Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Forty-One

The snow was slowly melting, and along with it, the Black Lake was no longer the shimmering, steely ice it once was. The waters swirled, and the Giant Squid lazed around the surface of the water, eyeing the grounds as students walked and enjoyed the warmer weather.

Severus and Selena walked hand-in-hand across the grounds, both clutching books, and both smiling as they enjoyed a conversation about Professor Slughorn’s latest test. Selena had passed with flying colors, and because of this, the two were passing on their current study session to enjoy their time together on the grounds.

However, as they moved, they didn’t notice the lanky boy who approached, grey eyes glistening in the sunlight, and black hair, lustrous and wavy, a wand held aloft within his fingertips.

Severus pressed his warm lips to Selena’s, and as they enjoyed the brief, loving embrace, they were both torn apart just as quickly. The two fell to the ground, books scattering amongst them, and a look of shock and anger overcoming their expressions.

“What did a greasy git like Snivellus have to do to have a young thing like you hanging off of him?” Sirius Black questioned, sneering down at the two. “A love potion? Blackmail? A promise of wealth within the rankings of the –“ Sirius was cut off, striking eyes gazing on at Severus who had his wand raised, a look of loathing etched into his features.

Selena’s warm fingertips closed over Severus’s arm, a silent plea to pull him away from the apparent duel, but Severus quickly shook her off, his glare focused on none other than Sirius himself.

“I did nothing of the sort,” Severus snarled. “Not that you would know. Playing with girls, using them –“

“How dare you!” Sirius exclaimed, and fired a spell towards Severus, which the Slytherin blocked instantly. “Girls willingly flock around me. It’s not my fault that I’m apparently so charming.”

“Charming,” Severus spat, followed by a small snort of derision. “I’d call you nothing more than a cheap –“

“Sev!” Selena interjected, a soft plea for him to stop. “Please. Let’s just go. He just wants you to react! You’re only giving him a reason to boast even more!”

“Aw, listen to your dear girlfriend, Snivellus,” Sirius jeered. “Turn away – be the coward you are –“

“I AM NOT A COWARD!” Severus bellowed, and with his wand emitting angry red sparks, he shot a spell towards Sirius. Unable to defend himself in time, Sirius was hoisted into the air by his ankle, his wand still held within his hand.

“Sev – stop!” Selena begged, noticing the livid glare in the man’s eyes, about to fire off another round. “I’m warning you –“ her fingertips latched around his wrist, and with the speed of a mountain lion, she had spun him around, her blue eyes looking deep into his dark ones, her own soft and beseeching. “Please, stop.”

Momentarily, the hatred was gone, replaced by a soft tenderness that Selena was so familiar with, and just as quickly, Severus was almost toppling over, hit in the back by a spell formed by one of his nemesis’.

He was paralyzed, wand flying through the air, and landing several feet away. Though lifted by his ankle, Sirius was able to aim his wand towards his foot, and falling to the hard ground, he was free of his invisible binds.

“See what happens when you threaten me, Snivellus?” Sirius chortled. “Next time just flee like a coward – like the coward you really are!”

“You bastard,” Selena growled. “We did nothing to you – who do you think you are?”

“You don’t know what he is?” Sirius glared. “Do you have any idea on what he is intending to become?”