PART TWO

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Spring was finally arriving at Hogwarts. The smell of budding plants filled the breezeways, whose windows had been opened to relieve the building of its musty air. It felt like a new life was being breathed into everything, and I spent my free moments enjoying the fresh air, hoping it could rebuild my spirits.

Calling winter "horrible" would be an understatement. Shortly before Christmas holidays, Dumbledore confronted me about my lack of studies with Professor Snape. He was very angry with the both of us for not informing him of the situation, and he gave me an ultimatum: Return to regular classes or leave the school for another, which I learned was one of those "genius academies" I dreaded attending.

So I woefully began regular classes again, easily catching up with the class. I even offered to retake each exam in every class, but the professors all agreed that this wasn't necessary: Just seeing my performance on my first exams revealed that it would be a true waste of time for all of us.

When Christmas break began, the school cleared out to below half-capacity, though many students stayed to avoid the danger that was in the world. I still hadn't asked the portraits what had gone on over Halloween and why people were still so terrified, but whatever was out there kept the place bustling for the weeks the school was normally quiet.

Adding to my frustration with the noisiness of Christmas break was my inability to use my powers. I waited a month like I wanted, but I still could only produce mere flickers. I couldn't transport myself anywhere, and I couldn't call for anything larger than spare quills or inkwells for risk of losing the object, which happened a few times. I had no idea how to fix this problem, so I vowed to wait until January or February to use them again.

Now it was March, and my fire abilities had returned, but at half-strength. While it was nice to start a fire with my bare hands again, I yearned for my other abilities, which were still elusive.

But my mood was better. Having a stable schedule had kept my hands from being idle, and it had kept both Dumbledore and Professor Snape from bothering me. Though I still had potions with Professor Snape, those few hours went by quickly, and he and I barely had any contact with each other. In fact, I doubt we'd made eye contact in months.

And now that spring was here, I had much more to think about. Spring always put my mind at peace, and this one was no exception. I spent every few moment in the towers or walking the grounds. I was alone for most of the day as well, which made me feel lonely, but I was still peaceful.

As the bells rang to announce the morning, I prepared with the other Slytherin students. They didn't seem to notice me, so it was rather easy to be alongside them. I even ate with them more than I had in the past years, and it was comforting to be invisible in a crowd for once.

But this morning was different: I could feel it. While breakfast went normally, Professor McGonagall was unusually quiet, and Professor Snape was the same. My other professors seemed normal, which meant it was probably a problem with higher-up professors, like the heads of house.

I knew how to resolve my issues: I'd find Amelia and talk with her. But I knew this would be a task: Some of the portraits had been relocated over the winter months because of some leaking, and I felt that hers was one of them.

My suspicions were correct, and the hallway containing her portrait was empty. I had two options: Ask another portrait about her, or try using my mind's eye to locate her. I decided to ask another portrait first, but that did not go so well. After asking a second and third portrait, I decided my mind's eye was the only option.

I focused on her first, then I began doing a search of the school. The pictures were very blurry and hard to interpret, but soon she came into view. She'd been moved near the Hufflepuff common room, and I quickly went to see her.

"Breezy, how did you find me?" Amelia whispered, glancing around cautiously. I gave her a strange look. "They had a little talk with me. I had to promise to be a little quieter or they'd put me in storage. It's a hard life, but I rather like it here. I get to see the students again. Now tell me, how did you get here?"

"Some of them are back," I replied. She nodded in understand. "I just...I really needed to talk to you about some things. Can you help me understand what's going on around here?"

"I'll keep my answer short and sweet: They don't want us saying much to students. But You-Know-Who, that bad man I mentioned, did some horrible things last Halloween. He's supposedly gone now, but His followers are wreaking havoc. And one man in particular is stirring up trouble around here," she whispered, leaning closer to me in her frame. "Professor Snape is one of them. One of the other portraits saw the dark mark on his arm, and the rumor is ravaging him. Everyone wants him gone, but he's been doing such a good job."

"I wouldn't know," I murmured. She nodded.

"I heard that you were back in regular classes. We're all watching out for you dear. Now move along! You must have something better to do than chatter with me all night!" she giggled, covering her mouth to stifle them.

