Author's Note:Thank you for all of the favourites, follows, and reviews! I am thrilled people are enjoying my story so much. Thank you all for your patience and I promise the interactions between her and Severus will start increasing and becoming steamier soon. I haven't counted the chapters yet, but it starts around the Yule Ball ;)
So, I left a treat for you all at the end. Enjoy~
~Chapter 10 Start~
It was the final Saturday before the first task, and everyone was allowed to go to Hogsmeade. Harry was thinking about not going, but Hermione and Max had dragged him anyways, telling him it would do him some good to relax before the first task. Harry jumped at the chance, seemingly needing little persuasion.
"What about Ron, though?" He asked as he looked at Hermione, "Don't you want to go with him? I am currently on everyone's blacklist with Max, so I won't be alone."
Every so often Harry surprised Max. He, at his core, cared about his friends and loved ones. He was still worried about Ron even now, not wanting his best friend to spend this trip alone.
"Oh...well..." Hermione began slightly, her cheeks tinged pink. "I thought we might meet up with him in the Three Broomsticks..."
"No," Harry said flatly.
"Oh Harry, this is so stupid -"
"I'll come, but I'm not meeting Ron, and I'm wearing my Invisibility Cloak."
"Oh all right then..." Hermione snapped, "but I hate talking to you in that cloak, I never know if I'm looking at you or not."
"Well, at least with me with you, people won't think you've gone radio rental." Max offered weakly as Hermione shook her head.
So don his Invisibility Cloak Harry did. Together, they all set off out of the castle towards Hogsmeade. As they walked, Max noticed everyone seemed to be wearing 'Support Cedric Diggory!' badges. At least that was better than the 'Potter Stinks!' ones, Max thought with a grimace.
They headed into Honeydukes, and Max spent a large amount of her allowance from Dumbledore happily on various treats for herself.
"Come on, people still keep looking at me like I'm talking to myself when Max walks away, just come out of your cloak already." Hermione hissed.
"Then don't move your lips so much, no one is giving Max any looks." Harry spat back.
"Actually they totally are, but I'm weird so..." She shrugged the problem off as if it were merely water on her back.
"Yes, well, Max's thick skin aside, please just take the cloak off? No one is going to bother you here." Hermione finished.
"Oh yeah?" Harry spoke. "Look behind you."
Sure enough Rita Skeeter and her photographer friend had just emerged from the Three Broomsticks Pub. They passed the three of them speaking in hushed tones.
"Well, at least sans Harry I don't merit even an acknowledgement." Max bragged, feeling a pinch at her arm from Harry. "Oww!"
"She's staying in the village. I bet she's coming to watch the first task." Harry explained.
"She's gone," Hermione confirmed for Harry as she looked in his direction. "Why don't we go and have a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks, it's a bit cold, isn't it? You don't have to talk to Ron!" she added irritated, interpreting his silence as dissent.
They all filed into the pub, Harry being especially careful not to bump anyone, and made their way towards a spare table in the corner, while Hermione went to get them all drinks.
Ron was seated not far from them with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. Fred turned to give Max a hearty wave, as Ron merely scowled at her, as if he knew Harry was next to her. Then, within a moment, Hermione had returned with three butterbeers.
"I look like such an idiot, carrying three drinks over to a table with one person." Hermione grumbled again, the drinks sloshing as she placed them especially hard on the wooden table in obvious irritation. She pulled out a notebook soon afterwards, the one she had been using as record keeping for S.P.E.W. members. At the very top of the list say all of their names as the first members. It seemed so very long ago that she had been accepted by the group, now it was just torn and fragmented.
"You know, maybe I should try and get some of the villagers involved in S.P.E.W.," Hermione said thoughtfully, looking around the pub.
"Yeah, right," Harry grumbled from under his cloak, his drink disappearing as he took a drink. "Hermione, when are you going to give up on this spew stuff?"
"When house-elves have decent wages and working conditions!" she hissed back. "You know, I'm starting to think it's time for more direct action. I wonder how you get into the school kitchens?"
"No idea, ask Fred and George." Harry offered, unhelpfully. Hermione seemed to lapse into a thoughtful silence as Max took another sip of her drink.
"Hey, Max?" Hermione began to ask, "D'you think you could maybe, possibly, go ask Fred how to get into the kitchens? I'm pretty sure he fancies you."
Max choked on her drink as she spluttered, eyes wide, she managed to gasp out a what.
"First people think I have a sordid love affair with Harry, now you're going on about Fred?" She muttered, glaring at the spill before her on the table.
"You ok?" Hermione asked, grabbing some napkins and wiping it up.
"Yeah fine, just fine, swimmingly fine, just amazing, absolutely perfect." Max rambled as her stomach sank.
