A/N Hey guys, so another chapter down and probably one of the hardest to write for no particular reason. Funny eh? Anyway, I would really appreciate it if you would review. Thanks :) Oh and I would like to remind people that this is an AU so of course the characters are going to be, well out of character :) :)
Chapter 10 – Questions and Answers
'Mia! Mia, Mia, Mia, Mia, Mia!' That's all that ran through Hazel's head as she hugged her best friend, whom she had lost contact with fhe for nearly 6 six years. She never noticed the other's slip into a back room provided by the nurse. All she had eyes for was her sister. She was in utter shock. She couldn't believe the lengths to which Snape had gone for her. She had people who cared for her, loved her, a reason to keep on going. Keep on living. Both were silent now, tears spent, content in each other's company.
"Mia?" Hazel whispered, "Mia, how are you doing? Really?"
"I'm fine Haze. He's doing nothing worse than he usually does. Same old shit." She looked away. "You know I missed you Haze. We were adopted sisters practically. The only family that counted the other had. I nearly did away with myself after that."
Hazel had tears silently running down her face once again. Mia turned to look her dead on, her blue eyes sparking fiercely. "But something stopped. Some divine force, destiny, God, Buddha, if you believe in that crap. Something made me put the knife down. And I knew we would be seeing each other again." Here she gave a wan smile "But I didn't think it'd be under similiar circumstances as myself when I first lost you sis."
Good old Mia, always knew how to lighten the mood. Hazel gave a watery smile in return. "So you know everything then?" she queried.
"Yup, been given the tour by Severus, seen the sights, gotten over the shock, lived in the linrary for a couple of days," Mia quipped back.
Hazel let out a tinkling laugh,"Oh Merlin, I bet you know more than me if they let you into the library." The laugh took her breath away and she struggled silently to regain it, reminding her f her morbid situation. She leaned slightly into Mia, and she wrapped an arm in comfort around her. "Mia, they know everything. I didn't mean for it to come out. But he almost killed me this time and I collapsed. There was nothing I could do. I felt so trapped I wanted nothing more to end it. But was forced into bargaining with Severus. I'm glad I did now or I would of missed you." Hazel knew she was rambling on but couldn't help but pour her soul out to her bigger sis, after holding it in for so so long now.
"Don't worry Haze, I'm here know. We'll get through this. Unfortunately I'm still stuck in 'my situation'," she gave a sad smile, "And I was damn lucky Severus found me while I was out and not at home. But it's still our secret Haze. Still our bloody secret!"
"Mia! What did I tell you about swearing," She punched her teasingly in arm. She couldn't put much strength behind it but she got the slight wince that Mia showed. Serious again, she began a concerned sister " How bad are you?"
She wouldn't look her in the eye but replied "Could of been worse. But I'll be fine."
"Are you sure you wont accept any healing or anything from the nurse?" Hazel felt obliged to ask though she knew the answer.
And rightly so, Mia just rolled her eyes, "You know my answer, why you need to ask I'll never know."
"You do know Severus will have it figured out pretty soon. He's very perceptive and has experience in this kinda of thing. I bet he has you pegged down by tomorrow, the day after at the latest." Hazel informed knowledgably.
"Done!" Mia cried sealing the bet with a handshake. "Besides, I'm good at hiding or I wouldn't of lasted as long as I have." Hazel just shook her head in amusement, both resting comfortably against each other on the hospital bed.
Half an hour later, Severus quietly entered the ward to the two girls sleeping peacefully, a soft smile on both their faces. Out of his control, Snape also smiled softly at the sight of the Girl-who-he-had-wronged-and-now-was-fond-of and her friend Mia, before turning to inform the others. What he needed to now could wait for later.
After a nervous couple of hours of waiting, Severus entered the ward to find the two girls chatting animatedly, as well as Draco who watched half bemusedly and half in amazement, particularly at the certainly odd cross-legged position the muggle girl seemed to prefer as she perched on the end of Hazel's bed. As he approached, however, their carefree laughter died out and a solemn mask adorned both their faces and Draco suddenly turned serious. Gracefully he pulled up a chair at her bedside. They all knew what he was he for, without it being said. And both Mia and Draco moved to leave but were restrained by Hazel's hand.
"No," she whispered, "Mia, you've always been there for my, your my sis and you know my deepest and darkest secrets." she paused, "And who I secretly like!" she concluded with a slight smile. "Of course you stay." Mia repositioned herself on one side of Hazel, offering a solid support. She turned to Draco, " And Draco, you deserve to know what's been said. For the past few hard days you've been my rock, my steady support. I need you here!" Taking her hand, he nodded and settled back down beside her.
