Author's Note: I do not own the Ninja Turtles or Harry Potter. All original characters belong to me.
Note: Thank you to BubblyShell22 and Akasha Rose for your reviews.
Chapter Seven
Saturday had finally arrived. Stevie had spent the night at the Turtles' quarters, instead of the Gryffindor Tower. It was cool because she preferred being with her friends, watching a movie and eating popcorn, rather than sitting on a bed listening to Parvati and Lavender gossiping away, while they were playing with the other's hair and Hermione was too indulged in her studies and with Harry and Ron to give much notice. Well, she did offer Stevie to sit with them, but the girl wanted to be with the people … er … Turtles she had grown up with.
It was pretty cool when there were actual spells to allow the television to be able to work in the world of magic. Stevie had opened her eyes to find that she had actually fallen asleep in front of the large TV, her head was on Michelangelo's plastron, and his arms were loosely around her. He too, was fast asleep, she could tell by the silent snores.
She tried to think of why they were even sleeping in the entertainment area. Then she remembered she and Mikey stayed out the latest to watch another movie, when the others had either gone to bed. Though Raphael did stay up with them, for about the first half an hour of the movie, before he saw it as something he can watch in his own time.
Suddenly a flash went off. Stevie jumped almost two feet and looked around to see that Raphael wearing this nasty grin and holding a camera right in front of them.
"Who knew that you would make such a wonderful couple!" he said, sniggering.
"Huh?" said Michelangelo, who had just opened his eyes. "Raph, what's with the camera?"
"I noticed that you two were all cuddly and snugly together," said Raph.
"So?" said Mikey.
"Seriously, Mikey, I never thought you were so daft you can't even recognise that you're up for blackmail," said Raph, lowering the camera.
"Actually, Raph, not as daft as you," said Stevie, she whipped out her wand. "Accio, camera!"
Raphael tried to grab the camera, but was too slow.
"You forgot for a moment that I still use a wand, didn't you?" she giggled at him, sitting back down beside Mikey.
She then turned the camera back on to see what pictures had been taken.
"Also, using these as blackmail would be useless, anyway," she added.
"How?"
"Splinter all ready knows for one thing," said Mikey.
"Plus my Dad has been growing suspicious whilst we were at the Headquarters," Stevie added. "So, you're pretty much at a loss, Raph."
Raphael blinked a couple of times, trying to register what had been said. "Are you telling me that you two have been digging each other for real?"
"Raph, don't sound so surprised," said Stevie, scanning threw the photos, she had to admit, they were pretty good.
"But, but … Stevie is practically our sister!" Raphael protested.
"Not really," said Stevie. "Best friend, fellow team-mate and classmate. I may be that kid sister to you, Raph, but Mikey and I have been something a little more than that for years. We've just been extremely subtle about it."
"Too subtle!" said Raph, a little gruffly.
He then turned and walked away from them, muttering something under his breath.
"D'you think he's jealous?" Mikey asked, a little worried.
Stevie shook her head. "If he is, it's because he was left out of the loop. I mean, we are a pretty close nit team after all. He'll get over it."
"Also, Leo and Donny don't know about us, yet, either," said Mikey.
"Know about what?" said a voice from behind, causing Mikey let out a girly scream.
"N-nothing!" he then said to Donatello.
"Except for about you two being potential boyfriend-girlfriend, I all ready know about that," said Donny, quite simply.
"You know?" said Mikey.
"Mikey, we grew up together, it's not like we don't notice anything," Donny reasonably pointed out. "Though, I think Leo would probably do some lecture on how it is possible that you probably will never have children."
"Um, Donny," said Mikey, "I'm eighteen, she's fifteen, not like we're planning on the sound of pitter-patter of little feet anytime soon, dude."
"Just saying," said Donny, shrugging a little.
An owl came flying in at this point. Like Hermione, Stevie had been keeping up with what the Daily Prophet has been publishing.
"Anything interesting?" Mikey asked, watching her scan the pages.
"Well, the bass player in the Weird Sisters is getting married," Stevie answered him. She looked a little further. "Uh oh!"
"What?" Leonardo asked, who had obviously just appeared when the paper did, along with Splinter.
