{ Multi-Muse }

"Same to you, Ms. Purefoy."

With that Severus was on his way to his next class for the day. He'd planned on giving out tests to all of his classes on this wonderful day, punishment for being so annoying during his lessons. Though, it was a double edged blade, as he was the one who had to grade the foul tests.

And there the man stood, well after hours, at his desk. He sifted through the papers he was grading, a potion bubbling off to the side. Severus was well known for multi-tasking, and being damned good at it. The thought crossed his head of how he'd not be able to see Isabelle tonight, a frown crossing his face as he marked a fat F on a page and moved onto the next one.

Though, he assumed she wasn't truly extending an offer of her company, only teasing him for saying he'd take the alcohol.

She ponders a moment about whether she should go check on him. Though she figures if he was really intent on showing up, he would. Or perhaps he's busy.

She supposes it's best, she thinks, as her hands fold together and her chin rests atop them as she stares blankly at the letter on her own desk in front of her. Her lips purse and she takes a deep inhale, mapping solutions and paths in her head as to how to handle the news that has been written out specifically to her.

The thought made him wince ever so slightly, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. Isabelle doesn't seem the type to do such a thing, but it's better this way. Better to close himself off from being hurt, as he's experienced betrayal before.

This was different though... was it not? She felt like she was his friend.

"I apologize," he blurted out, eyes downcast on his tea. He regretted it as soon as it came out. "For not stopping by, or letting you know."

He glanced over, a hint of pink blushing the top of his ears. He was rather embarrassed by the whole situation, mortified that he'd even brought it up.

"Quiet, Malfoy," Tom sits up straight, a somber look on his face. His jaw clenches slightly, muscles pulling tight as he does. 'Dammit Isabelle,' he mentally cursed. He hated to tell one of his loyal followers to hush down when he mostly agreed with what was to be said. Honestly, Myrtle had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Letting out a long sigh, Tom bit his tongue on commenting that one less dirty blooded witch was gone, instead, he drank slowly from his glass of water. Finally, he set his glass down, turning to Isabelle. "It's safe to assume this is the first time most of the students here have lost someone they know, I'm not one to gossip, but it's safe to assume you won't stop hearing about it for at least another week." Tom spoke with a sense of displeasure.

"Must be nice," She comments, green hues locking on the staff table as Dippet looks apprehensive to start what no doubt is going to be a rather long yet uninformative speech.

The hall falls silent after he raises his hand and many shift in their seats to look up at him at the podium.

"I am sure that many of you have heard by now that one of our own was discovered dead sometime after curfew," He clears his throat, shifting a little, "I regret to inform you that these rumors are true. Miss Myrtle Warren of Ravenclaw House will be examined and an investigation is in effect."

The hall is, for the most part, silent save for a few sniffles here and there and the shifting of people in their seats. Somewhere, Isabelle can hear someone trying to eat quietly, though it's hardly effective.

"As a result of this pending investigation, students will be escorted to and from class by professors. And heads of houses will be required to ensure that all students are in their common rooms and dorms by no later than 8 o'clock sharp. Prefects will not be permitted to do their patrols as it is now up to the professors to do so."

"Wonderful," he grumbled, turning his attention away from Dippet. Finally, he acknowledged Isabelle's presence, dark orbs locking on hers. "If they're taking it this seriously, it must have been a murder of some sort..." he pondered.

He narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, the cogs in his brain whirring as he observed her. "Promise you won't wander the halls without me... or at least another teacher..." he spoke slowly, carefully even. It was true he was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets, but he couldn't guarantee her safety. Tom also couldn't tell her what was happening, he'd have to fiegn innocence and cluelessness about the situation.

Tom paced in the halls, fingers running through his hair in desperation. He needed to get out of here, but that was a task that appeared to be impossible. There was no way out of this. His first mistake was taking the stairs up in the DADA towers, what had he expected from going this way? He’d trapped himself. He thumped on his head, still pacing. “Damn it,” he grumbled, teeth tugging on his bottom lip as he pulled out his wand, ready to battle. It was too soon, he… he couldn’t be found here. 

