Hello!
I won't waste time dwaddling with useless blather, because I'm on my way to roadtripping for a friend's wedding (or on my way back from it depending on the time this uploads), so I have to work fast.
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If Someone Cared Enough
Chapter Seventy-Five: Slip of the Tongue
The day started out average enough by Severus and his friends' standards. Aside from the usual worry and suspicion cast upon the rest of the student body over the diary theft and a growing worry of if and when the chamber would be opened, things were pretty uneventful most days as of late. The Slytherin dorms had been repaired, though no one knew quite when the unpleasant odor of burnt rug would cease to linger.
Dumbledore and the professors were quick to assured the students that the culprit had been swiftly caught and dealt with, Wilkes, rather loud and furious protests providing a colorful show as he was dragged out by Aurors while he spit curses and slurs at onlookers.
Of course, Severus was still not convinced Wilkes was the culprit. Wizards of the highest caliber and skill knew better than to cast Fiendfyre in a confined space they were currently occupying, and even a halfwit, incompetent wizard like Wilkes was at least taught to never use that spell without a set escape route. Yet he was one of the few still trapped inside before Slughorn's arrival, far enough from the exit that he and Rosier managed to get caught up in the elbowing, tangled mass of students clustered together with no way out.
Surely, if Wilkes had meant to start the fire, he would have done so while much closer to the doors, as to ensure his own safe escape. He also wouldn't have been stupid enough to leave his wand behind as evidence.
There was the possibility Wilkes did the spell by accident, Severus supposed. His wand was a family heirloom, passed down in an ill-advised sign of pride rather than allowing a wand at Olivander's to choose him. It was a common practice of pureblood families, good and evil, which oftentimes resulted in a wizard wielding a wand unsuited to them and a mercurial relationship between the two.
This led to many mishaps with Wilkes magic over the years, his wand unyielding and cutting in nature contrasting strongly with Wilkes follower mentality and explosive temper. There could very well be a chance that the wand went off on it's own while tucked away in his back pocket. While not entirely common, wands could act on their own from time to time; the number of wizards holed up in St. Mungos with a buttock blown off was proof of that.
While an accident or act on Wilkes part was a viable possibility to most, the key factor that refuted it in Severus's eyes was the one factor only Severus and his friends knew of; the diary. Clearly, the fire was set as a distraction, granting the caster time in the chaos to raid the rooms unnoticed by the average panicked bystander.
True, it was almost unfathomable how the person would be able to weave up the stairs against the heavy flow of fleeing students, let alone slip back out unnoticed, but with or without those elements, Wilkes still was improbable. Trapped among the other frantic teens locked in a tussel at the entrance, Wilkes wouldn't have had time to raid the dorms. His friends fled with him, leaving their chances of being the culprit also rather slim.
Wilkes simply didn't fit the role in this case.
Still, Dumbledore seemed to want it perceived as an accident at the very least. Possibly unwilling to stir up fear and distrust within the walls of Hogwarts, Dumbledore assured the staff and students that the fire was in no way bore any connection to You-Know-Who and was in actuality a poorly constructed and mean spirited prank by Wilkes that he lost control of in his inexperience. The blame still rested at Wilkes feet, but without any fearful connotations of Voldemort's involvement.
What bothered Severus most was that Dumbledore could see into Wilkes mind if he so chose. As obvious as it was to Severus that Wilkes couldn't be the culprit, Dumbledore should be able to see that from miles away. Yet, he maintained a steadfast insistence in Wilkes's guilt, which created more questions than answers. Did Dumbledore actually find proof that Wilkes was guilty? Or was Wilkes in fact innocent and if that was the case, why conceal it?
The lack of answers left a feeling of unease to settle deep in Severus's gut.
"What's got your brow all furrowed, Snape?" Nesme asked, sitting across from him at breakfast.
Severus shook his head, dispelling the cloud of negativity swirling around his head, "Nothing, just the usual."
"Still worried about the Chamber?" Nesme asked, breaking off a piece of her muffin to dip in her pumpkin juice, earning a grimace of disgust from Davis.
Just as disturbed by the odd flavor combination, Severus nevertheless nodded, "It's been almost two weeks since it disappeared and still nothing has happened. I admit, the anticipation is…unsettling."
"Look, Severus," Davis said, pointing his spoonful of oatmeal at the Slytherin, "It's only March, we've got several more months to crack this case and we're still wholly unprepared. The fact that whoever took the diary hasn't made a move is favorable to us; we wouldn't have a real plan ready if they did open it now."
