Content Notes: Past child abuse and neglect (discussed), past sexual abuse (discussed), minor canon character death.
A special thanks to my beta reader EmeraldSnakes who has spent the past two months listening to me chatter about my fic and Harry Potter, and who graciously has edited this fic.
This fic updates on Saturdays and is cross-posted on AO3.
"You should read this," Blaise said as Rachel and Millie sat down for breakfast.
"What?" Millie asked, serving herself three pieces of french toast before pushing the platter towards Rachel.
"This," Blaise said, pointing at the front page of the newspaper.
Rachel picked it up and immediately noticed that the picture on the front page was of the staff table in the Great Hall, with Professor Snape in the center.
Then she read the headline and the article.
Former Death Eater Adopts the Girl-Who-Lived
By Rita Skeeter
Faithful readers, I continue to bring you the latest news from Hogwarts. Students say that Rachel Snow, the Girl-Who-Lived and savior of wizarding Britain, has been adopted by none other than Severus Snape, a current Professor at Hogwarts and a former Death Eater. This adoption is surely a surprise to many, especially since Albus Dumbledore - Headmaster of Hogwarts and Supreme Mugwump - has noted on many occasions that Rachel Snow was living happily with her muggle relatives.
This witch wants to know - and I think I speak for all concerned in the wizarding community - why and how did this adoption take place and why was it kept hidden? The adoption certificate on file with the Ministry of Magic states that Severus Snape adopted Rachel Snow on October 10, 1991. If the adoption was in good faith, why was it kept from public knowledge?
I need hardly remind you that in 1981, shortly after the fall of You-Know-Who, Severus Snape was placed on trial for his activities as a Death Eater. Why is a former Death Eater, who was seduced by the Dark Arts, being allowed to adopt the Girl-Who-Lived? Why is Albus Dumbledore, who spoke at Snape's trial in his defense, allowing the adoption to go forth? Did Albus Dumbledore secretly arrange for the adoption through Wizard Family Affairs?
For details on the 1981 trial for Snape's Death Eater Activities, see page 3.
Rachel set down the newspaper and let Millie finish reading. It was a good thing that Professor Snape had told her he used to be a Death Eater before she had to read about it in the Daily Prophet.
"This is all my fault," Millie said, sounding upset.
Rachel turned to Millie.
Millie had tears in her eyes. "Remember, just after we got back after the Christmas holiday, I asked you how it was having Professor Snape as your guardian. Pansy or Daphne must have told someone, and that someone must have told Rita Skeeter."
Rachel patted Millie on the arm. She didn't think it was likely that if Pansy or Daphne had told someone that they realized that it was a secret. Or that it would wind up in the newspaper if they did tell someone.
"Wait, you knew?" Blaise asked.
"You didn't?" Draco asked, taking a seat next to Blaise. "It took the Daily Prophet long enough to catch up. That was five months ago."
"You knew?" Millie asked, sounding shocked.
"Of course. My father told me about it over the Christmas holiday. My father and Professor Snape are friends," Draco said, his tone suggesting that they should know that by now. "Though my father would hardly be so crass as to inform a reporter."
Rachel looked around and sure enough people were reading the newspaper and then turning to look at her, though some were also craning their heads to look up at the staff table. Professor Snape wasn't there. It seemed like it was going to be another long day of people staring at her.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked when they arrived at their study room that afternoon.
Rachel nodded and sat down. People had been staring and gossiping, but at least this time they weren't calling her a squib.
"I have to say, I do find it odd that Professor Dumbledore allows a former Death Eater to teach at Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"Key word being former," Theo said as he took his books out of his bag. "He redeemed himself by becoming a spy. He probably saved lots of lives and at great danger to his own."
"But the things the Death Eaters did. They murdered people, and tortured them, and raped them. Muggles and witches and wizards," Hermione said, sitting down next to Rachel. "I don't know if you can be redeemed from that sort of thing."
Rachel blinked. It was one thing to read about what the Death Eaters had done in a book. It was quite another to think of Professor Snape actually doing those things.
"Maybe he didn't do those things," Theo said. "In the newspaper section about his trial, no specific crimes were linked to him. They just had him on trial for being a Death Eater. Professor Snape is a genius Master Brewer. I can't imagine the Dark Lord would want to risk him on the front lines of the war. I bet Professor Snape mostly just brewed potions. Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have cleared his name otherwise."
