Chapter Eight
(Beta: The amazing Liz (again!)
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The forest was almost completely silent around him. Snape found it quite eerie, as though all the creatures that lived there had ceased whatever they had been doing just to watch the standoff between him and the two very angry looking cockatrices.
He stood shock still, wand aimed and ready (double checking that it was indeed ~his~ wand this time), yet totally at a loss how to defeat the two beasts. He racked his brain for any clue, trying desperately to remember what Hagrid had told him.
Cockatrices were rare in this part of the world so they were not normally heard about. It was a minor miracle that Hagrid had managed to acquire one such beast, let alone six.
Snape decided if he survived the night he would have a good long talk with his fellow professor about his choice of pets.
He contemplated several hexes and curses but hesitated to use them. While it may be successful in taking down one beast it might just push the other over the edge.
He silently cursed his indecision. He had been out of action for too long and it was starting to show. In his younger days he would never have hesitated in throwing every spell he knew at the two creatures. He hated growing old.
Right now the beasts seemed to be studying him, trying to size him up, showing themselves to be more intelligent than he would have given them credit for.
Some sort of unspoken communication seemed to pass between the two cockatrices as they moved closer. One inching it's way behind him.
As they crept closer Snape wished he'd done a little more personal research on the beasts. He didn't know if he was going to be eaten or just ripped to shreds. Neither sounded particularly pleasant.
He now thoroughly regretted issuing that detention to Potter and Malfoy. He should have just had them organize his store cupboard or sent them to Filch.
Hindsight was ever perfect.
He realized that if he wanted even a chance to get out of this unscathed he'd better do something. Anything.
It took narrowly missing a swipe from one of the beast's vicious claws to push Snape into action.
He started throwing whatever curse he could think of in each of the beast's general direction. Beyond caring anymore what unwanted attention his spell casting was directing towards himself. He'd worry about that later.
The cockatrices seemed surprised at his sudden outburst and Snape pressed that advantage.
He managed to subdue one of the creatures in bindings but it didn't look like that would hold it for long. He was about to stun it into unconsciousness when the other beast came to its senses and entered the fray.
Snape overbalanced for a few vital seconds while he quickly tried to change direction to redirect his attack. The beast took quick advantage of his moment of unbalance and struck out.
This time hitting its target, it's brutal claws digging into the flesh of his arm.
His now injured arm only fazed Snape for a second; he was no stranger to pain, and he renewed his assault.
But the first cockatrice had fought its way free of the bindings and, from the look in its eyes, was enraged.
The smell of Snape's now flowing blood seemed to drive his attackers more. They knew their prey was injured now.
Seeing his growing disadvantage he considered running. But he realized if, by some miracle, his use of magic hadn't attracted any more potential attackers then the scent of his blood surely would. Better just deal with the problem at hand.
Snape squared his shoulders in determination and prepared for the next wave of battle. He hoped if he could just stay alive long enough the creatures would show a weakness that he could exploit.
It was at this moment that he felt it. Unfocused magic swept over his body in a wave, only weakened by distance.
Snape had never felt anything like it before. But he could feel the desperation and fear behind it, which gave him a suspicion as to where (and who) it might have come from.
He was quickly brought back to his current predicament when he realized the cockatrices were on the move again.
But this time they were moving away from him. Quickly disappearing into the forest, in the opposite direction that that magical wave had come from. It apparently had scared them off.
He took a moment to heal his arm and marvel at the first bit of good luck he had received that night.
The forest was now buzzing around him. Some of the more skittish creatures, like the cockatrices, seemed frightened and were hastily emerging from their hiding places to flee from such a powerful use of magic, while others seemed drawn to it.
If Snape's suspicion was right, it would lead them straight to his two missing students. So he himself headed off towards where he had felt it come from.
Another good thing had come from that magical outburst; his use of magic had been forgotten. But he was still cautious as he went deeper into the forest.
He walked for what seemed like ages but other than a snapped twig that sounded too close he was left alone.
As more time passed Snape was starting to lose hope that he would find his students. He began to wonder whether his assumption that one of them had created that magic burst had been correct.
Maybe they had been the victims of it. Not a thought he wished to dwell on.
Guilt started to eat away at him and he seriously considered finding his way back to the school and getting help. Even if it did mean he'd surely lose his job.
But he pressed on, tortured by indecision again.
Snape entered a small clearing and stopped. It looked like some sort of explosion had occurred there. Branches snapped off, twigs everywhere. Several large creatures, which he identified as forest trolls lay, apparently unconscious (or dead), on the ground.
And right in the middle of it all were his two students. Finally he had found them.
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A/N: Yay! Another chapter done! Shortest one yet, I think. I have a hard time writing action sequences, so hope it made sense, lol. I'm thinking there will be two, maybe three more and then it'll be finished :O)
Again thanks for the reviews!
Cherry: Thanks so much!
Crayon: your review really did help! Your enthusiasm is contagious! Thanks for reviewing again. I wrote most of this at work (I have a really boring job) that's the only way I can update so frequently. I'm so going to get fired, lol.
Gabriella: Thanks again for reviewing!! It wasn't my intention to have the boys get it on in this story, even though the plot is very similar to countless Harry/Draco slash fics, lol. Nope, there isn't going to be any slash in this story. I am thinking of getting them together in my next fic, they're irresistible together :P
Reviewer who didn't leave a name: thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
(Beta: The amazing Liz (again!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The forest was almost completely silent around him. Snape found it quite eerie, as though all the creatures that lived there had ceased whatever they had been doing just to watch the standoff between him and the two very angry looking cockatrices.