After 3 full back and forth paces, Tom noticed a door that definitely wasn’t there before. Wait.. had it always been there. It didn’t matter now, he had a chance at escaping. He quickly let himself in to the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Odd, there was another door, seemingly floating in the middle of the room. 

Could this be the room of requirement he’d heard whispers of? If so… what was this door? Hearing voices out in the halls, Tom thought less of why, and rushed in through the second door. 

Once he was through the door, he found himself in what appeared to be the same room, but there was no talking in the halls. He waited a moment, insuring that he couldn’t even hear a footstep. After a couple of moments, he exited the room. 

His mouth nearly dropped, seeing the halls weren’t quite the same, the decor was most definitely different. Had he… time traveled? “I suppose I did need to get away…” he pondered, aloud. There was still little splatters of blood against the collar of his white dress shirt, only a few, but still noticeable enough. Unfortunately for him, he did not know any spells or potions for removing blood stains. Perhaps a bit of pre-planning next time wouldn’t hurt. 

His back straightened, wand grasped tightly in his hand as a young boy in Slytherin uniform rounded the corner. Arching a brow, Tom looked him up and down. “I don’t recall ever seeing you here…” he thought quickly on his feet, opting to act as though he were a student in this time and age. 

Upon hearing Tom’s words, Severus felt his chest rise once more, his insides turning to jelly, as if someone had placed a hex on him, except that he liked it.

“That can certainly be arranged…”~

He responded, slyly, taking his copy of advanced potion making out of his bag, and walking over to the table, his dark eyes fixated on Tom’s, as he began to wonder how much studying they would actually get done. Oh well, for once, he didn’t think that he would really mind..~

The boy sat up straight in his chair, posture perfect. His eyes were glued to the Slytherin in front of him, almost as if he were unable to look away.

Once the book was on the desk, Tom moved to open it, his fingers brushing against Severus' as he did. He knew what he was doing, though he pulled his hand back with an almost shy smile.

The boy’s entire expression changed when James undid his first button, confusion and panic clear on his face. “Potter that’s enough,” he grumbled out, trying to sound confident, but surely failing. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but I’m not interested in you continuing it any further…”

He continued to wriggle hopelessly in the air, trying to make it more difficult for James to continue.

"Must you degrade me at every opportunity you get?" Severus huffed out, eyes locked back on the Gryffindor. "Despite my clear attempt at a truce, despite my efforts to help you?!"

To say he was embarrassed was an understatement, he was mortified. "Can you at least tell me why?" His voice was a bit softer now, almost as if he'd accepted defeat, accepted that he had no way of stopping James now. He wouldn't scream for help, wouldn't risk being publicly shamed in front of the school.

Severus' face dropped, a thought running through his head. Had James found out Severus was into men as well as women? His face paled slightly, more sure than ever, that in a matter of moments, the whole school would come through the doors laughing at him. Despite the thought, he couldn't help his heart from racing.

It was possible James had no idea, he could play it off still. Could blame his hardening nipples on the cold air, the blood in his face from being hung upside down. He hated how he felt in the moment, with just him and James in the room, it was almost a personal exchange. Of course, he wouldn't feel the same way if he knew Sirius was also there, hidden beneath the cloak of invisibility.

"I appreciate the thought," he paused, seeing the color of the sky was significantly darker than it was earlier. "You're most correct, it's about that time. I'll see you tomorrow."

Tom stood up himself, leaving to find a different quiet spot.

Once he was by himself, walking alone in the dark hallways, he pulled out his diary, using his wand to illuminate the pages. He wasn't aimlessly walking, not tonight.

He'd spent five full years investigating something called the 'Chamber of Secrets'. Tonight was the night he dedicated himself to opening it. Tonight he'd change. For the better, of course.

-- Time Skip Later In The Night --

He hadn't expected to make so much progress in one night. Tom tilted his head, staring down at the lifeless corpse of Myrtle Warren. A smile began to overtake his lips, he was sure he looked demented at the moment, but he didn't care.

"The chamber has been opened, and..." he held up his diary, admiring it, "I dare say I'm 3 steps closer."

