A/N- thanks so much to everyone who reviewed, it really helps me get these
chapters out. I am very much in need of a beta reader. Thanks so much for
all the reviews, if it weren't for them, you wouldn't be reading chapter
five right now! Thanks to everyone!
Disclaimer- I forgot to put this on the other chapters, so this will just have to serve for them. I do not own any of these characters, except for Beth Weasley, who is my own character. Please enjoy her, but do not steal her. The rest of the characters belong to JKR, which most, if not all, of you already know. And, come on, this is FANfiction. Please enjoy my little story that leaked out of my brain.
Thanks!
~*~
Beth thanked the plump nurse for the hundredth time since she had brought Beth a plate full of food. At the first sight and smell of food, Beth threw up the nothing in her stomach. The nurse held her hair, and told her that sometimes when you've been starved too long, your stomach reacted this way. With the nurse's help, Beth was able to eat. The nurse only let her eat in small proportions, which tormented Beth and her empty stomach, but even the little doses of food she was given regularly was very much welcome.
Her family had come and gone, in small groups so as they won't overwhelm her---or themselves. Her mom and dad came first. Much more tears were shed, and the nurse had to shoo them away so she could give Beth her medicine. Disgusting medicine. But it helped stabilize her vital signs, which hasn't been remotely stable for quite some time.
Bill came to visit her, and looked close to tears himself. So she teased him, and he told her about the blonde he dumped on his doorstep. She laughed as he intended, and he cried. Seeing only big brother cry hurt, so she began to sing. Once she started, he joined in. By the end of they were both crying. It helped them both.
She expected Charlie to come next. She hoped for him, wished for him. But it was Percy who came to her next, with tears in his eyes, a book in his hands, dignity on his face. Oh, Percy, she thought, her little brother with the big brains. Ron reminded her of Percy so much, both in looks and personality. Both of them would be horrified if she ever said that, so she wouldn't. Percy, with his stiff appearance and the little boy that hid underneath, and Ron with his in your face honesty. She loved them both. And, god, how she had missed them.
She didn't say anything, just held out her arms. He dropped his mask and melted into her embrace. And that was enough.
Fred and George came together, of course, wearing big goofy grins and each carrying a small black book. It turned out they were photo albums. One was full of picture taken before her third year, the other filled with pictures taken afterwards. This simple gift had her sobbing. She went through the albums, with Fred on one side and George on the other.
Ginny and Ron came together, both a little nervous. At first they didn't know what to say. When Beth asked if they had any boyfriends or girlfriends, the both turned red up to their ears, and began to stutter. Beth laughed, and the rest of the time passed with Ginny and Ron telling her stories to embarrass the other.
When at last Charlie came, all the tension washed out of her.
"Scoot." He said, smiling a little. She obliged, and he climbed onto the bed with her. A silence floated down on them, neither one knowing exactly what to say, and both knowing words weren't needed. When she began to cry again despite herself, he didn't say anything, just lifted her up and sat her on his lap. With his arms around her, she cried until she had no more tears, and looked up to see the remains of his tears. She smiled, and he grinned. Then they were laughing, laughing so hard they couldn't breath and were in danger on rolling off the bed. When they calmed down, Charlie said causally, "What was her name again?" She stuck her tongue out at him, and they were both off again, giggling and laughing, holding onto their ribs. They stayed like that until the nurse, whom Beth still hadn't learned her name, rushed in and waved Charlie off, claming the Ms. Elizabeth needed her rest.
"Okay, then, sleep tight, Ms. Elizabeth!"
"Don't let the bed bugs bite, Mr. Charles!"
And for the first time in years, sleep came easy to her, and dreams did not come at all.
~*~
"Mr. Weasley!"
Ron looked up at Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. He shot a glance at Hermione and Harry, both who shrugged. The entire class was watching now, curious as to what Ron had done to aggravate the Professor now.
"Yes, Professor?"
McGonagall continued in her crisp, clear voice, either not noticing her classes' apparent interest in what she had to say, or not caring. "I was just notified that you cousin Melody Shamrock will be here for a few months apprenticing the Potions Master. I am also told, that your brother Charles Weasley will be apprenticing Professor Hagrid." She smiled thinly, looking oddly triumphant. "I am very pleased. Class dismissed. Good-day."
