He's had too much Firewhiskey.
It isn't necessarily the burning feeling in the pit of his stomach or the sensation of double vision that's plaguing him at the moment that tells him this noble truth. No, it's the fact that Auriga is smiling at him and he's thinking naughty thoughts.
Naughty, naked thoughts.
'I believe you're drunk, Severus,' she says with a laugh that suggests something he's not quite clear on at the moment.
He files it away to think about later.
'You're mistaken, Auriga,' he says with only a little bit of a slur. 'I am perfectly sober and functioning and not at all attracted to you.'
Her smile widens and he pauses for just a moment to consider what he's said.
'I didn't mean any of that,' he says and very loudly bangs his head into the table.
There are cool fingertips against the back of his neck and the smell of lavender invades his sense. When he turns his head, Auriga is right next to him, only inches away, and her smile is just as bright. It makes his head hurt slightly.
'Would you like me to take you back to the hotel?' she asks and he can hear the concern in her voice, even if he can't directly discern it as such.
'Very much so. Your room or mine?'
She laughs, thankfully, and helps him into a standing position. The students returned to the hotel earlier and have been under the watchful eyes of three local wizards who volunteered their security purposes for this trip. It allowed Severus to make good on his payout from the earlier bet.
She leans him against the wall while she pulls on her coat – her glorious tweed coat that makes him think of Scottish moors and wailing winds – and then they're off, staggering into the cool October evening and down the street from the hidden, tiny pub to their hotel. He's aware of her presence beside him, of her arm around his back, and of the heat she's radiating even through the coat.
He's also aware of the fact that he's too drunk to remember that he doesn't like her.
'I meant it,' he says, surprising her just enough that she staggers slightly.
'What's that?' she asks. They're within sight distance of the hotel.
'I find you incredibly attractive.'
They stop in the middle of the cobblestone street and he almost falls from her grasp. When he looks at her, she's wearing a facial expression he's never seen before and it unnerves him just enough to get rid of the double vision.
'You're a bastard sometimes,' she says, which is, quite honestly, not the reaction he was expecting.
She drags him along to the hotel and leaves him – confused and still highly intoxicated - the lobby, which manages to confuse him even more because he can't remember what floor he's staying on and she's halfway to the lift when he remembers that she has his key.
'Auriga, wait,' he says and stumbles forward to catch up with her.
She turns, an almost hopeful look on her stormy face. 'What?'
'You have my key,' he says.
He isn't all that surprised when the metal object in question smacks him in the forehead, right between his eyes. It seems to be the easiest place for her to hit, lately.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you like my Sinistra and that she fits with those that have come before her. Keep reading!