Greatest fears

Ron Weasly crept by my bedside. "What are you doing here Weasly?" I asked. Surprise filling my tone.

His blue eyes looked down at his feet. His shaggy red hair hanging in his face. "I …" He sighed running a hand through his hair.

"I came to say I am sorry." He huffed. "Ok… I just I wasn't thinking." He said.

"It's ok, Ron, accidents happen, but you almost ruined this for Hagrid. You got to think before you speak." I said.

"You really care about him, don't you?" He said.

"He is my friend of course I care about him." I said.

He stared at me a moment. "You aren't a typical Slytherin are you?" He asked.

I sneered like my father did at dunces. "We may have some common traits Weasly but we aren't all vipers." I said.

"I guess not." He said.

"Look I do have feelings and I do care about people. I saved you and I don't even really like you. No, you don't owe me anything, you apologized and we are good." I said.

He looked at me stunned. "Why are you being so nice about this?" He asked.

"If you took the chance to know me you would know I am normally nice." I said.

His brow furrowed. "I don't understand you." He said.

I shrugged. "You don't know me." I said.

"You're a Slytherin, you've hexed me more than once, if we talk we are usually fighting. Haven't really had a chance." He said.

"Yes, and this is a nice change of pace don't you think?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Why? Why now?" He asked.

"Because you're finally listening to me. I don't need any more enemies Ron I have plenty." I said.

"So, what you want to be … friends?" He said.

We looked at each other for a moment. "I don't know but I would at least like to not be fighting." I said.

He looked at me a moment. Trying to read me. "Ok I guess truce." He extended his hand to me and I shook it.

"Night Ron don't get caught." I said.
"Night S… Jamie." He said as he left.

The next day I was released from the infirmary with a sling and orders to be careful. I was glad I was given the day off classes. I spent the day curled up with Athena and reading up on Animagi.

It was a bright morning and I was up before Aria. Smirking I slipped out of bed and set up a few surprises for when Aria woke up. I grabbed my camera as I headed into the bathroom and waited for the chaos to begin. I launched my pillow at her face as I walked into the bathroom. Before I made it into the shower I heard.

"SNAPE! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"

I burst into laughter and peeked out the door to see her face. Aria's bright hair was a vivid pink. Her skin a neon blue. She was also soaking wet and covered in feathers. I fell to the floor clutching my sides I was laughing so hard.

"PHOENIX GET YOUR ARSE OFF THE FLOOR AND FIX ME!" She snarled.

"But…. You…. look… so…. Pretty!" I said between laughs. I pulled out my camera. I snapped a picture before she could kill me.

Still giggling I took a shower ignoring the threats being yelled through the door.

"Love you too Ari!" I said as I was finishing getting ready and she was threatened to turn me into a slug.

Snarling she told me to bloody hurry up and fix her. With a few quick spells, she was back to normal.

"You better watch your back Snape because I will have my revenge." She said.

I shrugged. "Bring it!" I smiled.

With a final glare, she shut the bathroom door. I got dressed and fed Athena. After grabbing my bag, I headed to the great hall for breakfast.

When I arrived, I sat between Draco and the twins. Arabella had her nose in a book. After carouses of morning I put some fruit on my plate. I leaned over to Fred and George.

I smirked. "Just a warning Shadow is going to be a bit testy this morning." I said.

Smirking themselves they asked in unison. "What did you do to Shadow Phoenix?"

I told them and they burst into laughter. Arabella sniffed disapprovingly. Soon Aria stomped into the great hall in a sour mood. She sat on the other side of Draco. After breakfast ended we went to potions class.

I partnered with Draco and Aria partnered with Arabella. Gryffindors were with us in potions again and they were bloody terrible at it. At least one of them mainly Neville melted a cauldron or caused something bad. Mainly because they felt intimidated by my father and hated him. At least in Slytherin everyone respected him enough to pay attention. Well that and he would give you detention for a month if you dare embarrass him by being bad at potions. That also went quadruple for Draco and me.

