" If you talk to Professor Snape I will tell you how you can get Malfoy to drink that Granger girls potion." He drawled out changing tactics.
" Really" she asked through sniffles and a few hiccups. " Wait how did you find out about that?"
" Ahh. Well you see my young friend I happened to have heard your conversation with the wonder trio." He drawled out arrogantly.
"Oh" was all she could muster.
"Well you see our friend young Mister Malfoy, happens to be fond of the drink my dear lady, and being afflicted as such he keeps a flask hidden in his side table."
Thank you to all my reviews, you fabulous people, I hope you enjoy this chapter let me know, and sorry it took so long.
Cheers the Midnight Rider.
" Bavarian Brandy if I'm not mistaken." He smiled wickedly.
" I don't understand why are you telling me this?" she stuttered slightly.
" It's simple Snakelet, I'm willing to help you if you will help me by telling Severus about your condition," His gaze boring deep into hers.
" Oh…" was her timid reply.
" One week Snakelet," He regarded her fiercely. " Now I believe that its time for you to ready yourself classes; is it not?"
Not trusting herself to speak she only nodded her head while starring intently at the stone floor. It felt as if she had cried more in the last three months than in her entire life, but never the less she felt the prickling sensation that assaulted her wary blue eyes.
Brushing his hand lightly over he head he could only speculate on how the young girl before him was feeling, " You can do this Dawn, remember Slytherin is were you make your true friends. Just a thought ehh.."
Surprising them both, Dawn met the Barron's intense gaze as she slide from his lap attempting to construct a mask of indifference, before she joined her dorm mates.
Smiling wirily with pride as she made her way to her room, he was pleased to see that this was one snake that wasn't going to be trampled, A true Slytherin that one.
Satisfied with the knowledge that soon Severus would be alerted to this problem he rose from his favorite chair and returned to a more corporal form, before vacating the common room, which would soon resemble a mini war zone as students raced to breakfast and classes.
" Blimmy, Harry look!" Ron clearly excited by something.
" What," he complained not at all a morning person; especially after having, Voldemort induced nightmares.
" Oh my," exclaimed their female companion Hermione Granger. " It's Dumbledore!"
"Huh." was all Harry's sleep deprived brain could formulate.
" Heading into Potions carrying lesson plans, you numb nut," Teased the redhead.
" I hope Professor Snape is ok," Hermione sounded slightly worried.
" Only you would worry about the bat, Monie." Groused Ron, while making a face that clearly displayed his thoughts on that subject.
" I told you 'not' to call me 'Monie, Ronald Stanley' Weasley; and just because Professor Snape act's like a 'git' doesn't mean I wish him harm." She berated him.
" Hey, love birds break it up." Chimed in Harry his green eyes flashing with mild annoyance, " I have a head ache."
This comment effective quieted both parties while they each turned lovely shades of red. Chuckling at the identical horrified expression worn by his friends, he decided that the payback was defiantly worth it.
Sitting at the very end of the Slytherins table as close to the teacher's table as possible, Dawn just pushed her food around and around her plate not even hungry. How could she eat any way when her stomach behaved as she had been riding a roller coaster for the past ten hours.
Next to, her sat a very worried Amy Silverborn, tapping the dark haired girl on her arm lightly to gain her attention she said, " You don't have to do that you know," As she pointed to the other girls plate. " Your parents aren't here to make you eat." Amy smiled cheekily.
Smiling back, Dawn remembered what the Bloody Barron had said this morning. "Slytherin was were you made you true friends," and she was beginning to see that Amy was indeed a true friend.
" Thanks, I forget sometimes." Dawn said shyly.
" No problem," remarked the redhead. " Are you ok after last night? Do you want to talk about it?"
Dawn was saved from answering the unwanted questions buy the swooping of wings. Owls of different colors and sizes ascended upon the great hall delivering the evening post.
Instantly Dawn recognized the tiny spasmatic owl known as 'Pig' as he headed her way followed buy an unfamiliar monstrous black eagle owl.
The larger owl gracefully landed in front of the two girls while eyeing Pig distastefully. Hooting softly the owl waved its leg at them, clearly whishing to be relived of his burden.
Catching the name of the tag, Dawn was surprised, who else besides the wonder trio would be writing to her? Removing the letter carefully from the regal owl, Dawn offered him her untouched dinner roll. Ripping into it unmercifully the roll was gone in several gulps along with the owl.
