From One Story To Another

Everyone has a guilty pleasure. You can say you don’t but deep down there is always something. Even I have one. No one knew what it was, and I was careful to keep it that way. That is, until she found them…

  I was coming back from work one evening. It had been a particularly stressful day and I was looking forward to some alone time in my nook with my magazines, my guilty pleasure. I’m a guy; I have needs, and what better time to take care of those than when I’m all alone.

  I did what I normally do: I left my briefcase and jacket at the front door and walked through the house looking for my wife. It was strange, I called for her but she didn’t answer. She was home; I was sure of it, but where was she? Finally, I saw her. Actually, I saw them.

  My magazines. There must have been at least twenty-four of them sat stacked in front of her. I save them you see, to learn new techniques and to remind me of skills I could brush up on. But that’s not the point. The point is, now she knew the truth. She discovered my guilty pleasure. My secret.

  “Care to explain?” It wasn’t a question as much as it was an order. She tilted her head to one side and waited for an answer. I couldn’t speak. “How” was the only thought moving through my head; how did she find them?  I was always so careful to keep them hidden.  While she waited for me to answer, she even started flipping through the magazines, going to all the dog-eared pages.

  I couldn’t bear it. The embarrassment was too much. Everyone is allowed to have secrets, but she found mine and I was left naked. “It’s not what you think…”

  She raised her eyebrow; “You disappear around the house all the time. Is this why?” My body was frozen. Why was this so hard? She’s my wife; we should share everything.

“Welcome to Disney, where all your dreams come true!” smiles a vendor. He swings Minnie and Mickey Mouse ears around, waving at the children that pass.

  I couldn’t help but look his way. He has a vibe, a vibe I’m sure all of the employees here have. It’s clear that even though it is hot and sticky and probably pretty smelly at the end of the day, he still loves to work at this magical place.

  Lucy tugs at my skirt. “Mamma,” she points at the vendor, “pwease?” I nod. She waddles towards the cart. Her small hands stretch, as far up as they can, but they still can’t reach the ears. She turns and looks at me; her green eyes sparkle in the sun.

  I pick her up and show her the ears. Even the ears are magical with their sparkles and bows; it seems difficult to decide which one to choose. “Dat one!” She pulls on the ears with a small pink sequined bow.

  The vendor comes around the stand, “Miss, you know that these ears have magic powers?” Lucy’s eyes widen. “Oh yes, I saw Cinderella’s godmother down here this morning. She gave only one set of Minnie Mouse ears magic powers.” The vendor points towards Cinderella’s castle and Lucy’s eyes follow him. “She floated down from that castle all the way to this stand. And she told me I would meet a little girl in a blue polka dot dress with bright green eyes and short brown hair. She told me that today you are a princess, a princess with magic powers.” Lucy stares at the vendor, a huge smile plastered on her face.

  “I’m magic?”

  He nods. “You can make anything come true.”

  My heart drops. There is one thing she wants that cannot come true, and it will be devastating when she finds out. Lucy turns towards me, “Mamma, ears pwease?”

  I smile at the vendor, “Thank you.”

  “Only telling the truth ma’am,” he winked at me, “let’s make those ears on the house. They are magic after all.”

  “No, no I couldn’t-“

  “I insist.”

  I take the ears from Lucy’s hand and place them on her head. “Thank you.” I put her down and take her hand.

  “Remember,” he calls after us, “dreams do come true!”

  We walk through the park, weaving through crowds of people, waiting in line to meet the characters. Lucy’s smile becomes bigger and bigger as the day goes on.

  She pulls on my hand and points a stubby finger towards a beautiful blue gown. “Mamma, Cinderella! My magic!” She starts to pull me towards Cinderella. I can’t help but chuckle.

  “Lucy, we have to wait in line.” I pick her up and we get in line. She fidgets in my arms. She plays with my hair, her hair and her hands but finally decides to suck on her thumb. She’s tired. This is probably going to be the last thing we do today: Princess Cinderella. 

  “Do you think she knows her godmother gave me magic powers?” She looks up at me, her eyes full of wonder and amazement.

  “I think she knows, but just in case you should tell her.”

  Lucy nods and fingers the ears. “Magic… Mamma, down pwease.” She stands in front of me grasping her hands in anticipation. She bounces on the spot. “When’s our turn?”

  “Two more people honey.” She stands still. Not even her hair moves.

  “Lucy, look! We’re next!” She turns around and widens her eyes.

  “Mamma, I’m going to use my powers!” She closes her eyes and scrunches her nose.

  “I’m sorry everyone,” Cinderella stands up and addresses the line of families waiting to see her, “I must dash off for a moment. I won’t be long. Please excuse me.” She waves and turns around.

  Lucy stares at the spot Cinderella just left. She tilts her head to the side. “Mamma, do princesses need the toilet too?”

  I smile at my ball of sunshine. “Of course they do! Speaking of which, honey do you-“ My words were cut off by the smiling man walking towards us.

  “Daddy!” Lucy runs towards him and he swings her into his arms. My vision floods with tears. He’s home, safe and sound.

  “Andrew.” I walk to him and hold him tight. I don’t think he can breathe, but I don’t care. He is home, Lucy is ecstatic and I couldn’t be happier. We are a family.

