I woke up to the alarm blaring. I reached for the button and turned it off.
Turning to Severus I gave him a kiss and began to streach and start waking
up.
Severus moaned. "Good morning to you too." Said Artimus with a laugh. I
turned around quickly, startled.
"Asshole!" I muttered punching him lightly in the stomach with a small
smile.
"Hey you are the one that kissed me!" He pulled me over to him. "That alarm
was for you hun." He gave me a small kiss on the cheek. I turned and looked
at the clock. 5:30. Two hours, just enough time to get dressed for riding,
go riding, and then shower and get dressed for school.
"Yeah I'm going riding.. show preps." I answered and got out of bed and
yawned and streached some more.
"Well then you better get going.I'm pretty sure there's someone waiting for
you there." Artimus smiled. I gave him a strange look and then apparated up
to my normal bedroom. I quietly got dressed as so not to wake Hermione not
wanting hell to break loose. I thought about what Arti said and realized
that it was probably him or Mich thinking that even if Sev was back he was
probably in bed sleeping for a good 2 hours or so untill he forced himself
up to teach. I quietly left the room and found that I needed to apparate
out of the common room seeing as the fat lady was still asleep. When I
stepped outside I felt the cold breeze brush across my face, thank goodness
fall was coming. I continued down to the barn and entered hearing Patricia
talking.
"Course you can ride Bailey anytime you want. If you ever had trouble Kayla
or I would be there to help." I turned around to see Patricia talking to
Michael. His back was facing me and he was wearing his trench coat.
Patricia saw me. "There she is, Good morning!" She smiled. "Better go get
Lightning. Show starts at 8am tomorrow, but we can ride around in the arena
from 7-8 and I think that we should get there at 7 so she can have a good
look at the arena without tons of people there. We do actully have to drive
there too, and it's an hour drive. So that means you should probably be
here at about 5am and I would braid her tonight so you don't have to in the
morning, I'll show you at, umm lets do it at 4 this afternoon, I don't have
a ride then. I think I told you everything, Oh and you might wanna wear
different clothes than your show clothes, you will be able to change there
and you wanna keep your show clothes clean.. Ok anyhow go get ready for
your lesson!" Patricia finished in what seemed to be one breath and one
long sentance.
I walked over to my tackbox and unlocked it taking out her brushes. Mich took them from me and put his arm around my shoulders as we walked to her stall. "You're up early." I commented going into her stall and picking up a brush.
"Yeah I wanted to see you," He paused. "To uh, see you ride I mean." He had a nervous look as she began brushing also. "Nervous?" He asked me trying to cover up the embarressed look on his face. No need to be nervous Mich, I thought, I know you love me. "Actully no. I mean a little but it's not really about the show." "Then what is it about?" He asked. "Well... I kinda am backed up on my homework..I didn't do any last night... and I won't have time for any today or tomorrow.. which leaves a lot for sunday. And then I have potions today and severus has been out the whole night doing gods know what... so he'll be royally pissed and in a great mood for yards of homework." I rambled on confessing my stress.
"Well you won't be showing all saturday will you? I mean you are only in three classes, perhaps after the show you could stop by and I could help you with your homework..." He offered. "And Severus?" I mearly implyed that seeing each other alone would be the death of us both. "He doesn't have to know.. I mean its just some help.. with schoolwork... I am a teacher after all." He persisted. "He doesn't ihave /i to know but he will and.." I drifted off not wanting to speak of the possibilites of his anger. "We'll do it in the Library! Like you just had a question or something, Hermione or one of those nice boys could come, it would be completly harmless!" Michael exploded with his light-blub idea. "Don't you miss TV?" He asked trying a new idea. "Not really, I didn't really watch it that much." I answered, speaking the truth. "What about movies, whats your favorite? I can get it for you." He was bursting with enuthesiasm. I only laughed. "MUSIC!" He exclaimed. "You love music!" "Yeah I do, but theres no way I'd ever live after being in your room, alone." I said. "Quit making excuses! You are still alive now! and you've been alone in my room!" Mich was halfway shouting now. He quieted his voice. "Tell me the truth, I know when you are lying, you shouldn't even bother." "I'm not lying about Sev, I mean if he even knew we were alone all this time.." I rambled off. "It's a public barn, he could be in this position if he wanted. Obviously he