Severus inwardly cheered at Hazel's insistence, whilst keeping his face blank. It was a positive step. Obviously she had gotten over her former best friends, and found her true ones, or in one case of reunited with her. She wasn't as far gone as they all thought.
He inclined his head slightly in thought, feeling a bit awkward. "Hazel...How are you feeling today?" He decided to keep in general in the beginning. You could feel the tension in the air dissipate slightly.
"I'm good professor," she said with a quirk of her lips. "Madame Pomphrey assures me I'll be out of her in the next couple of days, which is always a relief."
"That's good to hear." And onto the more difficult questions. "With regards our compromise last week...today is the the day and I know I'll will honour it to the letter. But we all want to know what you have to say now. We NEED to know your answer and just that, coming from all that who turned up yesterday and many others who didin't, we care for you. You hold a special place in all our hearts ...even mine! But don't you dare let anyone know I'm going soft or all three of yous will be in detention for the rest of your life!" He teased them.
This produced a smile from both Hazel and Draco while Mia laughed outright. "Come on Professor. You've no hold over me, I don't even go to school here!" she responded.
He arched a delicated eyebrow, replying silkily "Is that a challenge Ms. Watters?"
"Um, ah, maybe not," she gulped, causing the other two to break into giggles they couldn't contain. Mia just huffed and pouted playfully.
"On a more serious note...Hazel?" he inquired, almost fearfully. His gut clenched as she looked away, the smile disappearing from her face.
"You know, it was hell here, the past week, and without Draco,I sure as hell would have done the job much sooner. I had already hurt myself pretty badly before he came" Draco gave her hand a slight squeeze. "As it was I was determined to do so today." She paused, giving them time to think on what she said.
Draco was pale and a hint of anxiety creeped through Snape's solid mask. Mia was unmoved, her state of mind undeterminable. However she wasn't worried for she knew her sister well.
Hazel turned back to them, looking at Severus straight in the eye. "Even when the people started pouring in declaring how much they cared, I couldn't believe them. I didn't for when you live your whole life being called a freak, an abomination, whelp, someone none couold love, how could I trust you all to tell the truth." Taking in a deep breath she continued. "It wasn't until I saw the lengths to which you went to Professor, until Lupin walked through those doors, until you were willing to put aside your hatred and feuding with the man and collaborate together for me, that the slightest bit of light shone on my soul. I was on the fence but leaning more on your side Proffessor." Another shaky breath and a couple of tears escaped as she remembered how she felt at that time.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "And then you did the unimaginable. You pulled out all the stops and offered me perhaps the only thing that could pull me from my self induced despair."
With a slight cough, Snape interupted, "I wouldn't exactly call it self induced Ms. Potter, you had a lot to deal with and there were many reasons for it. However, it definitely wasn't your fault."
She tilted her head to the side, processing his words. "I thank you Professor, however aside from that, you gave me my sister back. After all these years of no contact, you gave her back to me. None knew of her in the Wizarding world for I never mentioned her. And very few in the Muggle world knew of her because of trouble if knowledge of our friendship was found out. So I can only imagie the lengths to which you went to to track her down. However, as soon as she walked through the door, it hit me. It hit me like and artic truck and I suddenly could comprehend the care and the love that you all had for me. My darkness was suddenly purged for the moment."
Draco had tears in his eyes, and Mia just let them trickle silently down her face, her face still a stoic mask. Even Severus seemed slightly watery eyed after the emotion Hazel had just shown. As she continued, the strength and conviction returned to her voice and she was determined.
"Professor, you have stalled off what seemed like the inevitable to me at the time." Deep breaths of relief could be heard. All of a sudden though, Hazel shrunk in upon herself and seemed all too small and vulnerable. "But I know I need help. I need my sister, Mia, I need my friend, Draco and I need you consel Professor. From the moment you unravelled my secrets, to the moment you saved me from myself , you proved to me, that on some certain level you must care. Please sir, I think I might need your help." She pleaded, her emerald eyes magnified by unshed tears.
Shakily Severus reached over slowly, Hazel watching his every move, and clasped her hand. "Ms. Potter, Hazel, I would like nothing more than to help you with all I can. And I assure you, that plenty of others, particularly all those who showed up yesterday would as well. They do really care for you."
