AUTHORS NOTE: So I just wanted to let you all know how amazed and thrilled I am to see all the views this story has gotten. Not to mention I am super thankful to all of you who follow, favorite, or comment. It means so much to have feedback so I can know what I'm doing right and what I need to quit right away. This chapter I kept stopping and coming back to so if the writing style is suddenly changes, that's why. That also means that my grammar is going to be an utter mess so please go easy on me. I wanted to upload as fast as I could- it's been too long. It took me a while because I just completed all of my exams. YAY! Luckily I'm on winter break so be expecting more regular updates! You all are awesome! -Your fave Muggle, SingingInSilence
CHAPTER FOUR
When Lucy entered the Dark Arts classroom, she was still clueless as to why Snape had accompanied her. Their interaction during dinner- if she could even call it that- was peculiar, yes, 'but this' she thought, 'is simply insane'. It was almost as if he was being protective somehow. From what she had read about the Professor, Severus Snape was not a man who displayed his protective side openly. Having this prior knowledge, she couldn't comprehend why he gave a flying-flidoodle to whether or not she visited Umbridge by herself. Then again, Lucy wondered if "protective" was the right word to use for this situation.
The pure frustration she felt, coursed through her veins. 'Why am I always second guessing myself when it comes to this man…. Man- Snape- Professor- whatever! Maybe he just wants to intimidate me, or maybe… maybe he was going to let slip to Umbridge my choice in night attire as some sort of revenge. He's probably aware of how much the toad wants to have me expelled….. No. There was no way he would do that…. right?' Dammit, I'm here to help the man, must he make it so difficult.
Lucy made her way gingerly to Umbridge's office door with Snape close behind her. With one hand raised to knock on the door, she could see Snape's intimidating gaze upon her out of the corner of her eye. 'That's it!' Instead of knocking she and let her hand fall to her side instead with annoyed "humph".
Spinning around to face him, she demanded an answer in a whispered yell. "Why are you here- better yet, how did you know I would be here?" She faltered slightly noticing how close they were, but frustration overruled formalities.
"I assure you, Miss Augustina, the reasoning for my being here is-," Snape paused, raising an eyebrow at her mockingly, "nothing I have to explain to you. Furthermore, I suggest you quickly learn to alter you're tone unless your yearning for a months detention- or, whatever dire consequences come to mind."
The vindictive behavior made Lucy's blood boil. "Now you look here, Professor," she hissed, "don't think you can intimidate me like-"
Suddenly the office door swung open revealing a very puzzled Umbridge. "Miss Augustina? Professor Snape? Is something the matter?"
'Dam!' Lucy didn't miss the flash of unnatural excitement on Umbridge's face when she caught the tail end of their argument. It didn't take a fool to see the woman wasn't biting at the bit to have Lucy expelled. In desperation she turned to Snape, unintentionally looking him directly in the eyes. Her inner dialogue began racing away.'Are you trying to make yourself a target, Luce? Now you have to depend on the same arrogant jerk who got you rilled up in the first place to get you out of this mess. I'm an idiot. Forget what Dumbledore says. Umbridge has no intention of letting me stay at this school, even if she doesn't know- oh shit….' Lucy caught a flicker of intense interest somewhere behind her potion masters dark eyes. 'Eyes…eye contact- oh just kill me now. Damn legilimens!' Snape broke eye contact and Lucy, horrified, managed to stifle a gasp when the corners of his mouth turned up in a triumphant smirk.
Adopting his normal bland demeanor, the potions master faced Umrbidge who had been staring at the two curiously. "Miss Augustina and I were discussing her recent potions grade."
"I see," Umbridge began unable to contain the slight disappointment in voice. "Well if thats all, Snape," she jeered his name with a vigor that made Lucy cringe,"then you can leave us."
Hearing the true sinister tone sneak into Umbridge's voice yanked Lucy back into reality. Suddenly, she could care less as to why Snape was persistent in joining her and Umbridge, as long as he did. There was no doubt in Lucy's mind that the Dark Arts Professor wouldn't refrain from using the techniques she previously labeled taboo given the chance they were alone together. Dolores Umbridge had just enough of a god-complex and twisted mind to use the form of torture in order to get what she wanted.
"As much as I would like to," Snape began overzealously and yet still in his same monotone voice, "Dumbledore suggested I accompany Miss Augustina to meet with you as- an advisor of sorts. After all, did you not mention earlier that even a talented advisor such as yourself may be unable to help a girl- with her background- pass your Dark Arts Class? I believe the Headmaster thought it best if you had another professor to- help her in the area."
Umbridge looked as though she was going to blow a gasket by the time he finished speaking. While Lucy tried to hide how surprised she was at the mention of Dumbledore, she debating whether or not she should step back or shield herself from the wicked witch's wrath. 'Why the sudden change of heart, headmaster?' she wondered briefly. 'I guess I finally got through to him- or he just didn't want to give Umbridge a chance at torturing me.'
"The Headmaster sent you?" Umbridge asked him condescendingly.
