Chapter 9 – Encounter With Snape
Their last class for the first day was double potions with the Slytherins; each year the two houses had been put together it was like a punishment Snape devised for them especially.
Standing outside the classroom waiting for the beginning of what they thought as hell.
"So is anyone going to tell me what is to bad about potions, that you guys look like you are all going to your very own execution?"
"Snape..." Harry Replied.
"Malfoy..." Ron stated.
"Oh come on you guys, its not that bad; true potions can be ...umm trying."
"Hermione come on Snape hates Gryffindor and the only house he likes is his own."
"Ron!"
"Oh come on its true."
"Enter" Snape hissed from the door to the potions classroom. "Today we will be making Catonius Raptus this potion had a unique effect. Does anyone no what it would be?"
Hermione rose her hand in the air; Snape glanced at her and then over to the Slytherins. "I see no one knows the answer, which means no one did their homework. For you information this potion when brewed correctly will result in putting a person into a sleep which appears to be a coma, the antidote which you will learn to brew on Friday must be administered within 1 week.'
Katherine frowned and whispered to Ron, "Why didn't he ask Hermione?"
"Ms Summers you are talking in class 10 points from Gryffindor." Katherine sat shocked. "Collect your ingredients and begin instructions are on page 13 of you text. Remember that you must add the leeks wood before you at the catstail shells."
"So what the hell was that with Snape, Ron?"
"As we said before, it was just Snape being Snape."
"I can't believe he gets away with that, I mean we had some mean teachers at St Margot's but come on."
"Mr. Longbottom you potion is to thick 15 points from Gryffindor" which was the result of Malfoy and his baboons tampering.
"Ms Summers, you should be finished by now and you would be if you had not been talking with Mr. Weasley instead of doing what you should be doing." Malfoy sniggered at the conversation.
"Where do you get off talking to people like that?"
"You maybe new but you have a thing or two to learn 30 points from Gryffindor now sit down and finish you potion, before I give you a detention."
"Who do you think you are, YOU CANT TREAT PEOPLE LIKE THINGS, I don't know what pole you have up your butt but I think you should see a nurse about its removal. Also I see how you look done at Muggleborns and you should know that muggles as you call them have more manners then you ever will or have had."
Then the glass beakers around the room exploded and the cauldrons bubbled. Katherine picked up her bag and left the room, the door to the Potions room slammed shut.
Snape's mouth hung open at what had just happened "All of you get back to work NOW!"
Hagrid was tending to a new animal he had found for his third year care of magical creatures class, when a small young red head women came storming out of the entrance hall muttering to herself.
'Well I wonder what Kath'rine's doing out 'ere, class hasn't even finished yet.' "Kath'rine...." But the girl just kept her course and went straight into the forest.
Hagrid couldn't believe what he was seeing, but after a few seconds he took off at a sprint towards the forest, where only moments ago the girl had entered.
At the edge of the forest a book bag laid along with a Hogwarts cloak. The man didn't know what to make of the situation but he couldn't leave her in their on her own.
"Kath'rine, Kath'rine its Hagrid where are ya?" Hagrid ventured in a couple hundred meters but found no trace of the red. So he made his way back to the castle. 'Dumbledore will know what to do.'
Hagrid came bustling into the office, breathing deeply it was obvious that he had just been running. Snape and McGonagall sat in front of the headmaster, Snape in a particularly vexed mood.
"Professor Dumbledore Sir, its Kath'rine she ran into the forest and I couldn't find her, I did look but she appeared to have vanished."
"As I said Headmaster the girl has no regard for rules she should be expelled."
"Serveus calm down, as you know Professor McGonagall is the only one that can make that decision."
"Now, I think there are many things we will be able to we have to learn about our new student. But I don't think we will be able to find her unless she wishes to be found. The only person I believe would have any luck would be an animal who knew the forest well."
The person the headmaster was speaking of was Sirius Black who had occupancies Remus Lupin and Harry Potter to school.
"Hagrid, thank you why don't you go back to you duties but would you please inform me if there are any sightings of her."