doesn't." Mich said hotly. I knew he wanted to say, Obviously he cares nothing of your life, but he knew that I did love him and it would be a great insult. I went and got her saddle and continued tacking up all in silence. "I'll be in the stands." He said before walking out of the stall. I bridled and got my helmet and stuff and thought to myself what an idiot I was. Feeling all the sudden kinda sad, I mounted Lightning and began my lesson. An hour or so later I was dismounting and taking care of her. A half hour after that I was ready to go and take a shower and hurry to breakfest and then rush to my next class. I came out of her stall ready to head back to the castle. Michael of course was still there waiting. "Ready to go?" He was still wearing his trench coat wrapped around him. "Yeah." We started towards the door. "See you at 4!" Patricia yelled as we were heading out the door. "Aren't you cold??" He asked pulling his coat tighter. "Oh, yeah, right. You don't get cold.." He trailed off. "So, are you nervous?" He started again. "Nope. well, a little, but not much." I smiled. "Awesome, you are gonna win first place." He said "Thanks for the encouragement, but I don't agree, I'm sure there is going to be a lot of competition." I said unsurly. "Yeah well you can beat their asses." Mich said with a laugh as we walked into the school. The halls were starting to fill with students. "Best seperate, see ya in class." He said, with a small hug and walked towards the staff room. I continued up to the common room and then our room. Hermione was sitting on the bed reading "History of Magic FourthYear". "There you are." Hermione exclaimed. "You had me worried when you didn't come back last night." I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine, wait for me before you go to breakfast k?" I asked. "Yup." She answered already deep into her book again.
Changing into my school clothes made me feel a bit fat again. Must start new diet. "Thanks for waiting Hermione." I said grabbing my school books and stuffing them into my schoolbag. "That's alright, I just finished up some more reading." She said also packing up her bag. I opened the door and we walked downstairs where Harry and Ron were waiting and then continued down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Sitting down I bit into an apple as Patricia stormed in. She was still dressed in her riding pants but had a tattered robe around her which didn't look very clean at all. She was carrying what looked like the latest Daily Prophet in her hand. "Excuse me," she paused looking at Ron sitting next to me, but before he could answer, "Boy." She pushed him over and sat down beside me, Ron looking angerly towards Patricia. "Thanks to me you have most of the equine witches talking about you." "What?" I asked confused taking another bite of my apple. "Well it seems when I entered you for that show this weekend, someone reconized my name, Oh well, just read the article, it talks all about it. See ya this afternoon!" She got up and walked up to the front table, stopped for a word with Dumbledore, then grabbed a couple apples and left again. The article read: I"BHerndy's Back /b br Patricia Herndy, now a riding instructor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is most famous for her instruction of the winner of the Wizarding Equestrian Cup in 1987, Lance Renolds. He went on to the olympics for the United States of America. Herndy also won the Witching Equestrian Cup in 1980. She is known for her execellent teaching job of great riders to continue onto many different events in the high rankings. It seems she has a new student that is looking for excellence in her riding career. This upcoming saturday Kayla Miller, will be showing in three classes in the Fall Seasons Show. If you are interested in watching the competition it is a muggle event so beware. We will be at the show and will post the results in sunday paper. Also, if possible we will have an interview with Kayla or Patricia." /i " Wow." I said setting down the paper. Hermione picked it up and read it outloud to Harry and Ron while I finished the rest of my apple, leaving the core to Lightning. "You're famous!" Hermione stated amazed. "You'd think that they had almost forgot about you Harry." Ron said, mouth full of food. "There is an article about him in there too." Hermione said matter-of- factly. "That J.K. Rowling woman is still trying to write books about him for muggles!" Hermione, Ron, and Harry laughed. "It's not a bad idea. You are a pretty interesting person Harry, she'd make millions. And just think, you'll be known to the whole world, not just us whitchs and wizards." I told them. "Great just what I need." Harry mumbled finishing his breakfast. "Come on, we'll be late for class!" Hermione informed standing up and picking up her bag. Harry, Ron and I followed sadly down to our first class, Arithmancy.
