No First Christmas

No First Christmas

Severus awoke at daybreak, experiencing an uncomfortable feeling in his right arm. She was still in his bed...hours after the copulation. An act scheduled and executed just to fulfil the Dark Lord's dream. She was supposed to be away, out of his sight, out of his mind.

He prodded her awake and pushed her out, berating her for her tardiness in the matter. In the dim glow coming from the street, he saw her hurt face. As if she had a right to be hurt!

As soon as she was out, though, his bed felt empty and large. This is what it was always like and you've survived for years. ... Do I still have to like it? ... You had better! ... So I will.

For years, Severus had studied the negative effect women had on men. Like vile snakes, they lured men into believing in them. He had researched psychological...as well as magical...means of how women manipulated men, and he had seen too many examples of headless, love-stricken men to count them. If they didn't fight being ensnared, they soon found themselves incapacitated by the manipulative streak. Some women then resorted to making their victims look silly, while others became more demanding each day.

Severus had seriously underestimated the young Gryffindor. She had proven no better than one could expect from the average Slytherin tart. Ha, honesty and sense of justice were the trademark of her House? She must have hoodwinked the Sorting Hat, in this case, but she would not take in Severus Snape! He'd make this clear right away.

With determination, Severus left the security of his bed.

:*:*:*:

Stubbornly, Ginny prepared breakfast for two. She had enjoyed herself last night, oh, yes. Had he? Yes, she was quite sure that he had! Yet, there was a but...and it was a big one. He didn't like her enjoying herself. Certainly not during sex. He didn't even like himself enjoying it.

With a silent sigh, she observed Severus cross over to the bathroom, his mouth pressed to a thin line, his eyes cold and not sparing her even a glare.

Fetching spoons and bowls, Ginny thought over the previous day. Severus had had neither breakfast nor lunch. Her idea of tempting him to sit down and have a meal together had failed utterly, although he used to love the unpredictability of her curries. Coming home, he had not looked at the table at all, had even avoided breathing in the aromas.

The odour of cheap frying grease in his clothes, hands and hair could well indicate a cheap, unhealthy dinner. His belching, although she had found it sweet in a way, had spoken loud and clear.

In retrospect, he strongly reminded her of the ever-hungry Ron one night last autumn. After Quidditch had kept him from lunch, he had wolfed down a huge plate of chips and two pieces of cream tart at dinner, not bothering with salad or vegetables. For hours, Ron had hung in his chair in the common room, unable to think and unable to move for fear of throwing up. He had tried to puke, but never could.

Severus took a long time before he reappeared fully dressed. He passed Ginny on his way into the kitchen. "Good morning," she tried. "Do we eat there or at the table?"

"Stop speaking out of turn."

"Severus, how long..."

"It is enough that I provided your entertainment. Keep your gloating to yourself!"

Ginny's knife hit the plate with a bang, and her hands were shaking. She felt her neck turn scarlet as she started speaking, "I've finished. Leave it for me to clean it all away so I don't get bored to death in here." Her stomach growling, she left for the sitting room, the only place available, except for the cold bathroom.

Severus had gone hungry too often in his life to leave food untouched. He had not had grilled, smoked kippers for a while. Suddenly ravenous, he decided to enjoy the meal. He silenced the door and concentrated on nothing besides cutting, biting and chewing. He took his time.

:*:*:*:

Searching for an outlet for her rage, Ginny stripped their beds and pondered over Severus' words. Entertainment? Gloating? Severus still took a stand that he was the one offended and hurt by her. It had to be he who set the rules. The previous night, however, Ginny had made decisions, and she didn't regret her actions. Wistfully, she remembered bathing in his tenderness, but Severus seemed to have no problem re-interpreting it as maliciously enjoying his weakness. Later, she had broken the unspoken rule to leave immediately after 'the act', and Severus had no problem to make it her fault once again. She had supposedly used the fact that he had been tired, although Ginny could not quite grasp what additional advantage she might have had there if his presence did not count.

She had made a point nevertheless: She had touched almost every part of him, and she had demonstrated how much she had liked it. He could not smoothly return to the "I revolt you" attitude he had had previously. Hopefully, he will soon consider it worthwhile to search for another reason for her refusing a kiss.

