Uncanny Snake

XXXVI - Harrow

My eyes shot open, and I pressed a hand to my chest, recuperating from the familiar abyss that had taken me in the forest. Before, I would have attributed it up to the venom, but Severus had assured it was out of my system. Recurring nightmares were a regular occurrence, but this was probably something different, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Thankfully, my heart rate settled down, and I sat up, glancing at Severus. His eyes were focused on me, hands clasped together, and he was...observing me? "Sev, that's a bit creepy."

"Hm. How are you feeling?"

"Light. It feels like—it's amazing. I haven't felt this good in ages." Severus frowned and repeating what I had said aloud, nothing struck me as odd.

"I see. The locket has been causing you great discomfort. I took the liberty of removing it from your person..." His explanation felt a bit lackluster, and my blank stare was enough to push him to finish. "I should have noticed. I chalked it up to your pain and anger. You never had a proper outlet, and I should have-"

"Well, better me than you. You'd probably murder someone," I teased, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. His guilt and worry quickly turned into an incredulous huff, and Severus swatted my hand away, running a hand through his hair.

"First of all, I'm quite certain my impulse control is superior to yours, and second, every individual I have killed in the past few years have all been deserving. But that is beside the point; I will hold the locket until we find a way to destroy it."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You fainted," Severus snapped. "What happens if you faint in the middle of a duel?" I parted my lips but quickly closed them, unable to come back with anything witty. A tense silence was shared before a knock directed our attention to Aberforth lingering by the door.

"You should eat before you rejoin your companions," the older man instructed, setting a plate of crackers on the bedside table. Right. I completely forgot, Kingsley and friends.

"How long was I out?"

"Only a few hours," Severus answered, inspecting the crackers with a frown. Aberforth nodded and retreated to the door, but a pang of guilt struck me, and I called out his name, watching as he tensed, and turned to face me.

"I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to snap at you like that, you accepted us into your home, and I am sorry for disrespecting you." I hoped that answer was enough to mend...whatever this was, and when Aberforth smiled, relief washed over me.

"It goes both ways, miss Slytherin. Now, if you'll excuse me," he muttered, slipping out the door, and I had a feeling Aberforth was not one for such conversations. I wasn't hungry, but Severus made it abundantly clear that he would force-feed me if need be. When I proved I could stand on my own, he reluctantly agreed that we get moving.

It didn't take long for Ariana to fetch someone on the other side of the portrait, and after a few minutes, the painting opened, revealing none other than George. I guess the twins were on portrait duty. I walked up to George and gave him a great big hug. "I'm glad you're okay."

"It's fine, you two were just missing for the most important part." I let out an awkward chuckle, unsure how to respond, and Severus avoided acknowledging that fact as he made his way into the tunnel, making sure to shove George out of his way.

"He's just moody," I reassured, and George nodded, following the professor down the cramped tunnel. While Severus was set on fast walking to the castle, George and I hung back, and then he nudged me.

"Where were you?"

"It's complicated. Well, not really. I went after a Horcrux and failed to return in the given time limit, so Severus came after me. I feel bad, but at the same, had he not come, I would have died, and it would have been an awful death. Even if Severus had remained though, there's no reason to fight the Dark Lord, even if he somehow managed to take him down, it wouldn't be enough. Essentially, I believe this was bound to happen, but it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."