It went pretty normal, besides the fact Mich would ask me if I was alright every time he went past my desk, which thankfully wasn't more than a half dozen times because even Michael would have found himself flat faced on the floor. After class Hermione went to lunch and false to the fact that I kept telling Michael I was alright, I told her that I was not and needed some fresh air. I walked out to the barn naturally and went and saw Lightning. I gave her a pat and a hug and went to see Crystal Fusion, the mare was causing a ruckus in her stall, pacing and digging holes. "What's wrong sweetheart?" I asked her offering my hand for her to sniff. She took deep breaths and snorted at my hand. I gave her a pat on the neck and she backed up into the back of her stall. "Shes still a bit edgey." Patricia said behind me. "Don't you have lunch?" She asked. "Yes, but I wasn't feeling well, so I came down here." "It's funny how the smell of horse manure can cure any sickness a horse lover has." She smiled. "Do you want to work with her then? You still have almost an hour before your lunch is over." "I thought you said you wanted me alive..." I said with a small smile on my face. "Some excercise will do her good. I'll get the tack, her brushes are right here." Patricia pointed to a bucket next to her stall. "Alright." I said picking up the bucket and walking into the stall. While I was brushing her she was sniffing the bucket and its contents. "It isn't food girl." I told her and pushed her away from the bucket, but the moment I turned my back and started brushing her again she picked up the bucket swung it around a couple times so everything flew out and the tossed the bucket. "That was horrible," I hit her with my hand. "But incredibly funny." I finished with a smile. I picked up the bucket and started to pick up the brushes and put them away. Crystal had picked up a brush and looked as though she was saying sorry. I took it from her mouth and put it back in the bucket. I finished brushing her and put on a surcincingle and attached a lunge line to her and went out into the arena to lunge her. Patricia took a spot up on the stands and watched me as I clucked her on. She did well for a couple minutes just trotting so when I eased her into a canter I didn't expect much difference. First she started bucking and after awhile of me telling her to slow down she did. She stopped and reared up. "Just ease her on with the whip." Patricia said from the stands. With a little tap on the butt she came back down to the ground and begain trotting. "Good just keep her going for a bit, for a good lesson." We trotted along for a couple minutes and Crystal acted as though nothing had happened. "Great. Slow her to a walk." Patricia instructed. "Awesome, now we get to go the other way!" The rest of the work out went as the first and after a cool down walk it was time to get back to class, I would almost be late for Potions.
As I hastily walked into the potions classroom everyone was sitting down already. A quick look at my watch showed that there was still 5 minutes to class and that I was not late. "Sit down please and don't say anything." Snapes voice said from his desk. I followed his directions and went down to the empty seat next to Hermione as usual. "Where have you been?!" Hermione whispered. "Oh nevermind, you smell." For the next five minutes the remaining students arrived with the same remark from Severus. When it was time he started his lesson. "I want a three meter essay on antidotes by next class. You have the rest of the hour to work on it. But according to Hogwarts rules you must stay in the classroom untill the hour is over. I have brought out some books that you may use as refrences for your essay. I have a headache so any unnesscsary talking will cost you house points." The class disected his words again begain writing. I believe the only one that was actully writing anything about antidotes was Hermione, everyone else obviously needed refrence, and nobody in their right mind would go near snap on a day like this. Except me of course. I walked towards his desk and opened one of the books. "Rough night?" I asked him paging through the book, not really reading anything. "We need to talk." he said continuing to write on his paper. "What's new?" I asked him back implying that we always needed too, but he took it as asking him what actully was new. "I can't go to your show this weekend." He said looking up from his paper. "Tomorrow." "Yeah, whatever. Look, Artimus will go and he'll tell me everything that's happened." "It's not the same." I pushed the book aside and took another and opened it. "Look, I have work." "On a Saturday? Severus, I don't need vertisum to sense you are lying." "Not Hogwarts work." He said in a softer tone. "oh." I replied in a softer tone, barely heard even to me. "I understand then." I closed the book and turned to go back to my desk. "Wait." He said and I turned and faced him again. "You are just like my mother. And once again Michael will be there inplace." I turned around and quickly walked back to my seat. I didn't see the heads turn behind me, I didn't see him put his hands through his hair and see him sigh, I didn't see Draco look towards him. All I saw was the door. I didn't think about how I was taking his book, or how I was leaving all my books behind. The door opened, the door closed and Severus didn't even realize it before he heard the slam. He didn't come after me, he just went and took my books from my desk and put them under his desk, and told the students to stop staring and get back to work.
It's weird how the people you need to talk to find you when you yourself are lost, because right when I started thinking I figured out that I should be in Potions class and not wandering the halls incoherently, Dumbledore showed up at the end of the hall I was in. "Shouldn't you be in class?" He asked when I approched him. "Yes, and I'm sorry. Go ahead and expell me." I replied to him morosely. "No, no, no, I wouldn't ever expell a student for leaving class, stealing teachers materials though, now thats a different story." He took the potions book from underneath my arm. "I believe that a dention is required. Perhaps with Professor snape tonight after dinner, I'm sure you will not object?" "As long as he doesn't kill me." I said softly. "He thinks the same of you child!" The old man laughed softly. "Apparently using him and your mother for an analogy is quite desturbing to the man." "No I supose not." "I suggest you go back to your common room, Classes will be getting out in a minute. I'll return this book to Severus." "Thank you sir." I said turning to go up the stairs.