Neville shook his head. "I don't think so. You-Know-Who wouldn't have wanted someone who wanted to just brew potions. You don't know what his Death Eaters were like."
Theo went very still. "What do you mean?"
"Neville?" Hermione asked when he didn't respond.
"My parents. After the war, the Death Eaters attacked my parents. They used the Cruciatus Curse to torture them to the point of insanity. That's what Death Eaters did," Neville said, his voice cracking.
The room fell silent and they all looked away.
"Did they die?" Millie asked quietly.
Neville shook his head. "They're in the long term care ward at Saint Mungo's. They don't recognize me. They'll be in there for the rest of their lives."
"I'm so sorry," Hermione said. "I had no idea."
Rachel nodded. It was horrible. At least she knew that her parents had likely died with very little pain. The Killing Curse was supposed to be instantaneous and painless. She thought it was better for her parents to have died like that, than it would have been if they'd been tortured and left helpless the way Neville's parents had been.
"Did they catch the Death Eaters who did it?" Theo asked.
Neville nodded. "Yes. Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband, and his brother. They're serving life sentences in Azkaban. Any Death Eater who murdered, or tortured, or raped should be in Azkaban," he said firmly.
"I don't disagree with you, Neville. But I have to think Theo might be right about Professor Snape. I can't imagine Professor Dumbledore would allow Professor Snape to work here if he'd done those things. Professor Dumbledore is supposed to be the greatest wizard of our time - how could he overlook a thing like that?" Hermione asked.
"Don't get me wrong, I like Professor Snape. But I don't think Professor Dumbledore is always right either. He's keeping the Philosopher's Stone in a school when he knows You-Know-Who is after it. That's not really safe either," Millie said.
Rachel didn't disagree. She didn't want the Dark Lord showing up at Hogwarts and the Philosopher's Stone seemed set up to lure him there. It didn't seem safe.
"I suppose that's true enough," Hermione admitted.
Theo nodded to himself but didn't offer any additional thoughts.
"I just wish Rita Skeeter would leave Rachel alone," Millie said.
Rachel nodded. She wished that too.
It was Saturday evening and they were just finishing their essays on the Mending Charm, which was a relatively recent invention. Of course, in wizarding terms, relatively recent meant in the 1700s.
Rachel grabbed a spare piece of parchment and tore a section off before writing out 'I'm going to return these books to the library before Madam Pince leaves for the night. Do you want me to take any of your books back?'
The others leaned in and read her note.
"Can you take Charming Charms back too?" Theo asked, closing the book and pushing it across the table.
Rachel nodded and added the book to her small stack.
"We'll see you in the common room in a little bit then," Millie said, looking up from where she was still working on a concluding paragraph.
Rachel nodded and then waved goodnight to Hermione and Neville. She slung her bag over her shoulder and picked up the books she was returning. The hallway back to the library was nearly empty and when Rachel went into the library itself she saw that it was nearly empty as well. Most students liked to take Saturday night off. Rachel didn't mind studying on Saturday. She'd rather spend the time with her friends than just sitting around.
She brought the books up to the counter where Madam Pince was using her wand to sort books onto various carts.
"Done already?" Madam Pince asked, pulling the books across the counter and tapping them with her wand. "You and your friends go through books too quickly."
Rachel shrugged and then nodded because it was probably polite to agree with her. They did go through a lot of books now that they had to check them out to take them to their study room.
"Go on then, before you miss curfew," Madam Pince said.
Rachel nodded again, even though it was Saturday and they still had more than an hour before curfew. She left the library, lost in thought about her plans to go flying on the Quidditch pitch with Draco tomorrow after lunch.
"Cadere!"
Rachel felt her feet get swept out from under her and she fell to the floor.
"Grab her!" another voice called.
Rachel got a quick look at the two boys approaching her. Upper year Gryffindors. She was pretty sure they were the same ones who had cast stinging hexes at her in October. She struggled to her feet, though not in time to stop one of the boys from wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off the floor.
"Obscuro," the first boy said, pointing his wand at Rachel.
