Chapter 14
Ice and truth
Soraya's first Christmas was the best one she had in ages and wanted it to last forever. On Boxing Day she was surprised to see a new message on the board outside of the Great hall. It was glittering and shimmering as though begging to be read. So Soraya went close to it and read it with interest that quickly turned to excitement.
To anyone it may interest.
Professor Dye
is wiling to give lessons to those that have never skated before and the lessons are free. For those that have already skated before there is a section of ice quartered off from the lessons. Those who wish to participate must sign this notice bellow before 11:00. Those who do not wish to skate and only want to observe their friends can come too. Bare in mind this is for the experienced skaters only. We don't want any accidents from those that are learning by trying to show off for their friends! Those that only have robes must borrow some trousers and a jumper from anyone that has any muggle clothes. As robes aren't suitable for going out on to the ice!
Lessons: 12:00-19:00 meet Professor Dye near the greenhouses
Learners are to meet Professor Dye at green house three.
Those who already know how to skate will meet me in the entrance hall.
I shall not wait longer than ten minutes for late comers!
Professor M. McGonagall Transfiguration teacher and head to Griffindor House.
Soraya and Amily had skating lessons when they were with the Hungs and hadn't skated in years and signed up straight away. They missed skating and were all for going out on the ice again. Soraya sighed as all she had were black clothes and a leather jacket to wear out on to the ice. Her gloves were black too and she looked sadly at her reflection in the mirror trying not to picture how much she looked like Snape's niece now. Hermione tried to help out by giving her some of her clothes but Soraya didn't like pink or light blue.
"It's Ok Hermione I'll go out like this...I just hope he won't show up." Hermione nodded and put her muggle clothes on.
Their friends on the other hand were a bit apprehensive but eventually signed on as spectators. Neville just downright refused and couldn't be coaxed in it no matter what.
"Oh come on Neville it will be really fun!"
"No way! It's bad enough I have accidents in school all the time. With me no matter how thick the ice is I'll probably end up going under it!" Soraya tried hard not to laugh at that and just shook her head in disappointment.
"Ok then Neville, but won't you at least come and watch? Really its great fun skating you'll see, even if you don't go out on to the ice." Neville apprehensively agreed and came with Soraya and Amily to the entrance hall.
Ron didn't want to skate and Harry didn't want to make a fool of himself as much as Ron did. So they eventually signed up as spectators too, Soraya had a sneaking suspicion that Hermione had a word with them. Hermione was taught how to skate before and after she came to Hogwarts so joined the others to the entrance hall. Soraya looked around and saw that not a lot of people were in the experienced section. A lot of pupils were going to the greenhouses with excited looks upon their faces. Ginny waved to Soraya and grinned, Soraya waved back as she saw Ginny heading towards the greenhouses.
No later than ten minutes past twelve they left for the lake just like McGonagall said. Soraya thought it strange to see McGonagall in Muggle clothes and just looked at her for a minute. She was wearing green trousers and a jumper exactly the same colour as her robes. Her hair was still in a tight bun and the strict look on her face was still there with a slight trace of excitement in her eyes. Soraya was looking over to the greenhouses when they past and saw at least half of the students who had stayed for Christmas were there and talking excitedly.
They stopped by a section of the lake that was frozen in no less than five feet of ice. Soraya noticed it was slightly cut off from the rest of the lake probably explaining why it was frozen solid. Soraya read in Hogwarts a history that the lake constantly moves and only certain parts could freeze properly for ice skating. There were only a handful in Soraya's group of experienced skaters compared to the number of students that Professor Dye had. Soraya looked around and recognised very few people as she only knew Hermione and Amily on the ice. McGonagall went out on to the ice and was a bit disappointed to see that very few students went out on to the ice whilst the others stayed to watch their friends. McGonagall didn't feel she needed to do much so she just skated around observing the experienced ones skate. They went in one direction and performed tricks and skated at terrific speeds. Soraya sighed and took her cloak off revealing her black clothes. She put on her skates trying to ignore the stares from her friends.
"Will you stop staring at me like that!"
"Sorry Soraya. But why all the black?"
"Look Harry it was either this or what Hermione's wearing and there is no way I am wearing those!"
"You know what."
"What Ron?"
"I'm not being funny or anything but you do look like Snape a bit." Soraya aimed another snowball at Ron. This time he dodged it as Soraya went out to skate with the others. At first she just skated as she didn't want to do any tricks at all and tried to picture her mother by her side.
Amily on the other hand went all out and only fell down once. She quickly got up again with a big grin on her face. She kept on urging Soraya to perform her tricks out on the ice but Soraya refused. So Amily made her, by trying to trip Soraya up aiming a sweep at her leg. This made Soraya jump in to the air and land in a small spin. McGonagall looked at her with a slight smile that Amily had made Soraya come out of her shell. So Soraya gave up and started performing Lutz's and twirls on the ice without any trouble. Then stopped suddenly as she noticed she was being watched. Soraya turned to the dark forest to see a big shadow looking right at her. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she felt like she recognised this thing from somewhere before and couldn't explain it. She was only taken out of her trance when McGonagall called her name three times.
"Miss. Griffis! What are you staring at? You are in a dream girl and that is not very safe on the ice!" Soraya turned round with a blank look on her face and quickly turned back before replying.
"Nothing miss...nothing at all." The shadow had gone and so Soraya continued skating trying to figure out where she had seen it before.
