1.
Liana awoke in her emerald green dungeon bedroom fully rested. Looking across the room she noticed that the clothes she wore yesterday, which were thrown onto an arm chair, were now folded neatly and newly laundered. She began to dress and stood before her mirror. Now that she was getting close to becoming a teenager, her legs had grown much taller—almost too long for her gray skirt, which already had the hem lowered as much as possible. Disregarding that note about her uniform, she pulled up her tall dark knee socks and slipped her black shoes.
Looking at her reflection more she stared into a pair of bright green eyes, framed by her long black lashes. Next, Liana began to tie the red and gold Gryffindor tie around her neck. Then she tucked it under the color of her white button up dress shirt. The chill of the dungeon swept over her and she turned to her dresser in her room. After much pursuing she found a Gryffindor trimmed gray cardigan that she thought was lost. She stuck her arms in the sleeves and didn't bother buttoning it up.
At last she was dressed, she moved back over the mirror, something needed to be done about her hair. She had long hair, like what Lily had in school, but the color took after Severus—black, very black. Her hair color was the only physical trait she received from Severus, which relieved him—not wanting to pass on his hooked nose. The straight locks fell almost to her elbows where they had a small natural curl at the end; her hair was mainly one length and almost made a horizontal line across her back. There were some slight varying layers to the end from all her home given haircuts, but the curl hide the mistakes perfectly.
She then remembered that Herbolology was her first class this morning, and began to search her drawers for something to pull her hair back. At the end of each summer she cleaned her room out quite thoroughly and had all of her necessary possessions moved to her Gryffindor dormitory for the school year, the only items that really remained in her beautiful bedroom were those that she used before becoming a Hogwarts student—so mainly the Slytherin apparel she often wore growing up.
"Drat!" Liana said out loud. Breakfast was starting soon, and the room was completely empty of her hair accessories, until she spotted a ribbon. Smiling and rolling her eyes she pulled a green ribbon that was embellished with snakes down the length of it. "No time to go to The Tower… Hopefully, this doesn't cause too much of a reaction." And with that she pulled her hair into a pony tail and tied the ribbon into a bow around it.
Pushing up the sleeves of her cardigan she began to walk towards her bedroom door, as she began folding up the sleeves of her white blouse, she noticed a piece of parchment on the ground.
Good morning, Liana,
Staff meeting before breakfast; I'll see you there.
Love,
Severus
She put the piece of paper in her cardigan's pocket and grabbed her outdoor cloak for the walk to the green house, and then she stepped out into the private quarter's hallway. Pushing through the heavy wood door she entered the office space and then proceeded to leave there and ascend up from the dungeon to the Great Hall.
As she approached the Great Hall she heard some voices. Some of the school was still getting ready for the day in their dormitories, but most of the students had already come down. Liana took her first step into the Great Hall and instantly the slight chatter ceased. Spotting Hermione and Neville, she moved quickly to her table and sat between them.
"In your hair, is that a Slytherin ribbon?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I spent the night in the dungeon, and couldn't find anything else." Then the corners of her mouth turned up slightly in a very Snape-like way, "Do you think that's why everyone is starring?" Liana said sarcastically optimistic.
Neville, not noticing the sarcasm answered seriously, "No, I think it's because you were found with Flitch's dead cat yesterday."
"Petrified," Hermione corrected as she rolled her eyes at their oblivious friend, and Liana began to pile her breakfast onto her empty plate. Soon Ron ventured down from his slumber, and after he inhaled his food, they left the castle in the direction of the green house.
2.
"How long did Professor Sprout say it would be until the Mandrakes are ready?" Liana whispered to Hermione later that day in History of Magic.
"Months," Hermione whispered back, keeping her eyes on their ghost teacher.
Liana sighed and rested her head on her hand. "Hermione?" She whispered again.
"What?" Hermione answered without moving her lips.
"What is the Chamber of Secrets? I know the first thing you did after Mrs. Norris was to go and look it up in a book."
Hermione turned her gaze onto Liana, "I don't know. I couldn't find it anywhere…" And then Hermione abruptly turned back to the front of the class and her hand shot up into the air.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor Binns asked.
"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asked politely. Instantly the entire class sat up straighter, along with Liana, Ron and Neville, who all looked at Hermione in surprise for venturing a question off of the lesson plan.
"Miss Granger, please, I do not wish to enlighten you in mythology."