Her vision went dark. She was blind, though she could feel something resting against her face.
"Go," the boy who cast the spell urged and Rachel felt herself being jostled as the boy carried her.
Rachel squirmed in the boy's arms but she couldn't get her arms free and she wasn't able to twist around to bite him either. She kicked her feet against his legs.
The boy violently shook her. "Do that again and I'll use Incarcerous to tie you up."
She fell still. She couldn't escape if she was tied up and they had to put her down eventually.
"In here, before someone sees us" the boy who wasn't carrying her said.
The boy carrying her threw Rachel down and she heard a door slam shut before she could roll onto her knees to try and get out.
"Colloportus. Not so special now, are you?" one of the boys asked through the door. "Traitor."
Rachel could feel the walls closing in on her. She felt around and found stone walls and then the rough wood of the door. She pounded on the door, her breaths coming in short gasps. She didn't want to be locked in.
"Tell your Death Eater father that we're coming for him," one of the boys said.
"Oh that's right, you can't," the other boy said and then laughed.
Rachel kept throwing her fists against the door. They couldn't leave her in here.
"We'll come check on you in the morning. If we feel like it," the first boy said. "Silencio."
The thumps Rachel's fists had been making against the door stopped. She knelt and felt up the door until she found the latch and started pulling on it. It had been locked tight.
Her chest hurt. She brought her hands to her face. If she could see maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe it wasn't completely dark. She clawed at it, feeling her fingernails on her skin. Nothing she did made any difference - her fingers went straight through whatever was over her eyes.
She could feel her heart beating hard and she felt sick. She swallowed hard. She couldn't be sick in her cupboard. Aunt Petunia hated it when she made a mess.
How long was she going to be locked in here? She never knew. Sometimes it was only a few hours. Sometimes they didn't let her out until the next morning. Sometimes it seemed like days passed.
She pounded at the door again and clawed at the latch before finally she slumped against the wall and waited. There wasn't anything she could do.
Severus checked the clock on the mantle as he got up to answer the knock on his office door. It was just past curfew.
He opened his office door, prepared to deal with a problem from a prefect, since they were the only ones who should have been out of the common room after curfew, and was marginally surprised to find Millicent Bulstrode and Theodore Nott waiting for him.
"We can't find Rachel," Millicent blurted out before he could ask why they were out after curfew.
Severus immediately felt his muscles tense. "What do you mean?"
"We checked the common room, the first year girls dorm, the girls bathrooms, our study room, and the library," Theodore said quickly. "No one saw her return to the common room tonight."
If Rachel had been a habitual rule breaker like some of his students, he would be less worried, but he couldn't fathom why she'd be out past curfew without her friends. "Where and when did you last see her?" he asked.
"Third floor in the Defense corridor. She was going to return some books to the library and then we were going to meet her in the common room," Millicent said. "We've really looked everywhere."
"It was just before eight," Theodore added.
Severus felt a chill. The Defense corridor was where Quirrell's rooms and office were located. What if the Dark Lord had instructed him to take Rachel when getting to the Philosopher's Stone had proven impractical? He had to act quickly. "I will find Rachel. Come with me back to the common room."
They walked back through the dungeons, Millicent and Theodore hurrying to keep up with his quick strides.
"Professor Snape," Gemma said, approaching them with her wand lit. "We were just doing rounds. I didn't realize they were out of their dorms."
"They were informing me of a concern. Go back to your dorms," Severus told Millicent and Theodore. He waited until they had gone inside before turning to Gemma. "Rachel Snow is reportedly not in the common room or her dorm. Please check the common room and see if she's inside. Do not ask if anyone has seen her, I don't want to cause a panic."
"Yes, sir," Gemma said, quickly going back into the common room.
Severus went to the portrait of Curbin the Brave. "I need your help."
"What can I do for you, Severus?" Curbin asked as he got to his feet.
"Rachel Snow, she's a first year, short, with brown hair and glasses. She's gone missing and it's urgent I find her. Use the Slytherin network and find out where she is," Severus directed.
"I know who Rachel is," Curbin said. "I'll go spread the word. Wait for me here."
"Thank you," Severus said, watching as Curbin left his frame.
