Uncanny Snake

XXV - The Order

The water was still warm, and after Severus had left, my head naturally leaned down to meet the edge of the bath. I closed my eyes, listening to the ambient sounds, the sink letting an occasional trickle down the drain, bubbles shifting at my side, and the wind howling outside as snow made its descent to the surface. My body felt relaxed, so when a wave of dread hit me, my eyes shot open, body jolting forward, and I held my neck, expecting to find the wound present and gushing blood. The trauma had finally set in.

While I loved taking baths, I don't think my subconscious could handle that, so with a soft sigh, I exited the tub. The comfort and warmth were still present, so I made haste to dry myself, my gaze lingering on the mirror. I looked healthier than expected, but I supposed those were the privileges of phoenix ownership. Maybe once Albus kicked the bucket, I could politely ask if I could adopt Fawkes, he liked me well enough.

My bloody clothes were gone, replaced with sweatpants and a tank top, my lazy day clothes as Severus liked to put it. Once I exited the bathroom, a small towel resting around my shoulders, I stopped, glancing back and forth between Severus and the headmaster. They were seated across from each other sipping, what I could only assume to be black and bitter coffee based on the smell.

"Did I miss something?" I asked quietly. Severus shook his head and rose to his feet; his cup abandoned at the table. He tugged at the towel softly, then slid it out from its rightful place across my shoulders, and dried my hair with care. He didn't say anything, nor did he have to, my hair was already dry, but he continued his rhythmic motions, pulling me ever so close as the seconds passed.

"Shall we be on our way?" Albus asked.

"No, we are not taking her along," Severus barked, his hold on me tightening, the towel all but forgotten as it dropped to the ground. I wrapped my hand around his and looked up at him through my lashes. He met my gaze, with a steely look, but I didn't even know what the subject at hand was, and frankly, I could not seem to care, I just wanted to sleep knowing Severus was at my side.

"Severus, she's more than old enough. You can't keep employing the same justifications. The line has long since been crossed." He finally met my gaze fully; the conversation we had a mere hour ago slowly crept up his conscious. And so, Severus clenched his jaw, obviously frustrated, but not enough so to make a scene. After a slow exhale, he looked down at me, almost pleading for me to deny whatever offer was being put on the table.

"You can't say I'll be in harm's way," I chuckled softly, hand trailing to my neck. Severus caught on quickly and squeezed my hand gently unwilling to let go. "I'll help in any way I can, Albus." I glanced up to Sev, who gave a hesitant nod, despite it going against his wishes. We were set to leave soon, and Albus left, subtly indicating that he would be waiting outside.

"You're always in harm's way," he sighed. "For once, I wish I didn't have to worry, but with you, it's impossible. You attract danger wherever you are."

"Such is the Slytherin curse," I mused. He brushed my curls aside and cupped my right cheek, kissing my lips softly. Before getting too carried away, he draped his robes around my shoulders and glanced at the door of his quarters.

"Shall we?" I nodded, and after reaching the courtyard, I huddled close, watching the snow with slight fascination, it looked lovely tonight, the thin layer of snow on the ground made the world look tame from this angle. Albus stood waiting in the courtyard, and as we strode up to him, he held out his arm, and with my free hand, I gently gripped his forearm.

We landed in a rather bland muggle street, nothing too out of the ordinary. Albus clapped his hands once, and the building before us parted, revealing a hidden structure. That's neat. Unliking arms, Albus knocked politely, and within seconds, the door was thrown open by a rugged man, his unruly hair curling down the sides of his face, and a wide grin consumed me. I jumped in the man's arms, laughing softly. "Snuffles!"