He stood shock still, wand aimed and ready (double checking that it was indeed ~his~ wand this time), yet totally at a loss how to defeat the two beasts. He racked his brain for any clue, trying desperately to remember what Hagrid had told him.
Cockatrices were rare in this part of the world so they were not normally heard about. It was a minor miracle that Hagrid had managed to acquire one such beast, let alone six.
Snape decided if he survived the night he would have a good long talk with his fellow professor about his choice of pets.
He contemplated several hexes and curses but hesitated to use them. While it may be successful in taking down one beast it might just push the other over the edge.
He silently cursed his indecision. He had been out of action for too long and it was starting to show. In his younger days he would never have hesitated in throwing every spell he knew at the two creatures. He hated growing old.
Right now the beasts seemed to be studying him, trying to size him up, showing themselves to be more intelligent than he would have given them credit for.
Some sort of unspoken communication seemed to pass between the two cockatrices as they moved closer. One inching it's way behind him.
As they crept closer Snape wished he'd done a little more personal research on the beasts. He didn't know if he was going to be eaten or just ripped to shreds. Neither sounded particularly pleasant.
He now thoroughly regretted issuing that detention to Potter and Malfoy. He should have just had them organize his store cupboard or sent them to Filch.
Hindsight was ever perfect.
He realized that if he wanted even a chance to get out of this unscathed he'd better do something. Anything.
It took narrowly missing a swipe from one of the beast's vicious claws to push Snape into action.
He started throwing whatever curse he could think of in each of the beast's general direction. Beyond caring anymore what unwanted attention his spell casting was directing towards himself. He'd worry about that later.
The cockatrices seemed surprised at his sudden outburst and Snape pressed that advantage.
He managed to subdue one of the creatures in bindings but it didn't look like that would hold it for long. He was about to stun it into unconsciousness when the other beast came to its senses and entered the fray.
Snape overbalanced for a few vital seconds while he quickly tried to change direction to redirect his attack. The beast took quick advantage of his moment of unbalance and struck out.
This time hitting its target, it's brutal claws digging into the flesh of his arm.
His now injured arm only fazed Snape for a second; he was no stranger to pain, and he renewed his assault.
But the first cockatrice had fought its way free of the bindings and, from the look in its eyes, was enraged.
The smell of Snape's now flowing blood seemed to drive his attackers more. They knew their prey was injured now.
Seeing his growing disadvantage he considered running. But he realized if, by some miracle, his use of magic hadn't attracted any more potential attackers then the scent of his blood surely would. Better just deal with the problem at hand.
Snape squared his shoulders in determination and prepared for the next wave of battle. He hoped if he could just stay alive long enough the creatures would show a weakness that he could exploit.
It was at this moment that he felt it. Unfocused magic swept over his body in a wave, only weakened by distance.
Snape had never felt anything like it before. But he could feel the desperation and fear behind it, which gave him a suspicion as to where (and who) it might have come from.
He was quickly brought back to his current predicament when he realized the cockatrices were on the move again.
But this time they were moving away from him. Quickly disappearing into the forest, in the opposite direction that that magical wave had come from. It apparently had scared them off.
He took a moment to heal his arm and marvel at the first bit of good luck he had received that night.
The forest was now buzzing around him. Some of the more skittish creatures, like the cockatrices, seemed frightened and were hastily emerging from their hiding places to flee from such a powerful use of magic, while others seemed drawn to it.
If Snape's suspicion was right, it would lead them straight to his two missing students. So he himself headed off towards where he had felt it come from.
Another good thing had come from that magical outburst; his use of magic had been forgotten. But he was still cautious as he went deeper into the forest.
He walked for what seemed like ages but other than a snapped twig that sounded too close he was left alone.
As more time passed Snape was starting to lose hope that he would find his students. He began to wonder whether his assumption that one of them had created that magic burst had been correct.
Maybe they had been the victims of it. Not a thought he wished to dwell on.
Guilt started to eat away at him and he seriously considered finding his way back to the school and getting help. Even if it did mean he'd surely lose his job.
But he pressed on, tortured by indecision again.
Snape entered a small clearing and stopped. It looked like some sort of explosion had occurred there. Branches snapped off, twigs everywhere. Several large creatures, which he identified as forest trolls lay, apparently unconscious (or dead), on the ground.
And right in the middle of it all were his two students. Finally he had found them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Yay! Another chapter done! Shortest one yet, I think. I have a hard time writing action sequences, so hope it made sense, lol. I'm thinking there will be two, maybe three more and then it'll be finished :O)
Again thanks for the reviews!
Cherry: Thanks so much!
Crayon: your review really did help! Your enthusiasm is contagious! Thanks for reviewing again. I wrote most of this at work (I have a really boring job) that's the only way I can update so frequently. I'm so going to get fired, lol.
Gabriella: Thanks again for reviewing!! It wasn't my intention to have the boys get it on in this story, even though the plot is very similar to countless Harry/Draco slash fics, lol. Nope, there isn't going to be any slash in this story. I am thinking of getting them together in my next fic, they're irresistible together :P
Reviewer who didn't leave a name: thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.