Chapter twenty-four:
Resilient
Victoria wasn't fond of the idea that Umbridge would be questioning or rather interrogating the professors at the school. If there was a need for such action, the professors wouldn't have been hired at the school to begin with. But Victoria knew she didn't have the upper hand at the situation and the ministry of magic is in charge of things in government there in the wizarding world. After teaching her last class, Victoria left her classroom and headed towards Dumbledore's office in order to speak with him about the note she had received from Umbridge but upon arrival, she noticed a few other professors had been in the office as well, probably regarding the same situation.
"I am aware of the situation with Dolores Umbridge, however, the ministry gave her the full approval to question my staff." Dumbledore stated. Victoria remained silent as her question had just been answered when she walked in and walked to stop beside Snape while McGonagall took one small step forward towards the headmaster. "If she does not find a professor fit to teach,would she be able to let them go?" Victoria asked, causing McGonagall and Snape to look at her. Dumbledore sighed as he knew the answer was displeasing. "Unfortunately, yes." Dumbledore replied firmly. Victoria bit her cheek at the answer, hoping that her earlier actions didn't cause her to lose her job - or at least become a strike against her to do so. "This can't go on, Albus. We were doing quite well before she came strutting around, placing her nose into things." McGonagall pointed out.
Victoria had to withhold her smile at the words from McGonagall, knowing how accurate those words were about Umbridge. Snape had noticed Victoria's effort to hide the smile but chose to not comment on the expression. This was going to be a big problem having Umbridge interrogate the professors and Victoria wasn't ready to possibly lose her job at the school. She already had two strikes against her, being a relative and guardian of a student and having confronted the old pink hag not long ago. What else could Umbridge dig up on Victoria to seek her revenge? "It is out of my hands, Minerva. However, despite being part of the ministry of magic, she does not have the privilege to banish anyone from the grounds." Dumbledore replied calmly. McGonagall wasn't fond of the idea either it had seemed.
"If we continue our normal scheduled activities, there should not be any strikes against the staff, correct, headmaster?" Snape questioned. Dumbledore took a moment to think before giving a firm, stiff nod in agreement. Victoria had an inkling that Umbridge, as conniving as Umbridge was, would still find a way to get her removed due to their last conversation. The professors had then left the headmaster's office, Victoria and McGonagall wearing the same worried expression on their faces. When dinner had came around, Harry could tell there was something troubling his aunt but couldn't tell but he had hoped it had nothing to do with Snape - then again, everything that seemed to be going wrong at the school had pointed to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Umbridge. Snape had noticed Victoria's deep in thought expression as she barely touched her food but decided there was nothing else he could try to do to convince her to not worry about the soon interrogation other than what he had already suggested in the meeting.
The next day had came and there had been talk over breakfast of the beginning of the interrogation process starting that morning and possibly lasting until the middle of the week. 'Yay.' thought Victoria as she cut a piece of her eggs benedict and chewed it in her mouth. She didn't want to ramble on about it verbally, worried she would seem like a nuisance due to her constant worrying and discontent with the situation of evaluation. Most of the staff had been quiet for the matter, knowing exactly what was taking place this week in which the only gloating face among the table was Umbridge herself. Victoria had began her first class of the week which happened to be the fifth years which included her nephew, Harry, and his friends right after breakfast. Slamming down the History of Magic textbook, causing a few students to jump in their seats, Victoria turned to the next chapter they were to begin studying, acting as if it wasn't obvious that she was anxious about the pink grinch interrogating her.
"Please turn to page-" Victoria began speaking but shortly, she had cut herself off by the sound of the doors slamming echoed the classroom and heels clicked against the stone floors. "Continue with the standard procedure, Professor Hawthorne." Umbridge stated with a fake, sweet tone while holding her clipboard. Victoria took in a breath in order to keep her patience and went on to continue her teaching. "Turn to page 795...we will be continuing our study of the giant wars, learning how to confront and stun giants." Victoria stated. Turning to her blackboard, she began writing down the title of the subject, Confronting and stunning giants, before turning back to face her students. "As you read and find out, giants are difficult to detain and subdue, our magic basically bounces off of them mainly due to their enormous size and overwhelming raw strength. However, it has been proven that stunning them with which spell and where exactly will subdue them?" Victoria explained, ending it with a question to be answered by a student following along.
