A/N: Next part already! Well I guess I'm on a roll. Thanks for all of the reviews as usual. Well anyway – read on!
Disclaimer: I own nothing…(I'm a college student - what did you expect?) And of course good 'ol JKR owns everything…
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"Well," Professor McGonagall folded her arms across her chest, tapping her toe impatiently on the hardwood floor.
There was a moment of pause. And then suddenly about fifty excited voices began shouting at once.
"He tried to curse her, Professor…I saw!" Colin Creevy piped up excitedly.
"It was the Imperious curse Professor," Hermione insisted anxiously. "I heard him…"
"He was saying all sorts of nasty stuff about her Professor…trying to get a rise out of her." Ron looked at the unconscious Draco with contempt. "Like he always does to everyone…"
"She made him mad because she defended herself." Harry added flatly.
"What do you have to add to this," Mrs. McGonagall eyed Veronica sternly from beneath the rim of her spectacles.
Veronica opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by a haughty voice from the middle of the crowd. "She said that she was a muggle!" Veronica didn't need to look to know that Parvati had a triumphant gleam in her dark eyes.
The Great Hall exploded again as everyone began to talk at once again.
"SILENCE!" A loud voice boomed accompanied by a blast of red sparks. Professor Dumbledore held his blazing wand high above his head. Everyone in the hall fell silent at once. He waved his hand and the crowd of students parted to let him through. Gone was the merry twinkle is his blue eyes; they were now cold and stern, hinting at the vast power that lay concealed beneath. Veronica gazed at him in awe, struck with his ancient majesty and might. He kneeled by Draco's side, his long white beard almost touching the ground. He pointed his wand at Draco and muttered, "Ennervate."
Draco pale eyelids fluttered, and then opened. He looked around dazedly. He had after all fallen flat on the back on his head against a rather hard wooden floor. He mumbled incoherently.
"Draco," Dumbledore's voice was firm and yet patient. "I need you to concentrate." Draco eyes lolled back into his head. Dumbledore shook him gently, bringing his light gray eyes in focus again. "Some serious accusations have been made…involving you, I'm afraid. Use of any of the Unforgivable Curses results in time in Azkaban, not to mention explosion from Hogwarts. It will not help you to lie. Did you use the Imperious curse on Veronica?"
"No…" Draco said woozily. He looked up glassy-eyed at the Headmaster. "I didn't."
"He's lying!" Ron spat out. Harry and Hermione just glared at Draco.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Dumbledore's eyes. "Well innocent until proven guilty." He said softly. He stood, surveyed the silent faces of his students. "Well this matter certainly needs to be sorted out. Veronica, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco…if all of you would accompany me to my office." He gesturing towards the stage, where the Warlock Boys were gazing blankly at him. "But the festivities must not end!" And the twinkle was back in his eyes once again. "Do continue with your music of unparalleled artistic merit, my fine sirs! I don't believe that you've played Hex-master Woman yet, have you?"
The Warlock Boys, greatly surprised that Dumbledore even knew of any of their songs, began to play, quite dazedly. The students reluctantly began to dance again. But hushed conversation filled the Great Hall, as wild theories were formulated to explain what had happened.
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Draco Malfoy stumbled through the halls, trying to keep up with Dumbledore. The world spun around him sickeningly, and his head throbbed with sharp pain. He wondered woozily if he had a brain concussion, and why Dumbledore had suddenly seemed to develop three heads. He couldn't keep up…he watched dazedly as the Headmaster's wand became fainter as it traveled further and further away…leaving him in darkness. Draco sank to the floor, engulfed in a dizzy stupor.
Frantic thoughts flashed through his head, as he lay listlessly in the dim hallway…he had used a Unforgivable curse…he was going to be expelled…he would be thrown to the dementors in Azkaban. In his mind eye he saw their vague forms drifting about him…their cold clammy hands like those of a corpse…he half imagined them groping at him…sucking the life out of him…and leaving him an empty shell of a man to die…
He whimpered pitifully. Nothing could save him now…he had managed to lie despite his feeble condition, but it would only be a matter of time. Dumbledore could see through all deception, Draco knew. And Potter…Dumbledore always took his word as truth.
