Chapter Eleven:
Storm stormed into Dumbledore's office.
"That man has got to be the most irritating, infuriating, confounding, impossible man I have ever had the misfortune to meet." She said angrily.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as if he knew something she didn't.
He stood up and came around his desk and placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at her seriously.
"Calm down." He said, "You don't need to rattle your nerves right now."
Storm closed her eyes in a form of self-control she was practiced with just as a knock came at the door.
"Come in Madam Pomfery." Dumbledore called.
Pomfery bustled in and looked at Storm disapproving, "What's this red faced?!" she pushed Storm down into a chair, "My dear your positively shaking, what's the matter."
"Snape." She said, her voice calmer.
Pomfery pursed her lips, "You two." She said, "I remember when you two both went to school you two fought like an old married couple! If Severus wasn't in the infirmary because of Potter, then he was there because of you, with you."
She glared at the portrait across from her, "Well he's still the same git now as he was then."
"Now honestly, you're both adults." She said exasperated, " And you, what with everything going on, you don't need to be overtaxing yourself."
"It's just, ugh, just being in the same room as him boils my blood."
Pomfery shook her head, "I just don't get it, what about him bugs you so much?"
Storm paused and thought about it, when they were in school, it was jealousy, Snape seemed to be in more favor with her father then she. He held the place by her father's side that she coveted so much in her innocence. Then there had been the betrothal.
She shuddered at the memory of that night.
"Your father wish's to speak with you, misses."
She looked up from her book. It was a Muggle thing she had actually taken from one of the students she'd bullied at school, she'd taken a liking to it, and kept it hidden for she would find herself locked in the dungeons for the rest of the summer.
She slide the book under her pillow and stood up slipping on her soft leather slippers.
"Where is he Tristy?" she asked.
"In the drawing room." The house elf squeaked.
"Very well."
She moved past the house elf with out another word and walked down the hall her slippers slapping the floor silently. The portraits that surrounded her whispered as she past them but she didn't pay any attention.
She walked through the twist and turns of the mansion until she came to a red oak door. She brushed back her hair and straitened her dress. It was a sailor outfit she had gotten for Christmas, the blue skirt came half way to her thighs and the sailor collar had sewn in anchor and lifesaver. She had a white matching hat that she had left on her vanity.
She knocked on the door and immediately received the command to enter.
She opened the door and took several steps in, closing the door behind her. Her father sat at his desk his back to the fire. The walls were covered in shelves that held books and odd sculptures and bottles of things she didn't like staring to long at.
"How old are you now daughter?" he demanded.
She stood a little straighter, "Eleven father, my birthday isn't until August."
"On your eighteenth birthday you will marry Severus. It's already been decided between me and his parent."
She opened her mouth to protest, Severus Snape?! She thought horrified, she hated- no she loathed him. The very sight of him made her angry enough to hex anyone who spoke to her.
"Don't bother saying anything." He said, "It's done and decided. If you ever plan on becoming a part of this family you will have to take responsibility. Severus is of noble blood, and he will be a fine addition to this family. I only tell you this so you may accustom yourself to his presence, as he will be your future husband. Now, leave I have to much work to do without entertaining an eleven year old girl."
She did a small curtsy that wasn't more then a crossing of ankles and a slight bend in the knees and head then turned to leave.
With her hand on the doorknob, she said very quietly to herself, as her first act of defiance, "I will not marry Severus."
She opened the door but it suddenly slammed close before she could leave.
She gasped as her father's fingers grasped the back of her dress and pulled her away from the door.
"What did you say?" his voice seethed with anger.
Her feet weren't touching the floor and the hold on her dress made it difficult to breathe.
"I-I" she stuttered, unable to come up with enough courage to face him.
He shook her, "You cowardly little twit, you will NOT defy me in this!"
He shoved her away sending her tumbling to the floor until her head hit his desk. She half lifted herself up holding her head with one hand. No tears came to her eyes, as long ago she learned never to cry.
He advanced on her and was reaching for his wand when a voice in cut in.
"My Lord."
Voldemort turned around, eyes blazing, "Severus."
"She is still a child yet. She has yet to think of things such as marriage. She still lives in a child's world. Don't take her too seriously, as of yet. I'm sure when she is older she will understand what this is all about."
Voldemort looked back at her, "Get up, and get out of my site."
She hurriedly got to her feet and made her way out the door. As she passed Severus she shot him a glare, he followed her outside.
"I would think you'd be more grateful." He sneered.
She glared at him, "I can handle my father. I don't need you to stick up for me."
He snorted, "Oh yes fine job of handling it, 'I-I'" he mimicked her.
She felt her face get hot and she clenched her fists, "You better hope you don't see me when my father isn't so close, cause next time I'm going to pound your face you slimy roach!"
He used the betrothal to torment her at school.
"Now, sit up strait." Pomfery's voice broke through her train of though.
She sat up obediently. Pomfery pulled a stethoscope from her dress and placed the disk end over Storms lungs.
"Breathe in." Storm obeyed, "Good, breath out."
She repeated the motions a couple more times then put away the stethoscope.
"You sound normal. Now, let's check on the baby." Pomfery said as she pulled out her wand.
She waved her wand around Storms swelling stomach. "Everything's in, I believe we might have been a couple weeks off on our prediction, He's development is ahead of what it should be."
"He?" Storm squeaked.
Pomfery beamed, "Yes, you're going to have a boy!"
"Now take it easy, we don't need another episode like the one before term."
Storm nodded, "I know. I'm taking everything easy."
"Thank you Pomfery." Dumbledore said dismissing her kindly.
She nodded and hurried out.
Dumbledore turned to her, "I have a couple things I wish to speak with you about."
"Sir?" she asked surprised.
"I wish to caution you on forming relationships with your students."
She stilled, Ginny and Hermione, despite the difference for years, were the first real friends she's ever had.
"I don't want the students begin to believe you're favoring them."
She felt a little offended, "Sir, school and my friendship with Hermione and Ginny have nothing to do with each other. Ginny makes rather average grades, and Hermione of course excels, but that's because she's natural bright and spends hours studying. I don't favor my students, Sir, they don't learn that way."
He smiled, "I didn't think you would, but Snape expressed his concerns on the matter."
She huffed, "I should have known, he'd stick his nose into my business."
"Yes well, just be cautious. Now that that's settled, I wish to ask you join the Order."
She blinked, "The Order?"
"Of the Phoenix." He said.
"Sir, I can't, I'm pregnant."
"Yes, Yes, and as a member of the Order it will be able to protect you when he's born. And I do believe you would be a great help to the order."
Storm nodded.
"Your planning strategies are simply genius, and with your knowledge of how Voldemort thinks we could very well end this war much faster and with less blood shed."
"Sir, allow me time to think about this." She asked.
"Of course."
She stood, "Is that all sir?
"Yes," he paused, "Oh no. I found this on my desk this morning."
He pulled out a black envelope with 'Storm' written across it in silver ink. She looked at it curiously, then took it from him.
"Thank you."
"You're most welcome. I'll see you at breakfast then."
She nodded and said good bye then headed back to her room.
A/N: Wow, it's been a while since I've updated. Well I hope you enjoyed the story
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