"Broken Promises"
Snape and Hecate had almost nothing to do for the rest of the day, which they spent on the Hogwarts grounds. For a while they discussed Hecate's future career down by the lake, with Hecate using a Tickling Charm on the giant squid, who seemed to giggle silently under the water, then speed off to some unknown location. "I see you as becoming a Potions Master," said Snape, "if you would go for it. Probably a half-way decent one at that." "Halfway decent? Some thanks for saving your life," she replied, zapping the giant squid with yet another Tickling Charm upon its' return from the murky depths of the lake. "Although you are still Professor Snape, so I suppose I can expect no more from you," she added.
Snape frowned, looked away; for a moment Hecate thought she had offended him when he said, "I deserved that." "No you didn't, but I said it anyway," she said, staring at the giant squid sightlessly; a moment later Snape was back on the subject of her career. "Honestly I have no idea of what'll become of me," said Hecate, "although I would like to work here at Hogwarts."
"Teaching what?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
They both laughed.
* * *
Sometime in the early evening, Dumbledore came to see them both; "I have good news for you," he said, "we've rounded up the last of the Death Eaters, except for Bellatrix Lestrange, so you're free to go." Hecate did a little jig of happiness, "Thank you Headmaster!" "Well if that's all," said Snape, "then I guess we'll be off to the estate. Thank you very much, Albus." Dumbledore nodded, "Enjoy the rest of your summers, and please do stay in touch," he said with a smile. "Most definitely," said Hecate with relief, "now that this mess is over with."
They were almost out the giant front doors when Dumbledore called out, "And Miss Winter, please contact me if you would like a position here at the school anytime soon." She turned back, "How did you know.?" Dumbledore simply smiled, then said, "A little birdie told me." She looked up at Snape, who looked at the statue of Uric the Oddball with sudden interest. She grinned, "I see. Thank you, Headmaster!"
As they walked down the wide, emerald lawns of Hogwarts, Hecate said, "So you gave the Headmaster a little hint about my future profession, did you?" He shrugged, "I just mentioned that you might be interested in a career here." "Well, thank you, Professor," she said as they approached the great gates. He looked down at her, "If we're going to be working together, you had might as well address me by my first name." She was so startled she almost tripped, "Really?" He nodded, "I do have a first name, you know. I wasn't born with the name, 'Professor.'" She laughed, "No you weren't. Severus." He smiled, and for a moment Hecate felt there was no better friend than Severus Snape.
Suddenly there was the "Pop!" of someone Apparating, and Hecate turned to see none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. Hecate screamed as she went for her wand, and Snape reached for his own. Lestrange, however, had been expecting this, and used a Freezing Charm on Snape, grabbed hold of Hecate's wrist, and Apparated.
When Snape's charm broke, Hecate and Lestrange were gone.
To Be Continued.
Snape and Hecate had almost nothing to do for the rest of the day, which they spent on the Hogwarts grounds. For a while they discussed Hecate's future career down by the lake, with Hecate using a Tickling Charm on the giant squid, who seemed to giggle silently under the water, then speed off to some unknown location. "I see you as becoming a Potions Master," said Snape, "if you would go for it. Probably a half-way decent one at that." "Halfway decent? Some thanks for saving your life," she replied, zapping the giant squid with yet another Tickling Charm upon its' return from the murky depths of the lake. "Although you are still Professor Snape, so I suppose I can expect no more from you," she added.
Snape frowned, looked away; for a moment Hecate thought she had offended him when he said, "I deserved that." "No you didn't, but I said it anyway," she said, staring at the giant squid sightlessly; a moment later Snape was back on the subject of her career. "Honestly I have no idea of what'll become of me," said Hecate, "although I would like to work here at Hogwarts."
"Teaching what?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
They both laughed.
* * *
Sometime in the early evening, Dumbledore came to see them both; "I have good news for you," he said, "we've rounded up the last of the Death Eaters, except for Bellatrix Lestrange, so you're free to go." Hecate did a little jig of happiness, "Thank you Headmaster!" "Well if that's all," said Snape, "then I guess we'll be off to the estate. Thank you very much, Albus." Dumbledore nodded, "Enjoy the rest of your summers, and please do stay in touch," he said with a smile. "Most definitely," said Hecate with relief, "now that this mess is over with."
They were almost out the giant front doors when Dumbledore called out, "And Miss Winter, please contact me if you would like a position here at the school anytime soon." She turned back, "How did you know.?" Dumbledore simply smiled, then said, "A little birdie told me." She looked up at Snape, who looked at the statue of Uric the Oddball with sudden interest. She grinned, "I see. Thank you, Headmaster!"
As they walked down the wide, emerald lawns of Hogwarts, Hecate said, "So you gave the Headmaster a little hint about my future profession, did you?" He shrugged, "I just mentioned that you might be interested in a career here." "Well, thank you, Professor," she said as they approached the great gates. He looked down at her, "If we're going to be working together, you had might as well address me by my first name." She was so startled she almost tripped, "Really?" He nodded, "I do have a first name, you know. I wasn't born with the name, 'Professor.'" She laughed, "No you weren't. Severus." He smiled, and for a moment Hecate felt there was no better friend than Severus Snape.
Suddenly there was the "Pop!" of someone Apparating, and Hecate turned to see none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. Hecate screamed as she went for her wand, and Snape reached for his own. Lestrange, however, had been expecting this, and used a Freezing Charm on Snape, grabbed hold of Hecate's wrist, and Apparated.
When Snape's charm broke, Hecate and Lestrange were gone.
To Be Continued.