Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the Harry Potter series.
A/N: I'm really digging writing this story. It's my first HP fanfic, and I think it's going well so far. If you find any discrepancies between this and events in the books, I apologize. I'm trying to follow the book as well as I can….
~-------~
Ettie was back at Hogwarts with a bag full of presents to distribute and questions aching to be asked. She found it hard to leave the Weasleys after speaking so intimately with George and Ginny, especially since she knew once they saw the back of her, they'd begin to speak of her emotional breakdown.
The first person on her list of recipients was Irma. She figured she should get the worst done with first. Her harsh words were still fresh in her mind, and she did not want to repeat the episode.
Ettie contemplated simply setting the gift down in front of the bolted doors, but fought that urge and knocked on the door.
The door squeaked open, and Irma pursed her lips.
"You're back. I didn't expect you to want to see me."
"I haven't forgotten the times you looked out for me, Irma. I bought you a little something for Christmas."
"Thank you." She accepted the wrapped book. "Happy Christmas, Ettiella." She said shortly, and then shut the door.
With a shake of her head, Ettie departed the library and decided to see Minerva next. She hadn't spoken to the Gryffindor head of house since she requested the password to the common room, and she suspected that Minerva would want to be filled in.
"Minerva?" She called, at first the classroom appeared empty, but then the Transfiguration teacher popped up from behind her desk.
"Oh, hello dear. I was just picking up a couple books that fell off my desk. Come in," She ushered with her hand for the girl to enter.
"You look tired, Minerva." Ettie observed. Her eyes scanned her former professor's face.
"I am. Things haven't been easy here. I'm sure you've noticed during your stay. Why are you back? Poppy told me you had gone off to stay with…your friends." She was being careful with her choice of words.
"I went out shopping and got you a gift. But I am staying with them."
"What an odd pairing." She remarked, her voice far off. "I never would have guessed."
"I really like him. The family is brilliant. Well, save the couple stragglers," she frowned, thinking of Percy.
"I suspect he'll come around sooner or later." Minerva assured.
"Oh, here's your gift!" Ettie suddenly remembered, and handed her the box.
Minerva opened it and smiled. "A new hat. It's lovely. And quills." She put the hat on and looked up at one of her favorite students. "Very thoughtful. Thank you very much, Ettie. You're a very special lady. I hope that you have a good break, and come back here ready to help Poppy and finish your…internship, shall we say?" She gave Ettie a meaningful look.
"I'm on my way to speak with him after I see Poppy. All me coming here has done is allow me to spend time with people who accept me, and allow me to become even more confused." She sighed. "I just don't know. I still trust him. Do you think I came here trying to disprove my gut feelings?"
Minerva nodded slowly. "I think that's why you came. You can't help but be curious. I know how close you felt to him."
"I should get going. I want to go 'home' as soon as I can." Ettie smiled.
"I bet that word sounds nice on your tongue." Minerva smiled back at her.
"You know it."
"Well go on then. Go make Poppy's day as you've made mine." Minerva stood up and strode over to Ettie. The two embraced and then said their goodbyes.
~-------~
Poppy was sleeping on a hospital cot, obviously worn to exhaustion. Ettie's mouth twisted into a saddened frown. The fact that Poppy was overworked was not a good sign. There were three students sleeping over in the hospital wing, and a tray packed with ointments and medicines did not bode well for the events of the day.
Ettie walked towards her mentor's bedroom. She tried to step lightly, but her boots made a staccato song on the concrete. She placed the bag of comforts onto Poppy's bed, and quickly scribbled a note to lay next to it, letting the nurse know it was from her.
She looked over at the bed that she would come back to after the break, and smiled half-heartedly. It was exactly the same as when she had left.
~------~
She could feel the darkness in the halls as she walked. The Carrows' presence was effective in creating an ominous atmosphere. She pondered how it must feel for the students to be trapped here everyday, when she herself, an auror, felt full of despair.