She looks at her reflection in the mirror. Black rivers under her eyes, and red blotchy cheeks looked back at her. Words shot through her mind; you useless piece of crap, you’re so dumb, homo, no one needs you, no one wants you, if you disappeared no one would care, who do you think you are, you are ugly and fat, just kill yourself. Just kill yourself… Kill yourself…

  She tapped the razor against the porcelain sink. The sound echoed in her ears. With every tap she dulled the blade, with every tap her time lengthened, if only slightly. She pulled her hair back, yanking at the weak roots and heaved over the toilet; she emptied her stomach.

  She dug the dull blade into her arm. She dug the blade deeper until a small crimson drop fell from her arm. This time, the blood was no release. She let more fall. Dripping from her arm like a broken faucet she tried to let the words surge through the slice, but they only got louder. Clouding her thoughts and vision. She didn’t see her stained face; she only saw the words.

  Her head pounded with dreams of escaping. No more words, no more pain, just self. She fought against her every will to give in. She threw the blade down the sink and sunk down the wall. She hung her head and let her tears fall. The floor collected her tears and blood as one. There is no difference between them. Shakily she stood. She placed either hand on the sink, supporting herself. Her heart raced and her body shook.

“Her eyes a bloodshot again,” whispered Ginny, Ron’s sister, to Harry, “Why do her eyes seem to be bloodshot so much lately?”

  “Mep. It’s meirb misn’t it?” said Ron through mouthfuls of food. Ginny glared over at her brother who continued to shove mouthfuls of food into his mouth while the others looked concerned over at Sharon, who was trying to avoid everyone’s beady eyes as they whispered about her.

  Sharon walked right up to the trio that was sitting eating breakfast and gave them what was supposed to be a smile but ended up looking more like a grimace. “Good morning…”

  “Sharon! Did you sleep well?” asked Ginny, knowing she didn’t because she heard quiet sobs escape Sharon in the night.

  “It was very uneventful, no dreams!” She responded, putting on a cheery face. “May I sit here?”

  “Of course, Ronnie!” laughed Ron, sliding over to make room between him and Ginny.

  The tables were full of delicious waffles, sausages, and all kinds of different breakfast foods. The ceiling above, as usual, showed the same sky as was outside and on this cold February day, the snow was slowly falling. While Sharon was sitting between two of her best friends, she realized something; her friends cared about her more than she realized and if she remained depressed she would eventually not be able to have their love. Looking at Ron, Harry, and Ginny, she realized that although she lost one family and one love, she had this family.

  “I’m sorry,” Sharon blurted out to her friends.

  The three of them looked up astounded. “What are you apologizing for?” Harry asked.

  “I have been so annoying and depressing to be around. I just want to say I’m sorry for being distant and thank you for being here for me.”

  Suddenly she was pulled into a bone-crushing hug by not one, but all three of her friends. “We will always be here for you, Ronnie,” stated Ron, Harry and Ginny nodding their heads in agreement. It took all of Sharon’s will to fight back tears of happiness.

  “On a different note… Happy birthday!” hollered Ginny.

  “You remembered?!” asked an amazed Sharon; a huge grin bloomed on her face.

  “Of course! We did!”

  “Now, why don’t we head up to the common room for a little cake?” asked Fred, leaning over Sharon’s shoulder.

  She laughed and stood. “Lead the way!”

  The five of them walked to the common room, cracking each other up and finally carrying Sharon up the final steps of the moving staircase.

  “Flubberstanminkle.”

  The fat lady swung open and for one of the first times since they started, the common room was silent. Sharon wriggled out of Ron’s hold and ran into the common room.

  “SURPRISE!” cried their fellow Gryffindors.

  Sharon spun around. “Guys, you didn’t!” The boys shrugged, visually pleased and Ginny smiled one of the widest smiles in a while.

  George emerged from the group and shouted, “Well enough lally-gagging, you wants cake?”

  Soon enough, the common room exploded in happy birthday choruses as a magnificent cake was brought into view. This cake was like none she had seen before. It was, if she counted right, 18 layers and each layer represented a different aspect of her life. The first layer had a bicycle, which is a muggle “contraption” as Ron liked to call it. The next had her Hogwarts letter, with actual fireworks shooting out of it. The layer after that was designed to look like diagon alley, her first experience in the wizard world. The next few layers were their classes (such as potions and DADA). The final layers were of Sharon and her friends; they smiled and waved up off the cake, almost as if they were real.

  Sharon was breathless; her eyes began to sting as the burning sensation of crying became more and more prominent. “Guys… You really shouldn’t have…” her voice shook slightly.

I decided to stop writing, but this is what I have left........ so yeah

“You don’t have to walk me home.” Well, I want him too. It’s dark out and there have been a few muggings in the news recently. I feel safe with him.

  “I’m not letting you walk home alone, Ali. Besides, you’re not that bad company.” He nudges my arm. The street lights cast part of his face into the shadows.

  “I guess you’re not too bad yourself. Although, I do think I would feel safer with someone a little more macho.” I turn face him. He mouth is gaping. I can’t help but laugh. Maybe if I laugh dramatically it will be interesting. Might as well try. I throw my head back in an attempt to come off sexy while laughing.

  “Are you okay?” Oh god, what was I thinking? Of course that wouldn’t come off sexy, it probably looked like an exorcism or something.

In the Dreamtime, all birds are black, 

Their talons are unseen in the darkness

As are their eyes, black as the feathers on their backs

Such a bird was not discerned, soaring through the sky

Black on black

In this dream there is nothing

There is no return

There is no adventure

There is no light

Pain, a knife

Deeper into flesh

Deeper into bone

Deeper and deeper, losing senses

What senses

There were none

Through the woods we wander

Step after step

Black paw after black paw

I show them

This is a blueberry,

We can eat it

They don’t know yet.

