The months passed quickly, and a new year began. Unknown to Andaxia, Snape had started teaching Harry Potter the basics of Occlumency, a skill she had attempted and given up on. The day after classes resumed following the Christmas break, Andaxia suddenly felt constricted by the castle and went on a broomstick ride around the grounds. The cold wind felt good to her; hovering the broom, she closed her eyes and spread out her arms, feeling alive and well once again – this ritual always calmed her. Suddenly she was startled by a puff of smoke and a loud bang near her. Opening her eyes, she looked for the source, and saw Snape glaring at her from below. He signaled her down; rolling her eyes, she descended. Unbeknownst to her, he was in an even fouler mood than usual – he was still disturbed by Harry's having accessed his memories during their lesson the previous evening.
"What can I do for you, o charming one?" she joked.
"Where's my potion? You had said it would be ready this morning, and I have yet to see it," he demanded.
She rebuked him. "No, I said it would be ready this afternoon, not this morning. What's the big deal?"
"Humph," he snorted. "You did say morning, not afternoon. Of course, I shouldn't expect you to remember a detail like that," he insulted.
"Now, just wait!" she exclaimed. "What is wrong with you – you're usually not this abrasive until after lunch. I don't feel like dealing with your bad manner." She planned to return to the skies, then queried, "What happened? There has to be a reason for your attitude with me this morning."
Snape said nothing, instead offering her a sneer.
His refusal to offer any information only succeeded in irritating her. "Why won't you talk to me? You should know that any secret told to me is forever safe. Why won't you trust me?" She suddenly stopped, understanding. She changed her approach. "What has happened to you that you feel you cannot trust anyone?"
He snarled, "It is none of your business – I did not call you down to berate me!"
Furious, she responded. "You need to deal with whatever is tearing you up, Severus! Emotions are important – you can't hide behind your Occlumency skills forever. Occlumency is a mere tool, not a solution. If you don't learn to deal with your past and whatever emotional baggage that is associated with that, it will destroy you! As a friend, I cannot let that happen!"
"Leave me alone! You know nothing about me!" He turned to leave.
"Severus, don't turn away from me!" Now she had become extremely angry. "How am I supposed to know anything about you if you won't tell me?"
Snape scowled and turned to leave again.
"You're afraid," she said matter-of-factly. "You can't control emotions like you can control the outcome of a potion, and that terrifies you. I could understand that, but you won't even make the attempt, or let someone help you." She closed in for the kill and muttered, "You're a coward."
He whirled around and glared menacingly. "You know nothing, Mudblood!"
At that instant, Andaxia's look of irritation, triumph, and anger was replaced with one of shock, dismay, and intense hatred. Marching up to him, she slapped him hard across the cheek, stunning him into silence.
"Don't ever call me that vile name again," she spit, eyes revealing the hurt she felt. She called her broom up and mounted it. With coldness in her voice, she uttered, "You had better learn to talk to someone soon. I won't be around forever." She rapidly ascended, fighting back the tears so Snape couldn't see them.
He watched her rise, realizing what he had done; a repeat of the Lily incident. Preparing to call her back down, he was distracted by a group of students leaving the castle. Not wanting to show any kind of weakness in front of them, he instead chose to curl his lip and marched inside.
After escaping Snape, Andaxia circled above the Forbidden Forest. Finding a good spot far away from any prying eyes, she hovered the broom and had a good cry – the Mudblood comment had really hurt her. What hurt her even more was the look of pure hatred she had seen etched on his face. Annoyed at herself, she quickly got herself together and flew back toward the castle, ensuring Snape had left the grounds and would not see her return.
She angled towards her window, yelling "It vexes me," the password. The window sprang open, allowing her to fly through, the shelves and knickknacks underneath moving out of her way until she had safely landed inside. As her items returned to their places, she stowed the broom and thought for a minute. Reaching a decision, she set her jaw and grabbed quill, ink, and parchment.
Professor Dumbledore –
I wanted to inform you I will be away from Hogwarts for an indefinite amount of time. A change of scenery is required – I am becoming restless. If you need to reach me, I will be staying at known location. ("I truly hate that nasty Umbridge; writing in code is not my style," she growled to herself) Mystique will be able to find me. I am leaving this evening and am notifying Professor McGonagall of the situation as well. Do not worry – I will continue my studies.
Andaxia
She whistled for Mystique, her loyal snowy owl, one of the few currently living at Hogwarts. While waiting, she busied herself with writing a quick note to Pestle and Kapsul letting them know of her absence, and preparing her broom for the journey ahead; she polished the handle, trimmed the twigs, and checked it over thoroughly for scratches and dents. Satisfied, she returned it to its place against the wall and put away the servicing kit. A loud hoot attracted her attention as Mystique landed gracefully on the bed. Andaxia quickly attached the letters to Mystique's outstretched leg.
"Please give this to Dumbledore – I know you can find him. The smaller note is for Mr. Kapsul. I also need you to return with one of the school owls – a fast one." Mystique hooted in assent and flew out the window.
While she was gone, Andaxia finished Snape's promised potion and bottled it. To the bottle, she attached a note that merely said "Here is your potion." She then wrote a letter to McGonagall, similar to the one she had just composed for Dumbledore, and then started her letter to Remus.
