Anything that's not blatant is a riddle
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Author's penname: Elixa Amethyst
Voices of the Past Part III
Written May 2002 onwards, pre Order of the Phoenix.
All characters and things you recognise, are © JKRowling, no infringement intended.

All references to "mediwizard" mean healer.
Please read parts I and II first.

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Chapter Nine
A New Outlook

The Chapel door creaked as I pushed it open. I could see the outline of the lines of pews and the candles at the front on the altar were lit. I knew little about Muggle or wizard religion, so I was cautious not to offend anyone by my behaviour the room. I'd never took Severus to be religious in any way. Perhaps the deaths in the last year had changed something; this was the place Moody's body had rested. The room was silent, all apart from the creak of the heavy door. The figure seated on the second pew back on my left side didn't move, it was hunched over in a way I suspected was in prayer. I swallowed, tasting unease in my mouth. There was a certain feeling this room gave that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. I turned away from the door, treading as quietly as I could across the stone floor. I could have sworn all the other floors I'd walked on had been wood. With as little noise as was possible, I tiptoed down to sit on the right side of the room on the third pew back. Now I could clearly see the figure was Severus. His elbows rested on the back of the pew before him, and his head was in his arms, hair obscuring his face from my view. His robes were hanging almost to his feet, but not quite, the toes of his black shoes were just visible, polished immaculately. I rarely noticed feet. Finally there was movement, he sat up, an aquiline nose protruded from the raven black hair, and I could see the long-fingered hands gripped the back of the pew before him. I remained silent, just watching.
"You have something to say to me Elixa?" His voice was soft, but commanding. I watched the candle flames dance on the tops of the floating candles for a moment before I answered.
"Just why." I answered, blinking away a slight tear. Severus looked round over his shoulder, his black eyes studying my face as I watched the candles.
"Come here." I got up and went to sit beside him. He placed a hand on my left shoulder, the side he was sitting on.
"Draco is one of the dark side." I went to speak, turning to look at my uncle as I did, but he placed a finger to my lips to silence me. "I know this because I was there when he agreed." I stared at Severus; his dark eyes seemed tired, and perhaps even sorry for me.
"No…" I breathed. Severus put his arms around me and I fell onto his shoulder, disbelief written across my face.
"If there was any way I could have prevented it I would. I know how much he means to you." I gripped his robes, amazed at both the fact Draco was with Voldermort and that Severus seemed to understand that he'd meant something to me, and still did.

The afternoon was spent in the common room, in excited anticipation of the results of the NEWTs and OWLs. The lists would go up soon, but the NEWTs and OWLs were announced in the great hall at dinner, where a special delivery of owls arrived. I couldn't believe it had been a year since we'd sat round the fire after reading the results, over a year since my parent's death, it had all passed so quickly. The Seventh Year Slytherins all sat around the fire in the high-backed wooden chairs, legs stretched out and discussing the exams quietly. My mind kept drifting back to Draco, how I couldn't believe what he'd done and not told me either.
"Early birds catch the worm don't they say?" Kerry announced suddenly. My eyes flew up from where they were staring into the fire, and realised everyone was getting up, ready to go to the great hall slightly earlier to hopefully speed up the process of announcing the results. I scrambled up out of my chair and followed everyone out.

"Now we await the special delivery of the exam results for the fifth and seventh years, I assure you all that this year the examination results were high, and all the staff are pleased with your results." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his glasses. Kerry looked very nervous as she sat beside me. I placed a hand on her arm to reassure her.
"You'll do fine." I muttered. She gave a quick smile, and continued to listen. Dumbledore looked up suddenly and we turned to see a flock of owls swoop in from the direction of the enchanted ceiling. A large black owl landed on my arm and handed me my envelope. It flew off within a matter of seconds. There was the mass noise of tearing paper, and parchments being unfolded. Then followed groans of disbelief and mainly shouts of joy and smiles. I very nearly dropped off the bench, I couldn't believe it, not only had I achieved a B for History of magic, I'd not scored a C anywhere, and also there were very few B's. Kerry turned round waving her sheet at me, and we quickly swapped. Amazingly Kerry had scored a B for potions, and the rest of her marks weren't too bad either. She grabbed hers back, and threw mine at me, eager to show everyone else.
"Miss Amethyst." I turned round to see Quirrell floating behind me, holding another letter in his hand.
"Professor Quirrell." I smiled at the ghost. He held out the envelope to me.
"I think you'll be pleased at the outcome, your Uncle Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall and I provided your references by the way." I looked curiously at him, and opened the envelope. After the first few paragraphs, I realised I was being offered a job with the ministry, starting three weeks after the end of term, with the department of potions. I was speechless; I'd never expected this to happen.
"Well done." Quirrell left me to continue reading the letter.
"What's that you've got?" Kerry asked. I turned it so we could both read.
"Blimey!" Kerry exclaimed. "The Ministry wants you to work for them?" She threw a hug around me, almost knocking me off the bench. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Woah, okay Kerry, I understand!" I exclaimed, trying to peel her off me so I could read the rest of the letter.