I do not claim ownership to any of J.K. Rowling's characters, and I am not making any sort of profit from this. It's simply for a larf. Please R&R. Thanx. ~ZiMsta
THE CHOCOLATE FROG
Genevieve woke the next morning to Olivia nipping softly at her ear. She still had her arm draped around her father's guitar case, and someone had evidently covered her with a blanket. Realizing that she was late for class, she made a sudden rush to get up, causing Olivia to screech and fly out the open window. In a mad dash to get into her uniform, she remembered that it was Saturday, so she wasn't late for her lessons. But she was late for the Hufflepuff VS Slytherin Quidditch match. She continued to dress at a slower pace, then made her way to the Quidditch field, eating a box of 'Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans' on the way.
"Minerva, I cannot stress the importance of this matter!" Snape's growling whisper filled the empty halls. Genevieve backed against the nearest wall, hiding behind a suit of armor. Snape's voice was growing closer, and she could hear the tapping of McGonagall's shoes along side him. "The woman is dangerous" Snape continued. "She must not be allowed anywhere within the vicinity of this castle." He finished. Genevieve heard McGonagall tut him. "Surely you must be mistaken, Severus. She is her mother" McGonagall sounded as if the idea were completely preposturous.
"I am aware that she is her mother, Minerva. But I assure you that my sources are correct, and feel that we should see Dumbledore immediately" Snape's voice trailed off as he and McGonagall turned the corner and disappeared. Genevieve popped a candy into her mouth as she came out of her hiding place, without giving a second thought to their conversation.
The Quidditch game had proven to be exhilarating, Hufflepuff winning by a mere ten points. This meant that Gryffindor would be playing them at the next match. Ron Weasley, who was captain of the Gryffindor team, made sure that all the players were aware of the practice on Wednesday. Genevieve was a Chaser on the team, and a rather good one at that. Quidditch had proven to be the only sport that she was good at, and it was something she prided herself in.
Genevieve returned to her room directly after the game, heading strait for her father's guitar. Taking it gently from its case, she pulled the strap around her and sat down on the bed. The guitar smelled of fresh polish and aging metal, as well as her father's cologne. She placed her fingers on the fret board, and began strumming some of the old songs her father had taught her. She had always loved his music, and not just because he was her father, but because the melodies were always so beautiful, and the lyrics equally so.
"Miss Hemlock?" Professor McGonagall's voice startled Genevieve's train of thought. She looked up to find McGonagall standing there, smiling softly. "I see you have received your father's guitar. It was sent yesterday shortly after your letter." McGonagall said as she approached. Genevieve stood up, placing the guitar back in its case. "Yes, Professor, thank youDo you know who sent it?" She asked hesitantly. McGonagall's eyes saddened, but her smile remained.
"Your father sent it directly, a few days before he died." So her father had sent it, and did in fact know of his fate. Genevieve again asked why he had not tried to run away, or tell someone what was going to happen. "ProfessorDo you know how my father died?" She asked suddenly. McGonagall's lips tightened slightly, her eyes beginning to glisten. "That is why I have come to collect you, Miss Hemlock. Headmaster Dumbledore would like to see you in his office immeadiately." She stepped aside, motioning for Genevieve to go first. She steadily obeyed.
McGonagall left Genevieve at the foot of the spiraling staircase that led to Dumbledore's office, and she proceeded alone. When she reached the grand oak doors, she moved to knock, but they slowly began to open before she got the chance. Dumbledore was sitting in his high-backed chair behind his desk, rising from it as Genevieve entered.
"Come in, Miss Hemlock, come in." He called with a small grin. "I was just about to indulge in a Chocolate Frog, would you care to join me?" He asked, motioning a small box towards her. All she had had to eat the morning was candy, but she would never turn down a kind offer from Dumbledore. She smiled and took the box from him. "Thank you, sir." She said, beginning to open the little chocolate.
"Please, have a seat. We shall enjoy our candy, then we will discuss why I have asked you here." Dumbledore said as his long, weathered fingers gingerly opened the lid of his frog box. "You'll not escape me this time my friend" He whispered. Then, in a normal voice directed at Genevieve, "I've lost four this week. Little devils jumped right out the window. Needless to say, I have learned to keep my windows shut while snacking." He winked, popping the small frog into his mouth. He then proceeded to take out the holo card that came with each frog.