Having learned her lesson earlier, she slipped the large creamy white envelope inside her robes and then turned her attention to retrieving her letter from Pig.
Finally, after calming down the small owl she was able to tuck her second letter safely along with the first. Saying a hastily goodbye to Amy, she ran from the great hall toward the library to read her letters in private.
Dawn,
Meet for a study session in the library after dinner.
-H
Glancing at her watch quickly, she noticed that she probably had just enough time to open her mysterious letter before the trio appeared. Fishing out the larger envelope, she studied the thick brisk writing on the front envelope trying to discover who could have send it.
Gleaning nothing from her evaluation she gently opened the envelope only to discover another inside in a breath taking shade of green, with her name elegantly written in silver ink.
Opening the green envelope, she pulled a thick piece of fine parchment that held a sent tantalizing and familiar. As she unfolded that parchment, her mouth dropped open as the loopy script of her mother flowed across the page.
Darling,
First off I want to say that I'm very sorry, I never wanted to leave you, but I know that if you are reading this letter now that
I have passed on into the heavens.
I'm sure you have so many questions, questions that I had wished to answer in person. You are probably wondering how I knew to send this letter to Hogwarts or my symbolic chose of a green envelope.
The truth is my Sunshine that I' am a witch you inherited you magical ability from me. So undoubtedly, any child of mine would be attending Hogwarts. As for the green envelope, I had a feeling you would follow in the family traditions.
I'm writing this as you sleep next to me. Looking down upon you, I can see that you have inherited my looks mostly but have your fathers amazing blue eyes.
Your father was an amazing man and I loved him dearly, His name was Marcus Kendrick. I never got a chance to tell him I was a witch or about you. You see your father was a fireman and two weeks after I found out, I was pregnant with you he died while fighting a fire.
I'm sorry that you will never get a chance to know the brave, kind, noble man, that was you father.
Through I'm gone you aren't alone. You have a great aunt living in muggle London, and other relatives scattered across the isles. Your Aunt Di, will be keeping an eye out for you and I have a feeling that she will contact you shortly after you receive this letter.
For you see I left this letter in her care should I not be blessed enough to see you through on your next greatest adventure.
I love you dearly my darling child and I hope you know how much I love you and will always be thinking of you.
Love forever Mummy
As she finished reading her mothers final words, a small silver charm appeared. Shocked and dismayed Dawn picked up the small charm focusing her interest on it. Rather than confront the letter before her just yet.
It was a silver raven with sapphire eyes with a small green cloisonné snake wrapped around one of the legs, and a silver chain.
Rubbing her fingers over it lovingly, she briefly remembered her mother wearing this necklace when she was very small and now she would wear it. Undoing the shinny silver clasp she fastened it around her neck and hid the charm in her school robes just as Hermione and Harry came walking over to where she sat.
Laying a pale slightly calloused hand on Albus cheek Minerva looked deep into his crystalline blue eyes. " Is he going to be ok Albus? I'm worried about him."
Taking her hand in his he gently brushed her fingertips with his lips tickling himself slightly before answering her. " In time my dear, in time."
Pulling away from the elder wizard she sank down boneless onto the cobalt velvet blue couch residing in his private chambers. " I know that time is supposed to heal all wounds Albus, but he's had to deal with so much pain in his short life." Staring past Dumbledore out at the bright autumn sky her soft amber brown eyes were filled with pain and compassion.
Settling himself next to Minerva, he wrapped his arms around her breathing in her unique fragrance of jasmine and bergamot.
" I know my dear, I know, I'm worried about him too. However, I truly believe that he is finally taking the necessary steps towards healing."
Tilting her head to see his face better brown met blue, " What happened Albus? Every year we hope and pray that Merlin has granted him some solace."
Pursing his lips ever so slightly as he recalled the conversation between himself and his brilliant potions master he summed it all up to, " Min, he told me everything, I held him as he cried, and our suspicions about the death of Ulna and Severus reform was confirmed."
Patting one of his gnarled hands resting slightly above her abdomen Minerva felt a tension she never knew existed float away. " At last, at long last." She murmured demurely.
" Yes my dear, it begins," He whispered.
Leaning into his embrace McGonagall, sighed lightly relishing in the familiar comfort of Albus' arms. Nevertheless, her thoughts never strayed far from the dungeons and to bitter man residing there.