Confessions
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The fall wind swayed the grass to and fro as leaves fluttered in the air. Her clothes blew around violently and her hair waved wildly about her face but she merely ignored it as she ran toward her destination. She entered the forest. It was shrouded in an inky darkness and shadows fell long upon the trees and various shrubberies and yet she saw a black form walking along, quiet mumblings being the only thing that disturbed the peace and quiet.
"Professor?" she asked, concerned.
Prof. Snape wheeled around and looked in surprise at her.
"Sameya again," he stated flatly. "What are you doing here?"
Raither stopped, realizing what she had just done.
"Please, I, er, beg of you, do not take away points, I would prefer detention."
"You are in a bad situation to be asking for requests, no matter how odd they may be. Now I ask you again, what are you doing here?"
"I, uh…" she stammered, than quickly regained her composure. "It's just, I wondered if you were okay."
"You are wondering if I am okay? Are you feeling alright? This has not been the first time you have followed me, and if I recall correctly, you did not have a good enough reason to justify your actions that time either. Why? Just why did you do either of these things?"
Raither felt weak. She sarcastically thought, "Yeah, I am definitely going to tell you I love you and that explains why I do all these strange things."
"I-" but nothing came to mind to justify it.
"You are constantly in peril, should I not worry?"
"To what peril are you hinting at?"
He smirked, a look of amusement that Raither did not know what to do with.
"Do not play games with me. Acting spy is a dangerous job, but acting as a two timer is more dangerous yet, even though it makes it much more difficult to be caught."
And then she felt it. He was trying to pry into her mind, though not trying very hard, and she quickly closed him off.
"So, you do use Occlumency…" she stated quietly, trailing off at the end.
"Yes, but what do you know of the magic?"
"I am also a ligilemns and occlumns, although how gifted I truly am is yet to be tested."
Then a radical thought entered her head. Why not ask him to teach Harry, or at least test whether or not she was good enough to?
"No way. He would never teach Harry. And you can't ask him to test you, it could be dangerous," she thought to herself.
"You have a question in your eyes."
She looked up, feeling that her thoughts had been invaded.
"A question concerning me."
"Yes, sir, I do."
"But you will not ask it?"
"I do not have the audacity to."
"One would think that Potter had taught you to disregard authority."
"My own conscience and convictions come first to anything that might rub off on me from Harry."
"And yet, here you are, wandering around after hours."
Raither could not help but chuckle.
"I find it impossible to think in such rooms that are provided within the Gryffindor tower. Regardless, I know it was wrong. When shall I report to your office for detention?"
"Hmmm, you could report Sunday night or, instead, you will ask me the question that haunts your eyes as punishment."
She started.
"You would use blackmail…" she paused. "Very well, however, I remind you it was your idea. I have two. First, are you truly in league with Dumbledore or does your allegiance truly lies with Voldemort?"
Prof. Snape looked surprise. Slowly, he began an answer.
"I am sure that your suspicions of my allegiance have been planted by Potter. But as for a true answer, I can give none, in less some one being watching, or listening."
"To tell the truth, no such question of your allegiance was planted by Harry. It was of my own suspicion of many, brought on by evil times."
Raither shivered, "I should have worn something warmer, or, even better, worn my robes. Why didn't I this time...? Idiot, you knew you would have been out here for a while…"
"Are you cold?" Prof. Snape asked.
"Um, yes…"
The Prof. took off his outer cloak and placed it around Raither's shoulders.
"Thank you…"
She blushed and looked away; she couldn't hide it, no matter how hard she tried.
"Are you… feeling alright?" he asked.
"Ah………. Yeah…"
She then paused, and then remembered her first question still went unanswered.
"You still haven't answered my first question."
"Yes, I am quite well, thank you."
"That is good to hear. Now if you will excuse me," she looked up into his eyes, "I will leave you in peace. Please forgive my intrusion."
His eyes flashed but he said nothing, and Raither began walking out of the forest. Suddenly she felt a spell being thought by him.