I have been so stupid…Draco
thought moaning. What has come over me? I
He had acted on raw emotion… on pure envy. Envy of Potter and how he always got the best of everything…fame, glory, athletic skill, and pretty girls…had finally reached the point where it could no longer be contained. And he Draco…had reacted to its whims…no thinking, no calculation…just reaction.
I don't deserve to be in Slytherin, he reflected darkly. That was so impossibly daft of me…
And the way she had been able to resist the curse! Maybe it was arrogance…or maybe it was just fact…but Draco knew he had performed the curse right. He could sense the power he felt as he had raised the wand…it was a dizzying, euphoric feeling…almost like being drunk. The feeling one could only get from the absolute authority gained from using an Unforgivable curse. A feeling one could not help but relish…it was temptation at its worst and Draco had refrained from using the Unforgivables too much for precisely that reason. One could get addicted to that sort of power…he had seen it all of his life in the tormented faces of his father and his companions. The power ruled you…it ate slowly away at your soul. And Draco refused to be ruled by anything…
The world began to sway drunkenly around him again. Draco closed his eyes.
Soon the dementors will come…he though hysterically…they would rule me more completely than any power craving could…it will only be a matter of time. Curled up in a fetal position, Draco gave into the fear and let it take him to the dark realm of complete and utter hopelessness…
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Ginny Weasley, tramped through the halls, her sore feet throbbing painfully.
Stupid shoes, she grimaced. Why did I ever let Heather convince me to wear them?
She had had enough of the ball. Even the presence of her favorite band could not fix the way the unpleasant scene had managed to destroy the entire evening. Listening to Colin discuss Harry and his new muggle girlfriend – who actually somehow possessed superhuman powers, was just too much for her to take at the moment. Complaining of a headache, she said she was going to retire to her room. Colin had been far too wound up to leave yet, so she left him there along with all of the other students.
The hallways were quite dark at night, as Ginny (who was not prone to nighttime wanderings like her older brothers) soon realized. The torchlight glowed faintly, casting wraithlike shadows across the walls. The suits of armor creaked impatiently, and the ghosts zoomed overhead moaning eerily. Ginny shivered in her thin, emerald green dress robes thinking of how nice it would be to finally reach the cozy Gryffindor common room…
Without warning she suddenly tripped over something that lay in the middle of the hallway. Ginny stumbled and caught her balance on a nearby doorknob. Shakily she straightened up.
"Lumos," she said, holding her wand up above her head.
Draco Malfoy lay passed out on the floor, curled up into a tight little ball, and shuddering deliriously.
Ginny groaned. She had half a mind to leave him there…fancy Filch finding the little prat there on the floor…but she was after all a nice person. Perhaps too nice of a person. Her brown eyes softened as she gazed at him…he looked so vulnerable there on the floor. All of his arrogance, his sneering smirk and haughty eyes were gone…and he looked…well almost pleasant. Ginny was struck by how attractive he was…he had very fine, almost noble features. His flaxen hair fell back from his high forehead, his nose was straight and perfectly formed, and his lips were shadowed by the faint hints of a mustache. Without thinking Ginny reached out to brush her hand tenderly across his cheek. Then she shook herself violently back into reality.
What is wrong with me? She thought aghast. She drew
her hand back in repulsion. This is Malfoy! It must be because he is part
veela…that's what Pansy Parkinson's always saying anyhow.
She shook herself again, in an attempt to rid her mind of any wayward thoughts, and pointed her wand at Draco's forehead.
"Ennervate!" She whispered.
Ginny was pleased that the spell worked. Draco's eyes fluttered open. He rested his gaze on Ginny. "Its you…" He mumbled. "Virginia…" Ginny was quite taken aback that he had used her real name…no one did, not even her parents. "They haven't come for me yet have they?"
