Lips Like Licorice

“Peculiar, isn’t it?” He chuckled then shrugged his shoulders. “Must have been something to do with eventually deciding I didn’t mind being chased.” Severus took her hand after that and gently squeezed, glancing away from her when a nervous chuckle escaped.

Her question caused his eyebrows to furrow together, uncertain about what sort of answer she was expecting from him. “Enough to at least hold your hand out of here and flirt with you over lunch?” The question caused a slight flush to appear on his cheeks. He was rarely that forward when it came to talking. Having managed to get the thought out without stammering or rushing through words was a miracle.

His teeth dug into his lower lip when she stepped forward, an eyebrow rising up at the close proximity between them. Her words had registered but his thoughts immediately turned toward regretting not having turned his head so he could catch her lips with his own. “Suppose I were to properly ask you out?” He asked in a whisper, acting as though he hadn’t said anything when he caught her raised eyebrow.

“I was in the area,” Severus shrugged. Definitely a lie but she had come to mind and he didn’t mind the idea of lurking a little to see if she had been serious about grabbing lunch. “Off early so I figured why not do lunch with someone I enjoy spending time with.”

when: July 21st 1978 with: Emma Vanity ( @vanityofsnakes​ )

Alecto announced herself with a yawn. The latest Death Eater gathering hadn’t been exciting nor informative, so she left in a hurry, going after her best friend. Dismissing the glares others shot her way, Alecto yanked one arm around the other, pressing her hip against hers. “Between us girls–” Alecto continued with a grin “it might be considered treason, but I’m bloody tired of waiting, meeting up in secret – and for what?” In fact, the Dark Lord’s reign had to start as soon as possible or else Alecto had to return to the idea of marriage. “Alas, we’re the backbone of this wretched institution. Oh, please tell me you had anything planned for today. Get me out of here.”

Severus dug his teeth into his lower lip to keep from fully grinning at her. It was rather hard to avoid since he liked being around her but that wasn’t exactly anything new. He made a face then chuckled and shook his head.

“Excuse me,” He scoffed.”What part of my memo implied it was a date?” It was a slightly sarcastic quip but he was truly curious since he had only asked if she wanted to do lunch. “I mean I’m willing to pay if you want but I’m still curious.”

@vanityofsnakes​

Spur the moment time off was something that was a rarity since Severus enjoyed his job. The owner insisted on his going out and enjoying the nice weather and offered to close the shop up - truly an act of kindness that left Severus confused. He took that chance though and sent Emma a message asking if she wanted to get lunch at him at one of the cafes that was by the Ministry, saying he would meet her in the atrium if she was up to it. The yes in reply had him dropping by his flat to change out of his work clothes and put on something a little less professional looking.

It wasn’t a date. He simply had a feeling she would make fun of him if he showed up in his work robes with his hair disheveled and greasy from having spent the morning brewing potions.

Severus was left leaning against a pillar in the atrium of the Ministry while he waited for Emma to appear. He ran his hand through his hair while he waited and swept the longer pieces to one side, standing up straight when he spotted her. “I was half expecting you to say no, you know that?” He chuckled and cast a sideways glance at her. His teeth dug into his lower lip to keep from nervously rambling, giving her the chance to speak instead of needing to hear him anxiously go off about how his day was.

Perhaps Marlene enjoyed impulse buying but she did not enjoy the guilt she felt afterwards. Especially since her and Lily were opting to buy an apartment together. Purchasing a new leather jacket would not be the best purchase but it would sure as hell suit her. What was really the harm in it? A small laugh as she shook her head lightly. “This ain’t just an average leather jacket, It’s beautiful. I believe it’s perfectly acceptable to be lusting over clothes.” 

“Fine men, yes…” Marlene smiled, turning slightly to face the girl. Her attention drifting from the jacket. “Fine Wine? Not my thing, I’m more of a vodka and lemonade girl but that’s just my preference.” 

