Alright this one is the shortest chapter, but I didn't want to add a whole lot and ruin the need for this chapter. There will be a lot of questions down below.
McGonagall POV
The castle was silent, as Christmas came through. Always a happy time of year for most, but for a few of us it was quite lonely. All the teachers had to stay behind this year, as Sirius Black was on the prowl, we couldn't risk Harry being left in the dark. These were dark days, and with how Albus was speaking it was going to get all the darker.
"Happy Christmas, Severus." Albus greeted, as we were all meeting in the Great Hall early in the morning. Harry and Ronald would not be down for quite some time, but this gave the teachers a moment to wake up. Severus nodded to the Headmaster, but didn't say much. He never did this early in the morning. "How are Miss Malfoy's Occlumency lessons going?"
That had all the teachers looking up with curious gazes, as Severus looked to the older man. "She is showing tremendous progress, we will be moving on to false memories when she returns."
"Are you going to teach her how to navigate through someone else's mind as well?" Filius asked, gaining a few strange looks. "What, if there is any student in this school besides Granger that I am impressed by...it is definitely Miss Malfoy."
"I have to agree." Pomona replied simply. "It's not her intellect that surprises me, it's her overwhelming kindness…and the fact that she is incredibly humble."
Filius nodded. "No offense to you Minerva, but there are times I wonder why she's in Gryffindor."
Pomona nodded, before grinning. "Then she shows you why...but there are times when I think she should be in Slytherin."
"I cannot help but agree." I replied. "I think Miss Malfoy would have benefitted in any of our houses...but she's my cub."
Albus chuckled. "Yes, but I think she is also Severus's hatchling as well."
Pomona chuckled. "That sorting hat really had a struggle with her."
"That we can all agree on." Filius replied, as well looked over to see Remus walking to join us.
"Happy Christmas." He greeted, taking the seat beside Severus.
"Good morning, Remus. We were all just discussing Miss Malfoy." Albus explained.
My old cub nodded calmly. "I can see why, she's brilliant."
"She's also extremely talented." Trelawney whispered, her eyes going far out. "Has she asked about joining the choir yet?"
"She has, even tried out…" Filius replied. "She will be a part of the choir next year."
I nodded. "I've heard her singing, while she's in her room. Lucius said she can play the piano as well."
Severus spoke up then. "She has also been discussing her sixth year."
"Oh?" Everyone looked at him.
"She plans on continuing all five of her core classes, as well as several of her electives." Severus replied simply. "She has also expressed interest in Alchemy."
"So, 12 NEWTS?" Filius asked.
"Oh please...we all know if she could take more, she would." Pomona replied. "I could easily see that girl becoming the next Minister of Magic."
"I could too, but I don't see her going for it either." I replied.
"I see her after her seventh year, approaching our Severus here for an apprenticeship." I replied simply, causing everyone to chuckle.
"I would take her under." Severus replied softly.
"But?" Remus asked.
"She has expressed interest in possibly being a Spiritual Healer...or a Curse Breaker." He replied simply.
Filius nodded at this, and I looked at him. "That maybe...but she may still go for a Potions apprenticeship..it would be a good skill for her to carry if she took on either job."
"There are also quite a few years, and I know she has interest in university as well." I replied calmly.
Remus nodded at me, before he looked up. "Is that the Malfoy owl?"
We all followed his gaze, before Albus answered. "Look, Miss Malfoy's annual Professor presents." He grinned, as a gold package landed in front of him. Opening it up, he chuckled warmly. "Lemon drops."
The entire table chuckled, except for Severus of course. He though seemed interested, I knew he didn't really care for presents...but he enjoyed receiving whatever Amelia decided to give him. I turned to Remus as he seemed bewildered. "Her first year, she gave the entire staff portraits, her second year we received various items along with another portrait."
Albus nodded, as he pulled out a bit of parchment. Showing off the portrait this year, a grin on his face, as we could see it was colored this year. "She is such a thoughtful girl."
Remus didn't get to comment for long as a large box was dropped in front of him. His eyes went huge, before he delicately opened the wrapping. I smiled as his eyes widened with delight and surprise. He pulled out the portrait first, before he was almost delicate in nature and pulled out a Lion figurine.
"Oh that is nice." Albus said, he grinning.
A bow was dropped in front of me next, then Filius, Pomona, Sybill, and so on. The velvet cloak inside my box was touching, my current one was getting a bit ragged….and she got it in a beautiful garnet color. The clasp on top, was a beautiful gold Lioness. "Such a thoughtful girl."
"I agree." Sybill replied, as she pulled out a bunch of tea and new tarot cards. "She knows."
Filius had a few Muggle books that he would enjoy. "I look forward to this."
Pomona had new seeds for her greenhouses. "Oh Severus we will have new herbs soon enough."