"I'll try to think of somewhere you can move to where you can laugh again. It's horrible seeing you like this," I murmured. She smiled, shaking her head.

"You have your own problems, Breeze. You need to find a companion. It's not healthy for you to have only us to talk to," she smiled.

"Any recommendations?" I asked. She nodded with a large grin.

"There's a raven with a broken wing romping around the rocky beach. Go get him and care for him, and I'm sure you'll be fine."

I took her advice and went down to the lake. Sure enough, the raven fluttered along the rocks, trying its best to fly. Its wing was broken, and it had some damaged feathers. Even if it could fly, I knew it could face problems if we received another cold snap.

I coaxed the raven into a box I'd brought using some bread. When I closed it inside, I carefully hid it in a large bag I had. I then went back to my room as quickly as possible, and into my secret cellar after that. I'd cleaned it a few days before, so all that was missing was a light, which I provided with a torch.

The raven was grateful for the warmth and cuddled up next to it. I smiled to it, feeding it the rest of the bread I had. He chirped in thanks as I rigged up the box to give him somewhere to roost.

"I'll do what I can about your wing as well," I smiled. He chirped in response, fluttering to the crate and getting comfortable.

With the raven content, I closed him into the room and immediately went into the library. I picked up every bird book they had, and I skimmed through each looking for ideas on how to cure him. Finding nothing, I knew I should create a healing potion. I found the prefect one in one of my books and looked to a nearby clock for the time.

Seeing that it was well before curfew, I went down to the potions lab and began gathering ingredients. If Professor Snape was around, he didn't voice his appearance. But I did feel like I was being watched as I began the potion. I carefully followed the directions, and within the hour, I had a nice flask for the raven.

To test it out, I nicked my finger with a knife. I dropped some of the potion over the cut, and it immediately healed.

After cleaning up my mess, I began to leave the room, flask in-hand.

Professor Snape peeked out from his office. I waited, thinking he would speak. I was correct, though I didn't expect what he said.

"You should ask me before you create potions. You could harm yourself, but there'd be no one around to help you. That's how students perish, and you're no exception," he whispered darkly.

"How ironic it would be for a healing potion to take my life in a violent explosion," I said sarcastically. "I'm aware of safety maneuvers, Professor. Besides, you didn't stop me in the first place."

"How do you know I was even watching?" he asked. I smirked quietly, and he nodded. "Fine, I'll accept that as another one of your abilities. But next time, please ask before using my supplies. If every student created potions on a whim, there wouldn't be enough supplies for the rest of us."

"I will, but know this was a desperate situation. I found an injured raven, and this was the only thing I could think of to cure it."

"Why not take it to the infirmary?" he asked. I scoffed. "What? That was a legitimate question."

"I was told of the raven from a trusted source. When that occurs, I believe it's one's own responsibility to handle the issue. That's what I am doing," I responded slowly, hoping he'd understand.

"Do you at least have somewhere for it to sleep?" he asked. I nodded calmly. He shrugged, returning to his desk.

"May I go now, Professor?" I questioned. He nodded, gesturing for me to leave.

I obeyed, sighing once I was far enough way. I still didn't understand him, but now I pitied him more than anything. Even I had it better than him and I'd been thirteen for twenty years.

My potion was successful, and the raven began flying around the cellar, chirping up a storm. But it did land on my shoulder once in a while, making sure its strong talons didn't pierce my sensitive skin.

"What shall I name you?" I whispered, rubbing its neck with my finger. I had no ideas, and I didn't see that changing anytime soon. "I won't name you for now. But I want to keep you: I feel you are in my debt. I didn't have to rescue you."

The bird chirped in response and began flying around the room again. I smiled, wishing him a good night as I went to bed myself.

But I couldn't sleep at first. I kept wondering exactly what horrible deed was done on Halloween, though I'd tried to forget about it since it happened. I also wondered if Severus really was involved with this person, and if he was, if it was really good for him to be here. I could support him if he were doing it for the overall good, but if he really was evil, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I trusted him, and if he was really the enemy's pawn, I knew my trust would be breached eventually, if it hadn't been already.