*"No Mum, please don't leave."
"It's for the best Autumn, I must go."
"Please Mum, no, please don't leave me!"*
"Autumn...Autumn!"
"no...please..."
"Autumn wake up! You're having a nightmare!"
"Huh?"
Autumn woke with a start. There were shining tears seeping out of her glazed eyes. She jerked her head up, and shooting pains seered through her neck and skull.
"You missed breakfast, Autumn. Everyone was wondering where you were. Classes start in 10 minutes! I'd hurry if I were you! We have Potions with the greasy-git."
Kalli grinned. She was very short, only 4"10, with shoulder length, blonde hair, and bright green eyes. If you didn't know any better, you would assume she were an elf.
"Oh, go on Kalli. I'll meet up with you in Potions. We shouldn't both we late just because of me."
Kalli nodded, and ran out of the dorm.
"I'll try and hurry!" Autumn shouted as an after-thought.
And hurry she did.
It was already five past 9:00 am, when Autumn realised that she was wearing two different socks. She quickly changed them, and scooped up her potions equipment, running to the dungeons, and preparing for the worst.
The worst, simply stated, was an understatement. Her first potions class was nothing short of horror.
It all started when Autumn walked in, quickly sinking into her seat, trying not to be noticed. Unfortunately, the dungeon's door creaked very loudly. Snape looked up from grading papers, a sneer etched into his pale face.
"Miss Jameson, so nice of you to have joined us. I'm so terribly sorry if my class has dissrupted your busy schedule. 20 points will be taken from Gryffindor on your account."
"I'm sorry sir...really...but you see I..."
"Miss Jameson...do not talk back to me, you impudent child. 5 more points taken away-"
"But sir!"
"Didn't your mother ever teach you *manners* Jameson? That's another 5 points.
Autumn glowered, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Don't y-you talk to m-me about my Mum!" Autumn yelled, tears spilling out of her vivid blue eyes.
"DETENTION!" He spat, his face flushed with emnity. "You will stay after class to arrange it. Now get to work. Instructions are on the board."
Autumn followed the instructions carelessly. She was planning her revenge on the beloved Potion's Master. How dare he speak to her about her mother that way! He knew exactly what had happened to her family. He was just a careless prat who didn't care about other people's feelings. A bloody, stupid, idiot!
~~~
Severus swept passed her, eyeing her potion carefully. Try as he might, he could not find anything to critisize on. Her potion was the perfect pale pink it was supposed to be. Stupid girl. No respect.
He once again did not take into account that she had just lost what seemed to be her only living family. What did he care?
::but you do care...stop caring::
He just couldn't get rid of those eyes...fogging his mind. Those bright sapphire eyes, staring at him with the utmost loathing. Why did he have to be such a bully? Because it was in his nature. In his mind, the world was against him. He hated those who disagreed with him, or showed disrespect. But he couldn't shake off the fact that deatheaters had killed her family.
::but I am NOT a deatheater...I was...but not anymore...not now::
~~~
Autumn quickly finished her baked potato, and gulped down a great load of pumpkin juice. She looked at her watch. Groaning, she swept out of the Great Hall. Detention with greasy-git was in 10 minutes.
She made her way to the dungeons, and knocked on Professor Snape's door. She was five minutes early, and hoped he would not be present.
No such luck.
"Enter!"
Autumn walked meekly into the room, displeasure creeping up her spine. Why, oh why did he have to sneer at her like that? Did he actually enjoy killing people's confidence?
"Miss Jameson, you are on time, what a surprise...I would never have thought you capable of such a task."
She sneered mockingly at him, and crossed her arms over her chest, looking up at him expectantly.
"Well?" She asked impatiently. "What will I be doing for you tonight in my detention?"
Snape glared at her and arched an eyebrow.
"Miss Jameson...such impudence will not be standed in my presence. 10 points from Gryffindor, and for future reference, you will address me with sir, or professor at all times."
"What, then, sir, will I be doing for my detention?"
She didn't need this crap. She had not yet started her overly-piled amount of homework, and on top of that, Dumbledore had informed her that she had to meet with him tonight!
Snape then kindly informed her that the cauldrons and desks were to be scrubbed, and if the task was not finished sufficiently, she would come back tomorrow. As Snape turned his back, his black robes billowing behind him, Autumn rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. "Oh joy joy joy..."
~~~
It was already 10:30 pm when she was at long last done with her excessive load of work. She quickly washed her hands, careful to scrub under fingernails where all the filth was, and walked over to Snape's desk.
"Well, professor, I am finished. Your cauldrons are sparkling, and awaiting you to mess them up again. May I please leave...please?"
