Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Ten

No one would know that the only reason Selena Burke was running through the cold, stone halls was because she was concerned about Severus Snape. And no one would know that the only reason Severus Snape was avoiding Selena Burke was not just because he was ashamed of the fact that she was sticking up for him, but because he suddenly saw something different in her. It was brief, and it was unexpected, but he still felt it.

Like a glimmer of hesitation – maybe hope.

The only reason he was doing all of this was to bring her back with him to the other Death Eaters. The only reason was so that he could have his share of glory, and so that she would be transformed into the person she was meant to be – into whom she could have become – if her parents hadn’t been so traitorous.

And, here he was, hesitating.

There was no place in the Death Eaters’ rankings for hesitation. Such a thing would not be tolerated, and if he was going to learn it all, now was his chance to do so and prove that he could be the Dark Lord’s right-hand man, even if it took him years.

His cloak billowed out behind him as he moved with a fluidly movement through the halls, avoiding all students at all costs, and even going so far as to walk through ghosts if they so much as got in his way. He needed to escape her – needed to get away before he decided to fall back on his promise and retreat.

Selena’s footsteps were getting closer, and the faster her feet slapped the ground, the more people it appeared she had to shove past. He was quickly slipping in and out of view, the only thing she was able to catch being a sliver of his cloak every few seconds.

When she noticed the dungeon staircase looming into view, she took the last of her remaining amount of strength, and felt her adrenaline kick in. In the last few remaining steps, she grabbed his shoulder, feeling him twist around in a rather speedy movement.

“What?” he growled.

“I –“ she hesitated, intimidated by his sudden anger. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t realize you were so… upset.”

Severus gritted his teeth, attempting to calm himself down both inwardly, and outwardly. His inner demons were getting the better of him, but if he really wanted to win her over, he’d have to fight it.

“I’ll just… go,” she finished, head bowed, and spinning in the opposite direction. She just picked up her foot, when she heard his unmistakable voice.

“No,” he sighed. “I’m just used to fighting my own battles – and I’d appreciate it if it stayed that way, if you don’t mind,” the last words had a hardened edge, as if he was biting back a retort, and Selena definitely didn’t miss this – nor did she miss the fact that he was – in his own way – asking for her acceptance.

“Of course,” she agreed, turning back to him with a tight smile. “You want me to let you be. I get it. When you end up lying in the hospital wing in a coma, don’t come crying to me,” she finished. “But, wait, you wouldn’t be able to, would you?”

Severus opened his mouth to answer, as Selena frowned. He was lost, and unable to say a single word back to her. If he wasn’t mistaken, she cared, something that would make this whole situation a lot harder than he thought.

“Fine,” he agreed, sharply. “Fine by me.”

Selena eyed him questioningly, wondering if she heard him correctly. Surely he wasn’t being serious? But, judging by the firm line of his lips and the deadpanned expression, he wasn’t wavering. Severus outstretched a pale hand, the slender fingers extended towards Selena. Without an ounce of hesitation, she grasped the hand, and shook it gently.