Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot on this fanfic and a couple
or more characters you certainly won't find in the HP books so when I say
anything I mean anything! Heck, I don't even own this computer! I'm just
renting it until I get my own. So please bear with me if my updates are
slow? ^___^;;;
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
Prologue: The Light and the Dark
Prefects were supposed to be far superior to the other students of the school. They were to be respected and to be treated with acceptance along with the others. But 5th year Hermione Granger knew better. The prefect system was now in shambles thanks to Umbridge's bloody Inquisitorial squad.
Just a few days ago, Malfoy docked points from her for being a Mudblood! Ernie wasn't too happy with him either and neither were Ron and Harry. No matter. Once Dumbledore returns, everything will be back to normal and the blond ferret will pay his dues.
With that thought, she glanced at her enchanted watch bracelet and saw that she still had ten minutes before she reached her Ancient Runes class. Harry and Ron already left her alone because they knew this and they had their own classes during this time. She smiled a bit as she remembered about her Time Turner back in third year. Hah! Was that a disaster or what? But the experience was compelling though and Hermione saw it as a great memory. All things Sirius aside.
She was rounding off at a secluded corner when she was suddenly grabbed from behind by thick, brawny arms and her mouth was covered by a thick, sweaty palm. She herself was being brought into an alcove, and her eyes widened when she came face to face with the smirking faces of Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe.
"Hello there, Granger, fancy meeting you around here." He greeted her casually in that smug drawl she knew so well.
In a rage, Hermione bit on the palm clamping her mouth shut, hard. She heard a scream that sounded suspiciously like Goyle's but she didn't take her eyes off Draco.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she spat, ignoring the beefy arms that were now clamped around her as their owner snarled behind her incoherently.
Draco surprised her by leaning towards her until his face was only a few inches from hers. He smirked into her face. "Me? Want something from you? Why, Granger, whatever gave you that ridiculous idea?"
Hermione gritted her teeth. "Probably the way your goon is holding onto me and you smirking at me like that." she replied caustically.
Draco sneered at her and Hermione's heart froze as she saw the malice behind the pale silver eyes. "I just wanted to know, Granger, why you continuously display the nerve of keeping attendance in this school. You don't belong here no matter what you do or how high your marks are. You'll always be a Mudblood. Lower than filth not even fit to kiss the soles of my shoes."
Hermione mustered her Gryffindor courage and raised her chin defiantly at him. "Funny. Last time I heard, your father was the one whose kissing anyone's soles around here. Or was that bit about him being a Death Eater and kissing up to a half blood categorized as a means of compromise?"
Draco's hand moved swiftly and clutched Hermione's jaw with his fingers in a cruel grip while Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. "You'll pay for that, Granger. Dumbledore's not here to protect you Mudbloods any longer and once father gets rid of Potter, you'll all be wiped out of the face of this world and we'll rule supreme."
Hermione found herself curiously undisturbed. She didn't know if it was because of what happened last year but... to hear Draco saying his threats out loud did not unnerve her. She realized that she expected all of these things to happen by now and she was just barely holding onto time. One thing's for sure though, she was not giving up without a fight.
"Have you had your say, Malfoy? If so then kindly please let me go." She told him coldly.
Draco gave her an amused sneer and lightly caressed her cheek with his free hand in an oddly seductive and cruel gesture that sent a flash of dread and released a row of shivers to her spine. Oh Merlin, she didn't like where this was headed.
"Let you go, Granger? Maybe later. Me, Crabbe and Goyle are looking for some... entertainment. As your superior, I order you to provide us with that entertainment." More sniggers from the Gruesome Gorilla Twins and Hermione was even more unnerved by the darkening in Crabbe's piggy eyes and the definite feel of Goyle's erection behind her.
Oh God ohgodohgodohgod...
She had to get out of here. She had to make some noise! As though, anticipating her intentions, Draco took out his wand and made a slight jab at her throat. "Silencio!"
She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came from her throat. Not even a squeak! She was really starting to panic.
She could feel Goyle rubbing himself against her back and her horrified eyes took in Draco's hands as he proceeded to open the buttons on her blouse.
"I've always wanted to see what's inside your robes, Granger. You must really keep something pretty in here to get Krum's attention." Draco breathed on her throat. "Hold onto her, Goyle. You can have her after I'm done."
Oh my God!!!
