Chapter 13: How Zeus still Manage to Screw Me
Words: 3,972
Recap: So long story short. We found a cave. A talking tree led us to the key of the Lost Treasure. Almost got drown but lived to tell the tale instead, but hey...what else is new. Though now that I think about it, who was the last one holding the key again?
"You both look awful," was the first thing Sev said upon the look on my and Lily's faces in the morning, and I couldn't blame him for his judgment. My hair was messier than usual, Lily had curls sticking out of hers, and we both had dark bags under our tired eyes. Not to mention we haven't washed out all the smell from the mud.
"We had a rough night," Lily muttered groggily. Taking the first sip of her drink to soothe the rough patch of her throat.
He snorted, "No doubt about it, what happened?"
We proceed to tell him the events that happened last night. The turf fight, the cave, Helga's Tree, finding one of the Hidden Key, almost getting drown. The usual stuff.
When it came to the part that James had saved us, he started out with an annoyed scowl and ended what looks like contempt hate in his eyes.
"You okay Sev?" I prodded him.
"Fine," he almost seethed out. Obviously, he was anything but fine if the peas he was vigorously squashing has anything to say about.
"What's wrong with you? I would think you would have been glad to find Lily healthy and safe after that kind of ordeal."
Sev blinked a few times, pausing before he snapped himself out of his bad mood. He finally sent Lily a gaze that showed his concern and apology.
She smiled back, accepting wordlessly.
"Okay, but what happened with the key? Who has it now?" he pressed.
I opened my mouth to answer, but stopped halfway, thinking back of who the last person that held it. Me and Lily both exchanged sheepish face, knowing who it was, and Sev groaned to his mouth at that.
He couldn't hold back his indignant tone, "You had Potter, of all people, took it?!"
"To be fair, we were pretty tired and out of it," Lily reasoned him, "It never even crossed my mind until you brought it up."
My Slytherin Friend had to hold back throwing his hands up, before heaving a sigh like a tired old man, "So, how are we planning to steal it from him then?"
Both of us sitting on the other side gaped at him before frowning. Unsure of what to say to him.
"We... never thought of that?" her tone hesitant. Like she wasn't sure if she was in the wrong or not.
"He... did almost do all the finding and all," I supplied my own thought.
"So we just let him walk away? Just like that because he "deserves" it? The very idiot who thinks making our lives hard is a good way to pass the time as a deranged hobby, that guy?"
I scoffed, "You're one to talk about the deranged hobby, have you seen your face when you got into your research with potions?" I said good-naturedly.
Instead of the sarcastic retort, I had expected, he scowled angrily comparable to when he was reminded of his dad, which caused me to stiffen.
"Oh, so you're taking his side now?" The glare and tone were too menacing to be playful that even gave me raise my guard up.
"Severus…" Lily started but he cut her off, and Severus never cuts her off.
"No, obviously you prefer Mr. I'm-too-awesome-and-perfect-hair. If you like him so much, maybe you're better off with him."
"Severus!" Lily cried indignantly. Before she could protest in anger, Severus stood up abruptly with a hard smack on the table and left without a word.
The two of us could only look back from behind as he stalked out of the Great Hall, "What is wrong with him?" Lily asked, more worry than confused.
"I don't know...you don't mind if I…" I pointed at his retreating form.
"Go, I have a feeling you have a better chance than me."
I nodded and quickly went off to catch up with him. Sev must have noticed my need for talking with him if his hastened pace said anything but then was reminded of his weaker constitution without the aid of adrenaline and I managed to catch up with him.
"Not now Percy."
"Obviously we need to talk."
"No, we don't," he insisted.
"Yes, we do," I stubbornly retort back.
He stopped mid-step, and turned to me with a humoring smile he didn't mean, "Fine, what do you want?"
"Say what you're thinking. Because you've been acting out of the ordinary Severus, only this time you finally snap."
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong with me!"
"Yeah, pull the other one Sevvy."
"Don't. Call. Me. That!" He bared his teeth at every punctuated word. His tone more angry than annoyed, which added to the Sev-not-alright List.
"Look, here's how it's going to be. You either face me, stubbornly asking what's on your mind the whole day, or you can simply tell me now and save me the effort," at this, Sev rolled his eyes, but I wasn't finished, "Or deal with your Ginger friend yelling at you for being a jerk before she cries for making her upset, and you'll be left fumbling on how to deal with it."
Ah, there's the pale-looking face I'm looking for.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell," he finally gave in. I crossed my arms and waited with tapping foot. Sev turned to both sides, confirming no one was in sight before pulling me to the darkest corner he could find. He bit the corner of his lips, probably struggling with what he was going to say. Sev never was a conversationalist after all.