No one ever wants to arrive early for History of magic. I myself was wondering how I was going to stay awake during it anyhow. So I decided to take Hermiones advice and go change my clothes. I wanted to shower but I knew I'd just do it later that afternoon. I did a quick cleaning charm on me and then changed my clothes. I sadly was now just barely going to make it to History on time. I rushed down the halls to class and sat down just before class started. Hermione had just enough time to tell me that she was worried and wanted to know exactly what happened after I left. Luckily, this is the only time I think I'll ever say this, Professor Binns started class.
After class I knew that Hermione still wanted answers, but this time I had a real excuse, i needed to go braid Lightning's hair for the show. That only took almost 2 hours. I double checked that it would not get ripped out before tomorrow and ruin my hard work. Patricia told me that the first time is always the longest and that I would get better. Instead of facing Hermione again I decided that I would go to my detention early. Pushing open the door I walked into the room seeing that Severus was still sitting at his desk. "You are early." He said, not appearing to ever look up. "I didn't think you would mind." I told him walking towards the desk. "I don't mind, but its odd for someone to show up early to a detention." He said finally looking up. His eyes had blue shades underneath him and it looked as though he hadn't slept in weeks. I walked up to him and faced him using my hand for him to face me. "What's wrong? It certainly cannot be just from last night, I mean, they aren't all that new are they?" I asked him. I could tell he thought I was an idiot, and I was on this matter, but wasn't every little death eater meeting the same? "Not when people get promoted." He replied and stood up. "Come into my quarters, it is more private there." He put his arm around my waist and escorted me into his room. "Promoted?" I asked him after he had closed the door. He continued to the cupboard and made himself a drink and added a potion which I could only assume was a painkiller. "Something to drink?" He offered. "No thank you." I replied angered by his avoidence of the question at hand.
"Yes. I get to kill now." He replied jumping so quickly back to the subject that it took a moment to remeber what we were speaking about. "oh." I said at first before my whole body had realized it. "oh, oh, oh." It finally impacted and it was not good. Severus started taking off his cape. "Maybe I will take that drink after all." I said dropping my head into my hands and plopping into a chair. He poured me a glass of water and walked to where I had sat down. "We have gotten invited to a party also. Saturday night.. Malfloys house." Snape said also taking a seat across from where I had sat down. "Oh how lovely. But that's tomorrow, and I have the show..." I started. "I know, I know." He explained. "I'm sorry." Replied me in a fake sadness. "About?" He asked wondering. "Not being able to go.." I explained again wondering if he had missed our last converstation. "What?" He exclaimed. "Well I have the show tomorrow and such.." I started to explain to him again. "I expect that you will not still be showing at midnight?" Silence. "It's formal, I'll get you a dress. You can meet me down here at 11:30 or so-" He started explaining to me. "And when do you expect me to sleep!? You cannot expect me to go!" I shouted. "I don't expect you to go. I demand you to go." Severus flatly stated. "Oh how nice, my financee is demanding me to go to the Malfloy household at midnight after a day of showing. How great is that." I stood up and walked towards the fire at the end of the room. "You must understand, they are practically demanding me, they expect you there." "What to kill me?" I asked him but he just walked behind me and hugged me tight. "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry." Severus said. "Your detention is done." He turned me around and looked deep into my eyes. " I just want to go to bed." He said sadly and kissed me. "Good night then." I kissed him again and hugged him and left him to sleep.
After dinner and doing some homework to make Hermione happy I found myself twisting and turning not being able to fall asleep. Hour after hour I lie there trying to sleep but the thoughts of the Malfloy house, Severus a murderer and the horse show would not leave my head. The thunder storm outside wasn't helping. Eventully I found myself digging for my grandmother's cloak and walking towards the Astronomy Tower to watch the lighting. I continued cautiously, watching out for Filtch and his cat and knowing that sometimes the astronomy class met on friday nights to watch the stars. I don't know how long I had been there watching the storm when I heard shuffling and a voice. "Can't sleep?" At first I feared Filtch but the voice was much softer and sweeter. "Me neither." Michael said answering his own question. He walked up beside me and looked out the window at the storm. "Still got the love of thunder storms huh? Suprised not to see you soaking wet from running around outside in the rain." "I thought it would look a little suspiscious to see someone running around outside in the courtyard." I answered. "Why? Everyone except us are tucked in their beds sleeping." Michael answered. "Well before you showed up, I figured that I was the only one up also." I said turning more to the right. "You are so.." He paused, searching for the right word. "Cold. And not in temperature. You aren't the same girl I fell in love with. I'm not quite sure where she went." He finished sadly turning to look into my eyes. I turned and faced him and met his glance. He put his hand to my head and pulled me close for a kiss. After we kissed I picked up my cloak. "I suddenly feel very tired, I had better go to bed." I threw the cloak around me and rushed off to my room.
