Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own any of the characters in this story. They
are all creation of the wonderful J.K. Rowling. The only characters I do
own are Angeline, Lyle, and a few lesser characters who will pop up to
visit from time to time.
~ Chapter 5 ~
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had spent the last few days out on the Quidditch field. Ron and Harry practiced on their broom with the quaffle and bludger but left the snitch in the box. Fred and George, who had arrived later on in the week due to Mrs. Weasley's worrying, had joined in the game. Hermione poked her nose up over her book periodically to clap or smile.
"Mum's been worried sick 'bout you three," Fred yelled over to Ron while knocking a bludger away from his broom. "She told us to make sure everything was alright during school this year."
George laughed and stole the quaffle from Ron. "We came equipped with dung bombs and ton tongue taffy. That'll scare off the gits!" George tossed the quaffle to Harry and knocked the bludger toward his twin.
The four landed their brooms on the field and Hermione ran down the stands to catch up with them. As they headed toward Gryffindor tower to bathe and change for the Sorting Ceremony later that evening, Ron whispered to Harry and Hermione, "What do you suppose exactly happened the other day with Professor Atwood?"
"I don't know," Harry replied. "We're certainly not mediphagics, but it was as if something was telling us what to do."
Hermione looked as though she were deep in thought. "You know why Ms. Angeline's brother didn't want her to touch Snape?"
"No," Ron looked at her inquisitively. "I just thought that he was the protective big brother type." They put their Quidditch equipment in the storage room and turned to go up the stairwell.
Hermione stopped and looked at her friends, then spoke in a hushed voice. The professors were back, and she did not want anyone to hear her. "It could have killed her." Ron and Harry were puzzled. "Don't you two ever read?" Hermione got agitated.
Harry and Ron grinned. "We don't need to. You always do it for us," Ron teased her.
"Honestly!" Hermione rolled her eyes and continued. "Snape was dying. When a mediphagic heals someone, they take the wounds and the pain into their own body. Healing Snape could have killed her on the spot."
"What about in the infirmary?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. It was an amazing feeling, but I just don't understand it." Hermione saw Professor McGonagall go down the hall. "We'd better hurry. Everyone will be here shortly, and we're not even in our robes." They hurried up the stairs in the same direction that Fred and George had gone.
From behind a statue, Professor Snape stepped out and watched the Gryffindors run up the stairs. Angeline was going to sacrifice herself for him, and he hadn't even realized it. He found that his memory was still patchy, but he was feeling well enough at the moment to show up for the feast. Not showing up would cause too many questions, and questions were the one thing that Snape wanted desperately to avoid for the next few weeks.
The majority of the pain had left him, but the fever was still coming when he overexerted himself. Nothing, Snape thought, could be a worse punishment. It was a side effect of the spell he just couldn't seem to get rid of. Angeline had relinquished Snape's care to Madam Pomfrey but had stopped in each day to check on him. She never stayed long, insisting that he rest as much as possible. He could no longer stand being fussed over and elected to spend the rest of the evening in his office gathering lessons together. He had decided to get some fresh air when he saw the Gryffindors. To avoid becoming agitated, he had moved behind the statue and consequently heard their conversation. He felt both indebtedness and irritation as he joined the other professors at the head table in the Great Hall.
~ * ~
The ceiling of the Great Hall was relatively clear at the moment, but clouds were rolling in outside, and soon the ceiling would match. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their places with the other fifth years at the Gryffindor table. They each talked excitedly about their summers and the upcoming Quidditch matches. Harry looked up at the head table and suppressed a giggle. Snape was sitting next to Lyle Atwood, and neither of them were talking. Both were sneering and looking straight ahead. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick were in high spirits, laughing as quietly as possible. Professor Trelawney had left her perch to descend and gaze upon the doomed masses. Angeline and Hagrid walked through the door a few moments later, smiling. The first years must have been just outside the door with Professor McGonagall. Hagrid nodded and waved to Harry when he was seated.
Angeline leaned forward and whispered to her brother and Snape as she walked to her seat. "Did you two know that it takes less muscles to smile than to frown. You'd be doing a great service if you'd conserve a little energy." She smiled and proceeded to her seat on the other side of the table.
Ron looked up just in time to see Snape's face turn slightly pink. "Ugh! What's that all about?" he said, and pointed at Snape.
The doors to the Great Hall swung open, and a large group of frightened, young first years entered the room and followed Professor McGonagall to the Sorting Hat. The crowd grew silent as the Sorting Hat began to sing.
As you place me upon your head,
And you heed the words that I've said,
I'll place you at the tables four
Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Gryffindor.