Then a while later she stopped again only this time next to the bank where she saw the one person she was hoping not to see. Snape was looking at her with an odd expression on his face and then left. Then Dumbledore showed up too with a smile on his face and a proud look in his eyes. He spoke to all of them and they stopped skating immediately to hear what he was saying.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! I haven't seen anything so wondrous in a long time. Do carry on as though I wasn't here as I do love to watch." So they carried on and Dumbledore sat on a nearby tree stump for a while next to the spectators. Harry spoke to Dumbledore and they both looked at Soraya. She saw this and quickly looked away pretending she had not seen this thinking she was imagining things.
Then a while later he too left and went back towards the castle. The skating went on for hours and Soraya was having so much fun that she lost all track of time. She only stopped for short breaks but stayed out on the ice all day. Halfway through McGonagall was replaced by Flitwick and came back for the last few hours. Harry called her later and she turned round to see Hagrid beckoning her over with a smile on his face. She skated over to them and looked up at Hagrid with red cheeks. He handed her some hot tea in a flask and she took it very willingly and glad it wasn't one of his homemade cakes or something. She was having so much fun out on the ice that she forgot about being cold. The tea warmed her up a great deal and Hagrid was still smiling at her.
He waited for Soraya to finish her tea before he spoke. "You skate just like your mother. Loved the ice she did, and didn' stop skating until someone told her too." Soraya looked up at Hagrid and grinned when he said these words. She had forgotten that Hagrid knew her parents and it felt good that someone here besides Dumbledore and Snape did. They talked some more about her parents with her friends listening and talking about their parents too. Soraya noticed Harry seemed distant and didn't blame him...for he knew very little about his parents. But Hagrid noticed this and released some details to Harry he forgot to tell him. Harry looked a little happier after that and smiled feebly.
Then Soraya went back out on to the ice when Hagrid left with his now empty flask. The skating went on well in to the night and everyone started to leave as it got colder. McGonagall said they could stay out until it was time to go to bed for fifth years and up. The other years had to go back to the castle and go to their houses. Soraya said goodbye to Amily and said she will see her soon.
"Come on Soraya its cold!"
"Then you go back Hermione. I'm going to stay out here until I have to go back, and besides McGonagall said she will come out to tell the last one to come in!"
"Ok Soraya see you later." Soraya then realised she was the only one out on the ice, but she didn't care and just kept going. Then when she was sure no one else was around Soraya closed her eyes and spread her arms out as she went in to a slow spin. She imagined what it would have been like skating with her parents. A little girl being lifted in to the air by her father and her mother spinning with her forever.
Then she stopped when someone touched her hand. Soraya skated backwards away from this person and opened her eyes. Snape was standing there in muggle clothes all black like hers, except the jacket wasn't made of leather. He was wearing a long black trench coat that was not so different from his cloak. It billowed behind him as an icy wind blew. Soraya just stared at this man who hates muggles now strangely dressed in muggle clothing.
"You really are a lot like your mother you know, she loved the ice as I do. We used to skate a lot her and I. A long time ago we were two of the few experienced pupils and she was the only person I had left to partner with." There was a long pause. Soraya just stared at him not daring to believe this.
"Why do you tell me this sir?"
"I was fond of your mother for a time until Potter's father came and humiliated me in front of her."
"But I was told you hated people that weren't pure bloods." Snape gave her another piercing look that made her stay silent before he continued. Soraya felt very sick and disgusted that he had a thing for her mother but let him carry on anyway.
"I over heard you talking with Hagrid when you were by the lake. I was on the other side of the tree when he mentioned your parents. Do you know why me and my brother broke apart after school?" Soraya slowly shook her head with a confused looked on her face. She felt like Snape was blaming her for something and felt anger rise within her.
"Potter played an amusing trick on me that wasn't amusing at all. I was skating with your mother and he felt it was very wrong for a Slytherin and a Griffindor to get along. Especially with me! So he used a charm and I called her a dirty half blood in front of everyone. She ran away as I clapped a hand to my mouth. My brother ran after her whilst I faced the wrath of the Griffindors. If there weren't any teachers present then I would have most certainly paid for Potter's little joke. I knew it was him. I saw Potter and his friends looking at me in a corner with a glint of malice in their eyes. I suppose the fact that they had grins the size of broomsticks on their faces would count against them as well. So I ran out to find her to apologise and explain what had happened only to find my brother kissing her behind a tree. He took out his wand when he saw me but gave me a chance to explain what had happened. They believed me of coarse as they had seen what Potter's little gang did to me a few times. But the damage had already been done and they were in love since that day. My brother knew how fond of Rachel I was and didn't stop when he said he loved her and she loved him. We had a fight when he asked for my advice about what he should get her as a birthday present. When school ended we hated each other and as soon as he got home he packed his bags and left. I never heard from him again until out of spite he sent me an invitation inviting me to their wedding. I tore it up and heard news later on that they had you." Snape then sighed when he had finished and looked right at Soraya. She didn't know what to think and just stayed silent for a while.
Then Snape did something very strange. He took Soraya by the hand and they skated together. At first Soraya thought about pulling away but it felt so strange and so right as if she had done this with him before. Soraya closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would have been like to skate back then.
"Sir I don't mean for this to sound weird or anything...but have we done this before?" Snape made no sound to answer her question, so she kept silent as she skated with her uncle.
