Chapter Forty-Six-Wicked Little Muggle
The start of the school term seemed to creep by at a snails pace. Things surrounding Clara and Severus became increasingly difficult. This was due largely in part to the over bearing and sickeningly sadistic Carrow siblings. Both Clara and Severus spent most of their time running interference between the Carrows and the progressively rebellious students. The brother and sister duo's methods of punishment were nothing short of barbaric and in order to spare as many children from their wrath, Clara and Severus had to develop a method of interception. On most occasions Clara would act as the eyes and ears around the castle. Unless the Carrows were specifically focusing their sneers at Clara they typically ignored her as if she was merely a piece of furniture. This turned out to be very helpful in that she could overhear their conversations about punishments and then report them to Severus.
Despite it only being a few months into the school term, Severus was already running himself ragged. He barely had time to eat, let alone sleep. Clara woke up many of nights to find herself alone in their giant bed. She always found him either deep in conversation with Dumbledore's portrait or sitting on the window seat staring absent mindedly out into the night sky. Clara would always respond to him in the same gentle manner. After placing a soft kiss on his cheek she would whisper in his ear, "one day this will all be over." And she truly hoped it would.
After hours of tense "discussions" over Severus' new restrictions he was implementing around the school, the remaining faculty members grumbled their way out of the conference room. Clara let out a sigh of relief as she toppled over to lie on her back. She had been kneeling right next to Severus' chair for two hours and had lost feeling in her toes long ago. If it had not been for Severus' cushioning charm she would have been in pain rather than just uncomfortable.
"Well that was…ummm…"
"Horrible," Severus murmured, stalking his way over to look out the window.
"It was necessary though, Sev. If you make strict rules and have the Heads of Houses watching the students every move, it will only protect them in the long run. It's better for them to have a year without fun and be safe. Don't you think?"
Severus merely grunted his response and continued to stare out the window. After tiding up the long faculty table Clara padded silently over to stand with him. "You know, Severus, this time next year the Dark Lord could be gone and Hogwarts could be back to normal. This will all end one day, darling, and then we can have a normal life."
Clara expected him to at least make some type of response to her statement but instead he remained silent, not moving a muscle. "Severus…did you hear me?" She slowly slid around to his front and cupped his face gently in her hands. "What's wrong?"
Severus fought to keep his face cast down but after some gentle coxing he finally met her gaze. Clara did her best not to show shock on her face when his eyes met hers. His normally stern looking face looked like that of a young, very lost looking boy. It broke her heart and that was when she realized something for the first time. Severus had no faith that he would actually survive to see the end of Lord Voldemort.
Clara of course had thought about it. In fact it was thoughts of spending the rest of her life with Severus that helped get her through each day. They had never mentioned the word marriage but each night he had held her in his arms and whispered that he would love her forever. Did he really think that forever was only another few months or even days?
As quick as the look of pure vulnerability appeared on his face it was suddenly gone. Severus turned on his heels and motioned for her to follow him. "It's late and I have some more paper work to deal with."
Still speechless from her resent revelation Clara merely nodded and followed quietly behind him. She desperately wanted to find the right words to say to make him feel better and she had to remain faithful to the hope that they would be together. They were just about to round the corner to the Headmaster's office when Clara finally worked out what she wanted to say. She went to open her mouth but Severus quickly silenced her with a finger to his lip. Just around the corner angry voices could be heard echoing down the corridors.
"It's the Carrows," he murmured as he grabbed tightly to her arm, pulling her close against him.
"They don't sound happy," whispered Clara.
"Stay right next to me and keep your eyes down. I would rather their anger not be displaced on you."
Clara did her best to keep her gaze pointed to the floor but as they neared the scuffle curiosity won out. The demonic duo had four disheveled students pinned up against the wall with their wands pointed mere inches from their faces. Clara immediately recognized her student Laurie and the youngest Weasley girl. Another one, a small blonde headed girl in a Ravenclaw uniform, she recognized from Slughorn's party last year. The fourth was a chubby Gryffindor she had heard about from Severus as being quite the klutz, although she always found him very polite when she had passed him in the hallways.
