You could not stand to be around the man, he gave you the creeps and he was always hitting on you. No matter how many times you said you were in a relationship it didn’t stop him from hitting on you. He thought you were playing hard to get since you wouldn’t tell him who your partner was. You thought for sure Severus was going to strangle him, as he put it. “Hexing him would be too swift”. You believed he would do it too.
You had been successfully avoiding Lockhart for two days now. You had been staying extra close to Severus the last couple of days, simply not having the energy to deal with Lockhart and it worked. Mostly because Lockhart didn’t pay Severus any mind so he wouldn’t think to look for you with him. However as luck would have it today Lockhart was looking for Severus and of course you were with him since it was your free period. You had been sitting on his desk with your back to the door when it opened without you noticing. Of course Severus heard it right away and shot a glare at whoever would come into his classroom during his planning period.
“Professor Lockhart, to what do I owe this interruption?” Severus glared at the man. Lockhart looked between the two of you curiously and it seemed something in his head clicked.
“I was wondering if you would like to assist me in a lesson today? I am teaching the students about dueling and I need someone to help me do that. Y/N, you are more than welcome to come, of course.” He winked at you, making Severus’ blood boil. Of course he didn’t let it show but you knew him enough by now to know when he was angry. You could see that neck vein that you found oh so sexy sticking out.
“I’m not sure this would be a good idea.” You put your two senses in.
“Oh don’t worry Y/N, I won’t hurt your friend too badly. It’s just a demonstration afterall.” Lockhart smirked.
“I think it would be a good idea to show the students how to duel. I’ll be there at the start of next class.” Severus chimed in. You knew this wasn’t going to end well.
“Brilliant, see you there.. Both of you, I hope.” He winked at you as he left.
“No, you can’t actually hurt him, you’ll be the one to get into trouble.” You scolded him.
“It might be worth it. He continues to flirt with you even after you’ve asked him countless times not to, and told him that you have a partner.”
“I know, he doesn’t believe I’m in a relationship because I won’t tell him who I’m dating.”
“Imbecile.” He muttered. “Well he knows now, or at least he’s pretty sure he does. I could hear his thoughts from here. Just another reason to want to hex him. All the things I hear him think about you. I’m tempted to burn that skirt.”
“You absolutely will not. I bought this for you and you love it.”
“He’s tainted it with his disgusting thoughts. I’ll take you to the store to buy another one this weekend and I think we’ll have to save it for dates until I can convince Dumbledore to get rid of that buffoon.” He huffed in annoyance.
“I know love, hopefully we won’t have to deal with him much longer. Just don’t do anything that’s going to get you arrested, I’d prefer not to visit you in Azkaban.” You patted his shoulder.
“You know you’re going to come with me to babysit since you and I both have two back to back planning periods.”
“Gee, I wonder how that happened.” You teased. “Alright fine I’ll go with you.”
You and Severus finished up in his classroom before you both made your way to the dueling matt. You were going to observe and make sure Severus didn’t kill Lockhart but of course the students were already whispering about you and Severus showing up together. You and Severus didn’t make your relationship public, some of the professors knew about it not all. You two didn’t actively try to hide it but at the same time you enjoyed your privacy and didn’t want to make it obvious. For this reason it was common for the students to gossip every time they saw you two together. Some even tried to ask you questions about if you were dating Severus and you just changed the subject. You knew none of them had the nerve to ask Severus such a question.
You could see the students looking between you, Severus and Lockhart. It was obvious Lockhart was interested in you, all the students and all the teachers knew it. Now the students seemed to be coming up with all sorts of other rumors that you were sure you’d hear about later.
“Ah professor Snape, professor Y/L/N, thank you for coming. I was telling the student that today we would be teaching them how to duel and Professor Snape has agreed to assist me. Don’t worry, you will still have your potions professor when I’m through with him.” He smirked. “So proper dueling technique. You first will bow to your opponent, then you turn and take 5 steps back. Turn on your heels then on the count of three you will both cast a spell in the other direction.” He instructed. The two men demonstrated and all you could think of was how badly this could end.
“1, 2, 3.” Lockhart counted down before casting a spell at Severus which he easily blocked before casting one of his own which Lockhart did not block causing him to fly backwards into the end of the mat.
“Very good, very good professor Snape. A little predictable I must say, if I wasn’t trying to demonstrate to the students some of the risks of dueling I could have easily deflected that.” He attempted to play it off.
“Perhaps it would be wise to teach them how to block unfriendly spells.” Severus suggested.
“Excellent suggestion.” Lockhart was busy speaking to the class about how to block spells while Severus was looking in your direction to gauge your reaction. You smiled, but quickly hid it behind your hand and shook your head at him. You saw the corner of his lip twitch up for only a second. You knew that’s all you would get from him right now but it was better than nothing. Unbeknownst to you Lockhart also saw it.
