Disclaimer/Author Note/Rating: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers, legal info, etc.
Go raibh maith agaibh:
I've hit the 100 review milestone! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story… This is the first time I've hit triple digits for a review! My apologies, however, for my lack of personal email responses... I haven't been getting review notifications since had all the server trouble last week. I just found all of your reviews a few minutes ago...!
Rushumble… You were my 100th review! Thanks so much. I would hardly call myself a pro at Tarot (an apprentice, maybe) but I'm glad you liked the reading.
Twistedmind… Thanks for the push on how Snape would project his hurt. I'd thought about that but when I looked at this next chapter, you made me realize it needed a wee bit more. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Lady of the Dog Star… I don't think your reviews sound the same. It tells me I'm being consistent, but don't ever be reluctant to tell me if something doesn't work for you.
Silverthreads… Thank you, thank you!
Mercury Gray… Thanks for commenting on the emotions. I really did try to keep it realistic.
Trina/Leonora… Never fear, this is not the end of the story… not yet, at least.
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Chapter 22: Hell Hath No Fury
On Monday, Professor Snape sat in his classroom. There were dark circles under his eyes; he hadn't slept at all since Serena had confronted him with the letter the night before. He was miserable. That morning, he tried to talk to her again, explain to her why he hadn't said anything, but all he'd gotten was a wall of ice from Serena. The door to his classroom opened abruptly and Oliver Wood hurried in, his robes streaming behind him.
"What is it, Wood?" Severus voice was bored, and it bordered on a sneer. He didn't have the time or the patience to deal with Wood right now.
"What did you do to her?" Oliver's voice carried an accusation.
Snape surged up from his chair and stalked around his desk. How dare that insolent little git… "Pardon me? What did you say?" he thundered. Under the full force of Snape's stare, Oliver blanched but he didn't back off.
"Professor Castleton-Black. What did you do to her? I just went to drop something off in her office and I found her crying!" Oliver was beside himself.
"How dare you!" But inside, Severus felt the stinging stab of guilt that tore through him. "My personal life – and Professor Castleton-Black's personal life – are none of your concern. Good day!"
Oliver was still furious. He pointed at Snape, "Whatever you've done, make it right!" He stormed out of the room without another word, leaving an infuriated Professor behind him. Outside, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood dumbfounded and they ran after Wood.
"Bloody hell, Wood!" said Ron. "What was that about? Snape's going to kill you."
"And he's going to be in a lovely mood for our class," grumbled Harry.
Wood stopped and the color drained out of his face. "I just yelled at Professor Snape," he said. I'm going to be expelled… well, if I am, it was worth it!
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"Professor Castleton-Black," he said. "I found her crying in her office… She tried to hide it, but I saw. I… I've seen girls cry like that after they've broken up with their boyfriend… I knew he must have done something to hurt her…"
"And no one hurts the love of your life, right?" said Hermione in an attempt to make him smile.
Oliver's shoulders fell. "I know she won't ever go out with me," he said softly, "but yes, Hermione, I'm completely in love with her. Maybe I can't have her, but I surely can want her to be happy, can't I?"
For once, Hermione didn't have an answer.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron lingered in the hall as long as they could, wishing more than anything that they could skip their potions class. Finally, even Draco and his cronies arrived and they knew they were out of time. As they all came in, Snape slid out from behind his desk. Longbottom shrank down in his chair despite the fact that Snape hadn't even looked at him.
"I'm glad you were able to work class into your busy schedules," growled Snape. The six students still standing froze. Snape looked up at the clock on the wall; it was one minute past the start of class. "You will all be serving a detention for being tardy. Report to Mr. Filch after dinner."
"Filch? You've got to be kidding!" said Malfoy as Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other, stunned.
Snape turned to Malfoy, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Another word out of you, Malfoy, and you'll have detention for the week. I'm sure Hagrid would be able to find some sort of animal that needs its cage cleaned…"
Draco was horrified. Snape was the Head of Slytherin House. He almost NEVER gave Slytherin students detention, much less give it to them with Filch or Hagrid.
"Now," said Snape from the front of the class, "in addition to today's assignment, you'll all be preparing an essay about the uses of spider weed in the creation and distillation of truth potions. I expect them handed in before the end of the week."