"You don't have to, but it would help..." Hermione was still cleaning up the mess, her eyes averted to the table.
"Yeah, sure, I'll see what I can do." Max sighed as Harry seemed to get lost in his own world.
"Look, it's Hagrid!" Hermione quickly muttered as they all averted their eyes to see the large shaggy back of Hagrid's head emerge from the crowd. It seemed like Hagrid had been talking to Professor Moody, as the aforementioned professor took another swig from his flask. Madam Rosmerta was glowering at him, taking offence to his use of outside liquor. Or so Max thought anyhow.
He had tried to explain the odd flask away via paranoia, and everyone had eaten it up without much protest.
They watched as the two professors got up and left together, but for a mere moment Moody stopped as his magical eye seemed to zero in on where Harry was seated, still covered in his cloak. He tapped Hagrid on the back lightly and whispered something into his ear once Hagrid turned to regard him; turning they headed towards their table.
"All right, Hermione, Max?" Hagrid greeted loudly.
"Hello." They greeted at the same time.
"Jynx, you owe me a soda!" Max quickly followed up as Hermione gave her a gaping mouth look.
"Right, half-blood." She smiled with a nod.
"Nice cloak, Potter." Moody spoke, lowering his voice as he rounded the table towards Harry.
"Can your eye - I mean, can you -?"
"Yeah, it can see through Invisibility Cloaks," Moody started, however Max had trouble hearing the rest of what was said as the Pub was growing busier, and with it, louder.
Hagrid was smiling towards the direction Harry was seated, it was obvious Moody had let him know Harry was there, most likely that's what he had whispered as they left. He had bent down under the pretext of reading Hermione's S.P.E.W. notebook, he leaned towards Harry with a large smile.
"Harry, meet me tonight at midnight at me cabin. Wear that cloak." Hagrid explained before he remembered Max was there, "I'm sorry Max, if I could have yeh meet me as well, I would, but you know...only one cloak." The good natured man spoke, fumbling with his hands as he gave her a sincere apology.
"It's ok, Hagrid. If Harry needs to tell me anything, he can afterwards." Max smiled warmly, assuming that this was more or less to advise Harry of the dragons. Sadly, even Severus hadn't been able to figure out what dragon she was going to have as it was all picked by chance. Hagrid quickly stood tall and nodded towards the two girls good naturedly.
"Nice ter see yeh both, have a good saturday." He winked as he departed, Moody following after him.
"Why does Hagrid want me to meet him at midnight?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Why do you think, Harry?" Max all but sighed. "He apologised to me for not being able to bring me along, I assume it's something to do with our first task."
"I don't know if it's a good idea to go..." Hermione worried, chewing on her bottom lip. "It might make you late for Sirius."
~Break~
The next day Max had met with Severus early in the morning to discuss her course of action. She had met with him only very briefly, and he was frowning to himself for most of it, constantly advising her to have her wits about her. He had also provided her with a light breakfast, so she could avoid the large noise crowd in the Great Hall, and prompted for her to spend her time studying up on her spells.
She was heading towards the dorm to try and get some peace and quiet, when she bumped into Harry, who was just heading out of the common room.
"It's dragons," He spoke softly, eyes shifting around, "I don't know which one we each have, but be careful." before he wandered off towards the great hall in a daze. She momentarily worried about the boy as he stalked off, looking very out of it. She had attempted to sit in her dorm room reading, but had been unable to get her worry of the boy from her mind.
Having made her decision she flung her spellbook onto her bed and grabbed her cloak, quickly whisking out of her room towards the entrance hall.
She met up with Harry again, along with Hermione, as they were discussing Sirius' thoughts on who had entered their names.
"Let's just try and keep you alive until Tuesday evening," she said desperately, "and then we can worry about Karkaroff."
They walked laps around the lake, swapping ideas on how to take out a dragon, until they relented and realized the library was the best place to find out.
"'Talon-clipping by charms...treating scale-rot...' This is no good, this is for nutters like Hagrid who want to keep them healthy..."
"'Dragons are extremely difficult to slay, owing to the ancient magic that imbues their thick hides, which none but the most powerful spells can penetrate...' But Sirius said a simple one would do it..."
"Let's try some simple spellbooks, then," Harry grumbled as he threw away Men Who Love Dragons Too Much.
"Well, there are Switching Spells...but what's the point of switching it? Unless you swapped its fangs for wine-gums or something that would make it less dangerous... The trouble is, like that book said, not much is going to get through a dragon's hide... I'd say Transfigure it, but something that big, you really haven't got a hope, I doubt even Professor McGonagall...unless you're supposed to put the spell on yourself? Maybe to give yourself extra powers? But they're not simple spells, I mean, we haven't done any of those in class, I only know about them because I've been doing O.W.L practice papers..."
