Part 7
"Severus, you were unnecessarily cruel to those boys."
"Lily, they needed to hear the truth spoken bluntly," his reply was dignified.
Sitting to his right, she rested a hand on his shoulder, "But I know you. You could have found a better way to put it."
"You knew me," he corrected. "I am not the same as I once was."
Lily looked at him sharply, "nor are you that different-though you think you are."
"And sometimes the best way to get a point across is harshly. It's what I do best." He ignored her penetrating gaze, focusing on the fireplace.
Her hand grabbed his chin and jerked his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Stop it, Severus Snape. I have little patience for this game you insist on playing."
With biting words, she continued, "out there, you can walk about and act like a jack ass. But around me and in the security of your own four walls, you will lose it. Or I will show you exactly why Voldemort fears my name."
There was no question of their mutual understanding. Severus was not a fool, contrary to popular opinion and his own rash behavior. He was not one to mess with Lily-in any mood.
***
Professor MacGonagal sighed as she stared at the extensive damage on the third floor. Turning towards Filtch, she saw him heading downstairs to get a few necessities. Shaking her head, Minerva wished she'd stayed in bed when she had heard that the Weasley twins were coming for a visit. Who else would wreck a whole hall with just a few simple tricks?
"If I ever get my hands on those menaces," she muttered angrily.
"Excuse me? I seem to have lost my way." A shy voice spoke from above and behind her, "although, I'm not sure where I am, so I could be wrong. But I could've sworn I followed all the directions and got the spell right. Everything should've been fixed, I was very careful, and set correctly. But as I've never done anything like this before, I may have made a mistake. Giles is always telling me that I often act first before checking the facts when it comes to magic. Then again, he also said that I have the ability to perform ritualized magic and he doesn't lie. At least, not anymore. Or not to us. I mean, I really don't know about his personal life.
"But I don't see him here and the spell was supposed to bring me to him. At least, I think that's what it was supposed to do. I actually wasn't all that clear on what it was supposed to do. The writing was smudged in a few places and he used a few words I wasn't familiar with. But it seemed like a simple teleportation spell."
Minerva stared at her, jaw hanging open inelegantly. Blinking, she looked again.
Nope, that strange girl was still there.
Still up on that ugly statue on the wall. And looking decidedly familiar. The voice was higher and not quite as refined, being accented in that distinctive American tone. Her hair was brighter red and shorter, the green eyes weren't as deep-but she could swear she was looking at Lily Evans Potter.
"Dear me, did I do all of this?" She paused for a moment to breath and descended from her high perch. "I'm Willow Rosenberg, a student of Giles from America. Well, of course, you realized that. I mean, duh, my accent is completely not English and you haven't seen me before. To assume that you wouldn't have figured out that I am not from here would be to insult your intelligence. And you look like a really smart person. And I'm not helping anything, am I? It's just that when I'm nervous, I babble. Obviously. I'm sure you can hear me do it cause I'm doing it right now."
Finally, Professor MacGonagal clamped a hand over her mouth. "Silence. You're making my head ache with all your chattering, though I am sure there are some in your circle who find it cute. If by Giles, you mean Mr. Rupert Giles, you will find him in the office of his friend, Professor Remus Lupin." Gesturing with her free hand, she summoned one of the ghosts. "Sir Nicolas, would you be so kind as to take Ms. Rosenberg to Professor Lupin's office?"
The specter bowed slightly, "I wouldn't mind it at all, gracious lady. Follow me."
"And after you've done that, send Professor Snape up here.
"Of course."
"Thank you, ma'am," Willow whispered and hurried off.
"Wretched Americans. They have no respect for others. Always barging in where they've no cause to go." She muttered, moving aside some pictures and books.
***
"Are you Professor Lupin?" A timid voice asked from the doorway. Remus looked up and was met by the past. Lily in the flesh.
"Of course he is. Professor MacGonagal told me to bring you to him and I did." A cheery voice answered the question, "I've got to run. Have a pleasant visit."
