The Potion Master's Apprentice (A Severus Snape love story)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

A few days earlier

Florence sighed as she sank into the luxuriously upholstered chair and inspected the ring on her finger. Occasionally glancing around the ornate room her eyes settled on the tapestry on the far wall and she grinned slightly when she caught sight of her name embellished on the fabric beside Regulus'.

She jumped slightly as a shadow fell over her elaborately dressed body draped in lavish red material. Grinning, she allowed the man to lift her gently to her feet and wrap an arm around her waist. Burrowing her head into his neck and inhaling his comforting, familiar scent she clasped her hands on the other side of his head. A soft kiss was planted on her head as he held her tighter to him, nestling his chin in her hair.

"I love you Florence." He murmured and she laughed softly, lifting her head from his chest and looking directly into his dark eyes that were glimmering contently in the flickering candlelight. A darkness had descended over the square, plunging the cobbled street in a golden street lamp light.. The moon was peeking serenely above a cloud, only just visible. It was a starless night, the sky seemed to be an expanse of velvety blues and purples spilt with white where the moon was casting it's glow.

"I love you too." She whispered, kissing him tenderly on the lips as his thumb gently caressed her cheek. He pulled away slowly, eyes closed, causing her to laugh softly. They fluttered open, amber irises staring eagerly at her. She smirked and twirled a lock of his curly brown hair around her finger. "What was it you wanted?"

"People want to meet you downstairs." He grinned, releasing her waist only to grab her hand instead.

"Do I have to?" She moaned as she was dragged down the dimly lit, creaking staircases in a pair of tall black stilettos.

"Mother wants me to show off the new addition to our family. Well, she didn't say exactly that, but I know that's what she meant." He grinned slightly as he stopped at the top of the last flight of stairs. A steady thrum of music was drifting softly above the highly varnished steps, delicately dancing around her ears as she descended slowly, hand on top of Regulus' as he lead her courteously into the main part of the house.

They paused as they reached a door slightly ajar, music getting louder and a gentle murmuring of impatient voices mingled with the sweet tune. Florence took a deep breath, hoping she looked acceptable, before Regulus slowly creaked the door open.

A surprisingly loud sound emitted from the rusted hinges, instantly drawing everyone's attention as they turned to see the annoying interuption. Florence felt her cheeks flush a deep scarlet, almost the same shade of her dress, as the guests surveyed her interestedly, some with scorn and scrutiny, others with admiration.

"There you two are!" An eccentrically dressed woman beamed. It was a wonder she could stand with the amount of overly gaudy jewellery hanging around her tree-trunk neck and arms, or the thick fur coat draped around her shoulders. She gave Regulus a peck on the cheek before turning on Florence and throwing her arms around her neck. Florence's eyes watered and she struggled to breath as she was drowned violently in buckets of pungent perfume. "I wondered where you had gotten to! Mind you, i'm sure there is something you'd rather be doing, eh?" She smirked slyly and raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, causing Florence to become flustered.

Regulus' mother swiftly moved away, allowing the flood of inquisitive guests to swarm around the couple. Florence held onto her fiance's arm tightly as she was drenched with 'Congratulations' and lots of cooing by the older women.

"Good to see that you found a proper girl Regulus." A man grunted in a gruff voice, slapping his arm cheerily before winking at Florence. His silky blond hair drifted from his shoulders as his stormy grey eyes glittered in the weak candlelight.