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Lacy here with our next chapter for Heidi! I know, I was gone forever, again. But it's all good. If I'm not posting chapters, I'm writing the chapter outlines, as well. Which means, I can tell you that in four chapters, you'll all finally find out why you'll have rights to massacre me. And my mother and sister intend to aid you. I'm sure Katie does, as well. For now! We move on to Heidi's detention with Snape and a bit of spying on a rather squirrelly Draco. But, before that, we have Heidi and Luna hitting the stacks. Read on!
Disclaimer: I own not but Heidi.
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'Stanley Shunpike, conductor on the popular Wizarding conveyance the Knight Bus, as been arrested on suspicion of Death Eater activity. Mr. Shunpike, 21, was taken into custody late last night after a raid on his Clapham home...'
Heidi stared at the article with disbelief written on her face. Stan Shunpike was different, sure, and more then a little off his rocker, but a Death Eater? No way. Not with the way he idolized Harry every time he saw him.
"This is ridiculous," Heidi tossed the paper down on the table she and Luna were sitting at in the library. They'd decided, after listening to Harry talk about Quidditch tryouts, to skip them. Harry was a new captain and it wouldn't look good to have two Ravenclaws sitting in the stands. Even if they were his sister and girlfriend.
"Unfortunately, we can't do anything about it." Luna pointed out. "He was overheard talking about Death Eaters' secret plans in a pub."
"But that's what Stan does," Heidi pressed. "he talks."
"Perhaps the Ministry is trying to keep up appearances." Luna suggested. "Make it look like they're actually doing something."
Heidi sat back. "Bloody morons." she sighed. "Alright, enough of that. Have we narrowed down anything on the Half-Blood Prince?"
Luna shook her head. "No, there's no references to any prince being a half-blood." she frowned a bit. "What if it's a surname? Someone's last name?"
Heidi tapped the table. "That would make more sense. Especially if they were proud of being a half-blood." she frowned a bit. "Do we know anyone named Prince?"
Luna stood up. "I'll go see if the library has any records of past students. Maybe that will help."
Heidi nodded. "Good idea."
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Having gotten absolutely nowhere with their research, Luna and Heidi split. Luna went to Gryffindor to see Harry and find out how tryouts went, and Heidi decided to actually attend her rescheduled detention with Snape. After all, she really did need to talk with him and she'd put it off long enough.
Pushing open the doors to Snape's dungeon office, Heidi saw the former Potions master working at his desk. But something was off. While Snape was always pale and a bit peaked looking, now he appeared tired and almost thinned out.
"Professor?" Heidi called out. "Are you alright?"
Snape sighed. "Fine, Miss Potter." he motioned across the room. "You'll be cleaning those cauldrons. Apparently Professor Slughorn doesn't think first years should clean their own messes."
Heidi nodded. "Alright," she shucked her outer robes and moved to the long table Snape had pointed to. She let the silence fill the room for only a few moments. "Are you enjoying being the Defense teacher?"
Heidi didn't look up as she worked. She didn't want Snape to feel like he had to answer her. She just felt like he needed a friend, instead of an angry student.
"It is different from Potions." Snape finally spoke. "Less exact then what I'm used to teaching."
Heidi frowned a bit. "No offense, Professor, but you don't really seem like the type to want a job like Defense. Why did you take it?"
Snape sighed. "It was time. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, Miss Potter." the sound of him standing had Heidi turning from the cauldrons. "Along with one other thing." he stood in front of her, looking as open and honest as Heidi had ever seen him. "I am sorry."
Heidi was confused. "Sorry for what?"
"You'll understand soon enough." Snape avoided answering. "Just know, I am sorry."
Heidi gave a slow nod. "Alright."
She didn't understand why he was apologizing for something that hadn't happened yet, or might not happen at all. And she couldn't help but wonder, what exactly was he going to be sorry for?
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Heading back towards Ravenclaw Tower, Heidi couldn't get Snape's words out of her head. It was almost enough to drive her mad and, thankfully, she was distracted by the sight of Draco appearing from the Slytherin common room, looking more than a little nervous.
Dropping back behind one of the statues, Heidi watched as he made his way up the stairs, away from the dungeons. Making a quick decision, Heidi followed him, wanting to know what he was doing.
The path Draco took led to the wall that hid the entrance to the Room of Requirement. Heidi stayed back as she watched him walk back and forth, summoning the door. When he vanished inside, Heidi stepped out and watched it vanish from sight. Looking around, she knew she couldn't leave now, but she also couldn't guarantee that the Room would show her where Draco had gone.
Deciding to give it a try, Heidi, too, walked back and forth in front of the wall and waited. When the door appeared, she opened it and peaked inside. She could hear shuffling footsteps and Draco talking softly to himself. Smiling in silent thanks, Heidi entered the room and moved towards the sounds of Draco.
Looking around as she moved, Heidi was confused by all the random objects and and furniture that filled the rooms. Piles and piles were stacked everywhere. Books, chairs, cups and plates. She could hear the sound of doxies fluttering in the chests and wardrobes. Soft squeaks of critters echoed in the otherwise quiet room. It was possibly the strangest room Heidi had ever seen in Hogwarts. And she'd been in Professor Trelawney's office.
Finally catching sight of Draco, Heidi crouched down behind a small chest and watched.
Draco was standing in front of a tall cabinet that looked as though it had seen better days. He was walking around it, muttering to himself as he went. She could hear tiny snippets of what he was saying, but none of it made sense.
"-has to be a way-"
"-stupid fool should have just told me-"
"-really isn't something I can fail at. He'll-"
The more Draco spoke, the more agitated he got and the more he paled and sweated. Whoever had him working on that cabinet scared him. A lot. He was determined to fix it, whatever it was, and Heidi feared what he would do to make sure it got done.
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Okay, so the ending is a bit weird. I don't normally do so much description with Heidi. But I felt the less dialogue for this, the better. After all, it's not like she could talk to herself while following Draco. He might have heard her. And the scene with Snape and Heidi was hard for me. I think it's because it's been so long since I wrote them actually getting along without an argument happening. In my defense, he's really good at pissing her off. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!
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