Tears sprang from Hermione's eyes as she tried to struggle but the grip of the brutal arms around her were bordering on bone crushing! She swallowed hard and tried to kick out but Malfoy stepped on her feet, making sure she couldn't use her legs as well. If she had her voice, she would have screamed in pain as she felt Malfoy' full weight on her toes. But the pain was preferable than the feel of his lips nipping at her throat.
"Really, Granger, you should be grateful I wanted to fuck you. You'll have the privilege of knowing a real man's touch. And I'm sure neither Potter or Weasley can give you that." He whispered as he pushed himself against her and began to lift up her skirts as she sobbed silently and waited...
"Playing in the mud again, Draco?"
Hermione felt Draco stop in what he was doing and pull away from her as if burned. Even Goyle's hold on her loosened a bit though she was still held prisoner.
The voice was low, calm and indifferent, though strong with the power of suggestion. It was the kind of voice that soothed nerves and drew out calm even in the most nerve wracking of situations, or give out dread and menace when it so willed. Hope blossomed in her chest as she prayed that it was a person of authority. She opened her eyes and stared at the newcomer through her tears. Her face fell when she saw that her would be savior had a Slytherin patch on her robes.
She was dead.
She knew the newcomer as a Slytherin in her and Draco's year. Jannes Delareine. Pureblood. Braided, coal black hair, cold golden eyes and a slim figure. A barely noticeable girl if ever noticed at all and was rarely seen by anyone at all though one knew she was there. She was never active in discussions in classes even if it were Potions (every Slytherin's chance to shine.). As far as she knew, the girl did not hold any significant power in the House she belonged in which meant she did not have enough influence to be listened to. She had a vague idea as to how House politics was conducted in that area which meant, even if Delareine wanted to (by some very slim chance) help her, she won't be able to do much.
After having a few minutes of chit chat with Malfoy and his goons, she'll turn around casually and leave her to her fate without looking back. Hermione felt like spilling her guts on Malfoy's expensive boots!
"Go away, Delareine. We're busy." She heard Malfoy warn the girl.
Jannes only raised a casual eyebrow at him. "Touching a Mudblood, Malfoy? How disgusting. I didn't know you had such strange tastes in bedmates."
Hermione saw Draco flush at the indifferent, seemingly bored comment. She could understand why. Although, delivered casually in that fascinating voice of hers, Jannes just made it sound that fucking her was like equivalent to fucking with a hapless animal. She elaborated further with the next words that came out of her mouth.
"I mean... keeping her as a pet or as a slave, maybe, but fucking her? I thought you were supposed to belong to one of the most respected families in the wizarding world, Malfoy. Looks like you're not quite what you say you are."
Draco narrowed his eyes at her. "What do you mean?"
Jannes came forwards and frowned at Hermione like someone contemplating a particularly distasteful piece of maggot infested filth. "Don't you get what the Dark Lord wants, Malfoy? He wants us to rid the world of Mudbloods, not procreate with them? Can't you get anything through that thick head of yours? Perversions such as yours are against our cause. And to think that you are dragging both Crabbe and Goyle down to the same sick pit with you."
Draco attempted to save himself by copying his father's best I'm-King-Of- The-World-And-I-Can-Do-Whatever-I-Want look. "We have a very different way of how to rid ourselves of Mudbloods, Delareine."
Jannes' calm was unruffled, broken only by a coldly amused smirk that spoke volumes of malice. "Clearly."
She seemed to infuse that one word with such meaning that Draco's will wavered.
"I-I was just having a bit of fun..." Draco said defensively, stepping away from Hermione as if she were dung.
The eyebrow escalated a bit. "Fun, Malfoy? And you can bear to touch Parkinson after fucking a Mudblood? If I were Parkinson, I'd throw up and leave you. There is just something so wrong about fucking filth like this. And to think that you of all people would do it. It makes me shudder just by thinking about it."
If Hermione could talk, she would have screamed at her that she wasn't enjoying this situation. She glared poisonously at Jannes but she was casually ignored. Like the filth that the coal haired girl was describing.
"And furthermore, what will your father say? Surely he wouldn't want his only son tainted with a Mudblood's touch? It's not worthy of us! Mudbloods should be killed and tortured and wiped away just like the Dark Lord wants. Not to fuck them as if we consider them human enough to be worthy of fucking." Jannes continued indifferently.