She doesn't at all care if she sounds harsh. It's a simple statement everyone should know by now: people die, some earlier than others.

Isabelle catches Maddox Avery staring at her from a few seats down and she shifts to turn more toward Tom and his companions, "You lot don't gossip do you or am I going to have to move?" She asks coldly.

"Taking it a little personally, aren't you?" Malfoy interjects. "She's just a-"

"Quiet, Malfoy," Tom sits up straight, a somber look on his face. His jaw clenches slightly, muscles pulling tight as he does. 'Dammit Isabelle,' he mentally cursed. He hated to tell one of his loyal followers to hush down when he mostly agreed with what was to be said. Honestly, Myrtle had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Letting out a long sigh, Tom bit his tongue on commenting that one less dirty blooded witch was gone, instead, he drank slowly from his glass of water. Finally, he set his glass down, turning to Isabelle. "It's safe to assume this is the first time most of the students here have lost someone they know, I'm not one to gossip, but it's safe to assume you won't stop hearing about it for at least another week." Tom spoke with a sense of displeasure.

Pursing his lips, he refused to feed into James’ words any further. It was proving to be a waste of breath, one he found himself a bit short of hanging upside down like this.

Feeling hands on his clothes, he began to squirm, brows furrowed in confusion. “Hey! Just what do you think you’re doing?” Severus grumbled, body dangling uselessly as he attempted to create space from the boy.

Once he’d felt the cloak completely fall from his body, his cheeks turned a pink. A mixture of the blood rushing to his head, and embarrassment.

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing right now,” he started slowly, dark orbs locked onto James’, “but I would like to get back to my potion… one I will happily drink myself if you truly to think I’d poison you after offering my help.”

After a moment of silence, Severus averted his gaze, a scowl lurking on his face. “If I wanted to kill you, I would have finished what we started in the courtyard, so don’t be such a git.”

The boy's entire expression changed when James undid his first button, confusion and panic clear on his face. "Potter that's enough," he grumbled out, trying to sound confident, but surely failing. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but I'm not interested in you continuing it any further..."

He continued to wriggle hopelessly in the air, trying to make it more difficult for James to continue.

"I know, I know, we are lost. You don't have to remind me." Grumbled Atropa as she walked down the hallway only to look out a window and notice she was looking at the black lake "Yes we are definitely lost. No where near the headmaster's office. Oh bother...oh oh! Excuse me!"

Atropa grabbed her suitcase and lenore's cage and ran after the man she saw round a corner.

"Excuse me!"

The dimly lit room offered little solace, and the restless Potions Master shifted uncomfortably under the covers, his body aching with every movement. His wand, usually within easy reach, lay on the table just out of his grasp, reminding him of his present vulnerability.

As the day wore on, he found himself drifting in and out of restless sleep, his mind plagued by a strange blend of feverish dreams and painful memories. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past sins were catching up to him, manifesting in this affliction as a punishment for his actions.

The sound of a distant knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he glared at the intrusion, not in the mood for company or pity. Nevertheless, the knock persisted, growing more insistent, and he knew that someone was determined to enter despite his reluctance.

With a hint of resignation, he slowly got out of his bed. His black tee shirt stuck to his chest from the layer of sweat he'd found himself in, black pajama pants hanging loosely from his waist, he opened the door with a scowl.

"What?"

As if to accentuate his point, he slowed his thrusts, though not being gentle as his hips slammed into her. "Atropa," he drawed out.

He held back from scolding her verbally, figuring his actions did it more than enough. Severus's hand moved down her neck to her nipple, the rough pads swiping over the pink flesh as he began to pick his speed back up. He held back from locking his lips against hers again, wanting to hear the pretty little noises she failed to hold back before he'd ravish her lips again.

"Severus." She whined softly at his growl of her name, as if to say she was sorry but she couldn't control it, he made her feel so good she lost control of my body

Atropa arched her back when his hand skimmed down her throat before laying back down on the bed and let off soft moans of his name as he played with her nipples only to gasp and arch her back once more when he picked up his pace again.

