Snape pulls himself together and his face takes on that cold, emotionless mask he wears so rarely here; that mask is for the Outside world, not here, where he can show his heart, but he's stinging from the confessions he's given the Old Man. He's never told anyone what he's told Perdurabo, he's barely acknowledged them to himself, and he could have gone the rest of his life having never spoken them. But Remus was right, of course...keeping it all bottled up inside was only doing him harm, and it would have eventually affected the relationships most important to him. He's not about to lose them.
The Old Man smiles as he rises, and Snape notices he does it with difficulty. Bea assists him, and as he straightens, he tells Snape, "Severus, my boy, I am proud of you. I need you to know that. And I need you to know I have something that belongs to you. Something of great value, but it can not pass into your hands until Ellie knows who she is. So I hope it's soon..." Perdurabo winces and Bea helps him away from the chair. Please, wait for me, she thinks to Snape, and he watches a strange transformation as she leads the Old Man to the arched doorway. Perdurabo's long and well-kept grey hair turns nearly white, becomes straggly, then disappears, leaving him bald. Snape watches the wizard's stature diminish, until he is bowed and bent and can only walk once two other Silhouettes come to assist.
He hears Perdurabo speak to the other Silhouettes, his voice, once clear and sharp, now crackling with great age; he tells them what a brave man Snape is, then turns to Bea and says something so astonishing that Snape thinks his ears play tricks on him. They disappear into the darkened room, leaving Snape to grapple with his emotions that refuse to obey, preferring to storm and whip about inside him. After several minutes Bea reappears, and Snape rises when she extends her hand to him. He takes it, and asks her in a hushed voice, "what...what did I just see?" She sighs deeply and squeezes his hand as they leave the sitting room. "What you saw sitting before you was an illusion. It was the memory of his former self that we help him maintain when it is necessary. The small, shrunken figure you saw there...that is his true self now."
Snape for a moment seems not to know what to do or say, and in her mind's eye Bea sees him as a small boy, trying to deal with a grandparent's illness. "He's dying, isn't he?" Snape asks at last, and she can hear the anguish in his voice. "Yes," she says softly, "I'm sorry." He takes it in stride, but she knows it hurts him. He has a special relationship with Perdurabo; not quite like father and son, but far more than mentor and student. They understand each other...she thinks the Old Man understands Snape more than any other wizard has ever understood him, even Dumbledore. "How long...?" Bea sighs and they walk slowly down the long, dimly lit hallway. "We've promised to keep him alive until Tom Riddle is dead. No matter how long that takes."
They are almost to the grand entryway before Snape is able to speak again. "How long have you been healing him?" She sighs again and tells him, "since shortly before you arrived. Severus, there are things you should be told, but now is not the time. You--" he shakes his head and tells her he wants to know, that he needs to know, and she counters with, "you are too full right now! You need time to digest what has happened this morning, and besides, there are other things for you to give your attention to today." He's not satisfied with that, but...she is right. She always is.
"Bea," he says, "I heard him ask you to tell me something..." She smiles. "He asked me to tell you to take care of his baby." They walk out into the sunlight. "Oddbit?" He looks up into Bea's face and sees her eyes glint as if with tears. She gives a soft laugh and a softer touch to his face and lets go of his hand. "A very long time ago, he was blessed with a daughter. She was his first child, and when she died, as an infant, he never recovered. He fathered other children, and he loved them, but they could not take away the pain of losing his baby girl. When Ellie first arrived in Sanctuary City, she was deeply wounded, as you know...physically, emotionally, mentally. When Perdurabo saw her..."
Snape nods, and closes his eyes tightly. He suddenly has answers to questions he knew he would probably never ask. "He saw his lost child in Oddbit." Bea tells him yes, and that, "his mind knows she is not his daughter, but in his heart, she is, and when he is in his weakened state, she may as well be." Snape folds his arms tightly and she gazes at him with a knowing smile. "Severus, you are very important to him. You just can't imagine...when Ellie became known to the people of our City, there were several men who desired her. She kept herself to herself and took comfort in her friends. But when you came..." Bea grins widely. "You do remember how warmly you were welcomed?" Snape nods and whispers that he didn't think then that he deserved such warmth. "Perdurabo adores you, he liked you immediately, and he knew you were the one for Ellie."
