Perhaps Another Time, Severus [A Severus Snape Fanfiction]

1994

1994

The stadium was packed with onlookers, their voices cheering for each of the four champions. A dragon in the center of the stadium stood guard over a golden egg and Shaylah pulled her robes tighter around her, balancing on the edge of her seat as she watched. "Who do you think is going to get eaten?" Nate shouted over the noise.

She shoved her shoulder into his, "That's not funny."

He ignored her, a hand raised to cheer on the next contestant below, "My bet is Potter."

A whistle blew and Cedric Diggory emerged from the tent, hair shining in the bright sun, to face his dragon. The entirety of the sea of yellow stood to cheer on their fellow Hufflepuff, cheers erupted from the other stands, but it didn't rival that of his fellow housemates. Everyone watched with wide eyes as Cedric approached the great beast, its fangs bared, willing to risk its life. The dragon wasted no time in attacking, spitting fire in the boy's direction. A collective gasp ran through the crowd as Cedric rolled and quickly transfigured a boulder into a dog. The animal was an immediate distraction, giving Cedric the opportunity he needed to grab his prize. A blast of screaming shook the stands, the Hufflepuffs stomping and clapping.

Next came Fleur Delacour, the Welsh Green dragon she was to face standing proudly over its egg. Fleur stood paralyzed, her jaw slack, but only for a moment. She skittered to one side but the dragon followed, not allowing her to hide, to pass. Fleur aimed her wand but nothing happened, she barely escaped the fire that threatened to engulf her. The sounds from the crowd were a mix of concerned gasps and grateful sighs as the flames dissipated and the contestant emerged unscathed. Again she aimed her wand and the dragon's head began to lull, slowly coming to rest on its own tail. A deep, fiery snore erupted from its throat as Fleur retrieved the egg, igniting her cloak. Nate gasped, a hand over his mouth, but the flame was quickly doused and another round of heavy cheers shook the stands.

Viktor Krum emerged from the tent next, showing no fear as he raised his hands and the stands answered, shouting and pumping their fists. His dragon was the smallest so far but still a fierce specimen. She felt the familiar sting of dark eyes and as she traced the crowd, all faces turned toward the spectacle below, she found the potions master. His eyes were not on the dragon or its challenger, but on her, narrowed through the crowd around them. Nate brushed against her, pulling her from the trance Severus had on her. "He blinded it! He blinded it!" Shaylah returned her attention to the center of the stadium, where Viktor Krum had collected his egg and held it above his head, showcasing his victory. A massive cheer broke out as Nate wrapped his arm around her shoulders, shaking her in celebration.

Harry was the last to face his dragon and it seemed to be by far the most fierce. Shaylah could practically feel the boy trembling, even from a distance. The Gryffindors cheered and jumped, rattling the stands, even Shaylah shouted his name, cheering him on. She nudged Nate to do the same and he grudgingly obliged, shouting alongside her. Harry dodged the first attack quickly but fumbled to evade the next, his legs were knocked from beneath him by a vicious swat of the tail. Again Shaylah felt the burning in her cheek but she refused to look at him this time, she needed to see this. Needed to witness what Severus had only told her about.

As Harry kept out of the dragon's reach, a loud swish signaled the arrival of his broom, which he quickly mounted, and was gone. The dragon followed, flying dangerously close to the gathered crowd. The two disappeared but could be seen in the distance hovering around the castle, Harry dipping and dodging, the dragon nipping at his heels. The crowd fell silent, waiting with baited breath. Nate nudged her again and whispered, "I told you it would be Pot-" he swallowed his words as Harry swooped in with the dragon still on his trail, its tail lashing just above their heads, and scooped up his egg. The crowd thundered with cheers and applause, Shaylah alongside them as she nudged Nate and stuck out her tongue.