September passed softly and was taken with the cold autumn wind.
The Whomping Willow let his foliage go with the soft and cool breeze and shivered.
The Potions classroom was filled with students brewing potions. Green smokes were coming out of the cauldrons.
Athena, Hugo and Daisy were grouped and trying to brew a potion. The whole class was working in groups of three. You could hear low toned laughter and contradictions, discussion and different opinions and statements. There was a good mood in the air.
Medusa was distracted trying to demonstrate the quantity of lavender to put in a potion when suddenly an explosion occurred. She had time to cast a spell and shielded some students behind her, seeing her daughter fall on the floor, being pushed by the responsible for the explosion of the spoiled liquid.
The time stopped and all movements seemed too slow in comparison to what she needed.
She ran to her and fell at her side on her knees. Her heart jumped when acknowledging that her daughter was unconscious. The other child got up with some bruises in his hand.
- Athena! Athena! Speak to me! – Seeing no movement or response from her daughter she knew she had to act quickly.
Determined, she grabbed her daughter. She got of the Potion's class and ran up stairs as fast as her legs could and continually leaning her daughter's head to her shoulder she discovered blood on her little one's head. Then, she panicked. Gasping she arrived where she wanted to be.
- Professor Snape? What happened? – Madam Pomfrey noticed was quite surprised to see a Medusa in such a state.
- A cauldron explosion. Athena might have broken her head. I... Just help her, please. – It wasn't a Professor asking. It was clearly a mother pleading for help.
- Put her in here. – Medusa laid Athena's little body on a bed and then checked on the other student. The boy was right behind her.
- I'm sorry, Madam... I am sorry. – Medusa almost ignored his apologizing and grabbed a flask from the infirmary's shelves. She had seen his bruises. "It must be painful", she thought. Her hands were shaking, she was in shock. It was not safe to grab potion flasks with her hands shaking like that, but the boy needed it.
- Drink this. – The child just gobbled everything in the flask. Medusa sat him in a bed and waited the potion to take effect. The bruises in his skin disappeared almost completely.
Then she looked at her daughter. Madam Pomfrey was giving her a potion and mending some broken bones. Medusa kneeled down and grabbed her daughter's hand. She stood there caressing her daughter hair for hours. Meanwhile, Minerva McGonagall had been notified about what happened that morning. She cancelled all of Medusa's classes for that day and the other.
Medusa intended to stay at her daughter's side as long as she was unconscious.
Secretly, Gregory would check on her, passing by the Hospital Wing and every time he checked, she was sitting in the same position: straight, silent and apparently calm. That night he came to check on her again, yet this time he wanted to actually speak to her and moved towards Medusa.
- You need to rest. She'll wake up tomorrow.
- I'll stay here until then. – Gregory rolled his eyes and sighed.
- Don't be stubborn, Medusa...
- I won't leave, and that is final, Gregory! – She was looking into his eyes and he got to see that she was terrorized.
- I never saw you like this... – Medusa hid her eyes with a hanging strand of hair, while observing her daughter's features shinning at the moonlight.
- She's the only one I've got left...
- She's alright now.
- How do you know it? How can you tell it?!
- Calm down. – Medusa noticed she was almost shouting. It wasn't his fault. She was way too tense. She needed desperately something to calm her nerves.
Gregory hugged her and waited until it sorted effect on her. – She'll be alright, Medusa. Poppy did everything she could. You must wait. And if you ever need me, I am here, lass! – He hadn't called her "lass" since they had broken up.
- I didn't mean to shout...
- I know you didn't. Don't worry. Now, you must eat something and have some rest.
- I am not hungry, Gregory.
- Just have a rest then... – Gregory made a camping bed and a blanket fly through the Hospital Wing and land by Athena's side. He made Medusa lay down and covered her with the warm blanket. – I'll see you in the morning.
- Good night, Gregory and thank you. – Gregory smiled and went back to his patrol.
The other day, Medusa woke up and sat by Athena's side. She rubbed her tired eyes, cleaned her monocle with her cloak and put it back in her missing right eye.
Gregory came to her. She didn't notice him until he put a hand on her shoulder.
- How is she?
- Better I think...How is Mr. O'Rilley?
- His bruises are cured. He doesn't feel any pain now. You were quick...
- I wasn't quick enough.
- It was not your fault.
- I could have protected her but I was too busy with the darn lavender to even look at her.
- You were teaching, doing your job.
- I know! But I can't stop feeling guilty...
- Mum... – Athena had wake up. Medusa filled herself with joy and kneeled down to be closer to her.
