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That evening at dinner Freddie sat alone at the end of the table as usual. She was picking at a piece of chicken when someone approached her. She looked up to see the fourth-year Slytherin girl from earlier, looking nervous.

"What?" Freddie asked dryly.

"I- uh- never mind," the girl said quickly and started to walk away.

"Wait," she said shortly. "Come back."

The girl froze then turned around and came back. She wouldn't meet Freddie's gaze.

"What's your name?" she asked the girl.

"Amelia Avery, ma'am," she answered, looking up quickly then back down.

"What do you want, Miss Avery?"

"I was wondering if...if you might help me with my Potions homework? It's okay if you can't, if you're busy or you don't want-"

Freddie held up a finger to silence her.

"Sit," she said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her. "Let's see what you've got."

20 minutes later Freddie had cleared the food from the table in front of them so they could spread the books and parchment out in front of them. They'd been joined by four more of Avery's classmates who asked for Freddie's help. She was a bit short with them but inside she found she was actually pleased to be able to help them. Weeks of being ignored or feared by her classmates, it was nice to have people actually talk to her – even if they were fourth years.

"Miss Gray," said Snape's voice and Freddie turned to face him. "We need to talk."

"Yes sir," she said obediently, putting her things in her bag and getting up from the table. She followed him out of the Great Hall and down the stairs into the dungeons.

"Is this about me helping the fourth years?" she asked. "Cuz I'm just giving them some pointers, I'm not doing their work for them."

"It is not about that," he said, continuing towards his office.

"Oh...well what then?"

"In here," he said, opening the door to his office. He sounded even more displeased than usual.

"It's not about the hug, is it?" she asked nervously.

"Sit," he said sharply, shutting the door behind them.

Freddie sat and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as he walked behind her before circling around to sit at his desk. He steepled his hands in front of him and leaned across the desk slightly.

"I've been talking with your other teachers. There are...some concerns," he said.

"About what?" she asked, biting her lip.

"Well to start with...you have not been attending Care of Magical Creatures since term resumed. Why?"

Freddie hesitated and looked away. I should've known he'd find out eventually.

"Answer me, Gray," he said sharply.

"I...I want to drop the class," she said.

"No," he said immediately, then paused. "Why?"

She hesitated again, then decided it was best to be honest with him.

"It was – it is Daniel's favorite class. And now that he's not here...it's too hard to be there without him. I tried to go down there, I really did, but it's like I was – I was frozen to the spot. I couldn't do it."

She couldn't look at him, not wanting to see his face if he was sneering at her. She knew she must sound ridiculous. She hated herself for it.

"Hm," he said, but she still didn't look up. "Your other teachers tell me your grades have been slipping. Your classwork has suffered but you're still turning in your homework on time and receiving your usual high marks. If I didn't know you so well I'd think you were cheating."

"I'm not!" she protested, raising her head.

"No one thinks you are, Miss Gray," he said smoothly. "Given your grades prior to the...end of last semester. I want to know why. Your Potions work has not suffered, both inside the classroom and out. Why?"

"I don't know," she mumbled with a shrug.

"I think you do know," Snape said in a low voice. "Winifred."

She blew out a sigh and looked up at him, meeting his dark, unreadable gaze.

"The homework is easier because I can do it here or in my dorm, not in the classroom. Being in class now it's...difficult. I feel overly aware that Daniel's not beside me and it makes me think about...makes it hard to focus. And the stares and whispers. Well they haven't exactly died down yet."

"I see," he said, standing up from his desk. He walked over to the fireplace, a thoughtful look on his face. "Do you sit in front of every classroom as you do mine?"

"Uh, yes sir. I always have. It helps me focus during lectures."

"I would suggest you try sitting in the back of the classroom," he said, idly adjusting a vial on the shelf above the fireplace. "Where you did not sit with Mr Byrd. It will also make it more difficult for your classmates to stare at you – they would have to turn to look at you and risk being caught by a teacher."

"That's...a really good idea, actually," she said.

"Why the tone of surprise?" he asked dryly, turning to look at her. "I am quite intelligent, you know. And as your Head of House...I am here to help."

"Thank you. I'll try sitting elsewhere," she said with a nod.

"If that does not work, I suggest your try taking a Wit-Sharpening Potion," he said. "It is certainly well within your ability to brew."

She nodded again in agreement.

"What about...Care of Magical Creatures?" she asked nervously. "Any suggestions?"

"Given the circumstances...I will allow you to drop the class," he said. "But I expect you to be here, working on brews, during your new free periods."

"Yes sir," she said. "Gladly. Thank you."

"If you're not here brewing, I want you in my classroom helping me teach."

"Seriously? Okay!" she said happily.

"Give it a few weeks, you will not be smiling," he said with a small smirk.

"Why are you letting me help teach?" she asked curiously.

"It is good experience for you," he said. "And less work for me."

"Fair enough," she chuckled. "May I brew a Wit-Sharpening Potion tonight?"

"You may. I need to brew a Cure for Boils for Madam Pomfrey," he said, walking into the lab. She got up and followed him.

"I can help," she offered. "Or I could do both of them if you want."

"You may gather the ingredients while I set up the cauldrons."

"Yes sir."