I was attempting to dive into the Black Lake for a swim when I heard a velvety voice call "Miss...Diaz. And what are we doing out here on the second of September?"
I turned to see the one person I dreaded most at Hogwarts.
Embellished in black glory there stood Severus Snape.
"You can't stop me now, Professor. I have to get ready for the Tri-Wizard tournament." I replied, jumping in.
The black haired man audibly sighed, turning away from the lake and heading back toward the castle. He had only been outside to collect ingredients for a rare potion.
It was a crisp, early fall late afternoon. Classes had ended for the day. I turned seventeen over the summer and was eager to get my name into the Goblet of Fire. I already knew Cedric Diggory would probably be picked instead but I didn't let that stain my competitive spirit.
I finished my dive and swim routine about an hour later and was about to go back inside the castle to work on my spell casting. Who knew what obstacles stood in my way during the tournament? I needed to work on everything a magical athlete would achieve.
The other two competitors, Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour seemed to pose a less serious threat. Well, at least Fleur did. She was practically a fairy princess in disguise. I wondered how she expected to compete against built students like Viktor and Cedric.
I went up to my room and took off my bikini. I dressed in my uniform. I decided to go down to dinner and practice spells in the Room of Requirement afterward.
As I entered the Great Hall, I felt eyes watching me. I looked up to the High Table to see the only person I would rather not staring down.
I broke the intense eye contact after one glance at the man enshrouded in black and sat next to Fred and George Weasley. They seemed to always enjoy my company so I always sat with the mischievous twins.
"How are we doing today, Ary?" The redheaded twins asked me in unison.
"Very nicely, thank you." I smiled. "My preparation is coming along well anyway."
"What are you preparing for?" They asked.
I didn't want to look back up at the teachers table but something drew me to steal another quick glance at the dark professor.
Severus was glaring down at me. If looks could kill I'd be dead. My eyes fell back to the twins rather soon after.
"The tournament..." I stammered.
"As in the Tri-Wizard Tournament?" Fred asked. "But Cedric Diggory is going to be the Hogwarts champion. Everyone knows that."
I stood up, not even looking at my nearly full plate. "I have to go."
"Ary, where are you going?" George yelled. "You've barely touched your food."
I walked quickly out of the Great Hall and into a dark corridor where I picked up speed and practically fled to the Gryffindor common room.
"What do you think you are doing, Miss Diaz?"
I turned before I could open the door. The Potions Master stood a few feet away from me. The same glare was fixed on me from the Great Hall.
"I'm going to study." I glared back.
"I saw you." Severus took a step closer to me. "You did not eat at dinner."
"That's none of your business, sir." I snapped. "Aren't you sticking your big nose in where it doesn't belong?"
I could've sworn I saw a glint of hurt flash across his face before it was gone.
"Miss Diaz, you are in luck. Detention starts now and sixty points from Gryffindor." Severus shot back.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I said boldly.
Severus apparently had enough of my backtalk. He swiftly closed the gap between us and grabbed my arm, pulling me in the direction of the dungeons.
"Let me go!" I screamed as he yanked me down the staircase. "It's not as if I can't walk!"
The Professor scowled at me. "Perhaps you should put your tongue to more effective use, Miss Diaz."
He loosened his grip on my arm once we reached the potions classroom. "You didn't have to do that." I snarled.
Severus whispered a password to lock the door to discourage an unwelcome entry. Then he turned to me with a deep sigh. "Miss Diaz, I want answers and I want them now. What did you think you were doing at the Black Lake today? You had no business being there!"
I rolled my eyes. "I told you. I was getting ready for the tournament."
"That is utter nonsense, Miss Diaz and you know it!" He roared at me.
I flinched. I didn't think I'd seen him this angry before.
Severus sighed. "You must know that a girl like you has no position in a tournament of that stature. Leave the heroics to Diggory."
"Why do you care so much?" I retorted. "You never care about anyone but yourself and your precious Slytherins."
"Would you prefer that I bring up the subject with Professor McGonagall?" He asked, circling me. "I am certain she would find it most entertaining."
I glowered at him. "No."
Severus retreated to his desk. "Excellent. Now you may scrub those filthy cauldrons."
I groaned and got to work while the professor marked parchment. There must have been about 100 of them over in the corner.
About three hours later, the unmistakable sound of quill scribbling still filled the air. I approached Severus's desk. "I'm finished, sir."
He looked up after a moment. "One more thing, Miss Diaz."
What now?
Severus took a deep breath and sighed. "Do you have a certain discomfort with eating?"
"No." I said uncomfortably.
"Then why did you leave during dinner?" He frowned, pressing me.
"Because I saw you."
