Chapter twelve:
Closer
It was September 1st and since Harry was with the Weasleys for the week, they offered that they could take him to platform 9 3/4 upon Victoria's visit to check up on her nephew, the moment she heard about the incident that happened at the world cup. That afternoon, she had gathered her things and her teaching cart before heading out to her backyard in order to apparate to Hogsmeade. Once she arrived in Hogsmeade, Victoria began to walk to the location of the carriages that were pulled hy thestrals, though she didn't see them because she hasn't witnessed death. Once getting to the carriages, Victoria took a seat in one that was occupied by Professor Flitwick and they began pulling towards the castle. While sitting in the carriage, Victoria's mind was clouded with the day she was at Snape's residence and the moment that they had before she went home. Though it was just a moment of silence, it was a lingering and intimate silence.
Victoria caught herself sharing a gentle smile in the carriage before her focus was interrupted by Flitwick. "Is everything alright, Victoria?" Flitwick questioned upon spotting her deep in thought. Victoria's focus broke and turned her attention onto Flitwick. "Oh yes, everything is fine. How was your summer, Filius?" Victoria asked, changing the subject in order to take the focus off of her. She was smiling from thinking back on the moments she had with Snape over the summer. "My summer was splendid! Finally got around to growing my Asphodel plant. Did you know that it's an ingredient in the Draught of the Living Dead and related to the Lily? Quite useful besides it's beautiful appearance." Flitwick explained. Victoria nodded with a gentle polite smile. "I believe so. It certainly is beautiful, Filius." Victoria replied. The carriages finally arrived to the castle and both professors got out of the carriage to enter into the castle to their classrooms.
Victoria was happy to be back at Hogwarts but upon setting up her classroom, she was alerted by a particular professor at the entrance. "The headmaster is calling meeting in his office for every professor to attend, I'm afraid it is mandatory." Snape informed, keeping his posture straight while slipping a quiver of a smirk. Victoria was surprised to see Snape this soon of her arrival but she was pleased. "Thank you for informing me, Severus." Victoria replied with a gentle smile while she steadied her rhythm after her heart skipped a beat upon noticing Snape. She set the chalk and eraser down onto the tray on the chalkboard and patted her hands from the chalk dust to leave the classroom with Snape. "What exactly is this meeting about?" Victoria asked curiously, keeping her hands at her side while they walked towards the floor in which Dumbledore's office was located together, just inches apart. "I have yet to be informed but my suspicions lie upon the arrival of a certain person from the Ministry. A particular school event, perhaps?" Snape speculated.
They arrived at the gargoyle that moved once the password was spoken and went up the staircase to the office, spotting other professors awaiting the rest of the staff to arrive. Victoria spotted McGonagall, Hooch, Sprout, Flitwick, Trelawney, Sinistra and the like along with Barty Crouch from the Ministry, who looked over to spot herself and Snape. "Pleased to see you join us, Severus and Victoria." Dumbledore greeted them. Victoria folded her arms while Snape held his hands in front of himself. "I was informed that our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastair Moody, will be running slightly late. So I will begin the meeting with his absence." Dumbledore addressed, looking at each professor in the office. Barty Crouch scanned the room before turning to Dumbledore. "I suppose the event of the tournament will be announced this evening, am I correct?" Barty clarified. McGonagall took a few steps forward. "What is this about, Albus?" McGonagall asked in slight concern. Dumbledore decided to stand up from his desk. "There will be a Trwizard tournament held at Hogwarts this year. Our school has been chosen for the renewal of the event after it was put to an end back in 1792 where the three headmaster judges were injured by a rampaging cockatrice." Dumbledore explained.