"Yes Professor."
"Minerva would you please go and see if you could locate Sirius and Remus for me I believe you will find them in Remus Lupin office, Thank you."
"Now Serveus would you please explain to me what happened in your class today?"
So Snape went into detailed about the events leading up to Ms Summers departure from his class leaving out specific details when relating it the insults that were throw at him.
10 minutes later Professor McGonagall appeared at the large engraved door, which leads to the Headmasters Office, accompanied by a large dog and Remus Lupin.
"Headmaster, you wanted to see us? "asked Remus.
"Yes it seems out new student has wondered into the forest after a conversation with Serveus. And I was wondering if you and Sirius would be so kind to see if you could find her; as it is my belief that your presence as an animal will cause the least amount of attention."
"Professor I would be happy to help but what type of conversation with Snape could cause a student to enter the Forbidden forest?" Sirius smiled at Snape, slyly knowing full well he would have to recount the tale.
"It seems that Ms Summers has a temper that would easily match Molly Weasley..." a smile passed his lips at the though and Remus returned the gestured. "...And that after speaking her mind she fled to the forest for solitude. Serveus what was the damage in you class again?" A twinkle sparkled behind his glasses.
"It would appear that all the backers that the students were using as well as 6 cauldrons will have to be replaced." Snape scolded Black after spiting out the information.
Remus looked confused. "Albus... what is Snape talking about was there an explosion in the Potions class and what does this have to do with Katherine?"
"It appears that Ms Summers, has a temper to match the colour of her hair, I think the best way to explain this would be do you remember in Harry's third year that incident surrounding Harry's aunt. "
"Your telling me that Katherine did all that damage." Sirius telling shocked.
"Yes and without a wand may I add. Now Sirius if you would be so kind, to go and search for her, but I doubt you will find her. And Remus if you would accompany him to the forest it will be less obvious to the students."
"Yes headmaster" So all four wizard and witches departed leaving the headmaster alone with his thoughts.
As the 3 wizards passed thought the great hall "So Snevilus, what did you do to you students this time that got one so mad?"
"Black I advise you to shut you mouth or you will find a nice surprise in your food."
The ever choice of reason stepped in. "come on Padfoot let see if we can find this girl."
And with that the three departed.
The dinning room was bursting with conversation about the events, which had occurred in 6th your potions
"Ron you have to tell us if it is true, did the new 6th year really tell Snape off? Fred inquired.
"Yep, it's true."
"So Roninkins tell us what happened." George waited in anticipation
"Nothing must really happen she lost her head and told a teacher off." Hermione replied matter – of – factly leaving out that bit about the equipment they were using.
"You can't ..."
"Be serious..."
"Someone told Snape off..."
"It's never been done before." The twins couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Ron come on you have to tell us what she said."
So Ron began to retail the tail of the first person that had ever told Snape off, that had lived after the fact. When he approached the bit about the equipment he was quickly silence by two kicks from his best friends under the table.
"So what are you too doing here anyway?" Asked Hermione
"Well, we had a meeting in Hogsmead."
"So we decided to come and see our favourite house."
"Yeah right, so what was the meeting about?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Our little icklyronikins."
"When are you going to give that up?" Ron scolded
"About the same time Bill lets mum cut his hair." Said Fred.
"So what was the meeting about?" Asked Harry
"Well since our shop is doing so well in Diagon Alley..."
"we thought that we should expand..."
"Since we are daily running out of stock, and Hogwarts students are our best customers."
"Were thinking about setting up a smaller shop in Hogsmead."
"Wicked." Said Ron
"Yep little brother."
A young girl sat under the shade of a tree in a clearing deep inside the forest.
"Charlotte where did you come from?" the cat simple brushed against its friend.
"Well look at the fine mess I got me into, first day and I probably will be expelled, but he so deserved it. It can't believe he is able to treat students like that."
The cat meowed as if agreeing with the conversation.
Her hand, moved and affectively begun to scratch behind the ears of the feline.