"What?" Ginny narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I don't know what you are talking about…you need to get up Malfoy. Dumbledore wants to see you in his office."
With difficulty, Ginny was able to pull Draco to his feet. He stumbled, leaning on her heavily. She struggled against his weight, trying to steer him towards the hospital ward. "They are going to come for me…take me to Azkaban…" Draco babbled incoherently.
"Well that's your own fault, Malfoy," Ginny said briskly. "Should have thought of that before you decided to use a curse like that. I am sure your father and that whole horrid lot of Death Eaters will be quite proud of you when they hear." Ginny was surprised at the scathing tones her voice had acquired…it seemed to be an unavoidable side effect of being in Draco's presence.
Draco craned his neck around to stare at Ginny. "Don't pretend you were all too sorry when I did try to curse her." He said evenly, in a soft, faint voice. The spiteful gleam was back in his eyes, "You know you hate her…she's going with your dear hero the Great Harry Potter."
"You ass," Ginny retorted. She had half a mind to drop him on the floor and leave him. She gritted her teeth angrily. "I am not a slimy coward like you…I would never use magic to vent my own frustration at being a spineless git…like you did tonight."
Draco did something quite unexpected. He bowed his head in shame; it hung weakly on his neck as his body lurched and swayed on his shaky balance. "I know…you're right," he groaned. "I was a stupid prat…she means nothing to me…and look what I did…I am as good as dead."
"Oh shut up Malfoy!" Ginny growled. All of the pity she had felt earlier fell from her. "You are so selfish…all you care about is yourself! You are so pathetic…I'd even have the old snotty, condescending Malfoy back…rather than this spineless, pitiful, moaning little prat that you've become!"
Malfoy gazed dazedly at Ginny. She seemed so alive…her red hair framing her small, determined face like a wreath of fire, her warm brown eyes flashing with contempt, her warm red lips curled up in disapproving frown. As he looked at her…all of the chilly thoughts of death seemed to melt away. His wavering sight focused on her solid image, and gained resolution. He felt himself gradually slip out of the numb stupor he had been in.
"Thanks, Weasley," He said, as he laughed hollowly.
"Good." Ginny said icily. "Any time. And I would appreciate it if you would not call me Weasley, thank you very much."
"Fine…Virginia." He grinned wickedly, and then grimaced because it made his head hurt even more.
"Do not EVER call me Virginia again!" Ginny demanded shrilly. Draco just raised an eyebrow.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, there you are!" Ginny was relived for probably the only time in her life to see Professor Snape trotting down the hallway towards them, his lighted wand bobbing faintly in the darkness. "I'll take it from here, if you please Miss Weasley," He said coldly. He led the stumbling Draco off down the hallway. Ginny watched them leave not completely sure if she was sorry to see Malfoy go…
She walked back in to the Gryffindor tower, her mind spinning with confusion. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, she stared up at the huge portrait of the fat lady that guarded the tower.
"No one ever calls me Virginia!" She exploded to enormous woman in the pink dress. "Oh and Huddleberry."
"Is that right dear?" The fat lady mumbled sleepily as she let Ginny in.
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Harry had been to Dumbledore's office twice before, but never with his closest friends. They came upon the gargoyle, which came to life and sprang aside with the password (DuckWallops) and followed Dumbledore up the spiral stone staircase. Pushing open the polished oak door, they stepped inside. The room was beautiful and circular, the walls lined with the portraits of the past headmasters and headmistresses. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix was sitting majestically on his golden perch. He appeared to be asleep; he beady eyes were closed and his scarlet and gold feathers rustled as his breast rose and fell. Hermione, Ron, and Veronica all gazed around trying to take everything in.
"Have a seat…all of you." The Headmaster gestured to a row of chairs in front of his desk. "And it appears we have lost one of our company…oh dear we must find Draco before Mrs. Norris does…" He did not seem overly concerned however. He took a seat at his desk. At that moment the door swung open. It was Snape.
