Ok this is the last bit. I'm off to OKC tomorrow to see the Davis Cup matches.
***
Ch 15- An Encounter With Malfoy
Once back in Diagon Alley Delia took out her list. "Ok we need to go to the Apothecary. I've got my notes from the Ministry and Witches and Wizard Bureau allowing me to have what I need. I also need a bigger cauldron. Then I'm all set."
"Good. I need a few things from there myself. As for a cauldron I recommend a silver size 10. If I had an extra sitting around I would let your borrow one. But I don't in that size."
They reached the Cauldron Shop. Delia found a cauldron. Severus inspected it and deemed it sufficient. Delia then went to the Apothecary and handed the list of ingredients to the man behind the counter. He went in the bag and returned ten minutes later with her order. "I'm sorry miss," he said, "but we don't carry Red Beetle Slime. Ministry won't allow it. Says its Dark Magic. I know you have notes and everything saying you can but I'm sorry we don't carry it anymore."
"Thanks, but I'll take everything else." She paid for her ingredients and they left.
"I know where to get Red Beetle Slime." Severus said, "I'll sit you down at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor."
"Where do you have to go?" Delia asked.
"Don't be daft."
"Oh, sorry. You don't have to go to...I can deal without it. I can send for it in Salem. I know it's not outlawed there."
"Getting passed the Ministry, my dear, will only get you in more trouble. They inspect every package that comes from there. I'll go down Knockturn Alley and get it. What kind of ice cream do you want?"
"Strawberries and Creams with Chocolate," she said sitting down at one of the tables outside. She placed her purchases on the chair next to her.
"I'll be back," he said.
Delia sat outside enjoying the sun. Severus returned with her ice cream. "I'll be back soon." And left. Delia found a copy of the Daily Prophet on a nearby table and began to read. It wasn't long before she heard someone pull up a chair to her table. Expecting Severus she looked up. It was Lucius Malfoy.
"Miss Wheelrite, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts!" he exclaimed.
"I'm getting stuff for my research project. I'm here with Professor Snape. He had to run an errand real fast like."
"It's pleasant surprise to see you here. I got your letter by the way. I will not hear of it, you will come by sometime. I'm dying to hear about Kansas."
"Sorry as my letter stated I'm far too busy." Where the hell is Severus, Delia thought, thank god I'm in public. If Malfoy tries anything I can scream.
"I don't believe it. How does next Saturday sound?"
"No."
"Friday night?"
"No!" she said firmly.
"Now, now Delia is that anyway to act when you are being asked to speak about your homeland?"
"If you want to know so friggin' much read a book about it," she snapped. "And it's Miss Wheelrite to you Mr. Malfoy!"
Malfoy lowered his voice, "You may not know it, Miss Wheelrit,e but I know there is something between you and Severus. He isn't here at the moment to save you. Pity, your ingredient all of a sudden became banned as of Thursday, the same day your request was put in. You are messing with the wrong person. I'd be scared if I were you. Severus is at the moment down Knockturn Alley"
"Your little intimidation doesn't scare me Mr. Malfoy." Delia said frostily.
"You don't know who you are dealing with Miss Wheelrite. I can have you thrown out of here and your wand snapped in half if you don't cooperate," he said in a soft voice. "So when is a good day for you?"
"The fortieth of NEVER!"
"Once again do I have to repeat myself?"
"If I wanted that I would have got a parrot," Delia said coolly.
"Miss Wheelrite," Malfoy growled. "You will come, I can make you very easily. Do you know how easily I can whip out my wand and control you? Hmm do you? I've done it before. But I must say I'd hate to do that to such an eye-catching thing as you. I now see why Severus keeps you around as his toy."
Delia was pissed. He blood was boiling. She wasn't going to be called a thing or a toy. She got up from her chair suddenly and threw her ice cream on Malfoy and ran leaving behind her cauldron. She was glad she had worn her Nike running shoes. Malfoy wasn't as fast as Delia. Delia hid in Flourish and Blotts. Once she deemed it safe to go out she did. She was heading back to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour to collect her cauldron she left behind. She was happy she had beaten Malfoy. She returned to the table she had been sitting at to find her cauldron gone. She cursed herself. She was going to have a lot of explaining to do Severus. The next thing Delia knew she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"It's a delight to see you again, Miss Wheelrite." The hand tightened. "Now, you can either come peacefully with me or will I have to give you this!" He dangled a bottle her face. "It will control you. I'll give you once last chance to come peacefully."