For the first time Soraya felt completely at ease with him and just couldn't get to grips that she was skating with Snape of all people. When she looked at him his eyes were distant as if he was in a sort of dream and remembering something. Soraya didn't dare wake him from it as this was the first time she actually felt safe around him. The dark aura that usually floated around him vanished. His eyes were so full of life, no longer just dark, soulless, tunnels in his head. Soraya was caught between wanting to run away and staying. What was it she was feeling? Fear or a deep sense of awareness? All she knew was that this feeling was making her heart beat so fast that it ached something terrible. At one point she thought Snape had invaded her head as though he was searching for something. Soraya was more unnerved by this more than anything, it felt as thought someone or something had just reached inside and touched her soul. As though something was there that shouldn't be touched!
She fought free and stared at Snape who stared back in equally the same disturbed way to herself. Soraya was breathing heavily now and so was Snape. Soraya put a hand to her heart and looked down not knowing whether to smile or cry. Crying was definitely out of the question. Soraya hadn't cries for years and couldn't remember how. Snape looked the same way. They stared at each other in a very confused sort of way. Then Snape took her by the hand again, Soraya continued to stare and didn't know what to do. The feeling that happened between them was indescribable. But Soraya was sure about one thing...it frightened her. Snape seemed unnerved by the feeling too, but like her he had mixed thoughts about it too. At first they just looked at one another not knowing what it is they were going to do.
Then he did something she never thought possible of Snape, he took her by the arms when she had his back to him. Then he held her to his heart. For the few seconds he did so the fear left Soraya completely and she felt safe one again. The same must have happened for Snape for he let go almost immediately. They broke apart and continued to skate. The strange feeling left them both and they just continued as normal for the rest of the night.
They continued to skate like this for an hour and a half until McGonagall came down and had a very surprised look on her face. When they saw her they stopped so suddenly that they nearly fell over. Soraya then looked back in to Snape's eyes. She let go and asked him again only this time with more urgency.
"Why did you tell me that sir?" Snape was about to open his mouth when McGonagall hastily interrupted them. As though she knew what Snape was going to say and stopped him from making a terrible mistake. He nodded when McGonagall looked at him with a slight warning to her eyes.
He was about to leave when Soraya took him by the hand. "Why won't you tell me?" She said this with a burning anger; he wrenched his hand out of her grasp and didn't look back.
"Another time perhaps." He skated back to shore and turned his skates back in to shoes. Soraya watched as he walked back to the castle. She crouched down and punched the ice with a burning anger flooding her body.
"Damn you Snape! When will you stop keeping secrets from me?" McGonagall looked surprised at Soraya's conduct and beckoned her back to shore. Soraya felt angry at Snape, anger showed in her eyes and on her face as McGonagall escorted her back to Griffindor tower. She wasn't surprised that McGonagall didn't ask what the matter was because Soraya knew that whatever Snape was hiding, McGonagall knew about it. There was no point in asking her as Soraya could imagine what McGonagall was going to say. 'It is Serverus's choice to tell you when and where not mine. It just wasn't the right time now. Better for you to finish your school year before he tells you about it!' They didn't talk at all until Soraya got to the entrance of Griffindor tower.
"Are you going to be all right Miss. Griffis?"
"Yes miss, perfectly." She said this in an annoyed tone without turning round to look at her head of house. It was blatantly a lie but McGonagall didn't say anything and let her go on.
"The founders!"
"My, my we are angry today aren't we." She didn't answer the fat lady and just walked in. Soraya said nothing and just went straight up to bed without so much as talking to her friends. Anger just seemed to radiate off her and it was almost scary. So they didn't ask and thought it better to wait until tomorrow. Soraya got changed and pulled the hangings around her bed so sharply they threatened to come off the rings. She tried hard to sleep but stayed up for most of the night and pretended to be asleep when Hermione said her name to check if she was awake. Soraya just couldn't get to sleep as she was still very angry. She ran the tune through her head that she had known since forever and not even that made her feel any calmer. Soraya just couldn't get the image of Snape about to tell her something important out of her head and she had to know.
In the morning she woke up very tired and still angry. But sleep must have siphoned some of it off so her anger wasn't as bad as last night. She went down to the common room and saw her friends there and she thought it best not to tell them. She knew they would be absolutely disgusted if she told them that she spent last night skating with Snape. So she made herself look calm and sighed when they asked her what happened last night.
"Nothing happened...and that's all I can tell you Ok?"
"You do remember what I said in Hagrid's house the other day?"
"I know Harry. But this is something that I really don't want to share, let's just say it's too personal to share with your friends." Hermione was about to say something but Harry quieted her down. So she stayed silent and looked as though Christmas had been cancelled or something.
Then they went over to a corner to talk without Soraya as she stared in to the fire with her thoughts. She noticed they were being secretive and didn't care at all. She was glad that the ice-skating set up was still going on until the end of the holidays. McGonagall had changed places with Professor Dye for the rest of the Christmas holidays. Soraya couldn't help thinking it was her fault. So Soraya apologised for talking to McGonagall the way that she did last night after she had escorted her back to the towers entrance.
"No my dear I am sorry for interrupting your conversation with Serverus...it's just now's not the time."
"I don't suppose you will tell me?" McGonagall looked at Soraya with a piercing look and just sighed. She placed a hand on Soraya's shoulder and looked in to her eyes. Soraya hated this but said nothing. She may be head of Griffindor house but McGonagall could just as easily take points off Griffindor.