Hermione itched to rip her throat off. Goyle let go of her and stepped back as if she just grew an extra head. Malfoy and Crabbe imitated him and started backing away, their eyes fixed with worry on Jannes.
"You- you won't tell father, right?"
Something in Malfoy's tone made her look up and stare at the boy. He turned white as a piece of chalk. Hermione gaped.
Jannes smirked coldly. "For a price."
Draco gritted his teeth. "Name it."
Jannes looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. "I'll think about it, Malfoy. Now do run along. I believe Professor Snape wants to see you and Parkinson to instruct you on the disciplinary measures he wants to have on the day of the O.W.Ls. I've heard Professor Umbridge wants you to head the security before, during and after the examinations in her office."
Draco grinned and then smirked smugly. He then nodded at Jannes and then stalked away, still being followed by his two brawny bodyguards. Moments later, Jannes and Hermione were left alone on the corridor, Hermione following Malfoy's disappearance in a daze. Everything seemed to have happened so fast and— she was still feeling numb and soiled and shaky. She still couldn't fully comprehend what had happened.
"Finite." Jannes muttered, pointing a wand to her throat.
It didn't take long for Hermione's superior intellect to put two and two together. She met Jannes' gaze five feet away from her and stammered, "T- thank you..."
Jannes' face showed no emotion. It was absolutely blank. But then, after a while, she nodded and silently swept away and left her alone. No silly bantering. No 'Are you okay?' fussing. Absolutely nothing.
It took a while for her to realize that she should head off to class. She sat in Ancient Runes, after several Straightening Charms on her clothes, slowly picking up the pieces of her dignity. A mane of coal black hair caught her attention and she turned to look at Jannes Delareine's aloof profile. She hadn't even realized that they were both sitting in on the same classes. The class started and Hermione pulled herself together and sat in attention, silently wondering why she'd never paid any attention to Jannes Delareine before. She swore to pay her a bit more attention from then on...
***
"Enter."
Severus was grading a set of essays laid on his desk when he heard the set of soft knocks on his office door. Without looking up, he called.
He heard the door closed and warded. If it weren't for the silent footsteps he felt more than heard, he would have dismissed the person as just another student. But he knew better.
"I heard you had a run in with Malfoy. The Bloody Baron told me you asked him to keep a closer eye on Hermione Granger. Very conscientious of you." He exclaimed softly as he sorted through the papers of one Parvati Patil and wincing.
"Conscience had nothing to do with it, really," his visitor replied. Her soft voice reverberating through the walls of the dungeon though she did not shout. Her tones relaxed and clear, masking the alertness in it. "It was more a... female instinct, I guess."
At that, Severus raised his head and raised an eyebrow towards her. "I thought you weren't one for other people's sensibilities?"
A faint half smile crossed her rosebud lips and the expression in her golden eyes remained soft as she stared right back at him. Her long midnight black hair flowed down her back lost in her all black attire. "I deal with it in a case to case basis. Besides, I don't want any further detours to my plans. If Potter learns that Granger was raped right under the Hogwart's staff's nose, he'll never listen to anyone again. He can be a rule onto his own if he so wishes. Only Professor Dumbledore has the means to control him. Pulling on Potter's strings with laces of sentimentality. It's quite easy, you know how Gryffindors are."
Snape pulled a disgusted smirk. "Do I?"
She smiled. "Besides. I wouldn't want anything to happen to your favorite student."
He scowled at her. "She is not my favorite student. She's just another Gryffindor pest." then his face turned serious. "Any new information?"
The girl smiled softly and raised an eyebrow slightly before answering. "The Serpent's Den is definitely having the time of their lives though I've noticed Malfoy eavesdropping on every teacher he could come close to just to find out what the bloody prophecy was about. It's useless though. If I know Dumbledore, he'll be the only one aside from the Department of Mysteries to know."
Snape nodded, frowning and tenting his fingers. "You're right and it's wise of him not to tell me. I can't risk the chance that the Dark Lord might Crucio the information out of me. Even though I'll never be able to forget what World Savior Potter did to the pensieve while I was using it. That still tops off all other violations for me."
She smiled a bit wider now. "Ah... so much bitterness. Sometimes, I wonder at your endurance and determination to keep such hatred going. Don't worry though, I'm sure he won't be wanting to come near you like that again. In the meantime, we still have to keep him alive."
Severus scowled and went back to his grading. "More's the pity."
