The pair leisurely walked around the lake, Minerva enjoying the sun and Severus enjoying the company. They walked in silence for most of the time until Severus pulled them to a halt.
"Severus what's wrong?"
"Out with it." He turned to face her.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Something is clearly on your mind, so out with it." He arched his brow waiting for her response. Minerva furrowed her brows, and took a step back.
"I haven't the foggiest idea...." She stopped half way through her sentence, he gave her that look. The look only Severus good give, the 'don't even bother trying to lie' look.
"I was just...I was just wondering about your earlier comment, Tis all." Her eyes faltered, taking interest in the floor for a moment.
Severus was confused, he'd made a lot of comments since leaving the castle, which on was she referring too? And why did it bother her? Had he somehow managed to offend her? Surly not, their slight banter earlier on was relatively mild in comparison to much more heated ones they've had in the past.

He became rather frustrated with himself, and her for looking away. He needed to see her eyes, he knew how to look for the signs of what was wrong in her eyes.
"What comment?"
Minerva suddenly found herself feeling rather bashful, and why she hadn't the foggiest idea. Of all the things she's said to this man, of all the heated arguments they've had why all of a sudden did she feel...shy to question him further?
Severus noted her shift in behaviour and found it rather peculiar, though some what endearing.

"The comment about not wanting to push me in the lake...but you'd like to do other things..." Minerva heard how pathetic she sounded and hated it, she was in two minds whether to turn herself around, march herself back to her classroom and give herself a good talking to! She was acting like an idiot, a mumbling idiot.
Then the penny dropped, a slight smirked tugged at his lips. He noticed Minerva suddenly growing annoyed and if he knew Minerva it was her patience wearing thin, with both of them. He knew Minerva didn't normally act like this, nor would she want to, and she also didn't like to be kept waiting or left in the dark about something. So before Minerva turned and marched her way back towards the school Severus caught her wrist and pulled her to him.
"It's considered rude to leave without saying goodbye." He grumbled, eyes peering down at her. Her tiny wrist captured by his hand was the only thing between them, stopping their bodies from being flushed against one another.
The hitch in the women's breathing only made his body react and want things it really shouldn't want.
"It's also considered rude, to grab a person and force them to stay."

He studied her face, despite all that she's been through, the years have been relatively kind to her. Only a few lines adorned her otherwise milky smooth face. Her cheeks had a natural pink tint to them, only slightly but enough. Her lashes were long and curled and her eyes were as always, utterly breathtaking. The way they looked up at him from beneath her lashes tugged him in further, did she even realise the effect she had on him?
"Perhaps I should rethink pushing you in the lake." He commented, despite sounding threatening there was no malice evident in his eyes.
"Oh please, as if you could. Your life would be so dull without my sparkling personality to pull you out from whatever disaster you've gotten yourself involved in."
The man scoffed,
"Sparkling personality, you're clearly delusional Minerva, perhaps a trip to madam Pomfry is required."
"Deny it all you want, you know I'm right. An empty threat to visit the infirmary doesn't change that." She smirked, her perfectly trimmed brow raised, daring him to further deny it. A low grumble escaped his slightly parted lips.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Her voice was lower, almost a purr and laced with amusement. True to her catlike nature she was toying with him, and found enjoyment in doing so. She must know to an extent what she does to him. It was cruel, she was cruel. A chuckle escaped her lips, she leant into him, marvelling in his current inability to speak.
"Not so fun is it, being rendered speechless like that." She whispered, mischievous glints jumping around in her eyes.

Her scent played havoc with his senses, her close proximity did nothing to help. He still had her wrist clasped between his large hand, he could feel her pulse.
A large splash coming from the lake caused them to jump, Instinctively Severus shoved her behind himself, standing and acting as a shield.
It took Minerva a moment to realise what had just happened, the movement was so quick were it not for the body before her, she was fairly sure she'd have stumbled. Then it sunk in and anger began to boil with in her.

"Looks like someone wanted to say hello." Severus said, referring to the large tentacle that waved in their direction, he gave a slight nod to the giant squid who then took back off to the deepest parts of the black lake.
"That was stupid." Regretfully he turned around to face the clearly agitated woman.
"Excuse me?"
"How many times must I tell you!" Her brows knitted together giving the man her stern professor glare, hands resting on her hips.
"I am not a child! I am perfectly capable of protecting myself." Despite her stern demeanour, he did his very best to control himself. A riled up Minerva amused him, particularly when it was aimed at him. Sometimes he went out of his way to tug at her last nerve, sometimes he didn't even have to try.
"You know, some people would be grateful and thank me."
She rolled her eyes, missing the smirk that flashed on his lips for a mere second.
"For being foolish?" She scoffed before turning around, giving him no room for argument as she sauntered away. Unbeknownst to him, her lips quirked into a smile as she heard his low growl followed by quickened footsteps coming behind her, catching her up in no time.

He slowed his pace as soon as he fell into stride beside her, his arms folded behind his back as his robes continued to billow behind him.