Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Twenty-Three

October moved into November, and as the weather changed into colder temperatures, it seemed that the two characters of Selena and Severus changed just as noticeably. Though they weren’t around each other often, the two savored their time together, spending as much of it as possible when able to.

The library was fairly empty on the last Wednesday evening of November; most of the students were spending the last of the chilly dusk hours in their Common Rooms where the warmth of the fireplace could keep them company, but others seemed to prefer the library.

Selena pressed her quill roughly into the parchment, but it didn’t move, pausing in her actions as a contemplative look crossed her face. Almost hesitantly, her eyes lifted, hovering somewhere between the front of the library, and the library doors. A smile lifted at her lips, finding the object of her mind’s distraction.

Severus Snape strode into the room, his form moving swiftly as he looked around shiftily. The long black curtains of hair carefully concealed his face, and when his eyes finally reached hers, his lips twisted into a faint smirk. He threw his bag down on the ground, and took a seat beside her, hauling out his supplies.

“I was hoping you would come,” Selena whispered, sounding oddly touched by his presence. “How have you been?”

“Terrific,” he seemed to be restraining himself from rolling his eyes. “The Slytherins have been dying to finally see you again.”

“Please,” Selena began dryly, “don’t tell me you just infused some sick irony in there?”

“And if I did?”

“Then I would have to kill you.”

“How mature.”

“Like you would know,” Selena grinned, but it faltered as Severus took out his book, ignoring the subject they had just been discussing. Her expression softened, and she sighed quietly. “Want to talk about it?”

“Not particularly,” he drawled, ignoring her lingering stare. “Want to begin our discussion on – oh, give it a rest,” he added, upon noticing Selena’s concern. “I’m alright – let’s just get on with the lesson, shall we?”

“If you insist,” she sighed. Severus watched her closely, and as usual, found himself crumbling beneath her suddenly troubled demeanor. He hated seeing her like this, and he found that the more he was around her, the less he could control his will.

“They’ve noticed that we’re not around each other much anymore,” Severus explained calmly. “I suppose it’s only a matter of time before they decide to do something about it.”

“Like what?” Selena smiled. “Kill me in my sleep?”

His serious expression didn’t waver, and Selena merely sighed, shooting Severus a considerate smile.

“Come on, Severus,” Selena chuckled. “They don’t scare me – and you shouldn’t let this idea scare you –“

“I’m not scared!” he snapped.

“Alright, then you shouldn’t let this idea bother you,” she mocked. “They’re Slytherins, Severus, not –“

“Did I just hear Slytherins?”

Selena hadn’t noticed the new presence behind Severus, and if she would’ve, she probably wouldn’t have said those words so loudly – or in that order at all.

“Avery,” Severus said curtly, any expression of welcome disappearing at once. “What are you doing in the library?”

“My ears were ringing, I figured someone was talking about me,” the Slytherin winked. “So,” his eyes turned to Selena. “This wouldn’t happen to be Selena Burke, would it?”