Ginny needed an outlet for her frustration. A wild ride on a broomstick was on her mind, but that was a dream she'd better bury. Fred and George would cause a few wild explosions and drive their mother wild while they themselves calmed down. Charlie used to chop wood the Muggle way when things didn't work out; Bill had cleaned the chicken coop at times. Both of these had pleased their mother. Mum, what would you do in my place?

Mum would undoubtedly turn to the endless list of household chores, to something that required forceful stirring or wild wand movements. Ginny went into the bedroom and dragged the duvet out of its cover. She ripped the thin, greyish bed sheets off the old mattress, nearly tearing a hole into them. Scooping the laundry, she wiped her face with it, not caring whether the moisture had been tears or snot. The fact that she was far from relaxed these days was as unimportant to this man as the fact that he had snuggled next to her in contentment, that he had draped his arm around her, held her tight. Well, during the latter, he had possibly been drowsing off already, Ginny mentally conceded. However, how easily does a spy fall asleep?

:*:*:*:

Severus had only a few hours to prepare the curriculum for Salazar's Academy because it was Friday and Draco would be coming for training. He heard Albus' words replay in his mind: Severus, you must ensure that Tom will not get hold of the children. Do not allow any institution to become a cadet school. Children are so easily seduced, as you well know, Severus. Severus huffed. Yes, he was determined to craft lessons to their lord's satisfaction and yet be as academic as possible. He would need all his wits and as much time as he could spare. He rushed out of the kitchen.

When he flicked the concealment open to get upstairs, she was on her way to the bathroom, a bundle of bed linens over her arms. The image resonated painfully with one of the few non-violent images of his childhood. With the paltry pennies desperate Eileen Snape had made by magically washing, ironing and starching for the bourgeois class in town, she had just barely paid the expenses for Hogwarts. He quickly made his way upstairs before bad feelings got hold of him, seeing his wife as a young widow in the same situation.

:*:*:*:

Severus headed for the kitchen through the sitting room, parched. He only then saw Draco. Already clad in his track suit, he was giving Ginny an embrace, which was a rather new behaviour. Severus wasn't sure he liked it. "Hi, Ginny," the boy said. "You look refreshed." Severus noticed too late that he had been so engulfed in revising lesson plans that he had missed the chance to give her directives before his previous charge appeared.

"Oh, thank you. I'm indeed feeling better today," she answered with a wide smile to Draco that hardly faltered when she turned to Severus, bidding them both to sit down at a table nicely decorated and offering tea with fruits, cheese and crackers. They would skip a proper lunch for the sake of the run, but the refreshment was welcome. Conversationally, Ginny asked, "Are you going to spell the house before you go? It's a bit overdue. We didn't manage it yesterday."

"We didn't even try. You don't know how it is done," Severus corrected her with a sharp note of finality.

"Severus, we... " she started.

But he interrupted her with a sharp, "Stop it."

Draco, who had just felt relieved, was nonplussed. "What is going on here?"

"Our normal pattern of conversation." Ginny informed him in resignation and left for the kitchen. We have agreed to play nicely in front of others, haven't we? Why doesn't he today?

:*:*:*:

Draco carried the remainder of the snack to the kitchen. He purposefully left the door open, and spoke louder than was necessary. "We will spell the house now. It is quite nice outside; want to join us? You look as if you need to get out."

Apprehensively, Ginny checked her husband's reaction. He stood there like a statue...unreadable. She inhaled deeply before admitting that she would like to learn the spells, or at least watch them, and that she had hardly been outside during the whole week. "Yea, that reminds me," Draco picked up the thread. "Severus, wasn't Ginny to start the chase, now that she isn't a captive anymore?"

Heat rose to Severus' face. They were going too far. He was about to explode, when she said, "I'm not sure if it is a good idea, Draco. Yes, we had been thinking of it, but I would be a nuisance for you, wouldn't I?" Turning away from them both, she added with resignation in her voice, "I'll just make dinner in the meantime."

"Come outside with us and see the spells." Severus heard himself say before he knew it. Annoyed with himself, he went to change into his Muggle track suit.

Returning from his bedroom, Severus surreptitiously handed Ginny her wand that he still kept confiscated most of the time. She was in her track suit as well. They had magically adjusted one pocket to run down the length of her right thigh, and Ginny stashed her wand there as if she had just picked it from her pile of clothes. Good for her not to let Malfoy notice where the wand came from, Severus noted with satisfaction.

