Uncanny Snake

XV - Hallowe'en

The soft cry of birds rose me from slumber, my eyes fluttering open as I sat up with a small sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. My vision was blurred, and I was disorientated, but I knew enough from the lighting, smell, and layout, that this was not my room. I blinked three times, each slower than the last, my vision coming into focus, eyes scanning the room, it was unfamiliar. My first instinct would have been to freak out, but the familiar smell of dusty old books and potion ingredients told me all I needed to know. I had never been in Severus' private quarters before, and looking around I could not spot the man himself.

The sheets and even blankets were black, and I frowned, gently prying them off my legs, how very Severus. I slid off the edge of the bed and walked out of the room. I took a few steps back and gazed at myself in the mirror, my hand unconsciously reaching for the bandage around my forehead. Oh. It all came back to me now, and my brows furrowed in irritation, I should have skinned that pompous ass alive before he had the chance to shove me.

Entering the living area, I spotted a towel and a neat pile of clothes resting on a chair near the bathroom. I must have lost consciousness in the end, but what of Severus? My gut told me not to worry myself, and so I undressed taking the time to scrub away at my body. I cupped my cheeks as another thought came to mind, and I gasped stepping out from under the cascading water. I had completely forgotten what happened between Severus and I. An overwhelming warm feeling spread through my body, and a smile twitched at my lips as I gazed at the floor, he had kissed me. I grew giddy but told myself not to be so childish; it was just a kiss. Knowing Severus, he could always pretend as though nothing happened. Wow, I really was a pessimist through and through.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my uniform, but unfortunately, Severus didn't have a comb, so I had to manage my wild curls with my fingertips. I did an okay job, as okay as a girl could do in these circumstances. Walking through the corridors, I came upon Albus, swaying from side to side, his hands clasped in front of his person. A small smile on his lips as he turned to greet me. "I do hope you feel better. You gave Severus quite a scare."

"Did I now?" I smirked, clasping my hands behind my back, leaning forward slowly. "I wouldn't mind hearing the details." Albus chuckled but shook his head, he rested a hand on my shoulder, and with a gentle squeeze glanced to his right.

"Why don't you ask him? He's resting in the hospital wing," the headmaster winked, and with that he was on his way, humming softly under his breath. I practically ran to the hospital wing, and darting in through the doors, I spotted Pomfrey, fretting over Lockhart, forcing him to down the vials one after the other. I was too distracted to feel smug, and as the woman turned to me, she smiled, pointing to the last bed sectioned off from the rest with a privacy curtain.

I parted the curtain, and stared down at Severus, he lay on his back, an arm over his face, shielding himself from the blinding rays of sunlight filtering from the window. I took a seat on the edge of his bed and brushed the strands hair off his cheek peering down at him. He let out a soft groan and peeked at me through his lashes. "You're awake." His voice was soft, and he held my hand to his chest. I had never seen him so relaxed, his usual scowl was gone, and he wasn't smiling, but it was charming all the same.

"And you're in the hospital wing," I whispered patting his chest. He scoffed at my words but did not attempt to sit up.

"Yes, because apparently, I need to be looked after," he grumbled, his voice laced with spite. I smiled down at him, and it took a moment to sink it that this was happening, all my life, the one thing I had truly sought after, and it was finally here. "You're rather quiet; is there something on your mind?"

"A lot of things. You should rest some more-I'll uh...go get you some food." Severus frowned, and I could see he was not pleased with my answer, his grip on my hand tightened, and I bit my bottom lip knowing he wouldn't let me off the hook so easily. I sighed and ran my thumb over his knuckles, unsure where to begin. "Well, I'll start from the beginning then. D-Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" His eyes only narrowed, and before he could speak, I pressed a finger to his lips. "It's not just that, you never particularly showed great interest in me, and Tom, I-I destroyed his freaking Horcrux, if he was mad before, now he's a ticking time bomb. And now that you're no longer a spy, they won't stop coming after you, because you were part of his inner circle, and I honestly don't know how you can be so relaxed-"