- I am here, darling. I am here. How are you?
- I am tired...
- Rest then, darling. Mum is right here if you need something. – Medusa covered her daughter's cheeks with tender kisses. Gregory was smiling.
- Good morning, Athena. I am glad you feel better. Your mother got really worried out there.
- My mother is really good when it comes to hide her feelings, except fear. – Gregory smiled and looked at Medusa.
- I know her well. And I knew that before you were born. – Medusa smiled and kissed her daughter before getting out of the Infirmary.
- We're going now to leave you resting, okay?
- Alright, mother. – Medusa and Gregory got out of the Infirmary. After the door was shut Medusa got to let her tears fall from her eyes. Gregory saw her leaning to the wall. Then he heard a sob and he knew she was crying. She was merely a dark shadow. Only her white hands would let know that she was in fact a person standing over there. Her hair was hiding her face which was grinding her teeth as hard as she could, almost to stop the pain in her heart. She let herself slide from the wall to the floor while she let a small moan and a sob and sit there like a wired puppet not in use. She was muttering something that Gregory couldn't listen.
Gregory kneeled near her, trying desperately to know why she was in such state.
- Medusa? Are you alright? What's wrong?
- Severus... was laid on that bed when... Minerva told me he was dead! It's hard to handle a brother's loss, Gregory, but... I don't think I could handle losing my daughter! What a relief, my God, what a relief! – She said between sobs. He caressed her hair.
- Oh, Medusa, it's alright, she's well now. She won't die, lass. She's healthy again. Poppy cured her. Now calm down, it isn't good for you to be in such worries, understood?
- Thank you, Gregory. – He helped her get up and she had lunch beside him, trying to eat something so she wouldn't seem feeble at her daughter's eyes. Her youth boyfriend stood at her side, forgetting everything else just to be with her and provide her some comfort so she could recover from that accident. He went back to the Infirmary with her. There was Athena, sitting in her bed, finishing her lunch. Gregory made Medusa sit in Athena's bed.
– How are you feeling, Athena? – He asked.
- I am almost well, thank you.
- Do you have a headache? – Medusa asked.
- No, I don't have a headache. – Medusa hugged her.
- I was so scared...
- It was just an accident, mum.
- Try to rest, Athena. It was quite a blow in your head. We'll keep you company during lunch time. Now I have classes so, see you both later. – Gregory was going away when someone grabbed his hand. A little white hand was holding his with such a delicate manner. It was Athena's.
- Thank you, Professor, for keeping my mother company.
- You're most welcome, Athena. – He said smiling.
Medusa stayed for a while.
- He sat here with you?
- He checked me regularly. – Athena was impressed.
- He didn't leave you alone.
- No. – Medusa looked at the empty flower pot at Athena's bedside table. She grabbed her wand and made a spell so flowers would grow in the pot. A big and colourful bouquet rose from the pot's depths.
- They're wonderful, mother! Thank you. – Athena sighed, playing with her mother's only white strand of hair. – Poor mum... Did you sleep last night?
- Yes, I slept here with you. – She said caressing her daughter's leg. Athena knew Medusa was lying. She only slept for two hours in a raw. Medusa was constantly checking on her daughter to make sure she was alright. However she smiled.
- Tomorrow you'll be sleeping better. I won't stay here for much longer.
- Let Madam Pomfrey be the judge of that. – Athena giggled.
- I am tougher then I look.
- You were lucky this time. And I will never put you near Mr. O'Reilly again. – Athena laughed.
Madam Pomfrey entered the Infirmary and saw both mother and daughter laughing.
- Hello Athena, how is your head?
- Fine, Madam Pomfrey, thank you.
- And you, Professor Snape? How do you feel? I forgot to give you a Sleeping Drought.
- Don't worry, I didn't need it. I felt so tired that I fell asleep the moment I laid down. – Madam Pomfrey poised her hand in Athena's forehead.
- You don't have a temperature, you look fine... You'll be out of here by today by the dinner time. Now you need a rest.
- I'll go now, honey... – Athena sighed and looked at her mother. - Severus must be worried sick; make sure you get better.
- Yes, mum. – Medusa and Athena kissed and went away with a smile on her face. Medusa wanted to change her clothes. Severus Snape was stepping back and forth in his portrait. He seemed worried with something, and noticing Medusa's presence he stopped and just cast himself to the surface of the portrait not finding a way out but a barrier like a glass.
- How is she? - Said a low voice in the room. Medusa observed her brother's picture and sighed.
- Alive. She looks better. Poppy made a wonderful job.
- I bet you were in panic.
- The worst part is over, I guess.