They play.

I continue to walk

Through the heavily wooded land

Branches catch my black fur

Raising my nose in the air

Sniffing

Where are they?

Sniffing

I run

My paws pound the ground

Someone’s in my way

Small and pale

On two feet

Small tuffs of fur on its head

I growl

Baring my teeth

Don’t touch them

They’re mine to care for

It stares at them

I stare at it

I growl, it doesn’t notice

I won’t let it hurt them.

My fur stands on end

Paw in front of paw

Step after step

Growling

I lunge.

Is it ready?

It's ready.

The white cloth flies off

a blank stare.

What's wrong?

no pupil, no iris, just white

That's the point.

What's the point?

thin, tight, white

no lips

sewn shut, no chance of opening

That's the point.

What's the point?

the head, so large

growing, throbbing

why that size

knowledge.

knowledge from the past, the present

knowledge of the future

the blank stare

stares into the future,

the brain grows with everything it sees

the struggles, the successes

the pain of what's to come

sewn shut are its lips

keeping the secrets form us

no exposure

it remains silent

needing to constantly speak

its mouth throbbing under the pressure

It's not ready

it sees too much

but understands so little

too much stress

too much power

the future stretches on

years and years

too much knowledge for one things

explosions, death

darkness, destruction

it sees the end

staring blankly into our inevitable fate

It's not ready.

Dylan and I collapse on the love seat.  “What a victory!” he says. “I knew we would make a good team.” He elbows me. I smile, as usual. For a while we just sit. I keep sneaking glances at his beautifully chiseled profile. Even though we sit in silence, it’s not awkward. It’s a very comfortable silence. I like it. 

  “No! Emma, not that hot sauce! This one’s hotter!” Jen says from the kitchen.

  “I’m warm enough already! I don’t need hot sauce to make me any hotter!” I rest my hand on my forehead to check my temperature. I wink in his direction. Why did I do that… Oh no… He’s reaching towards me.

  He grabs my hand. “Did this happen tonight?” I nod. “Ali! Let’s clean it up.”

  I laugh and shake my head. “It’s just a few indents. You know how rocks can be…”

  He just looks up at me. I freeze. My breath hitches. I give in, how could I not? His hazel eyes pierce me. I can’t do anything but give in. “I guess I should clean it up a little more…”

  “Come on.” He pulls me by the arms and we look for Jen’s bathroom.

  “I can do this by myself you know.”

  “Yeah, but we’re partners, remember?” I guess I could let him help me. There is no harm in that… I mean, he’s helping me whether or not I like it. Not that I mind… He turns the hot water and lets it run. I put my hand under the faucet. Why do I feel like such a child? I’m 19, I can do this myself. But he wants to help me. That’s a sign right? He opens the medicine cabinet, searching for tweezers and rubbing alcohol. “Alright, switch hands and give me the right one.” He sits on the toilet.

  “Yes Dr. O’Brein,” I am extremely serious. He just laughs and tugs me closer. We’re so close. I give him my hand. Oh, his are so soft. 

  “This may hurt…”

  “I’m a tough cookie! Don’t you worry about me.” He cocks his head to the side and raises his eyebrow. I respond by raising both eyebrows and cocking my head. Hah, now we’re even.

  I see the small pieces of rubble that embedded themselves into the palm of my hand. Wow, this may actually hurt… He pushes the tweezers into my palm, and I can’t help but flinch. He opens his mouth, but I shake my head. I silence him and he continues to pull small bits of rock out of my hand. His brows furrow in concentration. Slowly he removes all the pieces, leaving my hand bright red from agitation.

  “I know the tweezers didn’t hurt you, the little tough cookie, but the rubbing alcohol might sting a little…”

  “Dude, I’ve used rubbing alcohol before. This isn’t the first time I’ve hurt myself.”

  “Okay, just warning you. As a good partner I think that it is my job to warn you about those type of things. Just saying.” I laugh.

  “Bring it!” He counts backwards from ten, why would he do that? Gosh, that just freaks me out more. At one he pours. Holy shit that stings. My hand is on fire! Stay calm, you don’t want Dylan to see you freak out. But the pain… Screw it. “Ah! Man!” I look over at Dylan to see him suppressing a laugh. “Oh, you think this is funny do you?”

  He smirks. “A little bit…” I playfully shove his shoulder. My hand rests on his shoulder. Neither of us makes a move to remove it. Instead, my eyes meet his. Oh God, it’s not just me. He must feel it too. I can definitely see it in his eyes. He leans in: closer and closer. It’s gonna happen, I can feel it. My heart flutters. He looks me in my eyes. “We should probably do the other hand before dinner.”

  I start laughing. I can’t stop. Why did I think he would like me? I can’t believe how naïve I am.

  “Why are you laughing?” He looks confused and it just makes me laugh harder.

  I catch my breath. “I’m sorry. Just hit me and I couldn’t stop.”

  “Alright… Well if you’re done, want me to do the other hand too?” I nod. He takes care of my hand again. Picking out the pebbles and pouring the rubbing alcohol on it.

  “Shit, dude, that stings.”

  He smirks, “I told you.”

  “I know, I’m just reminding you that is stings.”

  We sit in silence for a moment. I see his chest rise and fall with each breath he takes. Oh those muscled; he’s so toned. Alison, snap out of it. Someone knocks on the door. Both our heads whip around.

