Uncanny Snake

XIV - No Return

I could only assume the hole to be the entrance to the chamber, but that hole was quite steep, and it looked anything but safe. I was pretty witless when it came to making decisions sometimes, so I stepped closer to the hole. Severus snapped and grabbed my arm pulling me back. "Go back to your room," he ordered.

"No," I protested, daring him to come at me, I could at least hold out for a good 10 seconds before he got me in a headlock, and I was willing to take my chances.

"Why are you always so intent on jumping in front of danger?"

"And why are you always so grouchy? You never fussed over me like this, and now whatever I do, good or bad, you're always on my case. I am, believe it or not, an adult, whether you like it or not, so I can make my own decisions, Professor Snape." He narrowed his eyes, his scowl growing murderous, but he never did take a step forward. 

"My, my, my a lover's quarrel?" Lockhart interrupted, And my attention snapped to him, my brows raising slightly. "I must say I did not expect you two boneheads to find the chamber for me."

"Gilderoy..." Sev sneered.

"Excuse me? At least we boneheads can resort to proper sorcery, thank you very little. And weren't you supposed to be on your way, Mr. Suitcase?" At that, Lockhart blushed, and he whipped out his wand, Severus reciprocating the motion.

"Resorting to violence so soon?" Lockhart asked, and I wondered what the man had been smoking, he had been the first to draw his wand, and Severus raised an eyebrow completely unfazed. There was some—well a lot of—pent up anger in that black heart of his and I half prayed that Lockhart didn't cross the line because Severus would lash out...consequences be damned.

But no, Lockhart decided to strike the touchiest subject in our relationship. "I can't begin to fathom what she bloody sees in you, Severus. Merely a coward who only manages to break her heart, on countless occasions. I may not be the brightest wizard, but I'm observant." Severus glanced to me, and I blushed clutching the hem of my dress, my eyes conveniently trailing to the ground. Touché.

"Silence!" Severus spat, and I could practically feel the anger radiating off of him, yeah perhaps I should go back to my room before I get caught up in the aftershock of the explosion. Gilderoy walked around us, and I took a step away from Severus, using the momentary distraction to put some space between everyone. Lockhart wasn't wrong, but hearing it out loud was hurtful, and now I was very much pouty. Severus could easily take him out, but I could already picture the awkward chat with Albus afterward. And I wanted no part of it.

Gilderoy was quick on his feet, and he grabbed my arm pulling me against his chest, effectively making me his meat shield, I stared at Severus, Lockhart's hand pinning my wrist to my side, my wand pointed at the ground, and he was surprisingly strong for such a squeamish man. His wand, however, was pressed to my throat, and I didn't see much harm in the action, best case scenario, he takes himself out, which would be ironic. "I happen to be quite gifted with memory charms," he trailed off tapping the tip of his wand against my neck.

"Wow, that explains so much," I mumbled. Severus let out an annoyed sigh and lowered his wand, giving me the look, and I shrugged.

"Let her go," he said calmly.

"Always treating me like a fool," Lockhart growled. "Well, how does it feel now?" Severus only scoffed not even deeming the man's outburst worthy of a response. "I-I'll harm her!" Lockhart spat angrily, and I glanced up at the blonde, he didn't mean that right?

"Go right ahead. No one is stopping you," Severus spoke, and with those words, he sheathed his wand. I shot him a withering glare, and he reciprocated the motion, and my confidence slipped, was he messing around, or did he firmly believe that Lockhart could do no harm? My stare turned to a hateful glare, and as usual, Severus looked indifferent. Lockhart, however much of an idiot he was, he didn't get here by sheer luck, well I'm sure that played into the equation, but I would rather chop off a finger than let him charm me. I stepped on his foot, throwing my head back against his face earning a satisfactory shriek, and he retaliated with haste, shoving me aside. I gasped, losing my balance as I stepped into the hole, my body following suit.