"Myrtle's doing a grand job of chasing people away," Nesme added, "Saw a group of fourth years storm away from the loo dripping and angry as wet cats. Even if the thief was able to endure the toilet water and faucet attacks; Myrtle's making enough of a fuss that she calls attention to the bathroom and no one suspicious would be stupid enough to hang around when the professors come running."
Severus nodded again, conceding to the validity of Nesme's words, "She's buying us time while we work on perfecting the warding charms. Speaking of which, how far along are you two?"
"Almost perfected it," Davis declared proudly, "Been studying it in depth for days now. I'll have no trouble performing the charm."
Nesme shrugged, "I'm doing alright. It's not the strongest yet, but with everyone doing the same charms at once, I don't think it will affect the integrity of the ward much."
"Well I've mastered it," came a reply as Severus opened his mouth; only it wasn't his voice.
Simone sat down to Severus's left with a grin.
"Of course, it was no trouble for me," She continued in a deep voice, still imitating Severus, "I'm incredible gifted in everything, you know. I right prodigy, I am."
Nesme snickered, hiding her mouth behind her half-eaten muffin.
"Hilarious," Severus deadpanned, flicking a crumb over to peck Nesme in the forehead.
Simone's grin widened, "Spot on, wouldn't you say? Thea thinks I've got you down pat."
"I never said that," Thea insisted taking a seat across from Simone, "I only said Simone certainly thought her impression accurate."
Honestly, Severus was relieved for some levity from Simone. Since the fire, she'd found various, poorly constructed excuses to hang around Severus, all under the guise of friendly banter and companionship. But Severus knew better; the thought of Severus dying clearly struck a chord with Simone, more so because she wasn't entirely convinced the fire was solely for the diary…she thought whoever cast it timed the attack for just the right moment where the diary and Severus would be inside.
The clinginess that came because of these suspicions was daunting, to say the least. It was nice to see Simone letting up a little.
"Joking aside, I have mastered the necessary charms," Severus stated, ignoring how Simone mouthed 'Told you' across the table, "Provided you two are prepared, we should be able to do the warding relatively soon. Hopefully in the next two nights."
"So you're just waiting on us?" Simone asked with a smirk, "I take it then that the genius Severus Snape has taught our resident Gryffindors all his holy wisdom."
"If you must know, Lily taught me," Severus admitted, pleased to see the surprise wipe the grin off Simone's face, "If you recall, charms have never been my strong point. But they're Lily's best subject."
"Next to potions that is," Lily announced, sitting down next to Severus along with Mary and Remus. Mary looked a tad put out to not be sitting next to Severus, but she didn't complain.
"Bragging about me, are we?" Lily teased Severus, helping herself to a hearty serving of scrambled eggs.
"Hardly," Severus drawled, "I was merely informing Serapeum that your tutelage came in handy for the warding charms."
"Oh yeah," Lily nodded, plucking a slice of wheat toast off a nearby tray, "Those were a breeze, weren't they?"
"So says the Charms Virtuoso," Remus quipped, salting his breakfast potatoes, "I thought I'd never get it right."
"It was near impossible," Mary agreed.
"Hey, I'm just surprised the high and might Severus Snape admitted he needed help with something," Simone laughed.
Severus rolled his eyes, "Just because I strive for excellence doesn't mean I am beyond accepting assistance from a competent teacher. I wouldn't come to you for help."
"I'll have you know, I excel in every subject," Simone bragged.
"Arithmacy," Thea coughed under her breath.
Simone frowned, "That subject doesn't count; it's hardly a real course."
"Let's stay on track," Severus said, "We're as ready as we'll ever be with these charms and we can't afford to waste time. Our diary thief could strike any day now, so we must ward the bathroom as soon as possible. I say we do it tonight; if not, then tomorrow."
"I should be free," Davis mused, "Gobstones practice was pushed back to the weekend."
"Thea and I are ready and available," Simone said.
"Same here," Lily agreed with a nod from Mary.
"And here," Remus added.
"I'm good," Nesme said, "Finished up my detentions yesterday."
"Is this the detentions for sneaking out to play with Hagrid's chickens, or for calling Hilda Heffigy a 'Bag of Dragon Dicks'?" Severus asked, bemused.
Davis promptly choked on his tea.
"You did what?" he sputtered, "I had a date with her for Hogsmeade. Is that why she called it off?"