:*:*:*:

Severus could hardly miss how thoroughly she observed them. Eager to prove herself worthy? Ridiculous! Hoping to find a fault? Even more ridiculous! Draco explained their first round of spells, and, admittedly, she asked only a few...but very reasonable...questions. For the next two rounds, she did the commentary, and did it correctly, or almost so. Draco explained the differences so poorly that Severus corrected him with annoyance. Had the boy not listened?

The spells for their last two rounds were derivatives from the ones on The Burrow, and she commented and asked for details. Not realising how it had happened, Severus found himself in teaching mode, explaining why he did it differently, pros and cons depending on the size of the house, its material and the power of the inhabitants.

"Severus, do I see correctly that Dad should use your spells on the uppermost floor, but can't because we've got the ghoul in the attic and because the top of the west wall is wood-clad?"

"Yes."

"I wonder if he knows."

"Certainly."

It had been their first dialogue in how many days?

Both men were worn-out after the house was re-spelled. Their chase-run in the forest would not be up to their normal standards. Since Draco would stay for dinner, Ginny promised to prepare something nourishing and did not look up to check how Severus took that in. She would not look for acknowledgement! For meals without a visitor, her tactics to keep Severus in the dark about the what or when had worked well enough. She had no intention of changing her nonchalance.

After they had returned, Draco used the time while Severus was in the shower to grill Ginny about their life. He was most concerned. "And he doesn't talk with you?"

"Barely more than commanding me. He's still hurt from the ceremony."

Draco looked at her more carefully than Severus did these days. She did not lie. "Ginny, why won't you tell me what has gone so wrong?"

She violently shook her head. "You would tell him, and I can't have that. I need him to trust me. He could simply ask, and I'd tell him, honestly. He must not be pushed into the facts. Please?"

Draco didn't like it, but conceded. "Well, you must know what you want."

"I think I do. Please promise me you won't do any research on the matter?"

Draco tilted his head shortly. So there was something to research. He would not have much time, and neglecting his duties would never do, but maybe he could adjust his bedtime reading to include such matters. He stalled with an answer until Severus left the bathroom, purposefully ignoring the girl's frown.

:*:*:*:

A light soup with croutons, a huge amount of spaghetti with minced meat and a tomato salad left no one wanting more. Draco casually asked for their weekend plans, and Severus had to tell about their invitation to the Mulcibers'. Ginny dropped her fork in shock. "Goodness, what luck you warned me in time, Severus. What sort of acquaintances are they; do you regularly attend their receptions?"

A hard-pressed, "NO!" was all the answer she got.

"Severus, please. I need to know how to dress, how to behave..."

"Like my loving wife, I suppose, will do," he answered in such a biting tone that Draco jumped from his chair.

Ginny retorted quickly, with no edge in her voice at all. "This is who I am. There is no need to pretend. Do you have any suggestions for how to dress, or what style they expect?"

"Anything that takes you less than three hours."

"Fat chance I could exceed that," she murmured. She then retorted loud enough for Severus to hear, "It would help to know when we leave and by what means."

"4:25. We Apparate."

Ginny turned to Draco, asking if they would meet there, but he said he would not be there. "We are not socialising with the Mulcibers," he pointed out, trying to provoke a reaction from Severus, who, however, was fully concentrating on wrapping spaghetti around his fork. Ginny looked more than disappointed, almost desperate. "Theodore might be there," Draco offered, feeling uncomfortable.

Severus made sure they finished dinner without delay. When Draco had hesitantly bid them goodbye, Severus swiftly converted the sofa back into a bed, snatched four books from the shelf, and retired to his own room without another word.

With sad eyes, Ginny followed his retreating form. She had not found access to him yet, and he looked just as sallow and pained as she felt. Why could the man not trust her enough to ask? He has always handled everything by himself, she repeated to herself, and he is hurt.

She perused the shelf of Muggle literature for a diversion, but could not stop thinking of him. He has left marks in so many of these books. Which ones would I like to see? Her view fell on a section she must have overlooked so far. One spine there looked oddly familiar to her, and she smiled. How odd was the notion that Severus Snape would own Winnie-the-Pooh?

She set her forefinger on the top of it and pulled, but this shelf was so crammed that, accidentally, two books toppled out. Ginny rapidly stretched her foot and softened their fall. She froze and listened, but Severus' door remained closed. Only the springs of his bed squeaked lightly, indicating he was turning around, trying to find peace.

