CHAPTER 5: CONFRONTATIONS

She didn't glance once at Harry the next day during breakfast, she acted as though nothing had happened but he knew of what they spoke of. He hadn't told his 2 best friends about the meeting they had and he didn't intend too, loosing her trust now would never lead him to the path he wanted to go down.

Everyone seemed quieter today, the mood seemed dreary as the enchanted ceiling poured drops of rain, stopping before it hit the tables, it was the same way outside. Gray sky, heavy down pours and soft flickers of lightening, the students seemed to jump rapidly every time the thunder rolled by. It was much like the night on the train but this time there would be no panic for Christmas.

To make the dreadful day more complete was that she had Potions for her first class, the dungeons would be in freezing temperatures so she made sure she bundled up nicely in her cloak and gloves . She shared this period with the Slytherins but it wasn't so bad, Malfoy hadn't said a single word to her all morning and that was a first, but she had to admit she missed his remarks after all she couldn't punish him for it. Maybe his detention taught him some good last night she thought or maybe it was something else that bothered him but she did not know nor care very much.

She usually liked to sit in the front of the class, being right under the teachers nose, but here she settled herself in the back row. Snape wasn't her favorite teacher but most students who weren't in Slytherin felt the same way, he was Head of the House after all. He wasn't to keen on the other pupils as well, his most prized one was Draco, but that was no surprise to anyone, he was a pointed prefect this year and Christmas questioned Dumbledores judgment as to why, she even wondered how there could be higher authority in that house.

The greasy haired, crooked nosed Professor strode into the class with a bang, whipping the door open and slamming it shut behind him as he sat at his dusty, crowded desk. He glanced around the room making markings in his attendance book and smiled when it came to Draco's name. He moved down the list and looked up at Christmas, staring at her. He didn't seem to forget what happened in the Hospital Wing but he also didn't utter a word to her as she sat behind her smoking cauldron.

"This will be your last required Potions class for those who are not interested in taking the art any further." It looked and sounded as if he were grinding his teeth. "I do hope those of you who never bothered to pay close attention get enough sense to do so presuming that you care about your O.W.L.S." His voice was smooth and deep and much like his hair, greasy sounding. "But I'm sure only a select few of you will actually pass those." He eyed the first row, all the Slytherins were sitting there but Christmas doubted that half of them would have enough brains to get 10 questions right but she knew Draco would probably do exceptionally well, he was quite gifted in it or Snape just let him slide by.

He drummed his fingers lightly on a black book placed to his right and slowly opened it turning to a page in the far back. His beady black eyes held no shine in them as he got out of his seat and glided to the front row resting the novel in front of Draco's eyes and pointing his bony long finger to a specific paragraph. "Please indulge the class on this Malfoy, I think their ears would love to listen."

He smiled and looked up at him and grinned as he read it to himself. "Students in their 5th yr will be taking practice Potions exams given by the teacher. Those who fail 2 or more will be assigned to take extra lessons 3 times a week for no more than 3 hours. If the Professor does not see fit to major grade improvements in a pupils work it will rest in his hands whether or not the student will need to begin more private lessons based on the previous years starting with day one."

He handed it back to Snape who smiled and turned a sharp look at the rest of them. "I think it wise for you to straighten up and get your acts together if you don't want to be spending the week with me cause I certainly don't want to waste my time on worthless minds who are not worthy of learning its ways."

Christmas made sure she took down everything he had said during that period and would start studying that evening. She didn't know when the surprise practice exams would show up but she surely didn't want to spend extra hours with Snape. As she was heading down the hall Professor Mcgonagall caught up with her. "Ms. Snow I want you to stop by my office when you can, there are some news briefs I need posted and passed on to the Prefects, can you make sure Grave gets the message too I need both the Heads to do this for me."

"Of course Professor. I think I can swing by after my Divinations class and get Grave before he goes to quidditch practice if that's ok with you?

"Yes that will be fine. It shouldn't take that long so you both can get on with your routines." Christmas nodded and smiled and headed off to the North tower where her next class would begin. She climbed up a narrow spiral staircase leading to a trapped door and entered Divinations. The strong smell of in scents and flowers greeted her as she walked into the dark draped room. The fire was lit nicely giving a soft glow to the colored rugs and crimson colored curtains but making the area stuffy as she kept the windows closed from fresh air. The students sat in groups of 2 around tiny coffee tables accompanied by a crystal ball and what looked like glass lollipops. She didn't possibly know what they would be doing but it was probably something that the teacher, Professor Trewlaney made up. Everyone knew she was a fraud (Possibly even Dumebldore), but she did have those few loyal students. The most she could do was predicting peoples early deaths especially Harry's. Christmas usually didn't have a hard time in this class, it was probably one of the easiest courses to take at Hogwarts, Trewlaney couldn't tell the difference from truth and fiction. It was based around fortune telling, seeing through the sight of a Seer but Christmas knew Professor trewlaney was far from having that sight, so far you could call her blind.