Victoria had no idea what the Triwizard tournament was, Ilvermorny never took part in it and they had never studied it since they had no ties to Europe. "Excuse me, but what exactly is the Triwizard tournament?" Victoria asked, slightly confused. Barty Crouch placed a skeptical look on his expression to Victoria's question but Dumbledore went to explain it to Barty in a quick whisper about her being from America and having been at Ilvermorny. "Oh, okay, that explains it. Miss Hawthrone, the Triwizard tournament consists of three schools competing for the cup. One school, in this case Hogwarts, holds the tournament while three competitors are chosen by the goblet to compete in three tasks that are precisely difficult and dangerous. The winner, wins a cash prize and eternal glory." Barty explained. Victoria took it all in and figured that this was a big event that was being placed this year. Dumbledore went on to explain further. "There will also be a Yule ball, in which the three competitors will be the first to dance then the rest may join in. Only fourth years and above are allowed to attend without dates. It's a way for all three schools to mingle." Dumbledore expressed.
Victoria liked the sound of the Yule ball, getting to get dressed up and music as well but she only had one person she would attend it with as part of the guests instead of chaperoning. "We will be addressing the event tonight during the beginning of the year feast. Our guests will be arriving in October." Dumbledore explained. Snape had heard about the Triwizard tournament but was curious about the wizarding schools participating in the tournament. "Which schools exactly will be participating in this tournament?" Snape asked curiously. Dumbledore looked at Barty before looking to Snape. "Beauxbaton Academy of France and Durmstrang of Bulgaria, Severus." Dumbledore replied simply. Snape held his composure as he knew one particular person from Bulgaria that was headmaster of Durmstrang which had also been a former death eater but it wasn't hard for both Dumbledore and Victoria to notice Snape being a little irked by the schools participating, only Dumbledore knew why.
The meeting had ended and the professors were excused to go about their early evening until the feast except for Victoria. "May I speak with you for a moment, Victoria?" Dumbledore asked. Victoria looked from Snape and back to Dumbledore. "Of course." Victoria replied. Once the office was empty besides the two of them, Dumbledore turned to Victoria. "I must ask, would you be willing to get into teaching the extracurricular class of Ghoul Studies this year, Victoria? I only ask because I had been given short notice of that professor's departure from the school." Dumbledore asked in hope. Victoria wasn't precisely prepared for the subject but it seemed not too far fetched from her current class. "I can try, headmaster. Perhaps to help me prepare, I can add it to my sixth and seventh year's curriculum since they are precisely taking my course to study for N.E.W.T.S and hold the extracurricular class once a week for the rest of the classes?" Victoria estimated. Dumbledore took it into thought and found the new insertion to be refreshing. "That will be fine, Victoria, I appreciate your compliance. Which day of the week would you prefer to teach this course?" Dumbledore asked. Victoria thought over her schedule and figured out a date. "Tuesday's or Wednesday's." Victoria thought out loud. Dumbledore knew the schedules of professors and parted his lips to speak. "Perhaps Wednesday's would be best, as the rest of the school week seems quite crowded." Dumbledore pointed out. Victoria smiled gently. "Yes, that works." Victoria replied assertively. Dumbledore nodded and glanced at the clock. "Splendid. I will see you at the feast." Dumbledore stated before watching Victoria exit the office.
The students began arriving to the castle and getting into their houses to get ready for the feast while the first years waited in the hallway before the great hall. Victoria had entered the great hall along with the other professors to be seated at the professors table before the students were let inside the great hall to be seated. Watching as the new first years got sorted, Victoria noticed Harry had gotten to the school safely as he sat at the Gryffindor table. Before Victoria could look in Snape's direction, the goblet of fire appeared in the front of the podium area. Dumbledore approached the podium and looked at the hall full of students. "This year Hogwarts will play host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. During which time a single student gets to represent his or her school in a series of magical contests. Eternal glory awaits the student who wins the tournament." Dumbledore explained. There was lightning that came from the ceiling in the great hall before a figure entered a little late, one that had a fake eye over where his real eye would be and wore a fake leg, limping down the great hall. "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Dumbledore announced into the silence. "Professor Moody." he added. Moody seemed indifferent and not too welcoming when he approached the table where the professors sat before taking out a flask and drank it's contents.