"I know that now Professor, I know that now"
The good news had been spread throughout the faculty of Hazel's recovery, resulting in spontaneous points being offered to all house, excessive cheeriness and giddiness and an impromptu party in the staff room for the staff and all the adults that remained. Apparently all the staff had a soft spot for Hazel. However amidst the streamers and balloons, the music and food and drink, one staff member was quietly secluded in a chintz armchair, in a shadowy corner next to a roaring fire, deep in contemplation. He elegantly twirled a glass of deep red wine in one hand, while the other tapped his temple, his deep black, unreadable eyes unfocused and brows furrowed. So deep in thought he never noticed the aged headmaster take a seat across from him, and stare for a few minutes intently at the young man before reaching out and placing a gnarled hand on the Professor's shoulder.
No reaction was heralded despite a slight tension in his body and his eye's suddenly snapping to focus. He recovered immediately from his slight disorientation and in a silky, deep baritone, which none others could here he addressed the headmaster curiously.
"Albus?"
"Severus", the headmaster began. "What's on your mind? Though the other's are too deep into their cups and may not have noticed you her in the shadows, to me you seem like you have a lot on your mind." he queried.
Severus delicately placed his wine glass on the side table before sighing deeply and rubbing his temple, his black silky hair (not greasy like many thought) falling forward hiding his face. Without lifting his head he replied, "Many things are running through my head Headmaster, but first and foremost, well I think you can guess."
"Hazel."
"Yes, Hazel. The child is an enigma." He shook his head, trying to organise his thoughts somewhat. "Headm – Albus, you know how I've treated the child the past 5 or so years. How many times have you brought me up on it? And yet I, who mjust have disliked the child since before I knew her, was chosen to discover the terrible secret she held. Fate? Destiny? I dont know, but to forcibly have you preconceived notions shoved out the door is unsettling." The headmster just nodded, knowing the Potions Master needed to speak his thoughts before trying to comprehend their meanings and so he let him just ramble. "And despite the horror I put the child through these past years, despite the torture and pain I gave unto her, she readily forave me, even asked me to – to be there for her, to help her." Again he paused. All that could be seen now of the Potions Master was the suspicious shine within his coal black eyes thats reflected in the firelight. The shadows seemed to have lenghtened enfolding the Professor within it's depths.
"How, despite everything I have done to her, despite everything that was done to her by her abominable relations, could she trust me so easily, when she doesn't for others. What information does she hold that enables her to do so? I just dont understand it!"
Dumbledore sighed. Though many saw the Potions Master as a snarky, greasy git, not many knew the real him and the few who did, saw it rarely. Such emotion by the him now, particularly in the presence of other's was a huge change. He alway's knew that both Severus and Hazel would be good for each other. But there were many lumps and bumps in the road, and even now it was a rocky start. Certainly not the way he hoped they would find some sort of benefit in a cease fire to their feud. But even the most precious of flower's could bloom in the most destructive of circumstances, in this case a friendship borne from hardship and realistions.
"Severus, Hazel is an extraordinary child. She has a huge heart, an immense capacity to forgive but her trust is a fragile thing. And for you to have earned her trust in any way, in which none of us," and here he swept a hand around the room, indicating the occupants, "could, says something of you. Perhaps because you were never enamored by her fame and fortune, which even her former friends were, which I must point out I never saw coming. I must say I'm extremely disappointed in them." His twinkle diminshed considerably at the thought of them. "Anyhow, back to the point. Perhaps it's because you seemed so indestructible. You were the predictable factor in her life, the never changing, snarky potion's professor which always protected her, despite your dislike. And on some level she probably appreciated it. You would alway's at the be all and end all of things, have what was best for her in mind."
Severus shifted uncomfortably at the headmaster's praise, but couldn't seemed to quite grasp what he was saying. Sure he understood it but accepting it was another story.
"Severus, I could tell you all the maybes and perhaps you want but that fact is I don't know what goes on in the child's head. Particularly in one as secretive as she. Perhaps she has a different reason, a different motive. All I can advise you to do is be upfront and truthful and ask her outright if you really wish to know. She will tell you. As it is, guide her like she asked. She needs it and deserves it but is unlikely to accept it from any other, my boy. I have made to many silly mistakes regarding her in my dotage" he advised sadly.
He nodded absently. He head was still bustling and the headmaster did nothing to relieve the oncoming headache he felt. If anything he added more questions than he gave answers to, the meddling coot. "I think Albus, I shall retire. May I ask you to think on the situation with Mia? Hazel needs her at the moment, but as she isn't a witch her say her isn't indefinite and we must find a way to hide her presence from the ministry as you know the rules regarding Muggles in Hogwarts as well as I do." He rose gracefully from his chair. "And with that I shall bid you goodnight Headmaster." And without a backward glance he swept out of the staffroom with no one else the wiser.
