Chapter 12
Valkyrie's POV
Sitting in the library doing homework wasn't exactly my favorite way to pass time, but with James and Sirius in detention, and Remus and Lily busy with prefect duties, and Rose Merlin knows where, there really wasn't much to do. Peter had abandoned us several hours earlier after Severus had sent him a particularly nasty glare for suggesting that he could help him edit his Potions paper. The last two hours had been spent finishing my Transfiguration and Charms essays, to my own mounting annoyance. Throwing my quill down onto the table, I turned to Severus with an exhausted expression, to which he raised his eyebrows. Huffing, I stood, stretching my aching back before moving towards the book shelves.
"I'm taking a break, be back in a min." I threw over my shoulder before disappearing into another stack of books, letting my mind wander as I moved deeper and deeper into the library. I was paused in front of a section about vampires when a familiar voice froze me.
"Miss Black, I didn't know you had an interest in vampires. I thought werewolves were more your type." A cold voice drawled from behind me. Spinning on my heel, I came face to face with my would be fiancée. Tall and pale, Lucius Malfoy struck a menacing figure, one that I had been trying to avoid.
"Malfoy, I'm not sure what you mean, but rest assured, I'm just browsing." I intoned back, keeping my eyes fixed on his. A knowing smirk grew across his face, but he let the comment slide as he sidled up closer to me.
"You know, despite your reckless and traitorous actions, your mother and I are both willing to forgive you. We could still be married, and all would be well." He said, reaching out to touch my cheek as my breath got caught in my throat. "I'm sure your younger brother would be happy to be able to talk to you again."
"Don't use my brother against me you arse!" I exclaimed, slapping his hand away from me with a scowl. "I'd rather die than marry you!" Malfoy's face twisted into a snarl as his hands grasp my arms harshly, pinning them to my sides.
"That can be arranged." He spit out between clenched teeth, his cheeks beginning to turn red as I struggled to escape his grasp.
"Lucius." Severus' cool voice stopped us both, and we turned our heads to watch him approach, face void of any emotion, but his eyes burning with fury as they landed on Lucius' hands on me. "You'd better release Valkyrie, wouldn't want her to get hurt, now would we?" he raised an eyebrow at Malfoy, which was enough for him to drop his hands from me. He leaned in, his breath puffing across my cheeks angrily.
"This isn't over." He seethed. "I will be back."
"I look forwards to it." I snarked back, watching as his pale blond head vanished into a different stack. Sighing in relief, my eyes found Severus' as he checked me over for injuries.
"Are you alright?" His now soft, dark eyes peered into mine, looking for something I couldn't name. He moved closer, taking my arm carefully, and leading me back to our table.
"Just a little shaken I suppose." I muttered, not bothering to paste a fake smile on for either of our sakes. Severus always seemed to know when I was lying, and I him, so we had formed a silent agreement to never lie to one another. He guided me into my chair, and plopped down next to me with caution.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He questioned, fidgeting slightly with some of his unfinished homework. Shaking my head lightly, I pulled a potions book closer to me, glancing up at him softly.
"I'd rather not. There isn't really anything to say. Malfoy still wants to marry me, I don't, so I'll stay disowned, and will never be allowed to speak to my younger brother again." I rushed out, tears brimming in my eyes, as I forced an overly big smile on my face. "So no biggie!" I tried to laugh, but it got caught in my throat and turned into a sob. Severus quickly collected me in his arms in a hug, and I held him to me tightly. Hugs with Severus were how he communicated his unspoken affections for me in our friendship, and I was never one to miss out on one. Pulling away, Severus brushed the tears still lingering on my cheeks away before reaching across the table for his Potions essay, handing it to me with a kind smile.
"Edit this, and I'll edit yours?" He asked quietly. I grinned back teary eyed, recognizing the distraction for what it was, and pushing my Charms paper over to him.
"I hope I'll be able to read your horrible handwriting." I joked softly, my grin growing as his gentle chuckles bounced between the bookcases, and we both started to work.
Later, while I sat in between James and Remus, watching Sirius dance about like the idiot we all knew he was, I had almost forgotten about the whole incident with Malfoy. That is, until Remus' fingers unexpectedly brushed against my sore upper arms, and I could help but squeak in pain, something that, as one might expect, caused my friends to glance at me with various levels of concern.
Sirius rushed over to me, pushing James off the bed he climbed over him, grabbing me away from Remus as he looked me over.
"What did you do?" he asked Remus dramatically, glaring slightly at my bewildered boyfriend, who also watched me carefully as he shook his head.
"Nothing that would elicited that sort of reaction!" he exclaimed, running a hand through his hair mindlessly. Sirius turned his accusing glare at Peter then, who paled under his gaze.
"Did you hurt Luna Wormy, because I swear-" he started before I interrupted him.
"It wasn't any of them Pads, I just had a run in with Malfoy." I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"Malfoy?!" he sputtered. "What did he want?"
"Oh, you know, the usual threats, and vows that he will get vengeance for... it doesn't really matter, the main thing is, I said a few things he didn't like and he, got a little rough." I said nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders at the looks the boys were giving me. "You know, ever since he grew his hair out, he's become such a prissy bitch about everything."
"He hurt you?!" Sirius finally exploded, his face turning red.
"It's nothing-"
"Show us." James said, his face unusually solemn.
"Guys-" I tried to protest, turning to Remus for help, but his serious gaze let me know that I wasn't going to get out of this. Heaving a heavy sigh, I pulled off the oversized sweater that had once belonged to Remus that I had been wearing off, my arms in full view as I stood there in my pajama bottoms and a vest top. The gentle hands of my twin took my arm, twisting it slightly to see the dark purple bruising with an expressionless face.
"I'm going to kill him." Sirius intoned, anger finally twisting his face as his eyes met mine. Sounds of agreement came from the others, before I scowled at them.
"No you will not." I said, crossing my arms definitely.
"But Val, look what he's done to you!" James cried, Sirius seemingly too upset for words. "We can't let him get away with it!"
"I'm not suggesting we do." I said, moving to take Remus' hand as his frame shook with anger. He pulled me into his arms, his front to my back, and his arms securely around my waist. "I'm just telling you that there are ways to make Malfoy suffer more so than if one of you killed him. Besides, then we'd have to hide his body, and I don't feel up to dragging his corpse around Hogwarts."
"Ok." Sirius finally spoke, somewhat calmer. "What are you thinking?"
A week later, when Malfoy could no longer walk without an ivory handled cane, Remus didn't feel the need to hold me quite as tightly as he had that night.
