Uncanny Snake

XXXV - As We Slither

It was beginning to grow dark, and the dragon made a swooping descent to solid ground, ridding himself of our presence with a firm wiggle. A heavy sigh escaped through the dragon's nostrils, and he turned away from us, circling on itself a few times before assuming a resting position. I walked up to the dragon, petting its snout, but it shrugged my hand away, effectively ignoring me.

I shot a glare towards Severus, and he scoffed, crossing his arms like the petulant child he sometimes was. "Why'd you have to insult him, he didn't do anything to you!" I snapped.

"I did not insult him!"

"No, but you insulted his abilities."

"My apologies, I did not realize a dragon's feelings were so sensitive, besides we hardly have the time to linger."

"He was locked up for most of his life, it's not his fault he's tired, you're just a jerk like you always are!"

The dragon let out an annoyed huff, and swept Severus off his feet, tail returning to his side as though nothing happened. And it resumed its pouting. "That's it!" Severus snapped, and before he could do anything to agitate the dragon, I tossed myself at him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

"You're grumpy, tired, and worried. It sucks, but he's our only way back, so please be patient with him."

"Fine," he sighed, taking a moment to gather his composure. Severus took another deep breath before taking off his robes and setting them beside the dragon. "We might as well rest." He took a seat on top of his robes and patted the empty spot beside him.

He had a point, so I took a seat next to him, but it felt odd sleeping under the stars and, most of all, out in the open with no protection. I tried to close off my mind and burrowed against Severus. The underlying fear of an ambush was greater than I thought as I awoke an hour or so later, the night sky looming overhead. The stars looked beautiful tonight, but my fears got the better of me.

Severus was sound asleep beside me, and the dragon shifted, aware of my discomfort as he poked me with his tail. I moved slowly, untangling myself from Severus, but I forgot the slightest noise was enough to wake him. His arm was around my waist before I could detach myself, and he pulled me back.

"And where are you going?"

"Just to get some air."

"There's plenty of air, go back to sleep." He opened one eye to peek at me, and a sarcastic smile spread across his lips. "You think me incapable of keeping us safe?"

"I totally did not say that," I countered defensively. As strong as Severus was, he had his limitations, and I doubt he could take on the Dark Lord, not with three of his Horcruxes remaining. Sev rested his head on mine and pressed against his body; I could feel the steady beat of his heart as it lulled me back to sleep. Maybe I worried too much, well whatever, I could worry tomorrow.

The sun was barely over the horizon when we awoke, the dragon feeling refreshed and ready to continue our journey. We didn't waste time as we made for the castle, and I now understood why Severus was so on edge, we had only been an hour or two away. The dark mark looming over the castle was a clear indication that we would travel no further, so I directed the dragon towards an open field, surrounded by trees.

This tug of war going on was ridiculous, but we secured the destruction of yet another Horcrux. As long as we continued blazing a path towards the inevitable, I didn't much care how. "We suck at this," I mumbled as the dragon finally landed, lowering its body to the ground as we descended from the ancient creature.

"Hm." Severus seemed in deep thought, his gaze fixated on the mark looming over the castle. We had to get inside the castle somehow, but I knew there was a slim chance we could simply waltz in. The castle was probably crawling with Death Eaters, not to mention the Dementors patrolling the area. We'd have to resort to stealthier methods. From where we landed, we'd have to cross the forbidden forest before we attempt anything.