A hand held up in the air and of course, it was none other than the hand that belonged to Hermione Granger. "Yes, Miss Granger?" Victoria called upon. Hermione put her hand down and went to answer the question confidently. "Using the stunning spell, stupefy, in a sensitive spot such as the eyes." Hermione answered. Victoria flashed a gentle smile, attempting to ignore Umbridge on the side wall of the classroom. "That's correct, Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor." Victoria replied, looking back to the chalkboard to write, talking while she wrote. "Using the stupefy spell to stun a giant, targeting a sensitive spot such as the eyes, behind the ears, behind the knees-" Victoria wrote before being interrupted by the noise of fake coughs coming from the direction of Umbridge.
Victoria turned her emerald green eyes onto Umbridge, inciting that her interruption wasn't necessary. "Can I help you, Dolores?"Victoria asked, swallowing her temper. Umbridge looked at her clipboard before flashing a rather mocking smile towards the ginger haired professor. "No, go on." Umbridge encouraged before going back to scribbling on the parchment that was clipped to the clipboard. Victoria knew that Umbridge seemed to be rather amused by the way she was teaching or had something rather conniving up her sleeve. Harry, who sat a couple desks from the front of the classroom, could tell that his aunt was under a lot of pressure and knew exactly where it was coming from. "Continue reading the next few pages and we will have a verbal pop quiz on what you read." Victoria stated, usually her verbal pop quizzes involved sugar quills and treats alike.
Victoria finished what she was writing on the black board, adding the essay in the upper right corner before turning back to the class, waiting another ten minutes before speaking so they could read thoroughly. Umbridge had looked up from her clipboard once for only a mere second to make a disappointing expression before scribbling once again. Placing the box of sugar quills on the top of her desk, Victoria parted her lips to speak. "Okay. Who can tell me how much more in size a giant is compared to a wiz-" Victoria once again had been cut off by yet another cough from Umbridge. "Need some water, Dolores? Or perhaps, a cough drop?" Victoria asked in polite sarcasm. Umbridge definitely didn't like the remark nor the light snickering among several students in the classroom. "No thank you, I'm quite fine for now...I actually have a few questions regarding your teaching." Umbridge explained, taking steps forward towards Victoria.
Victoria watched the vile woman approach her and come to a stop a few steps away. "Okay, what are the questions?" Victoria asked, biting her cheek. Harry had watched with a sharp eye at the scene that was going on before the class, not liking the fact that his aunt was being interrogated by the passive aggressive woman from the ministry of magic. "You're not from the United Kingdom, is that correct?" Umbridge asked, keeping her full attention on the ginger haired professor. Why was the idea of where she was from an issue? "I was born here but raised in America. What's the purpose-." Victoria replied, being interrupted quickly after Umbridge finished scribbling on her clipboard. "-How long have you been teaching?" Umbridge pushed. Victoria took in a breath in attempt to calm herself from her impatience.
"For roughly nine years..." Victoria answered hesitantly, it had seemed much longer to Victoria but it's because she was very focused on her career. Umbridge went back to scribbling for only a second, giving out a low, discouraging hum before looking at the students, spotting Harry then went back to her questioning. "In concern, Professor Hawthorne, I must ask...is there any kind of favoritism towards Mr. Potterin your classroom?" Umbridge asked with a mocking smile on her face. Victoria knew where this was going and she didn't like it. "Of course not. Why would there be?" Victoria replied, playing dumb towards the question. Umbridge kept her piercing gaze on Victoria. "You're now the guardian of Mr. Potter, who is your nephew, am I correct?" Umbridge corrected. Victoria sighed. "Yes, but there is no favoritism in my class, I have given him detention previously for not turning in his homework." Victoria pointed out.
Umbridge tilted her head slightly, looking as if she was trying to calculate another harsh question to dig at the professor. "If you are Mr. Potter's guardian, wouldn't you make sure that he has turned in his homework?" Umbridge pushed. Harry seemed a little embarrassed by the questions involving him but more so irritated by Umbridge bringing him into the interrogation. "You keep forgetting that we are in a school and I am in fact a teacher while at the school, not only a guardian...I take my job very seriously." Victoria pointed out, coming off quite direct. The class seemed to be mostly full of smiles and light sounds of snickering before Umbridge flashed a look of insult due to embarrassment. "We will see." Umbridge said before writing on her clipboard and walking out of the classroom.
