Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 17: Snape's Goodbyes
News of Professor Gellman's fate was around the school completely the very next morning. Tyler heard many stories of people's thoughts on the event. Some thought Gellman was attacked by another teacher, hit by Death Eaters, purposely injured himself to leave Hogwarts and so on. Tyler and Jacke, however, alone knew Gellman's true fate. They were discussing it on the grounds, trying to avoid breakfast, which started in two minutes, discussing what happened. It seemed their move wasn't too unnoticed because Reggie and Brad caught up to them. Brad spoke first.
"Guys, can we ask you something?"
"Ok," said Tyler. He had a feeling what they were going to ask.
"Did you guys attack Professor Gellman?" asked Reggie. It was clear they weren't wasting time with awkwardness.
"It wasn't our fault" said Jacke. "We just lost control because Gellman startled us and we just...lost hold."
"We didn't mean to hurt him" added Tyler. "Do you guys think we did it on purpose or something?"
"No, we know you guys didn't do it on purpose. I mean, you did only learn how to START using manipulation not even an hour before that."
"I still believe that there are problems to be thought of other than that Brad! You two could've been caught and have been in serious trouble. If Gellman wasn't so critically then you could've ended in a worse fix than getting expelled. You could've been tried for Dark Art treachery."
"It's okay Reggie. We are fine and are obviously not being expelled. Don't worry. Besides you heard, he was sent to St. Mungo's. No one even truly knows what happened but us. It looks like we really let him get it to the head, didn't we Tyler?"
"Yep. I guess we're getting too powerful for our own good."
Tyler didn't want to tell any of them of the Memory Charm that he used on Gellman. It was a big thing that he had to make him forget and he couldn't risk it being removed. His father taught him that a powerful wizard could break the memory charm so Tyler couldn't hold back when he hit Gellman. Should Dumbledore find out then his family would be tried and punished in place of their relative Tom Riddle. He resulted in sending him to St. Mungo's but he had not other choice. But he'll recover later on, he won't remember anything about his teaching job at Hogwarts, but he'll recover.
"Well I guess we're going to be in an interesting spot for the rest of the term" continued Reggie.
"How?" asked Jacke.
"Professor Gellman is gone so how is the school going to give us Defense classes anymore? I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
They didn't wait long. They returned to the Great Hall, which had everyone still having breakfast. They sat at their tables to eat a little before classes but 1 minute later, Dumbledore called for attention. The four listened while they ate.
"I'm sure you're aware but to those who aren't. Professor Gellman won't be teaching at Hogwarts any longer due to an accident he suffered. Now your defense classes will have to be put on hold up until a new replacement can be found. For now, all defense classes will be canceled."
The rest of the month went by really quick especially with the added workload given by the teachers. They were getting them ready for their upcoming end of year tests in one month's time.
The four new elementals also used the most of the former defense times that they used to have classes with to their advantage. All of them had those classes alone with their own house and during those times they, in turn, went to the secret cave and trained. Tyler thought that controlling the eel's let out lightning was going great. He felt complete control when he 'played' with it. Even the others said that their control was getting better and better every time they practiced.
May had also come and it was time for Tyler to go and help with Severus' memories at the grounds. When it was time (3:30) Tyler left the common room with Matt and headed toward the lake. Severus was already there with a camera and a stand nearby. Regulus was also there and they seemed to be waiting for them.
"We're here guys!" called out Tyler.
"Oh good. I started to think that you two might not show up at all for this."
"Please Severus, you shouldn't have thought that Tyler and I would forget something as important as this," said Matt.
"No...I shouldn't have from you guys. Let's get to it then."
Severus could've passed for a photography expert of the Daily Prophet. He had them in all kinds of arrangements and positions that Tyler felt like a celebrity. Then he put them into all the possible two and three person combinations that they could go into. Then, finally, came the final picture: all four of them together, laughing, being friends.
When they were getting ready for this, Tyler went into sentimental thought. As much as he liked Jacke, Brad and Reggie, it just wasn't the same with Severus, Regulus and Matt. They were Slytherins just like him, part of the same house, so it was different with them. Not that they were closer to him than the others, it was just different. It was like Jacke, Brad and Reggie were like his self made brothers that he couldn't imagine being without but Matt, Severus and Regulus were almost as born brothers in blood because of their house. He needed both.
"Um...er...Severus? Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, what is it Tyler?"