"NO!"
"I think Malfoy the lady has spoken," a dangerous but familiar soft silky, voice said form behind. "Now, I suggest you leave the lady alone." Malfoys grip on Delia's shoulder relaxed and let go. Malfoy gave Severus a bitter stare and left.
Severus didn't say anything after that. From the look on his face he was pissed. He took Delia by the shoulder and thrust her purse in her face. He led her off to the Leaky Cauldron. Delia noticed he had her packaged cauldron and purchases. She knew she was in for it once they reached A.J's.
***
Once Delia and Severus emerged for the fireplace A.J. was there to greet them. But he could tell Severus was in a foul mood. Severus set the purchases on the sofa and dragged Delia off to the kitchen. He shut the door. Delia was ready for Severus to read her the Riot Act.
"HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SUCH AN IDIOT?" he roared his face crimson. "I'M THE ONE TO BLAME! I LEFT YOU ALONE! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT DAMN MALFOY WAS OUT OF HIS CAGE TODAY. RED BEETLE SLIME FORBIDDEN! THAT"S WHITTY. HE'S BEHIND THIS, ISN'T HE?"
Delia nodded. Severus noticed she was shaking. Severus cooled down and took Delia in his arms. She was trembling something fierce. Delia began to sob big heavy sobs. Severus rocked her back and forth gently murmuring, "It's all right. I'm here. Shhhh. I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm an idiot."
"N-n-no y-y-you aren't!" she sobbed.
"I shouldn't have left you alone. It's my fault," he said. Delia stopped crying.
"No, it's not. You were only trying to help me."
"I thought you would be safe in Diagon Alley. I'm sorry, Delia. What did Malfoy say and do to you?"
Delia told him the entire account. "And then you showed up."
"I had seen you gone and your cauldron was sitting there along with your purse. I asked around and they said a man was bothering you. You threw ice cream on him and dashed off. I saw Malfoy in the area, wearing the same kind of ice cream you had. So I picked up your cauldron and waited for you to return. I knew Malfoy would be in the area to pounce. You came back shortly and I saw he had been bothering you. Delia you are messing with a powerful man. He likes to play dirty. It's time you learned a few things. If you are going to fight you are going to fight like a wizard."
"I'm not a wizard, I'm a witch," she informed him.
"I know that. But it's time you learned to play dirty. Get your wand. We're going outside."
***
Delia found herself outside in A.J.'s flower garden. A.J. sat on one of the stone benches looking at the two of them. Delia had told A.J. of the events that happened earlier in the day. Severus was looking around in the bushes for something. Delia had no idea what. Severus came out of the bushes with his hand clasped over something. He quickly dropped it and said something that would have landed her in the headmaster's office. A little black pincher beetle scurried across the lawn and back into the bushes.
"Severus, I have something other then a beetle in the basement you can use. I shall return," A.J. said as he left the bench.
"What are we doing out here?" Delia asked.
"You'll see. I'm going to show you how to fight like a wizard." Severus replied.
"Like how? I think I can defend myself pretty well," she said in her smug Kansas voice.
" AS long as you have something to throw," he said in his silky voice. "So you think you can. You'll see, my dear."
A.J. retuned to the garden with a cage of rats and said, "I think this will be better for your needs."
"Thank you, A.J., I do believe you are right," Severus said taking one of the rats out of the cage and setting it on the lawn, "Stupefy!" He shouted at the rat, stunning the rat. "Delia, you are going to learn the Unforgivable Curses and how to use them-"
"I know what they are," she said hastily, "I also know how to use them."
"Did you learn them in DADA?"
"No, I read about them in the Restricted-"
"Not good enough! You have to know them and how to say them. A good witch should be able to defend herself. Witches don't need wizards; wizards need witches! Witches can take care of themselves quite nicely. Witches are stronger then wizards. Isn't that right A.J.?"
"Delia I have to agree with Severus. Malfoy plays a dirty game." A.J. said, "You have got to know."
"But can't I end up in Azkaban? If you are showing me this won't you two be in trouble with the Ministry?" Delia said with a frightened tone in her voice.
"Don't worry about us, " Severus said. "I'll just get a nasty owl from the Ministry and so will A.J. We'll ignore it. Nothing will happen to you, you were just following my instructions. How well do you know the Unforgivable Curses?"