Snape glared down at her. He was suddenly reminded of an arrogant little face he had tried so hard to forget. He was imagining things. He had to be. It just couldn't be...that prat had never had children! But no..now that he had noticed, the resembelance was unmistakable...
Realizing that Miss Jameson was still awaiting an answer, he quickly returned from his reverie.
" Miss Jameson, please refrain from your insolence towards myself in the future. You are free to leave. I expect you back here same time next week for your lessons. Now GO!"
Autumn started for the door, wanting to vacate the room as soon as possible. But the effect of the words had sunken rapidly into her brain.
All sarcasm excluded from her tone, she wondered aloud, "But sir, what exactly do you mean by lessons? I thought I only received one detention!"
"Ah...surely the Headmaster has informed you by now? You will be starting occlumency lessons with me. The Headmaster feels it is necessary to take extra precaution when in these dangerous times concerning the Dark Lord, as much as I disagree. Trust me, if it were up to me, I would not be giving you lessons!"
Slightly hurt by his painful words, she was about to turn and leave, when a sickening flash of green light flourished in her head. She winced loudly, and collapsed on to the damp floor, but not before she saw it, an evil, revolting pair of red eyes.
~~~
"Ouch, stop it! That hurts!"
"I'm sorry Miss Jameson, but you'll need to hold still! That is a nasty bruise you have got there on your cheek. If it weren't for Professor Snape, you would probably still be knocked out."
Autumn jerked her head up sharply, remembering the previous detention she had with Snape. She looked around, searching for him. She then heard a silky voice, whispering to Madam Pomfrey. She whipped her head to her left, accidently smacking Pomfrey with her hair.
"Sorry Madam! I didn't mean to!"
"It's quite alright Miss Jameson."
"Pomfrey..." the silky voice drawled, and Autumn stared into the black eyes of Professor Snape. She thought she noticed a flicker of concern embedded in his eyes, but quickly knew she must have been mistaken for his face was masked with unemotion.
"May I ask for a word or two alone with Miss Jameson? I feel we need to discuss some...things."
"Certainly, Severus, I'll leave then. Don't you go upsetting her, she is MY patient! Anything goes badly, and you are out!"
As Madam Pomfrey left, Snape swept over to close the door, and then pulled up a chair to the white hospital bed.
"Miss Jameson, why did you faint?"
Autumn whimpered. She didn't pretend not to know what had happened. She reconized those crimson eyes from her nightmares. She hadn't told anyone, not wanting anyone to worry about her, for she had been having nightmares every night since she had come to Hogwarts. Nightmares of her mum leaving her. Nightmares of her mum screaming. Nightmares of her mum being murdered. She of course reconized those evil eyes. They belonged to no one other then Lord Voldemort. The disgrace of wizarding kind, responsible for her mother's death.
"Sir...I'd r-rather not...it's not important."
"On the contrary Miss Jameson, if you have been having visions of the Dark Lord, it is extremely important."
She gaped at him. He stared back at her, knowing what the following question was.
"H-how...how do you know it was Voldemort?"
Severus flinched visibly. The child dared to speak his name? Stupid Gryffindor boldness, reminded him rather much of Potter...and him.
"I am rather skilled with Legilimancy, Miss Jameson. I pick up things others would rather I did not know."
Autumn gaped at him again. Legilimency? She had heard of that before. An art which let people to delve into other's minds.
Tears leaked out of Autumn's eyes. She could not help it. She knew what was happening. She had heard stories of how Voldemort used Legilimency to abduct Harry Potter's mind and kill Sirius Black. Her mother had told her stories of Sirius Black, and how terrible of a family he had. Full of dark wizards...horrible stories. His very own cousin had killed him.
Autumn quickly turned her back to Snape, brushing away the tears, ashamed of how much emotion she was revealing.
Snape continued speaking, masking a look of concern for one of mock sternness. "As you may have guessed, the Dark Lord wants to use you for some...some activities. It has become mandatory to teach you occlumency to block his mental visitings. I expect to see you at my office on Tuesday at 8:00pm. Is that understood?"
Autumn nodded meekly, gazing down at her feet. Snape thought her a little child, who couldn't block out Voldemort...he thought she was weak. She was NOT weak!
She lifted her head, staring hardly into the eyes of Snape.
"I am NOT a weakling! I don't need your help to block out Voldemort!"
Professor Snape, slightly startled by her outburst, stood up swiftly, and sneered at her.
"I am not surprised by your arrogance, Jameson, your father was like that too. It is not a matter of stregnth, it is a matter of skill...I will be seeing you on Tuesday."
And with that, he left the room. Slightly shocked, Autumn shouted after him delayingly...
"Wait! What do mean...my father?"
~~~
::A.N:: So...what'd you think? Reviews pleez!!!!! I won't continue until I get moooore REVIEWS! You know you wanna!!!!
