Word Travels

Word Travels

Harry watched Hagrid race off and let out a sigh. This wasn't going to end well. He knew that Draco's father had significant influence at Hogwarts. He gave Buckbeak one last look before going to join Ron and Hermione. Everyone else had already headed back to the castle. The trio made their way slowly.

"Oh I hope Hagrid isn't going to lose his job," Hermione fretted.

"I'm sure it will be fine. It's not like Hagrid pushed Malfoy in the way."

"Yeah…stupid git did it all on his own," Ron added.

"But Draco's father has a lot of influence with the Ministry. They could force Dumbledore to sack him."

"But they couldn't kick him off the grounds. They couldn't do that right?" Harry asked.

"I don't think so but I'm not entirely sure." They fell into silence as they reached the front doors. The clock began to toll and Hermione's heart skipped a beat.

"Come on, we're going to be late for Transfiguration."

The boys followed after her and they were all glad to see the Ravenclaws already in the class. They wouldn't be subjected to having every class that term with the Slytherins. Harry took a seat next to Irlynn.

"Malfoy got mauled by a hippogriff," he whispered.

"He did? That's why Hagrid went running through the castle…"

"Yeah it was Malfoy's fault. He was just being a complete prick."

Just then Professor McGonagall walked in. She seemed to know what they had been talking about but said nothing. She began her lesson as if it were any other day. They hadn't expected her to go easy on them. It would have been almost akin to Snape granting house points to anyone other than Slytherin. Partway through the lesson, Harry leaned over and whispered in his ssister's ear.

"So when do you have Potions?"

"Next."

"It's review."

"Mr. Potter. Is there something you wish to share with the class?" McGonagall asked. Harry blushed slightly.

"No, Professor."

"Then I suggest you do not disrupt my classroom again." He nodded and kept his mouth shut for the remainder of the class period. When the bell finally rang, he gathered his books and walked towards the door. Irlynn was hot on his heels.

"Why'd you tell me it was review today?"

"Because it is. He's a potion we did last term."

"So what." Harry stopped walking and tried not to roll his eyes.

"Because I thought maybe you might be able to talk to him during class if you finish the potion early."

"Oh….thanks."

The pair split at the end of the corridor and Irlynn made her way down to the dungeons. She reached the Potions classroom to find it empty except for Snape. She stood in the doorway for a moment, wondering whether she should go in and bother or not. She finally decided to risk it and walked in. She set her bag down at a table and walked up to the front of the classroom. Snape sat at his desk, reading the Daily Prophet. He appeared not to notice her.

"Excuse me, Sir." He looked up, almost surprised to see her there.

"What is it?"

"Oh…well uh I've got class…but I was wondering if we could talk?"

"What is it you need to talk to me about?"

"Nothing in particular…just…to talk. Get to know each other. You are my father after all." Snape nodded his head slowly and eyed the doorway.

"Fine. You may stay after class if you wish." She smiled and started back to her seat.

"You may begin the class material if you wish."

"Thank you, Sir." She looked up at the board. Harry was right. It was a potion from last term. If she remembered correctly, she'd mastered it fairly easily. She set about filling her cauldron with water and setting it to simmer. Other students began to wander in and take their seats. Seeing that Irlynn had already started, several of her fellow Ravenclaws got to work.

The class period lasted forever, or at least that's what it felt like to Irlynn. Even though she knew how to make the potion, it seemed to be taking forever to finish. She glanced up at Snape very few minutes. He hadn't moved form his desk except to do an initial sweep of the classroom. In fact he hadn't said much of anything since he'd told her that she could stay after class.

The potion finally cooled enough fro her to hand it in. She moved silently to the front of the room and handed the vial to him. He took it and looked at her.

"Well done."

"Thank you." Snape said nothing more. Irlynn took that as her cue to return to her seat. She pulled out her Defense book and began to read the assigned chapters. Snape didn't seem to notice or if he did, he said nothing. In the back of her mind, she hoped he wasn't going to start giving her preferential treatment because she was his daughter. The bell rang, making several students jump. They all rushed to hand in the potion and get out of Snape's presence as quickly as they could. In a matter of minutes, Irlynn was the only one left. She picked up her bag and moved to stand next to his desk.

"Follow me." Snape was o his feet and halfway out of the classroom before Irlynn even realized what he'd said.

They ended up in his private quarters. Irlynn swallowed a little at the sight. It was rather intimidating and not because of the décor. She was in a Professor's private quarters. There ahd to be some rule against that.

"Sit down." She set her bag on the floor next to a large wingback chair. He sat across form her and she could tell he was uncomfortable.

"Is something wrong, Sir? You don't seem quite yourself."

"There is a mass murderer on the loose."

"I know that. Mum and Dad didn't want to let Harry and I come back because of it…especially since it looks like Sirius Black is going after Harry. We told them not to worry that we'd be safe on the grounds…that you'd be watching out for us."

"I am sure the Headmaster will keep the school as secure as possible. And your parents are right to worry for your well-being."

"But you're here…so I'm safe…right?"

"Yes." It was a delayed response and he didn't sound entirely confident in it but she figured it was still his way of saying he was getting used to her knowing who he really was.

They fell into silence for a while. Irlynn let her gaze wander around the room. It was very dark and felt almost stifling. Snape just watched her looking around and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"The staff has been informed about the attack on thee train." Irlynn paled a little.

"Have you been to the Hospital Wing?"

"No. I didn't need to. I'm fine."

"I want you to go to see Madam Pomfrey."

"But it didn't attack me. It attacked Harry…I just…felt everything that happened."

"Would you deliberately disobey an order given to you parents regarding your well-being?" he snapped.

"No…."

"Then this situation is no different."

"I swear I wasn't attacked…it's just the weird link…" He fixed her with his trademark glare and she shrunk back. Somehow this time it was different. There was real emotion behind it.

"I'll go to the Hospital Wing. But can I wait until after dinner?"

"Yes." There was a pause.

"Do you think Sirius Black would come after me too?"

"I do not see why. Very few people are aware of your connection to Mr. Potter. I doubt Sirius Black would have been privy to the information."

"Can you…do me a favor?" Irlynn asked. Snape nodded.

"If it's not too much trouble do you think you could watch out for Harry too? It would make me feel better."

"I believe I can keep abreast of his whereabouts."

"Thanks. I should go get dinner."

"If you would like, I can have the house elves bring something here. You did say you wished to talk."

"I don't want to impose if you have other things to do."

"I can make time. Your mother would want us to interact."

"Can you…tell me about her? Harry and I don't really know much about her." Snape looked a little surprised at here request but nodded his head slowly.

"What do you want to know? She and I were not exactly on the best of terms upon her death."

"What about before then? I mean you had to at least talk to each other…she did get pregnant with me after all." Severus cleared his throat.

"It was…a unique situation."

"But before then? At school?"

"Your mother and I grew up near each other. We met shortly before we started our first year at Hogwarts. She was a muggle born."

"So you told her about magic?"

"Yes…much to her sister's disgust and distrust. I believe once I inadvertently dropped a tree branch on her."

"You did? Oh I bet Mum was mad."

"She was…although I suppose it was in self defense."

"No wonder Aunt Petunia doesn't like magic."

"Your mother was a very gifted witch. Very bright. One of the best in our year." Irlynn beamed at that fact. Somehow that seemed to make her feel safe.