"Well I know what they are: The Imperis Curse, The Crucitus Curse and I'm not saying the last," she said.
"In the case we'll start with The Imperis Curse. We'll use this stunned rat."
"What did the rat do to anybody?" Delia protested.
"Delia you are going to have to put aside your gentleness." Severus said in his silky voice, "You have to know when to curtail it. I like your gentleness; it's what attracted me to you. But if you don't learn how to fight how are you going survive? What are you going to do if Malfoy kidnaps you? Do you think I'm going to be there?"
Delia looked at her feet and said softly, "No, you won't be there."
"Delia, I know this has got to be hard for you. You my dear are gentle and loving. Being that can be just as bad as being mean and evil. I am pleading with you to know what to do if Malfoy does kidnap you. I'm not questioning your ability. I know you are able to do it. But could you do it if you had to?"
Delia was still looking at her feet and shrugged, "I don't know."
"Then let's test it, Ok?"
Delia nodded as Severus stunned the rat that had recovered. "Now, the Imperis Curse is the curse that gives you total control. You say Imperio got that?"
"Yes."
"Now, let's try it out on our rat" Severus pointed his wand and shouted "Imperio!" The rat was all of a sudden under Severus control. The rat began to roll back and forth on the lawn. "Now, this is a nasty curse. There isn't any counter curses. I'll stun the rat and you can try it." Severus lowered his wand and the rat sat on the lawn, confused "Ok, when you are ready."
Delia was shaking. She pointed her wand and opened her mouth. Nothing came out. "I can't do it!"
"Yes, you can. JUST DO IT!"
Delia took a deep breath and shouted, "Imperio!" The rat became under her control. The grey rat began to turn somersaults. Delia lowered her wand. Once the curse was gone, the rat didn't wait around for another moment and took off running. A.J. brought out another rat from the cage and stunned it.
"Very good." Severus said. "It's time to move on to The Cruciatus Curse. You say Crucio. This puts the person in brutal pain. Believe me it's not fun. I have had it put on me several times. I hope you never have it put on you." Severus pointed his wand once again and shouted, "Crucio!" The already stunned rat fell over twitching. Severus could see Delia had a look of horror on her face.
"Leave the poor rat alone! Leave him alone!" she cried. "Let him be! Let him be! LEAVE THE RAT ALONE!"
"Delia!" Severus shouted, "I know what I'm doing. The rat will be fine in a little bit. Now you try it."
"No," she said firmly.
Severus let out a frustrated sigh, "Delia. Don't argue. For once listen." Severus said lowering his wand. The rat just laid on the lawn in the warm fall sunshine. "Point your wand and say it!"
Delia sighed pointed her wand again and said, "Crucio!". The rat went back to twitching uncontrollably. Delia quickly stopped the curse. She couldn't stand hurting the rat anymore. The poor rat lay on the lawn looking quite poorly.
"Good. Now we are moving on to The Killing Curse."
"You are going to kill the rat are you?" Delia asked, "You can't. I won't let you."
Severus didn't answer her instead he went on, "For the Killing curse you say Avada Kedavara." Severus didn't waste anytime he quickly pointed his wand and shouted "Avada Kedavara!" The rat's life had come to an end. Delia was snuffling. There were tears running down her cheeks. A.J. took another rat out of the cage. The rat tried to run off before anything could happen to it. Severus stunned it, causing the rat to come to a stand still in the middle of the grass. "I think you now what to do."
Delia pointed her wand. She could bring herself to kill the rat. She looked at Severus and said, "No, I'm not!"
"DELIA JUST DO IT!" he yelled. This scared Delia she had never seen Severus act this was before.
Delia looked at him furiously through her tear stained face. "No, I'm not! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME WHATSOEVER!" She then took off running. Severus was about to go after her.
"Severus, let the girl go." A.J. said, collecting the stunned rat off the lawn. "She'll be back. The poor girl has gone though enough today. You did well showing her. You were right. Delia is a gentle soul."
"I've gone and upset her! Do you think I wanted to harm the rats as much as she did? It wouldn't surprise me if she hated me."
"Severus, if you didn't show her what they were who was going to? You know the answer, she may not be thankful now but if Malfoy gets his hands on her she will be indebted. I'm going to make some tea."
"I think after that," Severus said in a tired voice. "I need something stronger."