Snape meets her gaze directly as he straightens up. "I will never forget the day," she says, "that you were brought before him. When you left the Temple he told me you were the man he wished to see Ellie with." He's a grown man, not a blushing boy, he doesn't need anyone's approval, and yet, he wants to know that he is approved of. "Severus," she says as Cappadocius and her clan come up a couple of steps, "every time that man goes to sleep, he does so happy, very happy, because he knows that Ellie is safe. She has you, she has the love and protection of this wonderful Family of yours." Just knowing this brings him a sense of peace, and he's grateful for that. "Perdurabo was very concerned for Therion, I want to tell you. He could see three paths ahead of him, and two of them ended in death. One by his own hand."
Snape draws in a slow, deep breath, then she says, "the third path led him to you, and a life he could never have had otherwise." Snape drops his gaze and tries to hide his faint smile. "And Lucius?" Bea takes Snape into her arms and holds him for several minutes. "Perdurabo saw but two paths for Lucius. The first was the one he was on, that would have ended with his murder by Bellatrix Lestrange. The second is the one his heart led him to, to you and Ellie, and the life he has so wisely chosen." As she releases him, Snape asks in a hushed voice, "and Padfoot?" Bea looks away for a moment and holds her breath. Letting it out slowly she looks back to Snape and says, "I am sorry, Severus, but there was only one path for Sirius Black. I believe you understand why."
Snape runs his hands through his hair and thinks about how badly Sirius' loved-ones have grieved for him. "He loved Ellie, he loved her as if she were his own, but it was not to be." She lifts Snape's face to hers and tells him, "there was nothing you could have done, Severus, nothing you or Dumbledore could have said or done that would have kept him away from the Ministry that night. And it will not do for Harry to know that his godfather was fated to die for him." Snape gives just a slight flick of his head. "It was his fate, Severus, because he made it so." Snape would ask one more question, but she will not have it.
"My boy, is that not enough sadness for this day? You have beautiful lovers and wonderful friends who hunger for your company. Would you deny them the pleasure of it further?" He smiles as she turns him toward the waiting Silhouettes. He walks down the few steps to them then looks back, but Bea has already gone back inside. "Come, Brother, let us be off," Shiver says as they lead him away. "I believe your beauty has selected the location for your luncheon today," he says, and Rain laughs melodically. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." They don't have to walk very far before they meet up with Malfoy, Remus and Therion, and Cappadocius tells him quietly, "don't worry about the Old Man. He's in good hands."
They leave Snape then and Malfoy gives him a quizzical look. "Is something wrong with--" Snape looks deeply into those warm grey eyes and shakes his head just a bit, saying reassuringly, "no, Lucius. He's fine, and I believe we are going to have quite a memorable day." Malfoy looks at Therion and Remus, and the three wizards share a chuckle. "I think you're right, Severus...you'll never guess where we're having lunch." Snape realizes they've turned down the street that leads to Graham Court in the Muggle district of Spring Hill, and he frowns darkly. "Not the club," Therion glances at Snape and smirks. "Oh yes, the club. But Tonks is with her, so..."
So, I still hate this club, Snape thinks as they cross the street and make their way passed the poster-covered walls. "Ah, we're hardly dressed for the occasion," Therion says, then turns to each of his companions. He works a charm on their clothing, one that makes them look less like wizards and more like Vampires, out for a bout of carousing, and perhaps a bite or two. The name of the club is The Master Plan, and as they pass through the outer doors, the music is thumping. As they pass through the inner doors, Therion is singing along with the song that's pounding the multiple speakers at the moment, and Snape recognizes it as one of Elsbet's favorites. Backstreet Boys' Everybody.
The dance floor is full and Snape knows that somewhere in that mass of jumping, moving bodies is Elsbet, likely enjoying herself emmencely. Therion is quickly lost in the gyrating crowd while Snape, Remus and Malfoy find themselves a place at the bar. He knows Oddbit's here because the song immediately following Everybody is her favorite Beastie Boys' song, Intergalactic. He knows that if she's following her warmup music, the next song will be Pump It, then Gonna Make You Sweat, Shake Me, and This Is Radio Clash. He has her warmup music memorized, and knows each song by heart, even though he doesn't like them much. They're some of her favorite songs, and so are important to him. They give her pleasure.