"Child, you should not be in here." The centaur stood inform of the girl.
"And why would that be, there is nothing in here, which I should be afraid of." Katherine replied quickly but full of confidence.
"Despite you opinions it would be recommended you be careful as you are an important figure in the up coming battle."
"Huh... what are you talking about?"
"The stars, they speak the truth only one needs to lift ones head and read what is written."
"Ok... I will take you word for it, my name is Katherine Summers, former student of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"I am Friens, and I think you are misguided as to you future path." After many months of conversation between the centaurs, Hagrid and Dumbledore, Friens was accepted back into the forest, with his herd.
"Well it is very nice to meet you and I hope you are right because my parents will be very pissed if I am kicked out of school on the first day of classes. Am I right to in assuming that you are a centaur?"
"Yes I am"
"Are you the only one?"
"No my heard lives within these woods, which we share with may other creatures, not all as kind as one would hope."
"Ok thanks for the info. Would you take me to meet the others like you?"
The Centaur looked towards the heavens, "the stars say that our paths are destined to cross many times and that a friendship shall form between our two races and it will be the child that shall bring both herds together."
"I trust you know what you are talking about, so it that a yes?"
"Yes that is a yes, if you will follow me, I shall introduce you to the leader among us, Madam Xcel. She is that oldest and wisest among us."
"Cool, lead the way."
So the three headed off into the forest but half way through their journey they came across the wolves of the forest.
"Centaur you dare bring a human into our depths" the alpha wolf addressed the creature.
"Hi, how are you doin? I'm the human, name is Katherine Summers."
"Grrr!!!"
"Hold you tongue wolf, this is the child that the stars speak of."
"Ok what is this 'the child the stars speak of' bit cos a little bit more information I could use?" asked Katherine.
"I am sorry Ms, you are welcome anytime, if thee ever needs any help all thy has to do is ask. Saying this I would like you to except Burned here as a guard while you are in these woods." A wolf from behind the pack stepped forward with its head lowered.
"Umm... thanks but it's really not necessary."
"We insist."
"Thanks you... it was nice meeting you and hope it will occur again."
So the wolf the human the cat and the centaur continued deeper into the forest, meeting along the way may different species, which occupied the forest.
Just within the tree cover a man waited; his eyes scanned the area surrounding his expression unreadable.
A black dog came bounding out of the trees, the dog; which retained the size of a small bear and bared remarkable resemblance to a grim, the dog stooped at the feet of a man. Both glanced around and where the god once sat now stood a very tall man.
"Did you see anything Padfoot?"
"Nah Moony I couldn't even pick up a sent not surprising since I have never meet the girl, but I have to say I already like her she hides her trail like a pro and tells Snape off."
"Well Dumbledore said it was unlikely that we would find her and you should try not to bait Snape so much."
"Come on Remus you can't tell me that it wasn't funny to see the express on Snape's face when I asked what happened."
"Sirius... you should try to act you age but I must admit Snape express was worth a laugh it reminds me of the time you turned his robes into a tutu and caused him to dance where ever he went for the next 6 hours."
"Year that was funny, James idea of the timer was a classic."
Both paused thinking about their lost friend.
"Albus you were correct, Sirius could find no trace of Katherine."
"I didn't expect anything different, but thank you for looking; I guess we will just have to wait until Ms Summers returns on her own."
"Madam Xcel, I am..."
"I know who you are it is written in the stars, you are the child we have been waiting for."
"Ok, well I am Katherine and could someone explain to me what all this stuff is about me written in the stars."
"It is not our place to tell of such matters, in time all will be revealed." With this all the centaurs turned and raised their heads to the sky and gazed at the stars, which shone down above them. "Child, I believe it is time you take your leave from us as the woods have grown dark and are not even safe for yourself despite your gifts. I would like to extend an invitation that you are welcome anytime within the forest. Friens, Bourn, Kay and Chelsea will escort you to the end of the wood."
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
Then the child and the cat accompanied by the wolf and centaurs left the wood together.
