" Briar, " Blaise murmured in my ear while brushing strands of dark mahogany hair out of my face.

" Briar, come on sweetie. Time to get

up. "

" No, " I stated sleepily. Muffled giggles registered barely in my heavy sleep - clouded mind.

" Briar, honey, you need to wake up, " He told me.

" Uh, uh, " I told him and snuggled closer into my best friend. Blaise Zambini grinned at that.

" Briar Rose Taggert, you need to wake up, now. "

" Five minutes, please, mother, " I murmured, still asleep. That sent Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Marcus Flint into bursts of laughter.

" Briar, " Blaise warned. That's when the door opened. Everyone turned to see who it was. Draco Malfoy saw me asleep against Blaise's chest with his arms around me. Fire sparked in his light icy blue eyes.

" I wondered where she ran off to, " Draco said.

" What are you talking about ? Usually every time you and Briar are together the whole world knows. I don't understand why you two cannot get along, " Marcus asked.

" Drakie ! " Pansy's eyes lit up. For the girl fancied herself in luve with the arrogant whelp. Flinging herself into his arms she exclaimed,

" I missed you terribly. " Caught off guard Draco took a step back when Pansy collided with him.

" Pansy," He said wryly, " nice to see you, too. "

" Oh, Drakie, I really missed you. " Marcus and Blaise rolled their eyes at that.

" I was trying to wake Briar, " Blaise explained.

" Did you run into her earlier ? "

" You could say that, " Draco smirked, remembering how I literally ran into him knocking him to the floor.

Hmm. No wonder she has a lot on her mind. Blaise thought. Briar and Draco were like fire and air. Whenever they were in the same room together they always argued. I can certainly guess what we'll be talking about later.

" I bet I could wake her up, " Draco said interrupting Blaise's thoughts.

" You think you'll have better luck than me ? " He asked.

" Of course. " I was content where I was against my best friend. And I wasn't fully asleep. I had been drifting in and out of sleep when Draco interrupted. I heard half of what was said and knew that Draco had caught up with me. Inwardly, I groaned. If I could I would have stayed right there in Blaise's arms forever. But, I knew that we would soon be at Hogwarts. Slowly, I opened my eyes. I saw Pansy and Millicent talking with Marcus and Draco beside me. I looked up into Blaise's warm dark blue eyes. He smiled down at me.

" Hey, Sleepyhead. " I smiled back up at him, ignoring Draco.

" Hey, yourself, handsome. What time is it ? " I yawned, stretching, accidently rubbing against his lap. I could feel something stirring to life against my backside. Blaise looked down at his watch.

" About six - thirty. Don't you want to go change, sweet ? "

" I'm fine right where I am, " I answered, angling my head back against his shoulder. " Besides I'm just going to change again tonight into one of those sheer summer nightdresses. " Draco groaned at the image I had just put into his mind. I just smirked.

" You did that on purpose, " Blaise whispered in my ear. " What did he do ? "

" I don't want to talk about that, " I whispered back.

" You need to quit provoking him and teasing me. Or you'll be in trouble, " Blaise warned, a wicked grin spread across his lips.

" Really, just what kind of trouble ? " I asked. Ignoring my blatant teasing he said,

" You might want to button at least one more button on that. " Blushing I looked down. Oops. Guess when I was getting dressed a second time I didn't button it up far enough. From his vantage point Blaise could see all the way down my blouse and my camisole, especially with me draped across his chest.

" Why, don't you like what you see ? " I asked.

" What do you think, Briar ? " He asked. I could feel something pressing against my derriere as I thought of the many sleep overs that we had. I just blushed.

" Briar ? " I sat up, scooting off Blaise's lap.

" What, Pansy ? " I sighed.

" We need to go change. We'll be at Hogwarts any minute. "

" Right, don't remind me. " Millicent, Pansy, and I left with our uniforms. When we got back from changing we discovered that the guys had as well. The train ground to a halt. I gathered my things and Nightshade, my cat. We all made our way to the front of the train.

Disembarking we went and found a carriage. Since only four could ride comfortably some of us had to sit on laps. Blaise made my mind up for me. He pulled me onto his. Millicent took the seat next to Draco. Pansy took full advantage of the cramped close quarters and just plopped down into Draco's lap. Millicent and her talked nonstop the entire ride up to the castle. Marcus and Draco talked quidditch strategies. With every bump I could feel something very interesting pressing into me. I knew Blaise could feel practically everything because of my thong. And I know I didn't help much by grinding against him with every bump. I knew later that I would be in trouble. I shivered at the thought. Blaise wrapped his arms around me to keep me from falling onto the carriage floor. Pansy had already fallen twice. The carriage had finally come to a stand still. Pansy was the first one out. Flinging the door open she jumped down screaming,

" Land ! Thank Merlin ! " I rolled my eyes at her theatrics. Blaise and I were the last to leave. Reluctantly, he let go of my waist. I stood up slowly, turning around.