- You should rest for now.
- No, I just came here to freshen up. I'll go back to classes tomorrow. I'll have to be extra careful with that Mr. O'Rilley. Who informed Minerva about Athena?
- I did. I saw everything. Minerva is presently with Miss Granger in her office.
- Miss Granger? That girl who was friends with Harry Potter?
- Yes.
- She was your student wasn't she?
- Yes, Medusa.
- Why is she here?
- Apparently she wants to comeback to finish her studies. – Medusa nodded and went to her bathroom to wash and when she got out she got dressed. She was wearing another black, long dress, with long sleeves and she covered herself with a tartan navy blue cape that passed above her shoulder. She got out and went to her office to check on some work she had to do.
When she was walking by the corridor, she found a young woman at her office's door. They stopped, staring at each other. Hermione observed the woman before her. The resemblances between Professor Severus Snape and that woman were huge, however Hermione had to admit that she was much pleasant than her brother.
- May I help you? – Even the voice resembled.
- Yes, please. You are Professor Medusa Snape, I presume...
- I am. What can I do for you?
- I would like to have a moment with you, if you have a minute.
- Come to my office. – Hermione followed her. Medusa opened the door and Hermione entered, observing everything. – Do you want some tea, Miss Granger?
- How did you know my name?
- My brother told me from his portrait in my room. He was in the Headmistress office watching you both. I was kind of...expecting you.
- No, thank you. This office... It's different from what I remember... – Hermione noticed light and a fireplace and two comfortable chairs waiting for someone to sit in them
- My brother liked cold dark places. I never enjoyed it much. It suited his constant mood, I guess.
- Oh...
- What is that you wanted from me?
- Professor McGonagall told me to come to you and ask for your permission to attend your classes. – The slender and delicate figure of the teacher amazed Hermione. She was much more gentile than her bother.
- My classes?
- Yes...
- You realise you have some really big catch up to do...
- Yes... I don't think that it will be a problem. – Medusa sat down in front of Hermione.
- If it is, I am willing to help you.
- Help...me? – Hermione looked over surprised by Medusa's statement but she did everything in her power to hide it. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful.
- Such surprise in your face tells me that my brother wasn't very supportive...
- Well, Madam...
- Don't dare lying to me. – Medusa said grinning. – I knew what kind of brother I had. He was a very difficult person but the most faithful I ever met. He had a great capacity to love, as well. If you knew him like I did, you'd be even more surprised than you are now. Life made him that way, reserved, closed, and shy. Our father made him bitter, sometimes violent. I tried to make a gentleman and a remarkable student out of him. As his older sister and the only family he had caring about him, I had to. It was my quest.
- I suppose you kind of did it, Professor. Even though he wasn't nice to other people he was quite remarkable... – Hermione moisten her lips and swallowed in dry. – I am terribly sorry for your loss, Madam.
- I presume you were one of the last people to see him alive. You were with Mr. Potter that night weren't you?
- Yes. I saw everything. You are both very alike, in my opinion. Mr. Potter agrees, he himself told me.
- But we are also very different, aren't we, Miss Granger?
- Indeed. It is rather strange to call someone "Professor Snape" after what happened. Hogwarts changed immensely.
- If you analyse things well, you will find that everything had changed and it is much stranger today. I too fought my battles that night, Miss Granger. I too suffered losses and I have been wounded as well. They destroyed everything I held dear. I managed to keep my daughter, that one person I love the most. Voldmort took the only family I had left and cherished the most to his death. He ruined the life I had before I came here to teach. Yet we must ask ourselves, if they hadn't died or fought, would the world have changed? If Severus, or Lily Potter, or Remus Lupin or other person in this story, if they didn't died, would the world still be the same? I mourn my brother, yet I am glad he gave his contribute to the world we live in, as you did too, Miss Granger. I am sure you are different yourself, since that nefarious night.
- You're right, Professor.
- Do you have the materials you need?
- Yes, I have them. I have been reading the whole books again and trying to make things myself, but classes will always classes. I rather have a teacher and complete my studies so I can apply for a seat in the Ministry.
- Good. You'll start tomorrow, then.
- Thank you, Professor.
- I heard you are the most skilled witch of your age. Now prove it.
- I will, Professor. Thank you for your time. – Medusa grinned and Hermione got out of her office.
She spent an hour correcting homework. After that, she felt an urge to sit at the fireplace, looking at some old photographs. All was silent. In the middle of the silence, baby Athena was moving in the photographs playing at her mother's lap, kissing her uncle Severus in Christmas Eve and taking a bath. Medusa couldn't help smiling.