"'The Ministry of Magic has received a tip-off from a reliable source that Sirius Black, notorious mass murderer is currently hiding in London!'" Stevie read out loud. "'Ministry warns Wizarding community that Black is very dangerous … killed thirteen people … broke out of Azkaban.' Grr, it's Lucius Malfoy, I can place a Galleon on it!"
"Thirteen people! Man, that's a lot of people for one dude!" Michelangelo commented.
"Well, Wormtail will never compare to the likes of the Shredder or Voldemort," said Stevie.
"Wormtail?" said Raphael, frowning a little.
"Otherwise known as Peter Pettigrew, he once used to be Dad's friend. But the little ra – er – thing, betrayed him, Sirius Black and James Potter," Stevie explained.
"Were you about to say, rat?" said Raphael.
"Peter Pettigrew is an illegal animagus," said Stevie, "Like the Patronus, you don't choose what animal you are to turn into. In Pettigrew's case, he turns into a rat. Given the explanation to his nickname, Wormtail."
"Kind of gives that stereotype vibe, doesn't it?" Leonardo asked, he gave Splinter a glance, to see what his reaction was.
Splinter didn't hold a single line of distaste to Stevie's words, on contrary, he understood why Stevie was a little hesitant in telling what Pettigrew, a.k.a Wormtail, turned into.
"Unfortunately, not many would see the humble rat as an animal of trust," he said in a matter-of-factly tone.
"Can I have a look at that?" Leonardo asked.
"Sure," said Stevie handing the paper over.
"I'm going to get breakfast started," said Michelangelo.
"Good idea, I'm starving," said Raphael.
Leonardo scanned the newspaper. "Hey, listen to this," he called out. "Some guy named Sturgis Podmore has just been convicted of trespassing and trying to rob the Ministry of Magic on August 31st. He's been sentenced to serve six months in Azkaban."
"Wait a minute, I've heard that name before," said Donatello, thinking back. "Mad-Eye Moody mentioned him."
"He was meant to be part of the guard going to King's Cross Station," said Stevie.
"But, why would he try and … well …?" Donny went to ask.
"I somehow don't think it was actually him doing it by himself," said Stevie, putting a lot of thought into it. "Also, the Ministry probably wanted to get someone who was in the Order. Someone close to Dumbledore, you know?"
"Talk about being extremely paranoid," said Raphael.
Everyone agreed.
The weekend flew quite quickly, Stevie suddenly wanted to be back in New York, where there wasn't really such a thing as a weekend or weekday, it was just a day. But, she didn't say anything. She, had once again, stayed at the Turtles' quarters. While she, Splinter and the Turtles were sitting down to breakfast of bacon, omelette, toast, assorted fruits and a choice of either OJ, milk or water for drink – pumpkin juice did not go so well with anyone of them, not even Splinter.
Stevie received the Daily Prophet and her mouth dropped at what she saw. She flattened it out for the others to at least see for themselves too.
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR
"High Inquisitor?" Leonardo said out loud.
"What does that mean?" Michelangelo asked.
Donatello slipped the paper from Stevie, and read it out loud for all to listen:
"In a surprise move last night the Minister of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Minister of Ministry."
"A new legislation?" Stevie frowned.
"'The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve of.'
"'This not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding School. As recently as 30th August, Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.'"
"But, you had all ready been offered the job, Master Splinter," said Leonardo, frowning at what had been read. "I mean, what happened?"
"I do not know, my son," said Splinter, shaking his head. "But Dumbledore did manage to get Self-Defence in before the Ministry could say no."
"What else does it say?" Raphael asked Donatello.
Donny did so:
"'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone so the Minister put in Umbridge, and of course, she's been an immediate success -"
"Success my arse!" Stevie cried out. Realising what she said, she apologised to a frowning Master Splinter.
"Next time, try saying something less frowned upon," he said.
"'- an immediate success, totally revolutionising teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts'
"It is this last function that the Minister as now formalised with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
"'This is an exciting new phase of the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'"
"That's not a good thing!" Stevie pointed out. "She's going to use her prejudice and spite to … is there any chance of slipping some poison into her breakfast?"