A/N: I'm so sorry that I don't write more often, I basically wrote the last half of this chapter just tonight. It totally ended a lot different than I had planned from the beginning, and no it wasn't cause I was getting tired, it was just cause.. I dunno, I changed my mind! Whats new about that? lol. Please review, everyone is very important to me and I love to hear from you, I promise, the more reviews I get, the less time it takes me to write back, because then I know that there is someone out there waiting for another chapter. Thankies a bunch Katarina (11/17/02 11:22pm)
I walked over to my tackbox and unlocked it taking out her brushes. Mich took them from me and put his arm around my shoulders as we walked to her stall. "You're up early." I commented going into her stall and picking up a brush.
"Yeah I wanted to see you," He paused. "To uh, see you ride I mean." He had a nervous look as she began brushing also. "Nervous?" He asked me trying to cover up the embarressed look on his face. No need to be nervous Mich, I thought, I know you love me. "Actully no. I mean a little but it's not really about the show." "Then what is it about?" He asked. "Well... I kinda am backed up on my homework..I didn't do any last night... and I won't have time for any today or tomorrow.. which leaves a lot for sunday. And then I have potions today and severus has been out the whole night doing gods know what... so he'll be royally pissed and in a great mood for yards of homework." I rambled on confessing my stress.
"Well you won't be showing all saturday will you? I mean you are only in three classes, perhaps after the show you could stop by and I could help you with your homework..." He offered. "And Severus?" I mearly implyed that seeing each other alone would be the death of us both. "He doesn't have to know.. I mean its just some help.. with schoolwork... I am a teacher after all." He persisted. "He doesn't ihave /i to know but he will and.." I drifted off not wanting to speak of the possibilites of his anger. "We'll do it in the Library! Like you just had a question or something, Hermione or one of those nice boys could come, it would be completly harmless!" Michael exploded with his light-blub idea. "Don't you miss TV?" He asked trying a new idea. "Not really, I didn't really watch it that much." I answered, speaking the truth. "What about movies, whats your favorite? I can get it for you." He was bursting with enuthesiasm. I only laughed. "MUSIC!" He exclaimed. "You love music!" "Yeah I do, but theres no way I'd ever live after being in your room, alone." I said. "Quit making excuses! You are still alive now! and you've been alone in my room!" Mich was halfway shouting now. He quieted his voice. "Tell me the truth, I know when you are lying, you shouldn't even bother." "I'm not lying about Sev, I mean if he even knew we were alone all this time.." I rambled off. "It's a public barn, he could be in this position if he wanted. Obviously he doesn't." Mich said hotly. I knew he wanted to say, Obviously he cares nothing of your life, but he knew that I did love him and it would be a great insult. I went and got her saddle and continued tacking up all in silence. "I'll be in the stands." He said before walking out of the stall. I bridled and got my helmet and stuff and thought to myself what an idiot I was. Feeling all the sudden kinda sad, I mounted Lightning and began my lesson. An hour or so later I was dismounting and taking care of her. A half hour after that I was ready to go and take a shower and hurry to breakfest and then rush to my next class. I came out of her stall ready to head back to the castle. Michael of course was still there waiting. "Ready to go?" He was still wearing his trench coat wrapped around him. "Yeah." We started towards the door. "See you at 4!" Patricia yelled as we were heading out the door. "Aren't you cold??" He asked pulling his coat tighter. "Oh, yeah, right. You don't get cold.." He trailed off. "So, are you nervous?" He started again. "Nope. well, a little, but not much." I smiled. "Awesome, you are gonna win first place." He said "Thanks for the encouragement, but I don't agree, I'm sure there is going to be a lot of competition." I said unsurly. "Yeah well you can beat their asses." Mich said with a laugh as we walked into the school. The halls were starting to fill with students. "Best seperate, see ya in class." He said, with a small hug and walked towards the staff room. I continued up to the common room and then our room. Hermione was sitting on the bed reading "History of Magic FourthYear". "There you are." Hermione exclaimed. "You had me worried when you didn't come back last night." I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine, wait for me before you go to breakfast k?" I asked. "Yup." She answered already deep into her book again.
