The next seven weeks seemed to drag on for forever. Between eating and sleeping all I could do was study. I read and re-read every book I owned and took notes on them all. I even had Narcissa send for more books during the third week and they turned out to be well needed, I had even read a lot of advanced healing books. I hated being bored and I hated thinking, so I read. I even read the book of knights. No matter how many times I re-read it I didn't understand much of it at all. There were a lot of morbid chapters about bringing back the dead and damaging souls, I skimmed most of that because I really didn't want it to give myself more nightmares. Granted it didn't seem to make a great deal of difference, I had nightmares almost every night at the Manor. They always started out the same, a lot of fire and screaming but seemed to take on a different twist each night.
In the whole of the seven weeks, Bradley Burrow never returned to the Manor. Not even after the specified two weeks. I wasn't sure if Narcissa was turning him away or if he just couldn't be bothered. Either way, I daren't ask Narcissa. She had a way about her which frightened me, she was silent and offish, yet oddly affectionate at times. Each morning she made sure I was up, dressed and had eaten. Each night she made sure I bathed and dressed and went to bed. Besides these encounters and an awkward silence at lunch and dinner, we saw nothing of each other. I found most of the time that I had been locked in my room and After that first night I daren't unlock the door myself.
On the morning of the hearing Narcissa chose out a plain dark grey dress and a black cardigan for me to wear. I wished she had got me some trousers. I reassured myself by thinking that the pale grey of my legs looked like I was wearing tights. I should be so lucky. If my legs didn't give away that I was scarred, my neck definitely would. Whereas my legs had gotten lighter in shade, the trendils up my neck never seemed to change. I wondered if they would ever go away. On a positive note, I could feel that my body temperature had lowered a little more with time and I could now stand to wear a cardigan.
"Will you be in the hearing with me?" I asked Narcissa. I didn't want her there per say but nor did I want to go alone.
"No. I'll be waiting outside to hear the news. Someone from each family will be waiting until the verdict is given. If your not to return here, I'll make sure that your possessions get to you." She brushed my hair. With each stroke of the brush each curl bounced back into place perfectly. Spells for taming hair meant that brushing was pointless but I think she did it to ease her nerves. I wasn't sure what she was worried about. It wasn't like her future was about to be decided for her, like her destiny was all riding on one day. What if I did end up in another country with the Tibet's of whom I'd never met?
"Can I bring Wolf?" I asked. I really wanted someone there to support me.
"No. Don't be silly. I'll make sure she gets to you." I believed her. I never thought she lied to me once in the whole seven weeks. Though, she never really spoke enough to bother with lying. "Let's get to the fireplace, we ought to be there on time." She led me out of my room and down into the drawing room which I hadn't been in since the morning Burrow came.
"What about breakfast? Isn't it a little early to be leaving?" I asked, my stomach felt full with nerves but I'd hoped that breakfast would settle them a little.
"Your hearing is at eight am Rue, I'm sure it won't take long. You'll be back here for breakfast before you know it. I'll have Ellie cook something delicious." I looked at her in confusion.
"How do you know I'll be coming back?" I asked with a frown.
"Of course you will be. I can't see them favouring anyone else. I suppose the Greengrass's are nice enough but they aren't nearly as wealthy as us." She reassured herself. It was nice to hear I was wanted even if I wasn't happy at the prospect of spending more time locked up in my room. She pulled me closer to the fireplace. You're going to have to hold onto me, I can't risk you ending up in the wrong place when were cutting time so close." She reached down and put her hands under my arms. It felt very awkward. She pulled me even closer before lifting me off my feet and to her waist. I went limp like a ragdoll. "Rue I need you to hold on so I can get the floo power." I put my arms around her neck and pulled my knees up to her waist. She seemed to approve of the action and grabbed a handful of floor powder before stepping into the fireplace. I resigned to resting my face against her shoulder and clinging my legs tighter to her. Travelling by floo make me so nervous I wanted to cry. Even if the flames didn't hurt and were a bright shade of green, they still looked like flames to me.
After what seemed like an eternity flying through a tiny space at top speed, Narcissa was prising me from herself.
"Rue you need to get down now." She scolded. I released my tight hold of her and slid to the floor. I was glad to have my feet back on the ground. "Come on, quickly now." She ushered me forwards with a hand against my back. We made our way through the hustle of people in the cavernous chambers, down an elevator and into a corridor completely covered in black tiles. We walked for quite some time before arriving at a door. A man with very long black hair stood in front of it. I recognised him to be Burrow.
"Rue I'll be leaving you here." Narcissa turned right down another corridor and out of sight.
"I apologise for not returning, it seems you were not allowed visitors again." Burrow looked apologetic. I guessed Narcissa had stopped him.
"Do you know what's going to happen?" I asked nervously.
