Author's Note: Ello everyone! Sorry it's taken so long for me to post a new chapter but I've begun working for the local newspaper writing articles and it's rather time consuming, plus the style isn't what I'm used to writing and I've got the boss lady on my butt all the time. :P On the plus side, I can use my work's internet so maybe I can update more. Yay! Well, I've kept you waiting long enough. Here's chapter 3!
Snape's POV
I could hear Olivia following me through the woods, the sound of her feet crunching the leaves on the forest floor. Even though I knew where to look for Fluxweed, the forest was still dangerous, especially at night and especially during the full moon. I quickened my pace, wanting to get Olivia back to the safety of the castle as quickly as possible. If I hadn't been completely out of Fluxweed, which could only be harvested during the full moon, I would have said to heel with it and taken her back immediately.
When we finally emerged from the forest, into a large round clearing that was familiar to me, the moon was directly overhead and illuminated every inch of the clearing. I turned to Olivia, who was looking around the clearing, her green eyes wide and reflecting the light of the moon.
"Pay attention," I said to her and she immediately focused her attention on me, "Do you know what Fluxweed looks like?"
"Duh," she said with a snort.
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"I mean, yes sir," she said quickly.
I had to suppress a smile, so I turned my head and gestured to the clearing.
"Gather as much as you can," I said to her and, after digging around in the pockets of my robes for a moment, handed her a small bag.
She began to walk around the clearing, kneeling down ever few feet to gather the plant. I watched her for a few minutes before beginning to gather plants in my own bag.
Once we both had gathered as much as we could, we started back towards the castle.
"Can you tell me the uses of Fluxweed?" I asked Olivia, testing her knowledge and giving us something to talk about.
It's used in Polyjuice Potion, Swelling Solution, Aging Potion, Shrinking Solution and various potions used to change appearances."
"That's right," I said, impressed with her but not letting it show, "What can you tell me about valerian roots?" I asked, pointing to a clump.
We spent the rest of the walk discussing plants. We were almost back to the castle when I heard the faint sound of approaching hoof beats. Olivia heard it too, and looked around, frowning. The hoof beats grew louder and seemed to be coming nearer. Olivia pointed her wand in the directions from which they came.
"Lower your wand," I commanded quickly, "They dislike wizard's magic."
She obeyed immediately.
"What-?"
They burst out of the trees suddenly, galloping at full speed. I grabbed Olivia and pulled her out of the way quickly, just in time to avoid being trampled.
Olivia watched in awe as the herd of centaurs thundered past. I thought perhaps they hadn't noticed us, until the front of the herd turned and came back towards us, slowing down until they came to a stop in front of us.
"Humans," said the leader of the herd, who I knew to be Bane, "You should not be out here so late. It is dangerous."
"The girl is no more than a filly," said a female centaur disapprovingly, "How could you bring her out here? And during the full moon. I know humans are of lesser intelligence, but even you should know better."
"I didn't bring her out here," I said, forcing myself not to snap, "I found her. I was taking her back to the castle- she snuck out."
"Into the forest? What an incredibly stupid girl," said Bane, "Even for a filly."
"No, not into the forest," Olivia said defiantly, her emerald eyes gleaming, "I went for a fly on the broomstick. I was flying over the forest when I saw a unicorn and her baby. That's when I landed. Then Snape found me."
"Professor Snape," said Bane, "You should learn to respect your elders, girl."
"He's my cousin," she said with a snort.
"That is not what the stars say," said Bane, looking upwards.
"Well I'm adopted, but still…"
"Very well. You may pass and return to Hogwarts, as is our agreement with Dumbledore."
"Wait," said a voice from the back of the herd, "Let me see the humans."
The centaurs moved aside, bowing respectfully as an elderly centaur came to the front- even Bane lowered his head in respect.
The elderly centaur had long white hair and light blue eyes that looked misty. He studied us a moment, then turned his face towards the sky.
"Just as I thought," he said a moment later, looking back at us, "Together, you have a touch of destiny about you."
There was a long silence. I glanced at Olivia, who raised an eyebrow at me.
"Destiny," she repeated skeptically, "Right."
I felt uneasy beneath the stare of the elder centaur. I knew this so-called destiny probably had to do with my saving her and I hoped that, if the centaur knew, he wouldn't tell her.
"Whether or not you believe is your choice," the centaur said finally, calmly. He turned then and left us, the rest of the herd following, until we were alone once again in the forest.
"Weird," she remarked, staring off into the forest, where the centaurs had disappeared. I was silent a moment, then shook my head.
"Let's go back to the castle," I said, motioning for her to follow me.
Finally, we found ourselves back on the grounds of Hogwarts.
"I've got to put this back before we go back to the castle," Olivia said, holding up the broomstick she had stolen. I nodded my head and followed her towards the broom shed. When we got to the shed, she used her wand to unlock the door. She put the broomstick, relocked the door using magic, and followed me back towards the castle.
"I'm going to have to give you detention you know?" I said to her.
"With you?" she asked, sounding hopeful.
"Yes," I replied cautiously and she grinned, "Don't look so enthusiastic- it's a punishment."
"Right. Aren't you supposed to report me to Professor Dumbledore or something?"