  “I don’t want to know what you two are doing in there, but it’s dinner! So come out right now.” Jennifer says as she continues to bang on the door.

  “ We’re coming!” Dylan turns to me, “Sheesh.”

  We walk out of the bathroom. Emma looks at me and raises her eyebrow. I just shake my head, nothing happened, unfortunately.

  “Alright, have a seat you two.” Jen gestures to the table beside her. “For your first course, we have a chip based salad with m&ms as your croutons.” Emma comes from the kitchen carrying two plates overflowing with chips.

  “Chip based salad?”

  “Shhh! Just eat, my dear.”

  Dylan and I exchange a glance. Should I dig in first? Will that make me look like a pig? No, I’m sure it’s fine. Do I eat the whole thing? Oh god, I don’t know. Just start, Ali, who cares. I take a bite.

  “Mmmm… Crunchy.”

  “This is special.”

  “But it’s good, isn’t it?” Jen and Emma sat across from us. Their eyes beat into ours.

  “It’s definitely interesting…” he laughs while Emma and Jen roll their eyes.

  “Just eat the damn salad.” And we do. We eat the salad. They bring out the main course. The plate is overflowing with sliced ham, grated cheese and cantaloupe drenched in tomato sauce. Cantaloupe drenched in tomato sauce? This is just ridiculous. God! That is some spicy tomato sauce.

  “What did you put in the tomato sauce? My mouth is on fire!”

  They grin, “Hot sauce. Very hot sauce.” I shake my head, and I head to the kitchen searching for a glass of milk. When I sat back down they brought out dessert. For dessert they bring out the biggest mound of candy and chocolate I have ever seen.

  “Why do you have so much candy?”

  “Well I just get stuff, but I don’t always eat it.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Bon appitete.”

  Dylan looks up at the two girls towering over us. “Why aren’t you two eating anything?”

It was the morning before Halloween and Severus had just returned from Godrics Hollow where he was visiting Lily Potter’s grave. It was her birthday the week before, and every year he made it a tradition to visit her grave. Severus Snape had never stopped loving Lily Potter, and when she died he was heart broken. He could hardly cope with the fact that the love of his life had been murdered, so instead he began watching out for her only child, Harry Potter. He had no other reason to live, until he met Sharon. Sharon was beautiful, funny, sweet, caring and an amazing sexual partner. She brought him out of a rut and had made him happy for the first time in years. It was the perfect relationship; the only problem was, they could not tell anyone. I cannot put Sharon through this any more. She deserves to walk hand-in-hand with her partner through the school, he thought as he gazed at her laughing face.

  He contemplated whether or not to talk to her about this, and finally settled on talking to her. Quickly, he stood and walked out of the hall to the owlry to send her a letter.

  Dear Sharon,

Meet me at the Whomping Willow tomorrow after lessons tomorrow.

-S

  He tied the letter to one of the school owls, and snuck back into the hall. His absence went unnoticed by all but Sharon. He saw that she let out a sigh of relief as he sat in his chair. He smiled at her, and she grinned back. He then saw the brief flutter of an owl’s wings as it flew into the hall and it landed directly in front of her.

  “Ronnie, you got a letter?! You never get letters,” said Ron.

  “Hmm… I wonder who it’s from…” She picked up the folded sheet of paper and read the short note from Severus.

  Harry grabbed at the note, but she moved it out of his reach. “You’re not sharing! Who’s it from? Is it from your one and only Draco Malfoy?” Severus tensed his hand under the table when Harry’s comment reached him.

  Sharon responded with a grunt, “I don’t know who it’s from.” Her fingers were tightly crossed under the table because she knew exactly who sent it. She quickly glanced up at the teachers’ table but by the time she did, Severus was busy arguing with Remus.

  “Hey, Ron, how is George and Fred’s business going?” asked Sharon, trying to change the topic. This got him talking about all the trouble the twins were getting into as they developed new doodads, and all the costumers they had gained in the past year. This conversation lasted for the rest of breakfast and for the walk to the common room.

  “Did someone say George?” asked Fred.

  “Did someone say Fred?” asked George, towering over the Harry, Ron and Sharon.

  The five of them laughed and spent the rest of their Sunday playing wizard chess, cards and having small duels with the twin’s rubber wands. By the time evening rolled around, Sharon became anxious about her meeting with Severus.

  “Oh shit! I forgot my journal in the hall,” lied Sharon. She needed an excuse to leave the common room so she could sneak down to the dungeons. She saw Fred tilt his head in a knowing manner, but she shook it off.

  “Ronnie, use my cloak so you don’t get in trouble,” whispered Harry, sliding her the cloak.

  She smiled and threw it over herself. Slowly, her footsteps moved through the halls and down staircases until she reached the familiar brown door. Silently she opened it and saw Severus sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. Sharon couldn’t move. She couldn’t breath. The man who was always so confident, tough and brave was hurting. His tears spilled onto the desk, and it took all of her might not to spill any herself.

  She removed the cloak and walked slowly towards him. She did not make a sound until she was standing right next him. “Severus?”

  His head shot up and he stared her in the eyes. “What are you doing here?” he asked angrily.

  Sharon had to take a step back; Severus had never spoken to her in that tone before. “What’s wrong?” she asked, slightly scared.

  He stood and grabbed her upper arms. “We can’t be together.”

