Disclaimer: See chapter 1 for full disclaimer and notes.
Thanks to my reviewers from ff.net and Twisting the Hellmouth. Does anyone know what happened to TtH? I can't get it to load on my computer. Is it gone forever (which would be so sad!)?? The next chapter should be up next weekend.
Chapter 16: The Beginning of the End
Tara realized that she should have known when she heard the loud crash coming from the direction of the dungeons that the Weasley twins were somehow involved. What she didn't expect, however, was Dawn's unfortunate involvement in said debacle.
By the time late February had rolled around, she and Dawn had fallen into a routine. She spent most of her week looking forward to her time spent with Dawn and her time learning potions from Professor Snape.
There hadn't been any attacks since the vampire, and Tara and Dawn had come to an agreement that they would stop worrying about Doc and concentrate on enjoying their time at the school until there was reason to worry. So far, Buffy had not been able to find Doc, but not for lack of trying. According to the Slayer, not much of anything was going on in Sunnydale at the moment. A few random attacks, and the brief reappearance of Riley, which Dawn was irritated to miss, but no organized efforts.
Giles had been gone for a while now, also searching for Doc, using all of his sources through the Watcher's Council and otherwise. Life was as routine as it was going to be for a while. Even the inscrutable Professor Snape seemed to have a pattern. He was opening up a little at a time. Yet, for some reason that Tara had yet to understand, for every secret he revealed, he clammed up for a lengthier and lengthier period of time. There was obviously something going on with him that he felt he couldn't talk to her about, but it wasn't right for her to pry, so she was left wondering and trying to convince him that he could trust her.
Everything had basically been calm for a time, aside from the apparently common threats on Harry's life, so Tara should have known that it was time for Dawn to stir things up a little. She had either been holding back for a month, or else the Weasley twins were teaching her how to avoid getting caught.
As soon as Tara heard the loud popping sound, she was racing down the stairs, not taking long enough to even consider other options. When she reached the hall that contained the entrance to the potions classroom, she skidded to a halt, steadying herself by grabbing onto a nearby statue, which immediately started berating her for not being more careful.
The view of the classroom door was obstructed by a thick cloud of smoke, billowing out from inside the room. Tara pulled the sleeve of her peasant top down over her hand and held it up to her face, covering her nose and mouth. She made her way toward where she hoped the open doorway was, coughing and stumbling into the room. Just as she began to make out a cauldron that appeared to be the source of the smoke, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards into an adjoining room. The same person slammed the door shut behind her.
Tara spun around quickly, ready to either help or fight, depending on the situation. What she saw made her stop in her tracks.
A furious looking potions professor was standing closest to her, obviously being the one who pulled her into the room. On the other side of the office stood one sick looking Weasley twin, one guilty looking Weasley twin, and an extremely chagrinned Dawn.
Tara narrowed her eyes at Dawn for a moment, before glancing back over at Snape, surprised that she couldn't see smoke coming out of his ears. She silently willed him to not explode.
"What is in that smoke?" she asked, hoping it was a question that wouldn't make the situation worse.
Dawn shrugged, avoiding looking directly into Tara's eyes. The guilty looking Weasley also shrugged. Tara gave a questioning look to the Weasley twin who was getting progressively greener as time went on.
"Um, we're not sure. We may have accidentally dropped a few extra ingredients in," he said, choking on the last few words.
Tara glanced at Professor Snape again, who still looked as if he wanted to curse everyone in the world just for existing. She laid a hand on his arm, causing him to jump. He looked at her as if he had forgotten she was there, his anger putting his entire focus on the teens across the small room.
She gave him a small smile, trying to be reassuring enough to calm him down. After glancing down at her hand, and then back up at her face, it seemed to work. He continued to stare at her as she turned back to the guilty party.
Dawn was looking between her and Snape, one eyebrow raised, but Tara chose to ignore her implication for the time being.
"Dawn, could you check to see if the smoke has cleared yet?" she asked the brunette.
Dawn opened her mouth to protest, before thinking better of it, instead crossing to the door and opening it wide enough to peer outside. She opened it all the way, revealing a clear room, the only indication that anything had gone wrong, a cauldron and table across the room covered in a dark red liquid that appeared to still be bubbling.
Tara glanced at Snape, who nodded. She turned back to Dawn, who was looking at Tara's hand on the potions professor's arm and frowning.
"Dawn," Tara said, snapping the younger girl out of her thoughts for the moment, "could you and Fred and George go to the infirmary and get yourselves checked out, please. Professor Snape and I will clean up this mess."