"Not at all. I'm not sure that anything in my case files has been read by the jury." His brow creased with worry. "If your very unhappy with the outcome, I might be able to step in. Don't worry too much." He patted my shoulder. I flinched away. "It's time." He opened the door and motioned for me to go ahead.
I sat in the high backed chair in the centre of the room with Burrow stood to the side of me. The minister for magic was surrounded by his fellow jurors whom were all dressed in red. He himself was dressed in black with a very somber looking face. Fudge drew the attention of his fellows.
"We are gathered here to report the conclusion of our extensive efforts and thorough decision making on the guardianship of Rue Canagan. Due to information received from social worker Burrow and the jurors vote taken before the hearing, guardianship of the child is to be given to Severus Snape. If there are no protests, Burrow will be taking the child straight to Spinners End." He paused and looked around. I felt a little numb. Numb but happy. Narcissa would be mad. There were no protests but it seemed unlikely that there would be considering there were no one but the two of us and the jurors and Minister. I wished Wolf were here.
Everyone stood to leave, Burrow took my hand from the chair arm.
"Come on. Time to go home." He looked at me sincerely. I nodded. I briefly wondered why Snape wasn't there to take me. Narcissa had said that there would be someone waiting for me, right? He led me out and down the corridor, through the cavernous chambers, up the elevator and to the fireplaces. I watched a tall wizard walk into the bright green flames up ahead. Panic stung my stomach.
"Can't we apparate?" Tears glistened in my eyes. I was fed up of feeling scared.
"No apparition in the Ministry, Rue. Don't worry, we'll go together." He quickly picked me up in a similar fashion to Narcissa and rushed into the nearest fireplace. I hung on tight and squeezed my eyes shut. The feeling of flying through a tight tunnel of four walls wasn't one I enjoyed even when the fear of fire went away for the time. I didn't dare open my eyes even still. The feeling of going headfirst down a waterslide began to slow and Burrow's arms tightened around me as a rush cool air hit.
"I was expecting you in time for breakfast." I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder to see Snape stood in the middle of his lounge. He wore his typical black robes and his hair was its usual straight greasy black, though a little longer than the last time I'd seen it.
"And I was expecting breakfast, we're even." I retorted as Burrow set me on my feet. Snapes lounge was decorated in very dark wood and gave an air of 'once had' elegance. Everything seemed a little aged but clean and tidy. "Gnat!" Snape said loudly, making me jump further back towards the fireplace. A door burst open behind him and a sorry looking house elf appeared. He had positively tiny eyes in comparison to those of Ellie and was very aged with short grey hair. He wore a faded black pillowcase which hung off his tired frame.
"Do make some breakfast for Rue and our guest." Snape looked at the scrawny thing. I wondered if Gnat was up to the task.
"Yes, master." Gnat replied, turning back through the door into what I assumed must have been the kitchen.
"I apologise but I can't stay. I have a lot of business to attend to. I'll return in a week to see how you're both managing."Burrow placed a hand on my shoulder and looked to Snape.
"You'll find us at Hogwarts." Snape replied. I smiled a little inside. Going back to school sounded great.
"Well, take care. You can owl me if I'm needed." Burrow stepped back to the fire beside me and took a handful of floo powder. He disappeared in a tyranny of green flames. I squealed and leapt forward. Snape caught me before I landed on my face.
"Idiot didn't know you're scared of fire. What a dim whit." Snape cursed nonchalantly, helping me to my feet. His face creased into a frown, I backed away. "I expect I'd better show you your room while Gnat cooks. He's slower than a cripple." I followed Snape through a door, up a flight of steps and to the end of the short corridor. He opened a door. "The house is small so you'll have to make do with the size of the room." I walked in. The room had a similar look to the rest of the house. The wall paper was thin black and cream stripes, it was faded and peeling at the corners. The carpet and curtains were plain black and the bedding black with cream lace. A dresser stood in front of the bay window. "I took the mirrors off of the dresser, that way you can use it as a desk, the room isn't big enough for both." Snape stood in the door way at I moved to the bed to touch the vintage lace.
"It would be perfect, if only I had my stuff." I gazed around the small room and noticed it had a wardrobe and chest of drawers against the wall opposite the window.
"I've sent an owl to Narcissa. I'm expecting her to arrive with your things shortly. I wouldn't bother unpacking much though, we're expected back at Hogwarts by tomorrow evening." He watched intently as I peered out the window. Row upon row of terrace houses all alike to this one stood as far as the eye could see.
"So, I'm not expelled anymore?" I asked to be sure.
"No, you're not expelled. I hope you've been studying at the Malfoys." I turned to face him.
"Of course I did. I had nothing else to do." I frowned at him.
"Good. Now, breakfast. Anyone would think you we're underfed." He headed back out into the corridor, I followed.
A/N: I have a basic plan but it can always change, it's a chapter or two away yet but, where do you think Rue should spend Christmas? Thanks for any feedback!