Chapter 21
Near Misses at Christmas
"Oh man, I'm full," Amber sighed rubbing her stomach. "So do you guys wanna go back to the apartmet?"
"Yeah," Brittany yawned, "Come on Katie, you should come with us."
"I think I'm just gonna go for a walk around the castle," Katie said unenthusiastically.
"I'm sorry you couldn't have a concert since everyone went home, but you really should stop moping about something you can't change," Amber advised.
"I'm not moping," Katie said honestly, "I'm just bored. I love taking walks anyway, so I think a walk is a nice idea."
"Ok," Brittany concented skeptically, "Whatever you wanna do. We're going to leave now."
"Ok, see you two later," Katie said slightly apathetically.
Katie watched the two girls leave the Great Hall, and after awhile she got up from the table herself. She strode past the staff table and out of the Hall. Portraits and passegeways seemed to glide past her as she walked dreamily through the Hogwarts corridors. She had summoned her iPod so that she could indulge in the blissful sounds of her favorite music. As usual, the melodies and rhythms had put her into a state of relaxed yet excited meditation; she was nearly unaware of her surroundings when…
"Ms. Insche. What are you doing wandering the corridors alone?"
Katie pulled her earbuds out of her ears, the better to hear the smooth bass of Severus Snape.
"I was just taking a wlk. I haven't taken a walk in ages. I love walking alone, so I decided that today would be a nice day for it."
"Oh, how wonderful," Snape sneared sarcastically.
"It is," Katie said seriously, "I really enjoy it."
"And do you know what I would enjoy, Ms. Insche?" Snape asked softly.
"What?"
"I would enjoy it if you were spending this time in a more productive way, such as practicing Occlumency." Snape smirked at his precieved jab to her fragile ego.
"What's the point?" Katie said wearily, "We both know that I'm terrible at it no matter how much I practice or what techniques I use. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it successfully."
"As much as I agree with you, it is on the Headmaster's orders that you learn this valuable skill. Therefore, practicing it as much as possible is crucial."
"Yeah, I know," Katie mumbled in a bored voice, "But I still would rather walk now."
Snape looked at her for a moment and then lifted his right foot and took a tentative step. His left foot soon followed until he was walking at a steady pace.
"What are you doing?" Katie asked baffled at his slow beginning.
"It is called walking, Ms. Insche. Even a person in possession of your limited intellect should know that." Katie stared at him for a moment, still wondering what his alterior motive was. "Will you move your feet of your own accord, or will I have to send for one of the house elves to levitate you into your apartment."
She couldn't believe this was actually happening; she was actually going on a walk around the castle with Professor Snape. The question was why.
"What do you want from me?" Katie asked bluntly choosing to take this tactic.
"I wish to take another attempt at Occlumency with you," Snape answered honestly.
"But I just told you," Katie began slightly annoyed, "I don't think I'll ever be able to do Occlumency. I know it's on Dumbledore's orders, so why don't we just explain the situation to him. Maybe he has some suggestions that we can use."
"We will practice Occlumency tonight," Snape said firmly, "You will follow me to my office, and we shall begin yet again."
"Fine," Katie replied, not in the mood to arguing.
The two walked down the hall that led to the downward staircase. Snape was silent for a moment, but then he decided to speak.
"Do you simply enjoy handing me each of your precious memories, or are you just so imcompetant that-" But he stopped speaking immediately. He looked around quickly at the hand that had tightly grasped his upper right arm.
Katie could feel the slight flex of the hard muscle beneath the smooth cotton robes. But now was not the time to think of that.
"What are you-" Snape began.
"Shh!" Katie whispered loudly, "Don't move. I hear something moving."
"What do you expect in a school?" Snape asked exasperatedly.
"It's not a person," Katie snapped impatiently, "I'm serious. We need to get out of here. Come on."
With that she began to walk forward, moving her hand down to Snape's wrist in order to drag him along behind her. She felt his wrist wriggle as if this gesture had made him uncomfortable; however, she knew that this was not the time to be concerned about these petty matters. Gripping him still more tightly, she began to walk back up the stairs. She walked quickly towards the apartment, fully intent on ushering Snape safely inside. They soon reached the door. Katie tapped it once with her wand, and it swung open quickly. She pulled Snape into the living room, and slammed the door behind them.
"What is the meaning of this?" Snape asked angrily.
"I'm sorry," Katie said more loudly than her previous statements had been, "But I couldn't let you get-" She broke off when she realized the great secret she was about to reveal; he could not know of the basilisk.
"Let me what?" Snape asked coldly.
"I can't tell you," Katie said, "It's in the next book. You'll find out eventually, and you'll be happy that you got out of there so quickly."
"If this has anything to do with whatever is petrifying the students, it is your duty to inform an adult of it," Snape said seriously, "Do you know what the monster is?"
"Yes," she answered honestly, "But I can't tell you what it is. Everything will turn out the way it's supposed to."
"Students could die," Snape said sharply, "You and your friends could prevent this if you told me what lies within the Chamber."
"I'm sorry, but I can't."
"Then I shall leave now. I have tried time and time again to get important information out of the three of you, yet you never once cooperated. I am finished." With that Snape made for the front door.
"Wait!" Katie shouted, knowing that the basilisk could be somewhere close. She ran after him, grabbing his arm yet again.
"Let go," Snape hissed furiously through clenched teeth.
"No," Katie said determinedly, "You don't have any idea what's out there. I'm not letting you face it."
"Tell me then," Snape breathed, "Or I will go straight to the Headmaster."
"Don't make me do this," Katie said wearily, "I really don't want to."
"Do what?" Snape asked as the movement in the walls seemed to come closer.
"I'm giving you one chance," Katie warned, "You can either come with me now, or I will have to make you."
"A student cannot make me do anything that is against my wil," Snape informed, "Now, let me go this instant."
"Mobilicorpus!" Katie yelled. Snape's body rose up into the air, suspended by the flow of power coming from Katie's wand.
"Finite Incantatum!" Snape yelled angrily, but his body did not come down. "Let me down this minute!" Snape roared.
"This is for your own good," Katie said. She brought his body back to the apartment, and closed the door behind them. She had Snape sit in a comfortable chair while she took the one across from him. They would have to wait.