Dawn nodded, indicating for the Weasley twins to follow her out the door.
"And do remember to meet with Filch tonight to begin your two month detention," Snape said in a controlled tone as they reached the classroom door.
The Weasley twins sighed, but Dawn spun around and glared at him. "Hey! I'm not a student here, you can't give me detention!"
"Dawn Summers!" Tara exclaimed, ashamed of her actions for the first time since they had been invited to stay at the school. "Buffy left me in charge of you, and I think this deserves detention. You're a guest here, and this is how you treat people."
Dawn's face reddened, and she nodded.
"Sorry, Professor Snape," she squeaked, running out the door to catch up to her partners in crime.
The sound of Snape's laughter surprised Tara, who turned to look at him.
"I do believe that's the first time anyone has apologized to me without being forced to by the Headmaster."
His smirk disappeared as he caught sight of Tara's look.
"Do not pity me," he hissed, pushing past her to begin cleaning up the now motionless spilled potion.
Tara followed him, taking a seat at a nearby table. "You know me better than that."
For some reason, this caused Snape to clean up the mess even more violently, almost making a bigger one in his haste.
Tara jumped up from her seat and grabbed the potions professor's arm, stopping him mid-swipe.
He sighed and collapsed onto the stool behind him, not shaking off the grip. Tara took the seat next to him and waited for him to begin the inevitable explanation.
"I don't know what to do with you," he said, continuing before she could ask for clarification. "I have become accustomed to students pulling pranks on me and badmouthing me behind my back. I am not blind or deaf. I know of my reputation."
"You created your reputation," Tara replied.
Snape laughed humorlessly, "yes, well, I suppose I did. As a safety measure of sorts."
"That's what I don't understand," said Tara, "there is this big part of your life that you won't tell me about. I haven't pried because it wasn't my business, but we're becoming friends, and." she trailed off.
Snape nodded.
"You're the best friend I've ever had, apart from Willow, whether you wanted it that way or not."
Snape glanced over at her, before returning his gaze to the table. "That's just it. I wasn't looking for a friend."
"I know," Tara replied. She took a deep breath and decided to go for broke. "Are you a spy?"
Snape grabbed her arm and shook her, causing her to wince.
"Do not talk of such things. It could get you killed."
He let go of her, still staring at her, eyes flashing dangerously. Tara tried to cover her pain, but unconsciously rubbed her arm where a hand- shaped bruise was forming.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to get you in trouble. It's just, I need to have all the information, and I feel as if this is the safest place to have this conversation."
The potions master shook his head, dark hair flying around it. "This place is far from safe. There is no safe place, especially in the school."
Tara nodded, frowning. "But now that it's out there."
"Yes."
"It's not a reason."
"No, it is only half of the reason."
Tara waited. The professor closed his eyes briefly.
"I only allowed the friendship to develop after I discovered that you were in love with someone." He said, looking over at Tara and waiting for her to make the connection.
He didn't have to wait for long.
"Oh," Tara replied, almost in a whisper.
"I understand if you wish to discontinue the lessons now."
Tara immediately shook her head. "No, of course not. Um, I guess maybe you don't want to hear about my Willow troubles anymore though."
"On the contrary," Snape said, relieved to be able to change the subject, "have you read the letter yet?"
Tara shook her head, knowing that the subject was closed for the time being. She decided to let it drop, knowing that she would have to discuss it further at some point in the future, if only to dispel the lingering bit of awkwardness that had developed between them.
"I still feel like I'm not ready."
Snape smiled sympathetically, beginning to wipe up the mess again, "will you ever be ready?"
Tara laughed, "Well, if you're going to use logic."
The professor joined in her laughter and they finished cleaning the classroom and preparing for the night's lesson.
~-~-~-
"What were you thinking, Dawn?" Tara asked as soon as she found the teen sulking in front of their common room fire.
"It was just a prank," Dawn protested, "Snape was being mean to Harry, so Fred and George decided to get back at him."
"I'm glad that you care about Harry, but we're guests here, Dawnie. We can't be causing trouble. And I'm sure Professor Snape had a good reason for his actions."
Dawn looked at her in disbelief.
"Alright," Tara amended, "he might have done something unjustified, but he is still a teacher. You should have just gone to the Headmaster if there was trouble."
Dawn mumbled something as Tara took a seat next to her.
"What?" Tara asked, grabbing the cup of hot chocolate that was conveniently waiting for her.