The class didn't dare groan.
A few hours after Snape's class, they walked reluctantly in to the Defense Against Dark Arts room. Word of Serena's foul mood had begun to circulate on the campus just after the second class of the day. Serena was leaning on her table, arms folded, with a dark scowl on her face. Her eyes looked a little red and Harry thought back to what Wood said earlier: that he'd surprised her and found the Professor crying.
"Do you think they broke up?" whispered Ron. "I mean, I can't think of anything else."
"You're dead on this time," said Harry.
The class was silent, all watching Serena. Finally she raised her eyes a little and focused on them. Her scowl didn't lessen in the slightest.
"Journals and quills out," said Serena. There was a note of iron control in her voice that made all of the students try to be as small as possible in their chairs. They hadn't wanted Snape to notice them and now they didn't want Professor Castleton-Black noticing them either.
"For the remainder of this class," she said, "I want you to expound on your theories about how the concept of deception factors in to both Dark Arts and the defense against them. Hand in whatever you have completed before you leave at the end of class. And no talking. Are you all clear with the assignment?"
"Yes, Professor." The answer was unanimous and immediate.
As they started to write, Harry looked up once. Professor Castleton-Black was sitting at her desk, leaning back in her chair. She was staring out the window and absently toying with a few strands of hair. For a moment, Harry realized how shiny her eyes were.
For the remainder of the week, the silent war between Professor Snape and Professor Castleton-Black continued, charging the atmosphere in both of their classrooms. By the start of the next week, Serena was projecting a happier – or at least more reasonable – face to the world.
"Did you have a good weekend, dear?" asked Minerva McGonagall after dinner.
"Yes, it was lovely. I went back to Ireland and visited a few places. It was a nice way to clear my mind," answered Serena. She stopped walking and folded her arms as she saw Snape making a direct line for the two of them. McGonagall looked from one to the other.
"Serena," he said. "I want to talk to you…"
"I have no desire to talk to you," she snapped back.
"At least give me a chance," he said. "You're being unreasonable…"
"Unreasonable?" She flared. "Oh, I don't think it is unreasonable at all."
"Things aren't what you…"
"Aren't what I think? You deceived me… I think that's pretty damn clear. You knew how I'd feel when I found out you were a Death Eater. You're a fool if you thought I wouldn't care. Or maybe you did know I'd care. Maybe it was just an amusing distraction for you..."
McGonagall's eyes rounded, finally understanding what had caused the rift between the two. It's what I worried would happen, she thought to herself. She remembered her own shock and concern w hen, several years ago, Dumbledore had brought Severus Snape to the Order of the Phoenix, telling them all about Snape's defection from the Death Eaters and his desire to root them out. She, herself, had been terribly upset and she didn't even have half the cause that Serena did. Minerva McGonagall felt sorry for Snape.
Serena stepped up towards him and through gritted teeth said, "Listen to me, Severus Snape. I don't care what you have to say. You deceived me and betrayed my trust. Not another word comes out of your mouth, do you understand me? I don't want to hear any of it, and I certainly don't want to see you. Stay away from me." She pushed past him, bumping him with her shoulder and stalked away. Snape stood there for a minute and then walked away himself without ever looking at McGonagall.
Back in his room, just before retiring for bed, Snape finished a glass of wine and rubbed the bridge of his nose. I left the Death Eaters years ago. I rejected them. I've worked against them, and they have still managed to destroy everything good in my life. He looked at his arm, wishing he could simply take a knife and dig out the Dark Mark that was hidden there and throw it away forever. But he would never be free, he knew, until Voldemort was destroyed.
In her own cottage, Serena woke up from a dream. She and Severus had been on a magic carpet, skimming above the clouds. She had been laughing, loving the wind in her face and the feel of his arms around her waist. She reached out and touched the extra pillow next to her, running her hand over where his head would have been. Her heart ached.
"Curious," she said out loud. "Even now, Severus is never part of my nightmares. My happiest dreams are still about him…" It took her a long time for Serena Castleton-Black to go back to sleep.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Please read/review and let me know what you think! Next chapter, there is more Malificus… Thanks again for all of your great feedback, but make sure you tell me if something doesn't click in any of these chapters… Looking forward to hearing from all readers, both old and new!