"Well, would you look at that? Rather handsome fellow, wouldn't you say?" He turned the card so that Genevieve could see the small holo image of Dumbledore himself. She smiled at him as he let out a good-natured laugh. "Right. Now we shall discuss why I have requested your company." Dumbledore said, putting his frog card in a desk drawer. "Miss Hemlock, how would you describe your life at home? Are you happy there?" He asked in a rather serious tone. Genevieve thought about it, finding it a rather odd question.
"Wellyes, sir. I have always been happy at home." She answered truthfully. As she had said before, sometimes it was hard to leave her home and return to school from summer breaks and holidays.
"Perhaps I should put this forth in another way, as I am assuming your answer will change. Now that your father is gone, will you be happy returning to your home?" He asked in a soft tone. He was right. This changed Genevieve's answer entirely. If she returned home now, it would only be her and her mother living in their large house. Genevieve and her mother had the exact opposite relationship compared to the one she had with her father. She and her mother always argued, and usually resorted to ignoring one another, which was strangely hard, even in such a large house.
"My mother and I have never gotten along, sir. And now that my father isI don't think the situation will be much better." She confessed. Dumbledore nodded slowly. "I see. Well, Miss Hemlock, I know that you have always been a good judge of character, which clearly explains the feelings you have towards your mother." He folded his hands together, leaning his elbows on his desk as he looked across at her.
"Genevieve, I need you to answer something for me, and it is imperative that you think hard. Has your mother ever expressed any interest in the Dark Arts? And I am not talking about defense." The question somehow shocked Genevieve more than she had anticipated. "The Dark Arts, sir?" She stuttered. Dumbledore nodded once again, never breaking eye contact.
"Yes. Has she ever mentioned anything that seemed out of the ordinary, specifically about Lord Voldemort?" The mention of Lord Voldemort's name would throw most people off, but it did not phase Genevieve, and she wasn't sure why. "UmI have never personally heard her" She was lying, and judging by the look on Dumbledore's face, she knew that he was aware of that. "I've heard her having conversations about him, but I don't know who she was talking to or why. I was eavesdropping for only a minute or so." She finally told the truth. She expected Dumbledore's expression to change, and it did. But it only became worse; the lines in his face running grave a worrisome.
"I only ask you because, as you already heard in Professor Snape's private conversation with Professor McGonagall" He raised and eyebrow at her. Genevieve should have known that there was no use sneaking about Hogwarts, because Dumbledore managed to find out one way or another. "You may have realized that they were speaking of your mother, Genevieve. Our sources tell us that she has joined forces with Lord Voldemort, and may prove to be a danger to you. Have you had any contact with her aside from the letter about your father?"
Genevieve was completely shocked. She knew that her mother had always been cruel, and rather heartless. But joining sides with Lord Voldemort? That seemed highly unlikely. However, she knew that Dumbledore would never lie to her. She suddenly remembered that he had asked her a question. "No, sirI haven'tNo." She stammered absentmindedly. "Well, I advise you to stay out of contact until further notice, unless, of course, you are dead keen on speaking to her?" Dumbledore challenged. Genevieve shook her head no'.
"Good. I ask that you share any letters that she sends to you. They may prove some vital information." Dumbledore seemed like he was finished. Genevieve just nodded. She sat there for a long while, not realizing that Dumbledore was staring at her curiously. "I know this comes as a terrible shock to you, Genevieve. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time, I'm sure." He said quietly. Genevieve didn't move. She just stared blankly at the space in front of her.
"Would you like me to escort you back to your common room?" Dumbledore finally asked. "NoNo thank you, sir. Thanks for the frog." Genevieve stood up slowly, then left Dumbledore's office. She suddenly noticed that she was still holding her Chocolate Frog box, and hadn't yet looked at her holo card. She reached inside and grabbed it. Professor Severus Snape: Potions Master' Snape's holo face scowled at her from the card, then disappeared. She thought of just tossing it aside, but for some reason, her arm slipped her hand and the card into her pocket. She continued on her way, deep in thought.