Once the door closed, Victoria relaxed a little before taking a seat at her desk, then realizing class was nearly over. "Homework is on the board, class is excused." Victoria told the class before the students began packing up and take notes of the homework. She didn't know what was going through the evil mind of Umbridge but she hoped that she would keep her job, she had only been teaching at Hogwarts for three years and wanted to continue doing so. Harry walked up to Victoria once the class was mostly cleared out and placed a reassuring hand on her left shoulder before removing it when she looked up at him. "It will be okay, professor." Harry encouraged, giving a brief smile. Once Victoria matched the brief smile, Harry walked off to his next class - Potions. Victoria had no other classes to teach that day, so with the rest of the day off, she went back into her office and looked through previous papers that were needing to still be corrected, although she couldn't take her mind off of what would happen with her job.
In Potions, the students began gathering into the classroom and getting themselves seated at the tables where cauldrons laid array. Of course, the students knew that Snape would be the next professor to be interrogated and most, except the Slytherins, were looking forward to watching the reactions from their potions professor. Snape had been out of the classroom prior to the gathering students, but had made a swift entrance into his classroom ahead of Umbridge and instantaneously turned around to instruct the students. "Turn to page 844..." Snape hesitated as he stood there stiff for a moment or two before approaching the tables an inch closer. "As we have been studying about Draughts, today...we are making the Draught of Peace, which will be on the O...W...L..." Snape stated in his usual slow, deep tone as his eyes stared down his class. Snape wasn't thrilled to notice the presence of Umbridge entering the potions classroom but as Dumbledore has told the staff, it was out of his hands.
"Why are you all...not...turning to the page?" Snape questioned immensely before the students rushed to flip open the page in their potions books at their tables next to the cauldrons. Walking up to his desk, he jotted down the name of the student that just entered the classroom a minute late. "Ten points from Hufflepuff...for Mr. Finch-Fletchley's belated arrival..." Snape announced. Justin Finch-Fletchley had just took at seat at the table in disappointment as his other Hufflepuff classmates frowned. Walking back down to the front of the classroom, Snape began setting the ingredients for the potion in order on the table while he began directing the class from the potions book what goes in and how much of it, before leaving the students to follow directions in the book on their own. Noticing Umbridge sketching on her clipboard, Snape quirked an eyebrow, attempting to ignore her incompetence in his classroom.
The students began brewing their Draught of Peace potions and of course, Snape was keeping a keen eye on most of them, walking around each and every table, watching them like a hawk before noticing a student pour the final ingredient too early, causing his cauldron to smoke. "Longbottom! Flames were to be lowered before putting in the syrup of Hellebore..." Snape snapped, lowering Neville's cauldron flame before adding, "follow the instructions, Mr. Longbottom, they're quite evident." Snape added harshly before swiftly walking off. Snape wasn't one that would look foolish in his own classroom, whether it be around the students or someone from the ministry. "Yes, Professor." Neville said in a hesitant tone, though Snape had already left the table side. Seamus Finnegan had somehow caused his potion to explode, causing another broken cauldron which didn't surprise anyone, especially Snape who had given Seamus a failing grade.
Once all of the students had finished their potions, Snape went around grading each and every one until he came to a stop at Ron Weasley's cauldron, hearing the footsteps coming towards him that belonged to Umbridge. "I have some questions for you this morning, Professor Snape..." Umbridge stated, flashing her fake smile. Snape remained facing forward, not fond of being interrogated like the rest of the staff. "Go on..." Snape pointed out. Umbridge looked at her clipboard for only a moment before looking back up at Snape, standing beside him. "You applied first for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, is that correct?" Umbridge asked. Harry and Ron attempted to keep their amusement to themselves, having Harry cover his mouth briefly. "...yes." Snape trailed off, keeping his answers short and simple. "But you were unsuccessful?" Umbridge pushed, continuing to question his experience.
Snape knew that his students would be amused by this, especially the Gryffindors, but being questioned and put on the spot, he had to oblige. "...obviously." Snape stated in slight irritation. Umbridge smirked and scribbled on her clipboard once again. "Now...How long have you been teaching Potions at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry?" Umbridge asked, looking at him keenly. Snape's expression remained pale and blank as the questionnaire went on. "Fourteen years." Snape simply said. Umbridge jotted that down and placed her quill onto her clipboard. "That would be all, for now." Umbridge smiled before trotting off. Once Umbridge had left the classroom, Snape spotted Ron snickering along with Harry before Snape smacked both of them on the back of their heads with the stack of papers he held while grading their potions, before continuing on his grading.
