Chapter 11! Year 6. Slughorn get's pwnd, Lauren wins an Oscar, and Snape wonders what the sorting hat did when confronted with her mind.
Due to popular demand I went ahead and wrote in the academic meeting chapter~ The pwnage level of Slughorn might not be as high as it could be but it was still pretty fun to write and I hope you all can enjoy it.
As always I'd like to thank PandaWong, SandyLovesKittens, XenaHades, nightworldangel, FonzFan, The Yoshinator, who is one of the lovely people who requested this chapter, Isa'ralia Faradien, Lost Astronaut Of Apollo 11, who left a lovely review for HftD so thankies for that, Readergirl99, who also requested this chapter, and DrainaPurpurne2412, my newest favoriter.
And thanks to random readers too. You guys are awesome! Enjoy~
Chapter 11 – Little Miss Actress
The Academic meeting was about to start. Lauren wasn't too terribly nervous but she made sure to look it, twiddling her thumbs and looking down at her lap as the teachers around her settled themselves. Every one of her teachers was there with the exception of the ghost who taught History of Magic, he was bound to his room, and Professor Snape, which did worry her a little.
She was fairly sure he was her only shot at staying in Potions and if he didn't show up, well, she'd look like a fool now wouldn't she?
To her left was Flitwick, to her right an empty seat and then Slughorn. Directly in front of her was Headmaster Dumbledore, he sent her a kind smile when she peeked up at him from under her bangs and she felt a little better.
"Licorice?" he offered, pushing a little bowl towards her. She shook her head "no thank you" and gave a shy smile back.
He nodded, surveying his mostly full office, and clapped his hands together.
"Well, it seems Professor Snape is running late. In the meantime perhaps we should get started. You have some concerns with your performance in class do you Ms. Dari?" he asked.
She nodded and continued to look down into her lap. "Yes sir. I…" she bit her lip. "I just don't feel like I'm doing well at all. I mean, I try very hard and I was hoping that would be enough but-" she sniffled, cue crying, then looked up with watering eyes "when Professor Slughorn let me know I wasn't doing well in Potions I realized that trying hard just wasn't going to cut it."
She let a few tears slip free and armed them away with her childishly long sleeves. She'd dressed a few sizes bigger this evening like she used to so that she'd appear smaller and younger again.
"I'm sure that… that if I'm performing badly in his class I must be doing so in all my other classes too."
She armed away a few more tears and discreetly looked around the room under her sleeve. Yes, she most certainly had their pity now. She wins the Oscar!
Mutedly she realized that this was a very manipulative thing she was doing and that she should be ashamed, there was a part of her that was just a little bit, but mostly she's proud of herself. She still has it!
The chair to her right is suddenly filled with a mass of black and she gives a startled jump at the sight of Professor Snape.
The man pays her no mind, instead handing over a large file full of papers to Slughorn.
Once the papers have exchanged hands he stands up and looks around the room, eyes stopping for a moment on her before coming to rest on Dumbledore.
"I feel that Ms. Dari's worries are falsely placed" he supplied shortly. "In my class at least she has been performing to an acceptable level, is diligent in her work, and seeks help when appropriate." His eyes travel back to Slughorn, peeking curiously into the file, and he begins again when their eyes meet.
"And perhaps you were not aware, but she is passionate about Potions and brilliant at Potions theory. If you were to give any written homework that would be obvious but since you have not I have included within that file her notes, papers, and tests from the last five years for you to review as proof. She does have problems when it comes to brewing yes but I have been tutoring her personally on the matter for the last two years." He gave a look that was positively scathing and Slughorn seemed to shrink a bit.
"I suggest that in the future you first try to help your students before suggesting they drop a class they enjoy."
Piece said he fell back into his seat and watched her from the corner of his eye. She was looking at him shyly still from under her bangs and giving a watery smile.
Sly little raven, he nearly smirked while Slughorn tried to find a rebuttal.
In the meantime Flitwick hopped down from his seat to say his peace as well.
"I agree with Snape." It was something the small man never thought he'd hear himself saying but there was a first for everything. His eyes went to Lauren, looking at him curiously, and he smiled. "You have nothing to worry about dear. Your grade has always been and will always be an O where I am concerned so long as you continue performing as you have. I can hardly believe you would think you were doing badly. You're a brilliant girl and this meeting is completely pointless in my own opinion!"
He gave a solid nod and sat himself back down. Lauren smiled a little more and rubbed at her face again. This was going better than expected.
"Really? Oh… thank you, I'm glad I'm doing alright in at least two of my classes."
And then came the rest of the meeting, her remaining teachers, sans Slughorn, confirming each other's words. She didn't have anything less than an A in any class and in most of them she had an O or an E.
Perhaps she was being pretentious but she felt positively wonderful at this revelation and loved the look of nervousness on Slughorns face.
Dumbledore regarded the assembly with a smile, folding his hands on the desk before him.
"Well, it seems that everyone's said their piece but you Horace. Anything to add?"
The old man looked up with a nervous smile. "W-Well" he began, looking over to Lauren. "It seems I made some assumptions I shouldn't have and I'm very sorry for that my dear." He swallowed hard and looked into the file again. "What I've read so far is very impressive and I'm sure that with some work and compromise I'll be able to amend your grade… Perhaps you could help me Severus?"
The dark man resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead nodded, satisfying the other.
"Good then" Albus continued to smile. "I suppose we can adjourn this meeting then? Anyone have anything else to add? Ms. Dari?" He raised a brow at her.
She blushed. "I… um… So sorry to waist all of your time like this. But thank you" she smiled softly, pushing her fingers together while the headmaster laughed.
"Think nothing of it. It's good that you are willing to come to us when you feel you are not doing well. Try to have a little more confidence in yourself though, alright?"
"Alright" she gave a little nod and stood with all the rest of them, slowly leaving the room.
She walked down the hall with her head down, still looking the part of a meek little student, and about five minutes later looked up at the man falling in step beside her.
They walked on in silence for several more minutes but as they went her smile grew and grew.
As they turned a corner she burst out laughing and had to stop walking to double over.
He paused and watched her, his lips quirking up in that same devilish smirk as always. "A little actress aren't you?" he asked.
She beamed up at him, calming herself. "I have an aunt in New York who gives me acting lessons. Though it's mostly part of the Dari charm" she winked.
He shook his head. "Surprised you're not in Slytherin..." Which felt odd for him to say because he'd before thought her better suited to Hufflepuff. "How often do you use this skill of yours?"
"Not very" she said. "It's mean to manipulate people. I only do it when I really have to… or when I really don't like someone."
Her grin was one to match his smirk and he was proud to know this girl for not the first time.
"So full of surprises, aren't you?" he asked, continuing his brisk walk.
"Hey, I've gotta keep things interesting somehow!"
Ta da! Was it okay? Hope you got at least a little chuckle out of it since I had fun writing it.
Bet ya'll didn't know Lauren had a manipulative side. Well she does! It's written into her character sheet and everything. She just tries not to be manipulating when she can be nice and ask for something. It's how a lot of people are I think.
=3 Anyway though, next chapter will be up right after this one. I spent the day writing so I've got about four chapters done. I might post one more, I might post two. Either way you'll be getting another one soon so keep a look out! It's Draco centric and a little sad but then we jump back over to Sev... I'll probably post two. XD
Questions, comments, advice? Send a review my way! And if not, thanks for reading! Have a good day/night/other~