Most people gathered their stuff to leave, but Ron stayed in place. "What? I---"
"Hush, Ron!" Hermione hissed at him. "Melody Shamrock. It's Beth!"
He stared at her for a moment, and then shook his head. "Yeah, I realize that, Hermione. But why is she staying here? And Charlie too? Why not just go home?"
Harry shrugged, but Hermione sighed. "Use your brain, Ron. You-know-who . . .Voldermort has been after her for six years . . .she'll be safer here, at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore. As for Charlie," She shrugged. "He probably wants to stay with her."
Harry nodded. "Makes sense."
Ron rolled his eyes. "You're too smart for your own good sometimes, 'Mione."
~*~
"Ms. Weasley, I just heard about your cousin and your brother. Congratulations!"
Ginny looked up at Professor Flickwick, trying to ignore the looks from the other Gyffindor and Hufflepuff members of the class. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"Melody Shamrock and Charlie Weasley!" When she still looked black, he laughed. "Charlie's apprenticeship to Hargid, and Melody's apprenticeship to Professor Snape!"
"Oh," Ginny said weakly. "Yes."
~*~
Professor Sprout smiled down at Fred and George in a way that made them think they did something wrong. Apparently, the rest of the class thought so too, for Gryffindor's looked curious, and the Slytherins just looked down right gleeful. But for the life of them, the twins couldn't come up with a single thing they did wrong. For once.
"Are you two boys excited about you cousins apprenticeship, and your brothers as well?" She asked kindly.
Thinking it some kind of trap, Fred asked wisely, "Huh?"
She laughed merrily, and clarified her question. "Hagrid just told me of Charles apprenticeship to him, for Care of Magical Creatures, and of your cousins, Melody Shamrock's apprenticeship to Professor Snape. Brave girl, isn't she?"
George looked at her as if she was batty. "What are you---" Fred elbowed him in the ribs, saying loudly. "Oi, Mel's a brave one, alright. We haven't seen her in a long while, have we George?" George rubbed his side and said grudgingly, "No, not in a while. Can't wait to see her again." Then he paused and looked up at Sprout in shock. "Professor Snape, did you say?"
~*~
Soon the school was crawling with the news.
"Do you think he'll be mean? I heard he kills dragons . . ."
"Naw, he doesn't kill them. He only skins 'em . . ."
"I heard she's ugly. I mean, who in their right mind would wanna work with Snape . . ."
The Weasley's were having a blast. They encouraged the rumors, even started a few. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned home. Bill and Percy returned to their lives as well. Charlie was given his own room to stay in, and Beth was still in the Hospital Wing, slowing getting her strength back. As soon as she was healthy, her and Charlie would begin their apprenticeships.
One week came and passed, and then another. Students were getting itchy to see the two apprentices. But days went on, and they didn't show up.
Ron was dozing in Potions, and Harry was doodling. Hermione was the only student taking notes, and even Snape himself seemed preoccupied. When the door opened, everyone (except the sleeping ones of course) looked up, happy for the interruption.
The person who walked in the door was no one they had ever seen. Her robes were black, of course, and much to big for her, as the fabric kept slipping off her shoulders. Her dark red hair fell in soft curls almost down to her waist, the bold color a sharp contrast with the black of her robes. Her lips were the pink of the inside of shells and they were curved up in a secret smile. She had a small nose, with just a few freckles sprinkled across the bridge. Her eyes were a vivid midnight blue, and seemed to laugh.
"Hello." Her voice was soft, with just a tint of Irish brogue.
Hermione nudged Ron awake, and nodded towards the Potions Professor. Severus looked like he swallowed his tongue as he stared wide-eyed at "Melody Shamrock". Ron let out a choked laugh, witch he quickly turned into a cough. Even Hermione gave a little giggle. Severus blinked and then flushed. His face twisted in a scowl. "Class, this is Professor Shamrock," His lips curled into a sneer. "She will be assisting me for the time being." He glanced around the room, seeing boys who looked half in love already. "Please remember she is a Professor," He glared at Draco Malfoy, who especially looked smitten. "Maybe that will help you put your glands on hold."