"Legilimens"
She grabbed her wand and immediately whispered the same, and instead of him peering into her mind, she peered into his.
-A child sat in a corner, his father yelling harshly at his mother-
Suddenly she was thrown from his mind and she came back to her own senses.
"You saw, didn't you-"
But he never finished when Raither interrupted him.
"I am sorry, that was you and your parents, I- I never imagined."
She collapsed to her knees, but managed to keep from crying… she herself wasn't sure why… it's just, perhaps it was just a glimmer of understanding…
"I am sorry…"
"Don't be. Indeed I am surprised that you even care."
"I, didn't have parents, I, I am an orphan. But, if that is what it is like, perhaps I, perhaps, not having parents is better… in this cruel world…"
"No, don't, I can hardly think that, it can hardly be true, and it really was not as bad as it seemed," Prof. Snape replied. "You have no reason to have pity for me."
Raither looked up at him. His eyes looked concerned. They actually looked concerned.
"But, it's more than pity, isn't it?"
"Just as what is in your eyes is more than concern."
They blanched.
"Your right, it's because-"
They blanched again.
"I love you." They said simultaneously.
They looked away, embarrassed and shocked. Raither struggled to find her voice.
"I- er- should go- um- I will meet you here- er- same place, same time…"
She gave the professor's robe back into his fumbling hands. And then she ran out of the forest, leaving the professor alone, shocked, numb, voiceless and unable to move from being as much. It took some time before he at last made his way to the castle.
&&
Sehtiar nearly vomited.
It was getting later as he sat in his four-poster when he at last found time to read Raither's letter. He could not believe what occurred after Raither's first Dementor dream. Just could not. No wonder she did not talk about it until now…
... Felt my soul leaving me...
Before human touch brought me to the other side of reality………………
I awoke and found Prof. Snape looking down at me. He told me that he had been chasing me. I awoke him as I was corned in the dungeons, even tried to open his locked door. And when I had pushed past the Dementor, that was him, he said I had practically ran up the wall. After I had failed at producing a Patronaus, he said I fell to the ground and did not breathe. Any attempt at waking me up or forcing me to breathe through the use of spells did not only fail, but the spells just bounced off of me. In a panic, he used mouth to mouth resuscitation. After only one breath, I sputtered to life. I know it has been a long time since than and now; perhaps you will be able to forgive my delays…
He could understand why she had delayed. It would be a very painful and embarrassing event. But, wait… that was not why she delayed. But then, why? Sehtiar pondered and thought until something struck him. It seemed insane, something totally crazy, but, was it the truth? Was it because she was in love with him? No, not even Raither would be crazy enough for that, right? It was far too soon, with Sam practically fresh in his grave. She would yet be mourning for him. Unless, that was the very reason for why, maybe she wanted healing for her heart.
"But why Professor Snape?!" he thought angrily. "He is more than twice your age and absolutely hates Harry! If anyone else knew, sheeze, you could get in huge trouble for it! Well, I guess that is assuming any one would believe it…"
Sehtiar sighed, frustrated with his twin sister. This would cause problems, considering there already was friction between the two. She would be lucky if she would survive the entire thing. And it may cause more unneeded danger for all.
&&
Raither woke up, yawned and what happened last night flooded her like the coming dawn. She had the love of her beloved Potions teacher. Joy overcame her, an emotion she never thought that she would feel for a long time. Heh, she may have gone outside to think, and although she did not get that chance, her questions were answered. Well, at least one of them. She could not help but chuckle. Heheh. She got out of bed and immediately found a letter from Sehtiar that was waiting for her.
Dear Raither,
Be careful, Raither, be very careful. I first felt sick when I first read the ending to your first dream and I can only wonder if even more, well, things have come about because of what happened that night. If you have fallen in love with the professor, I- I can only guess at the consequences. Be very careful. And remember, he is more that twice your age and absolutely hates Harry. There is already friction between the two and you might create more. Do not give any more reason for hate than those two already have.