Snape was not in his classroom, so Ettie made the trek to the Headmaster's office. The only flaw came when she did not know the password. She sat on the steps, deciding to wait it out and hoping against all hope that the next person to come in or out would be Severus, or anyone but the Carrows.
"Miss Song?" She jerked upright and looked up. Snape was peering down at her from behind his curtain of hair.
"Severus. I trust you're having a good holiday?"
"Is that really why you came back? To ask me whether or not I was enjoying my Christmas break? I know you, Ettie." He crossed his arms.
"We need to talk." She answered simply.
"Lemon-drops," Snape said lowly, causing Ettie to stare at him with widened eyes. He kept a password that was one Dumbledore would have used—had he even thought to change it? Or was it out of respect?
"Ettie, I know you have something you're itching to ask. So go ahead and ask it."
"I know that you'd like to know where I've been staying. So go ahead and ask." Ettie retorted.
"Ladies first."
"It'll make more sense if you ask first."
"Fine. Where have you been popping off to?"
"You better not tell a soul." Ettie warned, and he tilted his head as a promise. "The Weasleys."
He let out a dark laugh. "Your standards have lowered over the years, have they not?"
"They're wonderful people."
"I suppose you have a sweet spot for one of them. Am I wrong?" Snape challenged. He could read her like a book by now.
"You're right. He's the reason I'm here actually." She paused and stood up straight. She hoped at that moment that her boots made her look intimidating. "It's about something you've done to him."
"Ah…yes, one of the twins."
"George." She said firmly. "He says you cursed his ear off." She shrugged almost infinitesimally. "I want the truth."
"You don't believe your red-headed sweetheart?"
"Stop acting like a bitter old man." Ettie sneered. "I'm here because I believe that you're not as bad as you pretend to be, Severus. I think that deserves some respect from you."
"Fair." He nodded. "But would you believe what I said?"
"Of course. Because for some sick reason I still feel attached and in debt to you. I may have changed, like we discussed before, but some things don't change. I'm still someone who respects her elders, and their influence on my life. So, what's your side of the story?"
"The curse was never meant to hit Weasley. It was meant for a Death Eater."
Ettie smiled, but not for the reason Snape thought.
"See? Mockery is written on your face. You don't believe me."
"On the contrary, I've always had a good sense of truth. I need to for my job. As much as you dislike the Weasleys, I don't think you'd intentionally inflict permanent damage on one. At least I'd hope not—I hope to become a Weasley one day."
Snape made a noise somewhere between a scoff and a snort.
"That's hilarious."
"It's the truth." Ettie said, not in the least offended. She had expected it. It was all a part of his façade, or at least the one she thought he wore. "I got you a gift." She pulled the jar of caterpillars out, and then another with the separated roots. "I couldn't think of a thing to get you. Plus I had George breathing down my neck. Couldn't have him thinking I was hanging with the ass that cursed his ear off."
"He called me an arse?"
"No. He called you a bastard." Ettie chuckled.
"You've got a complicated situation going on there, eh?"
"Mhm. But I'm better than ever, oddly enough."
"You should get going." Snape suggested.
"I should. They'll be wondering what's taking so long."
"That and the fact that Alecto and Amycus could come in at any moment."
"Did you really tell them that the password was 'lemon-drops?' They didn't make fun of you?" Ettie giggled. "Sorry. Never mind. You're right. I better go." She held the necklace up and waved before letting it meet her lips.
She couldn't wait to be in the Burrow again.
~-------~
A/N: Please review so I can know what'cha think!
-Random fact about this story: Ettie was originally a Hufflepuff.
Playlist Songs (I'll be giving out a couple each chapter):
Rise Today-Alter Bridge
Miserabile Visu (Ex Malo Bonum)-Anberlin
All We Know- Paramore Lonely Wheel-The AlmostMedicine Man-The Hush Sound
Resistance-Muse
Burn Out Brighter-Anberlin
You Better Pray-Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Life Is Beautiful-Sixx:A.M.
Get Out Alive-Three Days Grace