"Good night m'boy and good luck. You shall need it in the upcoming days." the Headmaster whispered to the retreating figure before sinking into his armchair and drinking deeply from his goblet, staring into the entrancing, dancing flames of the fire.
Days had passed since the secret, so naturally everyone knew of it, staff party and many students the following day were able to do as they pleased as their professors were either too exhausted or hung over to protest much. However, up in the hospitable one disgruntled student was arguing forcibly with the Devil who resided there, also better known as Madame Pomphrey, whilst two of her friends looked on in amusement.
"Ah come on Madame Pomphrey, I feel perfectly fine. The only problem is the sling in my arm which you said I had to wear for another couple of weeks and I'll be damned if I'm here for that amount of time. I'll come back for check ups every day if you wish, but I have to get out of here, Please." Hazel begged, hands clasped together in pray.
"Language, young lady. And absolutely not. You have not yet recovered. You'll not be stepping one step from that bed!" snapped the Matron.
Right, last resort tactic time. Bowing her head, tears welled up magnifying her huge eye's like jewels, pleading with her jailer, mouth quivering. For effect she slowly raised her head and stared directly into the nurse's hazel brown eyes. Draco was shocked at the effect Hazel had and the cunningness she possessed, whilst Mia who had seen it all before, was hard pressed to hold in her giggles.
Madame Pomphrey immediately melted, her annoyed face softening, eyes sympathising with the child's predicament. With a sigh, she gave in. "Oh child, I know it's hard missing your first week and a half of school but you need to recover." At these words, Hazel upped it a notch, letting a tear slip down silently illiciting an immediate response from the Matron. "Ok, dear, hush now." she soothed, even though Hazel wasn't making a sound. "The best I can do, is if you behave today, after breakfast tomorrow morning I'll let you go. Is that fair?"
With a sigh, pretending to give in, Hazel replied with head bowed"Ok Madame, if you insist."
"I do child, I do." And leaving it at that, the nurse bustled into her office, shutting the door.
At the snap of a closed door, Hazel immediately jumped up, punching the air in victory. "That's better than I hoped." she crowed in delight. Mia burst into laughter, unable to contain it anymore, whilst Draco still sat there in shock beside her, wondering what in Merlin's name had happened.
"I cant believ that worked, you -you, you Slytherin you," Draco all but stammered out. Hazel just burst into laughter.
"Ah Draco, of course I'm part Slytherin, didn't you know?" she batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.
"Uh, yuck, don't do that. You don't know how gross that is. It would be like my sister doing that to me!" he warded her off, quite revolted.
"Why Draco dearie, I didn't know you cared so much. Well as your honourary sister, I get to hug you quite spontaneously" Hazel sweet talked.
Mia also chipped in her two cents worth. "Oh and Drake, since I'm already Hazel's honourary sister, even though we haven't known each other long, that makes me your honourary sister as well. Think about it, how lucky can you be getting two honourary sisters in one day." she said evilly.
Draco paled dramatically, turning nearly transparent at the thought. "Oh my, Haze I dont think we should have sprung that on him quite so suddenly."
"Quite right, Mia dear, I think I know just the cure for the awful paleness." Hazel wriggled her eyebrows suggestively and with a sudden smile Mia caught on. Draco was unaware of the other two's thoughts, until they literally both plowed into to him screaming "HUGGLES!" and so ensued playful rough and tumble, though Hazel was quite careful with her injuries and they all ignored the flinches of both Hazel and Mia when they got a bit out of hand.
Truth be told, Draco was not quite abhorent to the thought of two sisters as the others thought. It was more the fact of suddenly he went from a disowned Malfoy, only living Black, on his own, no family to having two sisters. Despite his shock he couldn't be happier. And with the heartfelt tremendous smile he gave the two girls and the watery eyes, they both understood him without words. He was over the moon.
From a distance, Hazel's Black Guardian Angel, as she dubbed him secretly watched over them, hidden in the shadows of the hospital wing. He was moved that the other two had so willingly accepted Draco into their already knitted friendship, even family if you could call it that. They were all healing. And despite the many questions he had concerning that enigmatic child, in the last few days, he found , with her sudden will to live, he had received the most important answer.
A/N So another chapter once again down. I'm sorry for the lack of action and progression I suppose in this chapter but some important questions and answers needed to be looked at first. I promise, however the next chapter shall be more eventful, what with the her starting back to classes, Mia's situation, and maybe another appearance of Ron and Hermione. How will the other houses now react to the good Malfoy, err sorry Black and his newfound close friendship with the the Girl-Who-Lived? I promise the next few chapters shall definitely answer these and reveal more. And please, please, please review. Good or constructive I don't mind, flames wont be tolerated :)