Changing into my school clothes made me feel a bit fat again. Must start new diet. "Thanks for waiting Hermione." I said grabbing my school books and stuffing them into my schoolbag. "That's alright, I just finished up some more reading." She said also packing up her bag. I opened the door and we walked downstairs where Harry and Ron were waiting and then continued down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Sitting down I bit into an apple as Patricia stormed in. She was still dressed in her riding pants but had a tattered robe around her which didn't look very clean at all. She was carrying what looked like the latest Daily Prophet in her hand. "Excuse me," she paused looking at Ron sitting next to me, but before he could answer, "Boy." She pushed him over and sat down beside me, Ron looking angerly towards Patricia. "Thanks to me you have most of the equine witches talking about you." "What?" I asked confused taking another bite of my apple. "Well it seems when I entered you for that show this weekend, someone reconized my name, Oh well, just read the article, it talks all about it. See ya this afternoon!" She got up and walked up to the front table, stopped for a word with Dumbledore, then grabbed a couple apples and left again. The article read: I"BHerndy's Back /b br Patricia Herndy, now a riding instructor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is most famous for her instruction of the winner of the Wizarding Equestrian Cup in 1987, Lance Renolds. He went on to the olympics for the United States of America. Herndy also won the Witching Equestrian Cup in 1980. She is known for her execellent teaching job of great riders to continue onto many different events in the high rankings. It seems she has a new student that is looking for excellence in her riding career. This upcoming saturday Kayla Miller, will be showing in three classes in the Fall Seasons Show. If you are interested in watching the competition it is a muggle event so beware. We will be at the show and will post the results in sunday paper. Also, if possible we will have an interview with Kayla or Patricia." /i " Wow." I said setting down the paper. Hermione picked it up and read it outloud to Harry and Ron while I finished the rest of my apple, leaving the core to Lightning. "You're famous!" Hermione stated amazed. "You'd think that they had almost forgot about you Harry." Ron said, mouth full of food. "There is an article about him in there too." Hermione said matter-of- factly. "That J.K. Rowling woman is still trying to write books about him for muggles!" Hermione, Ron, and Harry laughed. "It's not a bad idea. You are a pretty interesting person Harry, she'd make millions. And just think, you'll be known to the whole world, not just us whitchs and wizards." I told them. "Great just what I need." Harry mumbled finishing his breakfast. "Come on, we'll be late for class!" Hermione informed standing up and picking up her bag. Harry, Ron and I followed sadly down to our first class, Arithmancy.
It went pretty normal, besides the fact Mich would ask me if I was alright every time he went past my desk, which thankfully wasn't more than a half dozen times because even Michael would have found himself flat faced on the floor. After class Hermione went to lunch and false to the fact that I kept telling Michael I was alright, I told her that I was not and needed some fresh air. I walked out to the barn naturally and went and saw Lightning. I gave her a pat and a hug and went to see Crystal Fusion, the mare was causing a ruckus in her stall, pacing and digging holes. "What's wrong sweetheart?" I asked her offering my hand for her to sniff. She took deep breaths and snorted at my hand. I gave her a pat on the neck and she backed up into the back of her stall. "Shes still a bit edgey." Patricia said behind me. "Don't you have lunch?" She asked. "Yes, but I wasn't feeling well, so I came down here." "It's funny how the smell of horse manure can cure any sickness a horse lover has." She smiled. "Do you want to work with her then? You still have almost an hour before your lunch is over." "I thought you said you wanted me alive..." I said with a small smile on my face. "Some excercise will do her good. I'll get the tack, her brushes are right here." Patricia pointed to a bucket next to her stall. "Alright." I said picking up the bucket and walking into the stall. While I was brushing her she was sniffing the bucket and its contents. "It isn't food girl." I told her and pushed her away from the bucket, but the moment I turned my back and started brushing her again she picked up the bucket swung it around a couple times so everything flew out and the tossed the bucket. "That was horrible," I hit her with my hand. "But incredibly funny." I finished with a smile. I picked up the bucket and started to pick up the brushes and put them away. Crystal had picked up a brush and looked as though she was saying sorry. I took it from her mouth and put it back in the bucket. I finished brushing her and put on a surcincingle and attached a lunge line to her and went out into the arena to lunge her. Patricia took a spot up on the stands and watched me as I clucked her on. She did well for a couple minutes just trotting so when I eased her into a canter I didn't expect much difference. First she started bucking and after awhile of me telling her to slow down she did. She stopped and reared up. "Just ease her on with the whip." Patricia said from the stands. With a little tap on the butt she came back down to the ground and begain trotting. "Good just keep her going for a bit, for a good lesson." We trotted along for a couple minutes and Crystal acted as though nothing had happened. "Great. Slow her to a walk." Patricia instructed. "Awesome, now we get to go the other way!" The rest of the work out went as the first and after a cool down walk it was time to get back to class, I would almost be late for Potions.