The rest of the week went like this, having Umbridge grade other professors in their classrooms and having them anxiously wait for their fate on their job. Meanwhile, Snape kept booking the quidditch pitch for the Slytherin team which was frustrating to Harry, causing him to come to class in a bad mood each time when Victoria seen him. By the beginning of the following week, Umbridge had only dismissed one teacher, which was shown in the courtyard. Victoria, surrounded by students looking on and McGonagall, watched as a distraught Trelawney was being banished from the school property by Umbridge who dismissed her from teaching Divination. Victoria knew this wasn't right deep down, but she was uncertain to what every power someone from the ministry of magic had. McGonagall rushed over to Trelawney to comfort her.
"Is there something you'd like to say, dear?" Umbridge said passive aggressively. Victoria shot a glare towards the pink toad-like woman from a distance. "Oh, there are several things I would like to say, Dolores!" McGonagall spat out as she comforted Trelawney. Victoria decided to walk up to the scene as well, standing next to McGonagall and Trelawney. Umbridge was opening her mouth to say something to Victoria before Dumbledore showed up behind her. "Professor McGonagall, Professor Hawthorne, may I ask you both to escort Sybil back inside?" Dumbledore asked forwardly. Victoria nodded as McGonagall went to direct Trelawney to the path after she went to shake Dumbledore's hand thankfully. "Sybil, dear, this way. Victoria?" McGonagall said, grabbing Victoria's attention away from the scene of Dumbledore and Umbridge to walk into the castle.
Victoria was curious on what went down with Dumbledore and Umbridge but she figured it would be a disagreement - it would be in her case. They made it to Dumbledore's office, having to wait on Dumbledore to return as Trelawney treated herself to a few licorice snaps that were in a bowl at his desk. "How does someone like Umbridge get the power to fire a teacher over a few questions? Whomever hired her should have the responsibility...this is absurd." Victoria pointed out. Normally, that's how it went back in the United States, even in the wizarding world. "The ministry of magic makes the rules here, unfortunately. But this is far from a mere school inspection!" McGonagall stated in frustration.
Moments later, Dumbledore had entered the office and walked over to his desk to take a seat. "Sybil, you will not leave the grounds...she doesn't have that authority. However, since she is in the ministry of magic, she has excused you from your position, therefore, I will find a replacement. I believe Firenze wouldn't mind taking over temporarily." Dumbledore explained. McGonagall knew who that was and knew that having Firenze teach at the school would get under the ice cold skin of Umbridge since she doesn't care for half breeds. "Firenze?" Victoria questioned, though she felt a little out of the loop on names who she never met outside the castle. "Firenze is a good friend of mine who happens to be a centaur and who lives in the Forbidden forest." Dumbledore explained.
The weeks went on and Firenze had began teaching Divination, however, Umbridge couldn't find herself being near Firenze for no more than a second before fleeing which caused Victoria and McGonagall to be amused. It seemed that Umbridge had been given more and more power from the ministry of magic to run the school, just a level under headmaster which was worrying most. Soon, it was November, having a quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, something to be moderately cheerful on for an hour or two. But while Victoria, Snape and the other staff watched from the stands, along with the other students cheering on their house, the match soon turned for the worst. Once Harry had caught the snitch, having Gryffindor win the match, there seemed to be a fight started on the field between both seekers - Harry and Draco, ending with several Gryffindors on the quidditch team pulverizing Draco on the field. Madam Hooch wasn't far away and immediately separated the boys with a flick of her wand, causing the Gryffindors to fall to the grassy ground.
Worried about Harry, Victoria made her way down from the stands and onto the field where Madam Hooch had been escorting Draco to the hospital wing. Harry and George were told to go to the headmaster's office. Victoria voluntarily escorted the two boys to the office, Harry noticing the look of disappointment in his aunt's expression. "What caused this fight, Harry?" Victoria asked while walking. George and Harry matched an irritated look, of course George still fuming due to the insults that Draco said about his family. "Malfoy was talking rubbish about the Weasleys." Harry simply stated. Victoria wasn't mad but disappointed because she didn't want Harry to get expelled and of course hated seeing him get punished. "I say we shut him up well enough." George remarked, causing Harry to chuckle. Victoria just shook her head, refraining from giving an amused reaction in order to be professional.
When they got to the headmaster's office, Dumbledore was standing beside his desk in a brief, unpleasant conversation with none other than Umbridge. Of course, Umbridge would hear of this incident and Victoria confirmed it upon their arrival. Dumbledore hesitated on the idea of banning the Gryffindor boys from Quidditch but he had also known that Umbridge was scathing and waiting for the moment to steal his position at the school. "I will make my determination once I hear from both boys." Dumbledore stated. Umbridge knew she had the authority to do whatever she pleased and fumed at the headmaster's words. "Under Educational Decree Twenty-Five, the High Inquisitor has supreme authority over all punishments, sanctions and removal of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sanctions and removals of privileges as may have been placed by other members of staff." Umbridge rambled before turning her attention onto the two boys and Victoria entering the office.