Love, Sehtiar
Raither sighed, despite her mounting joy. So he had already guessed. Was it really that obvious? She didn't know, but was determined to find out. She quickly scribbled out a note inquiring about as much.
&&
She waited impatiently for him to arrive. There were few at the tables, for it was yet early for most. Despite her impatience, she was able to eat a little. But mostly she looked towards Sehtiar's entrance. A few minutes he came, said "good morning" and began piling food onto his plate. She mumbled a "good morning" in reply and forced the note into his hand. Surprised, he took it and quickly scanned it before writing a reply and handing it back to her.
No, it isn't obvious. The only reason I can tell is well, the reason to that should be obvious. I am your twin brother after all. But, even though, try to keep it more hidden. Make it so hidden that not even I can tell. It would be disastrous if anyone else knew.
She closed the note and nodded at him before continuing eating.
&&
"Only a week or so into the new year and already so much has happened." Raither thought, only goading herself farther from the task at hand. She had been reading like mad, taking notes from the books at the library whenever she could. Even now during history of magic, Sehtiar was taking notes for her sake as she pored of the book in front of her. In turn, she would later recopy his notes, and he would read through hers. It was a happy switch, but now she was only wasting time with her own thoughts. Sehtiar noticed this and gave her a stern look, the very look she was hoping to receive from him. She gave him a look apology and he returned his attention toward the teacher. She quickly returned to the book, her eyes flying across the page.
"Thank you, Sehtiar." She thought, "I would never have the ability to listen to him as only you and Hermione can."
&&
"So, how far into the library have you penetrated with this insane reading of yours? You have been reading for just over a year after all." Sehtiar asked once they had left the classroom.
She had to push and shove to keep within talking distance of Sehtiar.
"I should be finished within just over two weeks."
"Really? That soon?"
"Okay, that is assuming I can keep the current pace. More realistically, I should be done within three to four weeks."
"Still impressive."
"Perhaps, but it doesn't seem fast enough."
"Sheeze, if I did not know you better, I would say you were power hungry. You read all that you can in your spare time. When do you make time for fun? For relaxing?"
She didn't know how to respond. She did, usually through drawing, but that also meant she got little or no sleep. How could she tell him that?
"Let me guess," he went on, allowing her to put off a definite answer. "You haven't, not for the past week. Or for the past year for that matter."
"Well, to a certain extent, you're right."
Sehtiar stopped, disbelief written all over his face.
"You have not been getting any sleep, have you?"
Raither only nodded.
"Raither, you must stop, you will only destroy yourself."
"And what of Harry?"
"You cannot protect him if you are not at full health!"
"Nothing has come, not yet."
"Oh really? What of these dreams of yours? Is that truly nothing? If I could be given a valid guess, I would say that Voldemort will start using indirect, but more direct, ways of attacking and getting at him. If you are not going to stay on your toes, you need to teach him Occlumency. At least then he can defend himself."
Sehtiar then turned and walked away, leaving Raither wishing, wanting, but, no, not yet…
&&
Raither's quill wrote slowly as she took notes from the potions book she was reading for the essay they were supposed to be writing. She found it difficult to focus as she mind persisted to daydream. She wondered what it was like for him, being a student. It was obvious to her that he was talented, but how did that affect his relationships, his everyday life as a student? She didn't know, but it was nice to think about. Assuming of course he had any personal relationships. But he must have spent much time poring over his Potions book absorbing ingredients and instructions as they became as much a part of him as his skin was. Perhaps he had even read through this book. She loved the thought. She would love to have his old potions book for the same reason. Surely he would have had an advanced potions book. What if it was sitting in one of the cupboards?
"Stop it, Raither," she silently and harshly scolded herself.
But it was possible, wasn't it? She could buy it couldn't she? What if she could get a hold of the professor's old potions book? It just maybe might be here and may prove to be a valuable object to be in possession of. But what would be a good enough reason to look through the old books? Perhaps to get a head start on potions by purchasing an advanced copy, or just to have as an extra one, or to just look for someone's? The tricky part of the last thought would be if he asked whose.