"I didn't think of that," Dawn mumbled a bit louder, looking embarrassed.
Tara smiled. "Well, I think that Professor Snape just might go easy on you since you had the good sense to apologize."
"I really didn't mean to mess up his classroom like that," Dawn said, also drinking a mug of hot cocoa.
"I know," replied Tara. "Just be more careful next time. Pranks are fine, as long as they're harmless fun and not intended to hurt anyone."
Dawn nodded. "And if you don't get caught."
The two girls laughed, their argument over.
"So what's with you and 'tall dark and foreboding' anyway?" inquired Dawn, making Tara choke on her drink.
"What do you mean?" she asked after a small coughing fit.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "The sexual tension type vibes that were practically visible earlier. You know he's a guy, right?"
Tara snorted, almost choking again, "Dawn, I'm in love with Willow. I'm a one woman kind of witch."
Dawn looked at her doubtfully. "Yeah, well, he's evil, you know."
Tara almost laughed out loud. She looked at the smirking teenager incredulously. "Yes, well, people can change."
"No one stops being evil. It's like ingrained in them or whatever."
Tara raised an eyebrow at Dawn, "so you hang out with Spike in the hopes that he'll kill you with a railroad spike?"
"He's different," Dawn pouted.
Tara just looked at her.
"Okay, fine!" she exclaimed, raising her arms in defeat, "so maybe he's not evil, but he is still a guy. And you still love Willow."
"Don't worry, Dawn," Tara said, putting an arm around the younger girl. Ignoring her protests, she gave her a half hug, her drink still in her other hand. "As far as I'm concerned, Willow is the one and only. We just need more time to work some things out."
Dawn finally relaxed, hugging her back before scooting back to her original seat. "So why haven't you read the letter?"
Tara gazed thoughtfully into her half empty mug. "I don't know. I'm still working things out in my head. I can't deal with anything new yet."
"Buffy said she's getting better. Amy's not allowed around the house anymore, and after she bottomed out, she's been atoning and whatnot."
"I know, Dawnie. It just needs more time."
Dawn set her empty cup down on a nearby table. "Just don't take too long. Life's short, especially for a Scooby."
She jumped up and left the room, disappearing into her bedroom. Tara sunk down further in the couch, staring into the fire and contemplating how complicated her life had become.
Thanks to my reviewers from ff.net and Twisting the Hellmouth. Does anyone know what happened to TtH? I can't get it to load on my computer. Is it gone forever (which would be so sad!)?? The next chapter should be up next weekend.
Chapter 16: The Beginning of the End
Tara realized that she should have known when she heard the loud crash coming from the direction of the dungeons that the Weasley twins were somehow involved. What she didn't expect, however, was Dawn's unfortunate involvement in said debacle.
By the time late February had rolled around, she and Dawn had fallen into a routine. She spent most of her week looking forward to her time spent with Dawn and her time learning potions from Professor Snape.
There hadn't been any attacks since the vampire, and Tara and Dawn had come to an agreement that they would stop worrying about Doc and concentrate on enjoying their time at the school until there was reason to worry. So far, Buffy had not been able to find Doc, but not for lack of trying. According to the Slayer, not much of anything was going on in Sunnydale at the moment. A few random attacks, and the brief reappearance of Riley, which Dawn was irritated to miss, but no organized efforts.
Giles had been gone for a while now, also searching for Doc, using all of his sources through the Watcher's Council and otherwise. Life was as routine as it was going to be for a while. Even the inscrutable Professor Snape seemed to have a pattern. He was opening up a little at a time. Yet, for some reason that Tara had yet to understand, for every secret he revealed, he clammed up for a lengthier and lengthier period of time. There was obviously something going on with him that he felt he couldn't talk to her about, but it wasn't right for her to pry, so she was left wondering and trying to convince him that he could trust her.
Everything had basically been calm for a time, aside from the apparently common threats on Harry's life, so Tara should have known that it was time for Dawn to stir things up a little. She had either been holding back for a month, or else the Weasley twins were teaching her how to avoid getting caught.
As soon as Tara heard the loud popping sound, she was racing down the stairs, not taking long enough to even consider other options. When she reached the hall that contained the entrance to the potions classroom, she skidded to a halt, steadying herself by grabbing onto a nearby statue, which immediately started berating her for not being more careful.