Victoria heard nearly every word that echoed from the office and her throat clenched at the reality that Umbridge could punish her nephew once more, something she would not let happen if it was as sadistic as the last punishment she had given Harry. "Thank you, Victoria. Now, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley...tell your side of this incident." Dumbledore stated, wanting to hear both sides of the event "Malfoy was making snide comments about the Weasleys and my mother-" Harry began explaining before being interrupted by Umbridge. "Did you or did you not harm Mr. Malfoy?!?" Umbridge pressed passive aggressively. Victoria took in a breath, biting her tongue at the scene she was witnessing - oh how she wanted to interrupt and give her two cents but she knew Dumbledore was there to witness as well. "Yes." Harry confessed in a cheeky, forward tone. Victoria noticed the sass in his tone and bit her bottom lip to prevent any laughter escaping from her lips.
"You see, headmaster, there is the guilty plea. We witnessed the evidence on the Quidditch field and now I have the authority under Educational Decree Twenty-Five given to me by the minister of magic himself, to ban Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley from playing Quidditch...ever again." Umbridge declared. George and Harry looked at each other, both infuriated. "You cannot ban us from Quidditch, besides-" George spoke out, but of course was interrupted. "-you have a twin, am I correct, Mr. Weasley?" Umbridge asked confidently, giving her false smile. George shot a glare towards Umbridge while Harry's expression shown that he knew what was bound to happen. "That's right, both of the Weasley twins will be banned including Mr. Potter." Umbridge corrected.
Dumbledore wasn't able to help the situation due to the power the ministry of magic had given Umbridge but knew once this was over, he would reinstate the the boys back to Quidditch. Umbridge turned her attention onto Victoria, whom was keeping silent, to say a word to the ginger haired professor. "And you see now, don't you, Victoria, how right I was in attempting to stop the Gryffindor team re-forming? Dreadful tempers. So I really think I'm in the right in banning these two from playing Quidditch ever again." Umbridge gloated, walking out of the office. Victoria held an antipathetic expression until she heard the door slam echo in the office, keeping it unchangeable.
As the weeks pressed on, an event happened right before the holiday season arrived. Harry had gotten a nightmare about attacking Arthur Weasley and the Weasleys were sent to St. Mungo's to visit their dad. Victoria had worried about her nephew, he was constantly anxious and confused by the nightmare he had but had been assigned lessons from Snape to learn occlumency to close his mind after the holidays. Most went home for the holidays, Harry and the Weasleys were still fuming from losing their positions on Quidditch all thanks to Draco Malfoy provoking them. Victoria and Harry spent Christmas with the Weasleys which was when Arthur had returned from the hospital. It was awkward at first having seen Sirius once again after the incident with the shrieking shack back in year three, but Victoria kept to herself, watching Harry enjoy a time of normalcy with his friends, finding herself sitting at the end of the table after opening a gift from Mrs. Weasley, which happened to be a nice pair of knitted gloves.
Standing in the door frame, more so leaning against it, Victoria spotted Sirius watching the celebration and chatter before making eye contact with Victoria, gesturing to speak with her in another room. Sirius planned to speak with Harry later on about the nightmare he heard about, but wanted to get to know Victoria more as he had known her sister, Lily. "Yes?" Victoria asked, curious yet keeping aware. Sirius flashed an amused crooked smile as he looked at the family tree wallpaper in the walls that surrounded them before looking back at Victoria. "I knew Lily, went to school with her...she married my best mate, James." Sirius mentioned. Victoria was wondering why he was mentioning this but assumed he wanted to get to know her since she was Harry's aunt and Sirius was his godfather. "Let me guess...you also had a crush on my sister?" Victoria asked sarcastically.
Sirius smirked, finding the comment about Lily to be humorous. "No, I didn't. But James did, so did Severus." Sirius replied. Victoria had already known about Snape and her sister's friendship and Snape's feelings towards her, she didn't need to hear it repeated. "Yes, I already heard plenty about Severus and my sister from your friend, Remus. If that's what you wanted to talk to me about, I'd rather go back to dining room." Victoria pointed out boldly. Sirius sensed that there was some hostility towards him from Victoria and wasn't exactly sure why, but wanted to find out. "Why are you so hostile around me? I only wanted to get to know you since I knew your sister, Lily." Sirius stated. Victoria had her guard up around Sirius because he was a known criminal in the wizarding world, though Dumbledore and Harry pressed that Sirius was innocent but also what she had witnessed in the shrieking shack, how they belittled Snape.