  She smelled the alcohol in his breath. “No, no. Let’s talk about this when you’re sober. Severus, please.”

  “No Sharon. I love you, and you deserve to be happy. We can never be together. Go. Go and never come back.” As he said that, he pushed her towards the door.

Chapter 4

    The next morning, Harry ignored Sharon during breakfast, and completely shafted her from Ron. She felt more alone then she had felt since she first found out her parents had passed away. Knowing the one thing that would make her happy, she looked at the teachers’ table searching for the handsome, mysterious, long-haired man. Her eyes moved up and down the table, and she did not find her lover. She went to comment on his absence, but remembered that her friends were not talking to her, or at least one of them wasn’t. Her eyes became glued to her bowl of cereal.

  She suddenly felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and a whisper in her ear. “I’m sorry about your parents,” said Draco Malfoy, “If you need to talk, I’m here for you. I know I hurt you, but I still care for you.”

  Sharon smiled into her cereal and then stood up. “Can we walk?” He nodded and took her arm; together, they walked together out of the great hall. The two of them passed gaping faces while they walked outside. As they ventured onto the grounds, Sharon remembered how happy she used to be when she was with Draco. They finally reached the tree where they had their best and worst memories. It was under this birch tree that they first confessed their love for each other, shared their first kiss but also they place where she caught Draco with another girl. Draco sat down and pulled Sharon onto his lap as he cradled her in his arms. This subtle and kind gesture brought back floods of memories of her parents and also brought back tears. Draco was patient and did not expect her to talk until she was ready. After she began sniffling, she kissed him gently on the cheek. “Thank you, Draco.”

  “Any time. Now, would you like to talk?”

  “There is nothing to say really. My parents were killed, and I am now an orphan. I have nowhere to live. I don’t really remember what my parents’ hugs feel like, or what their voices sounds like. As I said, there is nothing to say about it…”

  Draco kissed her on the top of the head in an effort to soothe her. “You can come stay with me over the summer if you want,” his voice drastically lowered as he spoke the next sentence, “I can help you remember how lovely hugs are if you want.”

  She giggled, and thoughts of Severus escaped her mind. Do I really want to get into this again? She answered her own question when she leaned in and lightly touched her lips to Draco’s. In response, he twisted his hands into her hair and they fell over in a lusty haze. She felt it as he got hard, and so gently, she rubbed the front of his pants and felt as he shivered in delight.

  He moved his lips to her ears and said seductively, “Look at you, you’re more forward then you used to be. I like it.”

  She looked at him and smirked, “If you think that’s forward…” Sharon straddled his waist and then toyed with the buttons on his shirt. Suddenly, she tore it off his chest, literally. Seductively, she ran her tongue down his toned chest; she stopped just above his pant line.

  “Oh my god, Sharon,” he groaned in pleasure. She giggled and sat up, looking in his eyes. A wave of realization of what she was doing hit her, and she abruptly stood. “Where are you going, sweetie?”

  “I can’t believe I just… What was I thinking?” Sharon was furiously walking around Draco, “Did you just use my sadness as a way to have some sort of sexual pleasure?”

  “No, Sharon, I didn’t. I have been watching you since I read the article of your parents, and I have been worried,” Draco said as he stood and held both of her hands, “I care for you a lot, and I have been trying to look out for you. I still love you, Ronnie.”

  She searched his eyes for any sign of insincerity, but found none. “ You better not be screwing me over Draco Malfoy.”

  He chuckled, “I never meant to hurt you. You brought joy to my life and when we broke up it actually broke my heart. Sharon, will you please be my girlfriend, again?”

    Sharon’s mouth opened and shut continuously, like a fish. “Wait, are you serious?”

  Draco pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. “Does that answer your question?”

  She smiled, “Can I think about it? Remember, you did break my heart. It took me a long time to move on after that.”

  He nodded and replied, “I’ll wait for you.” With that he turned away and walked back to the castle with his hands shoved in his front pockets.

  Sharon stared at the back of his blonde head and sighed. Slowly, she slid down the birch tree until she landed with a thump on the ground. She placed her head in her hands and began thinking of the past, the present and what future she wanted. She has been in love with Draco since the day she laid eyes on him in her first year at Hogwarts, but he hurt her. She then thought of Severus and the way he was always there for her. She could go down to visit him whenever she wanted and he would stop was he was doing to spend time with her. She loved them both in different ways, which should she choose? It suddenly dawned on her.

Sharon had been in a depressed haze for a few weeks, and nothing brought her out of it. Everyday she had the same routine: have a small breakfast, go to morning classes, have lunch, go to afternoon classes, have dinner, do homework and then headed down to visit Severus. When she was down in the dungeons, sometimes she would just sit in her lovers arms while other times she felt his hands explore crevices of her body while they made sweet love.

One night, there was a horrible thunderstorm and the weather outside described exactly how she was feeling. Sharon headed down to the dungeons, and when she arrived, she slowly opened the large door that lead to Severus’ secret office. She was not in the mood for cuddling; she wanted to be pleasured to the extreme. She wanted to feel him enter her and slowly thrust in the way only he knew how. She wanted his hands to explore her body, run down her spine, and make her nerves tingle. She wanted the sex that would make her forget. She saw Severus look up from his book when she entered.

Slowly, she shed her robes and stood completely naked in front of him.  She is beautiful thought Severus. Every time he saw her, he was blown away. Her body curved in just the right places and her pale skin was breathtaking. He felt blood rush down to his penis, and he had to look away. “Not today, Sharon. I want to talk to you.”

