Chapter 4 - The Train Ride and Arrival to London

After her meeting with Dumbledore, Athena was told to pack for a 3-day trip to the Ministry in London. They were to travel to the Ministry in a few hours by train, the Hogwarts Express in fact. Appartation to and from Hogsmeade had been banned to due to threat, and they were stuck in London for 3 days because that's when they train would be heading back.

She took her bags and headed towards the Great Hall, where Severus, Minerva, and Dumbledore were waiting for her.

When Athena arrived Dumbledore started to brief her and Severus. "When you arrive at King's Cross, a representative of the Ministry will be waiting for you. He will escort you both to the Ministry where Athena will be interrogated and afterwards you'll be both staying in the Leaky Cauldron." Athena and Severus both nodded. Minerva and Athena started ahead of Dumbledore and Severus. Minerva and Athena happily chatted away will Dumbledore said, "Severus I need you to never leave Athena's side. It isn't safe for her at this moment, I need you to keep an eye on her."

"So in most words, I'm babysitting," Severus replied.

"Just look out for the girl alright?"

Severus nodded and followed Dumbledore.

~*~*~*~*~*~

At the train station in Hogsmeade, Dumbledore and McGonagall wished Athena and Severus luck and a safe trip. They then boarded the train. Severus followed Athena through the train.

She found an area to sit and did, Severus was right behind her. "I thought you would want to sit by yourself."

"Well maybe I thought you would want some company."

She cocked an eyebrow at him, "Well your welcome to sit here." He sat across from her and a pulled a book from the carry-on bag at his feet. The book was titled Potions of Medieval Times.

"Must be a fascinating book there," said Athena over the roar of the engine starting up.

"Very." She pulled out a copy of Witches Weekly. "You really don't read that do you?" he asked.

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"You didn't seem like the type who read that load of rubbish. With all the brainless dribble about the ton top sexiest bachelor wizards in England, and how to get the wizard of your dreams, those are articles. Actually it's completely absurd!"

"Well Severus, that is your opinion. But I actually like to read some of the articles in the magazine, and it isn't all about wizard of your dreams and such. There are some interesting articles!"

"Name one," stated Snape.

Athena flipped through the pages of the magazine and found a perfect article to put Severus in his place. "Here, page 67, about a witch who, at the age of 19, discovered a potion to help cancer patients. I think that is quite extraordinary that a young girl at that age has such an advancement in Potions."

Snape glared at the article and skimmed through a few paragraphs that Athena showed him. "So what, she probably had some help or something with an experienced Potions Master."

"Why are you so pessimistic?" asked Athena, "I mean everything I say you must have a come-back for. Must you always have the last-word?"

"Yes."

"Why is that?"

"It's my nature," he retorted in a rude manner.

"Well I happen to think that your nature must better change, or you'll find some problems in your future!"

"Is that a threat Ms. Smithton?"

"No Mr. Snape I don't make threats."

"Your quite annoying, woman!" he exclaimed.

"Am I really? I didn't notice!"

"Yes you are!"

Throughout the rest of the ride they were silent. They didn't say anything to each other. Halfway through the ride, Athena caught Severus, out of the corner of her eye, glancing at her, almost as if he was staring at her.

Once the train stopped at King's Cross, Severus stood up and looked over at Athena, she was sound asleep. He checked his pocket-watch, it was quarter to five. "Wake-up!" Severus shook Athena's shoulder, trying to wake her up. "For God's sake woman, wake up!"

She slowly opened her eyes. They fluttered a few times as she said, "Sorry dosed off there." She stood up and stretched and then grabbed her bags.

"Dosed off my ass! You were snoring!"

"I don't snore!"

"Yes you do!"

"I most certainly do not!"

"Yes you do!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"This is quite childish!" Severus exclaimed, "You're arguing to me about if you snore or not, in which any case you do!"

Athena glared at Severus and headed off the train, he followed closely behind her.

Once off the train there was a young man, early twenties at the most, standing on the platform. He stood quite tall, his blonde hair dangling ever so slightly in his dark green eyes. When he saw Athena and Severus get off the train he approached them saying, "Hello Ms. Smithton, Mr. Snape. My name is Edward Johansen. I'm to accompany you to the Ministry, do you have all your bags?"

"Hello Edward," said Athena, "Pleasure to meet you. And no we haven't got our bags, they're being unloaded right now."

Edward nodded. "I'll go and fetch them for you."

"Thank-you," responded Athena.

As Edward left to fetch the bags Severus pulled Athena over to him. "I don't trust him!"

"Why not Severus? He's seems like a nice gentleman."

"There's something about him, I'm going to ask for some identification when he gets back. Don't move from my side!"

"Severus this is completely absurd!"

"Shhhh!" growled Snape, as Edward came back.

"These are your bags, are they not?" asked Edward.

"Yes," replied Severus menacingly.

"Good let's be on our way then!"

"Just a minute Edward," said Snape, "I would first like to see some identification. Never know."

"I can assure Sir, I work for the Ministry," replied Edward.

"Identification please!"

Suddenly Edward took off, running as fast as he could. Snape pulled at his wand and yelled, "Imoblieus!!!" (**A/N I don't remember how to spell it, but it's when like Hermione yells it to stop the Cornish pixies in COS. So sorry about that! Please don't get mad!)

However, Edward turned the corner of barrier and was rarely missed. "Damn it," muttered Snape, he turned around to see Athena shaking. "Are you okay?"

She looked up to him, her eyes filled with fear. "You were right! I can't believe I didn't believe you!" She was still shaking and quite pale too.

"Next time you'll believe me when I say something," Severus replied. "Come on, we better head to the Ministry." Severus picked up the bags that laid at his and Athena's feet and headed off, with Athena at his side.