Runaways (Don't Save Me Book 2)

Chapter 26: Seeing Someone

The next few months seemed agonizingly long. Justin had been attacked and everyone blamed Harry but I knew there was no way he could've done it, especially considering the fact that Hermione was attacked not long after. It seemed that once Hermione had been attacked the students believed Harry a bit more than before, knowing he would never attack her. 

Ginny seemed particularly distraught lately but no one seemed to know why. There were times I would find her crying in the hallways or simply spaced out completely but she wouldn't tell me anything. 

Severus never left my side, making sure that Lockhart was nowhere near me. Valentine's day came around and Lockhart kept trying to get me alone but Severus was always right there, and I was grateful to him for that, though I knew it wouldn't last long. We were sitting in the decorated Great Hall when Lockhart walked up behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I jumped slightly and Severus immediately took note of this, turning to look at Lockhart.

"Y/n, may I have a word?" Lockhart asked.

"Uhm... I'm in the middle of eating," I replied, annoyed that he would try to pull me away in the middle of a meal.

"No worries, I can just ask you here. I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me."

I nearly choked on my pumpkin juice and Severus placed a hand on my back, though I could tell he was seething.

"You alright, Y/n?" he asked.

"She's fine," Lockhart chuckled. "Probably just speechless because I asked her out. I'll see you tonight at 8, gorgeous."

I was still recovering from the pumpkin juice and I wasn't able to answer before he walked away.

"Seriously, Y/n?" Severus hissed.

"What?" I asked, once I finally regained my breath.

"You're going on a date with him!"

"I have no intention of going on a date with him!" I hissed. "I didn't say yes!"

"You didn't say no, either!"

"Did you not see me choking on fucking pumpkin juice?! I couldn't say anything! I have no intention of going on this stupid date!" I hissed, growing angry with him.

"Then go tell him you're not going!"

"I will but you don't order me around!"

His eyes softened and he discreetly placed a hand on my thigh.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I just don't like the thought of him taking you on a date."

"He's not, love," I assured, resting my hand on top of his.

Severus gave me a half smile before Minerva nudged me.

"Are you alright?" she whispered to me.

"Yeah, Lockhart just can't take a hint."

"Ah, I see and I assume it's pissing off Severus," she answered.

"Yeah."

"You two do know I'm sitting right here, right?" Severus said.

Minerva laughed, drawing a few pairs of eyes to us, and I couldn't help but laugh with her. Severus gave a small smile, though he kept his cold exterior as several students were looking at us.

"So, when will you break his heart?" Minerva asked, giggling.

"Not in front of a hall filled with students and I'm not breaking his heart. He doesn't have one, Minerva."

"True, true. Oooohh can I be there when you do it?" Minerva squealed in delight.

I shook my head in disbelief, laughing as she seemed so delighted for me to reject Gilderoy.

"Minerva, you are terrible," I laughed, gently shoving her arm.

"Oh, come on! I just want to watch. I'll be quiet as a cat."

"Isn't the phrase quiet as a mouse?" I responded.

"Cats are far superior and I would not want to be considered a mouse, considering I am a cat," she responded, shivering at the notion of being called a mouse.

"You're nuts is what you are," I responded. Minerva laughed and Albus looked over at us, curiously.

"What did I miss?" he asked us.

"Nothing, Albus," I replied, hoping they would let it go but I should've known better. Minerva whispered something to Albus and his eyes brightened.

"Can I watch, too?" he asked us.

"Seriously, Minerva!" I whisper-yelled.

"Please?" Albus begged. I laughed before agreeing and Severus let out a small chuckle as he lightly squeezed my thigh.

We finished the meal and as the students dispersed I pulled Gilderoy to the side.

"Hello, gorgeous. You just had to pull me aside, didn't you? Couldn't even wait for our date," he chuckled. I focused on controlling my facial expressions so he couldn't see my complete disgust.

"You didn't give me the chance to answer earlier. I'm not available to go on a date."

"Oh, you're busy tonight. Not to worry, I understand. How about tomorrow?"

"No."

"Sometime next week, then?"

"Gilderoy, I don't think you are hearing me. I. Don't. Want. To go. On a. Date. With. You," I responded, carefully enunciating each word. I could hear Minerva, Albus, and Severus trying to control their laughter from the corner as Gilderoy looked at me, stunned.

"I'm not following," he said.

"I'm not interested in going out with you. I'm not interested in you. Is that clear enough?"

Lockhart moved closer to me, taking my hand in his.

"It's okay to be afraid. What we have is special."

I pulled my hand away from his and took several steps back.

"Look, Gilderoy, I'm just not interested in you."

"I don't think that's true. I think you're afraid to take a chance on us," he said, trying to reach for me once again.

I scoffed, trying to hold in my laughter, as I took another step back.

"I'm just not interested in you."

"And why might that be?"

Before I could answer, Severus stepped next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Because she's seeing someone," he growled.