Remus rose to his feet, "Willow Rosenberg?"
"Yes. That's I. I mean, me. I mean, I'm Willow." She bit her lip, stepping into the room.
"You just missed Rupert. He's in Hogsmead. Why don't I take you there?" He offered, seeing her eyes widen and hearing her heartbeat sped up.
"Well, I wouldn't want you to go to such trouble for me." She stammered, feeling out of place and totally bewildered by it all. This place was very odd and definitely uncomfortable to her.
"No trouble. Come on, we'll sneak out the back way." Placing his hand under her elbow, he guided her out of the castle and through the forest.
***
A week later:
"Draco!"
"Yes, what is it, Hermione?" He paused, waiting by the library door.
"Nothing. You look different." She shifted the books in her arm to her hip and started to walk off. "I was just wondering how you've been."
"Stop sugar coating it, Hermione. You want to know if I've broken yet."
A slight smile curved her lips, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You know me better than that, Draco."
Blue eyes flashed indignantly for a moment, "no. Actually, I don't know you at all."
"Well, you should." She was blunt, "you spent years obsessing over me."
"What?"
The brown haired girl laughed and linked her arm through his, "never mind. Why don't you give me a hand with these books."
He looked at them warily. It was a rather large pile carried awkwardly in her arms. "What are they about?"
"Oh, a few odds and ends. Mainly it's for my report on the war that existed between humans and unicorns before they found refuge here." As she spoke, the arm holding the books secure, moved as though to make a point. The books fell to the ground with a loud crash. She ignored it, warming up to her subject. "Apparently, there was a time when man and unicorn lived peacefully together. But it all went wrong when a unicorn was killed by a human and that man gained a wealth of knowledge and amazing healing abilities. Soon, a lot of people wanted one and they became the hunted. It was terrible because unicorns are sociable creatures and inclined to heal when they hear a call for help."
"So, that's why a maiden's often left tied in the forest. The unicorn hears a call for help, comes to aid the victim, and then is betrayed-even though I'm sure the girl is not directly involved. More likely deceived into doing it." Bending down, Draco started to pick up the books, spelling them together as he did so.
"Mhmm," she agreed, accepting the books.
"You seem to have a perfect grasp on the subject. Why do you need me?"
"I need someone who can understand what I'm saying. Who can help me cut through all the superfluous ness I create when I write." She shrugged, "I tend to get carried away, writing more than is necessary. Professor Snape complains of it to me. In volumes when he returns my work. Go ahead and laugh, you know its true."
"Professor Snape does have exacting standards," he agreed, sobering quickly. "I have to go."
"But Draco," Hermione protested.
"I'm sorry." He hurried down the hall.
Brown eyes blinked, hurt in them. "I don't understand. Is it me?"
That stopped him in his tracks and he faced her, pain on his face. "No. It's me." And he was gone.
***
Harry emerged from the classroom and waved to his friends, heading to the tower.
"Hello, how are you today?" Septina asked as pleasantly as she could, Sirius wagged his tail at his godson.
Harry gave her a cold look that would curdle milk. "Why should you, a Slytherin, care?"
"I am merely asking after the welfare of another human being."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I miss the article in The Daily Prophet about how Slytherin house has seen the errors of its ways and decided that compassion towards fellow man is something to be sought after?" he drawled.
"Now, Harry, there's no reason to behave this way." Inside, she was applauding him. He was doing better at this than she had originally thought he would.
"Don't call me Harry. You have no right to use my name-especially without my permission, Ms. Snape."
She listened to the sound of his retreat, cheering him. "So, the boy has found his mother's spirit inside. It's about time," she observed quietly to the waiting Sirius. Jerking her head, she indicated that he was to leave her and follow him.
"Are you going to let him get away with that?" A voice came from down the hall, "Potter doesn't seem to like you that much."
"I have no authority over him, Draco." She paused, turning towards him. "Does he have a reason to?"
