One Fine Day Part I

Disclaimer: Not mine, except for Cara.

Thanks, DelilahKelley, for your thoughtful insight into Cara's character and her personality.

__________________________________________________

Severus didn't see Cara again until Sunday.

Now that he was no longer a pawn with two masters, his cup of free time literally runneth over. For once in his life he had started to feel... almost free. 'Almost' being the pertinent word. He was still slaving away during the week, trying to fit the square pegs of knowledge into the round holes that were the minds of Hogwarts' most recent batch of dunderheads

He had not dined in the Great Hall this weekend, as those meals were not mandatory for teachers unless it was their day to chaperone the students. The hideous task of overseeing the gorging spawn of the Wizarding world had fallen to Minerva and Filius this weekend, thank God. Instead, Severus had taken all his weekend meals in his rooms, where he had graded essays, worked on lesson plans, and simply taken some time for himself. He thought – no, he knew – that he deserved a little piece and quiet after nearly twenty years in the service of others.

Not to mention the fact that he had had a raging hangover on Saturday morning.

Two Sober-Up potions – along with an entire pot of very strong tea – had done the job of returning him to his senses. Damn that infernal woman...

It was now around 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. Severus was caught up on his grading, and his lesson plans were completed through the Christmas holidays. He could be extremely productive when he didn't want to think about something... or someone.

In an attempt to keep such thoughts at bay and truthfully having nothing better to do, he decided on a walk around the Black Lake. He dressed in his usual black trousers but decided to forego his usual boots for a pair more suited to trudging the paths around the waterfront. His normal linen dress shirt was also substituted with a light, cotton one. As he stood in front of his wardrobe buttoning his cuffs, his traitorous thoughts wandered once again to Friday night and to Cara (as his inner voice had taken to calling her).

He remembered how she had touched him, or more specifically how she had touched the abomination on his forearm. She hadn't been repulsed, but she also had not treated the mark as if it didn't exist. Instead, her fingers had been almost tender, as if she were trying to soothe the tainted flesh. He shook his head – it was nonsense. He barely knew the woman, and now after one night as 'drinking buddies,' he was getting ridiculous notions in his head – notions that she might not be a gold-digging, fame-seeking swot. If she wasn't after the notoriety that would most certainly come from an 'association' with him, then what was she after? Could she actually give a damn about his well-being? About him?

"Rubbish," he snarled. He finished with the cuffs and grabbed his light, floor-length traveling cloak from his wardrobe. "Utter rubbish." He tucked his wand into the holster strapped to his left forearm and slammed the wardrobe door shut.

Folding the cloak over his arm, he exited his quarters through the door connected to his office. Crossing to the far wall, he snatched open the supply cabinet and tucked several small, cotton bags, along with a glass vial or two, into his pockets, in case he came upon anything interesting while walking. Better over-prepared than under, he thought to himself.

There was no one about this early on a Sunday. Breakfast wasn't served until around nine, so the students were undoubtedly still asleep, as were most of the teachers. As Severus reached the top of the stairs and entered the main corridor, he threw the cloak about his shoulders, fastening it with a practiced hand. It wouldn't do for anyone to see him out of uniform, lest his reputation be damaged.

Exiting the front doors of the castle, the warm, late-summer sun beat down upon him as he walked leisurely towards the lake, his hands in his pockets. It was rare that he ventured outside the castle for his own pleasure. He was not usually the outdoors type. Nearing the lake, his eyes roamed over the black surface of the water. It was motionless, looking for all the world like a pool of liquid obsidian.

The morning sky was clear, with not a cloud in sight, but a light breeze from across the water brought with it the smell of rain. Severus estimated that he had at least two hours before the summer thunderstorm made its way to Hogwarts. A gray sky would suit his mood much better than the startling blue of early morning. A color that – to Severus' extreme annoyance – drew his thoughts, yet again, to Cara. He was almost to the point of self-Obliviation.

His associations with women had been few and far between, with most being associations of the carnal nature. He wasn't a eunuch, after all. However, at thirty-eight years old, he had never been in a real, intimate relationship with a woman. It was not that he had never wished for those things – there was simply no time when one was risking life and limb for the greater good. Besides, what sane woman would ever want to pursue a relationship with a man like him? He was not attractive, at least not in the normal sense; his temperament had been compared to that of a wing-clipped Hippogriff; he was a murderer, a Death Eater, and a right nasty git.

Why in God's name would she have sought me out? he found himself thinking... again. He absolutely hated not knowing something, especially something as inane as the motivations of a blonde nuisance from the States. His brow drew together as he continued walking, studying the path in front of him. He had to admit that he was intrigued, if only to make sure she wasn't trying to pull one over on him. Although the Dark Lord had been truly dead for more than a year, a lifetimes worth of being suspicious of anything and everything could not be overcome in such a short amount of time, if ever.

