Severus sighed inwardly as he dashed after his temerarious husband. Harry had received the missive asking for their help and had dashed off without a second thought. The world needed to be saved, and off Harry Potter went!
Severus couldn't blame him. He and Harry were the two most qualified wizards to deal with almost any trouble, given that their training from Voldemort's time. And Harry always did have that foolhardy Gryffindor streak in him. Not to mention the Messiah mentality.
Severus had no such mentality. He just would never allow Harry to face any danger alone.
So, here they were, running in some god-forsaken forest after a rogue werewolf. This werewolf had been causing quite a lot of trouble in the past few months, and the Ministry had asked their two decorated war heroes to handle this one. Neutralize him, they said. Capture or kill, either one, but he's a danger to society.
Harry turned to him. "I think I hear something," he whispered.
Severus listened closely. He heard, far off, a wolf's howl. He indicated with his head which way they should go, and Harry nodded.
"Where's your wand?" Severus hissed.
"Don't need it," Harry replied, and Severus rolled his eyes. Harry used his wand purely for show after learning to direct his magic wandlessly. Severus knew it was wasted effort telling Harry that having a wand out identified him as a wizard much quicker than just directing his magic effortlessly. Harry always replied that he preferred taking people by surprise. It was one of the perdurable arguments between them, and they knew it would never be resolved.
"Let's go. Quiet."
Harry nodded, and the two of them slipped stealthily through the forest. Ten or so minutes later, they heard the howl again, much closer. It was tempered with pain and frustration, one of the few ways to tell a wolf from a werewolf (werewolves' howls had a very human quality to them).
Severus looked at Harry, who nodded. They were definitely on the right track.
This was further confirmed when they suddenly saw a streak of gray headed for them. Severus and Harry leaped back, pressing their backs against a nearby tree trunk. Harry peeked out from around the tree.
"See him?" Severus whispered.
Harry shook his head. They heard snarling and growling.
"Ah, he's nearby."
They snuck out from under their cover, looking for the werewolf. He leapt before either of them could move and grazed by Harry, clawing deep into him.
"Shit!" Harry swore.
"Harry, are you okay?" Severus demanded worriedly.
"Bastard got me. I'm bleeding, but I'm fine. Wait… I see him."
"Where?"
"There."
Harry stretched out his arm and screamed, "Stupefy!" The werewolf, mid-jump, dropped suddenly to the ground.
"You do know that Stupefy's not supposed to work on transformed werewolves, right?" Severus asked.
Harry grinned cheekily. "When have I ever followed a rule, Sev?"
Severus laughed. "Point. Let's take him to the Ministry." The two temerarious lovers shared a post-mission, pre-Infirmary kiss.
Temerarious – adj. Recklessly or presumptuously daring; rash. Word of the Day, February 27, 2008)