Well, truth be told, he actually does like This Is Radio Clash, though he's not sure why. More than once through the songs, Therion pops out of the crowd, and tries to temp them in, but they don't budge. They'd rather just watch him, and try to see Elsbet and Tonks. As Radio Clash ends, Snape knows he has a problem; it's David Bowie's Heart's Filthy Lesson playing, which he likes very much, but...he's seen her dance to it, and it's not something he wants the whole world watching. That song ends and DoA's You Spin Me Round begins; he gets up from the bar and heads into the crowd.
Malfoy and Remus follow right behind him and Therion leaves his dance partner to join them. She's trying to kill me, Snape thinks to them, and they discover the crowd has made a circle in the center of the dance floor. In that circle are Elsbet and Tonks, dancing. Together. Both dressed in something that resembles tight black leather, wearing heeled boots that neither of them should be able to walk, let alone dance in, enjoying themselves tremendously. His gut reaction is that they're both far too sexy, and dancing far too suggestively for this place, but he reminds himself that there is nowhere safer than this City, and that no-one would lay an unwanted hand upon them. Besides, they're both so very happy, he can not bear to ruin it for them.
And as Faster Pussycat's cover of the KISS song I Was Made For Loving You begins, he suddenly doesn't mind being there. He feels Malfoy move beside him, slide an arm around his waist and nearly melt at the sight of Elsbet and Tonks dancing so closely to each other. Oh, my Gods...the fair wizard thinks, and Therion grips Remus' shoulder. Remus watches them, wondering if they're aware of what they're doing to everyone watching. The French Affair's I Like That starts, and...the lovely ladies touch. Elsbet puts her hands in the air, wrists crossed, eyes closed, and Tonks places her hands on the smaller girl's swinging hips. When the singer begins speaking French, Elsbet puts her head back onto Tonks' chest, and it looks as if they're about to kiss.
The wizards have seemingly frozen in place, watching them, although certain parts of their anatomy are definitely moving. Therion reaches his other hand toward Malfoy's free arm and takes hold of it. Remus, he thinks as Tonks brings her hands up almost to Elsbet's breasts and then back down to her hips again, your wife--Remus nods, feeling suddenly light-headed, yes, he thinks back, then can't seem to form another coherant thought as the next song starts. Madonna's Erotica, and the wizards can only stand, transfixed. All that exists for them is the music, the lyrics, and the sight of Tonks and Oddbit together.
My name is Dita
I'll be your mistress tonight
I'd like to put you in a trance
If I take you from behind
Push myself into your mind
When you least expect it
Will you try and reject it
If I'm in charge and I treat you like a child
Will you let yourself go wild
Let my mouth go where it wants to
Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...
I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body Erotic, erotic
Once you put your hand in the flame
You can never be the same
There's a certain satisfaction
In a little bit of pain
I can see you understand
I can tell that you're the same
If you're afraid, well rise above
I only hurt the ones I love
Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...
I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body Erotic, erotic
Erotica, romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body
I don't think you know what pain is
I don't think you've gone that way
I could bring you so much pleasure
I'll come to you when you say
I know you want me
I'm not gonna hurt you
I'm not gonna hurt you, just close your eyes
Erotic, erotic
Put your hands all over my body
All over me, all over me
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I like to do a different kind of
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body
Only the one that hurts you can make you feel better
Only the one that inflicts pain can take it away
Eroti - ca
The music ends and the club lights go up, and the dancers all go to their tables to rest and rehydrate, but the two ladies stay where they are. They realize they've been discovered, and can only blush under the weight of the wizards' gazes. The look on Snape's face tells Elsbet any displeasure he had over her choice of location has dissipated, and a hundred things come to his mind that he wants to tell her, but all he can muster is a simple I love you. It's all she needs. She steps toward him and takes his hand, and is immediately enveloped by his ebony cloak as he hugs her tightly to him. "Ah, Tonks," she hears Malfoy say, "you, ah, dance quite well." She laughs and tells him, "it's only because Ellie was doing most of the moving. Normally I'm too clumsy to dance."
