We continued on our way home, but I couldn't lose the feeling that someone was watching us. I kept glancing back. Almost hoping for those green eyes I just knew I had seen. I almost just needed proof that I didn't imagine the appearance of them. I didn't notice that Harry had been curiously looking at me all the while.
"Anne, why do you keep looking around? You look giddy, but nervous at the same time. It's an odd combination . . . what's wrong?" Dad turned his head ever so slightly as though I wouldn't notice he was listening. I knew Harry would badger me till I gave an explanation. "I just thought I saw something. I don't know, I guess it's making me paranoid, innit?" Harry just smiled kindly at me. "Well, I think I know what you saw."
He quickly brought his voice down to a whisper at his next words, "It's this ghost! He's real mean and real freaky. Scared the living daylights out of me just the other day. I believe he's been dubbed Peeves. A poltergeist, that what Sir Nicholas told me when I had asked him. Sir Nicholas told me he feeds on scaring people and being mean, but he also told me what to do if he is bothering you. Just tell him you will go inform the Bloody Baron of his trickery. He is apparently terrified of him. The Bloody Baron is the-"
"The ghost of Slytherin, yeah I know. But I can't shake the feeling that it wasn't a ghost. But what do I know anyway. You're probably right." Harry smiled brightly at me, probably thinking he fixed the issue for me. Of course he didn't, but he didn't need to know that, did he? "So, what do you think classes will be like tomorrow? I'm excited to sit in on Minerva's and Filius' class."
"I see how it is then. You don't even want to sit in on your own dad's lesson." He smirked at us. I knew what he was playing at, just kidding, but Harry quite obviously took it the wrong way. "No, no! I didn't mean it like that. You know I think potions is neat and all, but I'm just not nearly as fascinated by it as Anne. I'm sorry . . ." Dad smiled softly at Harry's saddened face.
"Harry, it is alright not to have the same interests as those around you. I was just joking, I promise." Harry's lowered head gained height ever so slightly, as to check for confirmation. Dad nodded and his light hearted demeanor returned.
I smiled, content. I thought of Harry's previous question. It was quite out of context to answer now, but I thought to myself instead of answering aloud. I hoped the students would be nice. Dad had found some muggle school packets for us to complete each day, as our basic education was not yet complete. It was mainly mathematics and reading passages. Easy in my opinion, but not to Harry. Harry hates muggle school. He would much rather be running around doing something active. I would rather curl up with a nice book.
Something active though that we both took interest in was quidditch. Fascinating sport. I read Quidditch Through the Ages in the library. Madam Hooch also had some free time two weeks ago and took the liberty of teaching us the basics of broom riding. That was exhilarating. She informed us that we were both naturals. I've been quite infatuated with the sport since. Harry as well. Dad enjoyed that we had both found something active we enjoyed doing together. He didn't have the heart to play himself, but did like watching us fly around the pitch happily.
I didn't even notice that we had reached the portrait hole to our home. We climbed through as dad motioned for us to proceed to get ready for bed. Harry and I glanced at each other. My competitiveness overtook me as we raced down the hall. Harry however did beat me this time as my tired demeanor betrayed me.
Harry and I had made the rule that whoever came upon the chest first would get to change first. We also took turns each night getting our father to perform the cleaning charm on us. We still refused the baths offered to us.
Harry quickly grabbed his nightwear and ran towards our father's lab to get the charm performed. I rummaged in my drawer to find comfortable nightwear. I pulled out my normal silk green, ruffled gown. I followed Harry's path to the laboratory.
Dad was now performing the charm on Harry and then pushing him towards the loo to change. I decided to seat myself on the stool beside him until I heard the restroom door click, signaling my turn. Dad was chopping up ingredients he said for his students. I was beyond excited to witness his class. He told me not to give up my hopes as most all his students were lazy, arrogant, and bloody gits. He showed no reservation of expressing his feelings for his pupils.
CLICK! I jumped from my stool and waited for the charm to be performed. When I felt cleaner, I ran towards the loo. I had been holding it for a while now. After I took care of my business, I changed into my nightwear and placed my soiled clothing in the hamper.
I carried myself along back to our room and crawled sleepily into bed. I hugged my bear tightly to my chest in hopes I could stay awake until our father bid us goodnight. It was too late for Harry as he was already snoring lightly. I smiled at his funny form. Drool started crawling its way from the corner of his mouth, his dragon was sat in the crook of his neck, and one arm was laid against the headboard while the other hung loosely off the side of the bed, giving him the appearance of being frozen in a disco.