“Now Professor Snape, why don’t I cast a few spells at you and you demonstrate how to block them?” Lockhart suggested, pulling Severus’ attention away from you.
“Alright.” Severus replied in his normal montoned voice. The two men went back to their dueling stances and Severus patiently waited for the first spell to be cast. Lockhart then sent two flying his way, both he blocked without trouble.
“Cast some back already!” One of the student’s yelled at Lockhart. Wanting to see him block some of Severus’ spells.
“Yes Professor, why don’t you cast some spells of your own?” Lockhart suggested.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Was all Severus said.
“I’m a master duelist professor. If we want these kids to learn we have to lead by example.” Lockhart argued. Severus looked to you to get your thoughts and all you did was shrug. If he did all those things he claimed he must not be a complete moron, maybe this is where he excels you thought. Severus nodded at Lockhart and then allowed him to continue throwing spells at him. Severus continued to block each one with ease and then cast one of his own. Lockhart managed to block it but not well. Severus could tell Lockhart was getting angry by how easily he was able to block his spells. Severus cast another spell and Lockhart somehow cast one at the same time. Both spells backfired at Lockhart but instead of blocking it towards the ground he somehow managed to block it in yours and a couple students' direction. You pushed the students out of the way just in time but the blast hit you, throwing you backwards. You felt your side hit the hard floor and for a moment you were paralyzed but the pain still shot through your body. You could have sworn you felt something in your side crack.
“You moron!” You heard Severus’ deep voice boom, then he was at your side in an instant. “Y/N, are you alright?” All you could do was moan in pain. Your body still wasn’t moving as it should, you could make small movements but nothing big.
“What’s wrong with her?’ You heard one of the students ask.
“Everyone get back!” Severus shouted.
“Mmm, Sev.” You groaned, your hand being able to slowly reach for his hand.
“It’s okay, tell me what hurts.” He assured you.
“My side, my right side.” You said slowly, your words slurring as if you were drunk. He felt your side, slowly pushing on it and he could feel your rib didn’t feel right.
“Alright, let’s get you to madam Pomfrey.” He said, picking you up bridal style not paying attention to the student’s mouth agape.
“Class dismissed.” Lockhart yelled as he followed behind you both. Once you reached the infirmary Severus set you down on the closest bed, making sure to lay you flat on your back.
“Oh dear, what have we here?” Madam Pomfrey asked as she watched Severus lay you down.
“Dueling injury. She was hit with a mix of two spells. Judging by the blast I believe it was Stupefy and Confringo.” Severus explained.
“How on Earth did that happen?”
“Someone doesn’t know the proper duel teaching procedure.” Severus glared at Lockhart.
“You threw a spell, I threw one back!” He attempted to defend himself.
“Yes well if you knew anything about teaching you would know when teaching students how to duel the proper procedure is the person demonstrating defense casts 1 spell to every three that the person on offense casts. You casted three spells then cast one at the same time as I was supposed to be casting one then did a piss poor job at blocking it!” Severus snarled. Lockhart stayed silent.
“Let me deal with the poor girl in peace, you two can argue elsewhere.” Poppy scoffed at the two.
“I’m not leaving.” Severus replied firmly.
“She doesn’t need you to play babysitter.” Lockhart muttered under his breath. Severus wanted to make a snide remark back but for your sake he held it in. “Y/N, once this is over I can take care of you. I know some great spells that can.”
“Madam Pomfrey is the school healer, she can handle it.” Severus finally snapped, not wanting this man anywhere near you.
“There’s no need to be jealous, Severus.” He smirked.
“Jealous? I have no reason to be jealous, Y/N and I are together and she doesn't want anything to do with you. She actively avoids you because she doesn’t want to hurt your feelings! So leave her alone because after seeing the way you duel I am very certain I could have your life with a simple spell!”
“How could you possibly be with this dark, boring, angry man?” Lockhart scoffed.
“I’d take him over someone like you anyday. He is who I am with and nothing is going to change that. I don’t want anything to do with you unless it is for the students, for now I am too sore and too tired to deal with this so please leave.” You mumbled, fighting to get the words out.
"You heard her, out.” Poppy said, pointing towards the door. Huffing Lockhart left the infirmary.
“You know, you didn’t correct him when he said I was dark, boring and angry.” Severus teased wanting to ease your tension.
“Boring is the only thing I could fight him on. You wear all black and let's face it you are one angry dungeon bat.” You giggled but regretted it immediately when pain shot through your side.
“I suppose you’re right.” He chuckled then held your side to keep you steady.
“It looks like you have two cracked ribs, dear. I’m going to put you in a brace and give you a healing potion. You will need to have your classes covered for the next week while you heal. No heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks.” She instructed.
“Don’t worry I’ll watch over her.” Severus assured her.
Poppy and Severus helped you into the brace then gave you your first dose of healing potion. You stayed in the infirmary that night and Severus never left your side, even when students came to check on you he was right there holding your hand.
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