"Good day to you all." Came a soft hushed voice in the shadows. The thin, bugged eyed teacher appeared from the back, her usual mystifying entrance but it got old after every class. She had on a white shawl over peach colored robes, her giraffes neck being weighed down by about 20 colored, plastic beads. She wore on her head what looked like a black shower cap from the early ages but it seemed Trewlaney was always dressed to impress. "Welcome back 5th yrs to Divinations. I'm so happy to see you all had a safe and healthy summer though I knew you would." She strolled to the lonely seat up front as Christmas sat next to Neville Longbottom (the only open partner left) and took off her gloves and unbuttoned her cloak. "Today we will be peering into the soul of the crystal ball. I know you all have been eager to use one but you must be careful, I sense one of you will see a grave end is neat." Her eyes bulged out through her thick rimmed glasses looking in the direction of Ron and Harry who sat 3 tables down from them. Christmas saw Potter chuckle knowing Ron must have made a rude remark to Trewlaneys observation.

"I hope it's not my future she sees" Said Patty Patil to Lavender Brown.

"No, it was probably Potters. He's bad luck." They nodded in agreement but Christmas rolled her eyes at that ridiculous comment. Sure he had his problems, though dangerous they were, everyone did.

"I want you and your partner to take turns looking into the ball, seeing what is to come. You will circle around the crystal three times with the Odensicles." She picked up the glass lollipop and made the motion in the air. " Do it like so. Then you will gaze into its depths and tell each other what you see and share meanings. I will be going around to see your progress. Begin!" Neville went first, swinging the Odensicle vigorously.

"Will you stop doing that! Your going to send someone in a comma if it flies out of your hands! Besides, you looking foolish, this whole lesson is foolish."

"Sorry. She said we had too if we wanted to see into its depths."

"Rubish it is. It wouldn't make a difference if you twirled a rubber chicken around it. The only thing your going to see if your dumb founded reflection Longbottom." She saw Trewlaney making her way over to them, first checking on Seamus Finnigan and Justin Finch Fletchly. "Just look into the bloody thing." She was aggravated. The lesson they did usually made her upset. He concentrated hard squeezing his eyes together and turning red. "Neville I didn't say stop breathing."

"I think I see something Christmas!" His nose was touching it now and everyone gathered to watched as the Professor ran over to him.

"What is it Longbottom? You see something terrible for Ms. Snow?" Christmas' mouth hung open feeling that it was an insult and frowned.

"The only thing terrible for me is having to sit here listening to this... to this" Everyone gazed some looking as if they were ready to burst out in laughter others in amazement. "This Rubish! Having you as a teacher is teaching me nothing. The only thing I'm learning is how to stir tea leaves and polish a glass bowling ball!" Trewlaney took of her glasses, they hung there on her neck attached to a set of beads as well.

"My word Ms. Snow! My sight doesn't deceive me. You are troubled I see and you also don't have what it takes to become a true seer as I. You might be spectacular at all your other academic classes but this one will mark a change for you."

"You have no true sight professor. Not one of a seer and not one as a person! I defiantly think you need a stronger prescription if you are seeing things that are clearly not there." Patty and Lavender whispered behind her back. "You two are just playing into her silly lessons! I didn't think a Gryffindor could fall for such nonsense."

"Ms. Snow! Your used to giving detentions but this time your getting one! I am happy to know I am the first to present it to little Ms. perfect."

"I'm far from Perfect professor but I know a lot of people who aren't even on the right road." She twisted her way out of the rows of students, passing by Weasley and Potter who gazed at her shocked as she glanced back at them. She grabbed the handle of the trapped door and ran down the spiral staircase. She didn't know what had over come her but it actually felt good for a change.

"Who goes there!?" A man on a runned down horse appeared in an empty frame holding a sword shield by his sides.

"Leave me alone Sir Cadagon!
"Feisty one! Lets see if your that rough in battle! Fight like a knight or lose like a ... like a..." He scratched his helmet as she walked away not noticing. She had never walked out of class before but Trewlaney was probably used to it. Hermione Granger had done a similar account a couple years back. She didn't know what she would do for the hour still needed in classes but she spent it in the bathroom, the one she went to last night.

The floors were no longer drowning in a pool of sink water, they were quite dry but with a few stuck on water spots. It was empty like it has always been but sobs were coming from within a stall and Christmas walked over to it already knowing who it was. "Myrtle?"

"Who else would it be! No one ever comes in here!" She burst right through the door, literally, wiping and sniffing away her sorrows.

"No one, I suppose your right." She slide down the wall wrapping her arms around her knees and staring up at the ghost.

"What are you doing out of class?"

"I dunno really. Myrtle wondered about, flying above her.

"I heard you come in here to meet Harry. He told me to leave you in peace once he saw you standing there. What did you talk about?" Her eyes said they wished he mentioned her but Christmas wasn't going to lie.

