Knowledge is Power

Chapter 42

"So are we going to try and be friends this time, or is that too much to ask," Sekhmet asked Severus.
He blinked. That question wasn't one often put to him...often was an understatement. So why did it have to be put to him now by someone who was stark raving mad? He obviously took too long to answer because Sekhmet sighed.

"I take that as a no. I can't say I'm surprised, you were never reasonable or compromising. I was hoping we could work out our differences for Mag...but I can roll with it either way."

Sekhmet shrugged dismissively, moving to lean on the ship's rail on the other side of Mag. Like Mag she was slender, but not quite as tall. Her hair was long, black and straight and her face wasn't ugly until she opened her mouth. Severus thought she'd make a pleasant statue.
"So are you on vacation as well, then," Mag asked.
"No, I just thought this would be a relaxing way to go back home. I was visiting my aunt," Sekhmet replied.
"So you visit England often," Mag asked.
Sekhmet shrugged then grinned.
"Probably more often now if we end up hanging out..."
Her grin widened wolfishly as her dark eyes fell on Severus.
"If only to annoy him. I think it will keep me motivated during those down times that hit us all in life."

Nightshade made that low coughing sound in the back of his throat that served as a laugh.
"I owe him for trying to kill me for centuries, after all. The least I can be is a pain in his ass," Sekhmet continued.
Severus let out an explosive sigh of pure frustration.
"I haven't tried to kill anyone...until now! Right now helping you over that rail into the ocean is very tempting, however. "Had he just said that? Apparently crazy people made him lose it a little, he thought regretfully as he silently struggled for self control.

"You tried to kill me several times in spirit and continued to haunt me through three of my lives in which you also tried to kill me."
"Do you even realize how insane that sounds," Severus demanded.
"YES," Sekhmet said fervently.
"You had a lot of hate as a ghost. You just couldn't let it go...And I mean even worse than you have it right now...You were a nasty violent spirit and I had to layer myself in magical protections in those three lives to survive all of your insane attempts. Not to mention trying to kill me when we were both spirits. That was really insane because the spirit is immortal. You were just that pissed off, though. I'm just glad you called it, because I really am trying to be polite this go around...For Mag."

Severus blinked. He'd meant her insanity, not that he was insane!
//Sorry, Prof but this is really funny!//
//Whose side are you on?//
//Yours, as always,// Nightshade hastily assured.
//But it's still funny. And it's not like she's Sirius Asswipe Black or anything, cause I can see into her head and she really does think you started it.//

At the mention of Sirius, Severus couldn't help but smile, remembering Mag's graduation party last night and Raislen raising a toast to Sirius's death. That had been a peace offering if anything was. They could both share a moment of happiness over someone they both hated being no more. Black was such a Git! The party had been as much for Sirius's death as Mag's graduation for many of them present.

"He's smiling," Sekhmet said pensively.
"That means he's plotting. Are you going to try to kill me again," she asked Severus.
"Because I have some protective amulets that will royally fuck you up if you try so I really advise against it," she concluded almost gently.

Severus took several deep breaths. Had the world gone mad? Why wasn't Mag saying anything?
"I am not trying to kill you, unless wanting to counts," he ground out.
Sekhmet shook her head.
"Nah, it doesn't."

"So is everyone going to get along," Mag asked and Severus blinked again.
She was into Muggle psychology, so why wasn't she understanding that they needed to get away from the crazy Egyptian girl? Or did she have some sort of plan to escape her peacefully? They didn't want to get thrown off the ship for being involved in insane...commotions, after all.