Karina emerged in the Great Hall and sprinted out the enormous doors into the Entrance Hall. Suddenly she stopped. She smoothed her hair and straightened her robes, taking as much time as she could.
�Why would I want to give her the pleasure of making me run and be on time,� Karina muttered to herself with a chuckle.
After standing in the hall for several more minutes, she strode towards the staircases and slowly mounted them. By the time she reached McGonagall�s office, she was fifteen minutes late. Karina smiled and pushed open the door. McGonagall sat at her desk, fire erupting from her gaze.
�You�re late,� she said, trying to keep her composure.
�Am I?� Karina said, acting innocent.
�Sit,� the transfiguration teacher ordered.
�I think I�ll stand,� Karina countered.
�This is detention Miss Clark not play time,� McGonagall spat.
�Who said I was playing?� Karina asked.
McGonagall closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Karina leaned against the door, arms crossed over her chest and a devious grin tugging at her mouth.
�So what do I have to do?� Karina asked, breaking the awkward silence that had overwhelmed the room.
�You are going to�� she began.
�What? Kiss your ass?� Karina sneered.
McGonagall was speechless. The elderly woman just stared that 17-year-old in utter disbelief. Suddenly, McGonagall smiled.
�You will be cleaning the Great Hall,� she stated matter-of-factly.
Karina rolled her eyes. She ambled over and leaned on the edge of the teacher�s desk, a single lock of crimson hair falling from behind her left ear.
�Alright. I�ll do your pathetic excuse for a detention but you can�t stop us,� Karina said and turned to go.
�We�ll see about that,� McGonagall mumbled under her breath.
In the dungeons, Harry sat at his cauldron attempting to stifle a yawn. He was however, unsuccessful. The potion had been correct thus far and now all Harry had to do was add the snakeskin.
�God damn it Potter! How bloody long does it take to brew a simple potion?� Snape bellowed, an air of exhaustion in his voice.
�Calm down Professor I�m almost done,� Harry said unenthusiastically.
All of a sudden, Snape heard footsteps. Harry who was oblivious sat staring at his cobalt blue potion.
�Don�t just sit there, add the damn snakeskin!� Snape demanded.
Harry snapped out of his daze and did as he was told. Within minutes, he had a sample of the potion in all its perfection. He stood up and handed it to Snape.
�Fine. You may go now,� Severus said hurriedly attempting to push Harry out the door.
�Um, Professor I know you aren�t going to believe me but I didn�t explode the potion,� Harry said trying to resist Snape�s push.
�You served the detention Potter now get out!� Snape yelled.
�Ok, I�m leaving,� Harry said walking out the door.
Karina saw Harry leave the potions classroom and hid in a recess in the damp darkness. Once the boy had passed and was out of sight, Karina swiftly jogged the two yards to the classroom. She opened the door and slipped inside. Snape was leaning on his desk, rubbing his head.
�You ok?� Karina asked soothingly.
�That boy gives me the biggest migraines sometimes,� he answered tiredly.
�It�s late, let�s go to bed,� she suggested and was met immediately with a nod.
The two took hands and walked to Severus�s bedroom.
�Lie down,� Karina said gently.
He did as he was told. Karina lay down next to him and began massaging his throbbing temples.
�So how was detention?� Snape asked sleepily.
�Stupid as anything,� Karina said, amusement in her voice.
�How so?� her lover questioned.
�She had me clean the Great Hall,� Karina said and burst out laughing.
�She what?� he exclaimed, sitting up.
�I tricked two of the house elves into doing it for me and threatened to set them free if they didn�t keep quiet,� Karina said simply.
�I should have known you�d find a way out of it,� he said pulling her into a tight embrace.
They lay there in the darkness, snuggled together against the cold. Karina sighed and nestled closer to his warm body. Despite the inconveniences of the day, she felt content to be with her lover. Snape turned her body so that she faced him and looked deeply into her eyes.
�Don�t ever let them control you,� he said in all seriousness.
�When have I ever?� Karina asked.
�Never,� he responded with a smile.
They leaned in and kissed. It was a gentle kiss at first but quickly evolved into a deep, tantalizing moment. As Karina pulled away to catch her breath, she sighed.
�I don�t think I�ll ever get tired of that,� she whispered.
�You don�t have to,� he answered.
That night they made love like never before. They both swam in an endless of ocean of ecstasy. Every nerve was on alert in Karina�s body as Severus kissed her and caressed her soft skin. His movements were like river rapids, exciting and breath-taking. As he moved in and out, she moved with him as if they were one. She didn�t think it would ever end and in her heart knew she didn�t want it to. However, within an hour, they both lay side by side in the bed, panting and dripping with sweat. They fell asleep, glistening bodies intertwined in a jumble of arms and legs. Little did they know what was in store for them would take both of them by surprise.