Bewitching the Mind and Ensnaring the Senses

CHAPTER FIVE: Pictures. Muggle Ones. Classics.

Ariana:

When I awoke the room was dimly lit. My head rested on Severus' chest. I laid still for a moment, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. His chin rested on top my head and his arm draped over my shoulder. I remember last night very clearly, though drunk I still was quite aware. Part of me feared Severus waking, that he'd be mortified with himself for allowing this to happen. The other part wanted to hear his morning voice. He feels so solid beneath me. I feel so safe. He stirred a bit. I looked up at him and his eyes opened. He looked down at me, expressionless at first, then a smile peeked out.

"Merry Christmas Sev"

"Merry Christmas Ana" he said reaching up to caress my face.

"What do you say to me going to take a shower and change, then we can spend the day watching pictures? Muggle ones. Classics" I said grinning.

"I'd say I can't imagine I have much else to do." I looked down on my hand resting on his chest. We hadn't yet moved. It all felt harmonious. I reluctantly pulled away and left to my corridor. Upon walking in I immediately shed my clothes. I smelled of hooch and Severus. The water felt decadent against my skin. I watched the suds slide down, forming to my curves, playing with my body. All I could think about was being back with Severus. My mind was always racing but with him it calmed. Everything slowed down and time seemed endless. I quickly dried my hair and put on more comfortable clothes before making my way back to his corridor. Not knowing the password I was forced to knock. Severus answered in a black tee shirt and black cloth pants. I'd never seen him dressed so comfortable.

"Welcome back." As I turned the corner the fire was lit and candles hovered just below the ceiling. The room no longer smelt damp, but of chocolate and bread. A scene of snowfall adorned the walls and and poorly decorated tree sat in the corner.

"Sev did you do all of this?"

"Well, I figured you want to be more in the spirit." Hot chocolate, scones, and slices of ham inside english muffins sat on the desk. The steam swirled up toward the ceiling.

"What was the first movie you wanted to watch?" Severus asked handing me a mug then placing a breakfast sandwich on a platter for me.

"How about Scrooge?" It was relatively new so it was safe to assume he hadn't seen it. We settled into the bed, not too close but not too far.

"Summonitores Imitari" I said waving my wand toward the blank wall. The picture suddenly began to play. Before I knew it I was back where I had woken up, Severus' chin resting atop my head, both of our eyes glued to the picture. Severus' hand rest on my shoulder. The silk sheets clung to our bodies. I ran my fingers along his arm, memorizing his dips and curves.

"Sev, do you even like muggle pictures?"

"Muggles do make me curious, how they survive without magic. It's quite.. puzzling."

"That didn't answer my question."

"Some of them are enjoyable." I felt him smirk against my crown.

I looked up at him. I had to. He looked back down as though he wanted to say something but content and happiness was in his eyes. I felt complete. Gently I leaned up and began to kiss him. He felt as though he had become paralyzed but then softened and returned it. He tasted of nutmeg and pumpkin.

"Where did that come from?" He asked as we parted.

"I don't know, but I enjoyed it quite a bit."

"As did I." I felt him tighten his grip around me. Pulling me in. As the picture went on I continued to steal glances at him. He looked so stone faced, so serious, his hair falling limply around his face. We continued to watch pictures, at one point calling Hoddy to deliver more food and some popcorn, not once leaving the sanctuary of the bed. Not leaving each others arms. His heartbeat brought me solace. I quietly wished to myself it would never stop.

Severus:

Nighttime was approaching and we had watched what I thought was quite possibly the most boring movies I'd ever seen all day, but that did not matter. All that mattered was that I the feeling of Anas body pressed against mine brought me nothing but joy. It swelled through my body and I hadn't felt something like this in a long time. I hadn't felt something like this since Lily. I shut off the movie that was playing and Ana looked up at me confused.

"I have an idea" I said quite plainly. We both donned casual robes and I led her outside to the Black Lake. It was partially frozen from the bitter December. She leaned into me, probably cold, as we watched its icy reflection. The snow had stopped falling and everything is calm.

"Why have we come out here?" She asked shivering.

"Well, you love the stars and I find that the vast emptiness of the night makes me feel.. alive." She smiled turning her attention to the sky. I watched her eyes dart between the constellations, gathering them. I saw the universe in them.

"Severus you're staring."

"Admiring." We sat for a moment in silence searching the night. Small patches of clouds rolled past the moon. Full and bright they did nothing to dim its beams. The rolling hills looked peaceful blanketed in snow. The lake did not shiver. It was crisp and arid. It was faultless. She slid her arm under my armpit and gripped my shoulder, resting her cheek against my bicep. I stood for a moment then turned to her, looking down unable to speak. She simply met my eyes and smiled.

"Tell me about the stars Ana." She turned and studies before pointing.

"That one there is Lyra, it forms a harp see? Lyra is the celestial harp invented by Hermes, and given to Orpheus. It is said that when Orpheus played on his harp, usually love songs to his bride Eurydice, that people and animals would stop what they were doing just to listen. Some stories relate how even the trees would cease movement when he played. One day, Eurydice died suddenly which broke Orpheus' heart. Some say he even traveled to the Underworld to beg Hades to return her."

"And that one there?" I asked pointing.
"Ah, Capricorn. It's one of the earliest constellations. In Greek and Roman mythology as the "Gateway of the Gods" through which the souls of men released at death would pass to the life hereafter." She spoke with such passion. "Sev, have you ever been in the Forbidden Forest?"

"It's named that for a reason." Her eyes lit up. I hardened my face. "Don't even think about it."

"Come on, its just a bit of fun and maybe I'll meet one of the Centaurs! They're quite good with the stars you know" she said breaking free of me and heading in the direction of the tree line.

"Ana. No. Stop" she continued on "it could be dangerous!" I shouted beginning to follow her.

"How could it possibly be dangerous when I have you with me?" All I could do was huff and trot to catch up with her. From the edge the forest seemed to go on forever.

"Come on then, let's go" she said gripping my hand and dragging me behind her.

I pulled my wand out "lumos maxima." Wind whipped around us causing the leaves to tremble and drowning out any chance of detecting someone or something nearby. Snow began to dust up from the ground. "Ariana this is not wise of us. No one knows exactly what dwells in the forest."

"Oh come on Severus, don't tell me you're not curious."

"Not enough" I muttered. A shadow darted in front of us. We both froze. "Ana, thats enough, we're leaving" I said squeezing her hand.

"It could be a Centaur" she said trying to pull my hand. I stood my ground. "I will go with or without you." She looked determine.

"Fine but you're being moronic." She looked as though my words stung but quickly faced forward continued to walk. The shadow darted past us again, this time to our right. "Ana that is no Centaur. They don't move that quick. Quit being so foolish and let's go back." I searched her face. Fear began to fill it, but she was no longer looking at me, she was looking past me. Behind me.

"Severus don't move" she whispered thin lipped. Despite her words I slowly turned around. It was a nasty thing. Slender, tall, with thin silverly skin covered in patchy wisps of hair.