March days slipped one by one into April. The Quidditch Cup was won by Gryffindor for the 4th year in a row; beating Ravenclaw along the way – not least because Chaser James scored 20 goals so that even catching the Snitch did not help. And after every Quidditch match, girls would be chasing after him. Except the one who mattered.
Lily grew steadily cooler towards James. No more harsh words were ever said, no quarrel to melt the frosty air.
"Its driving me nuts," James confided in Remus. "She is so polite, so nice, I can't even pick a fight. And she is always with a gaggle of girls."
"I can try to talk to her.., "Remus offered hesitantly.
"No," James refused flatly. "If she wants an explanation she can jolly well row me for it the way she used to."
The wall of resentment was clearly not one sided.
The last Hogsmeade weekend fell only two weeks before the beginning of exams. Due to detentions and suspension of privileges, Remus found himself wandering alone on the streets of Hogsmeade for the first time in years. The spring wind felt fresh and cool against his face. Oddly enough, nostalgia swamped him. His father used to walk with him on spring mornings when he was young. Other children in the small village in Hertfordshire had been warned to avoid him but his father was determined that he should not be isolated and walked proudly next to him even as other wizards didn't acknowledge his friendly greetings.
"Never," he had said "feel ashamed of what you are."
But he had left 4 years later.
'So much for not being staying by and not being ashamed,' he thought. He shook off old memories and strode briskly into the warm and inviting interior of the only public house in Hogsmeade ; 'The Three Broomsticks.'
"Hello, Alyssa," he greeted the pleasant-faced, brown-haired girl Sirius was casually seeing. The delight on her face as she turned to him was rather startling.
"Remus," she smiled. " Is Sirius with you?"
"No, he sent me to tell you that he has been locked up in the dungeon for life."
"Oh." She paused, then grinned. " Tell him that just about breaks my heart. What can I get you?"
"A Butterbeer would be fine, thanks," he said. The popular pub was beginning to fill up with Hogwarts students dribbling in groups of 3 and 4.
"Alyssa!" called Madam Rosmerta, the proprietress of the pub. "Mulled mead and 3 bottles of Firewhisky for table 14." Remus glanced at table 14.
"Firewhisky for 5th years?" he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I should start exercising my prefectorial authority."
"You could," she replied as she busied herself preparing the orders. "They would have a really bad headache tomorrow, though, which is way more effective than any points you can take away."
"True," He agreed, remembering Sirius and Peter's first experience with Firewhisky. Not that it deterred Sirius from trying it again. He leaned against the counter, sipping his Butterbeer. "Have you, by any chance, …"
"Alyssa!" came Madam Rosmerta's voice again.
"Sorry," she said as she lifted the long tray. "Ba back in a minute." Remus watched her thoughtfully.
"You don't like your job, do you?" he asked when she returned.
"Two raspberry cordials, " she muttered under her breath as she reached for the ingredients. "What did you say? OH no, I don't." Her hands paused as she surveyed him. "You are the first person who noticed."
Remus shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "Well, you do like you wish you were elsewhere. It must be tiring, working here."
"Yep," she concurred. " I like people so its actually not that bad, but it would be nice to do something where I actually got to think rather than just mix drinks. But Squibs can't do magic so, naturally, wizards tend to think we are stupid."
"Like they think werewolves are evil," he silent added. "Where do Squibs go to school?" he asked, curious about the plight of non-magical people in wizarding families. "If you don't mind my asking."
"Not at all," she said. "There's no school, not real ones, at any rate , for us. Some get sent to Muggle schools but the rest are home-taught. I was."
"That's appalling," Remus said. "Its almost as if you don't exist."
"That's right," Alyssa agreed. "Some of those who do get Muggle schooling go out and live like Muggles all their lives. They certainly have better prospects."
"Would you consider doing that?" asked Remus.
"I have considered it," she replied. "I even sat for the GCSEs – Muggle exams- " she explained. "But I like the magical world. Its what I have lived with all my life. Even though its odd that my parents are such powerful wizards when there are so many Squibs in my family. Excuse me," she said as more customers walked in. "I'll be right back." Remus began to understand why Sirius was drawn to her. The feeling of alienation from their own parents was something they had in common.
"So," she said when she returned. "Enough about me. I have something for you."
"About…?"
" I stayed with my aunt last weekend down in Surrey," she began. "She likes Muggles and cats, can't live without them. Anyway, a cat got run over by a motorcycle, right in front of her house. The man who hit it knocked on her door asking for help."