"That's for him to tell you at the right time. But it might be better if he tells you at the end of the school year." Soraya knew she was going to say that but just sighed and nodded.
"Besides Samuel's lessons were not going according to plan."
"How miss?"
"Let's just say they didn't take him seriously enough and just mucked around. So a few accidents happened that day that is best not talked about." Soraya nodded and went to the experienced skaters spot.
Professor Dye was there and just stood in the middle of the ice looking at the others and smiling. He had a bit of a relieved look on his face when he was told to swap places with McGonagall. Soraya looked around for Snape when she stayed out late again. But he didn't come out of his office for the rest of the Christmas holidays. She was getting frustrated and just stayed out there until Dye called her back to shore. She did this every night but still there was no sign of Snape. Soraya didn't care eventually and just liked to stay out at night. It was like the majesty of the night in winter had put a spell all of its own on her. The way the moonlight reflected on to the ice and snow and the black velvet of the night against it all was intoxicating. She found it easier to sleep after that night and wasn't so angry anymore.
Then one day they were told to skate by themselves. Amily was very apprehensive about this as she watched the others. So Soraya had an idea.
"I'll tell you what Amily. You know that tune I used to sing to you at the orphanage?"
"Yes."
"Well how about I sing it to you?"
"In front of everyone? Can you do that?"
"Well it makes you calm down then I will."
"Ok." She went out on the ice and Amily was so nervous that she fell over as soon as she got out on the ice. So like Soraya said she started to sing her tune. The notes floated through the air like water. She didn't know where the song came from but she poured her heart and soul in to it. At first everyone stared but she just ignored them and carried on. She didn't notice a shadow behind her looking at the strange scene. Soraya could feel a presence but didn't care; Amily needed her and the song so she didn't stop until Amily had finished her routine.
There was a vast applause but not just for Amily. Some were shocked as they clapped whilst others smiled and some of the girls looked as though they had a tear in their eyes. They loved Soraya's song and asked where she got it from but she just shook her head and admitted that she didn't know. Soraya smiled at Amily who smiled back. Soraya noticed the presence she felt earlier had vanished and thought of that person as just a spectator and nothing more.
The song was talked about for days and asked her to sing it again. But Soraya just refused and enjoyed the rest of the holidays. Soraya savoured each day until the Christmas holidays were over. She was disappointed she didn't get to talk to Snape again before the skating was over and the lake wasn't frozen anymore. The students returned and the castle was alive again with the sound of hundreds of feet. She saw Snape a few times but didn't say anything to him and he did the same.
"Back to lessons and homework then." Ron sighed looking at his homework assignments.
"Oh Ron quit being such a baby! How do you want to be an aurora if you don't learn anything?" Hermione said this in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone that annoyed Ron and so he threw his book of divination at her. So it was business as usual and Dean said Soraya didn't look as pale as she did when he left for Christmas.
"Probably because I'm not almost bleeding to death almost every month Dean."
"Good point."
When Soraya had her first potions lesson with Snape she didn't look up at him and just made her potions. Her stomach plummeted when he asked her to stay behind when the last lesson ended. So she sighed when he came up to her and pulled out a stall in front of her. He sat with his hands clasped together on her table. He looked very serious and Soraya wondered what on earth was going on.
"You wanted to know what I was going to tell you on the ice." At first Soraya shook her head and looked down; but then she slowly nodded. Snape took in a steadying breath and she looked up.
"I visited the Hung's when you were only six years old up until you turned eight. No one else knew as it was mostly at night or when you were on your own."
"You didn't happen to go ice-skating with me did you sir?" Snape nodded and looked her straight in the eyes.
"How did you know?"
"My photographic memory didn't start until I was ten. But sometimes when certain things are said or done I can remember them as clear as day." Snape looked very interested and came closer to her so that their faces were only a foot apart. Soraya moved back a bit for some room to breathe. Then Snape moved back and just studied her for a while. Whatever it was he was expecting her to do or say didn't happen and she just sat there looking right at him.
"You may go now." Soraya grabbed her bag and left the classroom. She ran down the corridor to get as far away from Snape as possible. But in her heart she knew that wasn't what Snape was going to tell her on the ice that night and didn't care. Soraya didn't want to go back and find out because she felt very ill to learn that Snape did have a caring side to him after all.
They were back on old terms when he yelled at Amily in class and she couldn't answer back. So Soraya yelled back at him and he took points off Griffindor. So they were back to hating each other once again. Soraya got her own back by using one of Fred and George's gags and left it in Snape's room. It was a paint bomb and she set it for five minutes when she left her last lesson. His room was now covered in red and gold colours for Griffindor. The Slytherins looked disgusted at his classroom when they came to class the next day. Whereas the Griffindors on the other hand found the room less intimidating. It took three days for the paint to wear off after Filch tried everything he had to shift it. Peeves liked this but didn't say a word as he kept his promise to Soraya. He was still enjoying the latest parcel of gags from Fred and George and was driving Filch round the bend. The gags came by owl post; they agreed it was too dangerous to even attempt going back to Diagon alley by floo powder.
*** Hmm...I'm really no good at writing sensitive stuff like that...hmm. I must have been stoned or drunk or something when I included Snape in to the picture. It's just...how do I say this? Weird! So don't ask me about this, I don't think I even know what I was doing at the time.
