Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Selena remained frozen, attempting to gain her bearings as Avery’s eyes glittered back at her maliciously. Slowly, she rose up from underneath the table, and stared Avery straight in the eyes. His lips slowly curved into a smirk, one thin eyebrow lifted.

“Hello, Avery,” Selena shot back, calmly.

“Having a friendly chat with Snape?” Avery inquired, pressing closer. Selena pulled back, body pushed up against the table, though her hardened stare remained challenging. She was well aware that his hand lingered awfully close to his pocketed wand, and that if she stalled any longer, he would eventually bring it out.

“Until you came along,” she confessed coolly. “May I ask why you are practically stalking us?”

“No,” he answered. “However, I’m sure you’d be very interested to hear the answer.” His eyes momentarily flashed towards Severus, a new intent becoming clear beneath the intense gaze. “Wouldn’t she, Snape?”

“I don’t think she would at all,” Severus answered, and surprised Selena by slowly standing, and crossing in front of her protectively. The two men exchanged silent glances, though what they were, Selena couldn’t tell. “Now, I’m going to ask you nicely, Avery: please leave.”

“Funny, Severus,” Avery sneered. “It’s as if you actually cared for the girl.”

Severus eyed his housemate threateningly, a small crease forming between his now knitted eyebrows. He could curse the Slytherin right here, and that would give Avery a run for his money… but such a spectacle he didn’t want to create. Not yet, anyway.

“That would be none of your concern, would it, Avery?” Severus asked softly. “After all, what would it matter to you?”

“You’ve grown soft,” Avery accused, in a harsh whisper. “You’ve grown weak.”

Severus’s arm shot out, and instantly he had the collar of Avery’s robes tight within his grasp, eyes now inches away as he glared maliciously down at the man.

“Weak?” Severus questioned quietly, though judging by the edge to his tone, he was not at all pleased. “I’ll show you weak.”

Severus thrust his arm forward, shoving Avery into a row of empty tables. The falling man crashed into them, toppling some over until finally he landed hard on the ground. By this time, they had gained several spectators. The few who were looking stared with their jaws dropping, looking between the enraged black haired Slytherin, and the fallen Slytherin before him.

Avery slowly stood, and with a dangerous glare, he turned on his heel, and strode throughout the bar, and then finally, out the door.

Though Severus was tense and still alarmingly enraged, it took only a touch to his hand to bring him out of this state, and cause him to turn towards his date.

“I’m sorry,” Severus apologized at once; looking into her calm, blue eyes, he saw nothing but understanding. Selena said nothing for a moment, but stared down at their hands, still interlocked, before smiling softly back up at him.

“You don’t need to apologize for him,” Selena whispered. “He’s hardly worth it. And don’t apologize for yourself, either,” she added, upon noticing him opening his mouth once more to speak. “You were wonderful – completely idiotic, but wonderful.”

He surprised both himself and Selena by leaning down, and kissing her softly. It was brief, and gentle, though he was pulling away before she even had a chance to react. His own eyes were wide from this impulsive act, and upon watching her fingertips touch her lips, he knew he wouldn’t take it back. Her smile was far too radiant for him to regret it, and as she pressed herself against him, hauling him into a hug, he knew he would be an imbecile if he did regret it.