"Professor, could you possibly explain the history of the myth?" Hermione chose her words carefully, hoping Professor Binns might enlighten them.
Their teacher gave a small sigh as he looked around his classroom and noticed every single student listening intently. Taking advantage of his audience's ears he began, "Very well then…" And with that he started the story of the founders and Salazar Slytherin's fall, his heir, and the Chamber of Secrets and the monster within it.
3.
The rest of the day went by quickly and soon Liana was walking down to the dungeons for her study session. Once arriving she pushed open the dungeon door and entered. "Hi, Sev." Liana smiled.
"Hello, sweet." Severus replied with a pleasant grin that was reserved for Liana, and Liana alone. "Good day of classes?" He continued.
"Yes, minus all the people staring at me because of Filch's stupid cat…" She said with a slight tone of humor.
Severus snickered and turned back to reading the Daily Prophet that lay across his desk. "Maybe they were staring at that Snake ribbon in your hair."
She put her hand to her hair and touched the ribbon that now hung loosely at the base of her neck. She smiled, "Doubt it…" As she moved towards her desk she set her book bag down upon it, but Liana did not take a seat.
Moving back towards her father's desk, "Severus, is there a Chamber of Secrets?"
With that one question she already sensed the change in the mood of the room. Their short lasted humor-full bliss seemed to quickly turn into quiet seriousness. Severus slowly turned his head up and looked her in the eyes, "No. This is no such thing."
"But then how come it was written on the wall? Who would hurt Mrs. Norris and then write that?" Liana added.
Severus smiled at her and the slight tension in the room went away, "I don't know who would hurt Mrs. Norris, and I haven't any idea of who would write that either."
"Did you notice how it was written in blood?" Liana asked with an odd expression. Severus Snape nodded. "But the Chamber doesn't exist?" She repeated her question.
"No, and please don't try and investigate it, Liana. The Chamber of Secrets does not exist, and I don't want you getting any ideas like you did last year with the Sorcerer's Stone."
"Professor Binns told us about it today; what if it is true, and then what lives inside it?"
"He did what?" Severus spoke and his brows moved together crossly.
"He told my class about the legend of the chamber, and he said it is the home of a monster." She said, trying to get any information about the school's latest incident.
"Last time I checked he was teaching Historyof Magic…" Severus mumbled. "But I don't want you worrying about the chamber, the voice you heard that night, or trying to solve why this happened. Focus on your studies, Liana." Changing back to his 'speaking to Liana voice' he added, "And I believe it is time for you to get studying."
Sighing, she went back over to her desk; as she sat down she spoke quietly, "I think the Chamber is real, and I think Malfoy is the heir of Slytherin and opened it."
Abruptly, Severus stood up. Through pursed lips he spoke strongly, "There is no Chamber, and I do not want you looking for it," his voice began to rise, "Nor do I want you looking for a so-called heir of Slytherin. Neither exists!" Severus was now to the point of shouting. Liana looked up at Severus, all the curiosity whipped from her expression. "Promise me you will not go searching for anything dealing with the Chamber, Liana Violet Evans."
"I promise."
4.
The rest of the study session was quiet. Both Snapes sat at their desks and worked diligently.
"Time for dinner," Snape said, finally breaking the silence. Liana shut her book and stood, then quickly headed towards the door, "Not so fast." She turned around on her heels. "Come here," Severus stood in front of his desk, leaning against it he motioned for Liana to near him. Once she reached her father he smiled and pulled her into a hug against his chest, "I just worry about you, my little Lion. Your foolish Gryffindor bravery tends to lead you into too many dangerous situations. You have no idea how much I worry about you."
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "I'm sorry, Sev."
"Sorry for what? Have you done something I don't know about?" He spoke gently.
"No, I'm just sorry for making you worry." She whispered.
"Liana," Severus grinned, "That's just part of being a parent."
5.
"I couldn't eat another bite." Liana said happily as she put down the spoon that resided in her pudding.
"Same here," Ron grumbled.
Hermione sighed exasperated, "Now that you two are done stuffing your faces lets head back to the common room; Neville and I were discussing something earlier, and we need to tell you."
"Then just tell us now—"
Before Ron could finish his thought Hermione interjected, "No, we can't be overheard, Ronald!" Liana looked curiously at Neville, but he was unreadable. "Come on," Hermione hissed. Liana stood up and after she shot a quick smile and a wave at Severus she dashed out of the Great Hall behind her friends.