" My goodness ! " I gasped. " I'm

sorry. "

" No, you're not, " Blaise grinned at me.

" Knowing you, you probably enjoyed every minute of it. Just wait until tonight. " I trembled at the thought. How far would we go tonight ?

" Briar ?! "

" What ? " I was yanked away from the intriguing thought. I never really had thought of Blaise. I suspected my mother thought that I would wind up marrying him. She could keep on thinking that for it was not going to happen. I had no intention of marrying at such a young age. " Are you two coming or what ? " Pansy asked from outside the carriage.

" Sorry, " I answered. " We're coming. " A blush stained my cheeks. Blaise smirked at me.

" I know where your mind was, little Miss Briar, " Blaise teased. I slid down out of the carriage with Blaise right behind me. We made our way to the Great Hall and the Slytherin table. I was still tired even though I had fallen asleep on the train. My eyes strayed to the head table. There he was ! The man I had a crush on ever since first year. The only man that I would even contemplate a marriage with. Encased in his usual black robes his eyes darting around the room sat Professor Severus Snape. His dark eyes swept over our table. They passed over me, then, flew back. Slowly, they traced over what they could of my body. I couldn't help, but, blush at the bold perusal.

" You okay, sweetie ? " Blaise asked in my ear.

" Briar, you look flushed. Are you all right ? " Pansy asked.

" What ? " I asked, breaking my eyes away from the potions master. I picked up my water and took a sip. " I'm fine. Just a bit hot. Really, I'm fine. "

" Looks like that old fool Dumbledore is about to start, " She pointed out.

" Professor Dumbledore is not an old

fool, " I protested. As the headmaster droned on I glanced over at Draco to discover him staring at me. I coloured from his bold stare and hurriedly looked away. My eyes collided with Professor Snape's again. A warmth stole throughout my body. I shivered. Before I knew it the plates began to fill. Since I wasn't really hungry I got to my feet.

" I'll see you in the morning, " I said.

" Briar ?" Blaise asked.

" I'm, just not hungry, " I admitted. Which was the truth. I wasn't hungry for food. All that I could think about at the moment was the potions master and what I saw in the dark depths of his eyes. As I turned to leave something caught my eye or should I say someone. Professor Snape was staring at me again, this time a frown covered his face. I took my leave and headed for the dungeons. If I didn't feel like eating that was my business. Not his. I made my way through the hallway of the dungeons. I was not that far from the common room when someone grabbed my arm.

" Draco, not now, " I said, shaking off the hand. " I'm tired of being grabbed. " I started to walk away when that same hand grabbed my shoulder. " I said, quit grabbing me. Thanks to you I don't feel good. When are you going to get the hint that I am tired and not interested ? "

" That's reassuring. Now, just what did Mr. Malfoy do, Miss Taggert ? " I gasped, turning around, my hand flying to my throat. I would swear my heart was caught there beating a mile a minute. Why was Professor Snape down here in the dungeons grabbing me ?

" Well, Miss Taggert ? " I was frozen. I didn't expect the potions master down here during the feast. " Miss Taggert ? " I bit my lip looking down. Slowly, my hand slid down to my cross. His eyes followed the movement coming to rest on my chest. Stop it ! The potions master yelled at himself. She's only a girl. Seventeen years old and my student. " Briar ? " I nearly melted hearing my first name spoken in that velvety baritone voice.

" I'm, I'm sorry, sir. It's, a personal matter. "

" When it involves two of my students it becomes my problem. Now, what did Draco Malfoy do to you ? " My mind raced. Should I tell him the truth about what he had done on the train ?

" I really don't think I should be discussing this with you, sir. "

" Why ever not ? I'm the head of your house. It is my job to protect my

students. "

" It's personal, sir. " Without warning an arm snaked about my waist drawing me close to him. " I, I just don't think it is appropriate for me to discuss personal matters with my professor. "

" Is that how you see me, just as your potions professor, Briar ? " My heart was beating a wild tattoo in my chest. What was he talking about ? What was he thinking ?