"And got a blistering scolding in return?" Remus asked, wondering how this was connected to him.
"Well, yes, but that's not the point. The point is – he looks just like you. An older version. Gave me quite a turn."
"Like me, physically?"
"Strange, isn't it? Turns out he lives rather near my aunt. Jonathan something – or other… You don't happen to have a Muggle relative somewhere do you?"
He had imagined that it would be quite difficult to trace his father. Her story might have been coincidence, maybe but possibly a stroke of luck.
"Remus?" she asked.
"Where does your aunt live?" he asked. "This could be really important."
" I'll write it down for you," she said. "I don't suppose you'll tell me what this is all about?"
"Sorry, I truly can't," he smiled.
"Alright. But remember its always good to share your thoughts and feelings." Not this time, Remus thought. "Here you go." She handed him a scrap of parchment.
Arabella Figg. No. 15, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. A key to his father.
"Thanks", he said.
"You are welcome," she answered. The faraway expression on his face prompted a change of subject. She cast around for a safe topic. "Your sister was just here before you came in. With that boy James and Sirius hate so much."
Her eyes snapped to attention. "Not Severus Snape."
"I think that's his name, yes," she said alarmed at his tone over an innocuous bit of information. "You have a protective big-brother gleam in your eye."
"Why is he hanging around her?" he wondered aloud. " I wouldn't exactly say we – like each other all that much."
"He can like your sister without being great friends with you," she pointed out. "Don't worry about it, if anything I'd say he's in trouble. Anyone can see he fancies her just by the way he looks at her," she said reassuringly.
"That's a scary thought." The idea of Severus Snape giving his sister tender looks made the hair at the back of his neck stand up. When had he ever seen Snape's eyes when they were not either cold or defensive? And yet …
"He gave her a Christmas present last year," he mused aloud. Wind chimes, charmed to play her favourite song. Remus had checked it for every single hex he could think of but it still came up clean.
"There you go. He's obviously soft on her," Alyssa said.
Remus just shook his head.
Severus Snape had never felt any affection for Hogsmeade. Not for Honeydukes; piled high with all manner of heavenly concoctions nor for the charming post office with its friendly color-coded owls. The Three Broomsticks were too full of people to be attractive to a natural loner and Zonko's was just plain juvenile. The only tolerable place was Dervish and Banges where there was both music and someone who could talk sense.
He scowled as a couple near him blew entwined bubbles as big as balloons using Drooble's Best Blowing Gum.
"Kindly leave space for people who actually want to cross the street," he snarled. The couple were too absorbed in each other to pay heed to him. He darted around them quickly, footsteps tapping the cobblestones impatiently.
Revera opened the door and stepped out of Dervish and Banges just as he reached the shop. Three other Ravenclaw 4th years were with her.
'Giggling as usual,' he thought, scowling even deeper, sure that she would not acknowledge his presence.
"Hello Severus," she said cheerfully.
He merely nodded in response, automatically holding the door open for all the girls to pass. They were not quite out of earshot before one of them mentioned him.
"Some of the 7th years are really cute but that one …" one of Revera's friends shook her head, giggling as if he was too hopeless for description.
"Don't" Revera protested softly. She glanced back. " I think he can still hear you."
Severus slammed the door shut.
The shop assistant looked up, hearing the bang. A few violins whined in protest.
"Severus, shh…" he said. "They need rest after yesterday's concerto."
"Temperamental, aren't they?" he managed what a half-smile for Micky Muldoon. The Irish shop assistant was the closest person to a friend he had to a friend in Hogsmeade. They had very similar tastes in music. "If you don't rent them out so often, maybe they wouldn't mind loud noises."
"What can I do?" he shrugged. "Everyone loves to listen to violins but no one wants to bother learning how to play when you can just charm them," He brightened. "I have some new songs you might like, though."
"As long as its not by the Heavenly Princes," Snape remarked, referring to an up and coming group act fronted by a pretty boy wizard known as Gilderoy Lockhart. He itched to throttle anyone whistling their bland tunes.
"Aye, you have never said a truer word," Micky said agreeably. "This is great though, just listen." He reached for a harp. Fluid notes were coaxed by his fingers, the rich melody filling the air.
"That was beautiful," a voice said behind Severus. He swung around to find Revera staring at them.
"I left one of my bags here," she answered one of his unspoken questions.
"Quite a shopping trip," Severus remarked, trying to feel contemptuous and superior but failing miserably.
"Yes, indeed," she agreed good-naturedly.
"Hey, mate, why don't you play something for the little girl," Micky suggested. "Try this."