Jannes Delareine merely chuckled softly before going straight to a couple of simmering cauldrons. In moments, both were then absorbed in their work.....
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
Prologue: The Light and the Dark
Prefects were supposed to be far superior to the other students of the school. They were to be respected and to be treated with acceptance along with the others. But 5th year Hermione Granger knew better. The prefect system was now in shambles thanks to Umbridge's bloody Inquisitorial squad.
Just a few days ago, Malfoy docked points from her for being a Mudblood! Ernie wasn't too happy with him either and neither were Ron and Harry. No matter. Once Dumbledore returns, everything will be back to normal and the blond ferret will pay his dues.
With that thought, she glanced at her enchanted watch bracelet and saw that she still had ten minutes before she reached her Ancient Runes class. Harry and Ron already left her alone because they knew this and they had their own classes during this time. She smiled a bit as she remembered about her Time Turner back in third year. Hah! Was that a disaster or what? But the experience was compelling though and Hermione saw it as a great memory. All things Sirius aside.
She was rounding off at a secluded corner when she was suddenly grabbed from behind by thick, brawny arms and her mouth was covered by a thick, sweaty palm. She herself was being brought into an alcove, and her eyes widened when she came face to face with the smirking faces of Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe.
"Hello there, Granger, fancy meeting you around here." He greeted her casually in that smug drawl she knew so well.
In a rage, Hermione bit on the palm clamping her mouth shut, hard. She heard a scream that sounded suspiciously like Goyle's but she didn't take her eyes off Draco.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she spat, ignoring the beefy arms that were now clamped around her as their owner snarled behind her incoherently.
Draco surprised her by leaning towards her until his face was only a few inches from hers. He smirked into her face. "Me? Want something from you? Why, Granger, whatever gave you that ridiculous idea?"
Hermione gritted her teeth. "Probably the way your goon is holding onto me and you smirking at me like that." she replied caustically.
Draco sneered at her and Hermione's heart froze as she saw the malice behind the pale silver eyes. "I just wanted to know, Granger, why you continuously display the nerve of keeping attendance in this school. You don't belong here no matter what you do or how high your marks are. You'll always be a Mudblood. Lower than filth not even fit to kiss the soles of my shoes."
Hermione mustered her Gryffindor courage and raised her chin defiantly at him. "Funny. Last time I heard, your father was the one whose kissing anyone's soles around here. Or was that bit about him being a Death Eater and kissing up to a half blood categorized as a means of compromise?"
Draco's hand moved swiftly and clutched Hermione's jaw with his fingers in a cruel grip while Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. "You'll pay for that, Granger. Dumbledore's not here to protect you Mudbloods any longer and once father gets rid of Potter, you'll all be wiped out of the face of this world and we'll rule supreme."
Hermione found herself curiously undisturbed. She didn't know if it was because of what happened last year but... to hear Draco saying his threats out loud did not unnerve her. She realized that she expected all of these things to happen by now and she was just barely holding onto time. One thing's for sure though, she was not giving up without a fight.
"Have you had your say, Malfoy? If so then kindly please let me go." She told him coldly.
Draco gave her an amused sneer and lightly caressed her cheek with his free hand in an oddly seductive and cruel gesture that sent a flash of dread and released a row of shivers to her spine. Oh Merlin, she didn't like where this was headed.
"Let you go, Granger? Maybe later. Me, Crabbe and Goyle are looking for some... entertainment. As your superior, I order you to provide us with that entertainment." More sniggers from the Gruesome Gorilla Twins and Hermione was even more unnerved by the darkening in Crabbe's piggy eyes and the definite feel of Goyle's erection behind her.
Oh God ohgodohgodohgod...
She had to get out of here. She had to make some noise! As though, anticipating her intentions, Draco took out his wand and made a slight jab at her throat. "Silencio!"
She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came from her throat. Not even a squeak! She was really starting to panic.
She could feel Goyle rubbing himself against her back and her horrified eyes took in Draco's hands as he proceeded to open the buttons on her blouse.
"I've always wanted to see what's inside your robes, Granger. You must really keep something pretty in here to get Krum's attention." Draco breathed on her throat. "Hold onto her, Goyle. You can have her after I'm done."
Oh my God!!!