As for Cara, she and Severus had spent the better part of four hours together on Friday night, and she had said nothing that had made him think she had ulterior motive. Hell, the last time he had spent so much time with a woman had been... well, he couldn't remember the last time. Every woman he had met in the past year or so had been after one thing: seeking fame vicariously through him. Not a single one had given a rat's ass about him, other than his 'war hero' status. One didn't need to be a Legilimens to realize their intentions were anything but noble.

Severus frowned, perplexed.

Cara hadn't made a single advance upon him. She seemed like she wanted to talk to him, to get to know him. She had certainly been interested in his Dark Mark...

The Mark! That had to be it.

She was an American, therefore mostly unaffected by the War. Of course she knew of the Dark Lord and Harry-bloody-Potter – who didn't? Their story was part of Wizarding legend now. Severus himself was simply a footnote in that legend – a means to an end. He was also one of the only former Death Eaters not currently serving a life sentence in Azkaban. He was a side-show freak – something to be gawked at and then tossed aside when the novelty wore off.

That is the only reason he could think of for her being so interested in him. He would admit to himself that he thought her attractive, if only marginally so. She was very close to his age as well. Now that he actually thought about it, she was the only staff member who wasn't older than him by at least 30 years. If she were single – Is she? She wears no ring, but she could have some shaven-headed, tattooed, Harley riding boyfriend that no one knows about... – then logically she would be drawn to him. As the only man in her age group, he would be the last resort if she were looking for a fling.

His good mood now ruined beyond repair, Severus continued his trek around the lake. He trudged faster, taking his malice out on the dirt beneath his boots. After a half mile he took a path off to the right, heading up into the foothills of the mountains. Perhaps he could find some late summer fungi growing in the edges of the forest there.

He walked for quite a while, lost in his thoughts, brooding over all the questions about Cara that had no answers. As he was puzzling over the possible implications of the kiss she had given him – which had startled him tremendously – he became aware of a sound in the distance. He stopped, listening intently as years of espionage training took over.

Da-da-dup, da-da-dup, da-da-dup, da-da-dup...

The rhythm seemed familiar, yet he could not place the sound. It was a soft, quick, staccato rhythm, never breaking pattern as it got louder and closer. Realizing that whomever or whatever was making the sound would be upon him in a matter of moments, Severus stepped off the path and into the enclosing shade of a nearby oak. He leaned against the trunk, silent and still... waiting.

In less than a minute, the sound came to a crescendo as its maker rounded the bend. Severus' eyebrows rose into his hairline.

"Speak of the devil..."

It was Cara.

Well, technically it wasn't Cara making the sound, but the black horse that she rode upon. The animal was enormous and... well, black. Black as pitch – there wasn't a single light hair on the beast, as far as he could tell. It sported long black hair upon its lower legs – Feathers, Severus recalled randomly – and its mane and tail were both long and wavy. They whipped about in the wind created by the animal's forward motion.

Severus couldn't help but be slightly impressed. He was not an animal person, let alone an animal lover. He had ridden a few times over the years, but he wasn't what one would call an accomplished rider. He watched Cara gallop up the path, completely at ease on the back of her charging mount. Her hair flew wildly behind her, and he could see a slight flush to her cheeks. She struck an impressive figure.

Strangely enough, he soon realized that his mood had lightened almost as soon as she had appeared. Shoving that realization to the back of his mind, sorted under Bothersome Things To Think About Later, he pushed away from the tree. Walking slowly back to the edge of the path, he crossed his arms and put himself in her line of sight, still ensuring that he was well out of harm's way. It would be just his luck to have survived Nagini and then be trampled to death by some careless swot running at breakneck speed aboard a 2,000 pound animal.

Cynical thoughts aside, Severus stood his ground. Dirt flew in all directions as Cara raced towards him... and went straight by. An eyebrow rose as he turned his head and watched her gallop up the lane a bit. After a moment or two she slowed down, turned her mount sharply on his haunches, and loped slowly back in his direction.

"Severus!" she called out, smiling as she raised a hand in greeting.

"Miss Benoit," he replied, giving her a nod.

"Cara," she said immediately. She brought the sweaty horse to a halt about ten feet from him. "I was hoping I'd catch up with you."

Severus eyed the black beast as he spoke. "And why is that, Miss Benoit? Trying to run me down with this black behemoth?" He gestured at the animal, which pawed the ground with a front hoof, impatient to be off again.

"Who? Onyx?" She gave the beast's sweaty neck a hearty pat. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Indeed," Severus said, taking a quick step back as the animal is question took a moment to clear its nasal passages. His bridle jingled merrily as he shook his head quickly from side to side.