***
That's that for now. I'll have more up later. I'm just too good to you all.
***
Ch 15- An Encounter With Malfoy
Once back in Diagon Alley Delia took out her list. "Ok we need to go to the Apothecary. I've got my notes from the Ministry and Witches and Wizard Bureau allowing me to have what I need. I also need a bigger cauldron. Then I'm all set."
"Good. I need a few things from there myself. As for a cauldron I recommend a silver size 10. If I had an extra sitting around I would let your borrow one. But I don't in that size."
They reached the Cauldron Shop. Delia found a cauldron. Severus inspected it and deemed it sufficient. Delia then went to the Apothecary and handed the list of ingredients to the man behind the counter. He went in the bag and returned ten minutes later with her order. "I'm sorry miss," he said, "but we don't carry Red Beetle Slime. Ministry won't allow it. Says its Dark Magic. I know you have notes and everything saying you can but I'm sorry we don't carry it anymore."
"Thanks, but I'll take everything else." She paid for her ingredients and they left.
"I know where to get Red Beetle Slime." Severus said, "I'll sit you down at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor."
"Where do you have to go?" Delia asked.
"Don't be daft."
"Oh, sorry. You don't have to go to...I can deal without it. I can send for it in Salem. I know it's not outlawed there."
"Getting passed the Ministry, my dear, will only get you in more trouble. They inspect every package that comes from there. I'll go down Knockturn Alley and get it. What kind of ice cream do you want?"
"Strawberries and Creams with Chocolate," she said sitting down at one of the tables outside. She placed her purchases on the chair next to her.
"I'll be back," he said.
Delia sat outside enjoying the sun. Severus returned with her ice cream. "I'll be back soon." And left. Delia found a copy of the Daily Prophet on a nearby table and began to read. It wasn't long before she heard someone pull up a chair to her table. Expecting Severus she looked up. It was Lucius Malfoy.
"Miss Wheelrite, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts!" he exclaimed.
"I'm getting stuff for my research project. I'm here with Professor Snape. He had to run an errand real fast like."
"It's pleasant surprise to see you here. I got your letter by the way. I will not hear of it, you will come by sometime. I'm dying to hear about Kansas."
"Sorry as my letter stated I'm far too busy." Where the hell is Severus, Delia thought, thank god I'm in public. If Malfoy tries anything I can scream.
"I don't believe it. How does next Saturday sound?"
"No."
"Friday night?"
"No!" she said firmly.
"Now, now Delia is that anyway to act when you are being asked to speak about your homeland?"
"If you want to know so friggin' much read a book about it," she snapped. "And it's Miss Wheelrite to you Mr. Malfoy!"
Malfoy lowered his voice, "You may not know it, Miss Wheelrit,e but I know there is something between you and Severus. He isn't here at the moment to save you. Pity, your ingredient all of a sudden became banned as of Thursday, the same day your request was put in. You are messing with the wrong person. I'd be scared if I were you. Severus is at the moment down Knockturn Alley"
"Your little intimidation doesn't scare me Mr. Malfoy." Delia said frostily.
"You don't know who you are dealing with Miss Wheelrite. I can have you thrown out of here and your wand snapped in half if you don't cooperate," he said in a soft voice. "So when is a good day for you?"
"The fortieth of NEVER!"
"Once again do I have to repeat myself?"
"If I wanted that I would have got a parrot," Delia said coolly.
"Miss Wheelrite," Malfoy growled. "You will come, I can make you very easily. Do you know how easily I can whip out my wand and control you? Hmm do you? I've done it before. But I must say I'd hate to do that to such an eye-catching thing as you. I now see why Severus keeps you around as his toy."
Delia was pissed. He blood was boiling. She wasn't going to be called a thing or a toy. She got up from her chair suddenly and threw her ice cream on Malfoy and ran leaving behind her cauldron. She was glad she had worn her Nike running shoes. Malfoy wasn't as fast as Delia. Delia hid in Flourish and Blotts. Once she deemed it safe to go out she did. She was heading back to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour to collect her cauldron she left behind. She was happy she had beaten Malfoy. She returned to the table she had been sitting at to find her cauldron gone. She cursed herself. She was going to have a lot of explaining to do Severus. The next thing Delia knew she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"It's a delight to see you again, Miss Wheelrite." The hand tightened. "Now, you can either come peacefully with me or will I have to give you this!" He dangled a bottle her face. "It will control you. I'll give you once last chance to come peacefully."