Curbin had been a Slytherin Head of House in the 1790s and had been guarding the entrance to Slytherin House ever since his death. Some thought it odd that his moniker was Curbin the Brave, when bravery was considered a Gryffindor trait. What they didn't know, and what Curbin didn't speak of, was that he had died protecting a group of students when a Graphorn emerged from the Forbidden Forest.
Over his years at the entrance to Slytherin House, Curbin had continued his duties by developing a network among the Slytherin paintings to watch out for Slytherin students. When students remarked that it was like Severus had eyes all over the castle, little did they know there were very few places within the castle that the portraits did not see. Severus tended to restrict his requests to Curbin to emergencies, though he checked with Curbin from time to time to see if there was anything he should know.
"She's not in the common room or her dorm room," Gemma said as she hurried over to Severus. "I reassured the first year girls that we are looking for her and will find her soon. Millie is quite worried. Should I go look for Rachel? I can get the other prefects to help."
The last thing Severus wanted was for Gemma - or any of his students - to accidentally wander into Quirrell's path tonight. "No, stick to your rounds in the dungeons. I have ways of finding students who are out after curfew."
"You don't really think Rachel is just wandering around, do you?" Gemma asked. "Sir. I just mean, I've never seen Rachel break any rules, and it just seems more likely to me that she's hurt or needs help."
"You may be right, Miss Farley, but I don't want you to be in danger either. If I need help finding Rachel I will ask the other teachers and staff to help me," Severus said, summoning all the patience he had. "For now, I'm going to ask you not to alert anyone else. If you find Rachel bring her back to the common room. I will check in periodically. Go on your usual rounds."
"Yes, sir," Gemma said, her voice still carrying a hint of defiance. She turned and went on her way down the dungeon corridor.
Severus turned back to the portrait to find Curbin waiting. "Feisty, that one. You did good to make her a prefect."
"Where is Rachel?" Severus asked.
"The librarian Thomas Bodley saw Rachel get accosted by two Gryffindor boys, perhaps an hour ago," Curbin said, his expression worried. "I'm going to go back out and continue to go through the frames to see if anyone has seen anything else."
"Thank you," Severus said, taking off in the direction that would lead him out of the dungeons.
While he was relieved that Quirrell likely wasn't involved, it didn't bode well that she hadn't resurfaced after being attacked. He hurried through the corridors and up the main staircases until he reached the large portrait that hung near the entrance of the library.
"Sir Bodley, I'm told you witnessed a young Slytherin girl being attacked by two Gryffindors. Might you be able to tell me what happened?" Severus asked, addressing the ancient librarian respectfully.
"Indeed, not too long ago. The young girl in question had just returned some books to the library. I often see her visiting the library. She had just passed by my frame when a pair of Gryffindors emerged from the library. One cast a Tripping Jinx at her and then they proceeded to capture her," Sir Bodley explained.
"Thank you, sir. Did you see which way they went?" Severus asked.
"To the left of my frame," Sir Bodley said, inclining his head in the direction of the hallway that led opposite of the Defense corridor.
"Thank you," Severus said again. He held his lit wand high and went in the direction the portrait had indicated. He went more slowly now, prepared for a possible attack. It was likely that the Gryffindor boys had simply returned to their common rooms after abandoning Rachel, but he wanted to be prepared in case they had set a trap using Rachel as bait. After his time with the Death Eaters he simply didn't leave things like that to chance.
The corridor appeared to be empty. Severus put out his light and pointed his wand directly out "Homenum Revelio," he said quietly, the spell expanding until it reached the far walls of the corridor. There was no one there. That just left the various doors. There were four unused classrooms, a bathroom, and a storage closet.
He started with the classrooms, silent except for when he needed to check for the presence of other humans. The classrooms were empty, as were the bathrooms. He found the storage closet to be locked and immediately cast a spell to reveal what other spells had been used on it. There had been a Silencing Charm placed over the door, but no offensive or defensive spells. He unlocked the door and opened it, before quickly lighting his wand to peer inside.
Rachel was curled up on a ball on the floor.
"Rachel," Severus said. His first impulse was to drop down to check on her, but instead he turned to look around him. No one had been summoned by his opening the door. "Rachel, can you get up? Are you hurt?"