“But I came down here for you to take me to a different world, to help me forget.”

“I have been ‘helping’ you forget for weeks, and it doesn’t work. You know that. You need to talk to your friends. Do they even know?” he asked as he redressed the alluring girl who was standing before him, “I want to talk to you about this. I am worried.”

Once dressed, Sharon and Severus sat down, she sat in his lap with his arms around her and a hand gently stroking her hair. “I’m not strong enough to handle this. That’s why I don’t tell them. If I tell them, I have to face this disaster.”

“Your friends love you, you know that. They want to help you. I’ve seen how worried Harry and Ron are when they look at you. They care for you more than you know.”

Sharon sighed, “Alright, I’ll tell them… I promise.” She forced a smile and kissed him. The supposed-to-be gentle kiss then turned into passionate lovemaking, and everything they had spoken of had been forgotten, as the world became just the way their bodies connected.

It was almost midnight when she finally left the dungeons. She ran quietly back to the common room and walked in to see her best friends waiting for her.

“Sharon Xie, you are not allowed to go to bed until you tell us what has been bothering you,” stated Harry as the two boys stood and walked towards her.

Sharon looked threateningly towards the door, but Ron swiftly responded to her, “Don’t even think about it. Now tell us.”

This is not ideal; I wanted to go to bed happy… “Alright, let’s sit down.” The three of them walked to the couches stationed next to the fireplace, and she told them about her parents. She told them everything she knew, and as much as she tried she could not hold in the tears that pored out. “T-They died almost f-four weeks ago, and that is why I have b-been depressed.”

Ron stood and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “Oh, Ronnie, I am so sorry. Truly,” he paused, “Just a question, why didn’t you tell us sooner? We have been so worried.”

She hesitated before she answered, “I did not want to have to face the truth… But now there is nothing I can do but move on.” Harry reached for her hand and squeezed it in a gesture of support.

“Well guys, now you both have no reason not to come and live at my house during the summer!” smiled Ron.

The three of them laughed and had a huge group hug.

“Well, goodnight!” said Ron as he turned and headed up the spiraling stairs that led to the boys’ room.

Sharon turned and faced Harry. She smiled and began speaking, “I better be off too. Sleep well, Harry.”

As she turned away she felt a hand grab her arm. “Why didn’t you tell me? I can relate to you, my parents died too.”

Sharon whipped around and all but growled, “You can’t relate to me Harry. You know why? Because your parents died when you were a baby. A baby doesn’t know its parents. My parents died when I was 17. A 17 year-old knows its parents, and loves them. You don’t know what it is like to lose the people who take care of you and the people that you love with all of your heart. I didn’t tell you for the same reason I didn’t tell Ron; I didn’t want to face the truth. Now, I am tired so I am going to sleep.”

“Sharon, you seem distracted,” said Ron nudging her with his elbow. Ron Weasley was one of her best friends, but he had been in the infirmary for the past week with a bad case of wizard’s wrist.

Sharon turned her head towards Ron and forced a smile. “Why would you say that? I am so not distracted. Anywho, it’s almost Halloween, that means our trip to Hogsmead!”

The topic of Hogsmead got quite a few students at the Gryffindor table talking. Well, that is all but Harry. Sharon and Ron looked uncomfortably in Harry’s direction. “Don’t worry, mate, we will bring you loads back from Hogsmead… Harry,” said Ron, he then tried to change the subject, “How’s quidditch going?”

While the two boys talked about quidditch, Sharon looked up at the teachers’ table at the front of the hall. As soon as her eyes rested on Severus, she couldn’t look away. She didn’t know what it was about him that made her crazy in-love with him. Maybe it was the way his black hair hung perfectly around his face or maybe how is hands were delicate yet very firm. Memories of his hands exploring her parts of pleasure and the feeling of his tongue in her mouth flooded into her head. Oh the pleasure he gave her. From the outside, Sharon looked as if she had zoned out, but on the inside she was remembering the feeling of Severus in bed and how he would thrust so gently and with such control. She was remembering how he knew exactly how to make her feel extraordinary. Suddenly, in her memories she heard Ron’s voice.

“Ronnie?” asked Ron, his voice bringing her out of her daze, “We are heading up to the common room, want to join?”

“Oh! No, no. I’m gonna’ stay here. I have a question for Professor Snape, so you guys go ahead.”

While she waited, Sharon picked up a daily prophet that had been left behind and began reading it. She loved how the photos moved and changed. It was something that she never got used to, the fact that the newspaper was also magic. She was flipping through the paper, not really reading it, until a photo caught her eye. This photo was not moving, and she knew why; it was a muggle photo. A gasp escaped her lips as she realized that they weren’t ordinary muggles. The photo was of her parents. Another muggle family has been mysteriously killed. There is no evidence of who the killer was, but the Ministry is currently questioning their neighbours about any disturbance they might have noticed. In the mean time, please keep an eye out for any odd incidents. Sharon could not breath. She was thinking back to her family, and she could hardly remember the last time she gave them a hug, or even the feeling of that hug. Gentle sobs escaped from her and she wept for her deceased parents. She did not know how long she has been weeping for, but she felt a firm had grasp her shoulder and lead her out of the grand hall and towards Dumbledore’s office.

“Thank you, Severus,” whispered Dumbledore, removing his hand from her shoulder, “You may go.”

Snape wished to object but knew the risk; instead he nodded and walked back through the big wooden doors that separated the school from Dumbledore’s beautiful office.