"Then why not tell him the truth? He would be able to understand, would he not; I am after all, one of the best here in this classroom." She sighed as she slowly turned the page. Once she had finished skimming that page for information, she let her eyes, and mind, wander again.
What of the combination of the first and last thought? Getting ahead in potions by using his old book?
"No," she thought, "I'll just get in to get a head start. Hopefully I will have the strength to ask him after class."
"Sehtiar," she whispered. "The class is about to end, and I am not going to finish. I am going to stay behind for just a couple of minutes. I will catch up with you later."
He nodded then returned to his essay again, which was coming to a successful end. He rolled it up and joined the others in placing their essays on Prof. Snape's desk. Raither finished hers just as everyone was leaving. She hurriedly did the same as Sehtiar and walked briskly to his desk.
"Professor? I have a request to make of you."
He looked up from the grading he was doing with a look of "now what?" written on his face.
"And that is?"
"I wanted to know if it would be okay if I could purchase a used advanced copy of potions from you to get ahead in my studies."
"I am sure you can wait for next year for that."
"Please professor, I would rather not."
He sighed. "Alright, they are in that cupboard over there."
"How much were they when they were new."
"Nine galleons."
Raither fished out a pouch and counted out ten galleons and slapped onto the professor's desk before walking towards the cupboard. She opened it and began to take out and scan the different books, trying to find the familiar handwriting somewhere within a copy. A few books down, she thought she found it. Indeed it had been written all over within the book, scribbling out what the book said and put in notes of their own. She set it down and put the other copies back within.
"Have you found what you were looking for?"
"Yes," she said as she walked towards him, pulling out her money bag again, "how much does it cost for your silence. I would wish that Sehtiar did not know of this."
"You have already overpaid."
"That was for you time, this is for your silence. Unless you want more for both?"
Give me two more galleons and we have a deal. Do you still wish to meet in the forest?"
"Yes, thank you professor."
She shoved the book into her bag and walked hastily out of the room.
&&
Raither slipped out of the Common Room and began en route to the library. She did not have very much time before the meeting in the forest but she at least could get a little reading done, even if it was only a few minutes worth. She walked in and instead gazed longingly at the restricted door. If only she could get in there. So much information, and so much of it that not many people knew about, every sentence valuable. Or at least, most of them. Instead she stalked out of the library before she did something she would later regret and found her way out to the forest.
&&
She stepped barefooted onto the cool grass, a soothing feeling that reminded her of other pleasant things. The wind tugged gently at her robes, a swirling motion that she could feel at her core. The sky was filled with glittering stars though the darkness has its own beauty as it filled the world with its various shadows. This is where she was at home, bending the line of light and darkness amidst the natural world of living and soul-less things. This is where she could choose to stand out or blend in and this night she chose to blend into the black as walked swiftly towards the Forbidden Forest.
The Forest was without any human presence until now, and its quiet murmurings became nearly silent, for the wind was ebbing away to Raither's dismay. She walked carefully with grace, being sure that every step was as silent as the last.
She was yet early so she stopped to listen for any other voices that may be made by the other creatures that took residence in the wood. Instead, she heard silence before a quiet padding of feat grew nearer to the forest. She hid quickly behind a tree before she could confirm that the new form was indeed Prof. Snape. Sure enough, the familiar muttering began again and she could see the familiar robes accustomed to him.
"Good evening, professor."
His head jerked up and Raither stepped into view.
"Perfect weather, is it not?" her voice was even and calm, something she had found slightly more difficult twenty-four hours earlier.
"Evening. As for the weather, it looks as though it may rain. Some would find that is less-than-perfect weather."
"Do you consider it as much?"
He looked at her with the usual inscrutable expression and held eye contact for a few moments before answering.
"Surely you did not wish to meet me here only to ask about my weather preferences."
"You are right, I didn't, but as the subject has been brought up I should very much like to know."
"I have no preference when it comes to rain alone; however, when it is coupled with a storm it can be quite pleasant."