"NO!"
"I think Malfoy the lady has spoken," a dangerous but familiar soft silky, voice said form behind. "Now, I suggest you leave the lady alone." Malfoys grip on Delia's shoulder relaxed and let go. Malfoy gave Severus a bitter stare and left.
Severus didn't say anything after that. From the look on his face he was pissed. He took Delia by the shoulder and thrust her purse in her face. He led her off to the Leaky Cauldron. Delia noticed he had her packaged cauldron and purchases. She knew she was in for it once they reached A.J's.
***
Once Delia and Severus emerged for the fireplace A.J. was there to greet them. But he could tell Severus was in a foul mood. Severus set the purchases on the sofa and dragged Delia off to the kitchen. He shut the door. Delia was ready for Severus to read her the Riot Act.
"HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SUCH AN IDIOT?" he roared his face crimson. "I'M THE ONE TO BLAME! I LEFT YOU ALONE! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT DAMN MALFOY WAS OUT OF HIS CAGE TODAY. RED BEETLE SLIME FORBIDDEN! THAT"S WHITTY. HE'S BEHIND THIS, ISN'T HE?"
Delia nodded. Severus noticed she was shaking. Severus cooled down and took Delia in his arms. She was trembling something fierce. Delia began to sob big heavy sobs. Severus rocked her back and forth gently murmuring, "It's all right. I'm here. Shhhh. I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm an idiot."
"N-n-no y-y-you aren't!" she sobbed.
"I shouldn't have left you alone. It's my fault," he said. Delia stopped crying.
"No, it's not. You were only trying to help me."
"I thought you would be safe in Diagon Alley. I'm sorry, Delia. What did Malfoy say and do to you?"
Delia told him the entire account. "And then you showed up."
"I had seen you gone and your cauldron was sitting there along with your purse. I asked around and they said a man was bothering you. You threw ice cream on him and dashed off. I saw Malfoy in the area, wearing the same kind of ice cream you had. So I picked up your cauldron and waited for you to return. I knew Malfoy would be in the area to pounce. You came back shortly and I saw he had been bothering you. Delia you are messing with a powerful man. He likes to play dirty. It's time you learned a few things. If you are going to fight you are going to fight like a wizard."
"I'm not a wizard, I'm a witch," she informed him.
"I know that. But it's time you learned to play dirty. Get your wand. We're going outside."
***
Delia found herself outside in A.J.'s flower garden. A.J. sat on one of the stone benches looking at the two of them. Delia had told A.J. of the events that happened earlier in the day. Severus was looking around in the bushes for something. Delia had no idea what. Severus came out of the bushes with his hand clasped over something. He quickly dropped it and said something that would have landed her in the headmaster's office. A little black pincher beetle scurried across the lawn and back into the bushes.
"Severus, I have something other then a beetle in the basement you can use. I shall return," A.J. said as he left the bench.
"What are we doing out here?" Delia asked.
"You'll see. I'm going to show you how to fight like a wizard." Severus replied.
"Like how? I think I can defend myself pretty well," she said in her smug Kansas voice.
" AS long as you have something to throw," he said in his silky voice. "So you think you can. You'll see, my dear."
A.J. retuned to the garden with a cage of rats and said, "I think this will be better for your needs."
"Thank you, A.J., I do believe you are right," Severus said taking one of the rats out of the cage and setting it on the lawn, "Stupefy!" He shouted at the rat, stunning the rat. "Delia, you are going to learn the Unforgivable Curses and how to use them-"
"I know what they are," she said hastily, "I also know how to use them."
"Did you learn them in DADA?"
"No, I read about them in the Restricted-"
"Not good enough! You have to know them and how to say them. A good witch should be able to defend herself. Witches don't need wizards; wizards need witches! Witches can take care of themselves quite nicely. Witches are stronger then wizards. Isn't that right A.J.?"
"Delia I have to agree with Severus. Malfoy plays a dirty game." A.J. said, "You have got to know."
"But can't I end up in Azkaban? If you are showing me this won't you two be in trouble with the Ministry?" Delia said with a frightened tone in her voice.
"Don't worry about us, " Severus said. "I'll just get a nasty owl from the Ministry and so will A.J. We'll ignore it. Nothing will happen to you, you were just following my instructions. How well do you know the Unforgivable Curses?"
