A/N: Well, Kenutcky was amazing. And hot. I spent my week in the Horse park competing in the USPC National Championships. It went pretty well despite the heat. :) Anyway, now I'm home. I'm off work this week so you may be getting a good number of updates...and look out for a new story (or even two).
That being said, I'm slightly disheartened by the lack of reviews. A lot of people are reading, favoriting and putting alerts on this story, which is awesome. I hate to beg for reviews, but they help me to understand what you all like, don't like, want to see, etc. I LOVE getting feedback and trying to improve my writing in any way possible. Please...if you take the time to read it, type me out a short review. Let me know your opinions whether they be good or bad.
Anyway, on with the chapter...
Chapter 7: The Tables Turn
Ginny sat, frozen in fear, in the closet. The man was severely injured and looked to be unconscious. She had to help him. No matter how horrible he had been to her, she simply HAD to help him.
Taking a deep breath, the girl pushed the closet door open and made her way to her professor's side. He was not unconscious, which was made clear when she turned him onto his back with much difficulty, and they locked eyes.
"W-what are you..." he began, anger in his eyes.
"Shut up," she growled, feeling blood seeping through the fabric of his black robes. She pushed away her fear of him and ran her hands along his side to his pocket. Reaching inside, she pulled out his wand, causing him to growl dangerously at her. How the tables had turned. She turned and pointed the man's wand at her own. "Finite!" she said, hoping the spell would work. "Accio!" Her wand flew into her hand, and she winced waiting for it to burn her again. But nothing happened.
Ginny dropped Snape's wand and pointed her own at her burn, healing it quickly. Taking a deep breath, she reached down and began to unbutton his robes.
"Enough..." Snape growled, grimacing in pain. "I can care for myself," he said, attempting to sit up.
Ginny looked down at him. Perhaps he was right...why should she help him anyway? "Fine," she said, sitting up. "Do it then. Fix yourself," she challenged.
Snape growled at her. "Get out of my room, you insufferable chit."
Ginny growled and stood. "You should learn to admit when you need help."
"And now is not that time," he growled. "Now get out!"
Ginny turned and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Severus grimaced at the sound, his head still pounding. He pulled himself into a sitting position slowly, his stomach and chest burning and stinging from the slicing hexes that had been used on him at the meeting. His hands shook as he slipped the Death Eater cloak from his shoulders, and he unbuttoned his teaching robes. His crisp white undershirt was now wrinkled, wet with sweat, and covered in blood. It took far too long to unbutton the shirt and slip it off of his shoulders.
Picking up his wand, Snape muttered healing spell after healing spell to get the cuts and puncture to close up. The Dark Lord had been angry with him. He had been living with Potter all summer and had almost nothing to tell.
Pulling his boots and pants off, Severus climbed into bed and fell almost immediately into a fitful sleep, unable to convince himself to get up the energy.
Severus awoke the next morning with a grimace. He was still incredibly sore. Sitting up, he yawned and shook his head. Perhaps, he should have let the girl help him. Maybe, if he had let her see him in a weakened state, it would make his goals more obtainable.
Pushing the thoughts away, Severus glanced at the clock next to his bed. It was nearing noon. How had he slept for so long? He pulled out a fresh white shirt, trousers, and his teaching robes before heading to the bathroom to shower.
Ginny wiped the sweat from her brow as she landed roughly from her broom. She, Harry, Ron, and the twins had been playing Quidditch all morning. She watched her brothers run into the house seeing as their mother had called them in for lunch. Harry, however, lingered.
"You had some nice goals, Gin," he said, smiling.
The girl beamed. "Thanks, Harry."
The boy nodded. "Carry your broomstick?" he asked.
Ginny blushed lightly and nodded. "Thank you."
"You know...you should really try out for the team this year."
"You really think so?" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
"I think you'd have no problem making the team. We're losing a chaser anyway."
Ginny nodded. "I will, Harry! I'll definitely try out."
Harry smiled and was quiet for a moment. "I could help you...p-practice..."
Ginny smiled and nodded, kissing his cheek. "I'd love that, Harry," she said, her arms wrapped around his neck. Looking up, she saw Snape standing on the porch. He looked angry, and the smile upon the redhead's face vanished immediately. She pulled away, flashing Harry a weak smile. Why was she letting Snape get to her? She liked Harry...more than as just a friend. And yet, Snape affected her in a way she did not understand. "Let's get some lunch."
Harry nodded, his face slightly flushed. As they walked, Harry reached over and grasped Ginny's hand gently, entwining their fingers. The girl felt nauseous, feeling Severus's eyes on their hands. She felt mixed and confused. She wanted badly to pull her hand away and yet, she loved the feeling of Harry's large hands entwined with her small ones.
Severus was enraged. Potter's hands touching what he considered to be his...or, at least, she would be. Severus Snape was a possessive man.
He glared as the girl kissed Potter's cheek and flew into the brat's arms. They locked eyes, and he gave Ginny a warning glare. She backed off, but Potter did not. He took her hand as though they two were lovers. Severus growled at the thought.
School started in just a week, and then, Snape would see her less and be able to control less of her and Potter's interactions. He needed to act fast to keep her from falling for the Potter boy.
Ginny and Harry strolled out in the garden behind the house that same evening. Ginny had forgotten about Snape, momentarily, as Harry had taken on a new light in her eyes. He was incredible charming and funny. They moved to sit on the swing in the backyard, their hands entwined once more.
"You're really brave, Harry..." she whispered after a moment of silence.
Harry looked at her, confused.
She'd always thought so but had never been brave enough to tell him. "I mean...to actually attempt to fight...You-Know-Who...in the graveyard...and to work so hard to bring Cedric's body back. I just...I really look up to you, Harry." She bit her lip.
Harry flushed and smiled, not knowing what to say.
"I mean, really...I owe you my life. When Tom...possessed me...the only reason that I'm still here-" he cut her off by covering her lips with his own. She responded immediately, though she was a bit clumsy. Her hand cupped his cheek, and she groaned quietly against his lips.
After a moment, Harry pulled away. They both smiled weakly, blushing furiously. Her chest swelled as she felt an incredible connection to the boy sitting next to her. Biting her lip, she leaned up and kissed him again.
For the first time since the beginning of the summer, Ginny Weasley was not concerned with Severus Snape.
A/N: That's all for now. Please, please, please review. :)