Elsbet giggles and Remus laughs softly. "Tonks, I think you're missing his point," he says as they head for the door. "Oh," Elsbet says, realizing that they're leaving the club, "we're not eating here?" As they pass through the two sets of doors the wizards' clothing reverts to its natural state, and Therion looks at Elsbet meaningfully. "No, little minx, we're eating at home, I think."
The Old Man smiles as he rises, and Snape notices he does it with difficulty. Bea assists him, and as he straightens, he tells Snape, "Severus, my boy, I am proud of you. I need you to know that. And I need you to know I have something that belongs to you. Something of great value, but it can not pass into your hands until Ellie knows who she is. So I hope it's soon..." Perdurabo winces and Bea helps him away from the chair. Please, wait for me, she thinks to Snape, and he watches a strange transformation as she leads the Old Man to the arched doorway. Perdurabo's long and well-kept grey hair turns nearly white, becomes straggly, then disappears, leaving him bald. Snape watches the wizard's stature diminish, until he is bowed and bent and can only walk once two other Silhouettes come to assist.
He hears Perdurabo speak to the other Silhouettes, his voice, once clear and sharp, now crackling with great age; he tells them what a brave man Snape is, then turns to Bea and says something so astonishing that Snape thinks his ears play tricks on him. They disappear into the darkened room, leaving Snape to grapple with his emotions that refuse to obey, preferring to storm and whip about inside him. After several minutes Bea reappears, and Snape rises when she extends her hand to him. He takes it, and asks her in a hushed voice, "what...what did I just see?" She sighs deeply and squeezes his hand as they leave the sitting room. "What you saw sitting before you was an illusion. It was the memory of his former self that we help him maintain when it is necessary. The small, shrunken figure you saw there...that is his true self now."
Snape for a moment seems not to know what to do or say, and in her mind's eye Bea sees him as a small boy, trying to deal with a grandparent's illness. "He's dying, isn't he?" Snape asks at last, and she can hear the anguish in his voice. "Yes," she says softly, "I'm sorry." He takes it in stride, but she knows it hurts him. He has a special relationship with Perdurabo; not quite like father and son, but far more than mentor and student. They understand each other...she thinks the Old Man understands Snape more than any other wizard has ever understood him, even Dumbledore. "How long...?" Bea sighs and they walk slowly down the long, dimly lit hallway. "We've promised to keep him alive until Tom Riddle is dead. No matter how long that takes."
They are almost to the grand entryway before Snape is able to speak again. "How long have you been healing him?" She sighs again and tells him, "since shortly before you arrived. Severus, there are things you should be told, but now is not the time. You--" he shakes his head and tells her he wants to know, that he needs to know, and she counters with, "you are too full right now! You need time to digest what has happened this morning, and besides, there are other things for you to give your attention to today." He's not satisfied with that, but...she is right. She always is.
"Bea," he says, "I heard him ask you to tell me something..." She smiles. "He asked me to tell you to take care of his baby." They walk out into the sunlight. "Oddbit?" He looks up into Bea's face and sees her eyes glint as if with tears. She gives a soft laugh and a softer touch to his face and lets go of his hand. "A very long time ago, he was blessed with a daughter. She was his first child, and when she died, as an infant, he never recovered. He fathered other children, and he loved them, but they could not take away the pain of losing his baby girl. When Ellie first arrived in Sanctuary City, she was deeply wounded, as you know...physically, emotionally, mentally. When Perdurabo saw her..."
Snape nods, and closes his eyes tightly. He suddenly has answers to questions he knew he would probably never ask. "He saw his lost child in Oddbit." Bea tells him yes, and that, "his mind knows she is not his daughter, but in his heart, she is, and when he is in his weakened state, she may as well be." Snape folds his arms tightly and she gazes at him with a knowing smile. "Severus, you are very important to him. You just can't imagine...when Ellie became known to the people of our City, there were several men who desired her. She kept herself to herself and took comfort in her friends. But when you came..." Bea grins widely. "You do remember how warmly you were welcomed?" Snape nods and whispers that he didn't think then that he deserved such warmth. "Perdurabo adores you, he liked you immediately, and he knew you were the one for Ellie."