'uh oh…' Lucy gulped and turned to Snape to try and gage his reaction. If his ice cold stare didn't intimidate the pink toad, then she had to be certifiably inane. 'If he kills her… oh who am I kidding? I'd help stash the body!'
Umbridge smiled evilly and questioned Snape in a cynically sweet voice that sent chills down Lucy's spine. "And he didn't see a problem given your, um, previous position?"
'On second thought, criminal records aren't that fashionable nowadays,' Lucy concluded. Snape had gone whiter then his normally pale skin and his fists were clenched tightly. "Professor Umbridge," Lucy immediately interrupted, "I believe that you are more than certified to tutor me alone and beyond thoroughly trained in the Dark Arts." Though Umbridge was too shallow to grasp the double meaning in her words, Lucy caught the quiet snort from Snape. "However," she added quickly, "I'm awfully slow at learning and I'm sure you wouldn't want to be tutoring me each day of the week; especially when you have so many other important matters to attend to."
Realization came over Severus Snape like he'd been thrown against a brick wall. 'That little twit just trapped me in to tutoring her!'
"Yes, yes, that is very true," Umbridge began haughtily, "the time taken out of my day to do something so trivial as tutor a... girl like you…"
'A mudblood?' Lucy wanted to catch the Professor's stumble but kept her mouth shut tight.
"…would be highly unproductive and -quite frankly- under my pay-grade. Yes, I believe Professor Snape would be a better fit. Personally, Snape, I believe you might benefit from a lesson in how we dothings in the Dark Arts these days," she said turning to the Potions Master.
"It's settled then!" Lucy boosted cheerfully before the Potions Master could rebut; he looked as though he'd have an aneurism. Umrbidge had stepped out of the door a ways and Lucy caught a glimpse of what she guessed Dumbledore had been trying to subject her from. There on Dark Arts Professor's desk sat a strange looking quill that Lucy knew was the same one Umbridge would use to torture her students with this year. The sudden echoing chimes of the bell tower throughout the castle came as a relief. "Is it that late already?" Lucy gasped innocently, "My apologies Professor Umbridge, while I would love to get more acquainted, I'm afraid I must return to my dormitories. I wouldn't want to break any rules in my first few weeks, now. Not to mention I have a raging headache from all the excitement."
Professor Umbridge didn't bother hiding a disapproving look. "No, that would be- most unfortunate," she almost grumbled. For a moment it seemed that Umbridge was actually going to except her defeat until a sly smile began to form. The sheer sinister motives hiding behind that plastered expression made Lucy shiver. "Why don't I walk you back so there are no misunderstandings."
"That won't be necessary," Snape's cut in forcefully. The quick outburst startled both Lucy and Umbridge. "I was heading that way, it would be unproductive to allow you, as busy as you are, to accompany Miss Augustina when I am certainly capable myself."
"Forgive me for intruding, Snape, but why would you be heading in that direction," Umbridge asked.
Even Lucy cocked an eyebrow at Snape, though he paid no mind to her.
"I have important matters to discuss with Professor McGonagal before morning," he answered cooly.
"Very well," Umbridge huffed, "but I will find a time for us to chat, Miss Augustina. I look forward to learning more about you."
Lucy opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Snape who had taken hold of her arm, almost forcefully, dragging her out of the Dark Arts Classroom. "Very well then. Good evening Deloris," he muttered leaving a thoroughly pissed off, pink suited, professor behind him.
Snape wound his way through corridors and marched down flights of stairs with purpose as he lead Lucy who stumbled along behind him. After descending the third flight of stairs, she starting getting anxious. During the summer, the castle had seemed so much darker at night when compared to the new life the school year brought. Though Lucy was confident she knew the entire layout of the castle well enough to maneuver it blindfolded, the added light confirmed her suspicion that Snape was not taking her back to the Gryfindor Common Room. From the looks of it, he was leading her down to the dungeons.
She could see the side of his face if she kept up with him and tried to gage what could possibly be going through his mind. His brows were slightly furrowed and a small bead of sweat was forming just above a line on his forehead but the rest of his features stayed void of emotion. Then she looked to his eyes; 'nothing'. The large dark eyes held no light, no sense of motive, or clue to his demeanor other than a dull and apathetic glaze. It made Lucy worry; not because she was frightened of him (though she couldn't deny he was rather intimidating at times), but worried her because she identified the dull look as a complete facade that held no truth to what was really going on in his mind. When practicing Occulemency, Lucy discovered that when she would constantly shield her mind for long periods of time, her eyes developed the same appearance that Snape's eyes held now. Whatever he was thinking, it was too important to him to risk her finding out. Lucy almost laughed at the thought. "Little does he realize I've read him like an open book- literally."
Lucy had been so wrapped up in trying to decode her potions master, she didn't realize they'd stopped moving and were now standing outside the Potions Classroom. Pushing the heavy door open as though it weighed nothing, Snape yanked her inside the dim class room and slammed the door shut behind her. Finally letting go of her arm, Lucy watched with interest as he left her standing alone and walked into his pitch black office. Seconds latter, she heard the swish of several candles igniting. A warm glow bounded out of the open door to his office- but Snape never came out. Light bounced off of the many jars of items that held 'who knows what'; some making Lucy want to run the other direction. Anticipation got the best of her after waiting for what felt like eternity for Snape to return, and Lucy slowly inched toward to the open door.