Severus couldn't help the groan from leaving his lips, muffled from her own mouth. Slowly, he released her chin, moving his hand to her back as he flipped them over so he lay underneath her.

His hips still thrust up, his hand now firmly on her ass to help her keep the pace. Severus choked back a moan, feeling her cheeks bounce in his hand, his dick twitching inside of her, threatening his release, though he held it back. "Fuck," he grunted out, breaking their lips apart so he could try to catch his breath.

"I know, I know, we are lost. You don't have to remind me." Grumbled Atropa as she walked down the hallway only to look out a window and notice she was looking at the black lake "Yes we are definitely lost. No where near the headmaster's office. Oh bother...oh oh! Excuse me!"

Atropa grabbed her suitcase and lenore's cage and ran after the man she saw round a corner.

"Excuse me!"

It's almost as if his head were elsewhere during his trip, lingering on thoughts of how the situation with Atropa and Lockhart had gone. As if fates were playing some sort of game, he was surprised to see the witch herself strolling the grounds.

The dimly lit room offered little solace, and the restless Potions Master shifted uncomfortably under the covers, his body aching with every movement. His wand, usually within easy reach, lay on the table just out of his grasp, reminding him of his present vulnerability.

As the day wore on, he found himself drifting in and out of restless sleep, his mind plagued by a strange blend of feverish dreams and painful memories. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past sins were catching up to him, manifesting in this affliction as a punishment for his actions.

The sound of a distant knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he glared at the intrusion, not in the mood for company or pity. Nevertheless, the knock persisted, growing more insistent, and he knew that someone was determined to enter despite his reluctance.

With a hint of resignation, he slowly got out of his bed. His black tee shirt stuck to his chest from the layer of sweat he'd found himself in, black pajama pants hanging loosely from his waist, he opened the door with a scowl.

"What?"

As if to accentuate his point, he slowed his thrusts, though not being gentle as his hips slammed into her. "Atropa," he drawed out.

He held back from scolding her verbally, figuring his actions did it more than enough. Severus's hand moved down her neck to her nipple, the rough pads swiping over the pink flesh as he began to pick his speed back up. He held back from locking his lips against hers again, wanting to hear the pretty little noises she failed to hold back before he'd ravish her lips again.

The dimly lit room offered little solace, and the restless Potions Master shifted uncomfortably under the covers, his body aching with every movement. His wand, usually within easy reach, lay on the table just out of his grasp, reminding him of his present vulnerability.

As the day wore on, he found himself drifting in and out of restless sleep, his mind plagued by a strange blend of feverish dreams and painful memories. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past sins were catching up to him, manifesting in this affliction as a punishment for his actions.

The sound of a distant knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he glared at the intrusion, not in the mood for company or pity. Nevertheless, the knock persisted, growing more insistent, and he knew that someone was determined to enter despite his reluctance.

With a hint of resignation, he slowly got out of his bed. His black tee shirt stuck to his chest from the layer of sweat he'd found himself in, black pajama pants hanging loosely from his waist, he opened the door with a scowl.

"What?"

Severus's hips thrusted harder, his length sinking into her, ramming into her perfectly tight heat.

His breathing was heavy, eyes opening to look at the beauty beneath him, before capturing her lips in his own. His tongue swiped at her bottom lip, requesting entry.

With the hand still on her body, his rough fingers traced down her side, grazing over her hips slowly until his thumb found her folds. As he kept his pace, though much rougher now, he moved his thumb in circles over her clit.

"I know, I know, we are lost. You don't have to remind me." Grumbled Atropa as she walked down the hallway only to look out a window and notice she was looking at the black lake "Yes we are definitely lost. No where near the headmaster's office. Oh bother...oh oh! Excuse me!"

Atropa grabbed her suitcase and lenore's cage and ran after the man she saw round a corner.

"Excuse me!"

As she left, he took his own leave. He did, afterall, have a lot to do in between his classes. He'd pushed off gathering materials in the Forbidden Forest for much too long. Jotting a note that he was going to gather materials, and leaving it on his desk, he made his way out of the school, cape flowing behind him as he moved.