Go raibh maith agaibh:
I've hit the 100 review milestone! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story… This is the first time I've hit triple digits for a review! My apologies, however, for my lack of personal email responses... I haven't been getting review notifications since had all the server trouble last week. I just found all of your reviews a few minutes ago...!
Rushumble… You were my 100th review! Thanks so much. I would hardly call myself a pro at Tarot (an apprentice, maybe) but I'm glad you liked the reading.
Twistedmind… Thanks for the push on how Snape would project his hurt. I'd thought about that but when I looked at this next chapter, you made me realize it needed a wee bit more. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Lady of the Dog Star… I don't think your reviews sound the same. It tells me I'm being consistent, but don't ever be reluctant to tell me if something doesn't work for you.
Silverthreads… Thank you, thank you!
Mercury Gray… Thanks for commenting on the emotions. I really did try to keep it realistic.
Trina/Leonora… Never fear, this is not the end of the story… not yet, at least.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chapter 22: Hell Hath No Fury
On Monday, Professor Snape sat in his classroom. There were dark circles under his eyes; he hadn't slept at all since Serena had confronted him with the letter the night before. He was miserable. That morning, he tried to talk to her again, explain to her why he hadn't said anything, but all he'd gotten was a wall of ice from Serena. The door to his classroom opened abruptly and Oliver Wood hurried in, his robes streaming behind him.
"What is it, Wood?" Severus voice was bored, and it bordered on a sneer. He didn't have the time or the patience to deal with Wood right now.
"What did you do to her?" Oliver's voice carried an accusation.
Snape surged up from his chair and stalked around his desk. How dare that insolent little git… "Pardon me? What did you say?" he thundered. Under the full force of Snape's stare, Oliver blanched but he didn't back off.
"Professor Castleton-Black. What did you do to her? I just went to drop something off in her office and I found her crying!" Oliver was beside himself.
"How dare you!" But inside, Severus felt the stinging stab of guilt that tore through him. "My personal life – and Professor Castleton-Black's personal life – are none of your concern. Good day!"
Oliver was still furious. He pointed at Snape, "Whatever you've done, make it right!" He stormed out of the room without another word, leaving an infuriated Professor behind him. Outside, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood dumbfounded and they ran after Wood.
"Bloody hell, Wood!" said Ron. "What was that about? Snape's going to kill you."
"And he's going to be in a lovely mood for our class," grumbled Harry.
Wood stopped and the color drained out of his face. "I just yelled at Professor Snape," he said. I'm going to be expelled… well, if I am, it was worth it!
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"Professor Castleton-Black," he said. "I found her crying in her office… She tried to hide it, but I saw. I… I've seen girls cry like that after they've broken up with their boyfriend… I knew he must have done something to hurt her…"
"And no one hurts the love of your life, right?" said Hermione in an attempt to make him smile.
Oliver's shoulders fell. "I know she won't ever go out with me," he said softly, "but yes, Hermione, I'm completely in love with her. Maybe I can't have her, but I surely can want her to be happy, can't I?"
For once, Hermione didn't have an answer.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron lingered in the hall as long as they could, wishing more than anything that they could skip their potions class. Finally, even Draco and his cronies arrived and they knew they were out of time. As they all came in, Snape slid out from behind his desk. Longbottom shrank down in his chair despite the fact that Snape hadn't even looked at him.
"I'm glad you were able to work class into your busy schedules," growled Snape. The six students still standing froze. Snape looked up at the clock on the wall; it was one minute past the start of class. "You will all be serving a detention for being tardy. Report to Mr. Filch after dinner."
"Filch? You've got to be kidding!" said Malfoy as Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other, stunned.
Snape turned to Malfoy, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Another word out of you, Malfoy, and you'll have detention for the week. I'm sure Hagrid would be able to find some sort of animal that needs its cage cleaned…"
Draco was horrified. Snape was the Head of Slytherin House. He almost NEVER gave Slytherin students detention, much less give it to them with Filch or Hagrid.
"Now," said Snape from the front of the class, "in addition to today's assignment, you'll all be preparing an essay about the uses of spider weed in the creation and distillation of truth potions. I expect them handed in before the end of the week."