"Ah Severus," Dumbledore said pleasantly.
"I found Draco, Dumbledore," Snape said, his cold eyes glinting in the brightly lit room. "He is suffering from quite a nasty concussion…I took him to Madame Pomfrey."
"Well good then," Dumbledore gave Snape a pointed look from behind his moon-shaped spectacles. "As head of the Slytherin House you may vouch for him then, since he is indisposed."
Ron, Harry, Veronica, and Hermione couldn't help but eye Snape with distrust. Dumbledore seemed to sense their reluctance.
"Come now!" He said. "We must get at the truth of this very serious matter…and we can only do that by hearing both sides of the story."
"If I may be so bold," Snape cleared his throat and looked at Veronica. "She is obviously not suffering any effect whatsoever from any type of curse."
"I would agree," Dumbledore nodded, cryptically.
"So," Snape continued. "There is no proof that Malfoy did indeed use any sort of hex or curse…let alone one of the Unforgivables."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron sprang to their feet in protest.
"Professor, sir, it's not fair!" Hermione objected. "I saw him, sir…he definitely tried to curse her. You can't just say no harm, no foul and leave it at that!"
"Miss Granger please sit down," Dumbledore's voice was calm and rational. "You two as well, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter. We need to hear all sides of the story. This is a serious accusation…and Professor Snape has an important point…you have no evidence at all." He looked pointedly at Veronica. "Do you have anything to add, Miss. Silva?"
"He tried to do something with his wand, sir." Veronica answered flatly. "He pointed it at me and said Imperio." She looked levelly at the Headmaster. "But you're right…nothing happened to me…and I don't know why. Obviously that's not usually the case."
There was a moment of pause. Snape was staring at Veronica with a strange expression, as if he had just realized something. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were all gazing fixedly at Dumbledore's desk. Fawkes awoke with a high-pitched screech and began to preen his feathers with his beak.
"Albus…" Snape began breaking the silence, but he was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore called out. The door swept open. The Minister of Magic stepped in the room, adorned in his usual pinstriped robes. He held a green bowler hat in his hands, and was fidgeting with it nervously. A tall, pale man with silver hair and cold gray eyes followed him. He wore a contemptuous sneer on his mouth. Veronica was almost sure that he was Draco's father; they were practically splitting images of one another. "Ah Cornelius, Lucius…how nice of you to join us."
"Likewise," Lucius Malfoy gave a stiff, formal bob of his head. "I received your owl…I understand that certain…accusations have been made against my son?"
"That is correct, Lucius," Dumbledore said matching his formally.
"Albus, I must protest here on behalf of my friend Lucius," Fudge spoke up suddenly. His palms looked sweaty as he rubbed them together nervously. "An Unforgivable curse! That is a serious accusation. And we wouldn't want to put an innocent in Azkaban!"
"No of course we wouldn't Cornelius," Dumbledore eyed the Minister of Magic with a steady gaze. Harry's knuckles turned white as he gripped the arm of the chair. Images of Hagrid being taken away in his second year and the dead, tormented look in Sirius' eyes flashed through his mind.
"How can he even say that?" Ron hissed in an undertone. "He's got some nerve…and after Sirius and Hagrid…"
"And-er-the girl…you're not harmed are you…" He turned around, looking at Veronica for the first time. Upon seeing her, he gasped in surprise, dropping his bowler hat to the ground.
"Merlin's beard! You! Why we've searched everywhere…and you here…" He turned to stare open-mouthed at Dumbledore. "Albus, are you aware that this girl is a muggle? A muggle who furthermore witnessed some rather dodgy happenings…don't you understand that she can potentially give away everything that we have tried so hard to conceal? Why she could be leaking information…to her people…right now as we speak!"