As I hastily walked into the potions classroom everyone was sitting down already. A quick look at my watch showed that there was still 5 minutes to class and that I was not late. "Sit down please and don't say anything." Snapes voice said from his desk. I followed his directions and went down to the empty seat next to Hermione as usual. "Where have you been?!" Hermione whispered. "Oh nevermind, you smell." For the next five minutes the remaining students arrived with the same remark from Severus. When it was time he started his lesson. "I want a three meter essay on antidotes by next class. You have the rest of the hour to work on it. But according to Hogwarts rules you must stay in the classroom untill the hour is over. I have brought out some books that you may use as refrences for your essay. I have a headache so any unnesscsary talking will cost you house points." The class disected his words again begain writing. I believe the only one that was actully writing anything about antidotes was Hermione, everyone else obviously needed refrence, and nobody in their right mind would go near snap on a day like this. Except me of course. I walked towards his desk and opened one of the books. "Rough night?" I asked him paging through the book, not really reading anything. "We need to talk." he said continuing to write on his paper. "What's new?" I asked him back implying that we always needed too, but he took it as asking him what actully was new. "I can't go to your show this weekend." He said looking up from his paper. "Tomorrow." "Yeah, whatever. Look, Artimus will go and he'll tell me everything that's happened." "It's not the same." I pushed the book aside and took another and opened it. "Look, I have work." "On a Saturday? Severus, I don't need vertisum to sense you are lying." "Not Hogwarts work." He said in a softer tone. "oh." I replied in a softer tone, barely heard even to me. "I understand then." I closed the book and turned to go back to my desk. "Wait." He said and I turned and faced him again. "You are just like my mother. And once again Michael will be there inplace." I turned around and quickly walked back to my seat. I didn't see the heads turn behind me, I didn't see him put his hands through his hair and see him sigh, I didn't see Draco look towards him. All I saw was the door. I didn't think about how I was taking his book, or how I was leaving all my books behind. The door opened, the door closed and Severus didn't even realize it before he heard the slam. He didn't come after me, he just went and took my books from my desk and put them under his desk, and told the students to stop staring and get back to work.
It's weird how the people you need to talk to find you when you yourself are lost, because right when I started thinking I figured out that I should be in Potions class and not wandering the halls incoherently, Dumbledore showed up at the end of the hall I was in. "Shouldn't you be in class?" He asked when I approched him. "Yes, and I'm sorry. Go ahead and expell me." I replied to him morosely. "No, no, no, I wouldn't ever expell a student for leaving class, stealing teachers materials though, now thats a different story." He took the potions book from underneath my arm. "I believe that a dention is required. Perhaps with Professor snape tonight after dinner, I'm sure you will not object?" "As long as he doesn't kill me." I said softly. "He thinks the same of you child!" The old man laughed softly. "Apparently using him and your mother for an analogy is quite desturbing to the man." "No I supose not." "I suggest you go back to your common room, Classes will be getting out in a minute. I'll return this book to Severus." "Thank you sir." I said turning to go up the stairs.
No one ever wants to arrive early for History of magic. I myself was wondering how I was going to stay awake during it anyhow. So I decided to take Hermiones advice and go change my clothes. I wanted to shower but I knew I'd just do it later that afternoon. I did a quick cleaning charm on me and then changed my clothes. I sadly was now just barely going to make it to History on time. I rushed down the halls to class and sat down just before class started. Hermione had just enough time to tell me that she was worried and wanted to know exactly what happened after I left. Luckily, this is the only time I think I'll ever say this, Professor Binns started class.