"Why are you friends with me?"
I was expecting a lot of things, but that certainly never occurred to me, and I was thrown back by the question. Almost not believing he would question it.
"You heard me right Percy, why are you still friends with me? The same goes for Lily for that matter," he asked again. Tone genuinely confused and frustrated that threw me off the loop.
"Sev, I'm not sure I understa-"
"What's stopping you from hanging out with a freak like me once you realize you rather hang out with others?" My eyes widened as realization set in, it seems James' words hit more of a sore spot than I previously thought, "Honestly, I'm starting to question why you and Lily even want to be friends with me in the first place. And if what you say about last night is true, I'd say you have no problem getting along with Perfect-James alright—"
Alright, the bullshit train stops here.
"Let me stop you right there Severus," I cut him with a stern glare I usually reserved for the campers when I demand attention. One finger up, "First of all, let's set aside whether you're a freak or not, the fact of the matter is you're different, but I'm friends with you because of that, not in spite of it," a second finger shot up, "Second, just because I can set my differences aside to work with James, doesn't mean I excused him for being a jerk or a bully. Third…"
Sev waited with bated breath, my words were left hanging, "Actually, I don't have a third, I thought it sounds better with threes." Like the Big Three, Three Fates, Three Dumps. Scratch that last one.
Severus rolled his eyes, but I could see the hostility in it dimmed.
"Besides, I should be the one asking you that." I added, "After all, you don't have to deal with monsters and death threats with other wizards."
"If I did, you'd be useless or worse, dead by now."
"Oooh, Sassy Sevvy is back."
"Shut up, I told you not to call me that," he made a playful slap to my arm and I just grinned back at him.
"As if you complain when Lily does it. Oh, which reminds me that you owe her an apology so you better make it a good one." Then I shot him a glare, my playful tone gone in place for a serious one, "Lily is also my best friend so just so you know, if she cries in any way, know I'm not going to make sure anyone would pay for it, including you."
I didn't miss the slight shiver beneath his robes and he nodded with solemn seriousness as well. Showing he had no complaints.
. . .
Weeks passed and the incident had long been forgotten for the three of us. We studied our way through the year without any big incidents with little complication, except when it concerns Professor Heckler. Since then, he had his eyes on either me and Lily, every time we were in sight, with a gaze that could burn a hole. Even others were starting to pick up his more-than-unusual quirky behaviour toward us.
James was even stranger since we almost drown together. I would think he would be showing his face often to rub our faces on his greatness. Yet, he never did. He looked more skittish around us and avoid eye contact as possible, though I notice he would gaze at either of us whenever we were in sight.
Lily claimed he was hiding something, most likely about the key he attained. It was only a mere guess, an educated guess, but it was more than we have on now and James' behaviour wasn't even a priority of concern for me so it was pushed to the back of my mind.
It wasn't until by the end of the annual Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor that I was reminded once more. Just as James claimed, he was with the rows of fliers behind Captain Goldstein, who was shaking our own Captain's hand. The kid had his chest puffed in determination. He stood with confident bearing and didn't hide the obvious glare he made at me. Not the hostile murder kind I'm so used to, but the burning bullheaded challenge kind of gaze where you won't back down no matter what.
McKinnon had pulled the team aside beforehand, giving us the ceremonial leader pump-up speech, "Alright, this is my first speech as your captain, and I was never one for words as Ted was so let me make this nice and simple for you all." She made us hunch low enough for her arms to almost wrap around everyone, and made a low but serious promise, "We trained long and hard for this and I know we can kick their collective arses, so if we don't win this match, I'll have each and every one of you help Hagrid with his beloved beasts."
The Hufflepuff team has never been more motivated than they were then. Which I had to give kudos to her. Hagrid's type of "harmless" beast might be different to the rest of us so we might as well be risking our lives, but it's nothing compared to helping with one of his disgusting ones. I learned my lesson when the first time I offered my help, I suffered having to clean up their waste. And you don't want to know the kind of waste they had coming from magical creatures.
Just...don't…
The Captain had set me aside and grabbed my shoulder not too gently and whispered lowly to my ear. "I know I said that the others shouldn't rely on you too much, but be sure to give your all and give them hell." Her fingers dig to my skin, despite the layer of clothes I had, "Or you'll suffer a special punishment I reserved for you, understand?" She tried to sound menacing, but instead, there was a hint of amused purr that got me to repressed a shudder.
I gulped and couldn't help ask, "I don't remember you being this hardcore."
She smiled sweetly, in contrast to her grave serious tone she punctuated in every word, "Before I'm not the captain, so I did my best while following my captain, who I adored by the way, but now that I'm captain. I'm not pulling any punches."
I nodded, "Duly noted."
