Disclaimers: Anything or
anyone you don't recognise belongs to me, especially Eltala Riddle, and Lily
Snape. Everything else belongs to J K Rowlings. I haven't, and I won't make any
money out of this!
Please R/R if you want me to
continue!!! Even if you don't!
Unexpected
- chapter Three
"Welcome"
said Professor Dumbledore, the candlelight reflecting on his silvery beard.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like
to say a few words. Apart from our new first year students, who of cause we all
welcome, we have two new students for fifth year."
Eltala
stepped forward. Her hair was swept back into a tight bun, which strangely
resembled that of Professor McGonagall, except it was jet black. Professor
Dumbledore introduced her as Eltala Riddle. It was obvious that she was nervous
at the name being told to the whole school, but only some of the teachers
reacted. Every one watched as Eltala put on the sorting hat.
"Gry -
Slytherin!" The hat broke the silence. It was all that those who recognised the
name expected, but it was obviously not what Eltala, herself, had been hoping
for. Eltala removed the hat, and walked amongst staring and muttering to the
Slytherin table, taking a seat next to Draco Malfoy.
Next,
another girl stepped forward. She looked very much like the Potion Master,
Professor Snape, except much prettier. She had long black messy hair which was
pulled loosely back, and green eyes. A curl of black hair had escaped the mess,
(which vaguely resembled a bun) and hung loosely down her pale forehead.
Professor
Dumbledore introduced her as Lily Snape. Whispers swept through the Hall,
echoing around the great marble walls. The first years looked to the older
students, unsure of the commotion was about. The Great hall silenced, and every
face looked towards Lily Snape as she put on the sorting hat. The silence that
rolled around the hall seemed not to be a lack of noise at all. It was almost
an anti-noise, so thick you might be able to cut it with a knife.
"Gryffindor!"
The hat broke the silence, with the most unexpected noise. A Snape in
Gryffindor? Lily removed the hat, and walked amongst staring and muttering to
the Gryffindor table. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were in their fifth year at
Hogwarts, and thus would be taking classes with the new girl, and they were
curious to know whether the girl was in fact a relation to their most dreaded
teacher – the potions master, Severus Snape.
After
the feast, (which surpassed even it's own grand reputation, with huge platters
of every type of food imaginable) the Gryffindors headed up to the Gryffindor
common room. Harry and Ron walked with their other best friend, Hermione
Granger, the Muggle-Born witch. They were about to ask Lily whether she really
was a relation of Severus Snape, when the Transfiguration Professor, and head
of Gryffindor house, stepped out of her office. Quickly she found the trio and
asked them to step inside her office. Exchanging nervous glances, they did just
that.
"No,
you're not in trouble" reassured Professor McGonagall, seeing their looks. "I
want to ask a favour from the three of you. - "
Hermione
interrupted "Of course, we'll do anything to help." Ron sent her annoyed
glance, not wanting them to get themselves involved with something, without
knowing what.
"The new
girl Lily, would you three look after her? I am sure you will find her well up
to your standard of work, home tutored though. Also look out for Eltala. I know
she isn't in your house, but I didn't think anyone in Slytherin would be- er….. suitable. This is probably much the
biggest group of children of either them have ever seen" The Professor looked
between them.
"We'd be
glad to help, Professor." Harry assured her. "One thing though, is she is a
re-"
With the
usual bad timing, Professor Snape swept into the room in his usual way,
shooting Harry and Ron a strange look. He was wearing not his usual black
robes, but some of a deep bottle green, with silver trimmings. Professor
McGonagall raised her hand, motioning for Snape to wait, and Harry to continue.
Harry turned a deep shade of red, as red as Ron Weasley hair and freckles. He
muttered something about it being nothing and he stood up and moved as if to
leave, but Snape stopped him.
"I want
to speak to you, Potter. Not now, I am busy, but maybe later? Yes? Tomorrow
then, my office, six o'clock, say? After class? Good."
They
left, puzzled. Harry couldn't be in trouble, yet could he? However, the Potions
master had sounded almost cheerful, almost – nice? That meant that Harry was in
trouble, unless – no it couldn't be -That Professor was never nice to the
Gryffindors, and seemed to have a joint hobby with Draco Malfoy, his archenemy,
and strangely enough Dudley Dursley, his fat cousin. This hobby was of course
making Harry miserable.
Speak of
the devil, who should come round the corner, but Draco Malfoy himself? He was
looking positively dazed. Or maybe positively dazed, was the wrong term.
Nothing to do with Malfoy could be positive, even without, his usual bodyguard,
Crabbe and Goyle.
Ron
broke the silence. "Lost?" he asked sarcastically.
"What?
Oh. No, not lost, in fact coming looking for you, Potter. I want to tell you
something"
This
surprised every one, and Harry, smelling a rat, replied carefully:
"What
d'ya want with me now, Malfoy? You know, you're really not up to your usual
standards. No insults? No thug, to put us in hospital wing!?!?"
Malfoy
looked hurt, and couldn't see, to think of anything to say in return. He came
out in the end, sounding rather pathetic.
"Potter,
you – you shut up! You'll wish you'd let me speak!" With that he stormed away.
Harry,
Hermione and Ron made their way slowly back to the Gryffindor Tower, shocked.
Malfoy had wanted to speak to Harry, but then had ran off without telling him
why, Snape had nicely asked to speak with him. Was something wrong with the
whole Slytherin House? Did they all want to talk with Harry?
They
knocked on the entrance to the common room, for they hadn't heard the new
password. Fred, (or was it George) came to the portrait, and welcomed them
inside, telling them that the new password, was 'Sorcery'.
They
were in a large cosy room, with golden walls. Scattered across the common room,
were lots of squashy scarlet armchairs. Some were pulled up to desks, but
unlike during the middle of the term, these desks were empty, and looked
unused. Some gold lanterns, scattered around the walls and ceiling, lit the
room, for not much light came through the windows. Through the window, you
could see the lake to the left, an almost full moon reflected on the
water. To the right, was the Quidditch
pitch, the six golden hoops looking strangely unreal, in the bright moonbeams.
Harry
looked around the crowded common room, looking for Lily Snape. She was sitting
by herself, by the fire. Hermione went to finish reading her new schoolbooks,
and Ron went to talk with Ginny. Harry walked slowly over to where Lily was
sitting. She was, like Hermione, reading her new schoolbooks, but they didn't
seem to be giving her the same amount of pleasure that they gave Hermione.
"May I
sit there?" Harry inquired, indicating the chair next to her, covered in books.
Lily
blushed, and quickly moved the books of the chair.
"Lily,
I'd like to ask you something, it's your choice if you answer, of course."
"Ask me
anything, I don't mind."
"Are you
at all related to the Potions Master, Professor Snape?"
"I
suppose it can't be hidden for ever. Yes, he's my father."
Harry,
was startled, he didn't know what he was expecting, either a no, or something
like an uncle, but Father? He was about to say something, when Professor
McGonnagall stepped inside the common room.
"Professor
Dumbledore has asked me to remind you, since last year's Yule Ball was such a
success, that we will be having a ball this year, in two and a half weeks. This
time it is for the whole school."
She
left. Cheering erupted around the common room, especially those who had been at
the Yule Ball (5th year up). Even Harry found himself cheering along
with the rest, although he had hated the Yule Ball. But maybe this year, Cho
Chang would go with him.
Ron sat
down beside Harry, looking thoroughly bored. Harry thought he knew just the
way, to brighten his friend.
"Who are
you asking to the Ball?"
A/N Haven't quite decided who Ron should ask. If you have any ideas, tell me.