"I'd knock her out!" Raphael said confidently. "But that would make things worse!" he was a little deflated by that note.
"The Minister's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.
'"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. 'Many of use with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and are glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation'
"'Among those eccentric decisions are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the employment of werewolf, Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and delusional ex-Auror, 'Mad-Eye' Moody. Not to mention the latest employment of a giant walking and talking rat and four large walking, talking turtles – clearly costumes no doubt - teaching our children a new class called Self-Defence, of the non-magic kind -'"
"Stop reading it now, Donny," said Stevie, "I don't want to listen to any more."
"Well, there goes our cover!" said Leonardo, unhappily.
"Not surprising, due to the fact that we are in a school," Stevie reminded him.
"Which pretty much is telling The Foot exactly where we are," Raphael pointed out.
"The Foot are too clever to come straight to Hogwarts and expose themselves," said Splinter.
"I hate this world!" Stevie out right said. "Dad doesn't deserve that!"
"Why doesn't your Dad apply for a job in America?" Donatello asked.
"Well, being that it's highly unlikely right now, since there is a war coming," said Stevie, "And with him being in the Order …"
Donatello could see her view of thought.
The bell rang.
"I gotta go, see you guys later," said Stevie, standing up and grabbing her bag.
"Have fun," said Mikey.
"I'll try," said Stevie.
History was, once again, boring, then it was on to potions. Snape handed back people's assignments. Stevie wasn't surprised to see an 'O' on hers, she knew this wasn't playing favourites either. Then there was Defence Against the Dark Arts, after Ancient Runes. Harry landed himself in hot water again and got another week's worth of detention.
Tuesday flew on by, even though there were inspections done by Professor Umbridge and then it was Wednesday morning. Stevie quickly put on her dogi and went down to the Great Hall to have some breakfast. She wanted to be at the classroom before her classmates. Once done, she said she'd meet the others and made her way to the classroom.
"Hey guys!" she said, beaming as she entered, only to find that they weren't the only ones in here.
Professor Umbridge was in as well.
"Morning, Stevie," Mikey gave a grin back.
"Good morning, Tenshi," Splinter kindly said.
"Ohayo, Sensei," Stevie replied with deep respect. Something she hoped, but wasn't counting on, from Professor Umbridge.
"May I ask why Miss Lupin is in a different set of robes, instead of the scarlet ones her fellow housemates wear?" Umbridge asked in that sweet voice that irritated to the bone.
"Stephanie has been my student for twelve years," Splinter explained, "She already had her own set of dogis. She is also a help to me. She knows the Martial Arts well enough to give pointers."
Umbridge scribbled something on the paper on clipboard she was holding.
"Maybe, Miss Lupin would like to show me something," she then said.
Stevie decided to show her katas. She started, only to have Umbridge say that she wanted to see Donatello – whom she called 'the one in purple' could attack her.
Donatello looked at Splinter, pretty much asking if she was even serious. But he went and tried to get Stevie from behind. Stevie jerked to the left, to avoid his fist, her arms went up and she grabbed his wrist, quickly turned around, like she was being sort of twirled in a dance and managed to pick Donny's arm behind his back.
Umbridge scribbled again.
Then the students arrived. Umbridge sat herself in a corner and Splinter began teaching. He went on with basics again, this time having the Turtles show two different moves, before the students got into their pairs. Once again, Neville was helped out by Leonardo.
To Stevie's dismay, she found herself actually helping Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode, with a few tips. Though, it surprised her that the two had shown that they were impressed, even if they did insult Stevie by saying something about her father. Stevie just swallowed what she would have said and walked away.
As she went over to another pair, she could see, from the corner of her eye, that Umbridge was, unwillingly, impressed by what she saw. Well, fifteen minutes left of class and Splinter decided to call up Donatello and Leonardo to perform. The reason for this choice was because they were likely to show a more basic performance.
Class ended and Umbridge stepped forwards.
"That was quite a lesson," she said, smoothly. "Why don't you use magic?"
"We're squibs," Splinter answered, "When I was younger I figured that the only way to help myself was to learn something else."
"And why do you wear a rat costume?"
"Its part of what I learnt," Splinter explained. "It's to help students show what they could come up against and their skills can help them."