Beth laughed lightly, and once and heat arrowed straight to Severus' loins. Stupid little girl, he thought again. Except she didn't look quite like a little girl anymore . . .
Disclaimer- I forgot to put this on the other chapters, so this will just have to serve for them. I do not own any of these characters, except for Beth Weasley, who is my own character. Please enjoy her, but do not steal her. The rest of the characters belong to JKR, which most, if not all, of you already know. And, come on, this is FANfiction. Please enjoy my little story that leaked out of my brain.
Thanks!
~*~
Beth thanked the plump nurse for the hundredth time since she had brought Beth a plate full of food. At the first sight and smell of food, Beth threw up the nothing in her stomach. The nurse held her hair, and told her that sometimes when you've been starved too long, your stomach reacted this way. With the nurse's help, Beth was able to eat. The nurse only let her eat in small proportions, which tormented Beth and her empty stomach, but even the little doses of food she was given regularly was very much welcome.
Her family had come and gone, in small groups so as they won't overwhelm her---or themselves. Her mom and dad came first. Much more tears were shed, and the nurse had to shoo them away so she could give Beth her medicine. Disgusting medicine. But it helped stabilize her vital signs, which hasn't been remotely stable for quite some time.
Bill came to visit her, and looked close to tears himself. So she teased him, and he told her about the blonde he dumped on his doorstep. She laughed as he intended, and he cried. Seeing only big brother cry hurt, so she began to sing. Once she started, he joined in. By the end of they were both crying. It helped them both.
She expected Charlie to come next. She hoped for him, wished for him. But it was Percy who came to her next, with tears in his eyes, a book in his hands, dignity on his face. Oh, Percy, she thought, her little brother with the big brains. Ron reminded her of Percy so much, both in looks and personality. Both of them would be horrified if she ever said that, so she wouldn't. Percy, with his stiff appearance and the little boy that hid underneath, and Ron with his in your face honesty. She loved them both. And, god, how she had missed them.
She didn't say anything, just held out her arms. He dropped his mask and melted into her embrace. And that was enough.
Fred and George came together, of course, wearing big goofy grins and each carrying a small black book. It turned out they were photo albums. One was full of picture taken before her third year, the other filled with pictures taken afterwards. This simple gift had her sobbing. She went through the albums, with Fred on one side and George on the other.
Ginny and Ron came together, both a little nervous. At first they didn't know what to say. When Beth asked if they had any boyfriends or girlfriends, the both turned red up to their ears, and began to stutter. Beth laughed, and the rest of the time passed with Ginny and Ron telling her stories to embarrass the other.
When at last Charlie came, all the tension washed out of her.
"Scoot." He said, smiling a little. She obliged, and he climbed onto the bed with her. A silence floated down on them, neither one knowing exactly what to say, and both knowing words weren't needed. When she began to cry again despite herself, he didn't say anything, just lifted her up and sat her on his lap. With his arms around her, she cried until she had no more tears, and looked up to see the remains of his tears. She smiled, and he grinned. Then they were laughing, laughing so hard they couldn't breath and were in danger on rolling off the bed. When they calmed down, Charlie said causally, "What was her name again?" She stuck her tongue out at him, and they were both off again, giggling and laughing, holding onto their ribs. They stayed like that until the nurse, whom Beth still hadn't learned her name, rushed in and waved Charlie off, claming the Ms. Elizabeth needed her rest.
"Okay, then, sleep tight, Ms. Elizabeth!"
"Don't let the bed bugs bite, Mr. Charles!"
And for the first time in years, sleep came easy to her, and dreams did not come at all.
~*~
"Mr. Weasley!"
Ron looked up at Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. He shot a glance at Hermione and Harry, both who shrugged. The entire class was watching now, curious as to what Ron had done to aggravate the Professor now.
"Yes, Professor?"
McGonagall continued in her crisp, clear voice, either not noticing her classes' apparent interest in what she had to say, or not caring. "I was just notified that you cousin Melody Shamrock will be here for a few months apprenticing the Potions Master. I am also told, that your brother Charles Weasley will be apprenticing Professor Hagrid." She smiled thinly, looking oddly triumphant. "I am very pleased. Class dismissed. Good-day."