He shook his head, smirking. "I suppose not. What are you doing?"
"I've got to pick up a few things for a potion. Would you like to join me?" It was a casual invitation.
He approached her and they walked towards the doors, heading towards the greenhouse. "You were a professor here," he reminded her.
"That was sixteen years ago and I taught different students. Whatever authority I had once, does not exist anymore."
"It should. Professor Lupin's held," he muttered, opening the front doors.
"That would be because he is friend to that creature Sirius Black, then for any other reason." Venom dripped from her words and Draco winced to hear it. She felt it and mused, not so far gone, are you, Dray? "To say it is anything more would be to compliment the beast."
Arriving at the greenhouse in companionable silence, he held the door open for her. Moving through the various plants, she stopped in front of the potions section. Here were the plants reserved specifically for Professor Snape. Neville tended it for him with almost fanatical devotion.
Therefore, they were the best the school had to offer.
Handing him the list, she began to gather a few of the blooms.
"Cousin, how do you know which is which?" Draco asked. He'd been wondering about it for some time but never had the courage to ask flat out. It seemed somehow rude.
"By smell and feel, most plants and animals have their own spectral colors that I can sense," she explained. Pulling on some gloves, she cautioned, 'and be careful how you address me. The last thing you need is for the school to pass around rumors of that Professor Snape's nepotism is behind your grades. What you have, you have earned on your own."
She squeezed his arm, letting him know that she'd put up a shield. "Severus says that you have the gift. Nourish it and it will take you far, Draco."
He blinked, holding back a sudden well of emotion. "Thank you. I have often wondered but never could ask, it means a lot. I don't mean to pry, but I don't recognize this recipe. What's it for?"
"There's a good reason for that, it's one of my own. I use it to ease the pain in my eyes, among other things." The answer was matter of fact. "Severus wants to see if I'm still able to brew. Or if this ailment has truly caused me to be useless for potion making."
They worked in silence, side by side for a time before Draco stopped. "Ms. Snape?"
Keen ears picked up the slight tremble in his voice and protection was raised around them. "Dray?"
"What have I become?" He cried, turning to face her. "What have I allowed my mother-Mrs. Malfoy-to do to me?"
"I don't know, my son."
"I wish I was your son. At least then I'd be loved for me and not for my bloody father's image!" He voice shook with his vehemence. "What is so wrong with me that only Slytherins care?"
"Other houses follow you."
"Only because they fear my father's name and Potter refuses to reach out for the help that is being offered.." There was a harsh honesty to his words. They both knew that if Harry Potter took a stand and asked for it, they'd come flocking to his side.
"There's Hermione," gentle reminder.
"Who's only doing this out of some misguided sense of Gryffindor honor," he snorted.
"Don't belittle her, Dray. You know that's not true. Otherwise, you wouldn't have reached out to her."
"All right, I'll give you that." He paused, reaching out for her. "But let's face it, we are the unloved. The ugliness that society tries to hide and uses only when light has need of us. After that, we are tossed away."
"People don't understand us, Dray, because they fear us." Reaching out, she rested a hand on him, "but we are survivors. There are things that we do because we don't fear the dark. Don't let public opinion sway you, we are not evil. Ignorance leads to fear. Fear that we dispel or increase by our actions. We are the real power of the world."
Resting his head on her shoulder, he allowed her warmth to infiltrate him. "How can you be so calm?"
"I've had years of experience with this, Dray." The voice was heavy with resignation, "I have learned human nature. But you, dear boy, have great potential to change the way people see our house."
"I just get so discouraged," his voice was heavy with sleep. "Sometimes, I feel like the only way out is to give in. To be crass and rude, to hurt before I am hurt."
"Understandable, you have a very strong heart." It was spoken softly, for she could feel the slow beating of his heart and the eased breathing. He was asleep.
'Everything go well?'
'Well, enough, Severus. He's still got quite a climb ahead of him.'
'We'll be there.'