It almost went over his head completely, as he wasn't often invited to hang out. In fact, he wasn't 100% sure she meant it as an invitation, or rather teasing him for offering to take the alcohol off of her hands.

Severus turned his attention to the window in the hallway, noting the position of the sun. His next class would be starting soon. With a touch of annoyance at the thought of teaching a bunch of hooligans, he turned his gaze back to the witch in front of him. "Until tonight then."

"Same to you, Ms. Purefoy."

With that Severus was on his way to his next class for the day. He'd planned on giving out tests to all of his classes on this wonderful day, punishment for being so annoying during his lessons. Though, it was a double edged blade, as he was the one who had to grade the foul tests.

And there the man stood, well after hours, at his desk. He sifted through the papers he was grading, a potion bubbling off to the side. Severus was well known for multi-tasking, and being damned good at it. The thought crossed his head of how he'd not be able to see Isabelle tonight, a frown crossing his face as he marked a fat F on a page and moved onto the next one.

Though, he assumed she wasn't truly extending an offer of her company, only teasing him for saying he'd take the alcohol.

Tom's heart begged him to speak, to relate with her, or at least show a bit of vulnerability as she had. His brain, on the other hand, was not on the same page. She couldn't be trusted yet. He had no leverage against her, no way to stop her from spreading information he ached to share.

Turning towards her, he nodded his head. "You'll be the first person I go to, that I can assure you." It was honest, but he wasn't necessarily planning on telling a living soul about his living situations, or his deceased family.

His heart thumped heavily in his chest, fingers curling by his sides as he continued to think. Tom wanted to change the world, make it perfect for everyone. The first call of action was splitting up his soul, something he was much closer to, no thanks to Slughorn's information on Horcruxes.

"You don't have to tell me your deepest, darkest secrets, ever, just so you know." She responds simply, "Though I've discovered humans are social creatures. We thrive best when we have someone to bare our soul to."

She gets a good look at him and he seems deeply immersed in a thought, "Don't wear yourself out. Chewing on the same bone forever won't do you any good."

"I appreciate the thought," he paused, seeing the color of the sky was significantly darker than it was earlier. "You're most correct, it's about that time. I'll see you tomorrow."

Tom stood up himself, leaving to find a different quiet spot.

Once he was by himself, walking alone in the dark hallways, he pulled out his diary, using his wand to illuminate the pages. He wasn't aimlessly walking, not tonight.

He'd spent five full years investigating something called the 'Chamber of Secrets'. Tonight was the night he dedicated himself to opening it. Tonight he'd change. For the better, of course.

-- Time Skip Later In The Night --

He hadn't expected to make so much progress in one night. Tom tilted his head, staring down at the lifeless corpse of Myrtle Warren. A smile began to overtake his lips, he was sure he looked demented at the moment, but he didn't care.

"The chamber has been opened, and..." he held up his diary, admiring it, "I dare say I'm 3 steps closer."

The dimly lit room offered little solace, and the restless Potions Master shifted uncomfortably under the covers, his body aching with every movement. His wand, usually within easy reach, lay on the table just out of his grasp, reminding him of his present vulnerability.

As the day wore on, he found himself drifting in and out of restless sleep, his mind plagued by a strange blend of feverish dreams and painful memories. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past sins were catching up to him, manifesting in this affliction as a punishment for his actions.

The sound of a distant knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he glared at the intrusion, not in the mood for company or pity. Nevertheless, the knock persisted, growing more insistent, and he knew that someone was determined to enter despite his reluctance.

With a hint of resignation, he slowly got out of his bed. His black tee shirt stuck to his chest from the layer of sweat he'd found himself in, black pajama pants hanging loosely from his waist, he opened the door with a scowl.

"What?"

Severus left a soft trail of kisses to the back of her ear before pulling back, fingers sliding to the back of her head, tangled in her hair. "Tell me when, Atropa," his deep voice came out.

"Fuck." She whined her hands coming up, one holding his shoulder the other finding the nape of his neck "You can keep going. You feel wonderful."

He leaned down, dropping his forehead to hers as he continued pushing into her, his eyes closed, brows furrowed in pleasure.