The Pooh-book was in much better shape than Ginny had ever seen the Weasley copy. However, the bear in Severus' book stuck his nose in the honey-pot forever, and Tigger didn't bounce a bit! This had to be a Muggle edition. These two figures reminded her of the heated discussions between Fred and George, who favoured Tigger, and Ron, who had always loved Pooh most of all. She wondered if maybe Eeyore would have been little-Severus' favourite rather than one of the cheerier characters?

Riffling to the front, she found a dedication:

To our dear Severus,

Grandpa

It was neatly written in blue with a Muggle pen. The second signature was penned with a hard hand and pressed through two more pages. Ginny tried to decipher the name; possibly it read Erwin Snape.

As Ginny bent down, the other book caught her attention. It was a sad leftover of a photo album! The first three pages were totally destroyed, and of the rest, half of the pictures had been torn out and their text struck out with a fat marker. The remaining photos were of Muggle origin, often uncommented or simply supplied with a date in the '60s. They showed a thin, dark-haired, boy in bulging, worn trousers frozen in his interaction with a hook-nosed man who didn't look as if he accepted arguments or even opinions. As Ginny turned page after page, tears started dropping down her cheeks. The boy that was Severus looked subdued if not downright frightened. Only four pictures showed the boy together with a sallow-faced woman. The elder couple to be seen on two Christmas pictures must have been his grandparents Snape.

Noise in the other room made Ginny hurriedly stash both books back into the shelf.

:*:*:*:

Over breakfast, Ginny asked who else might attend the function that evening, but didn't get any answer. Clearly, Severus wasn't fond of the invitation, a notion far from encouraging for her. Then again, Ginny mused, how would her days pass without any kind of interruption? The prospect for even an unpleasant evening was better than nothing at all.

Severus escaped into his lab as soon as he was finished. Ginny had to clean the table and was then left, once again, with nothing at all to do. She took up her Muggle book from the day before. Later, she switched to her Potion studies again. Her husband hadn't forbidden her learning; had in fact given her parchment, quills and ink...before he had become her husband.

:*:*:*:

All morning, Severus brewed the standard stocks for the Dark Lord as a side occupation while he mainly focused on the last ingredients for the improved Wolfsbane. The two test persons had been well and under control the last time, but their re-transformation had been torturous. For two days, they had been under enormous pain as their wolfish spirits fought with the human ones. Neither their eyes nor their sense of smell had reverted properly yet when he had met them. Their tails had remained for almost a week, well hidden in their trousers. Their hands had also been reduced to paws for longer than normal, a feature that had inevitably shown publicly and had even earned praise from Greyback. They had had a hard time arguing they didn't know how they had achieved it. Together, they had schemed excuses because Greyback had them research the matter.

Thinking of Greyback brought Severus back to his own problem. Greyback is still challenging me for her, for my... wife. The overwhelmingly exciting time before our wedding; the humiliation and disillusionment after. When Severus exchanged the stirring stick made from horn to a glass one, he almost broke the stick in his fury. He needed to wipe her out of his mind while working on potions!

By using glass tools, Severus hoped for even less interaction with the tricky ingredients. He needed minced ray gills and had started using the harmless Thornback Rays and Blue Skates since they were native fishes easy to come by. As he proceeded fine-tuning the potion, he compared the viscosity of the wobbly masses with minced gills of some hard to get, but highly poisonous, South-American River Stingray he didn't know to classify further, and also the poisonous Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray. Those two fishes were completely round and flat. It might give the potion more balance, but it could also render the drinker disoriented.

What about the gigantic Bull Ray? One specimen would provide potion for all of Fenrir's pack.

Severus even thought of replacing ray gills with gills of other Rajiformes, maybe starting with certain Guitarfish?

Adding essence of Mandragora, the shape restorer, to certain samples, he hoped to see which would react strongest or weakest. The trouble was he didn't even know which of the two he wanted. Theories for both were imaginable, and his feeling brought him only so far.

He heard the chair upstairs scratching over the floor. She might be preparing lunch now? Immediately, Severus had Draco's memory in his mind, himself lightening up when she called for a meal. He had been standing at this very place, looking up to the very door! No, don't go there! he berated himself. You've been acting like a randy teenager even while your Queen of Hearts has toyed with you.

Simultaneous to his secret project, Severus had a batch of Enduranca Potion and a batch of the revolting Ludwig's Lust in the making. As always, he added tiny amounts of dromedary dung soaked in Kneazle blood to the Enduranca that were not mentioned in the directions.