Sharon had never been in this magnificent office. Paintings of the past headmasters lined the walls and many silver gadgets were littered around the room. “H-Hello Headmaster,” she sniffled.

“Sharon, oh Sharon, I am deeply sorry about your family. I would have told you personally, but I was not informed about this devastating occurrence before hand. I am truly sorry.”

“Thank you Professor, it means a lot to me that you care.”

“If there is anything I can do to help you cope, please let me know.”

She lifted her head and looked at Dumbledore. “Thank you, Sir. For now, I think I have to cope on my own,” she replied as she stood and headed for the door. As he hand made contact with the handle, she turned, “And Professor? Please don’t tell my classmates or other teachers. The last thing I need is other people grieving for me.” Dumbledore nodded, and Sharon left.

Quickly, she ran down the spiraling staircase and swiftly made her way down to the dungeon. She arrived at a metal dungeon door and knocked in the pattern that she and Severus had agreed on.

“Come in,” echoed a voice from deep within, clearly deep in thought because he had not registered the knock.

“S-Severus?”

He looked up and saw that she was on the verge of tears and ran to comfort her. He pulled her into his arms and held her close to him. As his arms wrapped around her, the tears poured out of her eyes and soaked the front of his jet-black robes.

“They d-died. I am an o-orphan. I d-don’t have a home to go to any more. Severus, what d-“

“Turn to page 394,” stated Professor Snape.

“But, Sir, we aren’t starting werewolves for weeks!” said a small voice form behind the famous Harry Potter.

Snape looked over Harry to see a petit, Asian girl. “Miss Xie, I will need to speak to you after class for speaking out of turn. As I was saying…”

The Defense against the Dark Arts class seemed to take hours to pass because Snape spoke in a monotone. The only person who seemed interested was Sharon Xie, who had already gone through two roles of parchment by copying what he was saying word for word.

“It would seem as if class is over. I am expecting four roles of parchment on my desk by Tuesday.” A groan escaped everyone’s mouth as soon as those words were spoken.

Again Sharon spoke, “But, Sir, we have three roles of parchment due on Monday about boggarts.”

“Until you’re the teacher, you do not get to decide what assignments are assigned. And don’t forget to come down to my office after class.” Harry heard Draco Malfoy snicker as Snape said that and so Harry glared up in Draco’s direction.

“Don’t,” stated Sharon, resting her hand on his arm, “he’s not worth it. Not worth it at all.” She put extra emphasis on the last sentence and looked Draco in the eyes. “Harry, I’ll meet you in the common room.” He nodded and she sped down to the stairs to the dungeons.

“Miss Xie,” drawled Severus, stepping around his desk.

“Hi, Severus.”

He reached for her hand and held it. Slowly he pulled her in a kissed her. Her hands intertwined in his long black hair and his hands rested on her arse.

“Severus,” she moaned into his ear, “We can’t do this anymore. What if we get caught?”

His breathed tingled on her ear as he spoke, “Well, we better be sneaky then…” His hands crept up her robes, and soon they were lying on his desk with nothing but each other to cover their nakedness. For a few minutes, they had been lost in a passionate flurry. Sharon ran her hands up and down his chest, while Severus slowly massaged her breasts and bum. Slowly, the passion faded and the two were left cuddling in each other’s arms.

“What’s bothering you?” asked Sharon, looking into his slightly distant eyes.

He brought himself out of his daze and smiled at her, “Nothing my love… At least nothing to worry about.” Severus stroked her cheek and then gently kissed her.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A frantic couple shot up. “Shit,” mumbled Sharon as she fumbled to put on her robes.

“Severus? It’s Remus, may I come in?”

“Just a second Remus,” he growled. Sharon looked at him, paralyzed with the fear of being caught. He pointed to behind his desk, and swiftly and quietly she dove behind it. “Come in Remus.”

The big door slowly opened and in walked a man with ripped robes and scratches all over his body. “Good afternoon, Severus,” whispered a raspy voiced Remus.

“Looking a little off today aren’t we?”

“Don’t tease me. Why did you give me a faulty potion? I was an animal this time, a vicious, man-eating animal.”

“I just thought it was necessary to remind you of what you are. You seem to have forgotten how truly dangerous you are.”

Remus seemed defeated. “Severus, I know what I am. I know I am dangerous; I don’t need you to teach me that lesson. Next time, can you please give me the real potion? I like to remember who I really am when I turn.”

Severus stared at the man who had been one of the students from the group who teased him all through his schooling at Hogwarts. “Fine,” he replied, “I will have it ready for you a week before the next full moon. Now leave my classroom you filthy animal.” Not wanting to start a fight, Remus left quickly.

Sharon did not let go of a breath until she could not hear footsteps echo off the walls. Finally, she signed and stood. “Severus, that was much too close for my liking.” He nodded in agreement. She stepped closer to him and held his hand. “Why does Professor Lupin require you to make him a potion every full moon?” It suddenly dawned on her and she gasped. “Is he a werewolf?”

“That’s a wrap everybody!” Emma calls out. I look at my watch, 9:00 pm. By the time I get home it will be close to 10 and I can definitely go to bed without being too strange. Perfect! I grin to myself.

“Earth to Ali!’ Jennifer waves her hand in front of me.

“Yes?” 

“We’re going out for drinks, wanna come?”