Draco and I were sitting at a table with Ron and Seamus. My arm was in a sling not fully recovered from the damage done by Buck Beak. Madame Pomphrey healed it as much as she could but I had to be carefully with the newly healed skin and muscle.

"Dray, can you skin this shrivel fig for me please?" I asked. Pansy was glaring daggers at me. My father hearing this request smirked.

"No, Draco don't worry about it. Weasly since you caused Miss. Snape's injury you can help her prepare her ingredients." He drawled scathingly.

I ground my teeth together knowing I was already grounded at least not to his quarters but to the Slytherin Dorms. If I wasn't already serving detention I would have spoken up. Ron had more than paid for his crime. Ron went red and muttered git. He started preparing my ingredients under my father's watchful eyes. He handed me the ingredients and I put them in. Draco took care of stirring both our cauldrons.

Neville who was working at the same table as Arabella and Aria next to Dean Thomas had a problem with his potion. It was supposed to be green but was orange instead.

"Orange?! Longbottom, tell me does anything penetrate that brain of yours or do you even have one? I clearly said one rat spleen should suffice and that only a dash of leech juice would be necessary! Maybe if we test it on your toad that will encourage you to try harder!" He said.

Neville was trembling and looked like he was about to cry. Arabella raised her hand. "Sir I could help Neville put it right." She said.

"This is a lesson for Mr. Longbottom. You may not help him Miss. Black." He said.

Neville looked to Arabella and moaned. "HELP ME."

She started whispering instructions to him. Soon his potion was back to where it should be. At the end of class my father grabbed Neville's toad and picked up a ladle and trickled a few drops down Trevor's throat. All the Gryffindors and a few Slytherins mainly Aria, Arabella and I cheered as Trevor shrunk to a tadpole. My father scowling poured a few drops of the reversal down Trevor and then he was back to a toad.

"Ten points from Gryffindor! I told you Longbottom to do this on your own." He snapped.

I scowled at my father and all the Gryffindors were outraged. I made sure my father saw my tight-lipped disapproval before stalking out of class. My robes bellowing like his. It had taken me ages to get it right but what else did I have to do with my time during my frequent groundings.

When everyone arrived at defense against the dark arts Remus hadn't arrived yet. Everyone sat down and was talking among themselves when he arrived. "Please pack up your books and leave them here then follow me please. Today will be a practical lesson. You will only be needing your wands. Murmurs of excitement broke out we had never had a practical DADA class before. Well except Lockhart's pixie stunt. I shuddered at the thought.

We followed Remus down to the staff room. My father was sitting in a chair and as we entered he stood up. "Leave it open Lupin I would rather not witness this." He sneered.

As he reached the door he turned. "By the way this class contains Neville Longbottom. I wouldn't entrust him with anything too difficult unless Miss. Black is hissing instructions to him." He glared harshly at Arabella.

Professor Lupin frowned. "Well, Severus I was actually hoping Neville would help me in a very important part today. I am sure he will do just fine." He said coolly giving Neville a small smile.

Aria beamed at Remus then glared at my father. My father lifted his head slightly and left the room. I was ashamed at my father's behavior I couldn't understand it. "I'm sorry Neville don't listen to dad." I said.

Neville gave me a small smile. After a moment, a rattling from the wardrobe drew the classes attention back to the front.

"Today we are going to be tackling a Bogart. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart is?" Remus asked Aria, Arabella, Draco, and Ron all raised their hands.

"Draco?" Remus asked.

"Boggarts are shapeshifters. They turn into whatever scares you most." He said.

"Very good. Boggarts like to hide in dark places such as closets, wardrobes, under beds. This one moved in yesterday and I asked the Headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice." He said.

"Now who can tell me what advantage we might have as a class." Remus asked. Several people raised their hand including me.

"Jamie?" He asked.

"There are so many of us that it won't know what shape to turn into." I said.

"Yes, boggarts can easily become confused if they try to frighten more than one person. What should it turn into a headless corpse or a giant slug. I once saw a boggart make that very mistake and turned itself into half a slug. Not remotely freighting." He said. "Everyone is going to take a shot at the boggart. I want everyone to repeat after me Ridiculous." After we repeated it several times he continued.