Contrary to the formula for Ludwig's Lust, he added a ground dragon eyeball. It didn't affect the potion itself, but...as with all parts of the highly magical dragon...it would cause liver malfunctions similar to high alcohol consumption. Severus had no mercy for the drinkers. Whoever felt the need to stimulate himself with this disgusting brew didn't deserve any better. They ought to be glad to have a wife and enjoy her as much as nature allows them... With an ear-splitting clatter, the stirring stick met its end at the far wall. "Evanesco!"

Down here in his lab, thoughts of Ginevra persistently wormed themselves into his mind; he could not help it. Mostly she tried hard to please him. She did not ask too many questions, and those she did ask had been reasonable ones. But he could not forget how humiliated he had been. Severus Snape, the laughing stock for one hundred and fifty Death Eaters. He still heard them laughing in his mind, and when he closed his eyes he could see their sneers. Fury welled in his blood, and he swallowed on automation. He relaxed. Never shall the emotion of a spy redden his face!

Meticulously, Severus continued slicing and cutting, stirring and grinding.

"Severus, we could have lunch any time now. I can keep it warm for 15 minutes."

The memories this announcement triggered nearly made him slam the cauldrons against the wall. Breathing heavily, he sat down. This was no good...no good at all. If a similar déjà vu happened in a battle or if the Dark Lord found him in such a state, he would be at risk!

The emotions experienced after domestic rows was one of the reasons why he had never really understood the Dark Lord's wish to marry his Death Eaters off. Now, he was caught himself!

:*:*:*:

Before Severus could leave after their common lunch of delicious soup and sandwiches with a mouth watering filling, Ginny spoke. She told him matter-of-factly, "Severus, I've been going through my hand-me-down witch-dresses. Taking them as such, I will look like a hag of one hundred and thirty years. I can pep them up into something nice and even a little Christmas-like. But I'd need my wand. If you want it really fancy, I would have to go shopping for some accessories, too."

He considered her shortly. Their marriage was a farce, but his problems were not the business of those people! Trust her to look like one hundred and sixty years if he refused. "You are to look fresh and happy."

"Just look it, Severus?"

"These people are no Legilimens." Bloody hell, he was glad to have found that retort as he went to the bedroom, where he kept her wand hidden. Banging her wand on the table, he left the room again.

Hours later, emerging from his enclave downstairs, he found her freshly bathed but dressed in her track suit, reading potions texts and making notes. It was after four p.m. already. A dark-green dress and matching stockings lay on the sofa.

She looked transformed when he returned from his shower in a fresh black frock of his standard attire. The golden leopardess played gracefully in a neckline that emphasised her bust, but was not revealing. The skirt was wide and fell softly. Severus' hands reached for the close-fitting fabric in between that so gracefully accentuated her slim waistline. He checked himself and declared, "This will do."

Wordlessly, she returned her wand to him, and he stowed it away without further thought.

:*:*:*:

The party was a loud and superficial affair. Paul and Brenda Nott were the only guests Severus could remotely associate with. To his relief, Theodore was there, too. He could thus let her go to the younger people...later. First, she was to be his wife, on his right side. If I have to be bored why should she not be as well? he thought, trying to avoid yet another toast with the extremely sweet mulled wine. Ginevra had taken the non-alcoholic Dazzling Dimple-berry juice, he had noticed with relief.

"Let's move outside before it gets too cold and dark," their host suggested. "The young people might want to let off some steam."

They had torches levitating up over a pitch that was easily twice the size of the Weasleys' and surrounded by trees towering much higher inside than they appeared from outside. Each flyer was given a torch, too, and several of the elder guests expressed their regret that they didn't have their brooms. Merrily teasing each other, they flew in formation, formed circles, and later chased each other, cursing the slow-down charm that was laid upon the field. Eventually, Theodore came down and landed in front of Ginny, not even puffing. "Have a go?" he asked her, holding his broom in his outstretched hand.

"My wife does not fly for frivolity," Severus stated icily, his face hard and devoid of emotion.

Ginny had already taken half a step towards Theodore before she registered what Severus said. She thanked him with a wistful smile, remarking that her dress wasn't suitable for flying. "Had I known, I might have prepared myself better. Thank you for the generous offer, anyway, Theodore," she said, purposefully using the Slytherin's first name. He answered with a shy grin and soared off.

