Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Rowling's work. However, I do own all OCs mentioned herein.
Chapter Eleven Mr. Lias' Halloween
Freddy woke up at half past ten on Halloween to the sounds of the students leaving the castle for Hogsmeade.
I'm sick, she realized as soon as her eyelids fluttered open. There was an awful heaviness in her chest and as she swung her legs over onto the floor, a cough molested her aching lungs.
"Ugh." She fell back into bed and resolved not to get up until the chilly, October mist had been burned off and the sun shone greedily on the fat pumpkins lining the castle drive.
But no matter how she tossed and turned, piling every pillow over her head and diving deep beneath no less than three blankets, she couldn't drift off again.
"Figures," Freddy grunted after a miserable hour, reaching for her robe and slippers.
The fog still hung heavily about the eaves when she had finished breakfast in her room and set about to grading papers.
Flipping through the thin stack, she came to Hermione's last and felt an uncomfortable twinge in her gut.
Their conversation yesterday afternoon had not gone as well as Freddy had hoped. In truth, she had sought to befriend the girl, just as McGonagall and Trelawney had taken her under their wings so many years ago.
This Hermione was an admirable student, a genuine gem. Freddy was marveled by her ambition and her ability to toil away at her studies with undimmed vigor.
If only I had been so committed, she thought with a wry smile.
But now, it seemed, Hermione had detected that foul air of rumor that followed Freddy like a black cloud.
Some older student had surely let slip her past indiscretions…if they could be called that at all.
"I've done nothing wrong," Freddy said to no one but herself, gritting her teeth.
A snowy owl swooped by her window, landing on the ledge for an instant before taking flight once more.
Freddy placed the papers back on her desk and shut her eyes.
I've done nothing wrong.
But it didn't matter. She was tainted, forever stained by the darkness that had encroached upon her life with nary a sign or warning.
It wasn't her fault, though. She hadn't known, had been foolish perhaps for dismissing the changes in Quirrell's demeanor as a breakdown of some sort.
Freddy suddenly felt wretchedly naïve, ashamed for herself and her ineptness.
Enough of this. She put the papers away in her bag and instead curled up by the hearth with another cup of tea and the muggle book Hermione had let her borrow.
At two she went down to the Great Hall for lunch and finding it sufficiently empty, was able to enjoy her meal in peace.
There was only a scattering of first and second year students at the House tables and Freddy was able to pass through them freely without incurring the tiresome fake stutter or snicker. She contemplated dropping by the Hospital Wing for a dose of pepper-up but decided better of it.
Madam Pomfrey seemed a little worse for the wear herself these days. The infirmary was unusually crowded and common colds amongst the student population seemed intensified by the preternatural chill infecting the castle.
Freddy jammed her hands into her pockets as she climbed the marble staircase after lunch.
She too was cold all the time. Always cold.
Except at night, though, when the blankets seemed to strangle her and she woke up uncomfortably sweaty.
Hmm, she'd have to talk to the house elves about keeping the fire in her bedroom only tolerably warm.
But she was too tired now to take up the argument. Instead, she drifted lazily into the library and discreetly combed through the Divination section.
A sly blush darkened her cheeks as she summoned a particularly thick volume down from the upper shelves.
So this was it. She was actually resorting to Divination to waylay her troublesome dreams. Earlier in the week, she had found herself leafing through one of her old books-a graduation gift from Trelawney-in hopes of finding some helpful passage. Long years had passed since Freddy had attempted any divining and even if she did pick up something these days, she usually dismissed it as coincidence.
Dabbling in Divination seemed like a waste of time, especially when True Seeing was just about as rare as a black unicorn.
And Freddy had never made any silly prophecies, nor had she be able to correctly interpret the patterns in bird entrails or see anything through wrinkled hands in palmistry.
"But you have dreams, my dear." Trelawney had said on her first day of class, when Freddy had been a slack-off sixth year, too lazy to see beyond the tip of her nose.
"You have dreams and hear whispers and you are frightened. Do not be! It is a rare one who can see so clearly when her eyes are closed in sleep."
Freddy shut the dusty book with a snap.
This was stupid. She had papers to grade and assignments to plan.
Freddy left the book on a nearby table and returned to her rooms. Outside, the fog had indeed lifted, only to reveal moody rain clouds.
Freddy felt a twinge of sympathy for the students visiting Hogsmeade. It was a wretched sort of day, one which settled over her with all the thickness of shroud.
And even in the cozy warmth of her bedroom, she coughed heartily into her hand.