If you're placed in Ravenclaw,
Your intellectually friends shall be in awe.
Hufflepuffs are tried and true'
Through all your toils, they're there for you.
If dominance and power are your forte,
Then in Slytherin you'll be placed today.
If you've courage and valor and are pure of heart,
Then from Gryffindor you'll never part.
So step up quickly as your name is heard.
You'll be sorted true. You have my word.
Everyone at the tables applauded when the hat had finished its speech. Professor McGonagall began to read the names. "James Applauder." A short brown haired boy sat down. The hat announced, "Gryffindor!"
"Heather Beaumont," followed with a prompt, "Ravenclaw!"
Finally, the last name was called and sorted, and Dumbledore stood to give the announcements. "Welcome, welcome everyone. Before we begin our start of the year feast, I have a few announcements. As always, the Forest is off limits to everyone who wishes to live. On a lighter note, we will be hosting the Yule Tide Ball again this year due to its great success last year. Students outside of Hogwarts are allowed to come, if given prior permission. With that, let the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands and food filled the tables.
Everyone ate and talked excitedly. Snape poked at the food on his plate and attempted to place some of it in his mouth. He had had no appetite for some time, but especially not now. Lyle seemed to be brooding over something, and he pushed his plate aside rather forcefully. Snape glanced at him but said nothing.
"May I have a word with you. . . outside?" Lyle questioned Snape with an aggravated tone. Snape nodded and the two rose, unnoticed, and slipped out the back door.
When the door closed tightly behind them, Lyle turned abruptly to Snape. "I'm warning you now, Snape. My sister is off limits to you. She may have taken a liking to you, but that is because she does not know any better. Leave her alone, or there will be trouble."
Snape raised an unconcerned eyebrow. "Oh please, man. How old are you? Five? Are you going to challenge me to a fist-fight next? Your sister is a grown woman. I hardly think she needs you dictating her life for her." Snape rolled his eyes and turned to go back in the Great Hall.
Lyle pulled out his wand and stuck his arm in front of Snape to prevent him from passing. The two were face to face. "I'm warning you," Lyle began. "Angeline is too good for the likes of you, and I won't let you contaminate her."
Snape was furious. He pushed Lyle's arm out of the way and resumed his seat at the head table. Lyle did not come back until the feast was nearly complete. The two did not look at one another. Finally, Dumbledore announced for the prefects to show everyone to their houses, and the feast was officially over. Snape stood abruptly and headed to his quarters.
~ Chapter 5 ~
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had spent the last few days out on the Quidditch field. Ron and Harry practiced on their broom with the quaffle and bludger but left the snitch in the box. Fred and George, who had arrived later on in the week due to Mrs. Weasley's worrying, had joined in the game. Hermione poked her nose up over her book periodically to clap or smile.
"Mum's been worried sick 'bout you three," Fred yelled over to Ron while knocking a bludger away from his broom. "She told us to make sure everything was alright during school this year."
George laughed and stole the quaffle from Ron. "We came equipped with dung bombs and ton tongue taffy. That'll scare off the gits!" George tossed the quaffle to Harry and knocked the bludger toward his twin.
The four landed their brooms on the field and Hermione ran down the stands to catch up with them. As they headed toward Gryffindor tower to bathe and change for the Sorting Ceremony later that evening, Ron whispered to Harry and Hermione, "What do you suppose exactly happened the other day with Professor Atwood?"
"I don't know," Harry replied. "We're certainly not mediphagics, but it was as if something was telling us what to do."
Hermione looked as though she were deep in thought. "You know why Ms. Angeline's brother didn't want her to touch Snape?"
"No," Ron looked at her inquisitively. "I just thought that he was the protective big brother type." They put their Quidditch equipment in the storage room and turned to go up the stairwell.
Hermione stopped and looked at her friends, then spoke in a hushed voice. The professors were back, and she did not want anyone to hear her. "It could have killed her." Ron and Harry were puzzled. "Don't you two ever read?" Hermione got agitated.
Harry and Ron grinned. "We don't need to. You always do it for us," Ron teased her.
"Honestly!" Hermione rolled her eyes and continued. "Snape was dying. When a mediphagic heals someone, they take the wounds and the pain into their own body. Healing Snape could have killed her on the spot."
"What about in the infirmary?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. It was an amazing feeling, but I just don't understand it." Hermione saw Professor McGonagall go down the hall. "We'd better hurry. Everyone will be here shortly, and we're not even in our robes." They hurried up the stairs in the same direction that Fred and George had gone.