Umbridge scribbled some more. "All right," she said. "Thank you, Professor Hamato, you will be receiving the results of your inspection in ten days' time."
Splinter gave a polite bow.
The weeks past. Surprisingly, Splinter actually got a good result with his lesson inspection.
"Okay, and I would have thought she would have, you know, given you probation or something," said Stevie.
She, Splinter and the Turtles were sitting around in the living area of the quarters, being that it was after all classes of the day.
"Wonder what made her think, you know, it was good," Michelangelo said what everyone else was thinking.
"It does not mean that she will try and not get Splinter kicked out," Stevie pointed out. "Sorry, Sensei, but the woman is a real prejudice and whether you taught a good lesson or not, won't stop her from trying. The only thing pretty much keeping you safe right now, is Dumbledore being Headmaster."
"For now, that is," said Leonardo.
"What do you mean?" Raphael asked.
"If this woman is what you say she is, Stevie, she'll find a way to overrule Professor Dumbledore," Leonardo replied with this sense of knowing. "If not that, she'll try making herself become the Head of the school."
"Well, if you think about it, she pretty much is," said Splinter, listening carefully. "Though, not a full one. She can sack anyone of the staff members."
"In other words, she'll try and get you," said Michelangelo, glumly.
"Unless, Dumbledore can find a suitable teacher, we'll have to learn from someone who is picked by Dolores," said Stevie. "Hey, that gives me an idea!"
"What idea would that be, my child?" Splinter asks with interest.
"If you are told to leave by Dolores Umbridge, she's actually firing you, she'll say nothing of Leonardo," Stevie explained. "She will believe that you, Leo, are just one of Splinter's helpers and not an actual teacher at all."
"But I am one of Master Splinter's helpers and one of his students," said Leonardo.
"But you are qualified enough to teach … with Sensei's guidance, of course," said Stevie, earnestly. "So, if Dolores does get to Splinter, you, Leo, will easily fall into the role."
"I don't know …" Leonardo hesitated on the idea. He looked at Splinter and the others. "What are you all thinking?"
"It could work," Raphael truthfully replied.
"Yeah, out of all of us, you're the most likely to be able to teach a class," Michelangelo backed the claim.
"But you're just as skilled to teach, Mikey," said Leo. "No, seriously" when Mikey pulled a sort of 'yeah, right' look, while the other two Turtles frowned a little "I'm not kidding."
"Yet it would be more realistic to put you in charge," said Mikey, with this seriousness in his tone he rarely shows.
"We are not at that point in the road yet, my students," Splinter finally spoke up. "For now, let us just keep our attention at what is here and now."
"Yes, Sensei," said Leonardo.
The first trip to Hogsmeade Village had finally arrived. A real chance to get out of the castle. Stevie was told about the meeting at The Hog's Head by Hermione.
"You won't tell anyone, would you?" Hermione asked her.
"I'm a ninja," was all Stevie had to say in reply, "Just don't be surprised if the Turtles show up too!"
Well, Stevie wasn't kidding. The Turtles had pretty much followed Stevie to The Hog's Head, with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Pretty soon, all whom was supposed to be there was there.
"Whoa, crowded house," Michelangelo whispered to Stevie.
Stevie just gave a nod of agreement.
Hermione then spoke of her idea of taking things into their own hands in regards to the Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
"You want to pass your Defence Against the Dark Arts OWL too, though, I bet?" said Michael Corner, who was from Ravenclaw.
"Of course I do," said Hermione at once. "But more than that, I want to be properly trained in defence because … because …" she took a great breath and finished, "because Lord Voldemort is back."
There were many shrieks, shudders and more from the other students. The only ones no wincing were the Turtles, Stevie, Hermione and Harry, Ron shuddered a little.
"Well … that's the plan, anyway," said Hermione. "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to -"
"Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?" said a blond Hufflepuff boy in a rather aggressive voice.
Leonardo had to place his hand on Raphael to stop him from going forwards and smacking the boy from the back of his head.
"Well, Dumbledore believes it -" Hermione began.
"You mean, Dumbledore believes him?" said the blond boy, nodding at Harry.