"I have my reasons. If you want to get to know me, let me inform you that I'm quite different from Lily...from what I've learned about her." Victoria stated forwardly, crossing her arms. Victoria had her own share of bullies when she attended school at Ilvermorny and wouldn't favor them from anywhere else, though it might come off as biased towards Sirius and Remus because she was dating Snape. "That I can agree with, you are vastly different from your twin sister, especially in regards to Severus." Sirius pointed out, which caused Victoria to arch an eyebrow to the mention of Snape. Of course, Sirius would mention Snape, the two quarrelled in school alongside James and the rest of the Marauders gang. "From what I've heard and witnessed not long ago, Severus deserved better than how my sister treated him." Victoria sneered before she turned to leave the room. Sirius seemed entertained by the tone of Victoria and what she had said about Lily, but he wasn't surprised much since he had brought up Snape, knowing her relationship with him.
"Far as I can see, we have different opinions when it comes to...Severus. Change of topic, what is the other school you attended like? Quidditch as brilliant as it is here?" Sirius stated in attempt to keep Victoria from leaving the conversation. Victoria truly didn't want to stay and talk to Sirius but she knew that Harry liked him and didn't want to become a rude person, so she turned around and faced Sirius once again. "Ilvermorny has the same structure as Hogwarts regarding teaching and four houses, though our houses are based off of native American culture and the sorting process is quite different. There are four statues that represent each house, the Horned serpent, Thunderbird, Pukwudgie and Wampus. The new student steps on a stone placed in the middle and whichever statue moves or sounds is the house that claims you. Our Quidditch is similar to yours but we have a yearly inter-house Quidditch tournament." Victoria explained.
Sirius listened on curiously and found it quite interesting. "That's interesting, so which house were you sorted into?" Sirius asked, curious. Victoria figured that question would come up eventually. "Horned serpent. It's the equivalent to Ravenclaw house at Hogwarts." Victoria briefly mentioned. Sirius nodded as he put two and two together, it made sense that Victoria and Snape had gotten along besides teaching - their houses both had snakes as a mascot. "Right. Well, regarding Harry..." Sirius began before Victoria interrupted. "-he's quite fond of you and I know you were made his godfather. You're welcome to visit him, Sirius." Victoria said before leaving the room with a light smile before walking back into the dining area, when Harry went to speak with Sirius after receiving a photo from Mad-Eye Moody, who had a brief visit and left while Victoria was busy speaking with Sirius.
Victoria liked spending the holidays with the Weasleys but she had also wanted to see Snape outside of school, though she knew he was busy with correcting papers during the holidays as she has sent a letter before leaving to Grimmauld place with the Weasleys, receiving a response that he was busy, though she had no idea about him being the double agent he was. Once the holidays ended, it was back to Hogwarts and that meant the occlumency lessons for Harry with Snape. Of course, both Harry and Snape haven't gotten along but for the sake of not having Voldemort appear in Harry's head, Snape had to teach him to close off Voldemort. Victoria trusted Snape to help Harry, though she knew Harry felt the opposite about his potions professor.
"What exactly is Dumbledore having you teach me?" Harry questioned Snape as he walked into Snape's office. Snape had his back turned, gathering his wand and placing specific potion bottles that he had on his table in order before he turned to face Harry, keeping a placid expression. "The curse that failed to kill you seems to have forged some kind of connection between you and the Dark Lord. The evidence suggests that at times, when your mind is most relaxed and vulnerable - when you are asleep, for instance - you are sharing the Dark Lord's thoughts and emotions. The headmaster thinks it inadvisable for this to continue and wishes me to teach you how to close your mind to the Dark Lord. Anymore questions, Potter?" Snape explained in a rather rapid, stern tone.
Snape wasn't fond of Harry but having a relationship with Victoria whom was Harry's aunt, Snape would attempt to be slightly more lenient, though he wouldn't promise it. "Not exactly." Harry replied hesitantly, looking around in the office. Snape's piercing eyes watched Harry edge to the chair in the room. "Sit, Potter..." Snape ordered. Harry hustled to the chair, taking a seat. "I assume you are familiar with occlumency? No? To perform occlumency, you will need to erase your mind, make it blank and be calm..." Snape explained, taking moment to let Harry concentrate before taking a step back. "I will attempt to penetrate your mind and you will attempt to resist, ready?" Snape stated, drawing his wand and mouthing the incantation. "Legilimens." Snape casted, peeking into Harry's mind, seeing all the recent memories before giving him a break to train his brain.