After class I knew that Hermione still wanted answers, but this time I had a real excuse, i needed to go braid Lightning's hair for the show. That only took almost 2 hours. I double checked that it would not get ripped out before tomorrow and ruin my hard work. Patricia told me that the first time is always the longest and that I would get better. Instead of facing Hermione again I decided that I would go to my detention early. Pushing open the door I walked into the room seeing that Severus was still sitting at his desk. "You are early." He said, not appearing to ever look up. "I didn't think you would mind." I told him walking towards the desk. "I don't mind, but its odd for someone to show up early to a detention." He said finally looking up. His eyes had blue shades underneath him and it looked as though he hadn't slept in weeks. I walked up to him and faced him using my hand for him to face me. "What's wrong? It certainly cannot be just from last night, I mean, they aren't all that new are they?" I asked him. I could tell he thought I was an idiot, and I was on this matter, but wasn't every little death eater meeting the same? "Not when people get promoted." He replied and stood up. "Come into my quarters, it is more private there." He put his arm around my waist and escorted me into his room. "Promoted?" I asked him after he had closed the door. He continued to the cupboard and made himself a drink and added a potion which I could only assume was a painkiller. "Something to drink?" He offered. "No thank you." I replied angered by his avoidence of the question at hand.
"Yes. I get to kill now." He replied jumping so quickly back to the subject that it took a moment to remeber what we were speaking about. "oh." I said at first before my whole body had realized it. "oh, oh, oh." It finally impacted and it was not good. Severus started taking off his cape. "Maybe I will take that drink after all." I said dropping my head into my hands and plopping into a chair. He poured me a glass of water and walked to where I had sat down. "We have gotten invited to a party also. Saturday night.. Malfloys house." Snape said also taking a seat across from where I had sat down. "Oh how lovely. But that's tomorrow, and I have the show..." I started. "I know, I know." He explained. "I'm sorry." Replied me in a fake sadness. "About?" He asked wondering. "Not being able to go.." I explained again wondering if he had missed our last converstation. "What?" He exclaimed. "Well I have the show tomorrow and such.." I started to explain to him again. "I expect that you will not still be showing at midnight?" Silence. "It's formal, I'll get you a dress. You can meet me down here at 11:30 or so-" He started explaining to me. "And when do you expect me to sleep!? You cannot expect me to go!" I shouted. "I don't expect you to go. I demand you to go." Severus flatly stated. "Oh how nice, my financee is demanding me to go to the Malfloy household at midnight after a day of showing. How great is that." I stood up and walked towards the fire at the end of the room. "You must understand, they are practically demanding me, they expect you there." "What to kill me?" I asked him but he just walked behind me and hugged me tight. "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry." Severus said. "Your detention is done." He turned me around and looked deep into my eyes. " I just want to go to bed." He said sadly and kissed me. "Good night then." I kissed him again and hugged him and left him to sleep.
After dinner and doing some homework to make Hermione happy I found myself twisting and turning not being able to fall asleep. Hour after hour I lie there trying to sleep but the thoughts of the Malfloy house, Severus a murderer and the horse show would not leave my head. The thunder storm outside wasn't helping. Eventully I found myself digging for my grandmother's cloak and walking towards the Astronomy Tower to watch the lighting. I continued cautiously, watching out for Filtch and his cat and knowing that sometimes the astronomy class met on friday nights to watch the stars. I don't know how long I had been there watching the storm when I heard shuffling and a voice. "Can't sleep?" At first I feared Filtch but the voice was much softer and sweeter. "Me neither." Michael said answering his own question. He walked up beside me and looked out the window at the storm. "Still got the love of thunder storms huh? Suprised not to see you soaking wet from running around outside in the rain." "I thought it would look a little suspiscious to see someone running around outside in the courtyard." I answered. "Why? Everyone except us are tucked in their beds sleeping." Michael answered. "Well before you showed up, I figured that I was the only one up also." I said turning more to the right. "You are so.." He paused, searching for the right word. "Cold. And not in temperature. You aren't the same girl I fell in love with. I'm not quite sure where she went." He finished sadly turning to look into my eyes. I turned and faced him and met his glance. He put his hand to my head and pulled me close for a kiss. After we kissed I picked up my cloak. "I suddenly feel very tired, I had better go to bed." I threw the cloak around me and rushed off to my room.
A/N: I'm so sorry that I don't write more often, I basically wrote the last half of this chapter just tonight. It totally ended a lot different than I had planned from the beginning, and no it wasn't cause I was getting tired, it was just cause.. I dunno, I changed my mind! Whats new about that? lol. Please review, everyone is very important to me and I love to hear from you, I promise, the more reviews I get, the less time it takes me to write back, because then I know that there is someone out there waiting for another chapter. Thankies a bunch Katarina (11/17/02 11:22pm)