Sadist! She's a sick winning-obsessive sadist! What was Ted thinking, making her our captain? I'm gonna have words the next time I see him.
"On your mark," Madam Hooch called out between the two teams, "One... two... THREE!"
The whistle was blown.
The quaffle was thrown.
And the match began.
Tootles was quick to broadcast the moment the game kick enough. It was a wonder, anyone could keep up with his mouth as much as the game.
[Aaaaaand...the game kicks off with Hufflepuff's newes' Captain quick act and caught the quaffle... buh what's this? She's bin flanked by two chasers and she's havin' trouble shakin' them off.]
Indeed it was as he said. They weren't just keeping up with her, they were making sure they were the same pace as her. Rendering it harder for her to pass the quaffle to others to the goal.
That was quickly remedied when our trusty beater, Chris, made an accurate aim at one of the chasers, forcing them apart and even give her the opening to score a goal. The air vibrates from the roaring cheer from the Hufflepuffs.
[Score! Hufflepuff made teh firs' score! Today must be a lovely day. But don't discoun' teh Gryffindors yet, fer they er rearin' some payback in hand from teh looks of their faces.]
Contrary to the Captain's word, my teammates are good. Combine with her motivated and stubborn spirit, we're making a much better team than last year. What I didn't count, was the other team's strategy.
When the quaffle was thrown again, I made a fast dash but stopped midway from the surprise block James gave me. Standing between me and the ball.
I glared at him and he smirked cockily, which made my glare intensified in return. I planned to fly to the side and be rid of him, but he followed. I flew to the right and he mimicked me like a mirror. I tried to get away a couple of times but he was insistently marking me. Ticking me off in the process, and I hate to admit it was working.
There was a loud cheer reverberating the air, but from the sound of its pitch, and the wrong side where it came, it wasn't for my team.
"Jackson," I heard Captain yelled out, "Stop playing around!"
Gritting my teeth, I nodded without a word while shooting a dirty gaze at the Twerp.
The rest of the game flew by with me barely handling the quaffle at all. James was proving not only was he annoying but was annoyingly good too. He wasn't as fast as me, but his keen eyes that were focused on me managed to read my every move. With me out of the way, Hufflepuffs were neck to neck with Gryffindors. Racing points after points with either one leading.
McKinnon barred her teeth, and I was sure I could hear her growling had I been near her. I didn't even need to turn around to know she glaring daggers at my back to take this seriously.
"What's a matter Prissy? Can't keep up with my awesomeness?" James yelled out over the roaring wind beside me.
"Do you even have time to chit-chat James? Don't think I don't know it takes all your focus to keep up with me."
Oddly enough he was pensive as if he was considering my words, something that never happened so I found myself curious to his response before shaking his head in dismissal.
"That's what you want to think, but clearly I'm better than you so get ready to get your broom kicked off your arse."
I held back a scoff, his action was reminding me like a buzzing giant fly that persistently wouldn't go away, but I begrudgingly admit in my mind that I need to step up my game if I want to throw James off my tail. Though it'd be a lot easier if our team catches the Snitch, that doesn't seem to be the case any time soon.
[Looks like Hufflepuffs are running out of stamina because Gryffindors are gettin' mor and mor poin' and they-Jumpin' Jacks, is that a- Holy shi-]
[Toots! Language!]
[Oops, Sorry Professor, but it seemed the Seekers finally spotted the Snitch!]
...Well, it's not the first time I'm wrong.
I looked down to the field and saw the New Kid racing around the field with Gryffindor's Seeker, trying to catch the snitch that was right in front of their eyes. Skittering the air like the difficult little bugger it is.
"Hn, the game is clearly ours. Your seeker is obviously new, and couldn't hope to compete with our Captain."
And he was right. The New Kid might be good, but he's still out of league with an experienced Seeker. Maybe if he had found it first, he might have a chance, but they're currently competing head-to-head.
I locked eyes with McKinnon, and she gave me a permitted nod.
I guess it's time to put up Plan Merry-Go-Catch.
But first, let's help out our Seeker.
I dragged James on a long round track around the field, giving no sign of giving up his chase. From the occasional twitch of his lips and eyebrows, I'd say he's as fed up at constantly being my shadow. Yet this arrangement made it all the better to hinder his own team once I was by the Seeker's side.
I could tell from the poor kid's face he was struggling to keep up with Gryffindor's captain that was having a lead in catching it.
However, once I was on his side. The Captain had difficulty maneuvering his broom. It didn't help that when I gain ahead of him, James would be behind me, looking unsure and confused whether to follow me when it could lead to getting in the way of his own teammate. Even though I had to sabotage my own seeker in catching it, I didn't felt too bad knowing the opponent would be in the same boat.