The door carefully creaked open, revealing our father. He too cracked a smile at Harry, he then realized I was still awake, but barely so. He crept over and seated himself next to me.
"Did you enjoy the feast today? I noticed you seem a bit uncomfortable at all the whispers." He always saw right through me. "I guess. I'm just used to people trying to ignore me, but having that much attention was a bit discomforting." He understood and nodded sadly. He flashed a quick smile and kissed my forehead before bidding me a good night's rest.
He turned the lights off and left. I lay still in my bed deep in thought. I really didn't want to go to sleep and face the nightmares that treaded just below the safety that rest promised to everyone else. Most nights I would have to go wake dad to allow him to see my weeping form. Some nights he just waited in his lab. I wish he would allow me to skip sleep all together, but he told me it was best to work through the nightly terrors.
Harry would have the occasional nightmare as well, but never consistent as mine . . .
Five figures sat surrounding me. The happiness was evident on all faces- well except one person. This little rat-like man sat hunched on an armchair in the corner of the room, looking rather depressed. Beside him was a kind faced man with curly dark brown hair. Then a man with jet black hair and glasses was seated with another man who looked oddly familiar. That man had sandy hair and an oldened face. Sitting upon the floor beside myself was a beautiful woman. She had fiery red hair and smiled down at me.
Soon the whole comforting image was thrown out of proportion. Green lights flashed! I spotted the man with jet black hair lying dormant on the stairs. I was moving in the opposite direction I was facing. Catching sight of a terrifying hooded figure, I wailed. I was placed behind bars and the woman stood between myself and the green light . . .
Once more the image was spun. I found myself looking into the eyes of the sandy haired man, who smiled brightly at my attention. He waved a light pink rattle in front of my eyes. I caught sight of the curly haired man, he was holding a blue bundle. A baby. He waved an identical rattle in front of this bundle, but this rattle was a light blue. The other one, the rat-like man, stood in the corner watching us with trepidation in his eyes. I closed my eyes rather enjoying the peacefulness.
When I opened my eyes once more I was in the same room, but the sandy haired man was gone. The rattle was gone. Instead I was in the arms of the man with jet black hair. He seemed terrified, but confident. He was thrusting me towards the woman I had seen. She had the blue bundle in her arms, but easily held me as well. Tears crept from her eyes, landing on my cheeks. The man screamed as an explosion occurred, he yelled at the women. She began running . . .
I jerked straight up in bed, screaming and whimpering. The tears pooled in my eyes until I released them. Harry twitched slightly in his sleep at the commotion, but didn't wake. I crawled from my bed still weeping, in search of my father.
I saw a light from the living room, a signal that he was in his lab. I didn't even think to be polite and knock. I just slid the door open and searched the room for him. My tearful eyes finally found focus.
He suddenly opened his arms for me. I climbed onto his lap. We were sat in the chair behind his desk. He comfortingly drew his fingers through my hair in an attempt to calm me. I didn't completely understand the dream. Well, I did, he told me that the spurts of green light I saw were probably my memories of the night my mum and step-dad died, but I had never seen the other dreams before.
Just then, as I was thinking over the contents of my dream, I realized who I had seen. "Are you ready to tell me what happened? Was it the same dream as normal? Or something different again?" I thought deeply before answering. "Both, I think. I have a question. Who is that man? The new teacher I mean, that came to the school for the feast."
When he didn't answer I looked up at his face to see he was steadily glaring at the wall. "Why do you wish to know?"
"Well, I saw him in my dream. And other people as well, but he was one of the only I recognized, besides . . ." He looked down at me inquiringly, "Besides who?"
"Besides mum. I saw her. It was the same dream as normal, yes. But other dreams were mixed in. Almost as thought the events were out of order. But please tell me, did that man know our mum. Because I saw him in the dream with her." He peered at me over the brim of his nose before indulging me.
"He was an old friend of your step-father. I dislike him, personally because of . . . certain circumstances. He was rather close to your mother as well. You can get to know him if you would like, but don't expect me to indulge in any conversations with him. But I expect he would know quite a bit about the both of you from when you were first born." I smiled, thinking I could learn about my own and Harry's infanthood.
