Uncanny Snake

XIX - Goblet

Winter break finally came to an end, and thankfully, life resumed as usual, and I was glad to find my wand was returned to me shortly after the incident at the Burrow. Dumbledore saw to that personally. Which led to the inevitable meeting with the headmaster as the head boy passed on the message that Albus wished to see me. It felt like walking to the principal's office after getting into a brawl with a bully, no it was precisely as stated. I took a deep breath approaching the gargoyles, but upon sensing my presence, they revealed the staircase, no password needed.

I walked up the stairs, much slower than I would have liked and stood in front of the dark oak door, my breath hitching as I rested my hand on the handle. It wasn't too late to make a run for it, and why was my heart beating so fast anyway? However, the door opened on its own, and my eyes widened as I glanced to Severus already seated before the headmaster who stood pacing around his desk.

"You asked to see me?" I clasped my hands behind my back, keeping a straight face as my eyes lingered on the headmaster, his eyes met mine, and they softened as he motioned for me to take a seat, but he had not spoken yet, and somehow that frightened me. I took a seat next to Sev, unable to look in his direction for more than a few reasons, but I could feel his gaze burning into me.

"Now as you are aware-"

"I'm sorry, it was all my fault, I should have never said yes to something as stupid as a Christmas party. I take full responsibility so, please don't punish Severus, it was all my idea, and he had nothing to do with it." Silence filled the room, and my gaze lowered to my knees. It reminded me of Tom; the lingering silence as I awaited my punishment for giving a wrong answer, that sickening feeling of anticipation, and not the good kind.

"You're not in any trouble," Albus chuckled softly.

"But I broke one of the rules..."

"Rules do not dictate the outcome of the future." I thinned my lips and nodded, yet that didn't make me feel any better. "Now then, Severus, who came for you?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange as far as I know, but about a score of them came for us-"

"And more were on their way," I added. Tom was growing stronger. He had never been the subtle type, once he attained power, but this was a full on frontal attack. More than twenty Death Eaters had been dispatched. Severus had been right that first night I tried to run away. I wouldn't have lasted ten minutes out on my own, that night at the Burrow was proof of that.

"Rynne-" That night still felt as clear as day, the desperation and the fear. "Rynne!" I looked up at Sev and frowned.

"What?" Albus chuckled, and I didn't really understand what was so funny until I took into account that I had zoned out the both of them. "Oh sorry, I just got caught up in...things." Well, that was an unconvincing answer. Albus looked to Severus, and Sev gave him a long hard stare, before the headmaster took the hint, and dismissed us both.

At those words, I was already on my feet, making my way towards the door, Severus at my heels. "Severus," Albus said at the last second. The two exchange meaningful looks, but I didn't stick around to find out as I slinked out the door, and made haste to my dormitory. I found that two of my roommates had come back today, prepared to begin the routine cycle of classes come tomorrow. I sunk down on my bed and threw the covers on top, forming a small cocoon.

"Why are you so depressed, classes haven't even begun yet." I groaned, and the girls snickered before resuming to unpack their suitcases. I listened to them as they talked about their winter break, and I felt envy. Their lives were so ordinary, no restrictions, no lies—a knock came at the door. I don't think I could handle any more gossip, especially when it came to the relationship department. Then it dawned on me that my relationship with Severus was a secret. The worst part is that it wasn't even forbidden or anything scandalous, yet it felt like it.