"Ah, I'm sure Severus'll find most charming ways to compensate for your loss," their host said with a smile as sweet as it was false.

"Certainly," Severus answered smoothly, looking down at her, daring her to fall out of her role. She did not!

"Oi, Severus," she squeaked positively, clutching his arm, looking into his eyes in affection. "Don't you talk about such things here with everyone listening." Goodness, she almost blushed while Severus felt blood drum in his ears and elsewhere.

A roaring laughter erupted. "Well done, Severus," Mulciber chimed in. "This list at the Dark Lord's will get another star tonight. Pity it doesn't reveal any details. I'm sure it would be sparkling and jingling tonight!"

Ginny had not averted her eyes and noticed with a sweet smile how Severus was at a loss for words. Their eyes locked. She wanted so much to reassure him of her feelings for him. She took his arms and held them at the elbows, leaning on his chest. He bent down, focusing on her mouth questioningly. Oh, no, not a kiss. Why would he try? Quickly, she disentangled herself from him.

Returning inside, she said, "I didn't know that they all follow this list. Disgusting!"

"There is more that is disgusting me here," he declared with such an icy voice she almost cried.

"I can explain..."

"Oh, shut up!"

The Mulligatawny soup had no flavour, neither had the roast beef.

After a creamy, too sweet dessert, Theodore asked Ginny over to the group of young people, and this time Severus preferred not to interfere. He sat out the rest of the meaningless discussion at his table with a stony face.

They were among the first to leave around ten, accompanied by suggestive remarks from all sides.

"In half an hour," he declared when they arrived. Once again, he would NOT ask for an explanation. Unasked, Ginny would not break the subject either. They were back to where they had been after the wedding disaster.

:*:*:*:

Now that Severus' mind was once again cleared from the sentiment-besotted, simpering state of three weeks prior, December 25th would not be any different from the fifty-one other Thursdays in the year 1997. The only reason to celebrate could have been that he was free from watching over Potter and chaperoning senseless Hogwarts events, but she had destroyed even this benefit. There would be no garish red-gold-green decorations, no candlelight, and he had not bought any presents.

Ginny had had no occasion or mood to arrange anything either, and they passed the day in the same icy atmosphere as ever. Draco visited them on Boxing Day for the men's run. He brought a few delicacies, and he did look around wondering, but he did not dare comment on anything.

:*:*:*:

On the following day, their master called for Severus and caught him by surprise as he rapidly pried his mind open. Severus could not show him any seasonal cheer, and even if he rapidly glossed over it, he felt cold sweat gather on his back. The Dark Lord looked at him in a thoughtful if not even concerned way. Severus was more disgusted than ever.

Whenever Albus had showed interest in Severus' private life, Severus would not hesitate calling him an old meddler, but for the Dark Lord, this fatherly gesture was more than disturbing. It frightened Severus to the bones. Thankful that the other minions were examined likewise, Severus backed into the circle and awaited his orders.

They were once again supposed to track down Order members. Severus, officer in charge, kept himself in the background. Reasoning that he had to observe his charges, he surreptitiously misguided spells from his colleagues and sent Death Eaters to the ground with well-placed deflection shields. Glad that he had a chance to make a difference, Severus failed to notice that their side made an all too weak impression in the process. They lost a great number of the younger crew that had nearly finished training.

Reporting their failure to the Dark Lord wasn't a new thing to Severus. When he arrived around tea time, he knew well enough that he would be punished.

Severus had a few excuses at hand that he hoped would allow him to stay in his master's favour. But this time, he had gone a step too far.

:*:*:*:

:*:*:*:

A/N:

A toast to Angelika for inventing the non-alcoholic Dazzling Dimple-berry juice.

Another toast to Sorceress-Sarah who insisted that Severus would have owned Winnie-the-Pooh.

:*:*:*:

All these fishes are cartilaginous fishes of the order Rajiformes (true rays and skates) in the class Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays). I collected the data from the web and can only hope I got them right.

I mention the following species:

common or blue skate = Dipturus batis,

Thornback ray = Raja clavata,

Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray = Taeniura lymma,

Bull ray = Pteromylaeus bovinus. The name is ambiguous; I mean the species that lives around the coasts of Europe.

I also mention two families,

Guitarfish = Rhinobatidae and River stingray = Potamotrygonidae,

but I don't mention genera or species.