"Nothing important. It was something not even worth talking about."

"If it wasn't worth the trouble than why did that Slytherin boy run out of her like something terrible had been said after you both left." Christmas raised her eyebrows and titled her head curiously.

"What Slytherin boy? What do you mean he stormed out of here?"

"I dunno who he was! I didn't ask! I was distraught! But he had an expression of hate on his face... guess he's another one who doesn't like you." She laughed. Myrtle didn't like anyone and she had no regret of showing it but the signs of fancying Potter was obvious.

"Malfoy..." Snow muttered under her breath, her eyes were as big as they could get, She had forgotten abut his detention and it was all coming back to her. "He must have over heard everything!" She scrambled up, running as fast as she could out of there and down the hall but she was soon slowed down as the bell rang and the crowds swarmed the corridors. "I'm going to miss him!" She pushed hard through the bodies but they forced her right back. By the time the area had cleared it was to late. Lunch was starting and she wasn't about do make a scene in front of the whole school.

"Grave! I forgot about him" She slapped her forehead and headed out onto the grounds going to the quidditch field where the Gryffindors were having extra practice runs. The field was empty, she had never seen the arena without the yells and screams from the stands. The chilly wind felt awkward as she stood so small compared to the oval shaped dome. Laughter was heard from a ways down. Must be in the warm up room she thought and she headed inside it.

"Grave!" The heads turned to her as she stood there while Angelina the new captain was writing plays on the board. "Professor Mcgonagall would like a word with the Heads."

"Everyone clapped after you left class today. Greatest tell off I ever heard! Didn't think it would come from you though." Said a smiling Ron who tried to get the nerve to speak to her.

"People in that class are pathetic. Course they clap because they can never say anything themselves! Always have to have another speak out for them. Their fools for putting up with her, I was all of these years but I got tired of it. And I don't see why I should have gotten that detention! I was simply stating a known fact." Weasley looked down and cleared his throat feeling shunned."

"I'll be right behind you Christmas. just let me get my things." Grave Dodgens was Head boy, 7th yr Gryffindor. He was around 5'11, spikey blonde hair and brown eyes liked a lot by the girls and Snow had to admit he was quite attractive. He was a new player on the team, a new Chaser but he wasn't the greatest at sports but his academic achievements made up for that false.

"Ms. Snow, Mr. Dodgens, I need you both to put up these Hogsmeade notices. the students will want to sign up quickly it is in the first week of October. Comes by quite quickly. I need you Christmas to place one in the Ravenclaw common and you Grave in the Gryffindor. Can you also hand these out to the Slytherin prefects Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy and to the Hufflepuffs, Hannah Abbott and Ryan Hastly?"

"I'll take the Slytherins" Snow said at once, grabbing the paper sharply out of Mcgonagall's hands. "I have him in my Care of Magical Creatures class next period." She tried to cover up her mysterious jump for the job.

"I guess I'll take Hufflepuff. Probably have better luck with them anyhow. I don't need frustration of rude comments thrown at me."

"Well, I guess you may go. That's all I needed you for." They both nodded to the Professor and headed out. "Not you Ms. Snow. I need to discuss certain matters with you. Would you close the door behind you Mr. Dodgens."

"What is it Professor?" She sat down at the front desk, her usual seat through out the years.

"Where were you last class?" She had a feeling it was coming. "I heard talk about you from many students in the hall during pass time. Is it true that you turned on Professor Trewlaney and walked out and never bothered to return. Did you get a detention like they said?" She had her hands folded together over her desk, fiddling with them a bit.

"Yes." She put her head down shamefully. Though Mcgonagall wasn't head of her house she respected her more than most of the teachers in the school.

"Ms. Snow, what is going on with you? I never thought I would see the day where you would ever so much as talk back to one of the Professors, let alone scream at one."

"I shouldn't have broke off like that but I shouldn't have gotten that punishment either. She's a fraud, everyone knows it. I was simply explaining it to her."

"Yes well I'm sure most students feel that way but words can get you into trouble. I'm sure she felt embarrassed by what you said. It doesn't feel good to be made fun of." Mcgonagall knew Christmas had her share and hoped she would get the drift but she knew she understood immediately.

"I'm Sorry Professor."

"I know."

"I don't expect we could get this detention pushed aside?"

"We could have something worked out but then it wouldn't be fair now would it?"

"No it wouldn't"

"Don't worry Ms. Snow this won't effect your record greatly. There is a first for everything you know. Even some of us teachers had a few punishments in our day." They both laughed and left each other with smiles. She felt much better but when she thought of her next period she felt nervous and panic stricken. She would have to speak with Draco and she dreaded it greatly. What if he told everyone already about it? Or would burst out in front of the class spilling a secret conversation, but when she thought of it she couldn't understand why he didn't confront her all day but instead he ignored her. She was bound to find out as the bell rang for her confrontation.