"I am not little," Revera protested. "I will be fifteen in 5 months."
"I am 25 so that's little for me," Micky chuckled. "Even Sevy here is a little boy to me."
"Don't call me Sevy," Severus glowered at him as he stared at the black and white keys of the piano in front of him. Rippling notes filled the air.
Revera and Micky both applauded when he finished.
"You are really very good," she smiled.
He shrugged. "I'll take the scores," he told Micky. "11 Sickles?" He counted out the money quickly.
"Well," Revera said uncertainly. "See you in Occlumency then."
"You take Occlumency together?" asked Micky as he gave Severus his change. "Aren't you a bit young?"
"There are so few people taking the subject, Professor Dumbledore's teaching everyone from 3rd to 7th years together," she explained. 'Occlumency and Legilimency' the study of penetrating the mid by magic was the only subject taught by the Headmaster himself.
"Wait for me, Revera," Severus said abruptly. "I have something to show you."
Surprise leaped into Revera's eyes. "Alright, if you wish."
They walked out the shop onto the street.
"Locomotor bags," waved Severus. Revera's shopping bags flew upwards, floating easily in front of them.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Somewhere educational," his answer was not enlightening. Revera glanced up at him and then fell silent. They walked in companionable silence. How, Severus mused, could he resist anyone who understood his distaste for superfluous words? He frowned at the thought.
They reached the outskirts of the village. A pool of water lay in the shadow of the trees.
"The Bottomless Pond..why here?" she asked. The water, so blue and deep, drew her. She trailed her fingers idly in the water.
"Watch. They should be out in …" he checked his timepiece. "Two minutes."
Revera looked at him curiously. The remarkably clear water reflected the afternoon sun like a mirror. No stray water plants or water creatures marred its surface. It was almost too neat.
2 black slimy creatures broke through the smooth expense of water near her hand.
"Eww.." she jumped, drawing her hand back immediately. "What on earth..? More of them emerged, flipping over to float lazily on their backs taking no notice of the two by the pond. "What are they? They look so…slimy."
Severus looked almost happy. "Black Water Izzards," he replied. " In some books, it is said that they may be able to help wizards repel Legilimency Spells."
Revera looked doubtful. "An automatic protective wall? Unlikely, isn't it? More people would have heard of them. And no one would need Occlumency."
"They die very quickly once they are out of their natural habitat," he said. "After which they are useless. No one has been able to figure out how to distil their effects. Here, however, even the most rudimentary knowledge of Occlumency can help you put up a strong defense…Try it."
Revera fingered her wand. "On you?"
"Yes, of course, on me," he said impatiently.
"If you say so," she complied, raising her wand. "Legilimens."
The spell shot straight at him and bounced away as if it had hit a shield.
"Interesting," she remarked thoughtfully. "There would be quite a market if someone can think of a way to preserve them for use."
"I am trying. I experimented with quite a few pickling potions but they did not work very well. But there are some other suggestive properties…," he shrugged. "No matter. There is time and I have quite enough basic skills to withstand most people."
Tipping her head up to look at him, Revera asked " Why are you so anxious to keep your thoughts hidden?"
"I prefer not to b a fool who wears his heart on his sleeve," he said curtly. "We should be heading back."
They left the Black water Izzards sunning themselves happily and strolled back to the village.
"Why did you choose to study Occlumency?" Severus asked abruptly.
"Me?" she considered the question carefully. "Its not Occlumency that interests me but the Legilimency part. It would be nice to be able to sense from people what they need, why they are hurting.."
"So that you can kiss it and make it all better," Severus interrupted with a snort.
Revera took no offence. "Exactly. I can set up a Healing booth in the middle of the village, free for everyone."
"Lupin would undoubtedly be delighted to see you peddling kisses," Severus said sardonically.
Revera laughed merrily. "It would be rather fun just to see his reaction."
They reached the Three Broomsticks, already half-full with Hogwarts students.
"I don't suppose you would like to come in and have a drink," it was more of a challenge than an invitation. He waited for her to back away with a flimsy excuse, sure that she would not want to be seen someone unpopularly known as "big-nosed greasy git," so that he can detest her for it.
She stepped in almost immediately. "Sure, that would be nice. I have to meet my friends in half an hour though."
He felt like cursing aloud. 'Why,' he thought, 'can't she be normal?'
p.s Author's note:
Reviews are really a great motivator! Thanks everyone! If you have gotten this far without writing one, please leave your opinions, questions, etc. and I will try to answer if it doesn't affect the course of the story. Have a nice day J