Suneko’s father had fallen asleep on the living room floor. What a strange day indeed. The confused foreigner who had landed in his living room had just been nodding without a word when Severus had explained the situation. He had been uncanningly quiet. Severus had put the kettle on the stove, a quick dinner had appeared, and they had dined in silence.
Now, Severus had climbed up to his room. Of course, he couldn’t sleep. He was worried about her. He wanted to hope that she was safe, hope that she would be home soon, turned back to human. So, he was listening to the darkness. And waiting.
He jumped when he saw a deeper shadow on the doorstep. She hadn’t made a sound. And he gasped, when he launched a lumos spell: she was human indeed… If one could call her filthy, soaking wet, naked shape on the doorstep human. She was trembling with cold. He launched a drying spell on her, and accioed a cover, which he put around her shoulders.
« Why are you in that state? »
-Father’s sleeping. »
-Why are you so filthy? »
-I might have bumped into one of your cellar’s walls, and dug a gallery out to get a bit of fresh air. Then, I found a lake when I was out there. I felt like bathing. »
-I did wonder what else you would need to break. » she looked up at him :
-You stayed. » she crossed her arms, frowning.
-That was stupid. » he schrugged.
-What am I going to do with you, Severus, if you keep putting yourself in life threatening situations? »
-Your prince came to us all by himself. »
-But you stayed, and I was turning. You have no survival instinct. » she sighed.
-So… Our partnership is no longer in order, is it? » Severus frowned.
-Why would you let me down? »
-I won’t. You will. »
-What makes you think so? »
-I can smell your fear. »
-Oh, yes. You’re terrifying. » she threw him a puzzled glance. She had expected denial.
-You admit it. »
-Why would I lie? I’m not stupid. I’ve got eyes. You’re a bloody giant snake. Have you seen your own size? And what was even that, pouring out of your wand? Where did that obscurus come from? »
-Mine. »
-Oh, come on! »
-It broke when i fled from the Sunset Palace. That’s when I met my father. He severed the bond, helped me out. » Severus was impressed. Thought : She should not have survived that.
-He’s good. »
-The best. »
-Any other curses I should be aware of? »
-Two is enough. »
-At least, yours are interesting. »
-Interesting is not what people tend to call them. »
-Well, rumor has it I’m a bit strange. »
An awkward silence floated on the room like a lonely snowflake.
« Your Defense Against the Dark Arts shop. Do you have a name? »
-Lily’s DADA articles. » Severus replied automatically.
-From that dead woman you love? » Severus nodded.
-You never recovered, did you. » He schrugged. Why didn’t it hurt quite as much? He guessed he had other preoccupations.
-And your brand’s? »
-The Winning Pawn. »
-Why? »
-My mother was obsessed with go. She was a genius, unconcerned with people. That made her successful. Then she met my progenitor, and had me. So, she lost all value, and had to overwork herself. She never really looked at me. I had caused her downfall, after all. When she got sick, she shut down from everyone, and spent her days focused on her board game. On my last visit, she told me I had to win. It’s the last thing she ever said to me. I think she felt like a pawn herself. » Severus’s throat was tight for a moment.
-Turns out you’ve got a better game. And aren’t we together in this mess. »
-You’re a good friend. And you bring snacks. Thoughtful. » She smiled.
-Too bad this marriage is out of the question, now. »
-You didn’t even want to marry me in the first place! What are you talking about? »
-Ha! You’d be in trouble if i had said yes! »
-You’re not interested! »
-Oh, am I not? » She was in a cheeky mood.
-Will you marry me, mister Snape? »
-Miss Gaunt, i’ll take your hand. »
-I dare you. »
-Try me. »
Severus didn’t hear himself cast the spell or even think it. The knife just flew right into his hand as if it had decided to. And he hardly felt himself draw it to his own hand, and cut lightly into the skin. There seemed to be no pain throbbing, when the blood started to drip. It was as if his body was working on its own. As if it knew what it was doing. And Severus wasn’t even slightly surprised, concerned, or worried when his hand extended, and presented the knife to Suneko. Deep down, somewhere, underneath this feeling of quiet inner surety, Severus knew that it was probably not a good idea to offer to make a blood oath in the circumstances. But even deeper, he also knew he trusted her. The woman behind the monster. He didn’t know why. But he did. The certainty was unshakable. She frowned, then stared. Her eyes were huge, in the dim light of the room. About a hundred years old, and deadly serious. Intense. The world stopped turning for a few seconds.
« I’ve seen passion, and I’ve seen marriage. Both are equally stupid. » she said.
-I know. »
-But we’re friends. Aren’t we? »
-Absolutely. You’re a very rich friend. »
-I wouldn’t have to give up on my job. And you own a very interesting land. »
Severus felt her hand in his. It was warm. Sticky. He wasn’t sure whose blood was whose.
-Does it hurt? » he asked. She shifted. She was clearly taken aback by the question.
-What? »
-The turning. » She thought about it for a while.
-Feels like a stretching, I think. A stretching gone wrong. And then, you have to concentrate to schrink back into your own body. »
-Is it hard? »
-Generally isn’t. »
-But it was, today. » That wasn’t a question.
-Your eyes… So, they… » She nodded.
-Don’t know how it works. »
-But you’re still… You… In there… »
-I do my best. »
-You’re pretty good at handling… This. »
-I’m not a curse. » she interrupted him dryly. There was a purple glint in her eyes.
-I’m a gojin. This word people use, maledictus, it’s derogatory. It’s insulting. I just turn to a snake. There’s nothing wrong with being a snake, really. »
-No, there isn’t. But I kind of also like you as a human. »
-How come you’re not hurt? » she frowned.
-They’ve stabbed you. I’ve seen it. » Severus remembered. He just didn’t have any logical explanation to give.
-How did you bring father home? » He didn’t answer.
The temperature gained a few degrees, as they stared at each other in silence. Their blood was mingling. Nothing seemed to need to be said. Nothing was.
The chains of light were scorching hot, now. And Severus knew their invisible trace would be permanent, engraved in him, like the Mark, like a burn. When the chains cooled down, they were a schimmering silver. When they were detangled, Severus observed the little vial, at their end.
« You keep it. » she said. He locked the chain with the little vial around his neck.
It had been a long day. Severus just wanted to be through with it.
« And now, go wash and go to bed. You’re filthy. »
She didn’t go. Just stared.
« Go, now. » He repeated, losing patience.
But she didn’t.
« OUT! » He was quite irritated.
She did move. But not in the right direction. There was some sort of… Accident. There was not any other way to describe this. Their faces accidentally bumped into each other, resulting in a case of moist confusion. And the world softened for a few minutes, while they both melted.
« This was just a scientific experiment… » she mumbled.
-… Obviously. »
-… Good night. »
-… You’re so very dedicated. »
-Oh, shut up. »
Les pattes de mouche de la puce polichinelle 