"It's for the best Autumn, I must go."
"Please Mum, no, please don't leave me!"*
"Autumn...Autumn!"
"no...please..."
"Autumn wake up! You're having a nightmare!"
"Huh?"
Autumn woke with a start. There were shining tears seeping out of her glazed eyes. She jerked her head up, and shooting pains seered through her neck and skull.
"You missed breakfast, Autumn. Everyone was wondering where you were. Classes start in 10 minutes! I'd hurry if I were you! We have Potions with the greasy-git."
Kalli grinned. She was very short, only 4"10, with shoulder length, blonde hair, and bright green eyes. If you didn't know any better, you would assume she were an elf.
"Oh, go on Kalli. I'll meet up with you in Potions. We shouldn't both we late just because of me."
Kalli nodded, and ran out of the dorm.
"I'll try and hurry!" Autumn shouted as an after-thought.
And hurry she did.
It was already five past 9:00 am, when Autumn realised that she was wearing two different socks. She quickly changed them, and scooped up her potions equipment, running to the dungeons, and preparing for the worst.
The worst, simply stated, was an understatement. Her first potions class was nothing short of horror.
It all started when Autumn walked in, quickly sinking into her seat, trying not to be noticed. Unfortunately, the dungeon's door creaked very loudly. Snape looked up from grading papers, a sneer etched into his pale face.
"Miss Jameson, so nice of you to have joined us. I'm so terribly sorry if my class has dissrupted your busy schedule. 20 points will be taken from Gryffindor on your account."
"I'm sorry sir...really...but you see I..."
"Miss Jameson...do not talk back to me, you impudent child. 5 more points taken away-"
"But sir!"
"Didn't your mother ever teach you *manners* Jameson? That's another 5 points.
Autumn glowered, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Don't y-you talk to m-me about my Mum!" Autumn yelled, tears spilling out of her vivid blue eyes.
"DETENTION!" He spat, his face flushed with emnity. "You will stay after class to arrange it. Now get to work. Instructions are on the board."
Autumn followed the instructions carelessly. She was planning her revenge on the beloved Potion's Master. How dare he speak to her about her mother that way! He knew exactly what had happened to her family. He was just a careless prat who didn't care about other people's feelings. A bloody, stupid, idiot!
~~~
Severus swept passed her, eyeing her potion carefully. Try as he might, he could not find anything to critisize on. Her potion was the perfect pale pink it was supposed to be. Stupid girl. No respect.
He once again did not take into account that she had just lost what seemed to be her only living family. What did he care?
::but you do care...stop caring::
He just couldn't get rid of those eyes...fogging his mind. Those bright sapphire eyes, staring at him with the utmost loathing. Why did he have to be such a bully? Because it was in his nature. In his mind, the world was against him. He hated those who disagreed with him, or showed disrespect. But he couldn't shake off the fact that deatheaters had killed her family.
::but I am NOT a deatheater...I was...but not anymore...not now::
~~~
Autumn quickly finished her baked potato, and gulped down a great load of pumpkin juice. She looked at her watch. Groaning, she swept out of the Great Hall. Detention with greasy-git was in 10 minutes.
She made her way to the dungeons, and knocked on Professor Snape's door. She was five minutes early, and hoped he would not be present.
No such luck.
"Enter!"
Autumn walked meekly into the room, displeasure creeping up her spine. Why, oh why did he have to sneer at her like that? Did he actually enjoy killing people's confidence?
"Miss Jameson, you are on time, what a surprise...I would never have thought you capable of such a task."
She sneered mockingly at him, and crossed her arms over her chest, looking up at him expectantly.
"Well?" She asked impatiently. "What will I be doing for you tonight in my detention?"
Snape glared at her and arched an eyebrow.
"Miss Jameson...such impudence will not be standed in my presence. 10 points from Gryffindor, and for future reference, you will address me with sir, or professor at all times."
"What, then, sir, will I be doing for my detention?"
She didn't need this crap. She had not yet started her overly-piled amount of homework, and on top of that, Dumbledore had informed her that she had to meet with him tonight!
Snape then kindly informed her that the cauldrons and desks were to be scrubbed, and if the task was not finished sufficiently, she would come back tomorrow. As Snape turned his back, his black robes billowing behind him, Autumn rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. "Oh joy joy joy..."
~~~
It was already 10:30 pm when she was at long last done with her excessive load of work. She quickly washed her hands, careful to scrub under fingernails where all the filth was, and walked over to Snape's desk.
"Well, professor, I am finished. Your cauldrons are sparkling, and awaiting you to mess them up again. May I please leave...please?"
Snape glared down at her. He was suddenly reminded of an arrogant little face he had tried so hard to forget. He was imagining things. He had to be. It just couldn't be...that prat had never had children! But no..now that he had noticed, the resembelance was unmistakable...
