the Manor, he had tried to collect himself, had tried to concentrate on other things. But over and over again, his mind had slipped and he had found himself flooded by memories: Morgana's soft whimpers when Lucius had kissed her back in autumn, the soft moans that had escaped her lips when he – Severus – had pressed her up against the wall at the Three Broomsticks, the sweet taste of her lips ...

By the time he had returned to Hogwarts, he had almost been mad with desire and had tried to get to the dungeons without being seen. He had even contemplated Flooing to Knockturn Alley to seek out the services of one of the ladies at Persephone's Palace. But Dumbledore, that twinkly-eyed fucker, had made him attend the feast in the Great Hall. There he had noticed that Charis was missing, and a plan for which he hated himself now had formed in his mind.

He knew that Charis desired him. She would have given herself to him already that night in the Room of Requirement, but they had been interrupted. And when he had left the Great Hall, he had been certain that she would not say no to him.

He had found her in the library, alone and vulnerable, and he had taken advantage of her. He had known perfectly well that she would not turn him down, and he had taken her, right there on a table in the Restricted Section. She had let him, and he had relished her moans just as much as he had relished the power he held over her. But most of all he had relished the look in her green eyes, the look that had told him that he, Severus Snape, was the most desirable wizard in the world.

He had almost lost control. He had been so close to spilling himself into her warm flesh. And he had been sure that she would have enjoyed it, relished it, even. But he had snapped out of his trance in the very last moment, had withdrawn and run away like a coward, leaving the girl behind, naked and exposed.

Snape turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, shivering.

He had made a mistake, a terrible mistake. And how he was going to look into Charis' eyes from now on was beyond him. Nor did he know how he was going to treat Morgana once she returned from Malfoy Manor. He had been there to protect her, and instead he had found himself lusting for her.

He wrapped a towel around his waist and padded towards his bedroom. And when he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror, he winced, and a non-verbal spell was all it took to make the glass shatter into a million pieces.