Tears sprang from Hermione's eyes as she tried to struggle but the grip of the brutal arms around her were bordering on bone crushing! She swallowed hard and tried to kick out but Malfoy stepped on her feet, making sure she couldn't use her legs as well. If she had her voice, she would have screamed in pain as she felt Malfoy' full weight on her toes. But the pain was preferable than the feel of his lips nipping at her throat.
"Really, Granger, you should be grateful I wanted to fuck you. You'll have the privilege of knowing a real man's touch. And I'm sure neither Potter or Weasley can give you that." He whispered as he pushed himself against her and began to lift up her skirts as she sobbed silently and waited...
"Playing in the mud again, Draco?"
Hermione felt Draco stop in what he was doing and pull away from her as if burned. Even Goyle's hold on her loosened a bit though she was still held prisoner.
The voice was low, calm and indifferent, though strong with the power of suggestion. It was the kind of voice that soothed nerves and drew out calm even in the most nerve wracking of situations, or give out dread and menace when it so willed. Hope blossomed in her chest as she prayed that it was a person of authority. She opened her eyes and stared at the newcomer through her tears. Her face fell when she saw that her would be savior had a Slytherin patch on her robes.
She was dead.
She knew the newcomer as a Slytherin in her and Draco's year. Jannes Delareine. Pureblood. Braided, coal black hair, cold golden eyes and a slim figure. A barely noticeable girl if ever noticed at all and was rarely seen by anyone at all though one knew she was there. She was never active in discussions in classes even if it were Potions (every Slytherin's chance to shine.). As far as she knew, the girl did not hold any significant power in the House she belonged in which meant she did not have enough influence to be listened to. She had a vague idea as to how House politics was conducted in that area which meant, even if Delareine wanted to (by some very slim chance) help her, she won't be able to do much.
After having a few minutes of chit chat with Malfoy and his goons, she'll turn around casually and leave her to her fate without looking back. Hermione felt like spilling her guts on Malfoy's expensive boots!
"Go away, Delareine. We're busy." She heard Malfoy warn the girl.
Jannes only raised a casual eyebrow at him. "Touching a Mudblood, Malfoy? How disgusting. I didn't know you had such strange tastes in bedmates."
Hermione saw Draco flush at the indifferent, seemingly bored comment. She could understand why. Although, delivered casually in that fascinating voice of hers, Jannes just made it sound that fucking her was like equivalent to fucking with a hapless animal. She elaborated further with the next words that came out of her mouth.
"I mean... keeping her as a pet or as a slave, maybe, but fucking her? I thought you were supposed to belong to one of the most respected families in the wizarding world, Malfoy. Looks like you're not quite what you say you are."
Draco narrowed his eyes at her. "What do you mean?"
Jannes came forwards and frowned at Hermione like someone contemplating a particularly distasteful piece of maggot infested filth. "Don't you get what the Dark Lord wants, Malfoy? He wants us to rid the world of Mudbloods, not procreate with them? Can't you get anything through that thick head of yours? Perversions such as yours are against our cause. And to think that you are dragging both Crabbe and Goyle down to the same sick pit with you."
Draco attempted to save himself by copying his father's best I'm-King-Of- The-World-And-I-Can-Do-Whatever-I-Want look. "We have a very different way of how to rid ourselves of Mudbloods, Delareine."
Jannes' calm was unruffled, broken only by a coldly amused smirk that spoke volumes of malice. "Clearly."
She seemed to infuse that one word with such meaning that Draco's will wavered.
"I-I was just having a bit of fun..." Draco said defensively, stepping away from Hermione as if she were dung.
The eyebrow escalated a bit. "Fun, Malfoy? And you can bear to touch Parkinson after fucking a Mudblood? If I were Parkinson, I'd throw up and leave you. There is just something so wrong about fucking filth like this. And to think that you of all people would do it. It makes me shudder just by thinking about it."
If Hermione could talk, she would have screamed at her that she wasn't enjoying this situation. She glared poisonously at Jannes but she was casually ignored. Like the filth that the coal haired girl was describing.
"And furthermore, what will your father say? Surely he wouldn't want his only son tainted with a Mudblood's touch? It's not worthy of us! Mudbloods should be killed and tortured and wiped away just like the Dark Lord wants. Not to fuck them as if we consider them human enough to be worthy of fucking." Jannes continued indifferently.
Hermione itched to rip her throat off. Goyle let go of her and stepped back as if she just grew an extra head. Malfoy and Crabbe imitated him and started backing away, their eyes fixed with worry on Jannes.