Nesme looked away nonchalantly, "I did you a favor; she likes the Chudley Cannons. Who in their right mind would like the Chudley Cannons?"
"I do!" Davis snapped.
Nesme blinked, "Oh wow…I don't think we can be friends anymore…"
"How immature are you?"
"Davis shut it," Simone ordered, eyes on the Slytherin table, "Look who just came in."
All eyes turned to Regulus Black as he made his way down the Slytherin table, stoic as ever. Looking up to meet Severus's eyes, he gave a minute nod before dropping down into a seat besides Rosier.
"Is he keeping quiet?" Mary asked.
Severus nodded, "For now; he knows better than to double cross us since we know Dobby showed him the diary. He wouldn't want Dobby punished by Malfoy if that got out."
"Besides, we can trust him," Thea chimed in, "I've never been a bad judge of character."
"Come again?" Severus drawled, pointing at Simone.
Simone stuck her tongue out at him.
"Is he still mad we lost the diary?" Lily asked.
"We didn't lose it," Simone huffed, "We were robbed. Through no fault of our own."
She patted Thea on the shoulder. The timid girl was still rather downtrodden that the diary was swiped on her watch.
"But yes," Severus cut in, "Reg is not exactly thrilled the very thing he wanted us destroy is now somewhere in the school with Merlin knows who."
"We'll get it back," Simone growled, "And kick the micky out of whoever took it too."
"H-hi Remus," came a shy voice behind them.
Looking away from the Slytherin table, Severus and the others found Peter Pettigrew standing nervously next to them, a nervous look on his face.
Marlene was at his side, "How's it going?"
"Hi, Marlene," Lily greeted, "We're doing well."
Marlene smiled, "That's great."
She gave Peter a gentle push forward, prompting him to speak up.
"Hi," Peter said again, a little more confidently, "C-can we sit with you, Remus?"
"Sure," Remus replied easily. In the time passed since the Marauders break-up, Remus had managed a relatively tentatively friendship with Peter again. Being a follower and not a leader, Remus couldn't hold as much accountability upon Peter, given that much of his behavior was merely a product of James and Sirius's influences and a desperation to not be abandoned by his only friends, a feeling Remus could very much relate to.
It was shaky grounds at best, bridges were burned that day in the bathroom and Remus questioned whether any of them would ever fully be rebuilt. In the meantime, it was nice to spend time with Peter without Sirius's depreciating jokes and James's overall dismissal of the boy. Peter was a nice guy deep down, with a surprising soft spot for cats and a love of gardening, things he'd usually be mocked for if not for the Marauder's protection.
Peter smiled gratefully at Remus, quickly scrambling in to the seat next to him.
"Dining with the 'Puffs, you guys?" Marlene asked as she sat down next to Peter, "You'll still root for Gryffindor at the next match, though, right?"
"Of course, Mar," Mary said, "You'd hex me if I didn't."
Marlene hummed in amusement, "That I would."
"Hex me all you want," Nesme said challengingly, "But Hufflepuff has got you beat. Amos Diggory will mop the floors with you."
Marlene smirked, "Want to make a bet?"
"So, Peter," Remus said loudly, interrupting what was sure to be a rather obnoxious argument about Quidditch, "What have you been up to lately?"
"Oh, you know…" Peter said hesitantly, "This and that. Been hanging out with Marlene, mostly…and you…and…"
"Peter, you're allowed to stay friends with James and Sirius," Remus said in exasperation, "We've been over this; I never said you had to choose."
"I wish they shared the same sentiment," Peter muttered, casting a wary eye towards his own table.
James and Sirius sat on complete opposite ends of the Gryffindor table, sending heated glares and the occasional sneer each other's way. According to the gossip mill, Sirius still blamed James for Lupin's refusal to forgive them, sighting James's 'pathetic' fixation on Lily as the sole motivator to the whole fiasco. James of course denied the fight having anything to do with Lily, pointedly reminding all naysayers of his 'devotion' to Jessica; a statement the girl herself was quick to back up.
Of course, Severus saw through such claims and knew ultimately Potter was angry at Black for not only nearly blowing the whistle on Potter's jealousy ploy with Jess, but also for daring to imply that Lily's affections were not only not worth pursuing, but that Potter's quest for her was futile.