"Now this spell takes more than just the word. I want everyone to think of the thing that scares them the most. Then find a way to make it funny." He said.

Everyone closed their eyes in concentration. My first thought was Voldemort. Not as he was now but returned to full power. Then a worse image swam into my head. A cold dead hand and black tattered robes. The woman screaming. I shuddered as I remembered the Dementors. How do you make dementors funny? Too late because Remus was already calling for everyone's attention.

"Now Neville what frightens you the most?" Remus asked.

Neville squeaked and opened and closed his mouth a few times. "Sorry I didn't catch that." Remus said kindly.

"Pproffesor Snape." He said.

Everyone laughed except Draco and I who scowled. Neville shot me an apologetic look. I tried to look as reassuring as I could.

"Very well, when the boggart Snape comes out how can you make him funny?" Remus asked. Neville's eyes widened and he gulped.

"Don't know." He choked out.

"Neville if I am not mistaken you live with your grandmother correct?" Remus asked.

Neville's brow furrowed. "Yes, but I don't want it to turn into her either." He said.

"No, you misunderstand me. What kind of clothes does your grandmother usually wear?" Remus asked.

"A green dress and heels." Neville said confused.

"Does she wear a hat?" Remus prodded.

"Yea it has a stuffed vulture on top." Neville said.

"What about a hand bag?" Remus asked.

"A big red one." Neville said.

"Can you picture them in your mind's eye?" He asked.

"Yes." Neville said.

"Ok, so when Professor boggart Snape comes out I want you to picture your grandmother's clothes. Then cast the spell Ridiculous and if all goes well Professor boggart Snape will be forced into that green dress with heels, the top hat, and have that big red handbag." The whole room laughed again and the wardrobe wobbled violently.

"Ok, Neville we are all going to step back so you have a clear field. Ready?" Remus asked.

Neville nodded shakily. Everyone stepped back as Remus cast a spell that opened the wardrobe. My father stepped out bearing down on Neville.

Neville yelped then stuttered. "Rridiculous!" The boggart faltered as it suddenly tripped on the high heels. It looked around confused making the hat wobble. Everyone burst into laughter. Even I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of my father in a grandmother dress and ugly top hat.

"Great now everyone line up and I will call the next person forward." Remus said smiling. Everyone lined up and Neville stepped back.

"Pavarti, you next." Remus said.

Crack my father turned into a mummy. Pavarti cried Ridiculous and the wrapping unraveled tripping the mummy. It turned into a cockroach then a rat chasing its tale.

"Good work its becoming confused." Remus said. "Dean you next."

Dean stepped forward and it turned into a severed hand, Ridiculous he cried. The hand became caught in a mouse trap.

"Seamus." A woman with green skin and black hair that went to the floor. She let out an unearthly cry that made Jamie feel sick. Ridiculous and the woman fell silent clutching her throat.

"Great work. Ron!" Ron stepped up and several people screamed as a huge spider appeared. Ridiculous! The spider's legs disappeared and it was rolling on the floor.

"Draco!" Remus said. Draco grimaced and went forward. To my shock, it turned into Lucius Malfoy.

"Draco, you are unworthy to be a Malfoy! How could I ever have sired such a disgrace!" The boggart bore down on a frozen Draco and he flinched as it reached to slap him. I was horrified was Draco abused?

Remus started forward and Draco turned and bolted from the room. Remus cast a spell and a silvery creature appeared and bound out of the room.

"Aria." Remus said trying to distract the class.

Aria stepped forward. Crack and then there was a tall thin woman with crazy black hair. Her grey eyes feral and her high cheek bones pointy.

"Hello ickle baby come to mummy Arabella." She cooed sickeningly

Arabella looked at the woman horrified. Aria looked ready to cry. "Ridiculous." She whispered.

The woman was suddenly dressed as a clown. I looked at Aria worried. Who was that woman? Why did she make Aria so upset? Why had she called Aria, Arabella? I started forward but Remus paled and jumped in front of me. It turned into a moon and then when he said Ridiculous it turned into a balloon and popped flying around the room.