By six o'clock that evening, Freddy was certain that she had come down with the flu. But of course, it was too late now to badger Madam Pomfrey for some pepper-up and she hoped to enjoy the Halloween feast as much as she could despite her inertia.
The entry hall was crowded with bright, apple-cheeked students, all babbling excitedly about just how much they had gorged at Honeydukes or the amount of galleons they had managed to spend at Zonko's.
Freddy felt a pang of nostalgia as she watched a herd of Ravenclaw girls pass by.
She couldn't imagine herself ever seeming so young and vibrant, especially with the horrid pallor that had lately robbed her skin of any healthy ruddiness.
When she was a student, she'd had a few friends and at least a half a dozen or so acquaintances. As a child, she'd never been overtly social, settling for mediocre friendships that provided company at meals and the like. Back home, she'd known several local children, mostly lads and lasses that came from town and were eager to snatch rides on her pony cart.
For the first time in a while, however, Freddy felt decidedly lonely. McGonagall was more of a mentor, less of a companion and Trelawney could be counted on for very little.
She paused by the doors to the Great Hall, ignoring the standard Halloween décor and concentrating on the staff table instead.
I must truly be miserable, she thought, more angry at herself than anyone else. I really don't like any of my colleagues.
Freddy crossed her arms sheepishly over her chest. Up at the staff table, Severus Snape had just taken up a seat next to Flitwick and Professor Lupin, appearing nearly almost as drawn as she, was lifting his napkin onto his lap.
Well, I don't have to like him, she reasoned, annoyance flaring up within her like a lighted match. Eavesdropping and all. He ought to be ashamed!
Suddenly, Freddy didn't much feel like attending the Halloween feast, even if Hagrid had promised to bring a barrel of his home-brewed apple wine which was dangerous enough to the depressed.
She turned quickly on her heel, choking, tugging at her collar. Her chest contracted and she reached inside her robes, looking for a handkerchief.
But the coughing fit could not be contained. Freddy hacked loudly into her sleeve, earning curious looks from a trio of Gryffindor fourth years.
"My goodness," a brisk voice intoned, followed by a thump on the back, "Forbia, you sound terrible."
"I think I've caught the flu," Freddy replied sulkily as McGonagall fell in beside her, adjusting her square spectacles. "It's been at me all week."
"Why didn't you see Madam Pomfrey?" McGonagall's lips pursed slightly, her face pinching with question.
Freddy shrugged. "Because I'm stubborn. First thing tomorrow morning, though-I promise."
"Hmm." McGonagall dropped her hand from her shoulder and surveyed her plainly. "You look like death warmed over already."
"Thank you," Freddy replied sourly. 'Would you mind if I skipped the feast? I really, ahem, I really would like some fresh air. It seems musty in here, stale." She paused and quirked a brow.
"If you think that is best." McGonagall seemed unconvinced, but she smiled nonetheless. "Though you shouldn't be out in the cold too long, it's-"
"I know, I know. I'm just going for a walk in Hogsmeade and then it's straight to bed."
McGonagall sighed, her expression softening. "What am I to do with you, Forbia? What am I…ah well. Try to have a good evening, at any rate."
"Yes." Freddy's reply was ragged with another cough. "You too."
McGonagall disappeared within the Great Hall and when Freddy once more caught sight of her, she was taking her seat next to Dumbledore. The last of the students filtered inside, forcing her to withdraw reluctantly as the doors were shut.
Soon, the sound of youthful laughter, high and reckless, bounded up into the arched ceiling, stirring like a deftly cast spell amongst the flickering tongues of candlelight.
Hogsmeade was much more pleasant than Freddy had expected and she soon felt her energy renewed with each purposeful step. The rain has slackened off, leaving the lamps hazy and bright in the pitch black night.
Carved pumpkins perched prettily on windowsills, accompanied by blushing apples and gourds.
Children, too young for Hogwarts, darted back and forth through the alleys in masks with colorful candy filled sacks. Honeydukes was doing record business with a 'Guess the Number of Bertie Botts Beans in the Jar' contest and Zonko employees were out on the street, demonstrating a few of their newest products.
Freddy could not help but smile as a matronly witch was nearly scared out of her skin by a sudden barrage of green fireworks that erupted from a seemingly innocent bouquet she had been presented with.
Turning off High Street, she headed towards the Hogs Head and even contemplated stopping inside for some warm cider.
But then she caught sight of Mr. Lias just next door, teetering on top of a three-step ladder trying to clean egg off his store front.
Freddy did not bother to stifle her laughter when he tried to remove the mess with a summoning spell and ended up, quite literally, with egg on his face.
Cursing, Lias reached for his handkerchief just as Freddy strolled over and kicked the legs of his ladder.