The pair clearly missed each other, if the dismal way they sulked around the castle was any indication, but the trouble with the very similar qualities that once brought Black and potter together was that one of those qualities was a feeling of deserving. Both thought themselves owed an apology, so neither would back down, waiting out the other until one begged for forgiveness.
So there they sat, James sulkily agreeing to whatever inane chatter Jess and Meldonna prattled on about, and Sirius feigning interest in the latest antics boasted by Gideon and Fabian.
Sirius cast a forlorn look towards the Hufflepuff table, only to accidentally meet Lupin's eyes and quickly look away, a red steadily rising to his cheeks.
"You'd think you dumped them by the way they're acting," Marlene mussed, elbowing Remus in jest, "You heartbreaker, you."
"It isn't like that," Remus protested, going red in the face, "Sirius and I are just friends—were just friends."
"I don't remember singling out Black in particular, but okay," Marlene muttered smugly to herself, winking at the others.
Severus raised a brow; what on earth was she going on about now?
"So, Peter and I are going to help Hagrid weed his vegetable garden later," Marlene announced, gracelessly reaching down the table to snatch up a tray of honeybuns that Peter loved and passing it to him, "Anyone interested in joining us?"
The question was pointedly directed at Lupin, Marlene determined to assist Peter in piecing back together his friendship with the other boy at any cost.
Flinching under Marlene's gaze, Lupin shrugged, "I'm free this afternoon, I suppose."
Marlene's stern eyes softened with contentment, "Glad to hear it. The rest of you can join too, of course," she added casually.
"Can't," Nesme chirped, "I'm banned from Hagrid's cottage until further notice. Part of my punishment from sneaking off to play with his chickens so much."
"You mean, chasing the chickens," Davis muttered.
Marlene snorted, "Well, what about the rest of you."
"I promised to help Jess with her hair," Lily replied, "But I'll see if I can stop by."
At this Marlene rolled her eyes, "I can't figure out why you're still friends with her. Or Mel for that matter. Those two are the stuffiest pair I've ever met. Nothing's fun to them," she raised her voice a pitch, imitating Jess, "Marlene, a lady doesn't play Quidditch. A lady doesn't snort when she laughs. A lady never makes rude gestures with a summer sausage at breakfast.' Blah, blah, blah, I've heard it all."
"What was that last one?" Davis asked curiously.
"Do not ask," Mary cut in before Marlene could answer.
"She sticks it out the front of her pants and flaps it at people," Lily answered simply.
Nesme dissolved into a fit of giggles while Thea looked mortified.
Marlene shrugged, "What? I was just telling Black that mine was bigger." She nudged a red-faced Peter with her elbow, laughing as his face flushed further.
"Remind me to invite you to one of Slughorn's parties," Severus drawled with a roll of his eyes, "I'm sure that trick would go over well."
"I'll come if you let me bring Peter," Marlene said merrily, linking arms with Peter, "He's the only one not afraid to dance with me."
"Because he doesn't mind if you lead," Lily pointed out with a grin.
"I'm a take charge kind of woman," Marlene said with a shrug, "Some men are intimidated by that."
"Who wouldn't want a woman who can pick you up and carry you like a suitcase," Severus said with a smirk.
Marlene flicked a grape at him, "You're just jealous that you're too tall to be picked up by Lily."
"Actually," Mary butted in, "Lily and Severus aren't togeth—"
Whatever Mary intended to say was cut off by the arrival of the morning post, owls descending over the four tables, laden with newspapers and early mail.
Not subscribing to any paper, Severus expected to received nothing and was therefore rather surprised when a letter was dropped into his eggs by a familiar looking barn owl.
"Is that the school owl you sent out?" Lily asked, "The one with the letters to your relatives?"
"It would appear so…" Severus said warily. Allowing the owl to swipe a piece of bacon so it would leave, Severus picked up the letter it dropped and examined it carefully.
"Is it from them?" Mary asked eagerly.
"Who?" Marlene inquired.
"Sev's grandparents," Mary explained quickly, "Now hush."
"Open it, Sev," Lily urged.
Blocking out the expectant gazes of his friends, Severus flipped the letter over in his hands a few times. It was a plain envelope, standard stationary in the yellowing color found only in wizard parchment. Bearing no return address, the only noteworthy feature on the letter was the wax seal, stamped with a decorative 'P' in thick calligraphy.
'That looks like the Prince's seal,' Severus thought to himself. Slitting the seal with a butter knife, Severus withdrew the letter from inside and unfolded it slowly.