"Hermione," Harry spoke through gritted teeth, "will you shut up for a bit, please? I'm trying to concentrate."
Hermione exchanged irate looks with Max, who moved over to her to remember the Switching Spell, just in case. It may help her collect her egg without too much trouble.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione softly spoke as Max flipped through another book.
"Avoid it, probably." Max shrugged, not wanting to admit she was going to be using a much higher level spell than a Switching Spell.
"I can help you, you know that right?" Hermione was concerned about Max lately, it didn't help that the girl had grown reclusive over the past week.
"I know, and I promise I have a plan it's just...I don't want unnecessary questions, as the spells I've learned...aren't fourth year."
"Nothing dangerous, I hope?"
"No, nothing like that. I just need to focus on pulling this off right now." Max smiled, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. As they were looking at a few other charms that could help Harry get a little extra bounce in his jumps, or spells that helped charm his shoes to run faster, a chortle of giggles reached their ears.
"Oh no, he's back again, why can't he read on his stupid ship?" Hermione irritably exploded to herself.
Viktor Krum, slouched form and all, walked past them in the library, arms full of books, and sat down in the farthest corner.
"Come on, Harry, we'll go back to the common room...his fan club'll be here in a moment, twittering away..." sure enough the giggle grew louder as the gaggle of girls found Krum.
~Break~
Monday dragged on, and Max found herself seated alone with Hermione in Herbology. Harry had excused himself, but had yet to make it back. Max was starting to get worried, knowing he had only run off to warn Cedric, but that hardly should have taken as long as it had.
As she was musing just this, Harry burst into the room running for Hermione.
"Hermione," He hissed out a whisper, after speeding through the greenhouse after offering a hurried apology to Professor Sprout. "Hermione - I need you to help me."
"What d'you think I've been trying to do, Harry?" Her eyes fixated on the quivering Flutterby Bush before her that she was pruning.
"Hermione, I need to learn how to do a Summoning Charm properly by tomorrow afternoon." He hissed out almost pleadingly.
"That's a tall order if I ever heard it." Max smiled as she continued to prune her own bush.
"Could you also help? I know you're busy with your plan but..." Harry trailed off, avoiding her eyes.
"Of course I can, Harry. We're in this together, I'm not about to go back on that." Max agreed without missing a beat.
And so the three of them practiced, skipping lunch and heading to a free classroom where Harry tried with all his might to correctly cast the spell.
However, all he managed to do was send various objects hurdling around the room, causing Max to squeak quite often as she dodged books and quills.
"Concentrate, Harry, concentrate..." Hermione spoke, exasperated after having been at this for the past hour.
"What d'you think I'm trying to do?" Harry spoke angrily, repeating the girls earlier words back at her. "A great big dragon keeps popping up in my head for some reason... Okay, try again..."
~Break~
Harry was attempting to have them skip Divination. Max was virtually on board, not needing good marks at all for her own future, having already graduated, but Hermione did not agree. She point blank refused to miss Arithmancy.
"We could ditch?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow as Max stared at him, unblinking.
"We really should go to class." She tapped her chin.
"Or, we could practice and NOT deal with everyone's jeers and Professor Trelawney's awkward mentions of our impending deaths." Harry pushed, noting the increased 'you're going to die' warnings that she had started issuing Max over the past month.
"Fine, I don't really fancy having her mention how miserable and unloved I'm going to be when I die." Max deadpanned as she moved back to the middle of the room. They spent the next hour practicing, but hadn't been able to get much farther. They quickly took a break to grab dinner, before returning to the classroom.
By the end of it Hermione had returned from her class, disappointing glare and all, and they continued to work on the Summoning Charm until midnight.
They would have stayed longer, having the Invisibility Cloak on hand, but they ended up having to head to the dorms when Peeves showed up pretending that Harry had wanted things to be thrown at him, and started to pelt them all with the objects they were practicing with.
By two o'clock in the morning Harry. Hermione, and Max were seated in the common room, surrounded with books, quills, and several upturned chairs, an old set of Gobstones, and Neville's toad, Trevor. Only in the last hour had he managed to get the hang of it.
"Nice job Harry!" Max cheered, clapping her hands together as the boy blushed.
"That's better, Harry, that's loads better," Hermione looked equally pleased, albeit exhausted. Max made herself a reminder to grab an Awakening potion from Severus tomorrow morning.
"Well, now we know what to do next time I can't manage a spell," Harry nodded as he threw a rune dictionary back towards Max so he could try again, "threaten me with a dragon. Right..."
He quickly cast the spell once more and the book flew from Max's hands towards himself, and he caught it with ease.