"So they were really close. He was playing with me I believe. He had a rattle." Dad smiled at me, sensing my excitement. "Yes, they were rather close. As I took it, your mother helped him through a difficult time in his life. She was uncommonly kind. This man though . . . I know him to be your . . . your godfather. I remember being told that Lily names him your godfather." I could feel my eyes widening in pure excitement of being able to meet someone else that connected me to my mother. A sudden question came across me though.
"Is he Harry's godfather as well? Or does Harry have a different one?" He quickly scowled. I knew it wasn't directed towards me. That was something I learned my first couple weeks. He makes unhappy faces quite a lot even if he isn't angered at you. "Well, no. He isn't Harry's godfather." I sat almost re emerging into my dream trying to remember the details.
"Oh! Oh! When I was sitting in my godfather's lap he was sitting in another man's lap. He had dark brown, curly hair and a mustache. Is that his godfather? Is he alive? Can Harry meet him?" Dad smiled sadly, as he does so often. "Yes, that is his godfather, I believe from the description you gave. And uh, Harry can't meet him. He . . . unfortunately passed away around the same time as your mother." I looked deeply into his eyes as he said this, I could tell it wasn't entirely truthful. I narrowed my eyes at him. He just shook his head, telling me to drop it.
We soon moved into our comfortable silence of potion making till Harry woke. Harry knew if I wasn't in our room when he woke that I was in here. I assisted my father for two hours on a pepper up potion for Poppy's stores. He constantly reminded me, smiling about my natural ability that I inherited from both parents. I always smiled at the comparison to him and my mum.
Then a sudden knocking sounded at the door. I looked to the clock that rested upon the wall. It was five in the morning. Who would be calling at a time like this. I knew it wasn't Harry because firstly he wouldn't knock and second the door the noise came from wasn't the door to our quarters.
Dad slipped hastily off his stool and went to open the door. Outside stood an older student, pajama bound. The girl had a robe wrapped tightly around her nightwear and looked quite nervous. "Professor Snape, sir, I was awoken a couple minutes ago by some troubled first years. They told me one of their dorm mates had taken ill due to homesickness. She is profusely sick and restroom bound. Couldn't get her away from the toilet long enough to get her to Madam Pomfrey, sir. Otherwise I wouldn't haven't bothered you with this."
My father nodded as though he'd done this a million times. "It's fine Ms. Capper, this isn't the first time a prefect has needed assistance with a first year. Let us go retrieve her. Come along, Anne. If you are to come, keep your distance and silence." I nodded politely. The girl just seemed to notice me in the room and smiled at me kindly.
As we walked through the maze of corridors my curiosity got the better of me, "What is your name?" The girl seemed shocked that I had spoken to her, but smiled at me with a great amount of kindness. "My name is Susan Capper, may I ask what your name is?" I smiled brightly at her. "My name is Anne Snape. How old are you?" I caught my dad's smile at me telling her my last name.
"I'm 16, I'm in my 6th year here. What about you?" I thought for a moment. If I would be attending Hogwarts the year after next, that's two years from now. "I'm nine years old. I will be a student in two years time." She smiled, "Do you know what house you want? I didn't know till I got sorted."
"I don't really mind, any house is quite fine. I've only seen the Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms though." She laughed at me sweetly, not at all condescending. "Well, you are lucky to have seen them at all. We didn't get to see any common rooms before we got sorted. I've actually only been in one other house's common room. Just by chance though. I happened to know where the Ravenclaw common room was and I assisted a first year on her way back. It was quite beautiful, full of books." I glowed at that knowledge. I now knew I had to beg Filius to show me sometime. As we came to the common room entrance we quieted down. We trailed behind my father's billowing robes.
We walked up the stairs in the back of the room to an oak door. He opened it quickly. There were four beds in the room. Only two of which were being occupied at the moment. Dad followed Susan into the restroom where one girl's head hung pitifully over the toilet while one girl her age comfortingly rubbed her shoulders.
"Ms. Patrick, you may return to your bed. Ms. Capper, if you and Anne would journey down to the Hospital Wing to inform Madam Pomfrey of the arrival that would be deeply appreciated." Susan nodded politely and reached her hand out to me. I grasped it and began to follow her out. I caught sight of my father handing the little girl vials to drink from his robes. I swelled with pride at having helped make some of those.