"Well I know what they are: The Imperis Curse, The Crucitus Curse and I'm not saying the last," she said.
"In the case we'll start with The Imperis Curse. We'll use this stunned rat."
"What did the rat do to anybody?" Delia protested.
"Delia you are going to have to put aside your gentleness." Severus said in his silky voice, "You have to know when to curtail it. I like your gentleness; it's what attracted me to you. But if you don't learn how to fight how are you going survive? What are you going to do if Malfoy kidnaps you? Do you think I'm going to be there?"
Delia looked at her feet and said softly, "No, you won't be there."
"Delia, I know this has got to be hard for you. You my dear are gentle and loving. Being that can be just as bad as being mean and evil. I am pleading with you to know what to do if Malfoy does kidnap you. I'm not questioning your ability. I know you are able to do it. But could you do it if you had to?"
Delia was still looking at her feet and shrugged, "I don't know."
"Then let's test it, Ok?"
Delia nodded as Severus stunned the rat that had recovered. "Now, the Imperis Curse is the curse that gives you total control. You say Imperio got that?"
"Yes."
"Now, let's try it out on our rat" Severus pointed his wand and shouted "Imperio!" The rat was all of a sudden under Severus control. The rat began to roll back and forth on the lawn. "Now, this is a nasty curse. There isn't any counter curses. I'll stun the rat and you can try it." Severus lowered his wand and the rat sat on the lawn, confused "Ok, when you are ready."
Delia was shaking. She pointed her wand and opened her mouth. Nothing came out. "I can't do it!"
"Yes, you can. JUST DO IT!"
Delia took a deep breath and shouted, "Imperio!" The rat became under her control. The grey rat began to turn somersaults. Delia lowered her wand. Once the curse was gone, the rat didn't wait around for another moment and took off running. A.J. brought out another rat from the cage and stunned it.
"Very good." Severus said. "It's time to move on to The Cruciatus Curse. You say Crucio. This puts the person in brutal pain. Believe me it's not fun. I have had it put on me several times. I hope you never have it put on you." Severus pointed his wand once again and shouted, "Crucio!" The already stunned rat fell over twitching. Severus could see Delia had a look of horror on her face.
"Leave the poor rat alone! Leave him alone!" she cried. "Let him be! Let him be! LEAVE THE RAT ALONE!"
"Delia!" Severus shouted, "I know what I'm doing. The rat will be fine in a little bit. Now you try it."
"No," she said firmly.
Severus let out a frustrated sigh, "Delia. Don't argue. For once listen." Severus said lowering his wand. The rat just laid on the lawn in the warm fall sunshine. "Point your wand and say it!"
Delia sighed pointed her wand again and said, "Crucio!". The rat went back to twitching uncontrollably. Delia quickly stopped the curse. She couldn't stand hurting the rat anymore. The poor rat lay on the lawn looking quite poorly.
"Good. Now we are moving on to The Killing Curse."
"You are going to kill the rat are you?" Delia asked, "You can't. I won't let you."
Severus didn't answer her instead he went on, "For the Killing curse you say Avada Kedavara." Severus didn't waste anytime he quickly pointed his wand and shouted "Avada Kedavara!" The rat's life had come to an end. Delia was snuffling. There were tears running down her cheeks. A.J. took another rat out of the cage. The rat tried to run off before anything could happen to it. Severus stunned it, causing the rat to come to a stand still in the middle of the grass. "I think you now what to do."
Delia pointed her wand. She could bring herself to kill the rat. She looked at Severus and said, "No, I'm not!"
"DELIA JUST DO IT!" he yelled. This scared Delia she had never seen Severus act this was before.
Delia looked at him furiously through her tear stained face. "No, I'm not! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME WHATSOEVER!" She then took off running. Severus was about to go after her.
"Severus, let the girl go." A.J. said, collecting the stunned rat off the lawn. "She'll be back. The poor girl has gone though enough today. You did well showing her. You were right. Delia is a gentle soul."
"I've gone and upset her! Do you think I wanted to harm the rats as much as she did? It wouldn't surprise me if she hated me."
"Severus, if you didn't show her what they were who was going to? You know the answer, she may not be thankful now but if Malfoy gets his hands on her she will be indebted. I'm going to make some tea."
"I think after that," Severus said in a tired voice. "I need something stronger."
***
That's that for now. I'll have more up later. I'm just too good to you all.