"Harry, I really think you've got it!" Hermione praised delightedly.
"Just as long as it works tomorrow," Harry said. "The Firebolt's going to be much farther away than the stuff in here, it's going to be in the castle, and I'm going to be out there on the grounds..."
"That doesn't matter," Hermione spoke firmly. "Just as long as you're concentrating really, really hard on it, it'll come. Harry, we'd better get some sleep...you're going to need it, so will Max." with that, Hermione linked her arm through Max's and led the tired girl towards their dorms.
~Break~
The following morning was a mess for Max as she tiredly wandered towards Severus' chambers. She knocked on the door hoping to catch him before breakfast to grab an awakening potion for herself. She had trouble sleeping that night, actually quite frightened by the prospect of fighting a fucking dragon.
Gingerly, she knocked on the doors and waited. For a few moments she almost thought he wouldn't answer, but sure enough he opened the doors fully dressed, scowl in place.
"Miss Suthers this is hardly acceptable behaviour to be coming to my private quarters." He spoke with an air of irritation.
"Sorry Professor, I was just hoping I could have an Awakening potion before my first task?" She asked, wringing her hands together anxiously.
"You do realize you could have gone to Madame Pomfrey for this, correct?" He arched a dark eyebrow and Max stared at her shoes awkwardly.
"Yes, well..." She mumbled as she stared at her runners. She had dressed herself in some slim flared yoga pants, a tight red t-shirt, and a red with black trim windbreaker that was also tight fitted. She figured loose clothing would be a nightmare, so she opted for decently warm and non-constricting.
Severus let out a sigh and closed his door for a few moments, before wrenching it back open and thrusting a small vial into her hands with a scowl.
"Now if that's all you require, Miss Suthers, then I will see you at your first task, as is appropriate." in his usual abrasive fashion he closed the door, none too softly, and she was left feeling the same gnawing feeling in her stomach that she had done something wrong.
She quickly pocketed the potion to take at lunch, and headed down to breakfast, and then afterwards, her morning classes.
Throughout the first half of the day Harry was very withdrawn and pale. He looked as if he hadn't gotten a single bit of shuteye and Max frowned. Holding her Awakening potion in her hand she felt guilt that she hadn't asked for another for the boy.
However, Severus never would have handed it over if she had asked for two, he really and truly seemed to hate him.
During lunch they had been collected by Professor McGonagall and taken down to their first task. Hermione issued a goodluck to them both, as Fred shouted for her to kick ass, which resulted in Professor McGonagall docking Gryffindor 5 points for such language.
"Don't panic," she spoke to them both as she warmly grasped their shoulders, "just keep a cool head... We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand... The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you... Are you alright Mr. Potter?" She zero'd in on the paling boy, as Max gave an equally concerned look.
"Yes," Harry spoke without much intonation. "Yes, I'm fine."
She led them towards the end of the forest, where a large tent had been erected.
"You're both in here with the other champions," Professor McGonagall spoke in a slightly shaky voice, "and wait for your turn, Potter, Suthers. Mr. Bagman is in there...he'll be telling you the - the procedure... Good luck."
"Thanks" They both responded, Max a touch more enthusiastically than Harry.
When they entered Fleur Delacour was sitting in a corner on a low wooden stool. She looked about as good as they felt, if Max was to be perfectly honest. Her usual perfectly put together prim appearance almost looked more human. Viktor Krum, who still looked as surly as usual, looked as if nothing was going on at all. Cedric, however, was pacing up and down the length of the tent.
"Harry! Max! Good-o!" Bagman greeted them happily. "Come in, come in, make yourselves at home!" Bagman looked so out of place next to all the pale and anxious champions. He was wearing his old Wasp robes once more.
"Well, now we're all here - time to fill you in!" Bagman beamed brightly. "When the audience has assembled, I'm going to be offering each of you this bag" - he held up a small sack of purple silk and shook it at them - "from which you will each select a small model of the thing you are about to face! There are different - er - varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too... ah, yes...your task is to collect the golden egg!"
Harry looked around while Max merely steeled her face, feeling fairly weak in her boots. Her fist clenched around the vial tightly, reminding her she at least had something.
Cedric merely kept pacing after he nodded his understanding. Nothing seemed to quell the nervousness that crept through each of them, and Harry seemed to pale even more at that realization.
Soon, hundreds of footfalls could be heard, as the students filed towards, and past, the tent, chatting happily amongst themselves. Max had never felt like an outsider like this, at least not since going to Hogwarts. She was almost reminded of her time as a child.