"Severus, you were unnecessarily cruel to those boys."
"Lily, they needed to hear the truth spoken bluntly," his reply was dignified.
Sitting to his right, she rested a hand on his shoulder, "But I know you. You could have found a better way to put it."
"You knew me," he corrected. "I am not the same as I once was."
Lily looked at him sharply, "nor are you that different-though you think you are."
"And sometimes the best way to get a point across is harshly. It's what I do best." He ignored her penetrating gaze, focusing on the fireplace.
Her hand grabbed his chin and jerked his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Stop it, Severus Snape. I have little patience for this game you insist on playing."
With biting words, she continued, "out there, you can walk about and act like a jack ass. But around me and in the security of your own four walls, you will lose it. Or I will show you exactly why Voldemort fears my name."
There was no question of their mutual understanding. Severus was not a fool, contrary to popular opinion and his own rash behavior. He was not one to mess with Lily-in any mood.
***
Professor MacGonagal sighed as she stared at the extensive damage on the third floor. Turning towards Filtch, she saw him heading downstairs to get a few necessities. Shaking her head, Minerva wished she'd stayed in bed when she had heard that the Weasley twins were coming for a visit. Who else would wreck a whole hall with just a few simple tricks?
"If I ever get my hands on those menaces," she muttered angrily.
"Excuse me? I seem to have lost my way." A shy voice spoke from above and behind her, "although, I'm not sure where I am, so I could be wrong. But I could've sworn I followed all the directions and got the spell right. Everything should've been fixed, I was very careful, and set correctly. But as I've never done anything like this before, I may have made a mistake. Giles is always telling me that I often act first before checking the facts when it comes to magic. Then again, he also said that I have the ability to perform ritualized magic and he doesn't lie. At least, not anymore. Or not to us. I mean, I really don't know about his personal life.
"But I don't see him here and the spell was supposed to bring me to him. At least, I think that's what it was supposed to do. I actually wasn't all that clear on what it was supposed to do. The writing was smudged in a few places and he used a few words I wasn't familiar with. But it seemed like a simple teleportation spell."
Minerva stared at her, jaw hanging open inelegantly. Blinking, she looked again.
Nope, that strange girl was still there.
Still up on that ugly statue on the wall. And looking decidedly familiar. The voice was higher and not quite as refined, being accented in that distinctive American tone. Her hair was brighter red and shorter, the green eyes weren't as deep-but she could swear she was looking at Lily Evans Potter.
"Dear me, did I do all of this?" She paused for a moment to breath and descended from her high perch. "I'm Willow Rosenberg, a student of Giles from America. Well, of course, you realized that. I mean, duh, my accent is completely not English and you haven't seen me before. To assume that you wouldn't have figured out that I am not from here would be to insult your intelligence. And you look like a really smart person. And I'm not helping anything, am I? It's just that when I'm nervous, I babble. Obviously. I'm sure you can hear me do it cause I'm doing it right now."
Finally, Professor MacGonagal clamped a hand over her mouth. "Silence. You're making my head ache with all your chattering, though I am sure there are some in your circle who find it cute. If by Giles, you mean Mr. Rupert Giles, you will find him in the office of his friend, Professor Remus Lupin." Gesturing with her free hand, she summoned one of the ghosts. "Sir Nicolas, would you be so kind as to take Ms. Rosenberg to Professor Lupin's office?"
The specter bowed slightly, "I wouldn't mind it at all, gracious lady. Follow me."
"And after you've done that, send Professor Snape up here.
"Of course."
"Thank you, ma'am," Willow whispered and hurried off.
"Wretched Americans. They have no respect for others. Always barging in where they've no cause to go." She muttered, moving aside some pictures and books.
***
"Are you Professor Lupin?" A timid voice asked from the doorway. Remus looked up and was met by the past. Lily in the flesh.
"Of course he is. Professor MacGonagal told me to bring you to him and I did." A cheery voice answered the question, "I've got to run. Have a pleasant visit."