Soon they were pushing past the portrait of the fat lady, and they entered the common room. Immediately, Hermione chose a suitable, secluded corner.
"Can you tell us now?" Ron said as he plopped onto the floor tiredly. The other three friends sat down on window bench nearby.
"Polyjuice Potion," Hermione began.
Liana and Ron spoke at the same time, "What's that?" Hermione then began to explain the use of the potion to her other two friends.
"So why do you two want to brew this potion?" Ron asked Hermione and Neville.
"You really are thick, Ronald. Don't you know who the heir of Slytherin must be?"
"Malfoy," Liana spoke softly.
"Precisely," Hermione added defiantly. "I'm not at all surprised that you think it's him, too, Liana."
"Who else would it be," Liana replied with a twisted smile; Neville couldn't help but to snicker quietly.
"Alright, but Malfoy's not as thick as to just tell anybody that's he's controlling a terrible monster and planning on petrifying all the muggle borns in the school—"
"That's why we'll choose certain Slytherins to transform into." Hermione added with a smart smile. "Crab and Goyle… Neville and Ron. Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson… Liana and myself."
Neville now spoke, "It's practically a guarantee that Malfoy will confess to one of us, and even if it's not Malfoy, he would be the one to know who the heir is."
"Let's get to brewing it then," Liana began, "Then we can get the truth out and the whole school with stop staring and thinking that it's me."
Hermione nodded, "Yes, but there is an obstacle before we can begin—the book with the potion's instructions resides in the restricted section."
"I've got an idea for getting around that," Liana said with a smile. Her three friends looked at her with a grin; they all knew exactly who she was going to speak to.
6.
"Professor Lockhart, can I speak to you for a minute?" Liana said in her sweetest sounding voice after class the next day.
"Of course!" Professor Lockhart exclaimed as his classroom completely emptied out. "Liana Evans, The-Girl-Who-Lived… I've been a bit concerned; I thought you might not like me, but now those silly thoughts are gone. I'm so glad you've finally approached me. I have so much I could teach you, you know about fame. Someday, if you're lucky, you could be as celebrated as I am." He then proceeded to laugh at his own remark.
Liana forced herself not to roll her eyes, and instead she chuckled along with the professor. "Professor, I didn't come today to seek advice. I need permission for something, there is a book in the library I'd like, but it's in the restricted section, and I need a teacher's permission note before I can read it."
"A rebel?" Lockhart said, showing practically all his teeth in a vibrant smile. "I can't say I'm not proud, a troubled youth always attracts attention."
Trying not to get annoyed, Liana smiled, "Precisely, sir."
With the large grin still on his face, Lockhart reached for a piece of parchment and with a flourishing movement of his hand he signed a note of permission and swiftly held it out for Liana. "Try not to get into too much trouble; I don't need your father getting angry at me." Again, Lockhart laughed at his own joke.
"Thank you, Professor." Liana smiled politely and then dashed from the room before Lockhart had a second to change his mind.
7.
"This is going to be a rather difficult potion," Hermione said only moments later. Once Liana left Lockhart's then the library she sprinted the entire way back to the common room. She stood out of breath by a table in the common room next to her friends. "And not all the materials are in the student cupboard." She added cautiously.
"Which means…" Liana spoke in a whisper, already knowing the answer.
"We'll have to take them from Snape's private cupboard."
"No," Liana said instantly defensive. "We can't do that. I could never steal from Severus."
"But think about it," Ron started, "We're doing this to save the muggle-borns."
Neville added, "They'll be dead unless we find out who is planning—"
"Hi!" The four were suddenly interrupted by Collin Creevy. "Hi, Liana, I was wondering if you could help me with my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework? I heard you were really talented on the subject."
"Sorry, Collin, not now." Liana tried to sound kind, but she had more important matters to discuss, and she was incredibly tired from waking up before dawn for Quidditch practice. Slytherin somehow managed to snag all the prime practice times.
"Go ask my sister, Ginny." Ron said curtly. "She's smart." Collin nodded and walked off.
Hermione sighed at Ron's rudeness, but then continued, "Liana, think about it. We just need a couple ingredients and then we could get brewing and help a lot of muggle-borns."
Neville moved closer to Liana, "It's for the school, something greater…"
Liana plopped down into a chair and put her head down on the table, exhausted. She shut her eyes, thinking. Finally, she sat back up, "Ok…"
8.
