Chapter 39

With a bang, I watched Severus's back disappear behind the door he had slammed shut. My anger surged uncontrollably. I spun around and, while Potter was distracted by Lily's furious reprimand, I cast a spell at him.

The force of the spell made Potter stagger. He turned back to me, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Yes, I ambushed you!" I couldn't contain my rage. I wanted to curse him again.

"You! I... I'm sorry!" Potter stammered, looking shocked at his own words. He tried again, "Damn it... sorry!" He seemed unable to control his tongue.

"You... sorry! For what... sorry!" The apologies poured out of his mouth uncontrollably. He clamped his hands over his mouth in horror.

"Making you apologize all day is really too lenient," I said coldly. Throwing a quick, "Lily, he's all yours," over my shoulder, I rushed out the door after Severus, ignoring the mix of curses and apologies behind me and Lily's muttered, amused comments.

I ran through the corridor, but Severus was nowhere in sight. With class starting soon, I had no idea where he might go. After a few moments of hesitation, I dashed towards the eighth floor.

Panting, I stopped in front of the Room of Requirement and began pacing, concentrating hard. After three passes, the wall remained unchanged. The door did not appear. Someone was inside. Was it Severus? Had he created a room I couldn't enter? Or was he deliberately keeping me out?

Dejected, I leaned against the wall and sank to the floor. Severus was such a proud person; how could he endure such disdain? He probably thought I looked down on him too. I fumed, blaming Potter for everything.

After a few minutes, I remembered class was about to start and hurried downstairs. I arrived at the fourth greenhouse just in time. Sitting beside Lily, who had saved me a seat, I shook my head at her questioning look. She handed me my bag, and I realized I had left my things behind in my haste. Grateful to Lily for bringing them, I glared at Potter, who was trying hard not to speak, his face red with the effort. Lily joined me in glaring at him, and he shrank under our combined gaze. Serves him right.

Since childhood, Severus and I had never fought. We rarely argued, and he'd never ignored me before. At that moment, all I could think of was how good Severus had always been to me. I scolded myself for always treating him like the wounded child I first met, always wanting to protect him. Severus was never weak; he didn't need my protection. Sensitive as he was, he must have felt deeply hurt.

Lost in thought, I made a mess of my Herbology notes. Lily, after watching me struggle for a while, slid her neat notes on Flutterby bushes over to me. During the practical session, I was so distracted that I tied several knots in the branches I was supposed to prune. The trembling Flutterby bush shook violently, attracting Professor Sprout's attention. She hurried over to rescue the poor plant from my clutches.

I remained unfocused for the rest of the class, not noticing Lily's concerned glances.

With about ten minutes left, I approached Professor Sprout, who was helping a Hufflepuff student. "Professor, I don't feel well. I've completed the work for today. May I leave early?" I asked weakly.

Seeing my genuinely pale face, Professor Sprout patted my head gently. "Oh, you poor thing, you do look unwell. Of course, you can leave early. Get some rest and don't worry about here." She was always so kind. I wasn't lying; I truly felt awful and couldn't bear to stay any longer. Ignoring a pang of guilt, I waved to Lily and left, clutching my bag.

Once outside the greenhouse, I broke into a run, heading for the fifth floor where the History of Magic class was held. The fourth-year Slytherins and Ravenclaws were in there with Professor Binns. Concealed by a Disillusionment Charm, I stood quietly by the door, peeking in to find Severus. There he was, sitting alone in the last row, surrounded by dozing students. He was hunched over a book, which was clearly not the History of Magic textbook—probably something on Potions, typical of Severus.

Before leaving, I watched his face, usually expressionless, now staring blankly at the book. I realized with a start that he was daydreaming. Severus, daydreaming in class—what was he thinking about? Was he still upset about this morning? My smile faded.

I quietly withdrew and continued to wait, still concealed. When class ended, the students began filing out. Severus slipped out before the room emptied, heading towards my hiding spot. He wasn't going to the Room of Requirement—was he avoiding us? My anger flared.

As he passed, I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the dark passage behind me. Severus, startled, began to resist, but I quickly spoke up. "Severus, it's me! This way."

I felt him relax, recognizing my voice, but he still resisted subtly, trying to pull away.

"Where are you taking me?" His voice was cold. Fueled by my own anger, I didn't answer, leading him through the passage. I had discovered it last year; it led to the Astronomy Tower, and today it seemed perfect.

We walked in silence. Finally, a light appeared ahead. I pushed aside the curtain at the end of the passage, emerging near the Astronomy Tower. I continued pulling the reluctant Severus along.

"Severus, I'm sorry about this morning. You know Potter was just trying to provoke you, to cause a rift between us..."

"You don't need to apologize. As you said, it was Potter provoking me. You just habitually protect the 'weak.' Like a mother hen? Or a saint?" Severus's voice was flat, but his words were sharp. "I didn't know Gryffindors had this trait. Thank you for your care, but I'll manage on my own."

I was stunned. I had often heard Severus's cutting remarks aimed at others, but experiencing his verbal assault firsthand was a shock. My mouth opened and closed, unable to form a response.

"Stop gaping like a fish. If there's nothing else, I'll leave." With that, he turned and walked away.

I stood there, frozen. His attitude left me feeling helpless. He was clearly angry, but the coldness in his voice hurt. I felt both wronged and deeply worried for him. When he mentioned 'weak,' his eyes were hollow, but I sensed the bitterness behind them.

Rubbing my dry eyes, I sighed and trudged towards the eighth floor. When I entered the Room of Requirement, Lily rushed over. "Did you find Severus? Did you talk?"

"Yes, I found him, at the classroom door. But the conversation didn't go well," I said, forcing a smile.

Lily pouted in disappointment, gently touching my face. "Sawyer, you..."

"What?" I asked, still feeling down.

"Nothing. I just think, once Severus calms down, things will get better. This morning was tough for him, but he won't end our friendship over it. Besides, this room is our place. He'll come back," Lily said, trying to comfort me.

Her words were a revelation. Of course, Severus would come back. I was being too dramatic, acting like the world was ending because he was mad. Even Severus had the right to say hurtful things when he was upset. I was overreacting. If seeking him out didn't help, I'd wait for him to come back to us.

Feeling suddenly lightened, I grinned and patted Lily's back hard. "Thanks for the reminder!"

Lily, almost knocked over, coughed. Seeing my improved mood, she smiled wryly. "Sawyer..."

"Sorry!" I said, rubbing her back. "Let's practice some Defense Against the Dark Arts..."

Unable to refuse, Lily followed me into the practice room, where we dueled vigorously.

I ended up using a modified Aguamenti Charm, sending a jet of water at Lily. Caught off guard by my dramatic shout, she got soaked. She glared at me, water dripping from her hair.

"That worked well, but I can tweak it. In a real duel, it could knock someone down!" I said, laughing.

"Seems simple enough," Lily said, twirling her wand. "Let me try... Aguamenti!"