Cara simply smiled down at Severus, ignoring the horse. "So... would you care to have a go?" She looked at him expectantly.

"A 'go'?" he repeated, praying that she wasn't asking what he thought she was asking.

"Yeah, 'a go.' As in, would you like to take a ride with me?"

He looked at the horse and then back at her. "Miss Benoit, I hardly think that..."

She interrupted him, holding up an index finger. "Sorry... hang on just a sec." Severus was left gaping while Cara put her thumb and index finger to her lips and whistled, long and loud.

After a moment, he heard the same sound as before, quicker this time. When its maker rounded the bend, he found himself once again stunned. Running up the path towards them was another horse. This beast was white and grey, its coat dappled with smoke-colored spots the size of thumbprints. His mane and tail were long and wavy, just like Onyx's, and he also sported a small, black, English saddle just like the one Cara rode in.

All Severus could do was watch, dumbfounded, as the beast came to a sliding stop in front of Cara, rearing on its hind legs as it snorted. At this point, he had taken a few more steps back, still hoping to avoid being trampled.

"There's my other beautiful boy," Cara said, reaching out to lovingly stroke the beast between the eyes.

She's raving! Severus thought.

"Well?" Cara asked, turning back to him.

"Well what?" Severus replied crossly.

She gave a long-suffering sigh. "Will you ride with me? He's quite safe." She tipped her head in the direction of the white horse now standing calmly beside Onyx.

Severus sighed as well. "Why would I want to climb aboard that death-trap, when I'm perfectly capable of using my own two feet?"

"Must you make everything into a debate?" she exclaimed, moving both horses closer to where he stood. "Just get on the damn horse."

His jaw clenched involuntarily. No one spoke to him like that! How dare she order him about?

"No thank you. Good day, Miss Benoit." With that, Severus started back up the path, leaving her scowling at the back of his head. He had walked about 100 feet before he heard the sound of hoof beats behind him again. Irritated, he turned back around to give her a piece of his mind, but was met instead by the galloping figure of the white horse.

Severus was a second away from drawing his wand when the beast swerved abruptly to the right. It went around him and spun on its haunches, facing back the way it had come. The animal was, in effect, blocking Severus' exit route. He looked back over his shoulder to where Cara was still sitting. She was examining her nails while Onyx stood lazily, resting one hind foot.

He turned his glare back to the white monstrosity before him. The beast was watching him, its ears pricked forwards, alert for any movement or sound Severus might make. As he made to step around the animal, the horse leapt to the side, tossing his head as he blocked the exit once more.

Severus tried again in the other direction, with the same results. When he tried for a third time, he was met with a nose to his middle, shoving him back down the path. This time Severus did draw his wand, pointing it at the beast's forehead. It stood passively, though it watched him intently.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," Cara called.

Severus looked back over his shoulder at her, his wand still trained on its target. "I do not believe I asked for any advice, Miss Benoit." He saw her shrug. He was about to send off another scathing comment when he suddenly realized that his hand was empty.

Infuriated, Severus turned back to the horse, only to have it race past him, his wand held firmly between its teeth.

He lunged for the beast, hoping to catch it by the bridle, but he never came close. The animal sped back to Cara, its tail held high as it snorted in delight at this fun new game.

Positively fuming, Severus stormed back to Cara. She had taken the wand from the animal and was now spinning it casually between her fingers. He stopped next to Onyx and glared up at her. She continued spinning the wand, a smirk slowly taking over her face as she pointedly ignored him. He held out his hand. "My wand, Miss Benoit."

"Hmm?" She looked down at him from atop Onyx. The top of his head was level with her knee, and he could see the play of muscle in her thigh under the fabric of her breeches.

He forced his eyes back to her face. "I said, my wand!"

More spinning. "What about it?" she teased.

Cheeky bint! Severus thought. Well, if she wouldn't surrender it willingly...

Severus lunged for the wand, but Cara had the advantage of height and held it out of his reach, smirking. His hand had come into contact with her leg as he leapt at her – narrowing his eyes, he let his hand slide down until it clenched tightly around her booted ankle. "Give it back now, or I'll not be responsible for my actions."

She feigned fear, placing a hand to her chest. "And what actions would those be, Professor? Going to unhorse me?" She glanced pointedly at the hand around her ankle and then back at him.

"If I must."

"There is an easier way."

"I have already taken the liberty of asking you three times, Miss Benoit."

"Actually, you only asked me twice. You threatened me the last time."

"And I will make good on that threat if you do not give me back my wand... now!"

"Hmmm... that's two threats," she held up as many fingers, "and yet here I sit."