After a quick nap, that left Liana feeling sleepier than she originally was, she rolled off of the common room couch, grabbed her book bag and headed down to the dungeon for her study session with Severus.
Soon she was pushing past the door to his office, "Hi, Sev." She said as a yawn escaped her mouth.
"Early Quidditch practice?"
Liana nodded and she tiredly sat down at her desk. It wasn't even dinner time yet and she couldn't even imagine the idea of staying awake for a few more hours, and she also we feeling mixed emotions about the fact that she just agreed to steal from her father's private store; she longed to just have some time alone to think.
Opening a school book, she rubbed her hand on her forehead. She hadn't noticed that Severus was still watching her, "Does your scar hurt?" He asked gently.
"No, just a normal headache," Liana said keeping her face towards her book even though she wasn't even attempting to read the words.
"Liana, no headache is normal," Severus mused out loud. Rising from behind his desk he went over to a shelf of potions and returned with a vial of liquid. Liana rose from her desk and Severus handed her the vial, knowing it was a headache solution she quickly took the potion. Once the potion landed in her stomach she felt a rush of guilt fill her, how could she steal from him?
"Is something bothering you?" Severus asked, putting a soft hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine," Liana said sharply in a rush of childish emotions.
Severus raised his brow suspiciously, "If I know anything about females it's that they are not fine when they say they are."
"I'm tired," Liana grumbled.
Severus pulled his daughter into a hug, frustration and more guilt filled Liana. "How about you go take a shower and get ready for bed and I'll have a house elf bring you dinner in your room so you can get to bed earlier."
"I'm just going to bed if we're not studying," Liana grumbled.
"Just take a quick shower, and I'll have a small meal ready for you," Severus argued gently.
"I'm not hungry, and I don't need to take a shower; I didn't inherit your greasy hair gene." She snapped scornfully, and instantly after saying her last statement her eyes widened in surprise at her rude remark. "I'm sorry, Severus." She quickly added softly.
Severus ran a hand through his hair; he hadn't noticed how oily it had gotten after spending his day standing over a brewing cauldron. "I understand you've had a long day, that that is no reason to be disrespectful," Severus spoke in a harsher way, but his voice still was not as harsh as he usually spoke to his students. "Get to your room, shower, and get ready for bed. Dinner will be ready when you get out."
Liana nodded, added another subtle apology, and stalked out of his office and into their private quarters, feeling confused and irritable, and unsure if she could really follow through with Hermione's plan of the Polyjuice Potion.
9.
Minutes later she was in her pajamas and sitting on her bed in her dungeon bedroom, wringing out her long hair with a towel, and picking at the dinner that was left out for her on the table. Once she was finished and her hair was nearly dry, she laid down in her bed and sleep found her almost instantly.
Minutes after that her bedroom door opened, and Severus poked his head inside, once he saw that she was asleep he quietly shut the door again; he'd find out what was upsetting her tomorrow.
10.
Liana awoke in her dungeon bedroom early the next morning. She hadn't gone to bed that early in a long time. As she was stretching in her bed she then suddenly sat up, today was the day of the Slytherin VS Gryffindor. Quickly, she leaped from her bed and she snatched her black robe, shoving her arms in the sleeves over top of her pajamas; then she kicked her shoes on and ran from her room.
"Someone is up a little earlier than usual," Severus said as Liana leaped into the hallway.
"Just remembered… Match... Slytherin… Wood…Don't want to be late." Were the only bits of words Severus managed to make out as Liana hurried from the private corridor out to his office space.
"Good luck," Severus said as Liana pulled open the office door, and as she dashed down the corridor she heard his voice chortle, "And try not to get hurt, Liana!"
Soon she arrived at the fat lady out of breath. Pushing through the door she was Wood, "I thought we might not have a Seeker today!" He said partly with sarcasm, partly with worried seriousness. "Hurry so you can get breakfast in."
Liana then was in her room with her red Quidditch robes on, putting her raven-colored hair into a long braid. Grabbing her broomstick she made her way downstairs and walked to the Great Hall with Oliver Wood.
11.
"There is something wrong with that Bludger!" Severus shouted to all the staff members as he stood in the staff stands and watched the match. Pointing to his daughter, "Someone jinxed that damn Bludger!" He shouted with pure fury and hidden terror. He looked down at the rest of the staff who watched the match play out wordlessly.