Well this is embarrassing… “Jen… I can’t get into clubs… I’m only 19.” I feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“I completely forgot!” she laughs. She throws her arm around my shoulders. Fangirling, no it’s just Jennifer, your coworker. But it’s still Jennifer Lawrence. No, I must pull myself together, this is just Jen. “Why don’t we have a night in at my place?” she asks.

 I look at Dylan he smiles at me. “It would be fun, Ali,” he says.

 How can I say no to him? “As long as you’re all up for losing charades.” They laugh. Jen waves at Emma to come. I like Emma, I’m not sure what it is about her, but she makes me feel very comfortable.

 The four of us head to get out of our costumes. As we’re walking, Dylan throws his arm around me. Dear lord don’t start hyperventilating. “Charades master, huh,” he says, very casually.

 I giggle Oh god, why did I giggle? “Well, I don’t know about master…”

 “Even if you aren’t a master, I’m pretty good myself. Maybe we could be a team?” He looks down at me; a crooked smile rests on his face.

 “Lezz do it!” I say. He laughs. Of course he laughs I said lezz do it. Why can I never act normal?! When we reach wardrobe, Dylan ducks away to get his clothes. I sigh and walk over to the rack I left my clothes on and search for my jeans and plaid shirt. I find and put them on and walk out to Emma and Jen.

 “No,” Jen states, running her eyes over me.

 I look down at myself. “What?”

 “You have a rockin’ bod and you’re going to flaunt it. Besides, Dylan likes a girl who’s got it going on.”

 I feel the heat rise in my cheeks again. “I-I don’t-“

 “Cut the act, Ali,” Emma interrupts. “Now, we’re going to find you something to wear.” I sigh but follow them back inside to wardrobe.

 “You realize Dylan is probably waiting for us?”

 "We don’t care,” stated Emma, flipping through the clothes racks.

 “Well I do. And besides, he doesn’t care what I wear. We aren’t even going out anywhere! We’re staying in.” I try to reason with them.

 “You’re not wearing a man’s shirt, Ali.”

 “Fine!” I groan. I give in and just let them dress me. I try on shirt after shirt. Still nothing is up to their standards. “Can we just-“

 Dylan’s voice interrupts me as it echoes down the hall. “How long does it take to change?”

 “We’ll be right there!” I reply. I look down at myself. I’m back in my plaid shirt.

 Emma sighs, “I guess we have to let you wear your plaid man shirt.” Yes! Comfort wins yet again. 

 We walk out to see Dylan leaning against the wall. He is crossing his arms and I can see his biceps flex underneath his shirt. I freeze. We’re wearing the same shirt. I am wearing the exact same shirt as Dylan. I am wearing a man’s shirt and he knows. Emma and Jen look at each other and start laughing. As usual, I feel the heat rise up in my cheeks. “Hey, Dylan… Sorry it took so long…”

 He smiles at me, “Well I’m glad we’ll be matching at least, since we’re partners.”

 He doesn’t embarrass me. I laugh. “That’s true…” I look over at Jen and Emma who are wiping tears from their eyes. “How about we head out?” I ask.

 “Lezz do it!” Dylan replies. He sends a wink in my direction. Here I go, swooning again. Jen links her arm through mine and we head down the street. I can’t help but sneak glances at Dylan. It’s dark out but the streetlights cast his face into shadows. I hear my stomach growl.

 “Sorry to interrupt,” Emma stops talking and looks in my direction, “I’m kinda hungry so do you guys mind if we stop somewhere and eat?”

 “I have a better idea!” Jen cries out. “We are going to have a contest. And whichever team loses has to cook dinner… using only the ingredients in my house!”

 Dylan and I glance at each other. “And what will this competition be?”

 “We’re going to have a wheelbarrow race. All the way to my house.” Jen and Emma smirk at each other. That can’t be a good sign.

 “Wait, wait, wait. Neither Ali or I know the way to your house.”

 Jen walks over to Dylan and places her arm around his shoulders. She points down the street. “See that green mailbox?” He nods. “I live in the second apartment buildings down that street.”

 Emma looks at me, “So you ready?”

I look at Dylan and get on the ground. I place my hands shoulder width apart and I lift my feet. Dylan grabs hold of my ankle, just above my sock. His hands are very soft, and warm. No, I have to get my head in the race, I can think about Dylan’s hands later.

 “Okay. On your mark… get set… GO!”

 The race is on. I don’t like being on my hands, I keep getting little pebbles in my palms. But I don’t complain, because we have to win. “You good Ali?” Dylan calls down to me.

 “Yup!” The race continues. It’s close, but Dylan and I are still winning. I see the green mailbox, but without warning Dylan turns me. I lose my grip and I twist over. Jen and Emma pull ahead. “Quick! Grab my feet we can catch up.” He grabs my ankles and the race continues. I don’t think we’re going to win… I look up to see Jen and Emma turning. We’ve lost.

 “We won!” Their cheers and laughter reach us. Dylan stops and lets go of my ankles and I get up. He looks at me. His eyes glisten and he smirks.

 “Didn’t she say to the apartment?” I nod. “They are just at the sidewalk’s edge.” I nod again. “We can still win. Come one.” I drop to the ground again, as quickly as possible. My ankles fly up and we move. I’m moving fast. I didn’t know my hands could move this fast! I see Jen and Emma briefly as we fly past them.

 “What are you guys doing? We already won!”

 “You’re not at the building yet!” He calls over his shoulder. I laugh. Victory is in our reach. I can see the doors, only a few more steps.