"Why would I even do that?" Veronica cut in indignantly. "And, if you'll excuse me Minister sir, you didn't seem all too concerned about keeping things under control when we told you about what happened in the park during the summer…"
"Please desist Veronica," Dumbledore said quietly. Veronica shut her mouth. "Cornelius, yes I am aware that the girl is a muggle. I took the liberty of giving her a bit of extra protection here at Hogwarts…I hope that you will understand my concern."
"Albus you are being paranoid," Fudge scoffed. "The only danger here is that she hasn't undergone a Memory Charm yet…though it will have to be quite a powerful one to erase everything that she's seen now…"
"I don't believe even a powerful charm will help you out in this case, Cornelius," Dumbledore said slowly. Snape looked at Veronica again; he had a knowing gleam in his dark eyes that she didn't like.
"Albus," Lucius Malfoy's voice was cold and stern. "I am quite shocked, to say the least, that you would allow such…people…" He threw a malevolent glance at Veronica. "Into this school. It is not only shameful; it degrades the status of the academy's reputation. I must insist that she leave immediately. And that all charges against my son be dropped…it is his word against that of a muggle…I am fairly certain as to whom will be believed."
"I understand that you would feel that way, Lucius," Dumbledore replied coolly. "But I must insist that Veronica stay here…where she is safe."
"As you wish." Lucius' lips where drawn into a tight thin line. His formal politeness seemed to be stretching to its limits. "Then I reserve my right to redraw my son from this school! I have had quite enough of your…radical policies, Dumbledore. I feel that my son will be much better off in a school such as Durmstrang where the old ways are respected."
"That is your right, Lucius," Dumbledore said simply.
"Indeed. Where is my son? In the hospital ward?" Snape nodded heavily. "Good. I will take him with me as soon as he is well. Good day, Albus." With a stiff bob of his head, and a swish of his dark robes he marched out of the room.
Cornelius Fudge seemed at a loss for what to do. He looked pleadingly at Dumbledore. "Please, Albus, I beg you…see some reason." He glanced furtively at Veronica. "Just release her back to where she belongs! Lucius is an important donor and on the governor's board…you surely don't want to loose his patronage, do you? I'm sure he won't withdraw Draco…if you'd only compromise…"
Dumbledore looked at the Minister of Magic, the steady blue of his eyes gleaming from behind his spectacles. "There are two kinds of evil, Cornelius," he said slowly in a soft voice. "Those who actively do harm, and those who stand by and do nothing to prevent it." A flicker of sadness passed over his face. "I pray that you do neither, Cornelius," he finished regretfully.
Fudge didn't know quite what to say, so he said nothing. He made his exit slowly, like a man carrying a heavy burden. The four students exchanged anxious glances.
"Albus," Snape spoke up hesitatingly.
"Draco will not be sent to Azkaban," Dumbledore said. His head was bowed as if he were in deep thought. "There is no evidence against him. Perhaps you should go see how he is."
"Yes Albus," Snape gave a final look at Veronica, and then left the room. Dumbledore looked up at Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Veronica who were gazing at him silently, at a loss for words.
"Its late," he commented, with a faint, almost fatherly smile crossing his wrinkled face. "The four of you need your rest. You are excused."
Out in the hallway, the four friends walked in silence, mulling over what had happened in the Headmaster's office.
"Well," Ron said suddenly. "At least one good thing came out of this – looks like Malfoy is finally going to be gone!" He smiled like his birthday had come early.
"I'm really sorry," Harry said softly, gazing at Veronica. "People can be so prejudiced…not all wizards are like that really."
"Yeah," Hermione chimed in. "A lot of us have muggles for parents…like me."
"Whatever," Veronica shrugged, apparently unruffled by the whole thing. "People can be jerks…I know that already. And besides, I'm sure I won't be facing much of this muggle prejudice sentiment when I get back home."
"And how long will that be?" Ron wondered out loud. "I mean, not that I want you to leave," He added hastily. "I'm just wondering how long it will be until Dumbledore thinks its safe for you to go back."