It landed near the wardrobe and Remus said. "Why don't you finish it off Neville?"

Neville stepped to the front again and it resumed my father's form. Once again, he was forced into the clothes and Neville let out a HA! The boggart exploded.

"Five points to everyone who tackled the boggart and ten to Neville because he did it twice. Also five points to Draco and Jamie because they answered my questions." Remus said.

My mind focused on Draco and I raced off to find him. I went to his room and knocked on the door. No one replied, so, I headed to my father quarters. He came to the door a second later.

"He is on the couch." My father said moving aside.

I ran into the living room where Draco was sitting. He had his knees up and his arms wrapped around them. His chin was resting on his knees. The look on his face was simply heartbreaking.

"Dray…." I whispered and ran to him.

I climbed on the couch next to him and wrapped my arms around him.

He closed his eyes and a tear escaped. "Draco are you ok?" I asked.

He looked at me with torchered eyes. "No." He said his voice breaking.

"What happened? Draco, I don't understand." I said. "Does your father abuse you?" I asked.

"Of course not!" Draco snapped defensively.

My father raised his eyebrow. "Draco what kind of punishments do you receive?" He asked.

"I get slapped occasionally. Grounded sometimes." He shuddered.

"Anything else?" My father asked.

"He crucios me if he is really mad." Draco said. His eyes widened when he said that like he couldn't believe he did.

My father snarled and I clung tighter to Draco. "LUCIOUS USED THE CRUCIO ON YOU?!" He said in a voice that was ice cold and deadly.

"Yes." Draco whispered.

"How dare he!" My father snapped.

"He won't ever touch you again." I said.

"You can't let him know I told you it will just make it worse!" Draco said panicked.

"We can't allow him to do this again Draco." My father said.

"Look he doesn't do it often. I am fine ok." Draco insisted.

"Dray that bastard deserves to pay for what he has done." I said.

"No." Draco said. "Father is harsh but he isn't a bad person." He said.

"Like hell." I snarled.

"Draco, he used an unforgivable on his own son." My father said gently.

"So, lots of the death eater children are punished with that unforgivable." He said.

"I can't do something about something that won't ever be admitted to me. You are my godson Draco it is my duty to look after you." My father said.

"You want to help me? Get a betrothal contract between me and Jamie. Ensure that I won't be forced to marry someone else. You can't change the past or the now. Father has the ministry in his pocket. You want to help ensure me a happy future." Draco said.

My father looked to me. "I will not enter my daughter into a betrothal contract." He hissed.

"Do it." I said firmly.

Draco and my father looked at me in shock. "You want to marry him?" My father asked.

I nodded. "Your too young to know that." My father snapped.

I rolled my eyes. "Daddy you and I both know I am more grown up than most. Besides it is not like I would be getting married now." I said.

My father glared between us. "No." He said firmly.

"I will be marrying him with or without a contract but this just ensures that Lucius can't try to force Draco into a contract with someone else." I said.

"Absolutely not! If he gets put into a contract then so be it." My father said.

"Dad!" I said.

"I will not put you into a contract." He said. "I am looking out for your best interest you are my child Draco is not."

"Uncle Sev look I don't want to marry anyone else. Would you marry anyone other than Jamie's mother?" Draco asked.

"No and I feel bad but there is nothing I can do to stop your father from marrying you off. I can only control myself and I won't do that to my daughter." He said.

"Even if it's what I want?" I asked.

"You are too young to be making a decision like this. I am sorry but no and that's final." He said.

Draco and I looked at each other. "What does this mean for us?" I asked.

"For now, nothing but when the contract comes there will be no us." He whispered.

"I won't give up on you Draco. I will always be your friend." I said.

"Thanks." He said. He stared at me intensely.

The road of love is never an easy one. I just hoped that something would keep us from being torn apart.

A/N: I am thinking of rewriting this story in the rewrite Jamie would be raised by Severus with yearly visits to the Dursleys. What do you think? Leave as is or Rewrite review and cast your vote!