"I see."
"And your reason for meeting here?"
"To apologize for my behavior last night and for our previous encounter. The trouble that it cost you, how much do you want in monetary means?" she replied pulling out her money bag.
"Surely you jest."
She looked up, not quite sure that she had heard correctly.
"Of course not. You are, typically, not one who is amused by such things, jokes and such. Now, how much do you want?"
"Keep your money to yourself. You have already paid me for other ridiculous trumped up charges. Your behavior is very easily excusable, your reason quite valid. I merely thought it impossible that you would have such a reason.
"And why is that? Did you truly think that you are unlovable, such a cruel potions master that you had driven out any possibility for someone to love you? It is such cruelty that ironically, first sparked my interest. Although I thought in impossible that you could love me in return."
"Impossible? No, you are untamed yet beautiful, though your beauty is well hidden. You don not shine with a naïve innocence, but glitter like a light struggling in the darkness. I never thought one as young as you could love me, who is more than twice your age."
"But I am shy, quiet, trying to disappear into obscurity. I am one in hundreds of students. Why me, there are so many, so many that are so much more beautiful than me?"
"But, as you said, you never strive for attention, never flaunted the knowledge I know you have. You choose to sink into obscurity. That is not a virtue easily found."
"Harry and Hermione; it seems that your words would accuse them of as much."
"Yes, they are two prime examples of what I have said."
"But, even if you believe that, it does not completely justify your behavior towards Potter. You have such hatred, such animosity; even I cannot find enough to justify it."
She looked up into his eyes and knew instantly that she had crossed some invisible line due to the fire in his eyes and the hatred that was etched in every line of his face.
"I-I'm sorry, I should not have said anything on the subject. I should have known."
"Report to my office at ten on Saturday night for detention."
She looked up into his yes, wondering what she would find, but she found nothing.
"You want to know the reason, don't you?"
"Yes, but I should have considered your feelings before mouthing off."
"Then I will see you on Saturday."
He began walking away and Raither was left standing there, yet in shock. Suddenly he turned.
"That was you, wasn't it? You were the one who was singing the night before Christmas and then again in the rain."
She was shocked; she didn't realize that anyone but Sehtiar had heard her.
"Y- yes."
"You ought to sing more. You are quite good."
And he continued on his way, not looking back once.
&
The strokes kept coming, never stopping, as if they had at last become an extension of her. The page filled with loving and flowing lines as they portrayed a love that had at one time thought to be impossible. And even though it was indeed real, most would not consider it as much as they bickered with each other, debating meanings that went deeper within than skin.
"Sam…"
Sam and she once did the same thing. Considering she could not even see his face when she fell in love with him made it deeper than most loves. It was a love that was pure, that was complete, but now it was gone…
Tears threatened to spill but she bit her lip until it bled to keep them from coming. And they stayed, right on the brink, but they did not spill.
"I am made of harder stuff than this…" she whispered to herself. "But I am not myself…"
She put the sketchbook away and fell into deep sleep right as she touched the bed.
&
She woke a few hours later. Not feeling sleepy at all, she got up and dressed. She looked out the window to see that dawn wouldn't break for a couple of hours yet. Taking her bag with her, she padded downstairs. There, she found someone she did not expect, a house-elf.
When it saw her it shrieked, she yelled "wait!", but to no avail, for it apparated away with a pop. She sighed and plopped in the chair that sat right next to the fire. Pointing her wand at it she whispered, "Expellimius," and it flared brightly and warmly. She watched it leap and dance as the flames twirled into figures and events. Suddenly she found herself singing quietly to herself.
"Fires burning against the night
Fires burning bright
As they rival the stars
With their glittering light
Feel the warmth they give
A warmth that proves you live
No matter how many the scars
You will find you can still forgive
Fight on for this world
As the magic once swirled
Pure and innocent and clean
Until evil appeared and unfurled
May your fire be more than a flicker
Though it moves even quicker
Like a sword enflamed in lightening
While your blood runs thicker
Free this haunted world
Where the magic once swirled
Pure, clean, and innocent
Until evil came and unfurled
Unfurled the beauty,
Destroyed the innocence
Stole the purity
And left me in a puddle of blood…."