"You- you won't tell father, right?"
Something in Malfoy's tone made her look up and stare at the boy. He turned white as a piece of chalk. Hermione gaped.
Jannes smirked coldly. "For a price."
Draco gritted his teeth. "Name it."
Jannes looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. "I'll think about it, Malfoy. Now do run along. I believe Professor Snape wants to see you and Parkinson to instruct you on the disciplinary measures he wants to have on the day of the O.W.Ls. I've heard Professor Umbridge wants you to head the security before, during and after the examinations in her office."
Draco grinned and then smirked smugly. He then nodded at Jannes and then stalked away, still being followed by his two brawny bodyguards. Moments later, Jannes and Hermione were left alone on the corridor, Hermione following Malfoy's disappearance in a daze. Everything seemed to have happened so fast and— she was still feeling numb and soiled and shaky. She still couldn't fully comprehend what had happened.
"Finite." Jannes muttered, pointing a wand to her throat.
It didn't take long for Hermione's superior intellect to put two and two together. She met Jannes' gaze five feet away from her and stammered, "T- thank you..."
Jannes' face showed no emotion. It was absolutely blank. But then, after a while, she nodded and silently swept away and left her alone. No silly bantering. No 'Are you okay?' fussing. Absolutely nothing.
It took a while for her to realize that she should head off to class. She sat in Ancient Runes, after several Straightening Charms on her clothes, slowly picking up the pieces of her dignity. A mane of coal black hair caught her attention and she turned to look at Jannes Delareine's aloof profile. She hadn't even realized that they were both sitting in on the same classes. The class started and Hermione pulled herself together and sat in attention, silently wondering why she'd never paid any attention to Jannes Delareine before. She swore to pay her a bit more attention from then on...
***
"Enter."
Severus was grading a set of essays laid on his desk when he heard the set of soft knocks on his office door. Without looking up, he called.
He heard the door closed and warded. If it weren't for the silent footsteps he felt more than heard, he would have dismissed the person as just another student. But he knew better.
"I heard you had a run in with Malfoy. The Bloody Baron told me you asked him to keep a closer eye on Hermione Granger. Very conscientious of you." He exclaimed softly as he sorted through the papers of one Parvati Patil and wincing.
"Conscience had nothing to do with it, really," his visitor replied. Her soft voice reverberating through the walls of the dungeon though she did not shout. Her tones relaxed and clear, masking the alertness in it. "It was more a... female instinct, I guess."
At that, Severus raised his head and raised an eyebrow towards her. "I thought you weren't one for other people's sensibilities?"
A faint half smile crossed her rosebud lips and the expression in her golden eyes remained soft as she stared right back at him. Her long midnight black hair flowed down her back lost in her all black attire. "I deal with it in a case to case basis. Besides, I don't want any further detours to my plans. If Potter learns that Granger was raped right under the Hogwart's staff's nose, he'll never listen to anyone again. He can be a rule onto his own if he so wishes. Only Professor Dumbledore has the means to control him. Pulling on Potter's strings with laces of sentimentality. It's quite easy, you know how Gryffindors are."
Snape pulled a disgusted smirk. "Do I?"
She smiled. "Besides. I wouldn't want anything to happen to your favorite student."
He scowled at her. "She is not my favorite student. She's just another Gryffindor pest." then his face turned serious. "Any new information?"
The girl smiled softly and raised an eyebrow slightly before answering. "The Serpent's Den is definitely having the time of their lives though I've noticed Malfoy eavesdropping on every teacher he could come close to just to find out what the bloody prophecy was about. It's useless though. If I know Dumbledore, he'll be the only one aside from the Department of Mysteries to know."
Snape nodded, frowning and tenting his fingers. "You're right and it's wise of him not to tell me. I can't risk the chance that the Dark Lord might Crucio the information out of me. Even though I'll never be able to forget what World Savior Potter did to the pensieve while I was using it. That still tops off all other violations for me."
She smiled a bit wider now. "Ah... so much bitterness. Sometimes, I wonder at your endurance and determination to keep such hatred going. Don't worry though, I'm sure he won't be wanting to come near you like that again. In the meantime, we still have to keep him alive."
Severus scowled and went back to his grading. "More's the pity."
Jannes Delareine merely chuckled softly before going straight to a couple of simmering cauldrons. In moments, both were then absorbed in their work.....