Fire & Ice: War Games

‘Kindness is wisdom. There is none in life
but needs it and may learn.’

Philip James Bailey, Festus (sc. Home)


The train lurched to a jerky stop at platform nine and three quarters as the sun began to slip beyond the near distant horizon. While most of the train’s compartments were filled with adolescent laughter, one in particular wasn’t.

“Let it out.”

Severus sniffled, reality was slowly over coming his senses as Sirius Black’s curse waned. Blinking, a familiar face slowly came into focus through the haze of tears blurring his sight “What are you doing here?” Narrowing his eyes, Severus sneered.

“What do you mean?”

“Come to gloat? Or perhaps Potter and Black wanted an intimate report on Black’s curse?”

“Severus, wait! You don’t understand, I...”

“Please I understand perfectly. You’ve had your bit of fun, now you can leave.” Severus said pulling his school robes tighter around his lean frame.

“No, you don’t understand. Severus, you....”

“The joke is over. Go back to your Gryffindor friends and enjoy your laughs.” Severus glared at his unwanted companion and gathered his belongings before storming from the train compartment.

Following the Slytherin into the aisle, “why can’t you see the truth? Not everyone is your enemy!” Tears streaked down from emerald eyes as the last wisps of the Slytherin’s robes disappeared. A hand absently brushed across her stomach as she straightened her wrinkled robes.

“Why are you wasting your time on that slime ball?” He said looking over the witch’s shoulder.

“When do you plan on growing up, Sirius.” Tossing her hair back, she stalked off the train and greeted her parents.

“What did you say to her, Sirius?”

“Nothing, James. I only asked what she was doing with Snivellus.” he said with a puzzled shrug.

Snorting, “he’s Lily’s latest pet project.”




Onyx eyes swept over the crowded terminal before sighing as he pushed the trolley cart through the packed aisles and outside. His eyes sought the familiar sight of the family driver in the mass of cars in the parking lot. Seeing the familiar figure dressed in black at the far side of the endless parking lot, Severus waved a free hand before pushing the trolley ahead of him. “Severus. Please wait, Severus.”

Groaning with exasperation, “what do you want, Evans? Didn’t I provide you with enough entertainment on the train?”

“Severus it’s not like that.” Emerald eyes shined with concern from beneath a flowing mane of auburn hair. “I just wanted to wish you a happy Christmas and ask you something.”

Severus groaned inwardly, cursing himself for letting the witch talk to him and his own stupidity for allowing his curiosity to get the best of him. Someone befriending him for his potion skills or his knowledge in the dark arts was not something new. “What do you want, Evans?”

“Write me sometime, for anything. No one should be alone on Christmas.” She squeezed his arm as she spoke.

Severus narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the muggleborn absently caress her stomach. Snorting inwardly, “contrary to popular belief, I won’t be alone.” His eyes took on a far away look, “unfortunately.” He mumbled beneath his breath without realizing the witch had heard him.

“Still,” she said oblvious to the sudden darken shift of the Slytherin’s mood. “Write me Severus, please.”

Before another word could pass between the pair, “Lily, sake a leg! Vernon’s suppose to take me out to dinner in three hours and I still have to get ready!”

Severus winced as the girl’s shrill voice reached his ears, “who needs a immature mandrake.” Rolling his eyes, he was grateful that he had been born an only child. The Slytherin snickered and was surprised to see the Gryffindor witch smirk.

“At least you don’t have to live with her.” Her eyes widened slightly as her hand flew to cover her mouth. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“Not like I’m going to tell.”

“Some Slytherin code or something?”

“You might be as smart as everyone claims you are, Evans.” He said rolling his eyes at the seemingly clueless witch. “Sarcasm must be a foreign language to you.”

Folding her arms, “okay, I’ll bite. Why?”

“Why, what?” Severus asked tilting his head slightly.

“Why the uncharacteristic gesture of generosity?”

Smirking, “blackmail.” Before she could respond, Severus walked away towards the family driver and car.

Watching the Slytherin’s retreating figure, “did he just tease me?” She wondered, walking slowly back to her smiling parents and a irritated Petunia. Climbing into the backseat, she missed the Slytherin’s amused smirk cast at her backside.

“Good day, I hope that your train ride was pleasant.” The driver bowed slightly, opening the door.

“It was....” Severus quickly searched for an appropriate word, “adequate.”

“Pleased to hear, Master Snape.” The driver said closing the door and quickly unloaded the boy’s trolley. Slamming the trunk lid down, the driver hurried to the front of the automobile and slid behind the wheel. Turning the ignition over, “any pit stops, sir?” He asked shifting the automobile into gear.

“None, I just want to get home.” Severus said staring casually out the tinted window, wishing the long drive was over and it was the carriage he was riding in instead, he would be halfway home by then.

“As you wish, Master Snape. I do believe that Mr. Crommett restocked the bar with chocolate frogs, butterbeers and the such.” Silence stretched between the pair as they drove through the maze of city streets.

As the sun became a memory and the last stars appeared in the sky above, Severus was rocked to sleep by the humming of the automobile’s engine.


A/N

mother:

Right on two.