"Ladies first." Bagman spoke as he moved towards the only two girls in the room, bag held out to them. Fleur made it to Bagman first, and quickly put her elegant hand into the purple sack almost thoughtfully. Withdrawing a shaky hand, she drew out a tiny, perfect model of a dragon - a Welsh green. It had a small number two around its neck. It seemed as if she was hardly surprised at the reveal, which explained why she was so nervous. This most likely meant nothing happening today was really a surprise for anyone but the spectators.
Max moved forward next, and slowly placed her hand into the sack feeling the miniature dragons writhing around and nipping. She withdrew her hand as it clasped around something slightly smaller than the rest and pulled it out. As she did, she paled as she realized what she had just picked.
"What is it?" Harry asked, as everyone looked at Max with piteous looks.
"A Peruvian Vipertooth," Max swallowed, having researched Dragon breeds with Severus ever since she had become champion. "They are nasty little buggers, smallest of the dragons, fast, and venomous..."
"They also eat humans in excess." Fleur finished, looking much too pleased with her pick, having gone first.
A small number four was around its neck, and Max could do nothing but step back and let Krum through.
Krum quickly plunged his hand into the sack, pulling out a scarlet Chinese Fireball. It had the number three around its neck, and let out an angry puff of fire.
Cedric went next, twitchy and nervous. He pulled out a blueish-grey Swedish Short-Snout with a number one written on it.
Next, Harry slowly walked forward, painfully aware of what was left. He slowly put his hand into the sack, and without any surprise evident on his face, he pulled out the Hungarian Horntail. Max now gave him the piteous look, realizing she hardly had the worst dragon in the sack. The number five was on its neck, Harry was last.
"Well, there you are!" Bagman chimed in happily. "You have each pulled out the dragon you will face, and the numbers refer to the order in which you are to take on the dragons, do you see? Now, I'm going to have to leave you in a moment, because I'm commentating. Mr. Diggory, you're first, just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle, all right? Now...Harry...could I have a quick word? Outside?"
"Er...yes," Harry said blankly, getting up to follow Mr. Bagman outside. Max watched them go and turned to look back at the other champions, who did not look all that much better after having picked their dragons.
When Harry returned to the tent, the whistle had already been blown signifying the start. Max made her way to Harry and pulled out her Awakening potion with a small smile.
"Here," she spoke softly, "take it, you'll need it more than me. Trust me it's probably the best Awakening potion you'll find."
Harry blinked and took the vial from her hands as he stared at the murky liquid. He then looked back up at her, wide eyed and surprised.
"Thanks but...don't you need it?" He spoke, voice filled with confusion.
"No, I'll be fine. Please, I'll feel miles better if you take it."
So Harry agreed and downed the potion, the colour starting to return to his cheeks.
They both wished Cedric good luck as he walked past, well, Max did, Harry let out a mix between a groan and a splutter. His tilted smile and thank you was all the poor boy could offer in response. Before long the roar of the crowd signified Cedric had entered the arena, and his task had begun.
Listening this close, yet unable to see, seemed to make Max even more nervous. She kept hearing shouts, yelling, cheers, and the unmistakable sound of a dragon on a rampage. Through it all she could clearly hear Bagman commentating unhelpfully.
"Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow" ... "He's taking risks, this one!" ... "Clever move - pity it didn't work!"
It didn't seem to take all that long, but it felt like years to Max. Finally, within about fifteen to twenty minutes, Cedric was announced to have gotten past his dragon and gotten his egg.
"Very good indeed!" Bagman cheered, alongside the crowd. "And now the marks from the judges!"
No marks were shouted, however, and Fleur returned to her pacing as Krum never bothered to look up.
"One down, three to go!" Bagman announced as another whistle sounded "Miss Delacour, if you please!"
Fleur was still trembling as she exited the tent, leaving the three of them alone. The process ended up starting again, so Max covered her ears and focused on her breathing.
It did little to drown out the shouts of Bagman, however.
"Oh I'm not sure that was wise!" ... "Oh...barely! Careful now...good lord, I thought she'd had it then!"
Max wasn't sure how long Fleur took, but she soon heard the crowd erupt into a deafening applause signaling her successful completion of her task. After a few moments the whistle sounded again and Krum silently stood tall, and stalked out of the tent.
"And here comes Mr. Krum!" Bagman announced, and Max felt her stomach drop.
"Very daring!" Bagman started to cheer, however he was drowned out by a large snarl from the Chinese Fireball so Max moved to sit the furthest from the cacophony of noise. Harry only seemed marginally better from the Awakening potion she had given to him.
"That's some nerve he's showing - and - yes, he's got the egg!" Bagman finalized as Max took a deep breath and stood. It seemed Krum had little to no problem with his dragon.
Through the cheers Max left the tent, her heart in her throat. Tentatively she walked into the arena, to find a rocky and unforgivable terrain. Above her sat the entire school, their faces bleeding together from how far up they were.