There on the steps of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stood four figures and what appeared to be a large black dog. Their eyes fixed on the same point just inside the tree line where dark shadows appeared to be moving within the trees. Moving closer towards the tree line, until the light of the moon illuminated the faces of the company. Out of the trees stepped four centaurs, a wolf within the company of a cat and a human girl.
"Headmaster sir...."
"I see them Hagrid."
The pack moved closer to the school until they stood in front of the steps.
The four stood amazed at what stood before them even the dog, which expression was lessened but still present. Only Albus Dumbledore the headmaster and oldest of the company was able to hide his expression and thus thoughts.
The young girl climbed down from the back of the centaur. "Thank you Friens."
"No, it is we who will thank you; Madam Xcel had asked me to express her wishes that you are welcome anytime and will always have the protection of our heard if the need may arise." Bowing and receiving the same gesture back the centaurs departed.
The wolf then barked and lowered its head and was greeted the same then departed following the centaur back to the tree line.
The cat, which had now remained silence until now; meowed twice and the young girl set her down on the ground the feline walked up the steps and through the entrance, leaving the five humans and the dog on the steps to the halls of the school.
Professor Lupin, McGonagall as well as Hagrid stood bewildered at the situation, which had just played out before them.
"How did you do that?" Hagrid asked before anyone else could get a word in.
"Do what?"
"With the animals just then."
"Ummm... I don't know, I umm have always just had this thing with animals especially cats... ummm to answer your question I don't know."
"Indeed" the headmaster affirmed the young girls statements. "It appears we have much to learn about each other." Causing a blush to raise form the youngest member of the company.
"Despite the present facts Ms Summers there are two issues we must address your breaking of school rules and entering the forbidden forest and your conversation you have with Professor Snape in your potions class this afternoon."
She could have sworn she heard the dog laugh. Turning towards him she looked deep into his eyes as if searching for something; her gaze not wavering under the looks of her professors.
She searched the dark eyes of the beast which, sat before her, there was something different about this animal, not like Charlotte but rather that something is concealed behind its eyes.
Sirius stared back at the young women drawn to her eyes. Emotions washed over him of comfort and safety and the feeling that he must protect this child as she was important.
"Ms Summers?"
"I am sorry headmaster."
"It is quiet alright my dear, but let us get back to the matters at hand."
She nodded her head signaling the headmaster to continue.
"Now my Ms Summers you do know that the forest is forbidden to all students?"
"Yes sir."
"Then why may I ask did you enter without the company of a teacher?"
"Umm... I don't know sir, I don't see the danger sir its feels safer then the castle."
"Despite that, I would ask you not to enter is again despite the protection that your friends will provide."
"Now the incident within your potions class..."
"But professor..."
"No Ms Summers, even though Professor Snape may not be the easiest member of the faculty to get along with..."
Katherine turned again she could have sworn that the dog laughed again.
"Sorry to interrupt headmaster, but I swear that the dog laughed."
Remus looked at this friend and mentally scolded him. "Albus I think it is time Snuffles and I depart."
The two left and headed towards the defense against the dark arts office.
"Now where were we, yes so as punishment I will be deducting 80 points for you conduct today, Now please proceed back to your common room."
"I...Umm yes sir, I am sorry."
"There is no need for you to apologies to me, but I must warn you that I will not be so lenient next time."
"Yes sir" and she left making her way back to the Gryffindor tower.
"Professor Sir I must be goin fang will be in a right state if I don't return soon."
"Yes Hagrid thank you for your help."
"Minerva, may I ask you to fetch Remus and his companion and bring them to my office?"
"Of course."
Remus slammed the door closed. "Sirius what do you think you are doing you almost gave your self away."
Where only seconds ago sat a dog now stood a man with the same black eyes the large dog processed. The other man stood scolding his friend. "Its not my fault Moony come on you have to admit what Dumbledore was saying was at times hilarious."
"That is not the point you almost gave yourself away. And what was happening between the two of you?"