"Professor Snape?" she called out quietly. Entering the office, Lucy found the professor shuffling through various glass potion vials- none of which were labeled, she noticed.
"Sit," Snape demanded in a hiss with his back turned to her.
Lucy studied him questioningly before sitting down in a worn and lumpy black leather arm chair in front of his desk. 'What is he up to?' she wondered. Momentarily diverting her eyes which had been glued to the back of her professor's head, she tried making out the different jars of ingredients that neatly lined the walls.
When Albus hadn't been paying attention, Lucy had summoned several advanced potion books during her nightly visits. Once the headmaster finally felt comfortable enough to let her roam the castle, she headed straight for the Room of Requirement that met her with a beautifully equipped potions lab. After years of reading potion books front to back, Lucy spent many of her nights in the lab practicing until she had become incredibly skilled. Though it annoyed her, she pretend to be as clueless as the rest of the students in Snape's potion classes. Her knowledge of potions, would definitely draw unwelcome attention to herself. It was hard at times to act as though she knew nothing or answer a friend's question wrong. Especially when Neville almost blew up the entire class on a regular basis. She could only hope that Snape hadn't noticed her impeccable knowledge for potions so that his curiosity kept docile.
Letting her eyes drift along Snape's shelves, she noticed a few grotesque jarred had collected a great share of cobwebs, looking as though they hadn't been disturbed since they were placed there. 'Probably only used to frighten students,' she decided. She recognized boomslang skin, salamander blood, starthistle, wormwood…. almost everything one could possibly need. Quiet mutterings broke her concentration and she brought her attention back to Snape. He was holding a vial of blood red liquid to the light that Lucy could see little bits and pieces of goop floating in. Just it's appearance alone made her stomach uneasy. Finally, something clicked inside her brain and she recognized the potion he was examining; Baneberry Poison. Smirking at the potion triumphantly, Snape walked to his desk in one sharp movement and practically slammed the potion on his desk. He popped open the cork then stood staring intently at Lucy.
"You said you have a headache, now drink," he ordered forcefully.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, adopting his famous trademark. "Uh, no," she said bluntly. 'What on earth is he doing! You're not evil, so why are you trying to kill me!'
Snape snickered at her as a bully would on the playground. "Don't trust me?" There was no time to answer as a horrified Lucy watched Snape swiftly take the vile from his desk and raise it to his mouth.
On pure instinct, Lucy smacked the potion out of his hands before the poison had a chance to reach his lips. The shattering sound of glass the across the floor was dampened by the ringing sound in Lucy's ears from the shock. She looked to where the red liquid had splatter over the office then to the professor. His eyes were burning into her mortified expression.
"Who. Are. You." he asked menacingly. With a flick of his wand, the door slammed shut behind him. The click of it's locks penetrated the room.
'Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!Shit!' It was all trap, and she'd been the innocently unsuspecting prey. No student would know anything about Baneberry Poison. Lucy had never felt so small in her entire life. The dread overcame her in tidal waves almost physically shaking her. She stumbled over words desperately trying to find an escape from his question. "I-I-I- uh- um… s-s-s-s-sir?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Snape snapped, "Dumbledore may claim it is irrelevant, but I plan on finding out what secret you are-" Suddenly, he grimaced and grabbed his wrist.
All the terror Lucy had been feeling instantly vanished at the sight of him speechless from pain of the Dark Lords summon. There was nothing more she wanted to do than to make that pain go away, take away the burden he carried. Snape looked up to her startled to find her face lacking the horror he had just witnessed have been replaced by empathy. 'Don't be foolish,' he told himself, 'you tried to poison the girl. The last thing she's feeling is empathy; she isn't now and she never would have in the first place.'
Another sharp intake of breath seconds later and Lucy stepped toward the professor reach to place a comforting hand on his arm, though she quickly thought better of it and snatched it back. "Professor?"
Snape clenched his wrist tighter. 'Dammit! What does he want now!' Though it was risky, the risk for waiting any longer to go to the Dark Lord were far greater. "You may go, Miss Augustina, but don't think this conversation is over. It's far from it." With that he disapparated into the night.
For a moment Lucy stared at the spot Snape had once been standing. There was no telling what he'd do to find out who she really was. Professor Severus Snape craved secrets and information like one craves air. 'What was Albus thinking sending Snape after me. If this was some sort of test ole' Albus, you are so going to hear it. He better freaking have a plan to get me out of this mess.' Rushing to the office door she grabbed the doorknob only to be thrown halfway across the room with a large jolt of energy shocking her nerves.
'Holy freaking mother of merlin! You have got to be kidding me! HE FREAKING MAGICALLY LOCKED AND BOOBY-TRAPPED THE DAMN DOOR!'