Remus rose to his feet, "Willow Rosenberg?"
"Yes. That's I. I mean, me. I mean, I'm Willow." She bit her lip, stepping into the room.
"You just missed Rupert. He's in Hogsmead. Why don't I take you there?" He offered, seeing her eyes widen and hearing her heartbeat sped up.
"Well, I wouldn't want you to go to such trouble for me." She stammered, feeling out of place and totally bewildered by it all. This place was very odd and definitely uncomfortable to her.
"No trouble. Come on, we'll sneak out the back way." Placing his hand under her elbow, he guided her out of the castle and through the forest.
***
A week later:
"Draco!"
"Yes, what is it, Hermione?" He paused, waiting by the library door.
"Nothing. You look different." She shifted the books in her arm to her hip and started to walk off. "I was just wondering how you've been."
"Stop sugar coating it, Hermione. You want to know if I've broken yet."
A slight smile curved her lips, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You know me better than that, Draco."
Blue eyes flashed indignantly for a moment, "no. Actually, I don't know you at all."
"Well, you should." She was blunt, "you spent years obsessing over me."
"What?"
The brown haired girl laughed and linked her arm through his, "never mind. Why don't you give me a hand with these books."
He looked at them warily. It was a rather large pile carried awkwardly in her arms. "What are they about?"
"Oh, a few odds and ends. Mainly it's for my report on the war that existed between humans and unicorns before they found refuge here." As she spoke, the arm holding the books secure, moved as though to make a point. The books fell to the ground with a loud crash. She ignored it, warming up to her subject. "Apparently, there was a time when man and unicorn lived peacefully together. But it all went wrong when a unicorn was killed by a human and that man gained a wealth of knowledge and amazing healing abilities. Soon, a lot of people wanted one and they became the hunted. It was terrible because unicorns are sociable creatures and inclined to heal when they hear a call for help."
"So, that's why a maiden's often left tied in the forest. The unicorn hears a call for help, comes to aid the victim, and then is betrayed-even though I'm sure the girl is not directly involved. More likely deceived into doing it." Bending down, Draco started to pick up the books, spelling them together as he did so.
"Mhmm," she agreed, accepting the books.
"You seem to have a perfect grasp on the subject. Why do you need me?"
"I need someone who can understand what I'm saying. Who can help me cut through all the superfluous ness I create when I write." She shrugged, "I tend to get carried away, writing more than is necessary. Professor Snape complains of it to me. In volumes when he returns my work. Go ahead and laugh, you know its true."
"Professor Snape does have exacting standards," he agreed, sobering quickly. "I have to go."
"But Draco," Hermione protested.
"I'm sorry." He hurried down the hall.
Brown eyes blinked, hurt in them. "I don't understand. Is it me?"
That stopped him in his tracks and he faced her, pain on his face. "No. It's me." And he was gone.
***
Harry emerged from the classroom and waved to his friends, heading to the tower.
"Hello, how are you today?" Septina asked as pleasantly as she could, Sirius wagged his tail at his godson.
Harry gave her a cold look that would curdle milk. "Why should you, a Slytherin, care?"
"I am merely asking after the welfare of another human being."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I miss the article in The Daily Prophet about how Slytherin house has seen the errors of its ways and decided that compassion towards fellow man is something to be sought after?" he drawled.
"Now, Harry, there's no reason to behave this way." Inside, she was applauding him. He was doing better at this than she had originally thought he would.
"Don't call me Harry. You have no right to use my name-especially without my permission, Ms. Snape."
She listened to the sound of his retreat, cheering him. "So, the boy has found his mother's spirit inside. It's about time," she observed quietly to the waiting Sirius. Jerking her head, she indicated that he was to leave her and follow him.
"Are you going to let him get away with that?" A voice came from down the hall, "Potter doesn't seem to like you that much."
"I have no authority over him, Draco." She paused, turning towards him. "Does he have a reason to?"