Victoria found the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to be a little odd but she had noticed every year that she had been at the school, there happened to be new teacher for that subject. "May I also add that we have one of our very own professors taking over the extracurricular class Ghoul Studies this year in addition to their current History of Magic class, Miss Victoria Hawthrone." Dumbledore announced, pointing to Victoria before Dumbledore went on to explain the Triwizard tournament to the students, explaining the last time it was held and what it consisted of including when the two other schools will arrive while Victoria found her gaze hovering passed Moody to Snape who sat there awkwardly next to Moody. Snape along with several other professors clapped gently at the announcement. The students seemed very interested in the tournament that was being announced but then Dumbledore went on to explain the age restriction which wasn't pleasing to them. "Eagerness, though, I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard tournament to Hogwarts, the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to put forth an age restriction on participants this year. Only students who are of the age of seventeen years or older will be allowed to putforth their names for consideration in this tournament." Dumbledore explained, pausing from the occuring disappointing reactions and booing from the students in the hall. "This is a measure, we feel is necessary...given that the tasks of the tournament will be difficult and dangerous; however, it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventhyear will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underagestudent will be able to hoodwink our impartial judge into making them a champion at Hogwarts." Dumbledore stated firmly.
It was obvious that Fred and George Weasley were disappointed by the fact that they missed the opportunity by a year and Victoria noticed that from where she was sitting from behind the podium. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you areunder seventeen" Dumbledore added, piercing his eyes at the students. "It's time for bed, you all need to be alert and restedfor your lessons tomorrow morning. Pip Pip!" Dumbledore dismissed the students and staff, turning to walk over Moody and talk to him. As Victoria and Snape we to get up from the table along with a few other professors, the Weasley twins decided to stay behind with the trio and Neville. "They can't do that!" George Weasley exclaimed while standing up and glaring at Dumbledore, he seemed rather bothered. "We're seventeen in April, why can't we have a shot?" George added in a mild plea, but Dumbledore simply ignored the Weasley twin as he and Moody walked off from the great hall. Victoria watched the scene play out as Snape walked over to the other side of the table, standing near Victoria with a slightly amused expression, watching on as well for a moment. Harry looked up at his aunt who smiled at him before noticing Snape beside her. As Snape began leaving the podium, Victoria trailed behind Snape, deciding to turn in for the night as well while Snape turned his piercing eyes to Harry, who watched both professors exit the great hall. "They're not stopping me entering," said Fred stubbornly, watching as some professors left the table at the podium while others remained talking. "The champions will get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to donormally. And a thousand Galleons prize money!" Fred added.
Harry wished that the twins gave up as well as Hermione since the great hall was nearly empty. The trio, Neville and the twins eventually left the great hall and the other professors did as well. The next morning came and it meant it was a new year to teach. Having her first class to teach, which were the sixth years, it had Fred and George Weasley were in attendance. They both were still disappointed in the announcement the previous night regarding the Triwizard tournament but Victoria knew they were bound to be up to something. Since her sixth and seventh years had covered the previous history of magic topics, Victoria had inserted some Ghoul Studies into the curriculum. "Since we have covered everything previously regarding the history of magic and wizards that is required for your N.E.W.T.S, I have decided to dab into a little bit of Ghoul Studies." Victoria explained to her class. The sixth years groaned a little at the new addition to the curriculum. "You may know that I will be teaching the class of Ghoul Studies in addition to History of Magic and though we will not cover every aspect of it in this class, you are very welcome to take up the extracurricular class if interested further for an extra hour after school on Wednesdays, starting next week. For now, we will be learning about vampires and ghosts." Victoria instructed before passing out the books that were passed on to her from the previous Ghoul Studies professor, having them float to each desk.