"Who are you?" Ron demanded.
"Zacharias Smith," said the boy, "and I believe we've got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Who's back."
Harry started speaking, then Zacharias wanted to know about Cedric Diggory's death and how he was even murdered. Harry straight out and told him that he couldn't help him and that he didn't wish to talk about Cedric Diggory.
"How come they are here then?" Zacharias pointed at the Turtles. "Aren't they Professor Hamato's personal students?"
"We thought we'd just tag along with Stevie here," said Michelangelo.
"In truth," Leonardo said, giving Michelangelo a slight glance, "We're here because we believe Harry as much as his closest friends do. Also, to other reasons we cannot really discuss right now."
Stevie looked at Leonardo with a puzzled look. What did he mean?
"So," said Hermione, "like I was saying … if you ant to learn defence, then we need to work out how we're going to do it, how often we're going to meet and we're going to -"
"Is it true," interrupted a girl with a long plait down her back, looking at Harry, "that you can produce a Patronus?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"A corporeal Patronus?"
"Er – you don't know Madam Bones, do you?" he asked.
The girl smiled.
"She's my Aunty," she said. "I'm Susan Bones. She told me about your hearing. So – is it really true? You make a stag Patronus?"
"Yes," said Harry.
"Blimey, Harry!" said Lee, looking extremely impressed. "I never knew that!"
There were a few other questions towards Harry, like killing a Basilisk. Plus Neville speaking up that he saved the Philological Stone.
"Philosopher's," Hermione corrected him.
"Man, sounds like you've had a bit of an adventurous few years yourself," Leonardo muttered to Harry.
Eventually Hermione pulled out a parchment and a quill from her bag and soon people had signed their names upon it, including Stevie.
"Why aren't they signing?" Zacharias then asked, nodding at the Turtles. "Won't they go telling?"
"Do you think we're that stupid?" Raphael replied.
"They're not signing because they're unofficial members," Hermione simply replied.
"What Hermione says," said Michelangelo.
People then began leaving by twos and threes, except for the Turtles' and Stevie's case, majority of the people know knew that they mostly hung together to take too much notice.
"Another secret organisation is on the way," said Raphael.
"Shh!" Stevie hissed, punching him in the arm, "Shut it, Raph, or we'll be fried before we can even start!"
"Sorry!"
"So you should be!" said Stevie.
Come Monday, however, there was a large sign affixed to the Gryffindor noticeboard.
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS
All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disband.
An organisation, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as regular meeting of three or more students.
Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Dolores Umbridge).
No student organisation, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.
Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organisation, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.
The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four
Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor
"You've got to be kidding!" Stevie muttered when she read it.
Later on that morning, when waiting for the door to Potions class to open, Malfoy mentioned that the Slytherin Quidditch team was given permission straightaway. Then he mentioned something about St Mungo's Hospital and Harry being carted off for being addled by magic - that was when Neville dashed forwards to try and punch him.
"Neville, no!"
Harry leapt forward and seized the back of Neville's robes. Malfoy was extremely shocked. Stevie didn't know why Neville suddenly went like the way he did, but she simply stepped on forwards over to Malfoy and stood in front of him for a moment. Her brown eyes staring right into his grey ones.
His brow crinkled.
"What is she going to …?" Lavender whispered to Parvati.
Without a single ounce of a warning, Draco found himself upon the ground, holding his groin and gritting his teeth in pain. Satisfied, Stevie went to walk away from him and the door flew open.
"What happened?" Snape demanded, when he saw Malfoy on the ground.
"She … she kneed him, Professor!" Pansy Parkinson pointed directly at Stevie, who gave this idle look of 'yeah, so?' upon her face.
Snape's eyes shifted over at Stevie. "Five points from Gryffindor," he softly said. "Plus and extra ten for fighting, Longbottom, Weasley and Potter. Now inside, all of you!"
Stevie sat at her usual spot near the Trio's desk. All around there were whispers of what Neville tried to do and what Stevie actually did do. Malfoy was still in pain, almost trying not to huddle as he walked to a desk and sat down. If she had done it right, he would be in pain for a good two hours.
"You will notice," Snape then said, in his low, sneering voice, "that we have a guest with us today."