The view of the classroom door was obstructed by a thick cloud of smoke, billowing out from inside the room. Tara pulled the sleeve of her peasant top down over her hand and held it up to her face, covering her nose and mouth. She made her way toward where she hoped the open doorway was, coughing and stumbling into the room. Just as she began to make out a cauldron that appeared to be the source of the smoke, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards into an adjoining room. The same person slammed the door shut behind her.
Tara spun around quickly, ready to either help or fight, depending on the situation. What she saw made her stop in her tracks.
A furious looking potions professor was standing closest to her, obviously being the one who pulled her into the room. On the other side of the office stood one sick looking Weasley twin, one guilty looking Weasley twin, and an extremely chagrinned Dawn.
Tara narrowed her eyes at Dawn for a moment, before glancing back over at Snape, surprised that she couldn't see smoke coming out of his ears. She silently willed him to not explode.
"What is in that smoke?" she asked, hoping it was a question that wouldn't make the situation worse.
Dawn shrugged, avoiding looking directly into Tara's eyes. The guilty looking Weasley also shrugged. Tara gave a questioning look to the Weasley twin who was getting progressively greener as time went on.
"Um, we're not sure. We may have accidentally dropped a few extra ingredients in," he said, choking on the last few words.
Tara glanced at Professor Snape again, who still looked as if he wanted to curse everyone in the world just for existing. She laid a hand on his arm, causing him to jump. He looked at her as if he had forgotten she was there, his anger putting his entire focus on the teens across the small room.
She gave him a small smile, trying to be reassuring enough to calm him down. After glancing down at her hand, and then back up at her face, it seemed to work. He continued to stare at her as she turned back to the guilty party.
Dawn was looking between her and Snape, one eyebrow raised, but Tara chose to ignore her implication for the time being.
"Dawn, could you check to see if the smoke has cleared yet?" she asked the brunette.
Dawn opened her mouth to protest, before thinking better of it, instead crossing to the door and opening it wide enough to peer outside. She opened it all the way, revealing a clear room, the only indication that anything had gone wrong, a cauldron and table across the room covered in a dark red liquid that appeared to still be bubbling.
Tara glanced at Snape, who nodded. She turned back to Dawn, who was looking at Tara's hand on the potions professor's arm and frowning.
"Dawn," Tara said, snapping the younger girl out of her thoughts for the moment, "could you and Fred and George go to the infirmary and get yourselves checked out, please. Professor Snape and I will clean up this mess."
Dawn nodded, indicating for the Weasley twins to follow her out the door.
"And do remember to meet with Filch tonight to begin your two month detention," Snape said in a controlled tone as they reached the classroom door.
The Weasley twins sighed, but Dawn spun around and glared at him. "Hey! I'm not a student here, you can't give me detention!"
"Dawn Summers!" Tara exclaimed, ashamed of her actions for the first time since they had been invited to stay at the school. "Buffy left me in charge of you, and I think this deserves detention. You're a guest here, and this is how you treat people."
Dawn's face reddened, and she nodded.
"Sorry, Professor Snape," she squeaked, running out the door to catch up to her partners in crime.
The sound of Snape's laughter surprised Tara, who turned to look at him.
"I do believe that's the first time anyone has apologized to me without being forced to by the Headmaster."
His smirk disappeared as he caught sight of Tara's look.
"Do not pity me," he hissed, pushing past her to begin cleaning up the now motionless spilled potion.
Tara followed him, taking a seat at a nearby table. "You know me better than that."
For some reason, this caused Snape to clean up the mess even more violently, almost making a bigger one in his haste.
Tara jumped up from her seat and grabbed the potions professor's arm, stopping him mid-swipe.
He sighed and collapsed onto the stool behind him, not shaking off the grip. Tara took the seat next to him and waited for him to begin the inevitable explanation.
"I don't know what to do with you," he said, continuing before she could ask for clarification. "I have become accustomed to students pulling pranks on me and badmouthing me behind my back. I am not blind or deaf. I know of my reputation."
"You created your reputation," Tara replied.
Snape laughed humorlessly, "yes, well, I suppose I did. As a safety measure of sorts."
"That's what I don't understand," said Tara, "there is this big part of your life that you won't tell me about. I haven't pried because it wasn't my business, but we're becoming friends, and." she trailed off.
Snape nodded.
"You're the best friend I've ever had, apart from Willow, whether you wanted it that way or not."
Snape glanced over at her, before returning his gaze to the table. "That's just it. I wasn't looking for a friend."
"I know," Tara replied. She took a deep breath and decided to go for broke. "Are you a spy?"
Snape grabbed her arm and shook her, causing her to wince.