Dearest Remus –
I hate to impose on you but it is a necessity. I need you to contact our mutual friend – I require an immediate change of scenery. Therefore, I am heading to our known location, taking up our friend's offer. I should arrive sometime early this morning. Please notify this person so they may prepare for my arrival. I apologize for any inconveniences I may cause. I will make it up to you. Take care of yourself and remain safe.
Hugs,
Andaxia
By the time she had finished, Mystique and the school owl had arrived. She put Remus' letter on the other owl – a tawny – and told him where to find Remus. He took off with a rush of feathers and a stony expression. Attaching McGonagall's letter to her owl, she gently stroked Mystique's head. "I'll need you one more time after you drop this off to McGonagall, then you're free for the rest of the day." Mystique glared at her, nipping her fingers. "Hey, be nice! It means extra owl treats." Mystique ruffled her feathers, clearly annoyed at having to deliver so many letters in a short period of time, and departed.
Andaxia smiled in amusement as she wrapped the potion in a cloth and dug out the owl treats. Mystique landed on the desk, tapping her feet in annoyance. "Yes, yes, here are your treats," she said. While Mystique enjoyed her snack, Andaxia secured the potion. "I'll be at Grimmauld Place – leave all post at Remus', okay?" The owl gave her a friendly peck to show she understood. "This goes to Snape, and why don't you give him a bite while you're at it?" she said, only half-joking. Mystique gave her an evil wink and flew away.
The next hour was filled with tidying the room, changing into travel clothes, and packing. Finally, she was ready. She dashed off a quick note to Hagrid asking him to watch over her animals, and closed her room down. Mounting her broom, she stated "It vexes me" to open the window, and flew out into the late afternoon sky, dropping off Hagrid's note on the way. She was finally free of Snape's insidious remark as the wind rustled her hair and she turned her broom south.
Dawn was just breaking over the horizon when she arrived in front of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. She knocked softly on the door, hoping to not wake Mrs. Black. Almost nodding off in exhaustion, she was surprised by the sound of the door opening so quickly. A worried but jubilant Sirius was standing there to greet her.
"Andaxia! Great of you to come! Remus just arrived himself . . ." he trailed off, noticing her silence and distraught, haggard appearance. "Oh no, what has happened?"
She entered the house, broomstick dragging behind her. "Nothing really – just needed a vacation," she mumbled.
Remus appeared from a side room. Unbelieving, he said, "Really. I cannot fathom any vacation that would call away our friend from her duties so suddenly. How are you really doing, Andaxia?"
"I can't fool you two, can I?" she sighed. "Let's just say an argument went a little too personal."
"Who was it?" stormed Sirius.
"Personal?" queried Remus, gripping her shoulder.
"Oh you two – what would I do without you?" Suddenly, she broke down and began to sob. Sirius gripped her in a bear hug, while Remus continued to squeeze her shoulder. After several minutes, she calmed down, the stress and tension oozing out of her system. "Thank you, I needed that." She wiped her eyes, the weariness of the previous day finally catching up to her.
"Now, who was it that got you so upset?" Sirius demanded.
She rebuked him. "I don't think I should divulge his name; I would still like to think of him as my friend."
"Merlin's beard, why?" Sirius was dumbfounded.
"He has assisted me in the past, and I would not be where I am if not for him."
"Some friend, to make you this upset," Sirius complained.
Remus calmly said, "If she doesn't want to elaborate, don't push her, Sirius."
Andaxia smiled at Remus in thanks. "I don't think he really meant to call me that – at least I hope not. I would hate to think . ." she yawned, very sleepy, ". . . that he calls people 'Mudblood' often." She didn't even realize what she had said until Sirius exploded.
"What?!" he yelled. "Someone called you that! Who was it? Who called you by that vile term?! Wait, I can guess – Snivellus!" Irate, he headed for the door. "I'm going to bash in his greasy head for good this time!"
"Stop it!" she yelled, as she and Remus grabbed Sirius and dragged him away from the door. "You will do no such thing – now calm down and act like you've got some sense!"
"Do as she says, Sirius. Listen to her – she's the one with the authority to make these decisions considering they concern her," Remus offered.
"Please, Sirius. You don't need to endanger your life for him." she pleaded. "Anyway, you need to be a proper host for your guests," she joked.
Calming down, Sirius relented. "If you insist – though I will not forget this." He sagged, worn out. "Well, I do appreciate your coming – it has been pretty lonely around here lately."
"I thank you for the invitation. I'd hate to think what my mental state would be without this refuge to escape to. By the way, how are you two holding up?"
"As good as can be expected, under the circumstances," Remus answered, grinning in mild amusement as Andaxia tried to stifle another yawn. "Though we have lots of time to tell you tomorrow. Why don't you get some shut-eye?"
"That sounds like a good idea," she murmured, already half-asleep. They walked her upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms, and tucked her in. "Thank you again for letting me come . . . I really appreciate it . ..." she babbled. Remus and Sirius shared a smile and departed; Andaxia was asleep before they left the room.