She sighed again, and the fire seemed to sigh with her. Words, words that had been penned to last a lifetime, yet they had faded with time. It would be rare that you could find such poems even in the most ancient of books, but that did not make it impossible, and she had found a few. She loved the words, and cherished them. It was this sort of poetry that kept her going.
"Raither?"
A voice penetrated her thoughts. She looked up to see Harry looking down at her.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but are you? You looked so sad…"
"I apologize, I was thinking of the past. What are you doing up?"
"Couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to come by the fire."
"Seems you had the same idea I had."
There was a pause before Raither continued.
"Have you been dreaming?"
Harry looked at her oddly.
"I don't mean ordinary dreams, I mean like reoccurring ones, or dreams with similar themes," she went on.
"I have."
Her fears were confirmed.
"Of what?"
"Just a dark corridor."
Silence engulfed them again.
"How long have you been sitting here?" Harry finally asked.
"I don't know, when I first got up it was a couple of hours before dawn. What time is it now?"
"Dawn just broke over the horizon."
Did she really just sit through two hours? Was that possible?
"Oh, okay, thanks, I should probably go back upstairs…"
And so she padded upstairs, thoughts of dreams and occlumency whirring in her mind before she shoved them to the back with thoughts of others.
&
She dabbed the paint on as fast as she could without compromising the quality of the painting. She had never felt this way before, but this refreshing excitement coursed through her and propelled her to paint more and more. She could not stop if she wanted to. Soon, Sam and Prof. Severus Snape were looking back up at her from the canvas. But, more importantly, she would soon find learn something from the past; the Professor's past. But before that, there were Quidditch tryouts.
&
Raither walked nervously to the Quidditch pitch. Her palms were sweaty and she fount it difficult to grip the handle of the broom.
"What are you thinking?" Raither silently chided herself. "What makes you think you could make it on the team? Why do you want to anyway?"
She knew. Harry himself proved how dangerous how Quidditch could be.
"Raither!"
She nearly jumped out of her boots. She turned to see Sehtiar's form running up to her, a broom in his tightly clenched fist.
"Are you trying out?" she asked him.
"Yeah," he replied and they kept walking.
Relief flooded her; then she would not have to.
"Hey! Are you going to?" Sehtiar asked in surprise to her broom.
"Not anymore, I didn't know you were going to."
"Wait, why were you going to when you didn't want to?"
"Harry Potter."
That was all she had to say and Sehtiar immediately understood. His expression changed from expectant joy to a somber seriousness.
"Do you think that he really has that kind of power over Harry already?"
"He has been having reoccurring dreams."
"Then, Raither-"
"I know; (insert). But I don't think I can teach him. Its not that I don't have the gift of Occlumency, it's that I don't have the gift of teaching. I can guide him, but he must be taught by someone else
"Who?"
She didn't answer.
"Do you know of anyone?" he prodded.
"Not… really…"
They arrived at the arena. As Sehtiar walked towards the field, Raither climbed up into the bleachers.
"Raither, what will you do?"
She was looking down at the large group that had come to try out and Sehtiar's head specifically, but she saw none of it.
"What will you do?"
Reading, studying, practicing; she was constantly doing it for Harry's benefit, Harry's safety. Because of it, she knew about things that most her age didn't even know existed.
"What can you do?"
But was it enough? Could she really protect Harry? Did she have the power and strength to defend him from the horrors that may come for him?
"What can you do alone?"
Or did she have to look for help? Someone she could trust, someone that could help her, someone who would understand… She couldn't ask Sehtiar, she had asked too much of him and he deserved a normal life.
"Who?"
Sehtiar asked the same question and she didn't have a good answer for him either. What she needed was a real friend, not like Harry. That was a relationship that grew from a desperate struggle between him and Voldemort.
"You call that flying?"