Snape meets her gaze directly as he straightens up. "I will never forget the day," she says, "that you were brought before him. When you left the Temple he told me you were the man he wished to see Ellie with." He's a grown man, not a blushing boy, he doesn't need anyone's approval, and yet, he wants to know that he is approved of. "Severus," she says as Cappadocius and her clan come up a couple of steps, "every time that man goes to sleep, he does so happy, very happy, because he knows that Ellie is safe. She has you, she has the love and protection of this wonderful Family of yours." Just knowing this brings him a sense of peace, and he's grateful for that. "Perdurabo was very concerned for Therion, I want to tell you. He could see three paths ahead of him, and two of them ended in death. One by his own hand."
Snape draws in a slow, deep breath, then she says, "the third path led him to you, and a life he could never have had otherwise." Snape drops his gaze and tries to hide his faint smile. "And Lucius?" Bea takes Snape into her arms and holds him for several minutes. "Perdurabo saw but two paths for Lucius. The first was the one he was on, that would have ended with his murder by Bellatrix Lestrange. The second is the one his heart led him to, to you and Ellie, and the life he has so wisely chosen." As she releases him, Snape asks in a hushed voice, "and Padfoot?" Bea looks away for a moment and holds her breath. Letting it out slowly she looks back to Snape and says, "I am sorry, Severus, but there was only one path for Sirius Black. I believe you understand why."
Snape runs his hands through his hair and thinks about how badly Sirius' loved-ones have grieved for him. "He loved Ellie, he loved her as if she were his own, but it was not to be." She lifts Snape's face to hers and tells him, "there was nothing you could have done, Severus, nothing you or Dumbledore could have said or done that would have kept him away from the Ministry that night. And it will not do for Harry to know that his godfather was fated to die for him." Snape gives just a slight flick of his head. "It was his fate, Severus, because he made it so." Snape would ask one more question, but she will not have it.
"My boy, is that not enough sadness for this day? You have beautiful lovers and wonderful friends who hunger for your company. Would you deny them the pleasure of it further?" He smiles as she turns him toward the waiting Silhouettes. He walks down the few steps to them then looks back, but Bea has already gone back inside. "Come, Brother, let us be off," Shiver says as they lead him away. "I believe your beauty has selected the location for your luncheon today," he says, and Rain laughs melodically. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." They don't have to walk very far before they meet up with Malfoy, Remus and Therion, and Cappadocius tells him quietly, "don't worry about the Old Man. He's in good hands."
They leave Snape then and Malfoy gives him a quizzical look. "Is something wrong with--" Snape looks deeply into those warm grey eyes and shakes his head just a bit, saying reassuringly, "no, Lucius. He's fine, and I believe we are going to have quite a memorable day." Malfoy looks at Therion and Remus, and the three wizards share a chuckle. "I think you're right, Severus...you'll never guess where we're having lunch." Snape realizes they've turned down the street that leads to Graham Court in the Muggle district of Spring Hill, and he frowns darkly. "Not the club," Therion glances at Snape and smirks. "Oh yes, the club. But Tonks is with her, so..."
So, I still hate this club, Snape thinks as they cross the street and make their way passed the poster-covered walls. "Ah, we're hardly dressed for the occasion," Therion says, then turns to each of his companions. He works a charm on their clothing, one that makes them look less like wizards and more like Vampires, out for a bout of carousing, and perhaps a bite or two. The name of the club is The Master Plan, and as they pass through the outer doors, the music is thumping. As they pass through the inner doors, Therion is singing along with the song that's pounding the multiple speakers at the moment, and Snape recognizes it as one of Elsbet's favorites. Backstreet Boys' Everybody.
The dance floor is full and Snape knows that somewhere in that mass of jumping, moving bodies is Elsbet, likely enjoying herself emmencely. Therion is quickly lost in the gyrating crowd while Snape, Remus and Malfoy find themselves a place at the bar. He knows Oddbit's here because the song immediately following Everybody is her favorite Beastie Boys' song, Intergalactic. He knows that if she's following her warmup music, the next song will be Pump It, then Gonna Make You Sweat, Shake Me, and This Is Radio Clash. He has her warmup music memorized, and knows each song by heart, even though he doesn't like them much. They're some of her favorite songs, and so are important to him. They give her pleasure.