" Uh ... " My mind was racing a mile a minute. Being this close to the potions master was doing funny things to my insides.

" Briar ? " He asked. I looked up into fiery dark brown eyes. I could feel something pool low in my belly. I had never felt this way before. I stared into his eyes. Those eyes. I never noticed how deep they were. They were a deep dark brown, and so cold to everyone else, but, now they seemed so intense and fiery. His eyes slowly traced over my features coming to rest on my lips. I leaned into him feeling his strong body against mine. His arms wrapped themselves around my waist, pulling me closer until the only thing separating us was our clothes. His face inched closer and closer. My breath started coming out in gasps. His lips gently brushed against mine, mating with them softly, setting fire to my whole body. Once, twice, then, they settled upon mine. And I went up in the flames consuming my body. One touch, one kiss from Professor Severus Snape and I was a raging inferno. His hands traced up over my sides. Then he cupped my face, letting our lips linger together before pulling away. Breaking the kiss Professor Snape released me and strode onto his own chambers. Stunned, I continued on to the common room.

"Nightshade, " I said and the common room was revealed. I made my way up to the room that I would share with my other best friend, Elisabeth Lilac Brownleigh. I fell onto the ornately draped canopy bed. I couldn't believe that Professor Severus Snape, the potions master, had just kissed me. I couldn't believe it ! It was so sudden. He was right there and his lips felt so right. What would stop him from going further next time ? Would there be a next time ? I sat up at the thought. Then I got to my feet. Muttering a spell I summoned my bath stuff to me. Changing into an ivory wrapper I left for the shower room.

I muttered a spell drying the shower floor so that I wouldn't slip. Then, I massaged a cinnamon - scented body cream into my creamy skin. And followed it with a vanilla allover body mist. I shrugged back into the wrapper. When I got back to the room I saw Elisabeth in bed with a book. Muttering a quick spell I made my toiletries disappear. I took a flying leap and landed on her bed.

"Ow !! " Elisabeth cried. " My legs ! Thanks, Briar. "

" Hey, I missed you, " I pouted.

" I missed you, too, " She admitted. " I wondered where you were. "

" Sorry, Lise, I was in the shower. Why weren't you on the train ? "

" Oh, mother took me to the doctor yet again. "

" Again ? " I asked. " That makes what the millionth time in three years ? "

" Oh, stop. I can't help it, Briar. I keep having fainting spells. You've seen me. "

" And if you'd quit letting your mother lace you, you probably wouldn't have those spells. " Elisabeth just gave me a look.

" You know I'm right. "

" Mother seems to think that it is something else. Oh, you got me side tracked. Shame on you, Briar. I've got really big news. " Thoughts began to race through my mind. After all Elisabeth had been seeing Marcus Flint for the past two years.

" Let me guess. You're with child. "

" Briar ! " She laughed. " No ! You are so old - fashioned. I'm not pregnant. Marcus has permission to spend the night, but, you know my mother. She wouldn't allow us in the same room together at night, let alone the same bed. "

" You said it was big news. I had to

guess. " Then I saw the light glinting off something on her finger. " My good - ness ! " My eyes grew huge. " May I, please, see it ? " Ever so slowly Elisabeth extended her pale ivory arm. The light glinted off a rather large diamond surrounded by several smaller ones.

" Did he ... ? "

" Yes, Marcus proposed to me last night. We will be married at Christmas. And, Briar, I would like for you to be my maid of honour. " I hugged her. I couldn't believe it. Married. My best friend was to marry Marcus Flint.

"I'd be honoured, Lise. " My eyes fell to the clock in between our beds. " Ohmigosh ! It's eleven - thirty. And classes start at nine tomorrow. "

" It's that late ? " Elisabeth asked.

" Aye, " I answered. She placed a bookmarker in between the pages she had been reading.

" Good night, then. See you in the morning. " Elisabeth laid her book down and snuggled under her covers. I unbuttoned the wrapper after getting one of my long muslin nightdresses out of the trunk at the end of my bed. Sliding the robe off I slipped into the thin cotton gown. I laid my wrapper across the trunk and turned back the bedclothes. Slowly I sank onto my own mattress. That scene out in the hallway kept replaying over and over in my mind. Sighing I laid back against the pillows. What I wouldn't give to feel those lips on mine again. I wondered what he tasted like. I sat up at the intimate thought. No, I did not just think that. Silently, I drew the drapes and pulled the covers up. Closing my eyes I let myself drift back to that hallway scene.