Pale and feeling ill, Severus sat back down and took angry, deep breaths as he watched his daughter dive back and forth between Draco Malfoy and the mad Bludger. "Albus, did you see that? That was inches away from her head!" Severus shot back up again and glared at the old man, no longer able to sit and watch his daughter in danger.
"She's a good flyer," Albus said with an absent mind. Severus looked at the man coldly. Severus looked over to his side at another staff member; McGonagall looked worried, and she was the woman that put his first year child on the team last year without thinking twice.
Minerva McGonagall was watching the field intently; Severus turned his glance away from her and went back to watching his daughter. "This will be done soon; she sees the Snitch…" She whispered quietly.
Looking at his daughter, Severus saw that she was right. Liana was stretching out her arm, her fingers were inches away from the Snitch—WHAM!
"Liana!" Severus stood up, McGonagall stood, too. The Bludger smacked into Liana's outstretched arm and, she fell off the side of her broom, but her legs were still grasped around the broomstick's handle. She hung dangling upside down in the air. Severus couldn't breathe; he hand his wand out, ready to cast a spell if she happened to slip, but the then reached up with her good arm and managed to pull herself on the broom.
Severus saw Draco Malfoy shout something at Liana. "Damn it, Albus! I told you she was in danger." Severus hissed, without taking his eyes off his child.
"She's seen it again!" McGonagall cried. And sure enough Liana zipped higher in the air and zoomed past Draco; she now was headed towards the Snitch. Oliver Wood, who sat on his broomstick nearby, was shouting at Liana, egging her on towards the Snitch. As Liana balanced on her broom, with her good hand she reached out, and her hand closed around the Snitch. And then she fainted.
12.
Liana awoke only a minute later, someone was laying her gently on the ground. She lay against the grass, smelling the scent of fall; her arm hurt—badly. She didn't want to open her eyes yet. Then she heard a boastful voice, "Don't worry; I'll take care of that!"
"No, don't!" Liana heard the Weasley boy's shout. But then a spell was cast and the pain in her arm disappeared.
She opened her eyes; Oliver Wood sat on the grass right next to her. "Excellent match, Evans! Great save, although, not too great of a landing if I might say." Oliver grinned, "If only you could have seen Malfoy's face when you just flew right past him. That was the highlight of my year so far!"
"Liana!" She heard a very familiar voice shout, "Out of my way, NOW." And then Severus's face poked through the crowd. Instantly, he was at her side with his arms around her, "Are you alright? How's your arm?"
"Sev, I'm fine, it doesn't hurt—honest." Liana said with a small smile and she sat up a bit, Severus stroked her hair gently.
"I took the liberty of healing her arm," came the boastful voice, Liana heard earlier. She turned to see that Lockhart was speaking.
"You?" Snape sneered; he then reached down for Liana's arm. As he picked up her forearm, Severus watched as her wrist fell backwards in an incredibly unnatural motion. The Gryffindor and Slytherin team groaned in disgust; Liana heard the snapping of Collin Creevy's camera. "You idiot…" Severus hissed over his shoulder to Lockhart.
He gently put her arm back on the ground and slowly turned around on the spot until he stood facing Lockhart. "You, bloody idiot!" Severus shouted in Lockhart's direction. "You cast all the bones from her arm!" Lockhart tried to keep his toothy smile, but his face turned to an awkward expression, and he soon sunk back into the crowd of players, staff, and students.
As Severus turned back around to face his daughter, someone else caught his eye, "Wood!"
Oliver Wood stepped forward looking nervous. "Thank you for my daughter's safe landing."
"Of course, Professor," Wood stammered. "I couldn't let anything happen to my best Seeker."
Severus Snape then bent down and picked his daughter up in his arms, "I can still walk…" Liana mumbled.
"Hush," Severus spoke softly as he kissed his daughter on the forehead and carried her off the pitch in the direction of the Hospital Wing.
13.
"Hermione, this isn't funny." Liana said in a Snape-worthy tone as Hermione helped Liana dress into some pajamas behind a curtain in the Hospital Wing.
"I'm sorry, really I am; it's just… It's like a rubber arm." She giggled. Liana sighed as Hermione fastened the last button on her pajama top; Liana then plopped onto her bed as Hermione pulled the privacy screen back.
"Evans, here," Madam Pomfrey said fervidly. "You should have come straight to me…" Liana swallowed the potion and made a face. "What were you expecting pumpkin juice?" Madam Pomfrey sighed, pulled the empty cup from Liana's hand and bustled off to her office.