"Do not talk of such things. It could get you killed."
He let go of her, still staring at her, eyes flashing dangerously. Tara tried to cover her pain, but unconsciously rubbed her arm where a hand- shaped bruise was forming.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to get you in trouble. It's just, I need to have all the information, and I feel as if this is the safest place to have this conversation."
The potions master shook his head, dark hair flying around it. "This place is far from safe. There is no safe place, especially in the school."
Tara nodded, frowning. "But now that it's out there."
"Yes."
"It's not a reason."
"No, it is only half of the reason."
Tara waited. The professor closed his eyes briefly.
"I only allowed the friendship to develop after I discovered that you were in love with someone." He said, looking over at Tara and waiting for her to make the connection.
He didn't have to wait for long.
"Oh," Tara replied, almost in a whisper.
"I understand if you wish to discontinue the lessons now."
Tara immediately shook her head. "No, of course not. Um, I guess maybe you don't want to hear about my Willow troubles anymore though."
"On the contrary," Snape said, relieved to be able to change the subject, "have you read the letter yet?"
Tara shook her head, knowing that the subject was closed for the time being. She decided to let it drop, knowing that she would have to discuss it further at some point in the future, if only to dispel the lingering bit of awkwardness that had developed between them.
"I still feel like I'm not ready."
Snape smiled sympathetically, beginning to wipe up the mess again, "will you ever be ready?"
Tara laughed, "Well, if you're going to use logic."
The professor joined in her laughter and they finished cleaning the classroom and preparing for the night's lesson.
~-~-~-
"What were you thinking, Dawn?" Tara asked as soon as she found the teen sulking in front of their common room fire.
"It was just a prank," Dawn protested, "Snape was being mean to Harry, so Fred and George decided to get back at him."
"I'm glad that you care about Harry, but we're guests here, Dawnie. We can't be causing trouble. And I'm sure Professor Snape had a good reason for his actions."
Dawn looked at her in disbelief.
"Alright," Tara amended, "he might have done something unjustified, but he is still a teacher. You should have just gone to the Headmaster if there was trouble."
Dawn mumbled something as Tara took a seat next to her.
"What?" Tara asked, grabbing the cup of hot chocolate that was conveniently waiting for her.
"I didn't think of that," Dawn mumbled a bit louder, looking embarrassed.
Tara smiled. "Well, I think that Professor Snape just might go easy on you since you had the good sense to apologize."
"I really didn't mean to mess up his classroom like that," Dawn said, also drinking a mug of hot cocoa.
"I know," replied Tara. "Just be more careful next time. Pranks are fine, as long as they're harmless fun and not intended to hurt anyone."
Dawn nodded. "And if you don't get caught."
The two girls laughed, their argument over.
"So what's with you and 'tall dark and foreboding' anyway?" inquired Dawn, making Tara choke on her drink.
"What do you mean?" she asked after a small coughing fit.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "The sexual tension type vibes that were practically visible earlier. You know he's a guy, right?"
Tara snorted, almost choking again, "Dawn, I'm in love with Willow. I'm a one woman kind of witch."
Dawn looked at her doubtfully. "Yeah, well, he's evil, you know."
Tara almost laughed out loud. She looked at the smirking teenager incredulously. "Yes, well, people can change."
"No one stops being evil. It's like ingrained in them or whatever."
Tara raised an eyebrow at Dawn, "so you hang out with Spike in the hopes that he'll kill you with a railroad spike?"
"He's different," Dawn pouted.
Tara just looked at her.
"Okay, fine!" she exclaimed, raising her arms in defeat, "so maybe he's not evil, but he is still a guy. And you still love Willow."
"Don't worry, Dawn," Tara said, putting an arm around the younger girl. Ignoring her protests, she gave her a half hug, her drink still in her other hand. "As far as I'm concerned, Willow is the one and only. We just need more time to work some things out."
Dawn finally relaxed, hugging her back before scooting back to her original seat. "So why haven't you read the letter?"
Tara gazed thoughtfully into her half empty mug. "I don't know. I'm still working things out in my head. I can't deal with anything new yet."
"Buffy said she's getting better. Amy's not allowed around the house anymore, and after she bottomed out, she's been atoning and whatnot."
"I know, Dawnie. It just needs more time."
Dawn set her empty cup down on a nearby table. "Just don't take too long. Life's short, especially for a Scooby."
She jumped up and left the room, disappearing into her bedroom. Tara sunk down further in the couch, staring into the fire and contemplating how complicated her life had become.