Severus was growing weary of this banter. He could feel the vein in his forehead start to throb. His fingers tightened on her ankle as his other hand started towards her left arm, preparing to snatch her to the ground.

Cara's smug smile came only seconds before she spoke softly, yet quickly: "Imithe, Onyx." The horse obeyed her instantly, bounding forward so quickly that Severus was almost snatched to the ground himself.

He staggered forward a few steps as Cara loped away a bit before bringing Onyx around and trotting back towards him. There were now several hexes sitting on the tip of his tongue, waiting for the moment when his fingers were once again wrapped around his wand.

"Don't look so put out, Severus," she said as she trotted back up to him. "All you have to do is say please."

"Why the hell should I?"

"Because it's the nice thing to do."

"As I've told you before, I'm not a nice man."

"I don't believe that."

"Believe it. You'll be better off for it."

"How so?" she asked petulantly, dropping her reins as she crossed her arms.

"Why the hell does it matter?!" he spat, taking a step towards her.

She studied him for a second, tapping his wand against her upper arm. "It doesn't," she sighed heavily. "Be a wanker if you want. I don't care."

Severus thought he saw something pass across her face as she tossed his wand at him. Disappointment? Surely not.

He caught the wand with one hand and quickly tucked it back into the sheath on his forearm.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to ride with me?" Cara asked again.

He sighed and ran a weary hand over his face. "Surely there is someone else?"

She looked first to the left and then to the right. "Nope, no one else," He scowled at her. "Besides," she continued, "Oberon seems to like you." She tilted her head in the direction of the white horse now grazing contentedly along the side of the path.

"Is that so?" he asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"Yes, that's so, Mr. Sarcastic. He normally doesn't tolerate anyone but me."

Severus thought that sounded an awful lot like himself of late. No one else would dare speak to him the way Cara did, let alone get away with it. For some reason, he saw fit to tolerate her smart mouth and sarcastic humor.

When he continued staring at the grazing animal, but didn't speak, she narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine, if you're too scared, then I guess I'll just go back..."

"Hardly," Severus interrupted.

"I'm sorry?" she said innocently.

"I am hardly afraid of some snorting, frothing, wand-stealing, four-legged monstrosity, Miss Benoit."

"Cara," she reminded him again. He scowled up at her.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she asked, sweeping her hand dramatically towards the other animal.

"Fine," he said, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of thinking he was afraid, which he most certainly wasn't.

He walked boldly up to the white horse – Oberon she had called him. The animal looked up expectantly as Severus took the reins in his left hand. Grabbing hold of the saddle with his right, he placed his left boot in the stirrup and gracefully swung himself up onto the animal's back, his cloak billowing behind him. He found the other stirrup and quickly settled in. He was more than slightly relieved when the horse did not bolt as soon as his backside touched the seat.

"Impressive," Cara said, clapping her hands together lightly.

"I am not totally ignorant of horsemanship, Miss Benoit."

"Good to know, because these boys need some exercise." She patted Onyx's neck again.

What had he gotten himself into? "What did you have in mind?" Severus asked grudgingly.

"Well, I was hoping that you might show me around."

"So I have now been delegated to the role of tour guide?" he sighed.

She grinned at him as if she had known he was going to do it before she even asked. Damn her, damn her, damn her...

"If it's any consolation, I brought lunch." She reached back and gave a pat to the small satchel hooked to the saddle. "The house-elves made enough food for five or six people. I can't eat it all by myself."

He thought for a moment, weighing his options. Bloody Hell, man, you're already on the damn horse... might as well get a meal out of the deal. Self-preservation, remember?

Yes, self-preservation, indeed.

"Alright, Miss Benoit, I'll play tour guide for the morning." He pointed at her, narrowing his eyes. "But you owe me."

She beamed at him. "Of course; what kind of Slytherin would you be if I didn't?"

"Indeed," he replied, giving his horse a light squeeze with his calves and heading him up the path. Cara quickly fell into place beside him, riding so close that her leg bumped his on occasion. Severus watched her out of the corner of his eye, but she seemed oblivious to the contact. Instead, she was looking around, taking in the scenery. She held her reins loosely as she sat deep in the saddle, looking utterly relaxed atop her huge mount.

As they rode on, Severus began to wonder if he had somehow been mistaken, and Cara wasn't after anything. Was it possible that she simply wanted to be his friend? Well, he was going to find out... one way or another.

____________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Up next... Severus' rainstorm makes an early appearance.

'Imithe' is Gaelic for 'move forward.' I used an online translator, so feel free to correct me if need be!

Before you cry BS, yes, horses will do things like this... I've seen it! My own two horses will steal food straight from your pocket if you turn your head for too long. I'm just embellishing a little!

Also, thank you so much to those of you who have read, reviewed, and favorited my little story! I love you all!!