"And now we have Max Suthers!" Bagman announced her arrival as she stepped into the arena, her wand already out. She gripped it tightly, her knuckles white, as she slowly entered the territory of her dragon. The whistle sounded and she heard an enraged snarl, not quite as loud as the other dragons for it.
She took her steps carefully, watching her surroundings as her skin prickled. Her feet shuffled as quietly as she could, and she squared her shoulders and walked in a straddle, as if her wand were a gun. Memories of laser tag flew through her mind as she attempted to correctly gather her bearings.
She turned to the left and noticed a small alcove, most likely where her dragon was hidden, and made slow movements towards it. Casting her Disillusionment spell she felt the sensation of being doused in a cold air, reminiscent of standing too close to a big fog machine. Her belly flipped and flopped as she attempted to get used to the strange feeling surrounding her skin from the spell. She had managed to collect a few gasps from the students watching her for that stunt though. Slowly, she walked towards the mouth of the alcove, her hand bracing against the sharp rocks, acutely aware of her blood pumping in her ears.
"Now that isn't a spell I'd quite expect from a fourth year! I have to say the goblet is never wrong!" Bagman cried out as his voice thundered through the arena causing some rocks to tumble from above her. If this were the wild, Bagman could have signed her death warrant. However, this was not the wild, and all Bagman seemed to be doing was drown out her footfalls.
She peered into the mouth of the 'cave' and couldn't see a thing. It was apparent that the other dragons were more than likely out in the open, but her tiny predator was able to fit inside this cave, just for her. Steeling her nerves she pushed through and looked tragically around for any sense of the creature.
Sadly, she couldn't use Lumos out of fear of showing her location, but she also couldn't waltz right in in case she fell into the dragon, literally. So she cast Speculumimago, and three identical copies of her started to walk around the cave. The desired effect occurred, as she heard a snarl to her left. Before she could fully turn, it had already lunged at the image closest, dissipating it immediately. It let out a shrill shriek of anger as it went to chase another near the mouth of the cave.
It moved quicker than she expected and by the time she had neared the furthest edge of the cave, the creature was behind her growling. It couldn't see her, but she noticed it's nostrils flared, taking in her scent.
Slowly, Max inched herself along the wall and out of the cave, she cast another Speculumimago spell, and this time she summoned only one image, and it rushed for the clutch of eggs she had caught a glimpse of at the back of the cave, capturing the dragon's attention.
Fleet of foot, she moved out of the cave trying to think of her next best bet. The creature didn't seem to be taking non-living and breathing bait to leave the cave. As quiet as she could, she peered around the corner of the rock wall she was leaning against, and found the slit sneering eyes of the Vipertooth as it hissed at her, jaws snapping.
Not really thinking anymore, Max panicked and bolted from her spot with abrupt movements, letting the Vipertooth know exactly where she was. Her previous spell had already dissipated the moment everyone noticed her loud and clumsy exit from the cave.
"Looks like she has survived, but has failed to collect the egg! The Vipertooth is now in pursuit!" Bagman boomed even more, however, his voice was lost on Max as she slid on a rock and landed painfully on her ankle.
"Shit..." she said to herself as she turned to narrowly avoid the lunge of the Vipertooth once more. She sent a stunner at the beast helplessly as it shook it off as if it were nothing. Then, fast as lightning, it launched once more at Max taking her down to the ground, her hands around its neck to keep its sharp teeth at bay. The crowd around her gasped, and she entirely missed what Bagman had shouted, her mind focused solely on the beast before her.
In the midst of her panic she attempted every spell she could, trying to come up with a solution. But the only thought going around her head was Hermione's comment about switching it's teeth with gummies.
Which was, of course, ridiculous.
That was until Max realized that the dragon before her was snapping its jowls wide, it's slimy, flesh filled mouth providing her with perfect access. The razor sharp teeth were dripping venom now onto her shirt as it attempted to bite at her again, it's front legs flailing as it's tail connected painfully with her side.
Her back was in considerable pain as well, and the dragon had managed to slash down her shoulder, the sting causing Max to cry out.
Before the dragon could swipe her again, Max shoved her hand into the dragon's mouth, wand and all, and cast the Switching spell. Her thoughts were a jumble as Hermione's words from earlier echoed in her head. She focused heavily on the egg she had seen, remembering it's small glimmer of gold, and then the weight of the dragon was gone. Max was starting to feel woozy now, her hand and forearm felt like they were on fire. For a moment Max thought she had failed and someone had to intervene, but everyone was cheering as Bagman spoke, declaring her victory.
"And Max Suthers has done it! She has gotten her egg!"