A drawling, sneering voice broke into her thoughts and she looked right to see Draco Malfoy laughing. She looked towards the victim of his remark and saw and small boy and she conceded was not flying well. But what gave him the right to laugh at him?
"Shut up, Malfoy," she said loudly and seriously.
&
He swiveled his head, surprised, at the girl that sat alone several feet to the left of them. She had broad shoulders through the rest of her torso did not fit proportionate to them. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in a low ponytail and her bangs hid her eyes surprisingly well. She had a black, metal lip ring, seven piercings in her ear, and her skin was quite pale. She was not beautiful; in fact, she had a face that, if she did not have long hair, she could very easily be confused for being male. She wore her school robe over the typical white button-up, but she wore black jeans beneath that. On her feet she wore black, sturdy boots. He had the feeling he had seen her before, but didn't know where. The other felling he had was that she was an antisocial loner that hated authority and the world in general.
"What do you care?" he retorted viciously.
&
Merely by Malfoy's comment, Raither knew he had put the usual stereotypes on her. Raither also knew (by what Harry had told her) that Malfoy had often mocked others and seemed to think better of himself than what he saw. But it was true, why did she care?
"Because you'll never respect yourself if you keep making fun of others," she replied calmly.
She looked up at him as she brushed a few strands from her right eye. She got the reaction she wanted; shock mingled with rage. He stood up and her head and eyes followed.
&
How could she? That look of concern on her face did not fit at all. It looked foreign, alien. And he did not deserve pity, he deserved better.
"Who do you think you are?" he spat.
&
She stood up. Walking towards him, she held out her hand.
"Sameya, Raither Sameya."
Inside, she was begging him to shake her hand. She had suddenly found that she wanted 'Draco' to be her answer.
&
He stood, dumbfounded. He kept looking at her hand, then her cold, piercing, black eyes, to her hand again. Rage seized him and he sprayed her hand with spit.
&
Her spirits sank in an instant as the spit came in contact with her hand. It slowly dripped as her hand hovered before her. Slowly she withdrew and wiped the spit from her hand onto her pants.
"Is there anyone, Malfoy? Can there be anyone?"
With that she turned and walked away. Grabbing her broom she continued until she reached the stairs and disappeared.
&
She walked across the grounds to the tree where you could sit under its shade and see the lake stretched out before you. She slid to the ground, not unlike how her spirits fell only a few minutes earlier.
"Will you follow after me, Malfoy? Will my words have the effect I want?" she asked herself silently. "Why do you care?"
She paused; the answer came like a bolt of lightening.
"You want to help him."
A shadow fell across her and her name was spoken.
"Sameya."
She looked up to see Malfoy's face looking down at her.
"You're the twin, aren't you?"
She nodded.
"What did you mean by what you said?"
Her heart skipped a beat; it worked?
"You don't really have any friends, do you?" she answered.
His face was impassive, but she could sense a battle raging in his mind.
"Why do you care?"
"I want to help you."
"Why? I don't need any help."
"Yes, you do," she said calmly, but his question was haunting her.
Why did she want to help him? Wasn't she looking for help herself?
"You're alone, and you spend your nights the same."
"No one knows that; least of all you, mudblood."
"No one knows that; least of all you, pureblood."
Malfoy sneered.
"You use it as a derogative term," he chuckled.
"No."
Raither stood up.
"'Pureblood' is merely an adjective, mudblood is a derogative term. Not that I care, but you being a pureblood only makes you different, not better."
Silence began.
"Do you hate me?" Raither finally asked.
"I don't- I don't know…" he replied quietly. "Slytherins and Gryffindors hate each other on principle."
"I don't live by that principle. I find it rather idiotic."
Malfoy hung his head. Raither crouched down and looked up into his eyes.
"If you need someone to talk to, I'm here," Raither said quietly and tenderly.
Taking hole of her broom, she stood up and walked away.
&
Telling the Fat Lady "Mibulus Mimbletonia" she walked expectantly into the common room. Looking around, she found him sitting by the window with the other tree. Spotting her, he leapt up and walked towards her.
