Half a Life Without You

Chapter 8: Visiting Schedule

Severus's POV

I push my still tired body down the hall, quickening my steps when the Infirmary finally comes into view. I should be heading to my first lesson of the day, but my mind won't stop going over every moment I've spent with her and I feel an invisible force pushing me down the hall to her.

As I walk her words play over in my head again and again trying to piece together the puzzle of Everly Quinn. The mystery surrounding her gnaws at me and I can't help the flood of concern over her 'condition'. Who develops their magical powers so late in life? More importantly, what would the resulting damage be with such a late emergence? Was there any truth behind the legend Dumbledore told me? My silent pondering only increases my anxiety and overwhelming need to be by her side, the connection between us was intense and I oddly feel hollow without it. I'm not sure what scares me the most, my desperate attachment to someone I only just met or the danger of losing her to some unknown cause.

Dumbledore knows more than he's saying, and I can't help wanting to know what more 'research' he could possibly be doing…. where are you getting your information old man? More questions dance through my head, distracting me from the shadow bearing down on me.

Before I can step through the infirmary doorway and hand grabs tightly onto my arm spinning me around. Black's face comes into view, his eyes narrowed with anger. "Where are you rushing off to Snivellus?" his voice shaking with barely restrained hostility.

I stare back at him coldly, "I do not answer to you…Black" His name drips from my tongue with disdain as I do my best to suppress the violent impulse to simply fling him aside. I can see Black's wand hand begin to shake under the restraint of the truce, apparently, he's not very good at suppressing his own violent impulses. The magic of the truce 'gently' reminds him of the vow he made only minutes ago, an invisible push causes him to slide awkwardly away from where I'm standing. Awareness of what's happening reaches his eyes and he growls out in frustration. He opens his mouth to say something else, but before he can say anything more Dumbledore's voice gently floats over to us, "How very… fortunate… we all had a similar thought to venture to the infirmary this lovely morning?" His face is neutral as he slowly approaches, but as he gets closer, I can see it in his eyes… disappointment.

He spares us with a brief glance as he glides by his robes sway easily against the castle's stones. Black and I stare at each other awkwardly and hesitate for only a moment before following Dumbledore through the infirmary's doorway.

I slowly approach her bed and watch her deep even breathing, her hair is spilled out around her like a golden halo. Her cheeks are pink with color, and I can feel the tension in my shoulders loosen a bit, she looks healthy, so much better than the pale ghost from yesterday.

Heavy steps approaching grab my attention and I watch Black limping to the other side of her bed, his leg not allowing him to walk with his usual strut. I scowl over at him, but he only arches his brow at me and smirks. "What are you doing here?" I ask irritated.

"Now Snape is that any way to greet someone you just entered a truce with?" he asks with a pointed look over to where Dumbledore is currently speaking with Madam Pomfrey.

I can feel the tips of my ears burning as I fight back my frustration, as he stands there pretending, he wasn't the one to confront me in the hall. My quiet seething is interrupted when he continues to prattle with his annoyingly arrogant tone, "if you must know I consider Everly a friend and came to check on her, plus there's still the little thing with my leg…you know being broken. Madam Pomfrey wants to give me another round of potions, what's your excuse?"

The irrational part of me just wants to lash out senselessly and tell him to get away from her, that she doesn't need friends like him. But I know it's me she doesn't need friends like. My anger gives way to my own self-doubt, why am I here, I'm not the friend for her. Despite my thoughts I know I cannot leave and finally relent and answer Black. "I was concerned as well and thought to check in after her."

Black simply nodded, "we'll need a visiting schedule, truce or not I doubt either of us will remain civil for very long."

His humorless expression leaves little doubt he's serious, I snort with disdain "You want to me to… schedule… when I'm… allowed… to see her?"

"Think about it Snape, it's the only way this truce will actually last. I personally don't want you within the same room with ME let alone EVERLY." He took a long breath and lowered his voice, which had risen more and more has he spoke.

If my urge to punch his arrogant face was as strong as his urge to hit me, then he was right, it would never work with both of us here. I wished for the power to refuse him from visiting at all, the pull and connection I felt between Everly, and I balked at the thought of another person, especially Black being close to her.

"Fine. When are you're open periods?" I finally ask with frustration and resignation.

"Well, actually I'm free now from 9am-10am and again before dinner. You?"

I hesitate to tell my enemy my schedule, but as I look over at Everly I know I must take the risk for her. "I'm open from 8am-9am and after lunch."

He clasps his hands together, "perfect looks like we don't have to worry about…uh…getting in each other's way. Just out of curiosity what are you doing here now if this isn't your free time?" He asks with raised eyebrows.

"I already told you why I'm here, let me worry about where I'm supposed to be." I snap.

Black casually pulls up a chair before sitting down, "I guess what I should've said is… leave. It's my time, get lost Snape."

I scowl at him darkly and give one finally longing look over at Everly. I turn on my heel and walk out quickly my robes billowing behind me snapping against my legs as I walk briskly away.