While checking on Trelawney's first name, I discovered I'd been misspelling her last name this entire time!!! I just got used to leaving out the "e" at the back. Duh. Thanks for the reviews Lazy-anji and rockbaby67. I'll be going to check your stories once I'm done updating. FYI: in just a few chapters I'll be asking you to make a decision regarding how much you want to read about a certain plot point. It'll be coming soon so be sure and let me know when you read chapters so I can pose the question to you both!
Chapter 31:
Michelle sat at her desk while her fellow students made their way out of Snape's classroom. She wanted to talk to the professor alone.
Snape noticed she had stayed behind. "Is there something you need, Miss Larson?"
"A potion..."
Snape nodded, "Yes, the potion for the Aquiesence. Dumbledore has already spoken to me about it. I will bring it with me."
"You are going to the ceremony?"
"Dumbledore asked me to accompany you in case any adjustments need to be made in the potion." He studied her face as she continued, "And, to be of assistance should anyone attempt to interfere."
"Why would anyone want to stop the ceremony?"
"I believe the headmaster is more concerned with your safety after you see your vision."
"Hadn't thought about that.." Michelle shook herself. "Along those same lines, I need another potion from you." She held out the book Hermione had given her. "Can you make this for me? I want to make sure Harry is protected. We are going to be surrounded by Dementors."
Snape growled, "Mr. Potter will be with us? Why?"
"He thinks I need to be protected. It'll be safer if we plan ahead rather than risk Harry sneaking along. Plus, he is in my vision. He needs to find out immediately what I see."
"I can make this for you, but I wonder if you have read through the directions thoroughly."
"Guess I didn't since it seems I have missed something..."
"In order for the potion to work properly, you have to add the blood of 'one who loves' just before administering the potion."
"The 'one who loves' ?"
"The book is referring to the blood of someone who loves the injured wizard." Snape stared at her hard. "And it must be true love...the potion will not work if the feelings are not real."
Michelle stood still, thinking. She looked into her heart honestly before speaking.
"The potion will work."
Snape's lip curled up into a slight smirk. "You are just 17. How do you know what your feelings really are? Do you want to take a chance with Potter's life?"
Michelle's temper flared. "I won't be taking a chance. I know what is in my heart. I know the truth."
Snape nodded, "Very well then. I will make the potion and bring it with me. Is there anything else?"
"Promise me, if something bad happens, you will protect Harry." She looked into his eyes unflinchingly.
"I am sure Potter can take care of himself...he seems to think he can..."
Her anger grew. "We are going to Azkaban. Not only will Harry have to deal with the Dementors, but he will also be vunerable to Voldermort's followers. Everyone knows Mr. Cranky has been trying to get control of the Dementors. If he has succeded, but just hasn't made his move yet, Harry will be in danger. I need to know you will help him escape if necessary."
"I will do my best to protect you both."
"Not good enough."
A short burst of stunned laughter escaped Snape's lips, "Pardon me?"
Michelle's expression was enough to quiet Snape. "You must protect Harry. I am expendable."
Snape began to protest. "You are a Seer. You are not to be left behind to be used by Voldermort."
"He won't even get the chance." Neither spoke as her words hung in the air; Snape again shocked by how she could be so quietly sure of herself.
Her gaze softened, "Please, the only way I'm going to get through the ceremony is if I know Harry will be all right no matter what happens."
Snape studied her pleading expression. "I will do as you ask."
Michelle thanked him and left the room. Walking the halls back to Gryffindor house, she couldn't get rid of a feeling that had been nagging her for weeks. She knew she was close to finding out Trelawny's secret. She could feel it. Remembering Dumbledore's advice about following her instincts, she once again went to the library. Going through old copies of the Daily Prophet, she concentrated on the time period around Voldermort's first attack on Harry. Michelle didn't really know what she was looking for exactly. Nothing seemed to be grabbing her attention so she moved on to the papers from around Harry's birth. After flipping through a week's worth, she noticed a strange column at the very back of the paper. The article stated that Sibyll Trelawney was going on sabbatical following an encounter with a Death Eater. The article didn't mention Trelawney revoking her Seer status, but it did mention Trelawney's parents; they'd been dead for over 5 years. Michelle reread the article several times. Trelawney had told Michelle her parents were alive at this time and she had given up being a Seer to protect them. She claimed they went into hiding several years before Harry would have even been born. Michelle scribbled down this new information. She went to dinner hoping she could speak to Dumbledore as soon as the meal was finished.