Sure enough, through bleary eyes, Max's red splattered hand was clutching the large egg on her chest. Slowly, she rose to her feet and moved towards Madam Pomfrey, who was standing next to Professor McGonagall, and she was ushered away into the first aid tent. She had hardly a moment to hear her scores, her mind still not caught up to having gotten her egg.
She was mildly aware that Pomfrey had shoved a vial into her hands hurriedly, ordering her to drink from it. Slowly she lifted her eyes to hers, and tilted her head in confusion. Everything being said to her was garbled and distant. Blinking back at the vial she slowly removed the stopper, the pop not sounding despite having felt it, and drank the foul liquid in one gulp. Blanching, she attempted to cover her mouth with her wand hand, only to find the sting of pain shooting through it. Then, she noticed Madam Pomfrey chastising her as she took her hand gingerly and started to trace her wand along it.
Taking a moment to look at her hand, she realized in her hurried attempt to shove the wand down the dragon's throat, she had mangled it on it's snapping teeth.
Her last thought was that it couldn't mean anything good, to get one's hand mauled by a venomous Vipertooth.
~Break~
Max awoke, aching and sore, laying in a bed she could only assume belonged to the hospital wing. With aching muscles, she sat up, her eyes attempting to focus on the ill lit room.
"You're an idiot, did you know that?" A voice startled her as she whipped her head to her left to find Severus sitting in the chair next to her, a book in his hands.
"Well, that was never something I've ever disputed with you. However, why this time in particular?"
"Only you would stick your entire hand down a venomous human eating dragon's mouth." Severus deadpanned.
"Yeah, but it worked didn't it?" She grinned cheekily.
"Unfortunately, the judges seem to agree. Despite your injuries, you are in second place, right behind Mr. Potter and Mr. Krum." He spoke evenly as he handed her a pain potion.
"Thanks." Max smiled, as she swallowed it as quickly as she could. The taste of mint entered her mouth and she stared at Severus with wide eyes.
"I added in something to help the taste without changing the potion. I still remember in startling clarity the time you spat your first one all over me." Severus was once again looking at his book, playing off his kind gesture.
"Thanks, that means a lot." she smiled as her hand encased his. For a moment she thought he would shy away as he had been doing lately, but instead he thread his fingers through hers and squeezed.
"You did very well." Was the only compliment she got from Severus.
"Thank you, so what's next for me?" Max grinned, eying the golden egg sitting on her bedside table.
"The next task is on February twenty-fourth, this egg is your only clue for the next task. Unfortunately, I was never privy to how to open the egg and collect the clue." Severus explained, his book seemingly having disappeared into thin air.
Which, to be fair, it probably did.
"Great, do you remember the task?" Max asked as she lifted her eyes to his. He seemed to halt for a moment, struggling with what to say next, then sighed.
"It was in the lake, you have to rescue someone from the bottom of it." He seemed to decline, explaining no further, his mood suddenly sour and cold.
"Well, then I guess I'll have to find a way not to die, again, and open this egg. Splendid!" She sarcastically retorted, her eyes staring straight at her bedpost, avoiding his gaze.
"Are you ok?" Severus asked, withdrawing his hand from hers.
"Yeah, sore, but better." Max spoke honestly.
"Well. It's just after dinner time, so I will be taking my leave. No doubt Potter and his pals will be here soon enough, he was fairly demanding about being able to see you." Severus evenly spoke as he rose to his feet.
"Yeah, ok. Makes sense." Max shrugged, looking down into her lap. Severus stood there for a moment, before he turned to exit the hospital wing. As he whisked himself away though, a small weight landed on Max's lap.
It was a chocolate frog, one of Max's favourite treats. Her smile was suddenly wide on her face again, and she missed Severus smiling to himself as he slipped from the room.
~Break~
Severus was fairly accurate in his assumption, although Max never had any doubt. Within the hour Harry, Hermione, and now Ron, had entered into the hospital wing to see how she was doing.
"Hey," Harry greeted, his hand holding a large plate of food. "Fred and George are throwing a party in our common rooms, we figured we should drop off some food and see how you are doing."
Max took the plate from his outstretched hands with a smile.
"Sounds lovely, and yes you were right, I'm famished." Max thanked him as she started to devour the food.
"I also wanted to say I'm sorry for...you know..." Ron trailed off awkwardly.
"It's ok, I understand completely, I would be perfectly happy to continue where we left off?" Max offered, her hand outstretched. Ron smiled and took her hand with a nod. As his hand clasped hers, Max pulled him close and gave him a quick hug.
"Where I come from we work out our shit with a hug." She explained as she let the flushing boy go.
"I've been meaning to ask, Max, how DID you get the dragon to disappear?" Hermione asked.