Ice and truth
Soraya's first Christmas was the best one she had in ages and wanted it to last forever. On Boxing Day she was surprised to see a new message on the board outside of the Great hall. It was glittering and shimmering as though begging to be read. So Soraya went close to it and read it with interest that quickly turned to excitement.
To anyone it may interest.
Professor Dye
is wiling to give lessons to those that have never skated before and the lessons are free. For those that have already skated before there is a section of ice quartered off from the lessons. Those who wish to participate must sign this notice bellow before 11:00. Those who do not wish to skate and only want to observe their friends can come too. Bare in mind this is for the experienced skaters only. We don't want any accidents from those that are learning by trying to show off for their friends! Those that only have robes must borrow some trousers and a jumper from anyone that has any muggle clothes. As robes aren't suitable for going out on to the ice!
Lessons: 12:00-19:00 meet Professor Dye near the greenhouses
Learners are to meet Professor Dye at green house three.
Those who already know how to skate will meet me in the entrance hall.
I shall not wait longer than ten minutes for late comers!
Professor M. McGonagall Transfiguration teacher and head to Griffindor House.
Soraya and Amily had skating lessons when they were with the Hungs and hadn't skated in years and signed up straight away. They missed skating and were all for going out on the ice again. Soraya sighed as all she had were black clothes and a leather jacket to wear out on to the ice. Her gloves were black too and she looked sadly at her reflection in the mirror trying not to picture how much she looked like Snape's niece now. Hermione tried to help out by giving her some of her clothes but Soraya didn't like pink or light blue.
"It's Ok Hermione I'll go out like this...I just hope he won't show up." Hermione nodded and put her muggle clothes on.
Their friends on the other hand were a bit apprehensive but eventually signed on as spectators. Neville just downright refused and couldn't be coaxed in it no matter what.
"Oh come on Neville it will be really fun!"
"No way! It's bad enough I have accidents in school all the time. With me no matter how thick the ice is I'll probably end up going under it!" Soraya tried hard not to laugh at that and just shook her head in disappointment.
"Ok then Neville, but won't you at least come and watch? Really its great fun skating you'll see, even if you don't go out on to the ice." Neville apprehensively agreed and came with Soraya and Amily to the entrance hall.
Ron didn't want to skate and Harry didn't want to make a fool of himself as much as Ron did. So they eventually signed up as spectators too, Soraya had a sneaking suspicion that Hermione had a word with them. Hermione was taught how to skate before and after she came to Hogwarts so joined the others to the entrance hall. Soraya looked around and saw that not a lot of people were in the experienced section. A lot of pupils were going to the greenhouses with excited looks upon their faces. Ginny waved to Soraya and grinned, Soraya waved back as she saw Ginny heading towards the greenhouses.
No later than ten minutes past twelve they left for the lake just like McGonagall said. Soraya thought it strange to see McGonagall in Muggle clothes and just looked at her for a minute. She was wearing green trousers and a jumper exactly the same colour as her robes. Her hair was still in a tight bun and the strict look on her face was still there with a slight trace of excitement in her eyes. Soraya was looking over to the greenhouses when they past and saw at least half of the students who had stayed for Christmas were there and talking excitedly.
They stopped by a section of the lake that was frozen in no less than five feet of ice. Soraya noticed it was slightly cut off from the rest of the lake probably explaining why it was frozen solid. Soraya read in Hogwarts a history that the lake constantly moves and only certain parts could freeze properly for ice skating. There were only a handful in Soraya's group of experienced skaters compared to the number of students that Professor Dye had. Soraya looked around and recognised very few people as she only knew Hermione and Amily on the ice. McGonagall went out on to the ice and was a bit disappointed to see that very few students went out on to the ice whilst the others stayed to watch their friends. McGonagall didn't feel she needed to do much so she just skated around observing the experienced ones skate. They went in one direction and performed tricks and skated at terrific speeds. Soraya sighed and took her cloak off revealing her black clothes. She put on her skates trying to ignore the stares from her friends.
"Will you stop staring at me like that!"
"Sorry Soraya. But why all the black?"
"Look Harry it was either this or what Hermione's wearing and there is no way I am wearing those!"
"You know what."
"What Ron?"
"I'm not being funny or anything but you do look like Snape a bit." Soraya aimed another snowball at Ron. This time he dodged it as Soraya went out to skate with the others. At first she just skated as she didn't want to do any tricks at all and tried to picture her mother by her side.
Amily on the other hand went all out and only fell down once. She quickly got up again with a big grin on her face. She kept on urging Soraya to perform her tricks out on the ice but Soraya refused. So Amily made her, by trying to trip Soraya up aiming a sweep at her leg. This made Soraya jump in to the air and land in a small spin. McGonagall looked at her with a slight smile that Amily had made Soraya come out of her shell. So Soraya gave up and started performing Lutz's and twirls on the ice without any trouble. Then stopped suddenly as she noticed she was being watched. Soraya turned to the dark forest to see a big shadow looking right at her. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she felt like she recognised this thing from somewhere before and couldn't explain it. She was only taken out of her trance when McGonagall called her name three times.
"Miss. Griffis! What are you staring at? You are in a dream girl and that is not very safe on the ice!" Soraya turned round with a blank look on her face and quickly turned back before replying.
"Nothing miss...nothing at all." The shadow had gone and so Soraya continued skating trying to figure out where she had seen it before.
