The Loneliest Girl - Ch. 9
The Deal Part I
Heinali was having a great day, she had the first half of the day off to help her father by getting together potion supplies for the advanced classes. Silently she snickered to herself as the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years, who were brave enough to be tutored, quivered in fear of 'that evil hook-nosed git'. One of the Hufflepuffs had said that statement a bit to loud and was now having a glaring professor stand over his shoulder. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately for that slow Hufflepuff) the first session ended quickly and both Snapes were left alone in the classroom silently each working on their own projects.
"What's with all the fancy ingredients?" Heinali vocalized after setting up the sixth set of wolfs bane, mermaid hair and various other ingredients for the potions.
"You will find out exactly what they are for in four years." Severus answered not looking up from grading essays his essays.
"But why can't I find out now?" she pouted.
"And what would you want me to tell Dumbledore? 'Oh, by the Heinali went and blew herself up today, as for the lab, it's fine. I'll just have to live with out the apeasle for two weeks until a new shipment comes in.'"
Heinali sighed and rolled her eyes knowing it was hopeless to continue on this track. "Ok, then can I borrow one of your potions books?"
"To what look up the potion yourself? I don't think so, we have a new invention called a library, go look it up yourself if you can find it."
"Bugger."
Severus managed to smirk. "I'm surprised you've picked you some of the language so fast."
Heinali suppressed a growl and continued her work until it was time for lunch.
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At lunch that day Marcus Flint slipped into the seat next to Hein, much to the youngest Snape's displeasure. For most of the meal the two ate in silence, Marcus waiting for the majority of the other students to leave before he spoke.
"Heinali, I've been wanting to ask a favor of you" Flint looked at the girl he was addressing, as he realized she wasn't going to say anything, "I would like you to help me out in potions for a while . . . And you know, to kind of well tutor me in a few subjects."
Heinali's mouth dropped some at this statement, as she was unable to speak. She motioned Marcus to continue with a wave of her hand.
"Oh, the reason? Heh, Professor Snape has been in touch with my parents and both agree that I need better grades or I'm off the team." his eyes dropped to his hands as he spoke.
"Ok Marcus, but you do realize that you owe me if I do this for you," Heinali's eyes shone a golden green as she thought about how she now had a gorgeous guy to work with.
The quidditch captain nodded his understanding not trusting his voice. (a/n: hehe, I never understood guys & their sports)
Up at the head table Severus inwardly beamed, his plan was coming along perfectly. Now all he had to do was wait to see how the two most promising students in his house were going to handle things on their own.
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Slytherin Common Room
The common room was unusually quiet that night allowing Marcus to study (or pretend to) while Heinali was going over her potion notes with him.
"The shrinking solution (1) is very simple if you know the basics. It is a good idea to read all the instructions before starting and line up the ingredients in the order you will need them."
"But isn't there a specific way to do everything or do you just go by feel?" Marcus slowly inched closer in the pretense of getting a closer look at the notes.
"Never just go by feel, you can develop a sense for the right amount but it is better safe than sorry. Always use the exact measurement"
"Oh, I think I put in to much each time. So all I have to do is take a little more time?"
"Yes, now you're getting it. Feel lucky that today was only the theory part of the potion, we actually have to make it next time."
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A Few Days Later, Double Potions, 3rd year
Professor Snape paired up partners as the students came into his classroom. When Heinali walked through the door he pointed he to the table Marcus was sitting. Severus thought to himself, 'The sooner I get those two paired up the sooner Slytherin will have peace between the males and females. Both sides have never really got along with all the inter-house politics.'
The class progressed normally it seemed Marcus was making subtle hints about more than one day for the purpose of studying. While Oliver was shooting glares at the pair from across the room. Heinali was still oblivious that Flint liked her and who could blame her? She had no inclination of even showing interest in boys. She had to achieve her goals first, to become a well known researcher maybe even work at St. Mugnos.
Severus shook his head at the way the pair was acting, Marcus might as well get down and pledge his undying love for all the good it was doing him. He approved of the younger Flint, Marcus seemed to be headed down the right path and Severus was going to do everything he could to help Flint.
Snape stalked around the room in a less than pleasant mood that his plan was being slightly set back due to his daughter's ambitions, as a result Gryffindor ended up losing well over one-hundred house points in that one lesson.
As the Slytherins filed out of the class Marcus slowed ever so slightly to observe the enchantress he was after, if he failed the subtle way then things just might have to get drastic in his way of thinking.
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Gryffindor common room
"Oliver, come on and tell us what's wrong." George pleaded to his captain and 'leader' in all things right.
"We promise not to tell anyone..." Fred shrank back some at the glare he received.
"Right, and I'm a pink polka dotted dragon." Oliver replied sarcastically.
"Come on mate, you still can't be on about her can you?" Fred muttered.
"She isn't worth your time or effort, there's plenty of girls around here."
"Yah, and there's some nice ones in Ravenclaw if you want a bright girl, help you with McGonagall's class."
"You guys just don't understand that's all." Oliver muttered.
"Yah we do. She the forbidden fruit and your going to get kicked out of your paradise if caught." George replied shaking his head.
Oliver sighed and looked down at his hands not wanting to admit the twins were right, they usually were when it came to what was troubling him. He finally looked up a small smile creeping across his lips, if he was going to get in trouble to get Hein then he might as well get started on his plan right now.
He leaned forward and conspiratorially whispered his plans to two attentive Weasleys. Both twins were wanting to know what had gotten into their friend and if it could happen more often.
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Severus sat in a chair next to the roaring fire as he was going over next weeks lesson plans, he looked and smirked looking out his enchanted window, the harvest moon was just rising over the forest. Reflecting over all that had happened in the past two weeks he laughed to himself, no one would think he was scheming along with the headmaster to prevent another generation of Voldemort lackeys.
He raised a drink to the moon, the fates that controlled them all before downing it in one shot enjoying the subtle warmth growing in his body. He put his plans aside and started to nurse another drink while silently pleading with whatever passing deities would listen to a old, broken shell of a man.
He sighed and stretched his mussels knowing he would get no sleep that night so he might as well do some good keeping those rebellious children in line. Stalking out into the night slipping easily into the shadows as he would spend this night like all others, in a restless state wondering why the fates seemed to like distressing him so much.
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*****Sorry for a pitiful chapter 8 *****
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything you recognize, just the plot. And my plot bunnies who keep escaping.
1) Shrinking Solution - Harry Potter and the PoA page124