"There's another thing I just don't understand," Hermione broke in suddenly. "I mean…that Imperious curse…it didn't even faze you. And I'm sure Malfoy did it right…after all he's probably had loads of practice, hasn't he?" Hermione looked perplexedly at Veronica.
"I really don't know why that happened," Veronica said honestly. "Maybe he did do it wrong…he was pretty upset. People make mistakes when they're upset."
"Maybe…" Hermione said slowly, the wheels turning in her head. "I know I've read something about this somewhere…I'll just look it up tomorrow when I go to the library."
"If all else fails, look it up in some book!" Ron said sarcastically, with a roll of his eyes.
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Veronica always thought that she didn't care about what people thought of her. But her self-confidence would be put to the test in the days that followed.
The Slytherins were merciless. Most of them had wizards back in their family bloodlines for generations, and placed enormous importance on purity. Dumbledore's office was flooded with angry letters from their parents, demanding that Veronica leave immediately. They glared contemptuously at her as she passed them in the hallways, muttering insults.
"We don't want you here muggle," Pansy Parkinson shot out angrily. She stood directly in front of Veronica, flanked by her usual gaggle of girls, her hands on her hips. She didn't like Veronica much, especially since Draco expressed interest in her, and now she had a reason to be openly hostile. "So why don't you leave."
Veronica eyed her evenly. "I find it funny that you hate me so much, Pansy," she said. "After all I bet even you have some muggle ancestors somewhere…all you wizards would have died out ages ago if you hadn't married with other people."
"I come from a pure line of warlocks and witches, thank you very much!" Pansy insisted haughtily.
Veronica gazed at her critically, raising her eyebrows. "Hmm that would explain a lot." She suddenly let out a cough that sounded remarkably like incest. "Oh, excuse me," she said politely. "I think I'm coming down with a cold." She left, as Pansy scowled after her.
Mealtimes at the Great Hall were worse. Owls dropped red-enveloped howlers on her plate that exploded screaming at her furiously.
"GO HOME YOU LITTLE MUGGLE! WE DON'T NEED YOUR KIND HERE! FLITH! THEY'LL HAVE TO WHITE WASH THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WHEN YOU LEAVE!" The letter then burst into flame in midair.
"Well that was pleasant," Veronica said cheerily, raising an eyebrow at the Slytherin table. She took a bite of her sandwich.
"Are you sure, you're ok?" Harry asked concerned.
"I'm fine," Veronica insisted. "Look – not everyone has been mean to me like this…a lot of people have actually expressed their sympathy towards me. It's mostly just the Slytherins…and they hated me anyway when I started hanging out with you guys." She swallowed her last bite and stood up decidedly. "So don't worry about me! And wait up - I think I'll come with you guys to potions."
"Are you sure you want to?" Harry eyed her dubiously. He really didn't see how anyone would want to attend that class on a voluntary basis.
"I think it's interesting," Veronica said earnestly. "I mean that's some hard core magic right there…" She suddenly giggled. "I really wish Snape…when he's stirring up all of the ingredients you know…would suddenly bust out and be like…Boil, boil, toil and trouble! Cauldron burn, and fire bubble!…and start cackling wildly or something. It would be great."
Hermione and Harry chuckled. Ron looked confused. "Its Shakespeare," Hermione said bossily. "Honestly, Ron…you should really take muggle studies!"
Potions was unbearable as usual. Harry shivered, and wondered why the dudgeon always seemed to be ten degrees cooler than the rest of the castle. He sat by Veronica; about the only positive he could think of was that Snape hadn't paired him with Draco, who was gone. When the bell finally rang, he felt like cheering.
"I want you all to study the instructions for the Polyjuice potion," Snape yelled, over the din of students exiting the classroom. "I will be testing them on Thursday…no Neville don't bother cleaning up. I am quite used to you making a mess of my classroom…thank you very much." Neville scuttled out of the classroom hurriedly, his face scarlet. "And Miss Silva, if you would stay after please."