"Where were you?"
"Sorry, lets go to you bed."
He nodded and led her.
"Did you make it?" she asked expectantly.
"Yeah," he said as a grin spread over his face.
She smiled as well, one that was real and genuine.
"Excellent, I am happy for you."
"Thanks, I was nervous. I didn't know if I had the skill. I wish you could have seen me. Where were you anyway?"
"Malfoy ticked me off."
"Draco Malfoy? The one with a pointy face and blond hair?"
"That's the one. So, I'm sorry, I left."
"No that's fine. Er, would you feel put off if I wanted to go to bed now. I am pretty tired from tryouts."
"No, that's fine. You get some sleep."
And she left to the girls dormitories.
&
She knocked and stepped into his office, not really knowing what to expect. He sat at his desk, his wand pointed directly at her. She instantly flashed out her own.
"Quite paranoid, aren't you?" he sneered.
The little light that was lit in the room made shadows that made his face even more, what some would call, evil.
"One should usually be suspicious if they have a weapon pointed at them."
He lowered his wand and she did the same.
"You want to know why I hate Potter? Some would consider it unwise to ask such things when they know the person but little."
"Then I apologize for my irrational question. I have another; why am I here?"
"I will show you why, but it comes at a price."
"Name it."
"A potion."
She looked at him, puzzled.
"I am sure that you are more than able of making it yourself."
"It is a potion that is impossible to make by ones self."
"I am not familiar with it."
"I would not expect you to be. But once the potion is finished, I will show you the memory that explains my hatred."
So, he was going to show her a memory. A memory of another is a valuable thing. She had a feeling this potion was as well.
"I will help you."
He walked to his desk, opened a large and old book, and beckoned her to him.
"This is the one."
His finger pointed to the most complicated potion she had ever seen. It was a huge undertaking and he was right in saying it would be impossible for only one person to brew it. It was a poison that completely ensnared a person, spirit, body, mind, and soul. Those that created it would be able to control the person once the indicated enchantment was spoken or thought. It was even more potent that the Imperius Curse.
"May one ask why you want to create such a potion? Merely suggesting it would throw suspicions into most."
"You may ask, but I cannot answer, not yet."
"I see."
She looked at the ingredients. Most of them were the foulest substances ever in existence and all of them were very rare. She didn't see how it was possible for them to obtain the ingredients unless they stole them.
"How are we even getting the ingredients?"
"I already have most of them."
She looked sideways at him. His face was impassive, but his eyes were determined.
"My word, how?" she found it difficult to believe him.
"You may ask, but I cannot answer, not yet."
At this point, he was stretching her trust to the limit.
"Professor, what do we yet need to obtain?"
"At this point we are peers; you can call me by my first name. I will have everything by next weekend. Will you be prepared to make it then?"
"Yes, but are you sure I am the right student for this, or the right person?"
"Yes, I will see you Saturday at dawn."
"Good night, Severus."
"Good night, Raither."
&
She tossed and turned, the day's events still playing in her mind.
"How long can you possibly last?"
She confessed, she could not answer her own question.
"Excuse me."
She jumped up, startled by the interruption. She turned to see her roommate looking at her.
"You can't sleep either, can you?"
Raither cast around in her mind for her name. She could not find one. Within the year they had roomed together, they had rarely spoken. Both seemed shy and Raither could tell she was at least two years younger than her.
"No…."
"Um, could you help me with something?"
Raither blanched; she was asking her for help?
"Er- if I can…"
The girl smiled, it was genuine, but scared.
"Could you help me with a charm?"
Raither smiled, a genuine smile that she hoped would give courage to her.
"Sure."
It did.
Author's note: I apologize. I had originally planned to have this up a LONG time ago, but factors and situations beyond my control made that impossible. As for the story itself, I debated taking the story in this direction, but I think it is for the best. Hopefully, anyone reading this agrees with me. I still make my futile request for reviews, compliments, and suggestions. And please enjoy.