Chapter 10
Make ups, Meetings and Shakespeare
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Meanwhile:
In one of the many unused classrooms, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, Rowbans, and Snape had gathered.
"I say we just gather our allies and blow the little shit apart," spat Snape.
"Words before blows. Is it so?" asked Remus quite calmly, grinning a bit.
"Not that we love words better, as you do," retorted Snape.
"Good words are better than bad strokes," shot Sirius, not missing a beat. Remus grinned at him.
McGonagall sighed, but despite herself, seemed to be enjoying this mini theatrical production.
"In your bad strokes, you give good words; witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, crying 'Long Live! Hail, Caesar!'" This was obviously not time to mention James's death, as both Remus and Sirius threw themselves at Snape, who was only protected when Dumbledore levitated him a few feet into the air. Remus and Sirius's heads collided, and rubbing them, the two sat back down.
"As happy I am to see you all have read muggle literature, I felt this was not the time, Severus, to bring that up. Please sit down." Although his voice held no trace of a threat or anger, Snape quivered under Dumbledore's gaze. "Now, back to what we came here to discuss. Voldemort . . . " there was a collective shiver around the room ". . . is gaining more power day by day. We need to establish our allies, and form a plan. Any ideas?"
"I have one," said Rowbans, raising her hand.
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I sat in the library reading that little book for hours. Before I realized what happened, Madam Pince was turning out the lights and shooing me off to the tower. I put a magical bookmark on the page and shoved it in my bag. Hurrying out of the library, I ran to Gryffindor Tower, and spotted Ron and Hermione in the common room. They were the only ones there also.
"Look, sorry about what I said before . . . I was just, I dunno..." muttered Ron.
"Forget it. You were just panicking," I said, embracing him in a man-hug. "And," I added in a whisper, "you were standing next to Hermione . . . "
Ron punched me in the arm and laughed. I laughed right along with him, happy to be talking to him again.
After the random muttering from Hermione about "boys, so stupid..." I sat them down and started telling them about the contents of the diary. I left out certain parts, like about my Dad swooning over Mum, because let's face it, I didn't want to hear some of the stuff he wrote!
They were, as usual, a very good audience, laughing at all the right places. Ron was convinced we should magically magnify the picture of flaming-Snape (or, as he now calls him, "Propane Head") over the great hall tomorrow, but Hermione said absolutely not. I was glad to be on good terms with them again.
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"Yes Victoria?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, Voldemort . . ." again, more shivering ". . . has Harry's blood, true?"
"Where are you going with this one now, midget?" snorted Snape.
"Respect your elders. Think about it. Emeralds," said Rowbans, her eyes gleaming sky-blue
"You know, that just might work." Dumbledore summoned a quill and parchment, and began to scribble a plan.
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An: Ahhhhh, the works of Shakespeare. From "Words before blows" until "Hail Caesar!" is a quote from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Make more sense now? O.K. quick translation . . .
"Think, then act."
"You talk too much."
"Actions speak louder than words."
"You, in your action, killed your best friend, screaming, 'I'm innocent, hail James Potter!'"
And as for the "Respect your elders" that serves as the basis for most of Rowbans's character, go ponder that one. And no, it has nothing to do with Polyjuice, glamours, or aging potions. Stumped? Oh good.