Crap, this is going to be bad, she thought as she let her body shift a little bit closer to Severus.
"Well, well, what do we have here, Amycus?" His voice was strong, authoritative and seemed to only add to the fear that was already showing in the student's eyes.
"We caught this lot trying to break into your office, Headmaster. They won't fess up as to what they were doing, but I wouldn't doubt that we have a group of thieves on our hands. I am sure that you would agree that this deserves the highest degree of punishment."
"We were just about to take them downstairs. I am sure a week in the dungeon with no food and a few rounds of the Cruciatus Curse will loosen their tongues," Alecto cackled.
Clara had to bite down on her bottom lip to keep from shouting every nasty comment she could come up with to the bitch. This was totally unacceptable. These were just children.
"Yes, I do agree that the punishment should be quite…severe. However, since I am the Headmaster and you are…not, I will take care of this one," growled Severus, pushing himself up to full height so he could easily tower over both of the naturally scrawny Carrow siblings.
"But…but the Dark Lord…"
"The Dark Lord put me in charge of this school. If you would like to debate his choice in that matter I am sure we can contact him and you can bring up your concern." Severus flipped his robe sleeve up in one swift motion, revealing his blackened mark. Before he could even raise his wand both siblings had already started backing off.
"No, I don't believe that will be necessary, Headmaster. We only wanted to help. We will just be on our way," murmured Amycus as he grabbed on to his sisters sleeve and began to pull her away.
As soon as the pair of idiots were out of sight Severus turned on his heels and glared at the group of students. "You three," he yelled, pointing to Neville, Luna and Ginny. "You're coming with me. I don't want to hear word from any of you. You, Miss Hutchinson, I believe this is a repeated offense. I've had quite enough of you. You will wait inside my office until I return, is that clear?"
The petite Ravenclaw merely stared brazenly up at her Headmaster. "You will answer me when I ask you a question," he hissed, stepping over until he was hovering above her.
"Fine…Headmaster," she spat as she continued to glare seemingly unaffected back up at him.
Keeping his wand steady in the direction of the other three students, he roughly shoved Clara and Laurie into his office, slamming the door behind them. As soon they heard their steps retreating down the hallway Laurie ran into Clara's already open arms.
"I'm so sorry, Professor. I heard Ginny and Neville talking about stealing some sword from the Headmaster's office and I thought maybe we could try to help you escape. We just wanted to help you get away from that evil man. Did I make things worse now? What's he going to do to me?" she said in a small voice, trying her best to hold the tears in.
"No, no, no, Laurie. Hush now. That was very brave of you, sweetheart. But you don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself. I want you to just focus on finishing up your final year."
"But he is horrible to you. We've all seen the bruises on your neck and arms. He yells at you in front of everyone. You are the nicest person I've ever met and I just can't understand…"
"Laurie, no matter what happens to me I need to stay here so I can keep an eye out for you guys. Hogwarts is my home and my only connection to Albus I have left. I can't leave. As sweet as it is I need you to promise me that you won't try to rescue me again. I need to know that are staying safe."
Tears started to roll down the young woman's cheeks as she fought to understand Clara's words. "I just hate it all. It's not fair that those evil people try to control others just because of their background or their blood. I don't think it makes a difference at all."
"Unfortunately people have been prejudice against others who are different from the beginning of time. Where I am from people used to enslave others just because the color of their skin. Although things are getting better now, there will always be those out there that think they are superior because of their skin color, their background, income, gender, or even something as silly their bloodline. All we can do is remember what we believe to be right and help spread those truths."
"I hear them talking when they think I can't hear them. A lot of the other students think that I should be shut out of Hogwarts just like the Muggleborns. They say that Halfbloods are just as bad. Blaise tries to stand up for me but every time he does they beat him up and the Carrows just sit back and let them. I've tried to tell him to stop and to just ignore them but he wont. I'm afraid that one day he's going to really get hurt. His parents want him to take the mark as soon as school finishes. It's just horrible."