Realizing that Miss Jameson was still awaiting an answer, he quickly returned from his reverie.
" Miss Jameson, please refrain from your insolence towards myself in the future. You are free to leave. I expect you back here same time next week for your lessons. Now GO!"
Autumn started for the door, wanting to vacate the room as soon as possible. But the effect of the words had sunken rapidly into her brain.
All sarcasm excluded from her tone, she wondered aloud, "But sir, what exactly do you mean by lessons? I thought I only received one detention!"
"Ah...surely the Headmaster has informed you by now? You will be starting occlumency lessons with me. The Headmaster feels it is necessary to take extra precaution when in these dangerous times concerning the Dark Lord, as much as I disagree. Trust me, if it were up to me, I would not be giving you lessons!"
Slightly hurt by his painful words, she was about to turn and leave, when a sickening flash of green light flourished in her head. She winced loudly, and collapsed on to the damp floor, but not before she saw it, an evil, revolting pair of red eyes.
~~~
"Ouch, stop it! That hurts!"
"I'm sorry Miss Jameson, but you'll need to hold still! That is a nasty bruise you have got there on your cheek. If it weren't for Professor Snape, you would probably still be knocked out."
Autumn jerked her head up sharply, remembering the previous detention she had with Snape. She looked around, searching for him. She then heard a silky voice, whispering to Madam Pomfrey. She whipped her head to her left, accidently smacking Pomfrey with her hair.
"Sorry Madam! I didn't mean to!"
"It's quite alright Miss Jameson."
"Pomfrey..." the silky voice drawled, and Autumn stared into the black eyes of Professor Snape. She thought she noticed a flicker of concern embedded in his eyes, but quickly knew she must have been mistaken for his face was masked with unemotion.
"May I ask for a word or two alone with Miss Jameson? I feel we need to discuss some...things."
"Certainly, Severus, I'll leave then. Don't you go upsetting her, she is MY patient! Anything goes badly, and you are out!"
As Madam Pomfrey left, Snape swept over to close the door, and then pulled up a chair to the white hospital bed.
"Miss Jameson, why did you faint?"
Autumn whimpered. She didn't pretend not to know what had happened. She reconized those crimson eyes from her nightmares. She hadn't told anyone, not wanting anyone to worry about her, for she had been having nightmares every night since she had come to Hogwarts. Nightmares of her mum leaving her. Nightmares of her mum screaming. Nightmares of her mum being murdered. She of course reconized those evil eyes. They belonged to no one other then Lord Voldemort. The disgrace of wizarding kind, responsible for her mother's death.
"Sir...I'd r-rather not...it's not important."
"On the contrary Miss Jameson, if you have been having visions of the Dark Lord, it is extremely important."
She gaped at him. He stared back at her, knowing what the following question was.
"H-how...how do you know it was Voldemort?"
Severus flinched visibly. The child dared to speak his name? Stupid Gryffindor boldness, reminded him rather much of Potter...and him.
"I am rather skilled with Legilimancy, Miss Jameson. I pick up things others would rather I did not know."
Autumn gaped at him again. Legilimency? She had heard of that before. An art which let people to delve into other's minds.
Tears leaked out of Autumn's eyes. She could not help it. She knew what was happening. She had heard stories of how Voldemort used Legilimency to abduct Harry Potter's mind and kill Sirius Black. Her mother had told her stories of Sirius Black, and how terrible of a family he had. Full of dark wizards...horrible stories. His very own cousin had killed him.
Autumn quickly turned her back to Snape, brushing away the tears, ashamed of how much emotion she was revealing.
Snape continued speaking, masking a look of concern for one of mock sternness. "As you may have guessed, the Dark Lord wants to use you for some...some activities. It has become mandatory to teach you occlumency to block his mental visitings. I expect to see you at my office on Tuesday at 8:00pm. Is that understood?"
Autumn nodded meekly, gazing down at her feet. Snape thought her a little child, who couldn't block out Voldemort...he thought she was weak. She was NOT weak!
She lifted her head, staring hardly into the eyes of Snape.
"I am NOT a weakling! I don't need your help to block out Voldemort!"
Professor Snape, slightly startled by her outburst, stood up swiftly, and sneered at her.
"I am not surprised by your arrogance, Jameson, your father was like that too. It is not a matter of stregnth, it is a matter of skill...I will be seeing you on Tuesday."
And with that, he left the room. Slightly shocked, Autumn shouted after him delayingly...
"Wait! What do mean...my father?"
~~~
::A.N:: So...what'd you think? Reviews pleez!!!!! I won't continue until I get moooore REVIEWS! You know you wanna!!!!