His Half Blood Princess 2

Comfort For A "Stranger"

Scarlet froze dead in her tracks. It was like her body was now taking control. She slowly turned around and saw him there, sitting up, his hand outstretched as if he could pull her back all the way there.

Severus had a surprised expression on his face, feeling ever so stupid for even calling out to this mystery girl. Well, whoever she was, he had to continue what he was doing, or else he'll just mess up his reputation of being intimidating in first impressions. Not that it was working.

"Do you need anything? I can fetch some pumpkin juice if y-" she asked before he cut her off. "No. I don't need anything." Scarlet furrowed her eyebrows. Then what does he want? Me to do a salsa?

"Then I have to go-"

She was about to open the door before he interrupted again.

"I want to know who you are!"

His voice echoed across the entire hall as if there were several of him, repeating what he just said.

Severus wanted to slap himself in the face until he'll be unconscious again. Did he seriously just... say that?! What was wrong with him?! He shouldn't be- argh!

"You want to know who I am?" Scarlet asked. But what made Severus' heart flutter was when a small little amused smile began to appear on her lips. It wasn't that she forgot he didn't know who she was, but it was the fact that he sounded so needy when he cried out to her.

This time, he didn't reply. He simply nodded his head shyly, then face-palmed himself.

Scarlet snorted abruptly, which she stopped by putting a hand over her mouth. But it was too late. He already heard her.

"Are you laughing at me?" he shouted all the way from his bed. "Of course not!"

"Are you really going to make us talk like this? Shouting at each other as if you're at the other side of the world?" She laughed again but much more audible to him now. Though she couldn't see it, he had a hidden smirk on his face.

"Do you really want me to go there?"

"Do you really want both of us to have soar throats tomorrow?"

Severus's sarcasm never failed to make her laugh when he wanted to, and this time, he sure didn't fail.

Another short laugh escaped her lips. She didn't even notice she did, she just... she just did like old times.

Was it something that was in her laugh that seem so familiar?

Like a déjà vu.

A sound he heard so long ago.

Or ever so recently...?

"Fine, as you wish, your highness."

It was painful, to be honest. Like you still don't know how you got back to square one. Scarlet didn't even know whether to cry or laugh as Severus had no idea what was beneath all this. They were in love before, but now... it was as if someone pressed restart and Scarlet just wanted to burn an entire forest down searching for whoever dare do this to him.

But it was still an accident.

"Don't you dare! This is... This is all your fault!" -"But it's yours as well." ---"Really? What are ye gonna do? Kill me? Go ahead and prove to everybody you're a murderer! You don't even know if that Snape guy is faking, but look at you here ready to maim!" ---"Oooh, niffler caught your tongue? Admit it, Scarlet Carter, you're one of the reasons why you're boyfriend is unconscious. You're just too afraid to say you hurt him!" ---"Go ahead, kill me. Isn't that what you intend? To avenge Severus after he's confirmed 'injured' by you? He's not even dead yet! Is this how caring you are, Scarlet?" ---"All of these'don't's and your nonsense'don't you dare's! Can't you see? You're ready to kill me yourself! Be ashamed to turn into 'Mistress Malaine'!"