Descendant of Merlin Book 2: Darkness and Desire (Severus Snape)

Battle of Will

~This chapter is really kind of short, but that's just the way it worked out. A lot is about to start going on in Isabella's life within the next few chapters so I hope you're ready for the rollercoaster :) ~

Teague and I met up outside the Slytherin common room and walked to detention together. Neither of us was looking forward to what Severus would have in store tonight. We were both still a bit sore about having detention in the first place and were certain Severus would have us doing something foul like gutting frogs.

The door was closed so I knocked softly.

"Enter," drawled Severus from within the room. Teague opened the door and let me go first. We both walked up to Severus's desk to await our orders. It was a good ten minutes before Severus stopped what he was doing to acknowledge us.

"Both of you take a stack of parchment to grade. I expect it to be done correctly. When you are done you may leave," Severus indicated the two rather large stacks on the edge of his desk. I took one and sat at the front table marveling at how he could already have so many papers to grade this early in the school year.

A couple of hours later Teague finished and returned the papers to Severus. He gave me a sympathetic smile on his way out which I returned. Severus saw, and he didn't seem very happy about it.

Roughly half an hour after Teague left I finished grading. Most of the papers had been absolutely dreadful, and I couldn't blame Severus for calling the bulk of the student body idiots. It didn't stop me from wanting to teach potions however. Maybe I could get through to the students and show them why they want to learn the art.

I went to his desk again and placed my carefully graded papers next to Teague's. I didn't turn to leave though. My presence was ignored.

"Severus—"

"I am your teacher Miss Fellstone," Severus cut in snippily. I took a slow breath to relieve my frustration.

"Very well Professor, I was hoping we could talk? It's nearly two weeks into school and we've barely said a word to each other," I tried evenly. I kept my emotions neutral.

"I don't make a habit of conversing with my students about their petty and often meaningless lives, Miss Fellstone." My throat tightened; he may or may not have meant the words but they hurt. I shoved my feelings back and tried a different approach.

"Then perhaps we could discuss something more worthy; your life for instance," I really had to bite back my pride to suck up to him like this. I thought I heard him growl, but I couldn't be certain.

"The only thing in my life that concerns you is what homework I assign and that I don't particularly care to be transfigured into different chimera." I blushed from embarrassment and played with the ends of my hair.

Dammit! I hate how all he has to do is act cold to me and I turn right back into my old self-conscious self. I refuse to let our relationship backslide! I steeled my nerve and tried once again to get Severus to actually talk to me.

"So Severus—"

"I am yo—"

"I'm talking, Sir. Surely you'd respect someone enough to let them speak considering you hate to be interrupted," I smiled internally at myself. I was showing my Slytherin colors again and the power felt good. The tick in Severus's jaw went off, but he seemed to realize I was trying to push him. He didn't readily rise to the bait.

"Very well Miss Fellstone, what is so pressing that you have thrown respect and manners to the wind?" He growled dangerously, looking up at me for the first time.

"I know you're trying to make me hate you, and I don't expect you to break character yet—however it would be best if you would just admit you've met your match now and save us both the frustration of having to keep up this boring charade." My smile was sickly sweet as I cut right to the chase. I knew I couldn't win if I beat around the bush with him. That was his game, not mine.

Severus looked readier to kill me than I'd seen him so far. He stood up icily and stalked around the desk towering over me with his arms crossed and a scathing sneer plastered on his sallow face.

"Stop fidgeting," he barked. I jumped at the harshness in his voice. "I believe you are mistaken, Miss Fellstone," he hissed softly making me shiver, "because I have no objections to the way things are now. However, you seem bothered so perhaps it is you who has met your match. Do us both a favor and—move on child."

My stomach twisted. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I know he wants to make me hate him but I wish he wasn't so good at acting!

"If I was a child I would move on. You may have noticed that I have other suitors," I flaunted. He hid it well but I noticed the momentary hardening of his eyes, "but, unlike some people, I can accept how I feel without trying to push the other person away!"

"You're doing a very good job at pushing right now," Severus seethed. I paused, thrown off course by his comment.

"So you still admit to having feelings for me," I gushed sarcastically, "how sweet." Severus looked beyond mad. Scarlet crept up his neck into his face. I was a little afraid at this point. I couldn't let it affect me though.

"Don't flatter yourself. I don't involve myself with silly little girls whose own mothers don't even want them," he hissed venomously. I froze. My stomach literally felt like it had taken the grunt force of a 'reducto' spell from close range.

Severus smirked at his success. He could tell he'd hit a sore spot, and I doubted he'd hesitate to use it against me in the future. Tears prickled in my eyes, but I rebuked them. As I recovered from the low blow I silently cursed myself for letting him know he'd gotten under my skin.

When I spoke again my words were hissed with such evident danger that in the back of my mind I was astonished at exactly how much like Severus it sounded.

"Well, Sevvykins dear, I just came to tell you it's game on. If you're going to do everything in your power to make me hate you, then I'm going to do everything in my power to make it impossible for you...It's a battle of sheer will now."

Severus scoffed ruefully as I reached the door. Something about it stopped me. It didn't sound right for him; it was different.

"My willpower is the only thing that has kept me alive. You know nothing of my will." His voice was so rich with bitter resentment that my resolve almost faltered. I steeled myself and marched from his classroom before it gave way completely; without glancing back. I knew he would have done the same.