From behind a statue, Professor Snape stepped out and watched the Gryffindors run up the stairs. Angeline was going to sacrifice herself for him, and he hadn't even realized it. He found that his memory was still patchy, but he was feeling well enough at the moment to show up for the feast. Not showing up would cause too many questions, and questions were the one thing that Snape wanted desperately to avoid for the next few weeks.
The majority of the pain had left him, but the fever was still coming when he overexerted himself. Nothing, Snape thought, could be a worse punishment. It was a side effect of the spell he just couldn't seem to get rid of. Angeline had relinquished Snape's care to Madam Pomfrey but had stopped in each day to check on him. She never stayed long, insisting that he rest as much as possible. He could no longer stand being fussed over and elected to spend the rest of the evening in his office gathering lessons together. He had decided to get some fresh air when he saw the Gryffindors. To avoid becoming agitated, he had moved behind the statue and consequently heard their conversation. He felt both indebtedness and irritation as he joined the other professors at the head table in the Great Hall.
~ * ~
The ceiling of the Great Hall was relatively clear at the moment, but clouds were rolling in outside, and soon the ceiling would match. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their places with the other fifth years at the Gryffindor table. They each talked excitedly about their summers and the upcoming Quidditch matches. Harry looked up at the head table and suppressed a giggle. Snape was sitting next to Lyle Atwood, and neither of them were talking. Both were sneering and looking straight ahead. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick were in high spirits, laughing as quietly as possible. Professor Trelawney had left her perch to descend and gaze upon the doomed masses. Angeline and Hagrid walked through the door a few moments later, smiling. The first years must have been just outside the door with Professor McGonagall. Hagrid nodded and waved to Harry when he was seated.
Angeline leaned forward and whispered to her brother and Snape as she walked to her seat. "Did you two know that it takes less muscles to smile than to frown. You'd be doing a great service if you'd conserve a little energy." She smiled and proceeded to her seat on the other side of the table.
Ron looked up just in time to see Snape's face turn slightly pink. "Ugh! What's that all about?" he said, and pointed at Snape.
The doors to the Great Hall swung open, and a large group of frightened, young first years entered the room and followed Professor McGonagall to the Sorting Hat. The crowd grew silent as the Sorting Hat began to sing.
As you place me upon your head,
And you heed the words that I've said,
I'll place you at the tables four
Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Gryffindor.
If you're placed in Ravenclaw,
Your intellectually friends shall be in awe.
Hufflepuffs are tried and true'
Through all your toils, they're there for you.
If dominance and power are your forte,
Then in Slytherin you'll be placed today.
If you've courage and valor and are pure of heart,
Then from Gryffindor you'll never part.
So step up quickly as your name is heard.
You'll be sorted true. You have my word.
Everyone at the tables applauded when the hat had finished its speech. Professor McGonagall began to read the names. "James Applauder." A short brown haired boy sat down. The hat announced, "Gryffindor!"
"Heather Beaumont," followed with a prompt, "Ravenclaw!"
Finally, the last name was called and sorted, and Dumbledore stood to give the announcements. "Welcome, welcome everyone. Before we begin our start of the year feast, I have a few announcements. As always, the Forest is off limits to everyone who wishes to live. On a lighter note, we will be hosting the Yule Tide Ball again this year due to its great success last year. Students outside of Hogwarts are allowed to come, if given prior permission. With that, let the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands and food filled the tables.
Everyone ate and talked excitedly. Snape poked at the food on his plate and attempted to place some of it in his mouth. He had had no appetite for some time, but especially not now. Lyle seemed to be brooding over something, and he pushed his plate aside rather forcefully. Snape glanced at him but said nothing.
"May I have a word with you. . . outside?" Lyle questioned Snape with an aggravated tone. Snape nodded and the two rose, unnoticed, and slipped out the back door.
When the door closed tightly behind them, Lyle turned abruptly to Snape. "I'm warning you now, Snape. My sister is off limits to you. She may have taken a liking to you, but that is because she does not know any better. Leave her alone, or there will be trouble."
Snape raised an unconcerned eyebrow. "Oh please, man. How old are you? Five? Are you going to challenge me to a fist-fight next? Your sister is a grown woman. I hardly think she needs you dictating her life for her." Snape rolled his eyes and turned to go back in the Great Hall.
Lyle pulled out his wand and stuck his arm in front of Snape to prevent him from passing. The two were face to face. "I'm warning you," Lyle began. "Angeline is too good for the likes of you, and I won't let you contaminate her."
Snape was furious. He pushed Lyle's arm out of the way and resumed his seat at the head table. Lyle did not come back until the feast was nearly complete. The two did not look at one another. Finally, Dumbledore announced for the prefects to show everyone to their houses, and the feast was officially over. Snape stood abruptly and headed to his quarters.