Mathew O'Rilley knocked at her office's door.
- Come in. – She said putting all photographs inside that box that she always kept away from other people's eyes. O'Rilley entered and approached her desk.
- Professor, I wanted to have a word, if I may. – She observed the boy from head to toe. To him she looked really angry.
- You may. – She said in a low toned voice.
- I-I wanted to apologize for what I did...I thought if I added the porcupine quills afterwards, re result would be the same.
- But it isn't the same, Mr. O'Rilley! Do you even listen to what I say in class? Always follow the instructions in the book! You could have killed someone! You could get yourself killed! You could have killed Athena! – Medusa stood up with her back turned on him.
- I am so sorry, Professor!
- I know you are and you should.
- And I want to thank you... – Medusa turned to him.
- Whatever for?
- For saving me as well...
- It's my job to do so...
- And for curing the bruises that the boiling potion made. I would be disfigured if you weren't fast.
- You're welcome, Mr. O'Rilley.
- I cleaned the mess. I am serving detention with Professor Lious.
- I see.
- I'll go now. Good afternoon, Professor.
- Good afternoon, Mr. O'Rilley and come to my class tomorrow and do things right this time and I'll consider your apology. – The child opened the door and was about to leave when Minerva McGonagall appeared.
- Good afternoon. I see you have a visitor...
- I am leaving, Headmistress.
- Professor Lious is looking for you. Go now; I want to talk to Professor Snape. – The child fled the office and left the two women talking.
- Are you alright?
- I think I am recovered from the shock...
- How's Athena? – Minerva asked. Medusa was pouring tea to two cup on her coffee table.
- Better. She recovered rather well. Poppy said she would get out of the Hospital Wing tonight.
- That's good to hear. I was quite concerned. I can't imagine the state you would be if anything happened to your daughter.
- It's better not to imagine it.
- O'Rilley is serving detention with Gregory.
- I know, O'Rilley told me.
- Severus told me everything...
- You know, Minerva, one of the most painful events took place in that hospital bed and coincidently Athena was put there to recover. There is a very thin line that separates life and death, Severus crossed that line, Athena didn't. It reminds me how ephemeral life is and how dangerous I am to her. That's why I didn't want her to live in this world, her world. I didn't want her to witness how short life is, how unfair, how painful and what kind of monster her mother is.
- It's not your fault...
- One day she'll find out...She wouldn't if she was in London, living a muggle life with me. It's been painful to watch what she was meant to be and knowing that one day, with a simple and stupid mistake she can be gone forever. A lovely youth wasted, turned into dust. And what about the other children, do they have to endure this as well? They are unaware of the seriousness of the situation, but when they become aware, what will you tell them, Minerva?
- The truth, I guess.
- And their parents? Are you prepared to let Hogwarts suffer the consequences because of me?
- Medusa, I am prepared for everything since the Battle.
- Somehow I feel that the Battle is a little problem compared to what I put this school through.
- You have been managing to control it.
- Yes, but when I can't control it?
- It had been waiting for forty years, it won't wake up soon, I guess. Besides, you have been searching for a way to vanquish it from you.
- I try every day. I have been taking Felix Felicis for a month in order to find something. I have been studying Greek Mythology, comparing snake blood with mine, comparing snake venom to my cellules; I have been searching the properties of snake and basilisk fangs. I studied basilisk eye balls. Nothing! I found nothing! It's all connected somehow, but yet I can't solve the problem! I am desperate, Minerva and it is coming closer... Let's face it, there is no cure...
- Don't give up now, Medusa. What about your daughter, do you think that she...
- No, I am the last one, and you know that. Dumbledore told you that himself. And you know what happened to the others of my kind.
- Yes, but they weren't surrounded by teachers of Hogwarts willing to help them.
- What's the use? If I can't find anything, how can you?
- My dear, sometimes we don't see what is before our eyes. Maybe you're looking to much further...
- I looked everywhere... I can't... I simply can't find it. I guess I am doomed. I can't be a monster and protect my child at the same time. It's impossible...
- It has been only a month of research, you must be patient. Now, let's go off to dinner. – Minerva escorted her to the Great Hall where her students greeted her.
She sat by Lious side in the teacher's table and observed the room. Her eyes searched for her daughter's, but she didn't find them.
- Good evening. – Gregory said.
- Good morning. – Gregory knew that something was wrong. She wasn't in the mood to talk so she limited herself to eat and drink a glass of water.
Athena appeared in the Great Hall. Medusa almost jumped from her chair. Gregory smiled.