"I was wondering, if it was possible if I could get a copy of this picture?"
"Tell you what, I'll make copies for all of you later today when I take these to Hogsmeade in ten minutes. Okay?"
"Thanks." said all three.
"Ok, it's set" he said after fixing the camera up on the stand and running to them. "Lets all smile and say 'Slytherins'."
"Slytherins" said all four of them and the camera flashed leaving all four laughing and smiling in complete joy afterward.
After a bit of laughing and playing around, Severus called for their attention. "Mates, listen. Out of all my years of Hogwarts, I never had quite a year like this one. We had good times and bad times. We helped each other survive things like the Marauders' pranks. I, especially, can't thank you enough Tyler for ridding that awful prank they put on the main route to the common room with the portrait insulting me."
"It was my pleasure Severus. I was glad to do it."
"Yes and that's not all. You didn't care of my status as the best curser in Slytherin or just hung around me to get an audience. You were with me in normal times and talked of normal things and had fun and joking times together. I'll never forget that about any of you. You all became like little brothers to me."
"Just as you were a big brother to us," said Matt.
"Yeah and you're funny, watchful and just great to be around too" added Regulus.
"Well, you three out of all of Slytherin, were the best in my eyes," continued Severus. "I'll really miss you all when I leave the school at the end of next month. And I hope you'll be okay without me Tyler. Your friendship with your out of house group could get you in a bigger fix as time goes on."
"Don't worry Severus. If I can handle the 7th year Marauders then I'll be okay as time goes on. Trust me. And I'm sure we'll keep in contact after you go. We could still get letters from each other, couldn't we?"
"Yes, we could. It will still be weird without you all. It's even weird now that we'll be together like this for just 2 more months. It's a little sad when you think about it. Well, I better get going into Hogsmeade so I can get these developed."
"Wait" said Tyler.
"What's wrong Tyler?"
"You never told us your upcoming plans at the end of this year."
"Oh...I'm going to learn more about dark arts, potions and other things. And...my father set me up with" then he lowered his voice "the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters."
"Oh" said Tyler. He had completely forgotten of Severus'dad, who joined with the Death Eaters, was trying to recruit his son. Apparently, he had succeeded in doing so.
"Do you want to do this Severus?" asked Regulus.
"Well...my dad put effort into this so I might as well use it. Merlin knows that I'll be safe from this chaos as well if I do."
"Will you?"
"What do you mean Tyler?"
"That's all I'm saying Severus. You'll find out soon enough I think."
It was then that all four had, without words, said that this topic was over.
"Sorry guys but I do have to go. I'll see you later with the pictures."
"Tell YOU what," said Regulus. "I'll go with you. I have to buy a new quill anyway. Bye Matt. Bye Tyler."
"Bye" said Matt and Tyler together.
Regulus and Severus took off for Hogsmeade. Only 3rd years and above were allowed to go so Matt and Tyler had to be left behind.
"Hey Tyler, why don't we head back to the common room?"
"No, I'll stay here. I'm gonna be up in like 10 more minutes. I want to take in a bit more of the view."
"Ok. Tell you what Solemn. I'll save you a seat on our usual couch. Later then."
Matt left Tyler at the front of the lake in his trade marking deep thoughts. He thought of how said it'd be without Severus there to hang with anymore. Also it would limit his slytherin friends to only Matt and Regulus. Also, Severus was the first Slytherin to accept the fact of his interhouse friendships before the other two. It sure was going to be different after he left Hogwarts.
"I'm going to miss him," said Tyler to himself.
He then got up and set course to the castle. He trudged up to the common room and sat with Matt, playing some wizard chess. Tyler won.
End of Chapter 17
I'm not the weakest link: It's my pleasure to welcome you to our little gathering here. I'm glad you enjoy my story.
Author Notes:
This is the end of chapter 17. It looks like Tyler is getting a little emotional for his age but he hasn't had friends. Remember that. The next chapter will be up pretty soon. It's the last chapter in Elements of Transformation. "Until Next Year Tyler". This will have the ride home for Tyler as well as many goodbyes from all six of his friends. Don't worry. I'm already working on the sequel.
On a book related note, has anyone ever noticed the resemblance that the Gryffindors have with the Marauders. Harry of course, resembling his father. Ron is resembling his best friend Sirius. Hermione is representing Remus' role of things like reminding them of the rules and stuff. Neville is representing Peter's clumsy nature. Just thought I should let that out.
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