I Walk Alone,

Chapter 12, High Hopes

"So what did Dumbledore want with you," Raislen asked Severus. He and Heather were waiting, as promised, in the Slytherin common room. Severus had headed directly there after his tea with the headmaster.

He shrugged as he settled down into a chair near the fire across from Raislen. "I'm not precisely certain," he said thoughtfully. "It was interesting, though. He is encouraging our after school pursuits, which is nice."

"That is nice," Raislen agreed enthusiastically.

"If the Headmaster remains interested in what we do, considering the connections he surely has, we could have a helpful leg up in whatever we choose to pursue after graduation," Heather mused, briefly glancing up from the book she held.

Severus nodded, because that was true enough. "He also made sure that I understood that there is a place for everyone in the world including the Gryffindor Gang of Gits." He made a face. "I refuse to believe there is a use for them if it isn't for making compost."

Heather snickered as she slid a rabbit shaped book marker between the pages of whatever she was reading before closing the book with an audible snap. "Did he actually defend those gits?"

Severus shook his head slowly. "No. I don't think so."

"Everyone has a place in the world is just Dumbledore's world-hugging way of trying to see the good in just about every little shit there is," Raislen said. "He's a weird one, and that sort of weird person's brain is usually a mixed bag of useful and pain in the ass to people like us."

Heather gave another laugh. "There goes Raislen, being wise beyond his years for three seconds, before he becomes annoying again," she opined almost fondly.

"Ah, Heather Toy! I'm moved!"

Sighing, she rolled her eyes as she reached over to casually punch Raislen in the stomach. "You see," she told Severus. "There he goes, proving my point."

"But I was only," Raislen wheezed.

"Do shut up, Raislen," Heather snapped. "Or I shall go away."

"He's very sorry," Severus decided quickly. "What are we working on today?"

"Aren't we too sleepy from being up for literally most of the night to begin something new already," Heather asked around a yawn.

That was a thought. She had a valid point. "We could decide today what to work on next without working on it until tomorrow," Severus said and Heather and Raislen both nodded in agreement to that.

"I think I'd like to work on more techniques for defense," he began, mind going back to his unwanted skirmish at lunch with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. "No, make that something for attack...Defensive attack," he said, clarifying the idea in his own mind as he spoke aloud. "Something to make whoever is attacking you regret it very hard."

Raislen regarded him thoughtfully, giving an understanding nod. "I hear you, Kid."

"I'm thinking it should be constructed in such a way that it's difficult to see," Heather began thoughtfully. "That shall make it likewise more difficult to undo. Perhaps a hex that indirectly attacks the airways." Severus felt a surge of excitement at the very thought. As Raislen gave Heather a dreamy smile, Severus was gleefully picturing James, Sirius and Peter's faces slowly turning purple as they gasped and attempted to beg him for mercy. Attempted because due to not being able to breathe properly, they couldn't talk so well.

"I think I'm awake enough to begin work on that today," he said.

Heather gave him a dry smile. "While I'm pleased that you two like the idea, I am too tired so it's tomorrow."

"I actually agree," Raislen said. Severus gave a despondent sigh over being outvoted. "That kid has energy," Raislen marveled to Heather, nodding sagely toward Severus.

"I think I got energy from playing on the stairs leading to Dumbledore's office," Severus said. "I suppose what they say about exercise being good for the body and the mind is true," he mused.

"Playing on the stairs," Raislen asked, arching his brows.

Severus shrugged. "They're more narrow and steep than the others in the castle therefore more of a challenge to navigate," he explained.

Raislen nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. I could see that."

"Well Dumbledore won't allow us to play on his stairs when we need energy," Heather complained.

Severus shook his head. "I wouldn't be so sure. He said I could come and play on them whenever I liked. I bet he'd allow me to bring you along. I could ask." He didn't feel right just trying to bring them without asking, even if he didn't see why it should be a problem. Asking was more polite and could make all the difference in that sort of situation. Heather and Raislen thought the same as they nodded.

"Very well." Heather said. "I don't know if I truly think it would help us work, but I'm willing to try anything if it gives me energy and focus for studies. If he says we may, we will come with you and give it a go."

Severus grinned, thinking the stairs would be even more fun with his friends along.

"I will try anything that keeps me fit," Raislen said. Raislen had a natural strength, and a bigger muscular build. He said many class mates were on to him to play quidditch for Slytherin, but he just had no interest in sports unless one counted wizarding chess, which one should. Though few knew it, chess was classified as a sport. Though Severus didn't have a build for quidditch in particular, so doubted anyone would be begging him to play, he shared Raislen's utter disinterest in sports. Severus preferred the mental sports involved in his studies. Those stairs in front of Dumbledore's office were brilliant, though. A sport one could play alone, no rules only fun. "I'll ask him tomorrow," he said eagerly. "Then anytime we're stuck for what to do on one of our future projects, we can just go run it out on the stairs until the blood and inspiration are flowing.""

"Wait... Ours or someone else's," Raislen laughed. "Cause that could be taken a few different ways, and I don't think old Dumbledore will allow us to hurt anyone on his stairs."

Severus rolled dark eyes dismissively at Raislen's antics, but Heather answered him seriously.

"Don't dare call me Heather toy on those stairs, or we shall be finding out," she warned.

Three days later the sound of shouts and echoing laughter could be heard in the stairwell leading to Dumbledore's office as Heather, Raislen and Severus chased one another up and down until they were breathless. Though the guardian gargoyle may just deny it if asked, even he gave a gravely chuckle or two at their antics as they zipped around one another in their attempts to reach the top or the bottom of the staircase first.

"Hey Severus, it does work," Heather gasped. "I have much more energy now, and being out of breath like this gives me a perfect idea of how to use a blocking charm on someone's airways that should be nearly impossible to detect. Raislen, would you mind if I practice it on you? Severus can watch and add any necessary touches to make it perfect.

Raislen halted in his tracks, deep set green eyes widening. "You want to practice a subtle strangulation charm on ME? Yes, in fact I do mind very much, and it's a definite NO! Not even for you," he told Heather firmly. As he was speaking, he'd remained stock still, allowing Heather to zip around him.

"I won," she laughed, dancing in place at the top of the stairs.

Raislen huffed a sigh. "Because you cheated."

Heather laughed again. "We're Slytherins! Of course I did. But really you chose to stop running," she pointed out.

Severus found himself nodding in agreement. "She has a point."

"Did you at least really have the idea for the blocking charm, though," Raislen demanded.

Heather nodded. "Of course I did! What do you take me for? And don't worry. I'm certain there are a few troublesome Gryffindors who shall give us plenty of opportunities to practice it."

Severus grinned, nodding at the wisdom of Heather's words. "Likely sooner than even we think," he said.