Severus was missing his gift which confused us all. "She wouldn't forget you." I told him, and I could see he looked disappointed.
"Here it comes now." Albus replied, as we watched the Malfoy owl land in front of Snape a small ebony wrapped box with a green bow. The owl didn't just drop it, but held it out to him..an envelope in his beak with what we knew to be his portrait.
Holding my breath, I was always curious as to what she would get him. Last year she gave him new beakers that had been shattered by Fred and George Weasley….Severus had been beyond angry. "Oh my." Pomona gasped, as he pulled out a new and very Slytherin cloak clasp. "I saw those in Hogsmeade...they started at 200 Galleons."
Severus looked up at her, a look of surprise flashed through his gaze. "She shouldn't spend that much on me."
"Severus, we all know that Miss Malfoy cares a great deal about you." Albus said in response.
"I know she does." Severus replied, looking down. "I-"
"Severus." I spoke calmly, standing to gently help him place the new clasp on. "Amelia has thought the world of you, since day one...I still remember what she said when you left us after running into you,in the Leaky Cauldron."
"What did she say Minerva?" Albus asked.
I looked to Severus, as he looked up at me. "That she liked you." I replied. "When she woke up last year, one of the first things out of her mouth was..if she could go to Potions class."
He looked down instantly, and I knew something was running through his head. "I-"
"She cares much more than you know." Sybill whispered, looking out the window. "In the coming years, Amelia will have many hard trials ahead...her tea leaves are always the same….She will also have very difficult decisions ahead of her."
"What do you mean?" Albus asked.
Sybill turned back to him. "I am saying that Amelia will be the key to Harry Potter's success against the Dark Lord."
"No." Severus hissed instantly.
"Severus, Amelia is strong..she will be alright." Sybill told him simply. "Though I would suggest you start teaching her-"
"What?!" I watched the Severus, as I stood close to him.
"Severus." Albus spoke calmly. "Go ahead, Sybill."
The Divination Professor nodded. "I suggest you teach her, Painilplity." We all turned to her as she said this. "Also show her how to be a proper Legilimens."
"Lucius will never allow this." Severus hissed. "She is the Malfoy Princess Merlin sakes."
"He will, not willingly...but I would suggest before the beginning of her fifth year..that Albus you should speak with him." Sybill explained, as I looked to Albus.
"Mr. Malfoy, will understand." I looked to the Headmaster.
"I agree with Severus." I spoke simply. "Lucius may have been a good spy in the past, but he won't allow his daughter to place herself in danger."
"He won't have a choice." Sybill replied simply. "If the Dark Lord were to learn of Amelia...he'd kill or manipulate her mind to serve him."
Pain filled my heart, as I thought about Amelia going through the Imperius curse..or having the Cruciatus performed on her delicate frame. Tears entered my eyes, as I struggled to keep them at bay..when I thought about her being hit by the Killing Curse. "We have to keep her safe."
"I agree." Albus replied. "However, when the Dark Lord returns..we know that he didn't know about Lucius's betrayal..hopefully he will still be in the dark on that. Which means he will use the Malfoy manor as a base of operations."
"Where will Amelia go?" Remus asked.
"Narcissa will find a place to keep her safe." Severus said instantly. "She loves her daughter, and Lucius won't allow harm to come to her."
"I am more interested in how you expect Potter to allow her to help him?" Filius asked. "That's going to require serious manipulation."
"Leave that to me." Albus replied simply.
We nodded. "I suggest that Amelia not be left in the dark."
"I agree with that." Sybill replied. "She should know, before her sixth year." We watched as she looked around. "Severus, do not worry...Amelia will survive this..and she will save several lives along the way." I looked at the fortune teller with confusion, before turning to Severus. He looked bewildered as well, before two and two began to come together.
"Amelia will be the bravest witch of her age."
"She's the embodiment of the Hogwarts prophecy." Sybill replied simply, which had us all floored. "I can't be the only one who noticed...there is a reason why she can see the future, why the sorting hat had such a difficult time….you will all see how great she will be in time."
Severus looked at her. "We know she will be great."
"You have no idea." Sybill replied, before she blinked a few times. Telling us that she was finished speaking of the future.
Turning my head, I watched as the Head of Slytherin stormed out of the room. "He really does care about her." Remus whispered.
"You don't?" Filius asked.
"I never said that." Remus replied simply. "The girl is extraordinary."
Are you ready for this?
1) What will happen to Amelia?
2) Do you have an idea of what Painilplity is?
3) What do you think was going through Snape's head?
4) How will Lucius react to Amelia's prophecy?
5) Who is Amelia exactly in your opinion?
6) How do you think Narcissa will protect Amelia?
7) How did you like the switch up with McGonagall's POV?
I said a lot of questions didn't I, well here is a bonus.
8) Do you like Snape in this chapter?
Nature Faustus