Quicksilver

Quicksilver – chapter 3







Severus and Electra became very close friends over the following weeks. For him it was like when Lily was still speaking to him, only with the added bonus that Potter didn’t follow her around and she didn’t criticise him like Lily used to. However with the passing of the weeks, the Christmas holidays neared and brought with them the thick heavy snows associated with Highland winters. This was not good weather for sitting under trees so Severus relocated to the library. Usually deserted except for the most studious of students, it had become more and more busy as the weather got colder and he hadn’t seen Elektra more than a few times the last couple of weeks. He told himself that he was pleased that he managed to get some peace and solitude and had got more work done than he anticipated, however he still looked out for her each time he went.



Unfortunately, even now most students were getting ready to go home, he still didn’t see her. He assumed she would be going home for the holidays too. Of course; she would have a loving family, presents, and decorations. Why would she want to stay in a freezing castle with him? He thought to himself bitterly as he made his way through the castle.



As he passed through a courtyard he was still thinking about the image of her, smiling face flushed with joy opening her Christmas gifts in front of a fire, maybe one from him, reaching up to kiss him in thanks.



Just as he shook his head to get rid of the tortuous image, he felt a cold, hard object hit the back of his head. He spun round in fury, wand out expecting to find a certain group of Gryffindors with a pile more snowballs. Instead he found a red-cheeked Elektra, laughing hard.



“Sorry Sev, I couldn’t resist,” she gasped trying to catch her breath.



“In future I suggest you try harder,” he growled sweeping bits of snow out of his hair.



“Here, you missed a bit,” she said softly, reaching up and brushing the offending frosty substance out of his hair then dropping her hand, blushing furiously.



“Hey, do you like my snow-witch?” she asked, pointing to the lumpy sculpture behind them. “I based it on Sprout.” She chuckled.



He smirked at it, “I can see the resemblance.”



“Are you going into Hogsmeade tomorrow?” she asked as casually as she could.



“I may, I have a few items I need to replenish in my potions kit.” He replied.



“Oh, well. I might go with a few friends, but if I see you there it’d be nice to catch up. I haven’t had the chance to talk to you for a while.”



“Will not your friends be offended if you abandon them?” he asked, taken aback.



“Maybe, but to be honest some of them are really annoying me at the minute. They need to learn that I need my own space. They’re like a herd or something.” She joked.



“So why do you want to meet up with me if you want to be on your own?”



“I’ve missed our little talks,” she admitted sheepishly. “My friends are all right really but lately all they talk about is fashion, boys, make-up, Quidditch boys, hair, music and boys. It starts to grate after a while. At least I get a change of subject when I talk to you.”



“Indeed,” he agreed.



“Are you coming to Lunch?” he asked, gesturing in the direction he had originally been heading.



“Not yet, I’m not frozen so I obviously haven’t had enough fun yet!” she chuckled with a slightly evil grin.



“I will never understand the appeal of playing with cold, wet snow.” He said, shaking his head at her and walking off. However, as she turned to complete the hat on ‘snow-Sprout’ she was hit on the back of the neck with a snowball. She chuckled as she turned, but there was no-one there.







He did indeed find her in Hogsmeade the next day. She was with the same group of giggly Ravenclaw girls. Stood by a group of carol singers, they were singing along at the top of their voices, and had added a dance routine earning cheers and applause from passing students. She looked lovely in a short black skirt with knee high platform boots, bright green v-neck tight jumper and black velvet blazer. Her Ravenclaw scarf hung loosely from her shoulders.



“Hi Sev, are you going to join us?” she called as she noticed him applauding with the audience that had gathered.



“Unlikely,” he replied icily, glaring at her friend, the one which seemed to have a problem with him.



“Do you want to get a drink? We can talk in The Three Broomsticks.” He nodded his assent and followed her into the warmth of the pub. While quiet, they were not the only customers. James Potter and Lily Evans were ensconced in a snug in the corner, looking very cosy.



“We can go somewhere else if you want.” She said sensitively.



“No, it doesn’t concern me. I couldn’t care less.” He replied, surprised that he meant it.