Then a while later she stopped again only this time next to the bank where she saw the one person she was hoping not to see. Snape was looking at her with an odd expression on his face and then left. Then Dumbledore showed up too with a smile on his face and a proud look in his eyes. He spoke to all of them and they stopped skating immediately to hear what he was saying.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! I haven't seen anything so wondrous in a long time. Do carry on as though I wasn't here as I do love to watch." So they carried on and Dumbledore sat on a nearby tree stump for a while next to the spectators. Harry spoke to Dumbledore and they both looked at Soraya. She saw this and quickly looked away pretending she had not seen this thinking she was imagining things.
Then a while later he too left and went back towards the castle. The skating went on for hours and Soraya was having so much fun that she lost all track of time. She only stopped for short breaks but stayed out on the ice all day. Halfway through McGonagall was replaced by Flitwick and came back for the last few hours. Harry called her later and she turned round to see Hagrid beckoning her over with a smile on his face. She skated over to them and looked up at Hagrid with red cheeks. He handed her some hot tea in a flask and she took it very willingly and glad it wasn't one of his homemade cakes or something. She was having so much fun out on the ice that she forgot about being cold. The tea warmed her up a great deal and Hagrid was still smiling at her.
He waited for Soraya to finish her tea before he spoke. "You skate just like your mother. Loved the ice she did, and didn' stop skating until someone told her too." Soraya looked up at Hagrid and grinned when he said these words. She had forgotten that Hagrid knew her parents and it felt good that someone here besides Dumbledore and Snape did. They talked some more about her parents with her friends listening and talking about their parents too. Soraya noticed Harry seemed distant and didn't blame him...for he knew very little about his parents. But Hagrid noticed this and released some details to Harry he forgot to tell him. Harry looked a little happier after that and smiled feebly.
Then Soraya went back out on to the ice when Hagrid left with his now empty flask. The skating went on well in to the night and everyone started to leave as it got colder. McGonagall said they could stay out until it was time to go to bed for fifth years and up. The other years had to go back to the castle and go to their houses. Soraya said goodbye to Amily and said she will see her soon.
"Come on Soraya its cold!"
"Then you go back Hermione. I'm going to stay out here until I have to go back, and besides McGonagall said she will come out to tell the last one to come in!"
"Ok Soraya see you later." Soraya then realised she was the only one out on the ice, but she didn't care and just kept going. Then when she was sure no one else was around Soraya closed her eyes and spread her arms out as she went in to a slow spin. She imagined what it would have been like skating with her parents. A little girl being lifted in to the air by her father and her mother spinning with her forever.
Then she stopped when someone touched her hand. Soraya skated backwards away from this person and opened her eyes. Snape was standing there in muggle clothes all black like hers, except the jacket wasn't made of leather. He was wearing a long black trench coat that was not so different from his cloak. It billowed behind him as an icy wind blew. Soraya just stared at this man who hates muggles now strangely dressed in muggle clothing.
"You really are a lot like your mother you know, she loved the ice as I do. We used to skate a lot her and I. A long time ago we were two of the few experienced pupils and she was the only person I had left to partner with." There was a long pause. Soraya just stared at him not daring to believe this.
"Why do you tell me this sir?"
"I was fond of your mother for a time until Potter's father came and humiliated me in front of her."
"But I was told you hated people that weren't pure bloods." Snape gave her another piercing look that made her stay silent before he continued. Soraya felt very sick and disgusted that he had a thing for her mother but let him carry on anyway.
"I over heard you talking with Hagrid when you were by the lake. I was on the other side of the tree when he mentioned your parents. Do you know why me and my brother broke apart after school?" Soraya slowly shook her head with a confused looked on her face. She felt like Snape was blaming her for something and felt anger rise within her.
"Potter played an amusing trick on me that wasn't amusing at all. I was skating with your mother and he felt it was very wrong for a Slytherin and a Griffindor to get along. Especially with me! So he used a charm and I called her a dirty half blood in front of everyone. She ran away as I clapped a hand to my mouth. My brother ran after her whilst I faced the wrath of the Griffindors. If there weren't any teachers present then I would have most certainly paid for Potter's little joke. I knew it was him. I saw Potter and his friends looking at me in a corner with a glint of malice in their eyes. I suppose the fact that they had grins the size of broomsticks on their faces would count against them as well. So I ran out to find her to apologise and explain what had happened only to find my brother kissing her behind a tree. He took out his wand when he saw me but gave me a chance to explain what had happened. They believed me of coarse as they had seen what Potter's little gang did to me a few times. But the damage had already been done and they were in love since that day. My brother knew how fond of Rachel I was and didn't stop when he said he loved her and she loved him. We had a fight when he asked for my advice about what he should get her as a birthday present. When school ended we hated each other and as soon as he got home he packed his bags and left. I never heard from him again until out of spite he sent me an invitation inviting me to their wedding. I tore it up and heard news later on that they had you." Snape then sighed when he had finished and looked right at Soraya. She didn't know what to think and just stayed silent for a while.
Then Snape did something very strange. He took Soraya by the hand and they skated together. At first Soraya thought about pulling away but it felt so strange and so right as if she had done this with him before. Soraya closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would have been like to skate back then.
"Sir I don't mean for this to sound weird or anything...but have we done this before?" Snape made no sound to answer her question, so she kept silent as she skated with her uncle.