The class didn't dare groan.
A few hours after Snape's class, they walked reluctantly in to the Defense Against Dark Arts room. Word of Serena's foul mood had begun to circulate on the campus just after the second class of the day. Serena was leaning on her table, arms folded, with a dark scowl on her face. Her eyes looked a little red and Harry thought back to what Wood said earlier: that he'd surprised her and found the Professor crying.
"Do you think they broke up?" whispered Ron. "I mean, I can't think of anything else."
"You're dead on this time," said Harry.
The class was silent, all watching Serena. Finally she raised her eyes a little and focused on them. Her scowl didn't lessen in the slightest.
"Journals and quills out," said Serena. There was a note of iron control in her voice that made all of the students try to be as small as possible in their chairs. They hadn't wanted Snape to notice them and now they didn't want Professor Castleton-Black noticing them either.
"For the remainder of this class," she said, "I want you to expound on your theories about how the concept of deception factors in to both Dark Arts and the defense against them. Hand in whatever you have completed before you leave at the end of class. And no talking. Are you all clear with the assignment?"
"Yes, Professor." The answer was unanimous and immediate.
As they started to write, Harry looked up once. Professor Castleton-Black was sitting at her desk, leaning back in her chair. She was staring out the window and absently toying with a few strands of hair. For a moment, Harry realized how shiny her eyes were.
For the remainder of the week, the silent war between Professor Snape and Professor Castleton-Black continued, charging the atmosphere in both of their classrooms. By the start of the next week, Serena was projecting a happier – or at least more reasonable – face to the world.
"Did you have a good weekend, dear?" asked Minerva McGonagall after dinner.
"Yes, it was lovely. I went back to Ireland and visited a few places. It was a nice way to clear my mind," answered Serena. She stopped walking and folded her arms as she saw Snape making a direct line for the two of them. McGonagall looked from one to the other.
"Serena," he said. "I want to talk to you…"
"I have no desire to talk to you," she snapped back.
"At least give me a chance," he said. "You're being unreasonable…"
"Unreasonable?" She flared. "Oh, I don't think it is unreasonable at all."
"Things aren't what you…"
"Aren't what I think? You deceived me… I think that's pretty damn clear. You knew how I'd feel when I found out you were a Death Eater. You're a fool if you thought I wouldn't care. Or maybe you did know I'd care. Maybe it was just an amusing distraction for you..."
McGonagall's eyes rounded, finally understanding what had caused the rift between the two. It's what I worried would happen, she thought to herself. She remembered her own shock and concern w hen, several years ago, Dumbledore had brought Severus Snape to the Order of the Phoenix, telling them all about Snape's defection from the Death Eaters and his desire to root them out. She, herself, had been terribly upset and she didn't even have half the cause that Serena did. Minerva McGonagall felt sorry for Snape.
Serena stepped up towards him and through gritted teeth said, "Listen to me, Severus Snape. I don't care what you have to say. You deceived me and betrayed my trust. Not another word comes out of your mouth, do you understand me? I don't want to hear any of it, and I certainly don't want to see you. Stay away from me." She pushed past him, bumping him with her shoulder and stalked away. Snape stood there for a minute and then walked away himself without ever looking at McGonagall.
Back in his room, just before retiring for bed, Snape finished a glass of wine and rubbed the bridge of his nose. I left the Death Eaters years ago. I rejected them. I've worked against them, and they have still managed to destroy everything good in my life. He looked at his arm, wishing he could simply take a knife and dig out the Dark Mark that was hidden there and throw it away forever. But he would never be free, he knew, until Voldemort was destroyed.
In her own cottage, Serena woke up from a dream. She and Severus had been on a magic carpet, skimming above the clouds. She had been laughing, loving the wind in her face and the feel of his arms around her waist. She reached out and touched the extra pillow next to her, running her hand over where his head would have been. Her heart ached.
"Curious," she said out loud. "Even now, Severus is never part of my nightmares. My happiest dreams are still about him…" It took her a long time for Serena Castleton-Black to go back to sleep.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Please read/review and let me know what you think! Next chapter, there is more Malificus… Thanks again for all of your great feedback, but make sure you tell me if something doesn't click in any of these chapters… Looking forward to hearing from all readers, both old and new!