Determination

XLV: Rising Action

February 1995

Severus noted that Meae seemed especially anxious this task. Currently he was watching raptly as she paced near the water's edge. Every now and then she would pause and stare heatedly into the lake as if it would reveal everything happening below, should she just will it hard enough.

Sometimes Severus can't believe he ever went so long not having her in his life like this.

She was staring into the lake again when he decided to approach.

He hovered his hand in front of her heart, in an effort to calm her down.

"I don't like this task, Severus. It's cruel." She told him.

"Meae you know everyone will be fine, Dumbledore wouldn't-" he started.

"I don't give a damn what Dumbledore would or wouldn't do! It'd be one thing if it was an object. Taking Harry or Krum's broomsticks for example, but these are people! Real, live, human beings they have thrust into danger for the sake of sport. It's disgusting, not to mention the mental trauma this will cause the champions!" She fumed.

Severus sighed as he saw her reasoning. There was nothing they could do about it now, but he resigned himself to the knowledge she'd be roping him into a long argument with the Headmaster later.

"I don't know what I'd do if it was you..." she whispered.

Severus turned his head to look at her.
"What?" He asked.

"If I was the champion... I know it would be you. I think I'd go mental if you'd been taken from me." She told him quietly.

Severus felt his throat starting to close up at a memory he pushed farther into the recesses of his mind.

He cleared his throat before speaking semi-normally.
"I know what I would do." He said with as much casualty as he could muster.

She smirked at him in a teasing manner.
"Oh yeah? What would you do?" She asked.

He let his mouth twitch in a ghost of a smile.
"I'd never allow you to get taken from me." He told her.

He watched as a reluctant laugh bubbled from her chest, he felt a slight pride at being able to lift her spirits slightly.

"Uhmm... Professor Night?"

They heard a voice from behind them.

Meae turned with a polite smile on her face, while Severus turned with a sneer upon recognizing the voice.

"Yes Ron, what can I do for you?" She asked.

The Weasley looked briefly at Snape nervously before he returned his gaze back to the Muggle studies Professor.

"Uhh... I was just wondering if you'd seen Harry or Hermione at all this morning." He said to her.

Meae's smile turned forced as she was reminded of the task they were currently waiting through.

"I'm sure Hermione will turn up soon, and I sent someone to fetch Harry this morning shortly before the task. He made it just in time, you weren't with him?" She asked curiously.

He shook his head slightly
"No... I had been called to McGonagall's office with Hermione last night, but when I got there she said there'd been a mistake and to head back to the common room... believe it or not, Fred and George actually escorted me back. I thought I would have seen him before the task, but he never came back to the tower."

Severus saw Meae glance at her watch before nervously looking back to the lake.

"The task is almost over... I'm sure you'll see them both soon." She said without looking at him.

The Gryffindor nodded even though she wasn't looking at him, and quickly scurried away.

The Potions master watched her as he saw all the thoughts running through her head.

"What's bothering you?" He asked.

She kneeled down next to the edge of the lake and lightly placed her hand on top of the water. Severus glanced around them nervously, as he saw streaks of red lights leaving her hand and swirling into the water before dissipating.

"Meae what in the name of Salazar are you doing!?" He whispered furiously at her.

She distractedly responded
"I was soo certain it would be Ron.... but it's not... so who...?"

She gasped suddenly and ripped her hand from the water as she furiously spun around and headed straight for the judges seats.

Severus recognized her rage and pointed glares at the headmaster. He quickly and without thinking, wrapped his arms around her abdomen and carried her further away from the prying eyes of the judges and ministry officials alike. He could feel the magic shared between them and the wolf sitting under the surface of her skin, rage at him for the sudden contact.

He set her down when he deemed them far enough away, but made sure he was placed before her and any route of escape.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?!" He growled at her. "You can't just go attacking the Headmaster! Not in front of the Ministry for Magic! Have you gone mental? They've been looking for any excuse to lock you away for years!"

"They took Siri, Severus! They took him and oh... Harry must be freaking out! I have to go help them!"

He noted her eyes were frantic.

The expression was familiar to him, he's seen her like this before.

"You can't." He told her firmly "you could be putting them both in more danger if you interfere now. The task is almost over, if they don't make it back, then I will let you do as you will. But not before then."

Severus waited as she thought over the logic of what he was saying. He breathed a sigh of relief when she finally nodded, conceding.

Harry heaved a giant grateful breath of air as he finally broke the surface.

Why did his godfather have to be so heavy?

Harry heard a splash in the distance and felt hands on his face, turning him to look at Sirius.

"Harry you did it!!" Sirius exclaimed "I knew you could do it! Got your good luck and your charm from me, you did." Sirius turned as he finally noticed the small frightened girl in the water next to them. "Oh hello sweetheart" he turned to look at Harry "whose this?"

"Fluer's sister, I couldn't just leave her there!" Harry exasperated.

Sirius smiled warmly and sadly at him.

"Always the hero, just like James." He said quietly.

A warm pair of arms embraced them both tightly in the water.

"Oh my goodness I was soo worried about you both! Don't you ever scare me like that again or it won't be the Black Lake you have to worry about!" A voice shouted over the cheers of the crowd.

Harry turned, confused, to the person hugging him and his godfather.

"Blueberry!! Come to congratulate Harry?" Sirius cheekily asked.

"SIRIUS BLACK YOU ABSOLUTE PRAT!" She yelled

"Oh shit.." he muttered "well that's my cue.... swim Harry, Swim! She can't kill us with witnesses." He said before tearing out of there, Meae absolutely furious, taking after him.

Harry looked after the two in complete confusion.... they were such an odd sort.

He looked back towards the girl next to him, before talking to her gently.

"Do you need help back?" He asked.

She shyly nodded at him and he carefully swam them both back to shore, ready to await the results.