Title: Designated Harbinger – Secrets Chapter 16: Knock Down - October
Author: Lia Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own HP. No money is being made from this story. My plot and original characters are mine. Do I need to go on?
About this post: We left off with Jessica going over to present her petition to the Slytherins. Costumes for Halloween, remember?
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"Knock, knock."
/Just go away, Carol./ It doesn't work so I try it vocally.
"Go away."
"Come on, Jessica. It can't be that bad." The voice reaches my ears which are buried under the covers.
"Yes, it was. They tore it up! They ****ing tore it up!" I bury my head further into the pillow.
"Don't curse. Alright! Argh. That's it! Just hide. Then what will the Slytherins think? I'll tell you. They'll think you're weak. And they'd be right, too!" Carol said.
/Did she go away yet? I can't tell./ I sit up and peak around my bed curtains. Thankfully, Carol hadn't gotten anyone to remove the spell I'd placed on them. One of the few spells, Mom had taught me so I could have some privacy.
Carol spots me. "There you are. You are acting as if you are a six year old."
"I can sulk if I want to." I glare at her but then remove the spell and pull the curtains back.
"Tell me what happened. It might make you feel better. I want to hear it from you."
Carol had missed her fight with Jarl and the other Slytherins. Groaning, I started to explain. "Okay, okay. It was like this…"
"Zoey had just made a quip about Slytherins, wished my luck, and warned me to be careful. Of course, I was nervous. I mean, Slytherins are known for being anti-muggle. Anyone half-blood or lower is considered dirt. Frankly, I was doubting my ability to even get them to listen to me."
/I didn't have to worry about that, hmm? They heard her, but listen? No./ I kneel on the bed facing Carol and continue.
"It went fine at first. I just walked up and started talking. No one even interrupted me. I didn't squeak or stutter once. Then I set the petition on the table. I was near the other first years. I'm mean where else would I be? Confronting seventh years? No way."
"When I started to walk away, it started. I had said my spill, gave them reasons for wearing costumes, and then left it up to them. Let them decide, I thought. But no, they didn't even pass it around. They laughed. Laughed like hyenas."
"I guess I shouldn't of asked them. When I turned back to see what was happening I found the parchment torn up. Jarl was finishing up the job. I stomped over and demanded to know what he thought he was doing."
"Do you want to know how he answered me? Do you, really?" I feel so angry just thinking about it. My fists clench.
"What did they say?" Carol asks with a small frown.
I stand up and begin pacing which probably looked kinda funny since I'm still on the bed.
"He said that 'That is what we think of Muggle traditions. Why don't you go back to the USA if you love them so much?' I couldn't think of a quick come back and they were still laughing. I think all I said was 'Closed minded bigot' and walked away."
I flop back down and wait to see what she thinks.
"It sounds like you're upset that you didn't fight back more. Maybe he said something that hit you too close to home?"
I frown, thinking about it. "Like what?"
Carol looks serious. "Maybe you do wish you were back in America."
Looking at my friend blankly, I release a deep breath. "You might be right. I do miss my hometown, Christy, even my old school. Do you know that Christy and me used to be a couple of pranksters?"
Shaking her blonde curls, Carol says, "Not really. Well, a little maybe. So, what do you plan to do now? I think your standing among the Slytherin may have suffered a bit. Not a complete failure, yet a blow nether less."
Sighing, I turn over and stare at the ceiling. "I don't know. I'll think of something, but it probably won't be great. Thanks, Carol. You know? I am feeling better."
Carol smiles. "Your welcome." Then headed downstairs to study in the common room.
A few days later…
"Miss Bradley. Wait a moment."
I stop walking out the classroom. Alex glances back, then continues down the hallway. They were the last ones out of Potions.
Watching my relative closely, I wonder what this is all about. /Am I in trouble for leaving the petition outside the Slytherin Common Room?/ When he didn't say anything, I speak, "Yes, Professor?"
Arms crossed, he glared down at me. /Almost seems like he's about to start growling./ I would of found the stance funny on any other person. Not on Snape.
"Clearly, my warning to you has been disregarded. Already you have gotten yourself into a predicament," he sneers.
Smiling nervously, I say, "I'm not sure what you mean, sir."