She slowly got to her knees and Severus could see that there were bloody scratches on her face and her hands had been bloodied as well.
"Let's get somewhere safe," he said, reaching his hand out toward her.
She didn't react and didn't stand up.
Severus turned and checked behind him once more. They were still safe but he didn't know how long that would last. He turned back to Rachel and held his wand closer to her, trying to see what was wrong. He was struck by the fact that her pupils didn't contract in the sudden light, they were still large.
He extinguished his light and held his wand near Rachel's face. "Finite incantatem," he said, and then lit his wand once more. "Can you see now?"
Rachel nodded and got to her feet. She was trembling. She picked up her bag from the floor.
"Let's go. I want to deal with this as soon as possible," Severus said.
The Headmaster's office wasn't far from here, and if Albus wasn't still awake then Severus was willing to wake him.
Rachel followed Professor Snape, keeping her eyes on the light of his wand. She was grateful to be able to see again, and grateful to be out of that closet, but she had no idea how Professor Snape had found her. She didn't even know how long she'd been in there. It had felt like a long time.
Professor Snape definitely seemed upset. He kept sweeping his wand from side to side, like he expected to be attacked at any moment.
She kept as close to him as possible, not wanting to be left behind. She didn't think he would leave her behind, not after he came out here to find her, but she didn't want to be left behind by accident either. She didn't know where they were going - in the dark it was much harder to follow her mental map of Hogwarts.
Before long they came to a stop at the end of a corridor. The light from Professor Snape's wand illuminated a gargoyle, and Rachel realized they were going to see Professor Dumbledore.
"Licorice Snap," Professor Snape said. The gargoyle stepped aside. "Watch your step on the stairs, they move."
Rachel followed him onto the moving staircase and waited as the spiral staircase moved them up through the tower. They stepped off at the top and Professor Snape knocked on the door that led to Professor Dumbledore's office.
They waited and after a few minutes the door opened and Professor Dumbledore appeared. He looked as though he had placed his robes over his night clothes, and his robe was hanging open at the front.
"Severus?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Rachel was attacked tonight," Professor Snape said, standing aside and raising his lighted wand so Professor Dumbledore could see her.
"Rachel, my dear. Whatever happened? Are you alright?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
Rachel nodded, but Professor Snape brought his light back over to Professor Dumbledore.
"No, she is not alright. She was attacked by two upper year Gryffindors, who blindfolded her, locked her in a closet, and then put a Silencing Charm on the closet so no one would find her." Professor Snape's voice was sharp by this point and the words were near a shout. "If Millicent Bulstrode and Theodore Nott hadn't come to me to tell me she was missing, then she could have been there all night!"
"Come in," Professor Dumbledore said, moving back into his office.
Rachel followed Professor Snape inside and watched as the lamps seemed to automatically brighten the room.
Professor Dumbledore moved to the side of the room and removed something from a black cabinet. He came back over to his desk and put down a shallow silver bowl. "Given the situation, I think this is the best solution. If you wouldn't mind, Severus?"
Professor Snape motioned Rachel forward until she was standing with him in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk. "This is a Pensieve. It allows us to view someone else's memory. I'm going to press the tip of my wand against your temple and I want you to think of what happened tonight, starting outside the library and going through to when they left you in the closet. Then I will draw my wand away with the memory. It will feel a little odd, but it will not hurt. Do you understand?" Professor Snape asked.
Rachel nodded. She had a lot of questions, but she understood what he wanted her to do.
He put the tip of his wand against her temple and Rachel thought about leaving the library and the sound of the boy shouting the incantation for the Tripping Jinx. As she thought she felt a little fuzzy, like her knees weren't quite stable, and then she felt Professor Snape draw his wand away. With it came silvery wisps, which he deposited into the silver bowl.
"Sit down," he said, and Rachel gratefully sank into a nearby chair. She felt like she had just forgotten something important.
Professor Snape walked around to join Professor Dumbledore behind the desk and they both peered into the silver bowl. Each of them leaned down and touched the wisps within the bowl and then went very still.
Rachel waited, watching them for some sign of movement. They continued to breathe, their chests slowly expanding and contracting, but they otherwise were as still as stone. She supposed they were viewing the memory she had just parted with. If the blood and wounds on her hands were an indication, she'd probably been attacked. She wondered if she had to take that memory back, or if she even could.
Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore stood up in unison.
"Come here, I'll return your memory to you," Professor Snape said.
Rachel stood up and watched as Professor Snape captured the memory on the tip of his wand. He brought his wand up carefully and pressed it to her temple again.
She felt a little bit dizzy as she remembered being thrown into the closet and not being able to see.
"Jason Swann and Andrew Saxby, seventh year Gryffindors," Professor Snape said. "Were these the same two boys who attacked you in October?"
Rachel nodded, she was basically positive it had been them.
"I think we need to invite Minerva to this discussion," Professor Snape said.
"Yes, of course. Why don't you go tend to Rachel and I'll wake Minerva. We can meet back here once you've settled Rachel in for the night," Professor Dumbledore said. "Please feel free to use my floo."
Rachel followed Professor Snape to the fireplace.
"You recall how to use the floo?" Professor Snape asked.
Rachel nodded and wrapped her arms and hands tightly against her chest.
Professor Snape took some floo powder from the jar on the mantle and tossed it into the fireplace. "Severus Snape's quarters."
The flames turned green and Rachel closed her eyes and stepped into them. After a few moments of being bumped around she stumbled out into Professor Snape's main room, dropping her bag in the process. The soot was stinging the open wounds on her hands and her face.
Professor Snape came through the fireplace, neatly avoiding stepping on her. "Accio healing salve," he said, holding out his hand. A moment later a jar flew into his hand from the hallway.
Rachel stood up, gingerly dusting herself off. Her hands hurt. She had banged against the door and clawed at the handle for a long time.
Professor Snape reached for her face, salve covering two of his fingers, and Rachel flinched and stumbled back.
They both froze.
Rachel felt like she barely dared to breathe. Professor Snape had never raised a hand to her and this was how she behaved?
"Here, take this into your bathroom. Wash your hands and face and then apply the salve generously on your wounds," Professor Snape said, putting the lid back on the salve and then holding it out to her.
Rachel accepted the salve and slipped away, deeply embarrassed on numerous counts. She'd had a breakdown when locked in a cupboard, to the point where she'd injured herself, Professor Snape had to come find her, and then she'd flinched away from him like that.
She washed up and carefully applied the salve. She didn't like the feel of it on her skin, but it was better than walking around Hogwarts with a scratched up face and hands. Then she steeled herself and went back into the main room to give Professor Snape back the salve.
He was waiting and holding a potion vial, which he handed to her when she handed back the salve. "Take this tonight, it will prevent you from having nightmares," he said.
Rachel nodded. How did he know she had nightmares sometimes? Was it that obvious?
"I will deal with the situation with the Headmaster. I'll do whatever I can do," he said, pausing to wait for her response.
Rachel nodded again, though she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Are you ready to return to your dorm for the night?" he asked.
Rachel nodded and picked up her bag. She felt like she could sleep for a week. She followed him out through his office and down the dungeon hallway to entrance to the Slytherin common room.
"I see you've recovered Miss Rachel," Curbin said from his portrait.
"Indeed, thank you again. Your services are greatly appreciated," Professor Snape said.
They went into the common room and found that some of the upper years were still awake, though they fell silent when they realized that Professor Snape was in the room.
"You found her," Millie called as she raced over to them, Theo and Gemma at her heels.
"What happened?" Theo asked.
"Rachel was attacked by some seventh year Gryffindors," Professor Snape said. "While I appreciate you waiting for Rachel, it is now time for bed. Go on to your dorms."
"I trust you're dealing with the Gryffindors?" Gemma asked as Rachel joined Millie in walking toward their dorms.
"That's what I'm going to do right now," Professor Snape said.
When Rachel looked back, Professor Snape had already left the common room.
Severus was half expecting that Albus and Minerva had already made their decision by the time he flooed back to the Headmaster's office. Instead he found both of them waiting for him with solemn expressions.
"Albus let me know what has happened. How is Rachel?" Minerva asked as Severus took a seat next to her. She appeared as though she had dressed hastily and her hair was hanging loose.
Severus thought of the way Rachel had flinched away from him. It wasn't surprising, all things considered, but it had still been unsettling to witness. "Difficult to say, though she seemed calm enough. I healed her wounds and brought her back to the common room. I'll check on her again tomorrow."