“Ok, you find a seat and I’ll get the first round, as this was my idea,” she told him, not giving him a choice in the matter. As she waited at the bar for their drinks, Lily came up to her, patting her on the shoulder.



“Is it true what Sirius said, are you and Severus seeing each other?” she asked, looking over to the boy who used to be her best friend.



“I don’t see how that would be your concern either way,” Electra replied coldly.



“Well, friend or more, watch out. Severus Snape has some nasty friends and dark secrets.” Lily warned.



“Thank you for your concern but I assure you, I am more than capable of looking after myself.” She returned to him and almost slammed the mugs on the table in annoyance.



“What did Evans want?” he enquired suspiciously.



“Poking her nose into my alleged love life.” She snarled glaring at her. He raised a brow at this but said nothing.





They passed an hour or so comfortable in each other’s company; talking about NEWT’s, Astronomy, Philosophy and a lengthy debate on Ethics but the subject finally turned to literature.



“I have decided that, now I know you, you aren’t Adonis after all.” She said suddenly.



“Oh really? Do continue.” He said coolly, surveying her with interest.



“No, you’re more like Hades; Dark Master of the Underworld!” she said dramatically, with a wry smile.



”I suppose that’s meant to be a compliment?” he queried, amused.



“Of course, it’s one of my favourite myths. I have also concluded therefore that I must be Persephone, goddess of spring, come to cheer you in the cold of winter.”



“I suppose I should look on the bright side, at least I have only to endure you for six months of the year,” he teased.



“Well! I am insulted!” she said pretending to be offended, hands on hips.



“What’s the matter, Snivellus? Date not going well?” They turned to find Sirius Black had ambled over to their table, and he smelled like he managed to get hold of something stronger than Butterbeer. Severus sneered at him and was about to reply with something scathing when Elektra cut him off.



“Why do you insist on bothering us? Don’t you have a life of your own so you stick your nose into other people’s?” she snapped with apparent anger.



“I have a life, a good one actually, but while we’re on the subject of noses, why do you insist on snubbing my company to cosy up with the ‘Beak of Britain’ here?” he slurred.



Severus clenched his fist under the table, trying to contain his temper. Unlike Black he wasn’t drunk or stupid enough to start a fight or duel in so public a place. Elektra stood in fury, railing at the sozzled marauder.



“How dare you interfere in my choice of company? Maybe it’s because I like to spend time with someone with the intelligence for a real conversation that doesn’t involve Quidditch or a massive ego. Or have you ever thought how nice it is for a girl to have a boy talk to her face and not her chest?” she turned and grabbed her coat.



“Sorry Sev, I’ll see you over break.” She said in a softer tone and stormed out.



“Wait. Damn it. Marshall!” Sirius shouted after her, catching her up further down the snowy street.



“What? Come to ogle my boobs some more? Or perhaps you’d like to insult my friends again?” she was tired of his games and was ready to hex him if he tried anything.



“No, I want to say sorry. I have something for you but I wasn’t going to give it you in front of him.” He said in a more sincere tone and held out a single red rose.



“Oh. Thanks.” She said, flabbergasted. She accepted it without a word and watched him walk back to where Lupin and Pettigrew were stood waiting.



“Oh My God! Sirius Black just gave a girl a flower and meant it. This is huge, like monkeys using tools for the first time.” Said Elektra’s friend, Hayley, who had witnessed the entire thing and had come out of the pub to check on her friend. Elektra smiled at the metaphor and absent-mindedly stuck the bloom in her hair. The blood red highlighted beautifully against her long dark hair.



“So, are you going to go out with him now?” Hayley asked.



“No! You can have him if you want.” she replied smiling.



“Yeah, I wish. Me and half the girls in this school.” Hayley replied dejected.



“Ask him out. Tell him you’re my best friend and I told you I like someone else” Elektra suggested.



“Ooh, who?” she asked, her interest peaked “Not that creepy Slytherin lad you’re always with?”



“One; his name is Severus. Two; he is not creepy, he’s nice. Three; I just want Black off my case so tell him anything!” she said exasperated as they returned to the castle.