He shook his head, smirking. "I suppose not. What are you doing?"
"I've got to pick up a few things for a potion. Would you like to join me?" It was a casual invitation.
He approached her and they walked towards the doors, heading towards the greenhouse. "You were a professor here," he reminded her.
"That was sixteen years ago and I taught different students. Whatever authority I had once, does not exist anymore."
"It should. Professor Lupin's held," he muttered, opening the front doors.
"That would be because he is friend to that creature Sirius Black, then for any other reason." Venom dripped from her words and Draco winced to hear it. She felt it and mused, not so far gone, are you, Dray? "To say it is anything more would be to compliment the beast."
Arriving at the greenhouse in companionable silence, he held the door open for her. Moving through the various plants, she stopped in front of the potions section. Here were the plants reserved specifically for Professor Snape. Neville tended it for him with almost fanatical devotion.
Therefore, they were the best the school had to offer.
Handing him the list, she began to gather a few of the blooms.
"Cousin, how do you know which is which?" Draco asked. He'd been wondering about it for some time but never had the courage to ask flat out. It seemed somehow rude.
"By smell and feel, most plants and animals have their own spectral colors that I can sense," she explained. Pulling on some gloves, she cautioned, 'and be careful how you address me. The last thing you need is for the school to pass around rumors of that Professor Snape's nepotism is behind your grades. What you have, you have earned on your own."
She squeezed his arm, letting him know that she'd put up a shield. "Severus says that you have the gift. Nourish it and it will take you far, Draco."
He blinked, holding back a sudden well of emotion. "Thank you. I have often wondered but never could ask, it means a lot. I don't mean to pry, but I don't recognize this recipe. What's it for?"
"There's a good reason for that, it's one of my own. I use it to ease the pain in my eyes, among other things." The answer was matter of fact. "Severus wants to see if I'm still able to brew. Or if this ailment has truly caused me to be useless for potion making."
They worked in silence, side by side for a time before Draco stopped. "Ms. Snape?"
Keen ears picked up the slight tremble in his voice and protection was raised around them. "Dray?"
"What have I become?" He cried, turning to face her. "What have I allowed my mother-Mrs. Malfoy-to do to me?"
"I don't know, my son."
"I wish I was your son. At least then I'd be loved for me and not for my bloody father's image!" He voice shook with his vehemence. "What is so wrong with me that only Slytherins care?"
"Other houses follow you."
"Only because they fear my father's name and Potter refuses to reach out for the help that is being offered.." There was a harsh honesty to his words. They both knew that if Harry Potter took a stand and asked for it, they'd come flocking to his side.
"There's Hermione," gentle reminder.
"Who's only doing this out of some misguided sense of Gryffindor honor," he snorted.
"Don't belittle her, Dray. You know that's not true. Otherwise, you wouldn't have reached out to her."
"All right, I'll give you that." He paused, reaching out for her. "But let's face it, we are the unloved. The ugliness that society tries to hide and uses only when light has need of us. After that, we are tossed away."
"People don't understand us, Dray, because they fear us." Reaching out, she rested a hand on him, "but we are survivors. There are things that we do because we don't fear the dark. Don't let public opinion sway you, we are not evil. Ignorance leads to fear. Fear that we dispel or increase by our actions. We are the real power of the world."
Resting his head on her shoulder, he allowed her warmth to infiltrate him. "How can you be so calm?"
"I've had years of experience with this, Dray." The voice was heavy with resignation, "I have learned human nature. But you, dear boy, have great potential to change the way people see our house."
"I just get so discouraged," his voice was heavy with sleep. "Sometimes, I feel like the only way out is to give in. To be crass and rude, to hurt before I am hurt."
"Understandable, you have a very strong heart." It was spoken softly, for she could feel the slow beating of his heart and the eased breathing. He was asleep.
'Everything go well?'
'Well, enough, Severus. He's still got quite a climb ahead of him.'
'We'll be there.'