"That leaves us with what to do about Mr. Swann and Mr. Saxby," Albus said, his expression carefully neutral.
"They attacked an eleven year old for the second time and they threatened me," Severus said, keeping his tone even by force. He would not allow what had happened to him to happen to Rachel. He would make Hogwarts safe for her. "I believe this should be grounds for expulsion."
"I agree," Minerva said, surprising Severus.
"I hesitate to expel any student," Albus said, steepling his hands together. "It is the most extreme measure we can take."
"Albus, I let you talk me down when you decided to leave Rachel with those muggles and look at what happened. The girl can't speak or do magic. She's defenseless. If you think I'm not going to do whatever I can to protect her now, you are sorely mistaken," Minerva said, steel in her voice.
"Suspension then, for the rest of the school year," Severus offered when Albus didn't respond immediately. "They'll still be able to take their NEWTs at the Ministry. I cannot allow them to stay here and continue to attack Rachel."
"We can provide them with a list of review topics, so the suspension won't affect their NEWT scores. They're eighteen years old and should be able to manage to prepare on their own for two months by now," Minerva said.
Albus nodded. "Suspension. Minerva, bring Mr. Swann and Mr. Saxby to my office tomorrow morning before breakfast and we will deal with the details."
Severus felt a strange rush of relief. He had expected Minerva to defend her students and Albus to resist removing them from Hogwarts. He could still remember the dread he had felt when Black and Lupin had been allowed to stay at Hogwarts after they'd nearly killed him. It had played no small part in driving him to the Dark Arts to defend himself, though he could admit to himself he had been on that path since he had started at Hogwarts, maybe even before.
"If there's nothing else, I will see you tomorrow," Minerva said.
"Thank you," Severus said, primarily to her.
"Yes, tomorrow," Albus said.
Minerva nodded and used the floo to go back to her quarters.
"Severus, you must realize that I do not wish Rachel any harm. Quite the contrary," Albus said quietly.
Severus looked at him for a long moment. "I do realize that. But I also realize that she is not your only student. By becoming Rachel's guardian, I have sworn to put her welfare above all else. I don't begrudge you, Albus. But I must advocate for her safety."
Albus bowed his head. "I wouldn't expect otherwise."
"I plan to speak to my students tomorrow and let them know that a student was attacked and the attackers have been suspended for the remainder of the year. I want them to understand that their actions have consequences," Severus said, half expecting an objection.
"I suspect Minerva will make a similar statement to her own House. It's better that they understand why this has happened rather than allowing rampant rumors," Albus agreed. "I imagine this will also help to impress upon them that Rachel is off-limits and that she will be protected."
Severus would have preferred if that message wasn't necessary, but that had been his intention. "Hopefully this will help make Hogwarts a safer place for her. And for all students."
"Indeed. Is there anything else we should discuss, Severus?" Albus asked.
Severus took the hint and stood up. "I believe that is all for tonight. I will see you tomorrow."
Albus got to his feet. "Keep an eye on Rachel. In fact, keep both eyes on her."
"I intend to," Severus said, inclining his head to Albus and then flooing back to his own quarters. He was under no illusions that just because the two Gryffindor boys were being suspended meant that the danger to Rachel had passed.
Rachel had just finished getting dressed when there was a knock on their dormitory door.
Daphne answered the door, hairbrush in hand, and found Gemma waiting.
"Assemble out in the common room within the next five minutes. Professor Snape wants to address the House before breakfast," Gemma said, looking over all of them. "You doing okay, Rachel?"
Rachel nodded. The salve had healed her skin entirely, leaving only a few barely noticeable red patches on her knuckles where the skin was regrowing. The potion Professor Snape had given her last night had done its job too - she didn't remember dreaming at all.
"What's going on?" Pansy asked.
"I'm not sure, but don't be late," Gemma said, closing the door behind her.
Rachel pulled her fingers through her curls to get the largest tangles out and then tied her hair back. She packed her bag with her Defense book and some parchment, as they were planning on doing their essay on zombies after breakfast. She waited as Millie finished getting dressed and they went out into the common room.