Well, truth be told, he actually does like This Is Radio Clash, though he's not sure why. More than once through the songs, Therion pops out of the crowd, and tries to temp them in, but they don't budge. They'd rather just watch him, and try to see Elsbet and Tonks. As Radio Clash ends, Snape knows he has a problem; it's David Bowie's Heart's Filthy Lesson playing, which he likes very much, but...he's seen her dance to it, and it's not something he wants the whole world watching. That song ends and DoA's You Spin Me Round begins; he gets up from the bar and heads into the crowd.
Malfoy and Remus follow right behind him and Therion leaves his dance partner to join them. She's trying to kill me, Snape thinks to them, and they discover the crowd has made a circle in the center of the dance floor. In that circle are Elsbet and Tonks, dancing. Together. Both dressed in something that resembles tight black leather, wearing heeled boots that neither of them should be able to walk, let alone dance in, enjoying themselves tremendously. His gut reaction is that they're both far too sexy, and dancing far too suggestively for this place, but he reminds himself that there is nowhere safer than this City, and that no-one would lay an unwanted hand upon them. Besides, they're both so very happy, he can not bear to ruin it for them.
And as Faster Pussycat's cover of the KISS song I Was Made For Loving You begins, he suddenly doesn't mind being there. He feels Malfoy move beside him, slide an arm around his waist and nearly melt at the sight of Elsbet and Tonks dancing so closely to each other. Oh, my Gods...the fair wizard thinks, and Therion grips Remus' shoulder. Remus watches them, wondering if they're aware of what they're doing to everyone watching. The French Affair's I Like That starts, and...the lovely ladies touch. Elsbet puts her hands in the air, wrists crossed, eyes closed, and Tonks places her hands on the smaller girl's swinging hips. When the singer begins speaking French, Elsbet puts her head back onto Tonks' chest, and it looks as if they're about to kiss.
The wizards have seemingly frozen in place, watching them, although certain parts of their anatomy are definitely moving. Therion reaches his other hand toward Malfoy's free arm and takes hold of it. Remus, he thinks as Tonks brings her hands up almost to Elsbet's breasts and then back down to her hips again, your wife--Remus nods, feeling suddenly light-headed, yes, he thinks back, then can't seem to form another coherant thought as the next song starts. Madonna's Erotica, and the wizards can only stand, transfixed. All that exists for them is the music, the lyrics, and the sight of Tonks and Oddbit together.
My name is Dita
I'll be your mistress tonight
I'd like to put you in a trance
If I take you from behind
Push myself into your mind
When you least expect it
Will you try and reject it
If I'm in charge and I treat you like a child
Will you let yourself go wild
Let my mouth go where it wants to
Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...
I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body Erotic, erotic
Once you put your hand in the flame
You can never be the same
There's a certain satisfaction
In a little bit of pain
I can see you understand
I can tell that you're the same
If you're afraid, well rise above
I only hurt the ones I love
Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...
I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body Erotic, erotic
Erotica, romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body
I don't think you know what pain is
I don't think you've gone that way
I could bring you so much pleasure
I'll come to you when you say
I know you want me
I'm not gonna hurt you
I'm not gonna hurt you, just close your eyes
Erotic, erotic
Put your hands all over my body
All over me, all over me
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I like to do a different kind of
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body
Only the one that hurts you can make you feel better
Only the one that inflicts pain can take it away
Eroti - ca
The music ends and the club lights go up, and the dancers all go to their tables to rest and rehydrate, but the two ladies stay where they are. They realize they've been discovered, and can only blush under the weight of the wizards' gazes. The look on Snape's face tells Elsbet any displeasure he had over her choice of location has dissipated, and a hundred things come to his mind that he wants to tell her, but all he can muster is a simple I love you. It's all she needs. She steps toward him and takes his hand, and is immediately enveloped by his ebony cloak as he hugs her tightly to him. "Ah, Tonks," she hears Malfoy say, "you, ah, dance quite well." She laughs and tells him, "it's only because Ellie was doing most of the moving. Normally I'm too clumsy to dance."
Elsbet giggles and Remus laughs softly. "Tonks, I think you're missing his point," he says as they head for the door. "Oh," Elsbet says, realizing that they're leaving the club, "we're not eating here?" As they pass through the two sets of doors the wizards' clothing reverts to its natural state, and Therion looks at Elsbet meaningfully. "No, little minx, we're eating at home, I think."