He had knocked a seasoned wizard's wand away with his bare hands?!
Snape's heart sank completely.
This could no longer be described as merely "abnormal."
His repeated failed resistance, especially losing his wand, seemed to have thoroughly enraged Skofot in his chaotic state.
A low, almost beastlike whine rose from his throat as the hand around Snape's neck suddenly tightened!
The sensation of suffocation struck instantly.
Snape's breathing was cut off. His lungs began to burn, and his vision darkened.
He instinctively raised both hands and clamped down on Skofot's iron-pincer-like wrist, trying to pry open even the slightest gap. His fingertips dug deeply into the other man's skin from the force.
He struggled violently, his black robes scraping messily beneath him.
Just as Snape thought he might meet his end here in such an absurd manner, the strangling grip abruptly loosened.
"Cough! Cough, cough, cough..."
Snape sharply turned his head and broke into violent coughing, gulping down precious air in great heaving breaths as his chest burned with pain.
The hand gripping Skofot's wrist slid down limply as well.
Skofot hovered above him, breathing heavily, as though he too was trying to quell the murderous intent that had slipped out of control a moment ago.
In the darkness, he lowered his head until his forehead nearly touched Snape's. His voice trembled strangely, a mixture of pleading and obsession.
"Fight me... Professor, please... fight me... like... like you would a real opponent..."
Snape panted heavily, the places on his neck where he had been gripped and bitten throbbing faintly.
Physical resistance would not work. It would only worsen his loss of control.
Threats?
The other man was clearly immune to those right now.
He looked into those eyes above him, which seemed to glint with an unnatural light even in