Veronica exchanged a puzzled glance with Harry and made her way over to the front of the room.
"I would like to see you alone," he gave Harry a pointed look.
"Professor Snape…she's not even your student…"
"Out Potter!" Snape's eyes flashed warningly. Harry exited the classroom, but Veronica was fairly certain he was hanging around near the door outside. She gave the potions master a testy look. "Why did you want to see me professor?" She inquired coolly.
But Snape had stood up. He was pacing across the classroom, his greasy hair falling in matted locks over his forehead, his arms crossed behind his back. "All of these ingredients…" He said gesturing at his cupboard store. "Mixed in the right way…they are capable of so much…so much power in a tiny vial or metal cauldron…but to you it would all be for nothing…completely futile." He swung around abruptly and locked Veronica's eyes in a probing stare.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Veronica said, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. She was shivering…and not only from the cold dudgeon air.
"You don't even know what you are do you?" Snape said slowly. "Do you? Answer me!"
"I don't know what you mean!" Veronica insisted.
"Well I can tell you! Dangerous!" Snape growled suddenly. Veronica jumped taken aback by the change in his voice. "You have power…power that no wizard could even dent…power that cannot be overlooked. Do you know why you are here?"
"Well seeing as I didn't want to be killed by Death Eaters, I decided that it would be a good idea to come here…"
"I have no need for your sarcasm," Snape snapped. "These are serious matters. Whether against your will or not…I think that you are part of a plot to kill Potter."
"No!" Veronica stared wild-eyed at Snape. "Kill Harry! I would never…he means so much to me…" Snape regarded her with an icy glare. "But why? Why would anyone want to kill him?"
Snape looked back at her aghast. "You don't know?" Veronica shook her head, unable to speak. "When he was a child, Harry's parents were attacked by Voldemort and killed. But he lived. Harry was able to repel the curse that would have killed him. It rebounded, rendering Voldemort powerless. But last year, Voldemort captured Harry. Using the blood of his enemy, Voldemort was able to regain his old powers. The old protection Harry had against him is now gone…and Voldemort can kill Harry. And he would…revenge is sweet."
"But me…why would he need me then?" Veronica's usually stoic face was flushed and drawn tightly with fear.
"Don't be stupid, girl!" Snape snapped. "Magic cannot harm you! Used in the right way, you could be a deadly weapon. A means for Voldemort to get whatever he wants."
"I would never do anything for him!" Veronica shrieked hotly. "Never!"
"You are brave," Snape observed. "Foolishly brave. Naïvely brave. Perhaps you do belong in Gryffindor after all." He got a cold gleam in his eyes. "Don't be so sure that you wouldn't do Voldemort's will when he asked…he has ways of controlling people…cunning that goes beyond mere magic."
Veronica closed her eyes, she felt the hot, stinging tears welling up in them. Don't cry, she demanded of herself furiously. You never cry. She took a deep breath and looked shakily at Snape. "Well what do I do?" She asked desperately. "I don't want to hurt Harry…"
"Leave," Snape said simply. "Get out of here. That way you won't be a danger to yourself or other people."
Veronica stood, trembling. "I don't know if I trust you," she said flatly.
"You can never trust anyone," Snape answered. "The choice is yours…just consider the consequences if you don't act." With that Snape walked over to the door, and held it open. Veronica took a long look at him, and then left the classroom, visibly shaken. Snape slammed the door behind her. He walked slowly over to his desk, and sat there, his head bowed down in his hands. A look of pain crossed his face, as he pulled back the left sleeve of his robes. He slowly massaged the dark scar on his arm…lost in thought…
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AHHHH! Don't you love cliffhangers! * evil grin * So who is Snape working for? Will Veronica listen to him? Why does magic not affect her? Find out all of this and more next time…
Oh and
here's a thanks to all of the lovely people who have reviewed me: Thanks to
Sayer, Sara, Jeanne, TatraMegami, Monana (no actually I don't have a beta
reader