Victoria then went on to write on the board about vampires, such as their description and weaknesses then calling on students to answer questions after reading a page or two before moving into ghosts, doing the same. Once class was finished after assigning them homework, Victoria went to dish out her fourth years curriculum as the students changed classes. At her desk, Victoria pulled out the parchment paper and laid it onto the desk before writing the subject Goblin Rebellions onto the board when be students came into the classroom once again. Victoria then went to sit at her desk to spot Harry approach her for a moment. "Is everything okay, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously. Victoria haven't gotten the chance to speak to her nephew since the day after the world cup incident. "Yeah, everything is fine. I didn't mean to worry you about what happened at the world cup." Harry replied, feeling guilty for worrying his aunt. Victoria formed a warm smile at Harry before parting her lips to reply. "It's okay, Harry. I'm just glad that you're okay. I would be an awful guardian if something happened." Victoria stated. The students were all seated besides Harry while Ron and Hermione we're saving him a seat. "No, no you're brilliant. Truly." Harry swiftly spoke. Victoria sighed with relief before shuffling the papers in front of her. "Thanks. Best get seated." Victoria instructed, standing up from her chair and walked to the front of the classroom before Harry rushed over to sit by his friends.
Victoria went to teach the class about the Goblin Rebellions and gave them homework to complete, a two foot essay, before announcing her extracurricular class of Ghoul Studies after school on Wednesdays beginning the next week, in which Hermione swiftly went to add her name to the list of attendance for the class. "Thank you, Miss Granger." Victoria thanked, taking the signed list and setting it aside for her next classes through the week. "I cannot wait to learn about ghouls, vampires and ghosts. Though, I know that vampires are afraid of the light as it will literally burn them to death. Silver too." Hermione stated. Victoria nodded at the spunk that Hermione had and smiled softly. "I'm pleased that you're looking forward to the class." Victoria replied before watching Hermione exit the classroom. She wasn't expecting her nephew to take the class, would've been nice but she gave him the freedom to choose what he wanted. Victoria then went to prepare for the Ghoul Studies curriculum in her office for the afternoon, up until lunch time.
After having lunch, Victoria left the great hall and before entering her class room, she was approached by Snape, catching her off guard. "Victoria." Snape said ever so smoothly, causing Victoria to turn her green eyes from the door of her classroom and onto Snape. "Yes, Severus?" Victoria replied, taking a moment to calm her racing heart. Snape pierced his dark eyes onto the ginger haired professor. "I hear, that you're now taking up Ghoul Studies?" Snape questioned with raised eyebrow. Victoria played with the side of her black dress with her right hand, maintaining her composure from the tension. "Yes, the headmaster asked me to teach the extracurricular class on short notice. I figured one hour a week wasn't too atrocious to my work schedule." Victoria responded. Snape, of course, was merely curious about the situation but it was also an excuse to speak to her more and more. "I wouldn't consider vampires, ghosts and the like to be too atrocious, though highly frowned upon. Intriguing at best...however, I was-" Snape stated before cutting himself off, noticing a few students were looking at them. Harry, Ron and Hermione left the great hall before Harry stopped and noticed Snape talking to his aunt for a moment. Victoria turned her attention in the direction Snape was looking, to notice Harry watching before Harry decided to leave with his friends once Victoria looked over. Of course Harry and his friends would end up talking about it back in the common room, though Harry knew he had no say on his aunt's love life. Snape then turned back to Victoria in amid silence. "You were saying?" Victoria asked, breaking the awkward silence.
Snape was bothered that Harry and his friends had been listening onto their conversation but simply cleared his mind for the time being when Victoria spoke. "I was wondering if you would be interested in seeing the outcome of the potion we had concocted over the summer? It came out quite effectively." Snape asked. Victoria quirked an eyebrow at his invitation and let a gentle smile creep onto her lips. "Of course. You brought it to the school with you?" Victoria questioned. Snape shown a quiver of a smile before parting his in reply. "Of course, I bring my experiments with me. Therefore, I could work on them during after hours." Snape explained. Victoria would of course jump at the chance to spend time with Snape unless she had an unbreakable, busy schedule. "I would love to." Victoria replied. It wasn't too hard to spot the pleased expression on Snape's face, was he beginning to open up a little to Victoria? It seemed so. "Perhaps, tonight at nightfall?" Snape offered. Victoria knew it was more quiet during the night time and only assumed it was the best time without interruptions from students. "Sounds great, Severus." Victoria agreed. Snape then excused himself to teach his next class for the day while Victoria entered her empty classroom.
