Chapter 10: A Question - Part I
Before all the students of Hogwarts knew it, two weeks had passed by. Nothing particularly spectacular happened, but a rhythm was beginning to form that left some students wanting more. Classes and detentions were on uneventful. Meals were eaten. Friends and clicks were made. Yet all this left Albus wondering how he had wasted two weeks without getting to know his Professor more.
In Potions class, Professor Snape was as strict as ever. He never paid any mind to Albus. At this point the Gryffindor was sure he could be brewing the wrong potions and Snape wouldn't even notice, but he tried to follow along correctly. Obviously, even if he got detention from Snape, he would just serve it with his godfather. Scorpius and Louis were frustrated as well. They had survived two weeks of Snape's evil. Scorpius actually allowed Louis to give him regular pedicures now, because the grim in the cauldrons were eating away at his beautiful Malfoy nails. Louis continued to run odd errands for Snape. He, also, had yet to crack the Professor's grimacing exterior even with the close proximity.
Concerning the friendship of the Gryffindor Trio, as they were sometimes referred to, they were inseparable except at detention times. Wubben and William deemed each other best mates and made it their duty to terrorize the female population. Xena dubbed Louis an honorary girl, to his semi-distaste, and sometimes the petite boy would disappear off for 'girls night out'. It was at times like those when the other four boys were sit around and wish Veela blood upon themselves. Unfortunately, little did the boys know that Louis had become the girls spy. He reported wanted information about the boys to particular girls to give them certain advantages in the future.
The only other dynamics were Teddy and James and the Slytherins. Teddy always stayed neutral in all debates that didn't include his relationship with Victorie. Yet James.. James stayed stubborn and as annoying as ever, in Albus' opinion. He still hated Malfoy with all his guts and considered Albus and Louis traitors to their family. Rose tried to talk with him once, but he threw a tantrum in the Great Hall and stormed out. This left many people confused and a rumor began that James might be having a troubling love life that no one knew about, so he became more pissed off and avoided everyone except for Frank. As for the Slytherins they continued to glare and whisper angrily, but they had yet to second an attack on Scorpius.
That's how the first two weeks passed.
Then on a Sunday afternoon, Albus found himself bored and restless. Scorpius and Louis were busy pestering Xena about a color of nail polish that they wanted to borrow. Xena was enjoying giving them the runaround. Eventually, Albus decided on a walk and left to wander the corridors alone. He was somewhere on the second floor when he realized that he had yet to explore on his own. The classrooms were all empty and only a few students were wandering around inside. Most of everyone was in their common rooms or outside around the Lake, seeing as it was a beautiful day. That's why Albus was so shocked when he bumped into Eric Nott.
"Well if it isn't one of the Gryffindor Trio? What are you doing running around by yourself? Your boyfriends decided to dump you finally?" Eric asked, a malicious gleam glittering his expression. Albus glared back at the other boy. So what if he's about a head taller?
"Speak for yourself. I don't see Parkinson or Pritchard here. I'm surprised you can survive so far away from the dungeons." What am I doing? I'm asking for death.. Albus' statement seemed to irritated Eric because the other boy threw his bag down. The brunette Gryffindor tried to back away slowly.
"Gryffindors like to pretend to be brave. Too bad, your just being stupid." Eric said. It took about a split second for Albus to register that he needed to run for his life. And did he ever run. Eric Nott chased him throughout the entire second and main floor before catching him. Nott got in about three good licks before Albus kicked him off and ran off again. He grimaced as he felt his left cheek swelling. Without a lot of thought, he took the stairs to the dungeon. He took to hiding in one of the empty classrooms used for potions.
"Where'd you go you coward? I didn't think Gryffindors ran away!" Eric shouted as he stomped through the corridors. Albus held his breath in fear that he might be heard. When he heard Eric Nott slamming open classroom doors, Albus crawled over to the ingredients cabinet and climbed in quietly.
Albus lost track of time as he waited in the darkness. It smelled awful in the cabinet and it was hot. But when he heard the click of someone's shoes walk into the classroom, he determinedly stayed still. No way was Eric Nott beating the crap outta me!
"So there is the cowardly Gryffindor I've heard about." a voice said just before the doors to the cabinet were yanked open. Albus winced at the light. Then he realized that it was Professor Snape who had found him.
"..Sir." Albus greeted, Professor Snape just sneered.
"I see you've gone with the blackened eye look again. I don't see the appeal of the style really." Albus blinked. Was that a joke?
"I don't.. either, sir. Personally, it's never a mutual makeover."
"Obviously. Now please remove yourself from my stock. I believe you'll find the corridors free of a certain Mr. Nott for the time being." Snape said as he moved away so that Albus could climb to his feet.
"Thank you." Albus felt his face burning, this was the most attention Snape had ever given him. "I.. um-"
"I do not want your thanks. I want your absence." Snape said quietly as he looked away from the brunette. "Be on your way, Mr. Potter."
"I'm still thankful, Sir." Albus whispered. He took a step away before stopping and looking back. Snape frowned but said nothing. "Can I ask you a question?" There was a long moment of silence before the dark-haired professor made a move. He turned completely away from Albus.
"I can not guarantee an answer." No stopping now.
"..why.. did my dad name me after you?"
A/N: ^. .^ Yay, a short chapter, but I like where I left off. Thank you to the following: Hollibell, MrsFredWeasley98, Takayuki52, obsessed312, D.E.W.P, Razeasha, and all other readers!
Have you ever asked someone something so internally personal? I wonder what happens next. :P I'm not as brave as Albus here. I took some test and it told me I'd be a Hufflepuff. Oh well. I'm officially three months along with my pregnancy. So, I'm tired but not really sick anymore. (Yay!) So, I won't go as long without updates now.
Any requests?