For the first time Soraya felt completely at ease with him and just couldn't get to grips that she was skating with Snape of all people. When she looked at him his eyes were distant as if he was in a sort of dream and remembering something. Soraya didn't dare wake him from it as this was the first time she actually felt safe around him. The dark aura that usually floated around him vanished. His eyes were so full of life, no longer just dark, soulless, tunnels in his head. Soraya was caught between wanting to run away and staying. What was it she was feeling? Fear or a deep sense of awareness? All she knew was that this feeling was making her heart beat so fast that it ached something terrible. At one point she thought Snape had invaded her head as though he was searching for something. Soraya was more unnerved by this more than anything, it felt as thought someone or something had just reached inside and touched her soul. As though something was there that shouldn't be touched!
She fought free and stared at Snape who stared back in equally the same disturbed way to herself. Soraya was breathing heavily now and so was Snape. Soraya put a hand to her heart and looked down not knowing whether to smile or cry. Crying was definitely out of the question. Soraya hadn't cries for years and couldn't remember how. Snape looked the same way. They stared at each other in a very confused sort of way. Then Snape took her by the hand again, Soraya continued to stare and didn't know what to do. The feeling that happened between them was indescribable. But Soraya was sure about one thing...it frightened her. Snape seemed unnerved by the feeling too, but like her he had mixed thoughts about it too. At first they just looked at one another not knowing what it is they were going to do.
Then he did something she never thought possible of Snape, he took her by the arms when she had his back to him. Then he held her to his heart. For the few seconds he did so the fear left Soraya completely and she felt safe one again. The same must have happened for Snape for he let go almost immediately. They broke apart and continued to skate. The strange feeling left them both and they just continued as normal for the rest of the night.
They continued to skate like this for an hour and a half until McGonagall came down and had a very surprised look on her face. When they saw her they stopped so suddenly that they nearly fell over. Soraya then looked back in to Snape's eyes. She let go and asked him again only this time with more urgency.
"Why did you tell me that sir?" Snape was about to open his mouth when McGonagall hastily interrupted them. As though she knew what Snape was going to say and stopped him from making a terrible mistake. He nodded when McGonagall looked at him with a slight warning to her eyes.
He was about to leave when Soraya took him by the hand. "Why won't you tell me?" She said this with a burning anger; he wrenched his hand out of her grasp and didn't look back.
"Another time perhaps." He skated back to shore and turned his skates back in to shoes. Soraya watched as he walked back to the castle. She crouched down and punched the ice with a burning anger flooding her body.
"Damn you Snape! When will you stop keeping secrets from me?" McGonagall looked surprised at Soraya's conduct and beckoned her back to shore. Soraya felt angry at Snape, anger showed in her eyes and on her face as McGonagall escorted her back to Griffindor tower. She wasn't surprised that McGonagall didn't ask what the matter was because Soraya knew that whatever Snape was hiding, McGonagall knew about it. There was no point in asking her as Soraya could imagine what McGonagall was going to say. 'It is Serverus's choice to tell you when and where not mine. It just wasn't the right time now. Better for you to finish your school year before he tells you about it!' They didn't talk at all until Soraya got to the entrance of Griffindor tower.
"Are you going to be all right Miss. Griffis?"
"Yes miss, perfectly." She said this in an annoyed tone without turning round to look at her head of house. It was blatantly a lie but McGonagall didn't say anything and let her go on.
"The founders!"
"My, my we are angry today aren't we." She didn't answer the fat lady and just walked in. Soraya said nothing and just went straight up to bed without so much as talking to her friends. Anger just seemed to radiate off her and it was almost scary. So they didn't ask and thought it better to wait until tomorrow. Soraya got changed and pulled the hangings around her bed so sharply they threatened to come off the rings. She tried hard to sleep but stayed up for most of the night and pretended to be asleep when Hermione said her name to check if she was awake. Soraya just couldn't get to sleep as she was still very angry. She ran the tune through her head that she had known since forever and not even that made her feel any calmer. Soraya just couldn't get the image of Snape about to tell her something important out of her head and she had to know.
In the morning she woke up very tired and still angry. But sleep must have siphoned some of it off so her anger wasn't as bad as last night. She went down to the common room and saw her friends there and she thought it best not to tell them. She knew they would be absolutely disgusted if she told them that she spent last night skating with Snape. So she made herself look calm and sighed when they asked her what happened last night.
"Nothing happened...and that's all I can tell you Ok?"
"You do remember what I said in Hagrid's house the other day?"
"I know Harry. But this is something that I really don't want to share, let's just say it's too personal to share with your friends." Hermione was about to say something but Harry quieted her down. So she stayed silent and looked as though Christmas had been cancelled or something.
Then they went over to a corner to talk without Soraya as she stared in to the fire with her thoughts. She noticed they were being secretive and didn't care at all. She was glad that the ice-skating set up was still going on until the end of the holidays. McGonagall had changed places with Professor Dye for the rest of the Christmas holidays. Soraya couldn't help thinking it was her fault. So Soraya apologised for talking to McGonagall the way that she did last night after she had escorted her back to the towers entrance.
"No my dear I am sorry for interrupting your conversation with Serverus...it's just now's not the time."
"I don't suppose you will tell me?" McGonagall looked at Soraya with a piercing look and just sighed. She placed a hand on Soraya's shoulder and looked in to her eyes. Soraya hated this but said nothing. She may be head of Griffindor house but McGonagall could just as easily take points off Griffindor.
