Chapter 606 - Why I never?! (2/2)
Narrowing his eyes, Secundus suspiciously says, ”And just what are you planning, Damocles? And don't try to fool me, we are both Slytherins.”
Damocles' thin lips tilt into a frown as he says, ”Whatever I am planning it is of no consequence to you, Secundus.”
Secundus resists the urge to scream at his friend but manages to contain the urge. ”I have already lost a son to them,” Secundus hissed softly. ”And I will not lose a friend out of sheer stupidity.”
Damocles looks utterly affronted by the idea of being called stupid as he sputters, ”I am not a fool!” However, he could not deny that which he contemplated was sheer madness.
”Oh?” Secundus snapped. ”Well I happen to remember your Charms and DADA finally N.E.W.T.'s Damocles and you only got an Acceptable. And need I point out the fact that it is was Reginald Prince, who saved you that awful, wretched day!”
Damocles opens and closes his mouth in anger, before pursing his lips in irk. ”I am well aware that I not a dueler,” he growled. ”But I owe, the old Prince a life debt, and by Rowena's Head, I intend to pay my debt!”
”By setting yourself up as bait!” Secundus snarled having easily guessed his friend's plan. ”Are you mad?! Because I can assure you Damocles, I will drag you off to St. Mungo's this very minute!”
At this inopportune juncture, the waiter arrives and asks, ”Can I take your order's, gentlemen?”
”No!” Both wizards roared as they glared at the poor waiter.
The trained professional server having seen it all says, ”Then I shall come back later, gentlemen,” before hurrying off to another table.
Both of the men take deep breaths to calm themselves as Secundus flatly says, ”Might I remind you that what you are proposing requires certain skills, which you lack, Damocles! However, knowing you, you stubborn old fool, you will go right ahead and fulfill your plan. As such, I am not going to attempt to even stop you except to recommend an Auror to you.”
Damocles sniffs and glances back down at his dinner menu. ”You mean that awful Hufflepuff friend of yours, the fat one?”
”Well, he is certainly not plump anymore,” Secundus drily replied. ”And need I remind you, the sorting hat almost placed you in Gryffindor old friend. Perhaps, that would have been a better house for you considering your rash temperament!”
”How rude of you, Secundus! Never suggest such a vile thing in my presence again!” Damocles said utterly aghast, but he could not very well deny the awful truth of that statement. It was a sore point of his.
Secundus mutinously glares back until Damocles dramatically relents. ”Fine, you win this round, Secundus. I will accept the aid of your fat friend! Now, I do not wish to hear any more of this nonsense, I wish to enjoy my meal uninterrupted!” And swiftly brought up his dinner menu to block the view of his friend as a solemn expression appeared on his face. That was exactly the point he had been aiming for, and now his plans would swiftly be implemented into order. However, he could only hope that he would hold out until that time. The whispers within his dreams and mind had begun growing louder and clearer as of late.
”Really, Damocles, what are we eleven again?” Secundus loudly declared earning himself a loud tsk-tsk from his friend hiding behind the dinner menu.
Still, Secundus could not hide the trickle of dread and worry for Damocles. His friend's sense of honor had always pushed him to reckless fights even as students, which had only grown as they grew older. (It had even been the cause of the rift between Damocles and his younger brother.) And for a time that nature had finally been pushed aside, but it always reared its ugly head back up again. And what worried him was that this time around there would be no saving Damocles.