“Well if you find that sort of thing acceptable than by all means, continue to drrol over apparel.” She shrugged. “Meanwhile, I think that if you’ve not developed a taste for wine, you’re simply having the wrong ones.” She snickered softly, tosing her black hair over her shoulder. “Not that vodka and other hard liqours don’t often have their appeal. I am never quite so free of lip or spirit than when I’ve had a good s trong drink.”

          Eyes narrowed slightly, but a smile ( soft, understanding, as if it could hide Emma had caught her interest ) was still on her lips, in contrast with Emma’s much more devious smirk. The brunette was good, there was no doubt about that — Feeding her just enough information to ensure the blonde would want to play nice and share the reasons of her coming here further, but not enough to imply anything genuinely meaningful ( though there might be, and it was this might that got Narcissa to speak next ). And so Narcissa pursed her lips, tapped her chin, considered. A perfectly rehearsed show she had put on more than once and that Emma was no doubt accustomed to. « As I am sure you are aware, certain written laws are not quite to our tastes — Stifling wording, really. In light of recent events which put all of our community at risk, » the ball, Narcissa meant the ball. « it seemed like now would be a good time to remind the Wizengamot of those necessary changes… » Voice trailed off, as if to signal that there was more, that this could go deeper. The blonde hadn’t decided yet if she wanted to tell more than that. Instead: « Who would your instincts assume needs you ? All in pure speculation, of course. »

“And who exactly sit that you speak for, Narcissa?” She raised an eyebrow. Was the girl speaking to laws that offended her family, or her community, or the Dark Lord himself? “I believe that there are wizarding laws that are quite unsuitable for everyone on occasion.” She knew that the lead in was meant to grab her attention. It was a game she had played with the blonde in front of her for many years. “I think we both know who might want to put my skills to use for tasks that are better left unspoken, do we not?” She shook her head, as if she couldn’t quite say something. “I believe that maybe a task needs carried out for the betterment of our society and I may be the one to preform it.” She smiled. She was more than happy to be a foot soldier while Narcissa played around in politics.

“I had to run away from my father before I did something I might regret later,” Polaris said. “He keeps introducing me to the sons of his friends. He think I don’t know what he’s doing but it’s clear,” she took a sip of her drink. “He wanted to establish connections and the best way to do that is for me to get engaged as soon as possible, but mother will not let that happen. She will kill my dad if that means getting what she wants and those are my wishes as well. I will not be sold like cattle. I’m his heir, his only child. Mother will not give him more and she will not want for him to keep me away from what’s rightfully mine.” She had heard a few words exchanged between her parents when it came to shuts and some hexes here and there. Bellatrix loved her daughter too much and when she understood that connections had to be made, she did not want to put that much pressure on her, she was so young. “So?”Polaris smiled at Arabella. “How was your night with the Mclaggen boy? There’s rumors that he just uses girls and then just moves on to the next one, looking for conquests.”

Arabella’s face twisted and controted with disdain. “You know my loyalty to our blood is strong, but so many of the aincient principles simple disgust me. I’m quite glad that my mothere and father would never try such horrendous things.’ She shook her head. Her parents were among the luck few int heir social circles that were truly in love and happy. She was grateful for it, for it meant that they would allow the same for t heir child, not force her into something for the sake of money or connections. “Lets simply say that we used each other and call it that, shall we?” She smirked, eyebrows wiggling. “He used me a little but he let me use him back, and he certainly has no lack of skills.” She laughed a little, summoning herself a drink. 

“I could never,” Severus whispered. Emotions were threatening to break through. The mask was one he wore all too easily but it was slipping now that Emma was in his arms. She had always been the exception to his emotions and he had a feeling she could see right through him.

“I don’t want you back there,” He murmured. It took a lot to admit that - far more than he expected since it left him holding his breath. A chuckle escaped after she mentioned James and he shook his head. “We certainly didn’t need another one. I’ll admit the teen shows some promise but the Dark Lord is set on exploiting how much he cares.” He pressed his lips to her forehead after that and sighed. “I will have to bring you there.” The place was well protected since he had hit a point of trusting a limited amount of people. “I would offer my quarters at Hogwarts but that’s too much of a risk.” He couldn’t imagine doing something that landed her (or both of them) back in Azkaban.