If possible, his glare increases. "I find that extremely doubtful. The only question I have for you is how."
"How?" Surely my voice sounded innocent.
"How did you find the entrance to Slytherin? Do not evade the question."
My stomach tightens, a symptom of guilt. /Damn it. I didn't think of this. No one is suppose to know about my abilities. What do I say? Hmm, let's try avoidance./
"Why would I want to know where Slytherin is, sir?"
"Don't mock me, girl. I found that parchment scrap of yours outside the entry. Fortunately for you none of the students stepped across it."
Of course, I had already figured out what he was talking about. After all, creeping about in the dungeons wasn't something I imagined myself doing. So soon, that is.
I had trailed my hand along the wall as I walked the dungoens. Most of the time feeling nothing but the clammy cold stone walls. At times I had stopped and frowned in confusion. When I decided that spot wasn't the enterance, I'd continue searching.
Finally I found it in an out of the way corridor. The energy there was strong. Only the Potions classroom was stronger. So I placed the new petition on the floor by the entry hoping some curious Slytherin would pick it up. This time, however, I had the petition charmed to be nearly indestructible thanks to Professor Flitwick.
If any of the Slytherins were brave enough to sign the Petition they could. Now I only had to worry about their reactions. They would no doubt be wondering how I managed to drop the petition there, right where their common room is located. After all, which Slytherin would tell that secret or however could a first year find out on her own?
I had not accounted for Snape finding it first. After musing a moment, I finally ask, "None of them saw or signed it?"
He smiles grimly. She practically admitted placing it. Not that it wasn't an easy guess. However, how she found it was the real question.
"I did not say that. A few signed. I doubt their costumes would have anything to do with Muggles. Now, answer the question."
A sigh escapes me as I look away. I didn't want to lie, but couldn't tell him the truth. Not yet. It seems that he doesn't know that Mom married a psychic after all.
"I'm sorry, sir. It's not something I'm allowed to explain. All I can say is that it is a family secret."
He looks angry and disappointed with her. "I am family and I do not know how you were able to discover the location."
/Did I hurt his feelings?/ I grimace a bit, then say, "My Dad's family."
"They are Muggles! How could they possibly find their way around here? They wouldn't even be able to see Hogwarts," he voices quite loudly.
I didn't say anything, I couldn't. Professor Snape stared at her probably hoping she'd crack under his inspection. When it became obvious to him that I wouldn't speak, he growls in frustration.
"You may leave. Fifteen points from Ravenclaw." He dismisses her.
She nods jerkily. The points hurt, but not as much as the disappointment I felt come off him.
"Yes, sir. And thanks. For the petition, I mean. If I could tell you I would, but I promised Dad I wouldn't. Ah, leaving now. See you next class?" I ramble before starting towards the exit.
A curt nod from him and a fleeting smile from me later, I left.
Authors Note (Read this please):
Again sorry for the late delivery. What can I say? Yeah, I tend to be a procrastinator, but this is a little too much for that excuse. Truth is some bad things were happening in my family. Yep, a little soap opera of my own little sphere of influence. Oh, and this fall, we'll be moving to Florida. So, busy times ahead.
On a brighter note - future plans: I received some inspiration. Some plot problems were been bugging me have now been solved. Never fear, I not changing any of the plot already planned. As I've said before. This will be a series. The problems I'm talking about were what to happen in Jessica's sixth and seventh year. Let me just tell you this. It's a dozy. I got excited just imagining it. Lots of action. The events also fit very well with both the Potterverse and in the Psychic realm. Now if only we can get there.
Immediate happenings: The next few posts aren't going to be big on the action folks. Expect detective work at solving the mystery.
Next Update: I have the next chapter already written out. At first it was a continuation to this one, but it turned out to be too long. I am also wondering how many people are still reading this story.
Therefore, I will only post the next chapter when I get at least 4 reviews. I want to know what you think of this story, your guesses about where it's heading, and any constructive criticism you may have. This far in, I might as well tell you all that this is my first fanfic story. I love the plot I have but would feel better knowing if any of you like it as well.
Reviews make the muses happy. So, Review please.
PS: I wrote another story. No original characters. Tom/Ginny fic called Save Me. Interested? I may or may not continue it. As it is, I'm happy with it.