"Switching spell Herms, as that dragon was chowing down on me, your voice kept repeating that silly gummy fang comment, then I noticed the inside of it's mouth hardly had a thick hide and scales so..."
"You cast the spell into the dragon so it would work. Wow, that's some quick thinking." Hermione's eyes were wide, but so was her smile as she quickly hugged Max tightly. "I'm sorry you're missing the party. Fred says he'll throw another small one for you later."
"It's sure to be good either way, us Gryffindor's love any reason to throw a good party." Ron grinned, his smile full of warmth.
"I'm just glad we aren't dead and the dynamic duo are back together." Max commented as everyone else laughed, the relief of everything crashing down on them.
~Break~
His mouth was hot on hers as he slanted her head for access. The pads of his fingers brushing the nape of her neck, cradling her there. Pressing her lips harder against his, she angled her neck back, standing on her toes to press the length of her body against billowing black. A low guttural groan was pulled deep from his throat, and his left hand started to trace the line of her back, towards her waist, and pulled her closer. Letting out a whimper, she rubbed her thighs together as a wetness started to dampen her panties. A warm chuckle reverberated from his chest and she pulled her mouth from his moving to his neck. Her breath puffed out softening the skin in a warm dampness that caused goosebumps. A small shiver ran through the hand on her neck, barely touching her anymore. She laughed lightly under her breath as her tongue peeked out and traced the hard vein on the side of his neck. The hand at her nape was pulled into her hair as he yanked her head closer. The tingle of pain in her scalp caused her to let out a low throaty moan. Moving with a fierceness unlike her, she smashed her lips against his, teeth knocking awkwardly at the frantic movement. She pulled his bottom lip between her teeth and pulled, her eyes locking with ebony black for a mere moment, and then he was on her. Both hands grabbed her ass and lifted her up. She snaked her legs around his waist at the jarring movement, her hands now pressing into the nape of his neck, their mouths still attached. Her fingers threaded into his long hair and pulled, pressing him closer still as her hips ground into his. A small growl was ripped from his lips as she bit his once again, before kissing the length of his jaw. She felt a pressure against her clit and bucked her hips, a moan tearing from her throat and she realized he had pushed her panties aside, the pads of his fingers pressing against her sensitive bundle of nerves. His thumb continued to draw slow circular motions as his index finger probed her entrance. A mix of a groan and a plea was elicited from her, hips moving to pull the full length of his digits further in. He laughed at her, his breath warm against her cheek as he pressed a kiss there. Inching his finger in, he curled it knuckle deep, pressing against her inner walls in such a way her vision bled white. She wasn't sure what sound she was making anymore, everything a prayer on her lips, and noises that would have embarrassed her if not for her state of arousal. "Hnngg - ah! - uhh…" She sang, her back arching as his lips trailed the column on her throat, her blouse slowly falling open. "So eager…" His deep voice drawled, his comment followed by a deep chuckle. His finger continued to pull at invisible strings sending a surge throughout her body, her toes curling in ecstasy. She threw her head back as warm lips enveloped the rosey bud of her nipple. His thumb moved faster and she felt like she was going to burst. The first waves of her impending orgasm were raging within her as she whimpered, her hips raising to increase pressure. He laughed at her again, going slower as she almost cried. "No - please - please I'm so close!" She begged, her face sheen with sweat as she gasped for breaths. She felt him shake his head against her cheek as he kissed it again, before moving to look into her eyes. "Oh no Max, now that I have you I will not be letting it end so quickly." "Please, Severus!"
Max had already come to terms with falling in love with Severus back when they were still in school. She had accepted it even and was fine with remaining close friends. She had, of course, always held onto hope things might change. She had even had a few naughty thoughts and fantasies about what it would be like to be with him. But it had never, ever, gotten that far. She had never, ever, had a dream about him either.
But that was before he was Severus Snape to her. Things had changed then, and she couldn't deny that. There was a distance between them she had never felt before, and so many things she didn't know. The true details of his life were never published. Harry Potter had kept tight lipped about what he saw inside the memories Snape had left him. He refused to be a gossip, and the rest who could have known anything else were either dead or just as tight lipped. Severus himself wouldn't even tell her a single bit about his past.
And so the distance kept growing as Max felt like a whiny child. She was so much younger than him, her entire vision of her love and hero were shattered in an instant, and she had yet to have a moment to pick up the pieces.
But she couldn't deny her dream. Couldn't deny that she still wanted him, couldn't deny her feelings had not distanced a bit, and couldn't deny she wanted nothing more than to finish that dream.
The most startling realization was that the Severus in her dream was not the 19 year old boy she fell in love with, but rather Severus Snape.
~Chapter 10 End~