Liana looked around; her Quidditch team players had left, probably for a party in the common room. The only people that remained were Severus, Hermione, Neville and Ron (who looked like he badly wanted to go to the common room and joined the fun).
Madam Pomfrey stuck her head out of her office, "Students, out of here! Go to your dormitory; she needs rest!" Her friends then wished her well and headed away; Ron, looking hungry, was the first one out the door.
Liana sunk her head back into her pillow and Severus moved towards the bed and sat down upon the edge of it, "Feeling alright, rascal?" He leaned forward and kissed her right above her lightning bolt scar.
"My arms getting a little sore," Liana replied as she reached her arms around Severus's middle, and then she felt a sudden twang of guilt in her stomach—The Polyjuice Potion. Liana swallowed hard, trying to forget the task ahead of her.
"You're sure you're alright? Last night you weren't exactly acting like yourself…" Severus mused out loud.
"I was just tired," Liana lied.
"I see," Severus replied, knowing that wasn't the truth, but he didn't want to press any further. "Try and get some sleep. I'm putting this Dreamless Sleep Potion on the bedside, if you wake up in pain take it."
Severus rose from the bed, "Wait? Where are you going?" Liana asked childishly.
The dark eyes of the Potions Master met his daughter's bright green ones, "Nowhere," He said quickly as he took his wand out and conjured an emerald green armchair. Liana smiled, ignored her guilt, and then sunk further into the pillows of her bed, letting sleep take her away.
15.
Liana's eyes shot open, but she couldn't see anything in the dark Hospital Wing. She glanced over where Severus's armchair was, but it was empty. Immediately she jerked upwards in her bed, and then she felt a searing pain fly up her arm. Liana's heartbeat quickened, she was a very independent person, but Severus would never leave her during the night if she asked him to stay; something was wrong if he left her.
"Miss Evans!" Came a squeaky voice; Liana gasped and her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and she saw two big tennis ball shaped eyes looking up and her from the edge of the bed.
"Dobby?" Liana asked.
"Yes, it's Dobby. Dobby wants to know why Miss Evans is at Hogwarts? She was not supposed to get on the train!"
"You?" Liana pieced the puzzle together. "You stopped the barrier?" Dobby nodded his head up and down.
"Then Dobby tried to have the Bludger hurt you—"
"You jinxed the Bludger?" Liana now raised her voice. "That thing almost killed me!"
"Dobby never wanted to kill Miss Evans! Just severely injure —"
"Why?" Liana interjected.
"So Miss Evans will go home, Hogwarts isn't safe."
"I have no other home! I live here year round!" Liana hissed, but then she felt a bit of pity for the elf. Softening her voice, "Dobby who is your master? Tell me, please" She looked strongly at the elf through the darkness. "What was that?" Liana spoke suddenly as she heard footsteps approaching.
"Dobby is sorry," the elf whispered and then he snapped his finger and disappeared. Liana quickly slid back into a sleeping position as the shadows approached. She opened her eyes open a pinch and saw three figures: Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Severus. They were carrying… Then Liana's heart skipped a beat… They were carrying a student.
"What could have petrified him? Do you think he took a picture of the attacker?" McGonagall asked.
Collin Creevy…Liana knew instantly who the student was at the mentioning of a camera.
Liana looked through Dumbledore and Severus, who had their backs to her, and saw McGonagall open the camera, but smoke puffed out of the camera. "Albus, what does this mean?" Professor McGonagall spoke sounding worried.
"Minerva, this means that Hogwarts is no longer safe; the Chamber of Secrets has been opened." McGonagall breathed in sharply and Severus turned around, Liana snapped her eyes shut; knowing that wasn't a conversation the headmaster or Severus wanted her to overhear.
"Severus, please help me get this privacy wall around Mr. Creevy." Albus said. "We don't want to cause any worry amongst the students." Once Collin was secluded in his private space the two professors left, leaving Liana alone with Severus.
He moved towards his armchair, but before taking a seat in it, he moved the chair closer to Liana's bed with a flick of his wand. Knowing Severus was next to her; Liana ignored the pain in her arm and found sleep returned to her quite quickly.
16.
Naturally, the next morning the entire school knew what happened and practically every student was buzzing about Collin Creevy and his incident with the heir of Slytherin.When Liana awoke Severus and his armchair were gone, and Madam Pomfrey then allowed Liana to leave the hospital wing.