"Well?" Simone asked expectantly, "Don't keep us in suspense. What does it say?"
"It's from the Prince's estate," Severus read aloud, "A barrister Ponderosa to be exact. It says here that he's been informed of my wish to contact my family and would like to meet with me this weekend at his office, on Saturday at noon."
"That's great!" Mary cheered, "Perhaps he wishes to set up a meeting with your grandparents."
Severus shook his head, "They would have written to me themselves if that were the case. It makes no sense to have their barrister handle it."
"Perhaps they're sick?" Simone suggested, "Maybe the barrister handles all their affairs now and wishes you to meet them before they pass."
"If that's the case, it helps my predicament very little," Severus replied, "I wanted to meet them to see if they could help care for my mum. If they're too sick to function, they can't do much for her."
"Except give you money," Nesme pointed out, "Maybe you have an inheritance from them."
"I find that hard to believe," Severus said, "But even if that were true, it's not what I'm after. Mum would do well back with her family, back to when she was safe and happy. I sort of need living, competent relatives to accomplish that."
Simone scratched her chin, "Still, you can't deny that coming into a spot of money would be useful. At least to reimburse the Longbottom's for taking care of her."
"Frank's mum has made it clear that if I attempt to give her a single knut she'll give me a set of donkey ears for the insult," Severus deadpanned, "She takes great offense to being paid; something about how she has the wealth to do something solely out of the goodness of her own heart."
The other chuckled at that.
"Oh good luck, Alice," Lily laughed, "Not sure I'd be able to handle a mother-in-law like Mrs. Longbottom."
"Well if Snape's mum gets fixed up, she'll be your mother-in-law," Marlene said in what she probably thought was a helpful way.
Lily chocked in her pumpkin juice, refusing to look at anyone.
Mary gave Marlene a glare, "Mar, they're just friends."
Marlene snorted, "Sure, and I'm the Minister of Magic."
Mary scowled, not appreciating the joke. She regarded Severus and Lily carefully.
Severus and Lily did their best to appear innocent as possible, pointedly avoiding looking at one another.
"Sev…" Mary started questioningly, "Is there something between you two?"
"No," Severus said quickly.
"Absolutely not," Lily jumped in.
"There used to be something," Simone muttered into her cup of tea.
Severus kicked her under the table.
Mary looked between her two friends.
"I thought you were just best friends," she said angrily.
"We are," Severus was quick to assure her, "We're not anything now."
"Now?" Mary asked frowning.
Lily raised her hands placating, "It's nothing. We just flirted a little…that's all."
"Yeah I bet," Simone snorted.
It was Lily's turn to kick her under the table.
Peter cocked his head, befuddled, "So you two actually liked each other?" he didn't seem to notice the twin glares he was receiving from Severus and Lily, lost in thought, "Huh…I guess James was wrong."
"Potter's always wrong," Severus snapped, "But whatever imbecilic thought he had bouncing around in his empty head this time, it is neither here nor there. Lily and I are friends."
"Yeah, but you want to be more, right?" Marlene questioned, "That's what I thought you were getting at before, Lils. What happened there?"
Mary looked outraged, "Lily, do you have feelings for Severus?"
"No!" Lily sputtered, shying away from all the prying eyes, "That's insane—not insane, I mean," she added sending a meaningful look at Severus, "Just…impractical. We're friends….and…and with all that's been going on…well relationships hardly seem ideal right now and—"
"Severus," Mary interrupted, slamming her hands on the table as she stood up, "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Without waiting for a response, Mary stormed out of the Great Hall.
"Mary," Lily called, "I…"
The brown-haired girl didn't seem to hear, disappearing out the door and around the corner.
Severus turned to Lily, a remorseful look on his face. A question lingered there as he stared at her.
'Do you still…?'
"I should follow her," Severus said instead, standing up as well. He spared Marlene a derisive sneer.
"Nice going, Mckinnon," he said scathingly before leaving as well.
Marlene looked around in confusion.
"What's got their knickers in a twist?" she asked.
"Mary's trying to woo Snape," Simone said bluntly, prompting Thea to drop her face into her palm.
Marlene whistled, "First Lily, now Mary? Is Snape hung like a Hippogriff or something, because I still don't see the appeal?"
The group collectively choked on their breakfasts.
Aaaaaand the Kneazle's out of the bag!
How do you think this is going to go over?
Like I said, Cramped for time, so tah-tah for now!
Review please!