Most people gathered their stuff to leave, but Ron stayed in place. "What? I---"
"Hush, Ron!" Hermione hissed at him. "Melody Shamrock. It's Beth!"
He stared at her for a moment, and then shook his head. "Yeah, I realize that, Hermione. But why is she staying here? And Charlie too? Why not just go home?"
Harry shrugged, but Hermione sighed. "Use your brain, Ron. You-know-who . . .Voldermort has been after her for six years . . .she'll be safer here, at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore. As for Charlie," She shrugged. "He probably wants to stay with her."
Harry nodded. "Makes sense."
Ron rolled his eyes. "You're too smart for your own good sometimes, 'Mione."
~*~
"Ms. Weasley, I just heard about your cousin and your brother. Congratulations!"
Ginny looked up at Professor Flickwick, trying to ignore the looks from the other Gyffindor and Hufflepuff members of the class. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"Melody Shamrock and Charlie Weasley!" When she still looked black, he laughed. "Charlie's apprenticeship to Hargid, and Melody's apprenticeship to Professor Snape!"
"Oh," Ginny said weakly. "Yes."
~*~
Professor Sprout smiled down at Fred and George in a way that made them think they did something wrong. Apparently, the rest of the class thought so too, for Gryffindor's looked curious, and the Slytherins just looked down right gleeful. But for the life of them, the twins couldn't come up with a single thing they did wrong. For once.
"Are you two boys excited about you cousins apprenticeship, and your brothers as well?" She asked kindly.
Thinking it some kind of trap, Fred asked wisely, "Huh?"
She laughed merrily, and clarified her question. "Hagrid just told me of Charles apprenticeship to him, for Care of Magical Creatures, and of your cousins, Melody Shamrock's apprenticeship to Professor Snape. Brave girl, isn't she?"
George looked at her as if she was batty. "What are you---" Fred elbowed him in the ribs, saying loudly. "Oi, Mel's a brave one, alright. We haven't seen her in a long while, have we George?" George rubbed his side and said grudgingly, "No, not in a while. Can't wait to see her again." Then he paused and looked up at Sprout in shock. "Professor Snape, did you say?"
~*~
Soon the school was crawling with the news.
"Do you think he'll be mean? I heard he kills dragons . . ."
"Naw, he doesn't kill them. He only skins 'em . . ."
"I heard she's ugly. I mean, who in their right mind would wanna work with Snape . . ."
The Weasley's were having a blast. They encouraged the rumors, even started a few. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned home. Bill and Percy returned to their lives as well. Charlie was given his own room to stay in, and Beth was still in the Hospital Wing, slowing getting her strength back. As soon as she was healthy, her and Charlie would begin their apprenticeships.
One week came and passed, and then another. Students were getting itchy to see the two apprentices. But days went on, and they didn't show up.
Ron was dozing in Potions, and Harry was doodling. Hermione was the only student taking notes, and even Snape himself seemed preoccupied. When the door opened, everyone (except the sleeping ones of course) looked up, happy for the interruption.
The person who walked in the door was no one they had ever seen. Her robes were black, of course, and much to big for her, as the fabric kept slipping off her shoulders. Her dark red hair fell in soft curls almost down to her waist, the bold color a sharp contrast with the black of her robes. Her lips were the pink of the inside of shells and they were curved up in a secret smile. She had a small nose, with just a few freckles sprinkled across the bridge. Her eyes were a vivid midnight blue, and seemed to laugh.
"Hello." Her voice was soft, with just a tint of Irish brogue.
Hermione nudged Ron awake, and nodded towards the Potions Professor. Severus looked like he swallowed his tongue as he stared wide-eyed at "Melody Shamrock". Ron let out a choked laugh, witch he quickly turned into a cough. Even Hermione gave a little giggle. Severus blinked and then flushed. His face twisted in a scowl. "Class, this is Professor Shamrock," His lips curled into a sneer. "She will be assisting me for the time being." He glanced around the room, seeing boys who looked half in love already. "Please remember she is a Professor," He glared at Draco Malfoy, who especially looked smitten. "Maybe that will help you put your glands on hold."
Beth laughed lightly, and once and heat arrowed straight to Severus' loins. Stupid little girl, he thought again. Except she didn't look quite like a little girl anymore . . .