"Ack! I almost slipped, damn you!" Lias steadied himself, his cheeks an awful red.
"You're doing it wrong," Freddy said lightly. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the store front. "Scourgify!"
A jet of water spouted from her wand tip, washing the egg away.
"Want me to do your face next?" she offered helpfully.
"I'm quite fine, thank you." Lias stepped down from the ladder, wiping his brow. "Oh, I simply detest Halloween."
Freddy snorted. "Don't be so dramatic."
"They nearly broke my windows!"
"They are just children."
Lias smirked, tucking his soiled handkerchief into the breast pocket of his olive green waistcoat. "I never said the vandals were children."
"Oh, well." Freddy rolled her shoulders. "I cannot help you there."
"I'm not open for business, if that's what you're after," Lias said quickly. He put his hands on his hips and surveyed his store front. A few broken shells still stuck to the cobblestones.
Freddy sighed and blasted them away with her wand. "I'm not here to pawn anything," she said once she had finished. "I was going for a walk, is all. I don't just come to Hogsmeade to see you."
Lias frowned, though his glance remained somewhat playful. Whistling, he folded up the ladder and leaned it against a barrel of antique doorknobs. "Don't you school types have a feast of some sort tonight?"
"Yes, the same one I've attended nearly every year since I was eleven. There is that feast."
"You're such a dedicated professor."
"I'm a realist."
"Is he a friend of yours?" Lias said suddenly, cocking his head to the side, his boyish features soft with curiosity. "That other teacher, the one who was in my shop."
"Oh, him?" Freddy wrinkled her nose. "No, he's not my friend. I barely know him."
"But he seemed to like you."
"Well, he doesn't." Freddy crossed her arms firmly over her chest. "And frankly, I can't stand him. And…and none of this is your business. No wonder you've had eggs tossed at your store front. You're such an annoying little-"
"I simply love that engagement ring you sold me." Lias lifted his chin appraisingly. "Tell me, why did he leave you?"
Freddy tried to ignore the sudden clutch at her heart. She'd be damned, yes damned, to let this prat see her pain.
"He didn't leave me," she sniffed.
"You jilted him?" he laughed, raising a smooth brow.
"No."
"Come on, then, don't be so stuffy about it. What happened?"
Freddy felt a familiar headache throb against her temples. Well, there was one way to settle this.
"He died."
Lias hid his shock well, though he did whip out his handkerchief once more and twist it between his hands. "Well, now I feel horrifically awkward. Sorry. If it's any consolation, my fiancée ran off with an American Quidditch player some five years ago. And no, I haven't managed to sell the ring yet."
"You didn't let her keep it?" Freddy asked, eager to focus on something apart from her own miserable past.
"No." Lias laughed again. "I'm a businessman, after all."
Freddy nodded and offered him an exaggerated smile. "Lovely. I'd better be off. Remember now, scourgify. Happy Halloween!"
"Wait." Lias dropped his hands from his hips. "I was only joking. You can come in, if you like."
"I have nothing to sell."
"No matter. I got in a pair of striking bookends from Dusseldorf today. Carved mahogany. They're just your style."
Freddy pretended to dig through the pockets of her robes. "Hmm, no money. Unless you want to give them to me-"
Suddenly, Lias squirmed. "Well, you did clean my windows."
An uncomfortable wave of heat rushed through Freddy, replacing the chill she had felt earlier.
Lias was a strange sort of fellow. So close to crossing the line sometimes, almost as if he was…
She shook her head. "That's all right."
Lias exhaled, flourishing his handkerchief and rubbing at a milky spot on his front window. "I'll see you whenever your creditors come calling, then. Hmm, happy Halloween."
Freddy chewed her bottom lip. He seemed offended. Why? She was just another customer and Lias treated all his clients the same-like sheep.
"You don't have to get all huffy," she said, swallowing away her embarrassment with difficulty. "I'll take a look at the bookends if you really want me to. You said they were German?"
Lias was about to turn around and offer her the usual haughty response when a silver tabby cat bounded down the street, leaping up onto the lip of the barrel.
Worry instantly plummeted into Freddy's stomach and she bit back a cry of surprise.
"That's McGonagall's patronus," she said in what she hoped was a steady voice. "Something must be wrong up at the school-I have to go."
She turned briskly on her heel, the remnants of wispy light evaporating behind her like a phantom fog.
"I'll put the bookends on hold for you!" Lias called after her. "Twenty galleons a piece, you cannot beat that price!"
Author's Note: Thanks so very much for taking the time to read! Chapter twelve shall be posted shortly. I hope you have a great week! ^_^