A/N – I can't thank you enough for the reviews. I can hardly believe I've got so many nice reviews!!! I'm trying to make my chapters a little longer….I think I failed with that on this one (sorry!). I'll try and make the next one a bit longer. I'll also try to divider bars when the POV's change…..it just gets a bit difficult when they change all the time.
HPReader4L – I urge you to do whatever you can to prevent getting into the anorexic cycle. I know how hard it is but do anything else that makes you feel better about yourself to try and prevent it because once you start it's very difficult to stop. It's really not worth wasting your life over. Try to remember that eating is really important and it's good for you! If at any time you want to talk about it, feel free to email me.
Mayaserena – if you want to talk as well – just email me at anytime.
In fact that goes for anyone.
With each step I take towards Snape's study, the urge to turn back grows stronger. I guess that's one of the many reasons I'm in Slytherin not Gryffindor. I don't want to do this – I don't want to have this conversation. I knock on the strong wooden door and hear the Professor's deep resonant voice instructing me to enter. When I've opened the door and am in his line of site I stand there in the doorway unsure of what to do. He is sitting at his desk marking a pile of essays – possibly our latest potions one which we handed in this morning. He puts down his quill with a bit of flourish and crosses his arms. I realise that I've rarely seen him in this kind of situation, and am not sure what to expect.
"Ah Mr Malfoy, what can I do for you?"
With these words I step further in to his study and he gestures to a seat opposite him where I take a seat. The room reflects Snape in some ways….it's well ordered with everything where it should be, but there are too many odd jars filled with unusual substances and old books on shelves or it to be called neat. The room is dark, with just the light of the lamp on his desk and the flames in the fireplace providing light.
"I hoped to have a word with you Sir, about a private matter."
"I'm listening"
"It's actually about a Weasley" I think I see his eyes flicker a little before curving up into a bit of a thin lipped smile. "Oh, and which Weasley might it be?"
"Ginny" The smile leaves his face and he closes his eyes for a minute.
"Ginny Weasley" He pauses taking a breath, "How could anything to do with her be of concern to you?"
"She has a problem. None of those pathetic Gryffindor friends of hers have noticed so I felt it was my duty to inform someone. It seems as though the girl needs a babysitter to look after her. She hasn't been eating for some time."
Snape stands up leaving his chair and walks across the room. "I had actually noticed this for quite some time. Not everyone in this school is as unobservant as you may think. What do you propose we do about this? I'm surprised you even care what with the way you are constantly bickering with her brother."
"I just felt that it was my duty to tell someone. As for what to do……perhaps you could inform Dumbledore?"
Whilst looking at various jars inspecting the labels of a few he says, "Dumbledore is knowledgeable about a great many things, but I don't feel that this is really his area of expertise. I don't think he could imagine why anyone wouldn't want to eat all the delicious food served at Hogwarts. There's a reason why people like him and Potter can't see this, even though it's right in front of them. It's because they don't know what it's like to not feel free to act the person that you are and do exactly what you want."
"I imagine you want nothing to do with the girl, am I right? Leave the matter in my hands….you've done what you needed to do……you may go now."
"Thank you sir". I close the door quietly behind me as I leave.
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God, I'm so sleepy. Double Potions, Monday morning! I couldn't sleep again last night. Snape's droning on about something right now….I really should listen…..what if he picks on me to answer a question? I just can't concentrate. I feel like if I close my eyes for just one second I'll fall asleep…..
"…..Miss Weasley. Could I just ask you what the topic covered during this lesson is?"
Oh no, I'm in big trouble now. I can't believe I fell asleep in class. And in Potions as well! I don't think anyone's ever fallen asleep in Potions yet, its near impossible with Snape breathing down your neck. Oh why couldn't it have been another lesson like History of Magic?
"Er……um……well…..Potions sir".
"I am fully aware that this is Potions Miss Weasley considering that is the only class I teach…..I was looking for something a little more specific".
"I'm sorry, I don't know"
"Are you unwell Miss Weasley?" His voice is has fallen to a dangerously low level.
"No"
"Then what precisely gives you the right to fall asleep in my lesson?!"
"You'll be seeing me after this class ends. In the meantime, I hope you could be courteous enough to listen while I spend my time trying to teach you about simple counter potions."
Great. First day of the week and I'm already in trouble. No doubt Ron'll hear about this – and find time during his busy schedule to lecture me about it. I wonder what Snape'll do after class – how many detentions does this deserve. I just don't want to lose house points…that's the worst because it's letting everyone else down.
As everyone packs away their stuff and leaves as quickly as possible, I linger back waiting for Snape to summon me. I catch a few sympathetic glances from some fellow students before they exit, leaving me with the silent Professor who turns around to face me just after they leave. He scrutinizes me for a minute, and a wave of uneasiness passes over me.
"Miss Weasley……can you give me an explanation for your behaviour in class today? As much as I hate to admit it, it's very unlike a student such as yourself to feel the urge to take a nap in the middle of my lesson."
What can I say to him? "I must of just gone to bed too late last night I was doing my transfiguration essay and lost track of the time".
He looks at me again. "I want you to go and see Madam Pomfrey for a complete check up…….immediately"
He must know……Snape never normally act like this. It's almost as though he is pitying me today. I try to protest feeling very panic stricken.
"I feel fine sir, I really don't think that's necessary"
"Do not proceed to tell me what is and what is not necessary Miss Weasley. I demand that you go and be seen Madam Pomfrey now or you risk losing more house points than even Potter can win back".
"Yes sir" I walk towards the door.
"Oh, and Miss Weasley………detention, seven o'clock Wednesday evening."
I briefly consider not going to see Madam Pomfrey, but cannot imagine the anger that I would face from Snape if I directly disobeyed his orders. I just can't deal with that right now and he's bound to find out so I trudge up the staircase towards the hospital wing.
Oh, and another thing to think about……remind me to kill Draco next time I see him.
