Chapter Seventeen

A Disgrace to My House

There was a pause as we waited for Lysander to move away out of earshot. Professor McGonagall made sure he was gone.

"What on earth did you think you were doing Elixa?" She asked. Snape leant against the fireplace, watching me.

"I was just threatening with the wand. He called my parents traitors; I couldn't stand there and let it happen in front of everyone. He'd been watching my every move, checking up on me."

"So we heard." Snape told me.

"It was a foolish thing to do Elixa, and you will suffer the consequences of your choice. You are a disgrace to your house." McGonagall folded her arms.

"You will report to Professor Snape's office every evening this week at eight, and he will dispatch the detention. You will serve no fewer than six hours this week and no more than eight. Then we will consider what we can do with you, and should you put a foot, or as much as a wand tip the wrong side of the rules, the Headmaster will have to deal with you in a more severe way. Is that understood Miss Amethyst?"

"Yes Professor. I am truly sorry, I wasn't thinking, and I regret what I did." I hung my head, avoiding their eyes.

"You may go now Elixa." I nodded, and turned to open the door. I glanced back slightly and saw both Professors watching me. Snape's eyes were concerned; at least that was all I could read in them. I turned back and left.

I lay on my back, looking up at the sky. I was trying to piece together everything in my mind. Kerry lay beside me, listening to my questions, or my thoughts and otherwise enjoying just being there and sunbathing beside the lake.

"If your mother stays like that, say past the end of term, where will you go?" Kerry asked, taking a bite out of her apple. It was the first question she'd asked, and it produced a new question.

"I've no siblings, and I can't think who they'd have put as my next parents. Anyway, I'll almost be old enough to technically live on my own." Kerry took another bite, chewed on it and then continued.

"You think it would be Snape?" I sighed.

"I don't know. I know my father wouldn't have wanted it, but mum probably might have thought of him. They'd have to have signed something for the ministry when they started working, should anything happen to them." Kerry gave an agreeing hmm from beside me.

"Want to change the subject?" She asked.

"I think it would be wise."

"I saw Draco making some moved on you at the match, putting his arm around you as you went up the stairs." I groaned, I'd forgotten all about Malfoy. Kerry had met me outside the common room and we'd come out here to talk. I glanced at the time, and leapt up.

"Kerry, we've almost missed lunch!" I exclaimed. No wonder I'd been feeling hungry. Kerry had produced the apple without asking the time. She scrambled up behind me and we ran across the grounds.

"Slytherins missing lunch, that's something you only see when they're plotting." Professor Moody commented as we ran in.

"Severus, I thought you were meant to be watching that one." I heard Moody as I sat down with Kerry.

"I don't need your advice in watching either of those two Moody." Snape sneered.

"It is questionable what they've been up to though, I agree Alastor. Have you planned something for the detention this evening?" Professor McGonagall asked. Snape looked angry to be spoken to in such a way.

"She's my house, and I'll deal with her my own way. I don't interfere with your house Minerva do I?" I glanced across to Kerry who exchanged a look with me. She was listening too.

"Not normally Severus no, but its not every day a curse like Miss Amethysts happens."

"I shouldn't think its unusual with Potter in your house." Snape spat, getting annoyed.

"So interesting to see that house rivalry exists in even the staff heads." Dumbledore interrupted with a smile. It seemed to end the argument, but didn't stop Snape glaring at the two professors who had challenged him.

"Do I have his temper?" I asked Kerry, who just laughed gently.