She immediately went down the Great Hall to tell her friends about Dobby's visit and what Dumbledore said last night about the Chamber being opened. They instantly beckoned her over to their table and they spent the rest of the time at breakfast in whispers.
"Looks like I don't want to agitate, Evans." Came a voice from behind the group. Turning around they saw Draco Malfoy. "We all know that Creevy irritated you, Evans, and then you had to go and petrify him."
"What?" Spat Liana.
"Now that the entire school thinks you're the heir of Slytherin, Evans, you shouldn't have many people bothering you."
"Why would anything think she's an heir of Slytherin?" Ron spoke boldly. "She's in Gryffindor!"
"And she was in the Hospital Wing all night," Neville added.
"Was she?" Malfoy smirked, and before anyone could respond he stalked away.
"I bet he started that rumor about you being the heir just so nobody would suspect it was him," Hermione said so only her friends could hear. "Don't get down, Liana; soon we'll be able to prove to the school that Malfoy is the heir."
"Do people really think it's me?" Liana asked.
The three friends looked at each other and then Hermione spoke, "Well, only some people think it's you." Liana looked around the Great Hall, as she glanced around at the student's faces she noticed they immediately looked away—thus, they were all just staring at her.
17.
And they all continued to stare at her, for weeks. Soon Liana was used to people making jabs at her being the heir—especially Malfoy. As snow began to fall, Hermione kept her nose in their book with the Polyjuice Potion instructions more and more. The potion only required a few days to brew, but Hermione wanted to be sure to do everything correctly once the supplies were obtained, also the four hadn't thought of a way to steal from Snape's private storage cupboard yet.
The thought of stealing from Severus was driving Liana mad. Just the idea of taking something from him bothered her more than the school thinking she was the heir of Slytherin. Except for when Malfoy taunted her—he was the one person that made Liana still agree to take Severus's supplies. When there was a class with Slytherin (except Potions) Malfoy was sure to make her miserable.
Over the weeks Severus could tell something was bothering Liana. Whenever he got the chance he tried to gently pry at the issue, but Liana's lips were sealed. Severus knew there was a deeper problem Liana was suffering from. He knew it was more than the student's claims of who the heir might be. He just hoped that he was being supportive and kind enough that she would talk to him before doing something imprudent.
But today it was the worst Liana's guilt had ever been because today was the day they were taking Severus's supplies during Potions class. Liana sat in the window of the girl's dormitory starring at the snow falling past the glass. She'd now developed a permanent pit in her stomach from the guilt. Looking at the clock on the wall she knew it was time to leave for class, she swung her bag over her shoulder and walked out.
Neville met her at the bottom of the stairs, "You alright?" Liana nodded. "We're doing this to save the school; it's for a greater cause." Neville added. Liana nodded again, although Neville's comment did take a bit of the guilt away.
Soon they made their way down to the dungeons, the four took their usual seats and class began. Severus put instructions for an enlargement potion on the board, and the students began mixing their potions. For the entire hour Liana's heartbeat was in her ears. As Severus made rounds Liana couldn't look at him; she knew he would see her nerves in her expression.
"Liana, get ready to throw it," Hermione whispered as Ron handed Liana a firework. "Once Snape gets busy talking to a student chuck it." Liana nodded.
"Now," Hermione hissed as she left Hermione's side and walked towards the direction of Severus's cupboard. Liana swallowed hard, lit the firework and threw it across the classroom. Immediately the dark dungeon was full of color and the firework bounced off the walls, bumping into cauldrons, knocking them to the ground, instantly causing many Slytherin's feet to expand rapidly in size.
"Whoever set that off will be expelled!" Severus Snape bellowed with a scowl on his face. "Anyone touched by the potion come here for an antidote!"
Liana saw Hermione slip into the cupboard, and then she turned her eyes to Malfoy who was waddling towards Severus with feet twice the normal size. Then Hermione returned to Liana's side, stuffing something inside her robe pocket. "Got it," She whispered.
Once all the student's feet were back to their usual side Snape began shouting at his class, trying to instill fear within the guilty student. For a moment his gaze fell upon his daughter, an odd look crossed his face as Liana tried to arrange her face into a puzzled expression, but before Professor Snape could open his mouth to yell more the bell toned for the end of class. Liana, Hermione, Neville and Ron all grabbed their cauldrons and dashed from the room as quickly as they could.