Second Chances



Chapter 10: We will talk about this later.



Eventually, the mares slowed down and Severus was woken out of his dark thoughts. He had little idea about how much time had passed, but he assumed it was well past noon. They came to a halt on a bright clearing that was well enough to survey. Lily dismounted with ease and turned to him.

"We will take a short rest here, eat and drink something and use the chance to relieve ourselves. Wait, I'll help you down." she said in a low voice.

Snorting, he took his feet out of the stirrups and swung his right leg over his mount's back. Sliding from the saddle, he was surprised about how weak his legs suddenly felt when they touched the ground. Had Lily not supported him quickly, he would have fallen on his knees.

Scowling, she reprimanded him softly: "I told you to wait! What you experience is a natural reaction of the muscles in your legs which are not used to the long riding. I know this was a damper to your pride, but believe me when I say that I take no pleasure whatsoever in the weakness of others, including you, and will therefore grant you no more help than is absolutely necessary. But consequently I expect you to accept what I offer. Did I make myself clear?"

He glared back at her. "Clear? Are you sure you want to make yourself clear? Until now you clearly preferred to remain enigmatic and mysterious." Severus snarled. He saw an emotion cross her eyes briefly, was it regret? He couldn't be certain, for it was gone before he could take a second look.

"It seems we have to talk about a few things." she replied quietly. "But not here and not now. This is not a safe place. So please refrain from rising your voice again or otherwise making noise. Some of the creatures that hunt by day have a very good hearing and I don't particularly fancy serving some beast for lunch."

He looked away from her and let his eyes come to rest on the gray's mane, angry at himself about his incapacity to keep his emotions properly locked up inside himself when dealing with her. 'Damn, that woman always seems to be able to get under my skin. I really have to do something about that.' he thought irritated. But the nearness of her slender body reminded him painfully of things he had denied himself for a very long time. He was a man after all.

Having apparently felt him tense, she gently let go of him, but stayed near enough to interfere again, should he stumble. When she saw he was steady on his feet, she nodded, walked back to her dark mare and took two bottles, as well as some bread and cheese out of one of the saddle-bags. From another one she got some grain for their mounts. They ate in silence, standing between the two mares who watched the surrounding forest alertly. The fays were checking the area farther.

When they had finished their meal, Lily told him to walk around for a bit to ease his muscles, before she asked Ardent to accompany him behind some bushes but to stay in earshot. Biting back a sharp retort, he reminded himself of what she had told him mere minutes ago, and didn't protest against being baby-sitted.

The tiny humanoid whizzed observantly around Severus as he walked into the undergrowth. He scowled at it, when he stopped.

"Have you ever heard of the word 'private'? Go watch some trees." he growled.

~ Can't.~ said a small voice in his head.

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Was that you? Can you talk telepathically?"

~ Was me. Can talk. Not listen, you.~ the Fire-Fay said, 'speaking' very quickly.

He narrowed his eyes even more. "Can you read thoughts as well? Did you eavesdrop on me earlier?" his gaze started to glitter dangerously, while his heart began pounding hard against his chest. Just how much did the little flame-ball know?

~Could. But don't. Private.~ Ardent stopped his flight, hovering in the air in front of Severus' face like a dragonfly. ~ You angry. Why?~

"That's none of your business. Now get lost." Severus snapped at his small companion.

~ Won't. Have to guard.~ the fay replied stubbornly.

"Fine, then do so from a distance. I will not tolerate your presence while I'm doing this." he hissed.

~ Why? Am male, too.~ Ardent asked uncomprehendingly.

"Just. Go. Away." Severus pressed through gritted teeth.

The Fire-Fay turned his back on him. ~Stay. ~ he insisted. ~But won't look. Promise.~

Sighing angrily in frustration and earnestly thinking about just smashing the creature into the next tree, Severus turned around as well, and started to empty his bladder. 'How humiliating.' he thought slightly embarrassed. He was finished and about to turn back to the annoying fay when it burst into a roaring flame all at once. He jumped back to get away from the heat and avoid getting burnt. A moment later, all was back to normal again.

"What do you think you were doing? You could have roasted me!" he barked exasperatedly.

Ardent looked at him apologetically. ~Sorry. Got wet. Snow fell down.~

"Fine guardian you make, you clumsy little flame-ball." Severus sneered. "You very nearly set me on fire."

The tiny winged humanoid buzzed angrily towards him, but froze suddenly. ~Don't move!~ he whispered, minute eyes wide with fear.

Old reflexes promptly made him do just the opposite, and he whirled around to face a large white lizard. Silver eyes regarded him with the gaze of a raptor. The lizard itself strongly resembled what Muggles called dinosaurs. Walking upright on two strong hind-legs it balanced its body with its tail, its short fore-legs equipped with razor-sharp claws. Head tilted to one side, its nostrils flared when it took in their scent.

Severus hand flew to the sleeve of his cloak, only to remember that he had no wand anymore. The lizard jerked its head in his direction, and locked his gaze. It made him go cold inside, as if his mind was frozen. The next thing he realized was that the raptor was mere two yards away from him and prepared to strike.

But before it could do anything, a dull thud was heard and the white lizard fell limply to the ground, where it quickly changed color to a sparkling, light-reflecting silver.

Lily stood over it, the sword in her hand, but not bloodied. She bend down and checked the creature briefly, before coming over to them.

"Are you two alright?" she asked with concern in her dark-green eyes.

Severus let out a shaky breath. "I think so. What was that thing?"

She glared at him with glittering eyes that rapidly darkened further.

"I think you have said enough for now. We will talk about this later. I'm very disappointed with you , Ardent. You at least should have known better." she said in a low, but hard voice. "We have to get away from here quickly. Snow-Lizards are seldom alone in their territory. Hurry."

Head bowed in embarrassment, Ardent took the lead, while Severus trailed after him and Lily guarded their back. They walked swiftly to the horses and mounted. He was just seated in the saddle, when the gray resumed her previous gliding gait at a much faster pace. Lily's dark mare stayed behind them this time, and he had nothing to watch but the trees that were rushing by. A few times he thought he heard a noise behind them, but when he looked back, Lily was always there, the sword in her hand, and a grim expression on her face.

In that way they rode until dusk set in.



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A/N:

Sorry, I know this is very late, but I had very little time for writing during the week. I had to get up very early, and came home late every night.
But I love that internship!!! I'll try to get another chapter finished by Monday.

By the way, if anyone is interested in Saga and Goa, it is the Icelandic Horse that stood model for their race. Ten points to the one that knows what the 'gliding gait' I referred to is called...



So will Severus get his talk in the evening? What will he learn? Will Lily give him some answers?



Greetings,

Scheckie