"Do you want me to report you to Professor Dumbledore?" I asked menacingly.
"No," she said quickly.
"Then stop asking questions."
When we made it back inside, I made sure Olivia went back to the Slytherin Common Room.
"Don't go wandering about anymore, okay? And I'll expect you in my office at 7 o'clock tomorrow to serve your detention."
"Yay- I mean, yes sir," she said, grinning. I rolled my eyes and headed towards my office without another word.
Olivia's POV
My dreams that night were full of centaurs galloping and talking about destiny. It made sense in the dream, everything they said, but when I awoke I couldn't remember any of it. I awoke late Saturday morning, just in time to go down to lunch. When I reached the Great Hall, I saw Mari waving for me to come sit with her. She grinned at me as I sat down.
"Did ya have fun last night?" she asked me.
"Yep. I saw a unicorn and her baby while I was flying over the forest. I saw a herd of centaurs, too."
"There are a lot of them, aren't there? I got lost in the forest once when I was in my third year. The centaurs found me and showed me back the castle. They're an odd lot- always talking about the stars and the natural order of things."
"I dunno. I didn't talk to them," I lied, "I just saw them as I was flying overhead."
"Oh. Hey you know there's a Quidditch game this afternoon? Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff. You going?"
"I dunno, Mari, I was gonna go to the library, do some reading…"
"Don't be such a nerd, Olivia. Come on, you'll love Quidditch."
"Well…alright."
That afternoon I followed Mari out to the Quidditch pitch. Everyone seemed excited. The air was filled with chatter up until the point when the players walked out onto the field with their brooms. Madam Hooch, who was the referee, blew her whistle and the players ascended into the air. Mari and I cheered for the Ravenclaw team, as did all of our fellow Slytherins. By the end of the game, Ravenclaw had beat Hufflepuff by almost twice as many points.
When Mari and I walked back up to the castle after the game, all she talked about was professional Quidditch.
"I think I might try out for the team next year," I remarked.
"See," she said, "I told you you'd like Quidditch. Good luck getting on the team, though. I don't ever remember there being a girl on the Slytherin team. You'll need mad skills. And a good broom."
At 7 o'clock that evening I made my way cheerfully down to Snape's office. I knew I shouldn't be cheerful- after all, detention was supposed to be a punishment- but I couldn't help it. As long as I got to spend time with Snape, it couldn't possibly be bad. I knocked on his office door and was told to enter. I walked into his office to find Snape sitting at his desk.
"Will you stop smiling?" he said irritably, "Or will I have to make you serve your detention with McGonagall."
"Sorry," I said, sobering up.
"Sorry what?"
"Sorry sir," I said, suppressing an eye roll.
"Right. Come on," he said, standing.
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying not to sound excited.
"To the Potions classroom. You'll be serving your detention in there, preparing Potions ingredients."
Cool, I thought to myself, grinning inside.
I followed Snape down the hall to the Potions classroom. There was a box sitting on the desk that was mine. Snape pointed to the desk and I sat down. He handed me a silver knife.
"Can you tell me what the properties of rat tails are in use in Potions?" he asked me.
"Sure," I replied, "They are used to heighten senses and can be found in Invigoration Draught, Alert Elixir, and, uh…Hair Raising Potion."
"Correct. You will serve your detention by dissecting rats and setting aside the parts we use in potions- the spleen and the tail. I'll show you."
He opened the box and selected one light brown rat. It's eyes were closed and it's little paws were curled against its chest. My heart felt constricted in my chest. Poor little thing…
Snape thumped it down callously on its back on the desk. With one swift movement he cut its stomach open, removed its spleen, cut off its tail, and tossed it into another box on the floor. I fought back a wave of nausea as he handed me the blood-covered knife.
"What?" Snape said, obviously noticing some betrayal of my emotions.
"Nothing," I said quickly and picked up a rat. It was cold and stiff and furry. Snape went and sat at his desk to grade papers.
I got through three rats without puking but when I reached the fourth one it's eyes were open and it's mouth was open in a silent scream. I couldn't help it- I burst into tears. Snape looked highly alarmed.
"What's wrong with you?" he demanded. I tried to stifle my crying.
"I'm…sorry," I said, between sniffs, "I can't…do it. The poor…things."
"Oh for the love of-" he started, then swept the rat off the desk back into the box and pointed to the door, "Go."
"But… I haven't served my detention."
"Forget about it. Just go."
"No! I want to serve my detention."
He stared at me and shook his head incredulously. He said nothing, but took the rats and disappeared into the store room a minute. I used this minute to wipe all trace of tears from my face, embarrassed that I had cried in front of Snape and worried that this would make him not want me as an apprentice. He came back out with a significantly smaller box and put this on my desk, along with a pestle.
"Crush these," he said and went and sat back at his desk. I opened the box- griffin claws. That I could do. I happily began to complete the assignment.
"I should have made you do it anyway," Snape said without looking up from his work, "How can you like Potions so much? Animal parts are used in most potions."
"I haven't a problem using the parts…I just can't make myself cut open a poor defenseless animal. It's inhumane!" I said indignantly.
"But they're already dead."
"Yes but it's sad…and gross."
"Right," he said, shaking his head.