A knock sounded at the door. Each glanced at each other and Sirius once again became the large black dog.
"Minerva ... yes what can I do for you?"
"Professor Dumbledore requires both your presents in his office as soon you possible can." She glanced again at the dog that sat next to his friend.
"Thank you, we will be up in a minute."
After the deputy headmistress had left moony couldn't help but tease his friend. "What you have done now." Moony smiled at his friend.
"Grrr..."
"Come on Padfoot...." Remus opened the door for his old friend. "You know we should probably get you a dog door."
"Grrr..." the old man with silver in his hair laughed at his friends antics. So the two wondered the halls of the grand castle.
"Sherbet busters" The gargoyle, which guarded the entrance to the headmaster's office, sprung to life and lifted itself off the ground and stepped aside revealing a passage way accompanied by a large staircase which spiraled upwards.
The human and the K-9 stepped onto the staircase which gradually moved them up the tower until they reached a very large and old wooden door. The wood was vanished and covered in numerous engravings in the centre was a large carving of the Hogwarts crest, above it read.
Headmasters Office Albus Dumbledore
Remus knocked on the door, "enter" the two visitors entered and Sirius changed and appeared in his true form.
"Ah Sirius, Remus I am glad you go my message, now Sirius I have a few questions that I would like to ask about what transpired outside. As I am sure Remus does."
Remus gave a quick nod to indicate he indeed did.
"Firstly Sirius if you be kind to describe what happened when Ms Summers gazed at you?"
"Well professor, it is not something that I easily can describe... I felt really calm in her present, but the dog inside of me felt as if I must protect her, that she was very important."
"I see. Now secondly before you left Ms Summers again looked into your eyes. She spoke of something that was not right. I am wondering how it is that she nearly discovered your true form was not a dog."
"I fear that I will also be of little help... it felt like she was searching for something, that she knew that the dog was only half of me."
"I see, I would advise you to keep your contact with Ms Summers to a minimum to prevent her discovering your abilities of an animgus."
"But Professor Dumbledore, could she really tell that about a person?"
"I do not know that full extent of her powers, so for now I would like to proceed with caution."
"Now Remus, I also wished to ask did you feel anything in the presents of our new student."
"I must admit, I did feel something but at the time I didn't make anything of it... the wolf inside of me went tamed as if sedated."
"I see I must look into this further. I will inform you of anything I discover."
"Thank you good evening Professor."
"Woof Woof." Then they departed.
"So Fawks, what do you think about this child... despite the fact that she is the child of the phoenix I have never heard about abilities such as these, what do you know old friend?"
The phoenix flew down from it's perch and landed on the desk in front of the old man. The Phoenix cocked its head on one side, as if something to see if it could trust the old man, then released long beautiful notes.
"I see my old friend thank you." Dumbledore long friendship with the phoenix, allowed him over the years to interpret the phoenix's song, where this was his doing or Fawks was unknown, the information which the phoenix provided was;
'The Phoenix child, as you have named her, will have powers over all beasts, and will thus be protected by them. She is as important to us as she is to you. Her full talents will only emerge in time and she will be the one to help the greatest enemy of your enemy be destroyed. Must is lost and much can not be told about the child for fear of its life. But as the prophecies of Merlin tell she will be as unique in your world as in ours. My old friend. She must be kept safe, neither our, nor your world can so this alone it is only together that she will be safe.'
An: I just wanted to make a small note that I now have a beta thanks to Auntarctic so chapters will take a bit longer to get out but I promise at least once a week.
Reviewer Responses:
cardiff bluebird: I am glad you like it and this chapter is a bit longer, however they will tend to alternate in size.
Tanydwr: I hope you like this one. :D
Wytil: 1. the idea behind Padfoot and Bella is they were once engaged but then Sirius was sent to Azkaban and they haven't seen each other for 16 years so nothing is what it use to be. 2. Ok there is not much known about the phoenix child so far, now there is a bit in chapter 2 and the prophecy is at the end of chapter 6. 3. Yep, the Potter men always fall for the red heads.