"That's for him to tell you at the right time. But it might be better if he tells you at the end of the school year." Soraya knew she was going to say that but just sighed and nodded.
"Besides Samuel's lessons were not going according to plan."
"How miss?"
"Let's just say they didn't take him seriously enough and just mucked around. So a few accidents happened that day that is best not talked about." Soraya nodded and went to the experienced skaters spot.
Professor Dye was there and just stood in the middle of the ice looking at the others and smiling. He had a bit of a relieved look on his face when he was told to swap places with McGonagall. Soraya looked around for Snape when she stayed out late again. But he didn't come out of his office for the rest of the Christmas holidays. She was getting frustrated and just stayed out there until Dye called her back to shore. She did this every night but still there was no sign of Snape. Soraya didn't care eventually and just liked to stay out at night. It was like the majesty of the night in winter had put a spell all of its own on her. The way the moonlight reflected on to the ice and snow and the black velvet of the night against it all was intoxicating. She found it easier to sleep after that night and wasn't so angry anymore.
Then one day they were told to skate by themselves. Amily was very apprehensive about this as she watched the others. So Soraya had an idea.
"I'll tell you what Amily. You know that tune I used to sing to you at the orphanage?"
"Yes."
"Well how about I sing it to you?"
"In front of everyone? Can you do that?"
"Well it makes you calm down then I will."
"Ok." She went out on the ice and Amily was so nervous that she fell over as soon as she got out on the ice. So like Soraya said she started to sing her tune. The notes floated through the air like water. She didn't know where the song came from but she poured her heart and soul in to it. At first everyone stared but she just ignored them and carried on. She didn't notice a shadow behind her looking at the strange scene. Soraya could feel a presence but didn't care; Amily needed her and the song so she didn't stop until Amily had finished her routine.
There was a vast applause but not just for Amily. Some were shocked as they clapped whilst others smiled and some of the girls looked as though they had a tear in their eyes. They loved Soraya's song and asked where she got it from but she just shook her head and admitted that she didn't know. Soraya smiled at Amily who smiled back. Soraya noticed the presence she felt earlier had vanished and thought of that person as just a spectator and nothing more.
The song was talked about for days and asked her to sing it again. But Soraya just refused and enjoyed the rest of the holidays. Soraya savoured each day until the Christmas holidays were over. She was disappointed she didn't get to talk to Snape again before the skating was over and the lake wasn't frozen anymore. The students returned and the castle was alive again with the sound of hundreds of feet. She saw Snape a few times but didn't say anything to him and he did the same.
"Back to lessons and homework then." Ron sighed looking at his homework assignments.
"Oh Ron quit being such a baby! How do you want to be an aurora if you don't learn anything?" Hermione said this in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone that annoyed Ron and so he threw his book of divination at her. So it was business as usual and Dean said Soraya didn't look as pale as she did when he left for Christmas.
"Probably because I'm not almost bleeding to death almost every month Dean."
"Good point."
When Soraya had her first potions lesson with Snape she didn't look up at him and just made her potions. Her stomach plummeted when he asked her to stay behind when the last lesson ended. So she sighed when he came up to her and pulled out a stall in front of her. He sat with his hands clasped together on her table. He looked very serious and Soraya wondered what on earth was going on.
"You wanted to know what I was going to tell you on the ice." At first Soraya shook her head and looked down; but then she slowly nodded. Snape took in a steadying breath and she looked up.
"I visited the Hung's when you were only six years old up until you turned eight. No one else knew as it was mostly at night or when you were on your own."
"You didn't happen to go ice-skating with me did you sir?" Snape nodded and looked her straight in the eyes.
"How did you know?"
"My photographic memory didn't start until I was ten. But sometimes when certain things are said or done I can remember them as clear as day." Snape looked very interested and came closer to her so that their faces were only a foot apart. Soraya moved back a bit for some room to breathe. Then Snape moved back and just studied her for a while. Whatever it was he was expecting her to do or say didn't happen and she just sat there looking right at him.
"You may go now." Soraya grabbed her bag and left the classroom. She ran down the corridor to get as far away from Snape as possible. But in her heart she knew that wasn't what Snape was going to tell her on the ice that night and didn't care. Soraya didn't want to go back and find out because she felt very ill to learn that Snape did have a caring side to him after all.
They were back on old terms when he yelled at Amily in class and she couldn't answer back. So Soraya yelled back at him and he took points off Griffindor. So they were back to hating each other once again. Soraya got her own back by using one of Fred and George's gags and left it in Snape's room. It was a paint bomb and she set it for five minutes when she left her last lesson. His room was now covered in red and gold colours for Griffindor. The Slytherins looked disgusted at his classroom when they came to class the next day. Whereas the Griffindors on the other hand found the room less intimidating. It took three days for the paint to wear off after Filch tried everything he had to shift it. Peeves liked this but didn't say a word as he kept his promise to Soraya. He was still enjoying the latest parcel of gags from Fred and George and was driving Filch round the bend. The gags came by owl post; they agreed it was too dangerous to even attempt going back to Diagon alley by floo powder.
*** Hmm...I'm really no good at writing sensitive stuff like that...hmm. I must have been stoned or drunk or something when I included Snape in to the picture. It's just...how do I say this? Weird! So don't ask me about this, I don't think I even know what I was doing at the time.