"Do you think this is about what happened to you last night?" Millie whispered as they walked over to where the first year boys had gathered.
Rachel shrugged. She hoped not. She didn't see why the entire House would need to know she'd been shoved in a closet.
"Are you okay?" Theo asked.
Rachel nodded again.
Professor Snape was standing near the fireplace, his head bent as he talked with Leander.
"What's going on?" Pansy asked again as she and Daphne joined the first years.
"Whatever it is, he's not happy," Draco said, nodding in Professor Snape's direction.
"Probably some problem with the upper years," Blaise said. "I heard he found out the sixth year girls were sneaking into the boys dorms."
Draco laughed. "You'd think they'd know by now that Professor Snape has monitoring charms on the dorms."
Professor Snape stepped forward and held up his hand. The common room fell silent.
"Now that I have all of you here, I wanted to inform you of an incident that took place last night. Two seventh years attacked a first year, trapping her and causing her to be injured. This will not be tolerated," Professor Snape paused. "Bullying will not be tolerated. The two seventh years in question have been suspended and will not be returning to Hogwarts."
Murmurs of surprise rose up around the room.
Rachel blinked. She'd expected the Gryffindor boys to maybe have detention or something. Not returning to Hogwarts was an extreme punishment.
Professor Snape held his hand in the air again and the murmurs died down. "Watch out for each other. Stand up for each other. If you see a classmate being bullied, defend them. Protect the younger years who cannot protect themselves. Inform a prefect or myself if you witness bullying or a victim of bullying. We cannot help you if we do not know what is happening."
One of the upper years raised her hand and Professor Snape nodded in her direction. "Is the first year alright?"
"Her injuries were treated," Professor Snape said, neatly side-stepping the question.
"What House were the seventh years in?" another upper year asked, raising his hand.
"Gryffindor House. However, I do not want you to retaliate against the Gryffindors. The people involved have already been suspended. There will be serious consequences for any reports of unprovoked attacks against the Gryffindors," Professor Snape said, his expression stern.
A few students grumbled at that but they fell silent quickly.
"You can find me in my office today if you need to speak with me or if you have further questions," Professor Snape said. "Dismissed."
Students started moving around, some of them staying in the common room, some returning to their dorms, and some heading out for breakfast.
Rachel was about to motion to Millie and Theo that they should go get breakfast when Professor Snape approached her.
"How are you today, Miss Snow?" he asked.
Rachel nodded. She wished people would stop asking that.
"The scratches on your face seems to have healed well. May I see your hands?" he asked, his voice pitched low.
Rachel held out her hands and watched as he looked at them.
"Mostly healed," he pronounced. "If the redness does not go away by tonight come see me for more healing salve."
Rachel nodded again.
"You can come see me in my office if you need anything," he said, watching her closely.
Rachel nodded.
"Go on to breakfast," Professor Snape said, speaking slightly louder now.
Rachel led Millie and Theo through the crowd of students and out into the dungeon corridor. They had just passed Professor Snape's office when Gemma rushed over to them.
"I was hoping I'd see you again," she said breathlessly. "Listen, for the next little while I want you three to stay together when you're out in the halls."
"Because Rachel was attacked?" Millie asked.
"Not only that. Professor Snape may have warned people against retaliation, but that probably won't stop some of them. For a few weeks we'll probably see people getting hexed in the hallways, and of course the Gryffindors will attack back. Just try to stay together," Gemma said.
"Are you telling the other first years this too?" Theo asked.
"Yes, and the second and third years. But I wanted to start with you three, because, well," Gemma trailed off and looked at Rachel.
"Because Rachel's a target," Theo finished. "Don't worry, we'll protect her."
"If they want to attack Rachel they have to come through us," Millie said firmly.
Gemma sighed. "If you're attacked, get help from a teacher or a Slytherin upper year. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but right now your best defense is to run and get help. Understand?"
They all nodded, but Millie and Theo didn't look any less resolute.
"Alright, go on to breakfast, and stay safe out there," Gemma said, turning and heading back toward the common room.
"I think it's time we researched some defensive spells," Theo said as they walked towards the Great Hall.
"Agreed," Millie said.
Rachel silently sighed and followed them. Hopefully they wouldn't have any need of defensive spells.