That night after dinner, Victoria had made her way to the dungeons and to the potions classroom to spot Snape in his office. Appearing by the cracked door, Victoria knocked against it as she peered at Snape from within the crack. Snape spotted the ginger hair and green eyes that belonged to Victoria and made his way there casually to open the door completely. "You wished to see me?' Victoria said in a light tease. Snape formed a rather amused expression on his face before letting it fall once more. "Yes. Come in." Snape replied hesitantly before stepping aside, watching Victoria step inside. Once she was inside the office, Snape closed the door and walked over to his completed potion from over the summer. Picking up the box that held rows of vials that held the potion, he walked over and set the box onto his desk before opening the top. Victoria watched his movements before he would turn his attention onto her. "I present, the possible cure for Spattergroit..." Snape trailed off as he held up one of the vials with the purple potion. Victoria pursed her lips before walking a little closer to observe the potion he held. "Have you tested it on one with the disease? It could be tested on a patient at St. Mungo's." Victoria suggested. Snape lowered the vial and placed it back into the box. "If a patient is willing, however, until then I shall keep it between us as I expect that you should as well." Snape pointed out.
Victoria folded her arms before parting her lips in reply. "Of course. I have no intention of spreading it around, it isn't my invention." Victoria explained. Snape noticed her honesty and appreciated her loyalty on the confidentiality about the cure. "I appreciate your confidentiality. Perhaps...i shall get it tested this summer." Snape stated. Victoria smiled softly as he closed the box and placed it back where it once was. "I think it's great that there's a possible cure for it and I admire your heart at helping those that need it, Severus." Victoria pointed out. Snape was caught off guard by her compliments and didn't know how to exactly react. "I appreciate your time, Victoria. It helps having another who is experienced in potions such as myself." Snape stated, politely excusing himself. Why was he closing himself off again? Victoria figured she was starting to see him open up but perhaps he was taking it slowly though she was afraid she had made a wrong move at the wrong time. "Thank you...i appreciate your time as well..." Victoria trailed off hesitantly. There was a meek silence in the office before Victoria bit her bottom lip before speaking once more. "I best turn in. I have an early morning class to teach first thing after breakfast. It was nice, Severus. Goodnight." Victoria excused herself politely as she edged towards the door. Snape watched as she excused herself before he went to speak. "Indeed." he simply replied. Victoria then exited the office and the classroom before taking only a couple steps to pass by Mad-eye Moody standing in the hall who seemed quite interested in her, though she didn't know why but he gave her a bad feeling.
Walking, passed Moody, Victoria ignored him before she heard footsteps her way down the hall from the Potions classroom before she looked behind her to find Moody limping her way. "I believe we haven't met. Alastor..." Moody introduced forcefully. Victoria was slightly uncomfortable but wanted to be polite. "Victoria." Victoria replied. Mad-eye seemed to be in thought before deciding to comment. "Not from around here, I expect...though you look very familiar...hmm.." Mad-eye pointed out. Victoria folded her arms as she was giving off her discomfort in body language. "Not exactly. I best get going." Victoria excused herself. Mad-eye watched as she began to step away from him before he continued to follow. "Mind telling me when you started here?" Moody asked forwardly. Victoria stopped at the end of the hall and turned to face him. "Look, I'm-" Victoria began in a bothered manner before spotting Snape approach them and stopped talking. Snape noticed Victoria seemed bothered by Mad-eye and could hear it from down the hall when he was leaving to patrol the corridor for the night. "May I suggest letting Victoria get a night's rest? I sure wouldn't want trouble...unfolding...among the staff, would we, Mad-eye?" Snape suggested in an adamant tone as he turned his dark gaze from Victoria to pierce them at Mad-eye. Mad-eye hesitated for a moment before licking his lips. "Course not." Mad-eye replied before limping away from the scene in the opposite direction. Snape and Victoria watched him leave before Snape looked back to Victoria. "Thank you, Severus." Victoria thanked, she didn't expect Snape to come to her rescue. "My pleasure." Snape stated. They walked together until she reached her classroom and then she turned in for bed meanwhile Snape patrolled the corridor before he, too, went to turn in.