He gestured to a dim corner of the dungeon and sitting there was none other than Professor Umbridge, with her clipboard on her knee.
"We are continuing on with our Strengthening Solution today. You will find your mixtures as you left them last lesson; if correctly made they should have matured well over the weekend – instructions -" he waved his wand over to the board "- on the board. Carry on."
Stevie went about her work.
Umbridge scribbled away on her clipboard, before making her way over to Snape, who was surveying Dean Thomas's potion.
"Well, the class seem fairly advanced for their level," she said briskly to Snape's back. "Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus."
Stevie frowned deeply when she heard this. How dare she question her Uncle's choices on what to teach a class. Snape straightened up and turned to look at Umbridge, whom started asking him questions. She then turned to Stevie.
"So, what does Miss Lupin think of you, in your classes?" she went and asked.
Stevie flashed a glance up at the toadlike woman, then back down to her work.
"I wouldn't know, you'd have to ask her," said Snape.
A number of students were quite unsure as to why Umbridge would even ask that question.
"If you must know, Professor Umbridge," Stevie decided then to speak up, "While I don't agree with Professor Snape's attitude towards some students, I reckon he is a good teacher, nonetheless. As for this so-called 'advanced for our level' nonsense, I'm not afraid of a challenge when it comes to making potions."
"And you would be a little more familiar to such potions than what the other students would be, I'd gather," said Umbridge, sweetly.
Stevie pressed her lips together for a moment, before muttering 'baka' under her breath.
"Beg your pardon?"
"Nothing, Professor Umbridge," said Stevie at once.
"Doesn't he give you any special treatment, Miss Lupin?"
Stevie gritted her teeth, but then took a deep calming breath before answering. "Professor Snape doesn't do anything of the sort. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do!"
With that Stevie made the point of putting her head down and continuing on with her potion. Snape was quietly fuming, he did not want Stevie being exposed as his niece, for many, many reasons. He loved his niece dearly, so much so that he couldn't risk having the Dark Lord knowing. Not that it would stay as a secret for too long. Well, let's face it, Kiara was his sister after all and she was killed by Death Eaters, something Snape had never forgiven the killers for, even when the Dark Lord punished them for their 'mistake' in killing the sibling to one of their own. None of them even knew that Kiara was even married to Remus Lupin, which had kept Snape's niece and her father alive for this long.
Class ended and Stevie stayed behind. Professor Umbridge was the last to leave the room, well, besides Snape and Stevie that is.
"I'd suggest poison, but I don't think that would be honourable," Stevie then said.
"Why are you still here?" Snape asked, as he started to straighten the papers on his desk. "Shouldn't you be with the Golden Trio? Or the Turtles?"
"What's wrong with me being with my own Uncle?" Stevie answered, placing her hands on her hips.
"The fact that woman tried to expose us about fifteen or so minutes ago," said Snape, putting a pile of papers into a draw.
Stevie went over to him. "Not like it isn't going to stay a secret," she pointed out.
"But, I'd rather it'd stay that way," said Snape, "For your safety."
"Severus, I've been in and out battles since I was eleven!" Stevie pointed out. "I mean, don't let the pretty face fool you, I'm tougher than I look!"
Snape knew she got that right. Stevie was now standing in front of him.
"However, I thought you weren't going to talk to me after your very first lesson with me in a classroom environment," said Snape.
"You assume too much," said Stevie. "I still don't agree with you're attitude. But I've known your better side for a far lot longer. I wasn't kidding when I said you were a good teacher, either."
Snape now looked into Stevie's eyes. There was no point in using Legilimens, for Stevie was naturally gifted in Occlumency.
"You are so much like your mother, it frightens me, sometimes," he admitted.
"I wish I could have known her the way you and Dad have," Stevie quietly said, lowering her gaze a little.
Snape got her to look at him. "I know that she would have been proud of the perfect young witch you are today," he said kindly.
"I'm not perfect," said Stevie, blushing a little.
"You are to me," said Snape.
Stevie softly smiled before placing his arms around him to hug him. Snape returned the hug.
I just had to show Snape's 'softer' side. Well, hope you're enjoying the fic. Next chapter coming soon.