Clara pulled her into her arms and held her, quietly whispering words of comfort. "What do I do if they try to hurt him? I can't lose him, Professor. I love him."
Clara could relate more than anyone. She knew what it felt like to love someone who was constantly in danger and who no one would approve of them being together. Pulling off her necklace, she quickly unhooked one of the charms that Albus had given her. Taking the girls hand she placed the little charm into her palm and curled her fingers around it.
"What's this?" she inquired as she turned the tiny silver globe over in her hand.
"This is a very special gift and now I want you to have it," she said softly with an encouraging smile. "If things get out of hand with you or with Blaise then this charm will take you both any place you wish to go. It will allow you to get out of the castle safely. I have a feeling that things are going to get much worse around here before they get better. Now that you have this I will know that you are safe."
"But…but I don't understand. If you have had this all along…why are you still here? You could leave right now."
"I told you. I need to be here to watch over you guys," explained Clara, giving Laurie a brave smile.
"It's because of him…isn't it? The Headmaster… you still love him," she said shyly, suddenly afraid to look Clara in the eyes.
Luckily Clara didn't have to finish because Severus chose that moment to bust into the room. "Quickly, put that someplace safe. If you ever need to use it just hold it tightly in your fist and speak your destination clearly. Only use it in the case of an emergency," she whispered as she quickly pulled the girl out of Severus' path.
"You," he yelled, pointing at Clara. "Fix me my tea and be quick about it."
Clara had to resist giving him a grin as she passed him but did manage to sneak in a quick wink. She knew he had given her time with Laurie on purpose and for that she very thankful.
"Miss Hutchinson, I assume you know why you are here?"
"Yes, Headmaster," she said, once again doing her best to hide her fear.
"And you understand that you must be punished."
Laurie didn't respond but instead tensed her body as if preparing herself for a blow. Clara could tell by Severus' body language that this upset him but the girl's fear and expectations were necessary in order for him to keep his cover. "You will skip your lunch everyday for the rest of this term to help the Muggle clean this office. If I am not satisfied with your work then the punishment will increase. I don't think I have to describe in detail what kind of punishment that can be, do I Miss Hutchinson?"
"No…no, sir. I promise I will do an excellent job," she stammered.
"Good, now get out of my sight. I will see you back here tomorrow precisely at noon."
With one more glance at Clara, she nodded and ran out of the office as fast as her short legs could take her. As soon as the door closed behind her they both let out a sigh of relief. Walking over to the fireplace, Severus flopped down into one of the armchairs obviously exhausted. "Would you still like a cup of tea?" Clara brought over the tea set and put it on the coffee table in front of him.
"Humm, I believe that after this evening I need something a bit stronger than that."
"That was a very kind thing you did, Severus. Giving me time with Miss Hutchinson."
"Well, I figured it was the only way to get the girl to stop throwing a tantrum every time she saw you at meal times. I was merely trying to put out a fire."
"Oh I don't believe that for a second, Sev. I think you did it because under all those black robes you are a nice man and you actually care about these kids."
"I don't know what you are talking about, madam," he said, raising an eyebrow in a haughty manner.
"That's a shame because I was really looking forward to showing you what's beneath my robes. But I suppose if you would rather sit out here the rest of the night being big, mean, and scary then suit yourself."
Flashing him a wicked grin she broke out into a sprint to their bedroom door. "You are a wicked little Muggle," he murmured and then followed quickly behind her.
A/N: Hello readers! We are heading into the final handful of chapters of this story. I just can't believe it! I would like to get the chapters out quicker for you (because it is about to get soooooo GOOD) so please leave me your thoughts and reviews. Your reviews are like brain food for this overworked writer. I love you all! Next chapter will be 100% CHRISTMAS!