Once we lost the Snitch. I swerved away, ready to enact the plan to gain more points. I slowed my speed. James took that chance to fly ahead and block my path. He was so focused on me. It was understandable that he didn't anticipate a Catcher flying below me. Throwing up the quaffle from my hand before I dashed below. I heard James squawked and would have followed me if Malone hadn't blocked him in turn.
With a swift maneuver through the players, a dodge from a bludger, and a petty stick of the tongue toward the keeper, I managed to score the goal.
Hufflepuff was tied with Gryffindor. It was time to pick up the pace.
After breaking out of James' sight. My teammates made sure I was shielded at all times. They couldn't keep pace at my fastest speed, but they could tail behind and block James if they need. Problem was, they would have to split focus between me and the quaffle so I had to pick up the slack from there and had to focus better when I'm practically going against almost two chasers on my own this way. However, it got the result we needed. We were soon thirty points ahead of them.
Though let it not be said James doesn't have a skill of his own. Many times, he almost caught on my wind tail, and he was getting smarter in how to outmaneuver my teammates. And he would have if I hadn't noticed a strange peculiar detail.
James was getting slower.
It was one thing if he was tired, but judging from the brief shock look from the sudden fell in speed mid-chase, the irregular distance he made between us, and the frustrated growl as he tried pulling his broom up with the sheer force of will as if his magic wasn't enough to pull its weight.
McKinnon was in glee, thinking James was being an overconfident brat - which I'm not saying he wasn't - but I had a hunch there was more to it than that.
The snitch appeared once more and our seeker was getting a lead to it, and there's no choice but to leave it up to him while the others try to hold back the opponent's seeker.
I had expected James to get in my way again, but my heart almost jumped when he plummeted only to fly up halfway through the fall. I might have thought he was messing around if it wasn't for the stricken look flashed on his face. If I had been any other player, I wouldn't have minded the details much, but sadly I am me and James is practically my quest. So whenever he's in trouble, it's my job to make sure he's safe.
It was a bit of surprise for him when I didn't speed up to help my team and in favor of hovering around him. He didn't appreciate me going easy on him in any way. Without knowing my reasons, he probably thinks I'm mocking him and his team.
"Dude, you okay down there?"
"What's it to you Prissy?"
"Chill out, I noticed your flight hadn't been easy for you, anything wrong?"
James had a stubborn glint in his eyes and I was sure he was ready to deny, but then he yelped like a girl when his broom failed on him. He managed to pull himself back up at the last second, but there was a worried sweat sheen his forehead before admitting, "I...I'm starting to think diving underwater with a broom without giving it an after-maintenance was a good idea." As if to further prove his point, the broom finally gave out completely and if I wasn't a second faster, he would have plummeted down alongside his broom. I thank the god-side of the family for giving me supergene so I could lift James by the scruff of his robe with one hand. Making this the second Gryffindor I save their butt from falling down.
Hey, but I didn't fall down this time, so that's progress right?
"Percy, get out of the way!"
My head swerved to the side. James followed my lead. We were struck by the sight of zooming Seekers trying to catch a Snitch, with a couple of Catchers between them, who had a quaffle on hand, hence there were followed by another catcher slightly behind them. All of them were flying fast toward us, and I'm not ashamed to say we both screamed.
I tried pulling away from the mad track of the competitive group of players but forgotten I was holding on to James and almost lost grip on him. The slight unbalance flight, made him panic and he held on to my leg and waist, which served to make it harder for me to steer the thing before we went on a crazy ballet twirl so I could slow down the inevitable descent.
I swear if James got me to break the only broom I actually like. Quest or not, I'll murder him myself.
He's lucky I didn't swear it on the River Styx.
...what does it say about me that I'm not the slightest bit surprised this happens again?
I guess Zeus' blessing didn't cover my pension for falling few feet up in the sky.
Midway plunging toward the ever closing patch of grass below, James' finger slip and he had fallen down. I didn't get to check his condition before the broom jerked upright and thrown me off it. It was a surprising move on its part and made a bad landing, giving weight to my wrist and felt a crack on it.
Oh, that was going to sting.
I heard the whistle blown, and the match came to an end.
AN: Oh Sevvy, Severus, my sweet little duckling. Why are you so socially awkward?
Hope you guys enjoyed as much as I had written it.
I also notice a couple of comments about my Trump Joke from my FIRST chapter, and I'm not sure what to say since I've forgotten about it at this point and it's not even important to the story. I won't apologize for making it since I wrote it soon after the election and the result frustrates me enough to make it and I see little point commenting it after more than a year of writing it.
Anyway, Next Monday is my Final Term exam so wish me luck! Leave enough review after this! Particularly good ones because those types nourish me to finish this story faster.