The following week, lessons continued and Snape peeked into Harry's mind once again, seeing him greet Sirius Black and the Christmas with the Weasleys and Victoria before Harry cut him out. "Enough!" Harry spat out, frustrated with the lesson. Snape stood up straight, irritated by Harry not taking the lesson seriously, feeling as if he was wasting his time on someone who didn't want to learn to protect his mind from being attacked.
"You're just like your father. Lazy, arrogant..." Snape pointed out. Harry got irked by Snape's words about his father and stood up from the chair. "Don't say a word against my father!" Harry spat out, walking to the table as he focused on Snape. Snape purposely wanted to provoke Harry into wanting to give the occlumency lessons more effort. "Weak." Snape stated. Harry got more angry. "I'm not weak!" Harry shouted, backing himself against the table as Snape approached him slowly, keeping the stern and serious expression on his face. "Then prove it! Control your emotions! Discipline your mind!" Snape refuted, urging Harry to work with the charm to protect himself from Voldemort, attempting to tolerate Harry's arrogance and stubborn personality for Victoria and Dumbledore.
"My father was a great man!" Harry shouted in defense. This claim was disgusting to Snape, having experienced such bullying and harm from James who was Harry's father and Harry had never known James. "Your father was a SWINE." Snape stated back, grabbing Harry's arm and swing him over to the chair once again, causing Harry to fall into the seat. "Legillimens!" Snape casted, but not knowing Harry had done protego, causing the Legillimens charm to bounce back, having Harry to peek into Snape's mind, which Snape was focused on Legilimency and not occlumency. Harry watched Snape's memories of back when he was in school, seeing him getting bullied by a group of boys, one being called 'James'. Good one James! Harry heard, seeing his father dangle young Snape from his legs, attempting to pull down his pants before being cut off from the memories. Snape then used occlumency, kicking Harry out of his memories.
Harry was confused and shocked to see what he had of his father while Snape was embarrassed and angry that Harry saw into his personal life, though he cut off Harry in time before Lily got into the scene which Snape said the unthinkable that he deeply regretted. Not a moment later, Snape grabbed Harry by the collar and pierced his dark eyes directly at Harry, full of irritation. "Consider your lessons...over. Get. Out." Snape spewed, letting go of Harry, listening to Harry rush out of his office. Snape wanted to keep what happened to him in school to himself and even had a hard time letting himself open up to Victoria, not wanting students to know what happened to him but wanted to be considered intimidating.
Victoria had no idea about Dumbledore's Army being formed by Harry and his friends, but surely if she knew being a professor, she would've kept it to herself. Umbridge was going rampant, attempting to find any way to get Dumbledore away from running the school so that she could, even using the power of the ministry of magic to get the tools she wanted to interrogate students, using Veritaserum from Snape's storage. Snape had refused to brew anymore and that was something she was unable to control. She eventually busted Dumbledore's Army with help of students she recruited to her snitch team, the inquisitorial squad and brought Harry into Dumbledore's office as proof with Fudge and Kingsley Shacklebolt, causing Dumbledore to apparate from the school. Fred and George Weasley had left the school after causing quite the distraction and Umbridge continued interrogating students in order to pin something on Dumbledore. The same day the twins left, Harry had mentioned he saw Sirius getting hurt to Victoria before Umbridge wanted to interrogate him and others but Victoria wasn't sure what that meant.
Knowing Harry was getting interrogated, Victoria matched towards Umbridge's office before Snape had crossed her path, on his way to the same office as being requested and stopped Victoria on the staircase. "Not going to whom I think you are going to, are you?" Snape questioned. Victoria took in a breath before taking another step forward, but being blocked off by Snape once again. "Severus, please. I will not let her torture my nephew any further." Victoria explained. Snape knew everything was going according to plan with Dumbledore and wouldn't let anyone or any situation interrupt that plan. "I can sympathize, however, I was requested to her office and will make sure Potter is well..." Snape stated. Victoria sighed, knowing she should let Snape handle it but worry had set in for her. "Harry mentioned something earlier about Sirius being hurt...I'm not entirely sure what-" Victoria explained in a rushing tone before Snape placed his hand on her forearm. "-i will handle it." Snape confirmed before turning around and departing swiftly up the stairs to Umbridge's office, taking once glance down at Victoria to make sure she was leaving before making his way to the office.