- Go to her. – Medusa stared at him, almost trying to find an answer in his eyes. She stood in the second and walked elegantly with a smile in her red lips. Athena ran to her mother's arms and Medusa held her tight against her chest.
All was well...
The other day after breakfast, Medusa returned to the Dungeons where she would be giving classes. Her students arrived and took their seats. She announced them her intention of giving extra classes to compensate her absence for the two days her daughter had been in the Hospital Wing to the first years. After that she gave classes to second years. At some point when she was writing on the black board someone had enchanted a paper bird to fly and deliver a little message. Medusa turned and with her wand she made the bird fly to her hand.
- Who's this from? – Everybody looked at her in silence. – I repeat the question, who's...this...from?
- Mr. Kirsen from Slytherin, I presume... – Said a soft voice. Medusa looked at her brother's painting and there he was.
- Didn't you hear Professor Severus Snape? He's addressing to you.
- Y-yes, Professor? – The Slytherin swallowed in dry.
- Stand on your feet. – The Slytherin boy stood.
- Can you explain the usage of fly wings on a Pollijuice potion?
- I think... I...
- Why are you hesitating? It should be simple to you. After all you were so amused writing messages to your friend that you completely forgot you were in a class. And better, you didn't do your homework, I'm I correct?
- Yes, Sir.
- And still you were mocking my sister in her back because of the eye that she lost fighting Death Eaters the other day in the Slytherin's Common Room... Wasn't it? I believe you called her...let me see... One-eyed...
- ... Thank you, Severus, for keeping an eye! And Mr. Kirsen, detention awaits you and 30 points will be taken from Slytherin for playing around in my class and for insulting my intelligence. Now grab your things and go your Head of House, she'll deal with you. – The Slytherin boy went way. Medusa continued giving the class.
Minutes after that Professor Yoji entered the room.
- Sorry. I thought I was in the good room.
- I think that the room you're looking for is in the third floor, Professor Yoji...
- Right... – And singing a Japanese tune, Professor Yoji went away, closing the door softly.
Medusa started to laugh her heart off. The students started to laugh as well.
Soon the classroom would come back to its normal and deep silence. The class continued and didn't meet an interruption until the very end.
Medusa headed to the teachers' common room.
Everyone was there, including Morgaine and Gregory.
- She must have her reasons, after all Slytherins are everything but saints.
- I suppose your Gryffindors are perfect.
- No, but they don't insult their teachers. – Said Medusa.
- You! Why did you send Mr. Kirsen to me? Can't you handle your students?
- I can handle my students perfectly, but I think that they deserve a proper punishment when it comes to mock a teacher. This week hasn't been the best and I don't feel patient enough to allow students sending messages with no meaning to the class whatsoever and silly wand waving with stupid spells, I trust you have that in mind. Respect is not my area of expertise. It's not my fault if you house boy is not properly behaved. And other thing that must be clear in this conversation is that I am not responsible for the students' behaviour or their upbringing, but for their magical education. My function here is to teach Potions not to teach good manners, area in which Mr. Kirsen is not a professional, I must say and that is going quite obvious. And that little spoiled brat is nothing but a parasite. As head of his house, you should consider teach him to do his homework and to execute his tasks in the proper moment, in the time table and by himself. I can't evaluate him if he continues to sit calmly enjoying himself while others do his work. And perhaps you could transfigure him in an alarm clock, maybe he would arrive in time for class. – With this fine answer, Morgaine had no more valuable arguments to tell so she began a personal attack.
- I begin to ask myself if you are a capable teacher, after all you got you own daughter to nearly die after a cauldron explosion. What kind of witch allows that to happen, and what kind of teacher allows her students to be bruised like Mr. O'Rilley? – Medusa wanted so bad to slap Morgaine's face that she almost did but Gregory held her arms before she could.
- You want personal attacks, well then! It's not my fault that cauldron exploded and I would give my life to save my daughter's or my students' lives if I had to and I would gladly do it! Would you be willing to do so, you coward!? I doubt it because you can't even have an argument without slipping a personal attack, are you so stupid to that point, you vicious woman? Coward, that's what you are! A coward like your cousins! And look at them now! In Azkaban, left to rot for their cowardice! Pray to God that you don't end up like them!
- Medusa, enough... – said Minerva, approaching Medusa. – Stop this immediately!
- Odayaka, Medusa-sensei! – Said Professor Yoji. – Don't be mad. She's not worth it.
- Don't pay attention to her, Medusa! – said Gregory.
- Let me go... – She shook Gregory from her and pacing as fast as she could to her office in the Dungeons.