"You asked to see me?" Snape asked, standing in the door frame. Umbridge had been interrogating Harry who was sitting in the chair before Umbridge stood back up and faced Snape. "Well, do you have the Veritaserum?" Umbridge demanded. Snape paused for a moment, attempting to use Legillimens on Harry to see what Victoria was speaking about in regards to Sirius but found that it was obvious a trick led by Voldemort before parting his lips to respond. "I'm afraid you have used the last of it on Miss Edgecombe. Unless you wish to poison him, I cannot help you. I would have the greatest sympathy if you did." Snape replied subtly. Umbridge became irritated and began overthinking what she could do. "They have Padfoot...they have Padfoot at the place where it's hidden." Harry stated, causing Snape to turn around for a moment, knowing this was what Victoria told him previously. "Padfoot? Who's Padfoot?" Umbridge asked. Snape arched an eyebrow for a mere moment before giving a simple answer. "No idea." Snape said before leaving, he hoped that Harry wasn't foolish enough to fall for a trick from Voldemort but obviously being a double agent, Snape couldn't give a sheer answer.
Eventually Harry and Hermione convinced Umbridge there was a secret weapon in the forbidden forest to distract her but ended up with Umbridge being kidnapped by centaurs before they all ended up at the department of mysteries at the ministry of magic. Victoria didn't find out until there was a report of students missing from the school and Dumbledore reassuring the staff that he will take care of the situation himself before apparating to the ministry of magic. Victoria remained worried about her nephew in her office, wearing a charcoal silk robe over her dark purple nightgown and trying to distract herself with correcting papers when there was a visit from none other than Snape. "Severus." Victoria said in a pleasing tone, flashing a small smile. "I wanted to reassure you, everything will be fine. Dumbledore is at the ministry as we speak." Snape reassured.Victoria was relieved to hear that Dumbledore was there to protect her nephew but she still had a little worry until she was positive that Harry would be okay.
Victoria stood up from her desk and walked over to Snape, connecting her emerald eyes with his dark eyes while she reached her right hand to cup his pale cheek. "Thank you, Severus." Victoria replied, truly appreciated her boyfriend attempting to reassure her. Snape locked eyes with her before placing his left hand over her hand that was cupping his cheek gently, easing his cheek into her hand for a second or two, embracing the moment before deciding to gently lower her hand and abruptly leave the office. Victoria watched as Snape left and knew they were trying to remain professional but not that she knew, Snape had a lot on his shoulders.
Later that night, Harry and his friends had returned to the school, which Victoria was alerted the morning that followed. Dumbledore wanted to sort everything out that occurred that night with Harry before informing Victoria which bothered her even though she knew it was for protection. The last exam which were the O.W.L's were of course canceled for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom though continued for the rest of classes for the last two days of school. Victoria had walked into the great hall for breakfast the following morning but Harry was nowhere to be found. Snape watched from the staff table as Victoria looked around before leaving again, wanting to speak to Harry and he knew that was most likely on her mind. Walking up to the Gryffindor tower, Victoria passed by Ron, who tried convincing Harry to have breakfast but to no avail,and turned to him. "Mr. Weasley, have you seen Harry?" Victoria asked. Ron nodded and looked back to the portrait of the Gryffindor common room. "He said he wasn't hungry. I suppose he's still taking it hard losing Sirius." Ron explained before heading down to the great hall. Victoria wasn't informed about Sirius Black's death but knowing how fond Harry was of him, made her sympathetic.
Walking up to the portrait, Victoria spoke the password, remembering what she was told when it was changed each year like every professor was informed of. "Mimbulus mimbletonia." Victoria spoke, being granted access to the Gryffindor common room, but finding it empty until Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan exited to the common room. "Can one of you let Harry know I need to speak with him?" Victoria asked. Dean obliged and went back up to let him know. When Harry came down, Victoria just simply pulled him into a hug, which was practically all that Harry needed at the moment. Victoria knew that this summer, Harry needed something to help take his mind off of the loss of Sirius, who Victoria assumed that Harry looked up to as a father figure. Victoria and Harry separated when they were interrupted by Hermione for breakfast, trying one more time if Harry wanted to eat.
Once the other exams were over and house cup was announced as it was a yearly tradition, the students and staff were excused for the summer before the new school year would begin again. Harry had left on the Hogwarts Express like usual with his classmates while Victoria packed up her papers and wished her co-workers a pleasant summer break, of course that included spending a few minutes with Snape alone before leaving to her house for the summer.
