A/N: Hello everyone. Sorry for taking so long with this next update. I've had so many new ideas that this one sort of...took the back seat for a while. Anyhow...I think...yes...I left off with a bit about werewolves. All right then. Enjoy.
Chapter 7
Reconciliation
Celsea could only play with her food that night. Many of her favourite things remained untouched, but only Hermione noticed that there might be something amiss. When confronted, Celsea would insist that nothing was wrong, and that she was perfectly fine. As she walked down the hall, she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice anything around her.
Mind where you are going, Miss Hatwell.
Celsea looked up at Professor Snape tearfully. She wiped an eye, and then took off at the same pace as before. Severus looked back at his former friend curiously. He did not know whether or not to follow her, but in the end decided in favour.
Miss Hatwell!
He was out of breath when he finally caught up with her, and she remained effectively ignoring him. Severus knew he had seen her expression before on his own face. Taking hold of the girl's shoulders, he looked into her eyes.
Miss Hatwell, what is wrong?
Seeming to almost break from the spell she was under, Celsea shuddered, and looked down. The Professor thought she was about to answer him, but realized quickly that no answer would be coming from her tonight. After leading her back to his office in the dungeons, he administered a large dosage of calming potion, and as it was already late that night placed her in his own bed, taking the chair for himself to further brood over the situation.
-
Celsea dreamed she was walking towards a cliff. The height was steep and the walls were smooth. Behind her was desolation, and in front of her the landscape was every bit as ugly.
-
Waking from her nightmare, Celsea was greeted with confusion as to where she was. The spartan bed she was in was much larger than the one she was accustomed to, and the room was far darker than her dormitory. A glance to the side revealed Professor Snape to be sleeping in his chair. Further inspection revealed an empty flask of a particularly potent calming draft.
I should leave before I wake him.
But as soon as she sat up, Severus opened his eyes. She blushed, and the Professor looked no less embarrassed.
Miss Hatwell. I am sorry if this is uncomfortable to you, but you were in such a state last night...
Celsea struggled to remember. Oh yes. She had been in a right state last night hadn't she. It had all been because of that Umbridge woman. And today was the day. Today she would be shipped off to St. Mungo's.
I...I thank you for your hospitality, Professor Snape.
The two looked uncomfortably at each other for another minute.
I think..Sir, that I should be going.
Professor Snape seemed to be snapped out of some deep recollection.
Oh...oh yes. Er...here are your...your shoes. Yes...yes...you probably should.
Celsea being still partially in the clutches of sleep didn't notice anything, but slowly pulled on her shoes. She stood up, equally as slowly and made to walk towards the door. A sudden inspiration hit her.
She walked back towards the bed, and began straightening the covers.
Celsea, you don't have to...
The girl did not respond, but kept her green eyes to the task before her. Not another word was said before the bed looked as if it had never been slept in. She turned towards the door, and then again towards Professor Snape. After another moment of silence, the enormity of what lay before her suddenly came to full realization. She looked at the ground.
Thank you Sir.
She found it hard to look back up at his sallow features.
Thank you very much.
Professor Snape found himself at a loss for words. He had no idea what lay before this girl to cause her so much distress, and he wanted badly to comfort her. However, Severus was not a person used to feelings of that type and the only thing he could think of doing was brewing another calming draft. He was saved from further complications by her startled cry on looking at the clock.
Oh no...I've...I've got to be going. Thank you ever so much Professor.
She stumbled as she exited the room, leaving a very bewildered Professor Snape to his thoughts.
-
Professor Umbridge looked at Celsea distastefully over the rims of her glasses.
You're late, filthy girl.I know..I slept late...I didn't' mean..Yes yes, just be quiet and sit down.
Celsea found herself looking around at the walls of St. Mungo's, and decided she didn't much care for the environment. It smelled like hospital, and it looked like hospital, no matter how much the wizard's altered the appearance. She turned her mind towards the interrogating questions being asked her by the mediwitch, and felt acutely uncomfortable under the eyes of the frog-like Umbridge.
All too soon, it was night, and Celsea found herself sitting on the floor of a particularly bare room in the remote areas of the wizarding hospital. There was a man in the room with her as well, who looked petrified at her being there with him.
Surely you don't want to get bitten?Look, I've got no say in this. According to Madam Umbridge, my Uncle volunteered me for this experimental program.
They sat again in silence. As night covered them, the man in the room felt the pull of the moon on him.
I am terribly sorry for any hurt I may cause you. I am also sorry, for I know I will bite you, and this will probably...ruin...every chance of a nice future you have...
The man gasped, and Celsea watched in terror as the transformation took place.
-
Celesa walked slowly towards the potions classroom. Thankfully, only one of her many injuries was situated on her face. Last night had been exhausting, and she fully sympathized with Remus as she knew he had been enduring that all his life. Many of her wounds were self-inflicted, for she had been bitten in the early hours of the night, and had time to experience being a werewolf for herself.
While seating herself at a desk, Celsea was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice the brooding stare of her professor.
-
After class, Professor Snape pulled Celsea aside.
Miss Hatwell, what is the matter?
Celsea did her best to look confused.
You were so distraught yesterday, and today you come in...injured...
He looked more closely at the wound on her face, and found a salve that would heal it. She closed her eyes and looked down as the salve was administered.
And then you don't pay any attention in class...
Tears were now welling up in her eyes. Severus put a hand on her arm, and she flinched, hating herself for not having more control when she saw the look of hurt in his eyes.
Miss Hatwell...what is going on?
Violent sobs began to shake her body, and she bit her lip in futile attempt to try and keep herself from showing any emotion. Professor Snape looked on her, mortified. Whatever had happened to this girl would have been exceptionally cruel. Without thinking, he placed a hand on her arm. This time she did not draw away, but moved closer. His second arm found itself wrapping around the shaking girl.
Too soon for the professor, Celsea deemed herself ready to leave.
I'm sorry, Professor. I've already missed charms. I dare not be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Professor Snape could only nod his head, and let her go. Like a true Slytherin, she had let him know nothing of what had happened to her, even while crying to forcefully. But he would find out what was the matter. He must.
-
Celsea sat through the rest of her lesson, and could not look at Professor Umbridge. Whenever the teacher directed one of her questions towards her, she would not even look. She did not say anything for the duration of the class, and caused more than one person to stare at her in confusion.
Draco especially appeared worried for the blonde, freckled girl, but when he confronted her about it after classes, she brushed him off with the usual ease. He followed her.
Look, Hatwell. I know there's something wrong.
She turned around and looked at Draco, again on the verge of tears.
And why would you care?
Draco looked confused, but took this opportunity to move closer.
Hey, we're housemates. Of course I'm concerned about you.
Celsea looked warily at his face. He seemed genuine, but she could never be sure.
Here, I've got some chocolate. And don't try denying that you don't want any, because I know it's your favourite.
Still speechless at the seemingly new Draco, she allowed him to escort her back to the common room, and kept her company as she ate the chocolate.
Thank you Draco.Hey, we Slytherins have to stick together. I mean...most of us...the same thing happened.
Celsea looked slightly confused.
I mean...not many of our parents are very...kindhearted.
Celsea's eyes opened wide with shock. Draco thought she had been beaten!
Oh...Draco...I don't think it's what you think it is. I...er...I haven't been to see my Uncle in...
Well now that she thought about it, it really was his fault.
I mean...it's just probably not what you think.
Draco looked only mildly surprised.
Look, don't worry. We're all a family here, us Slytherins.
As they all retired to bed, Celsea was for the first time in her entire stay at Hogwarts, glad to be a Slytherin.
A/N: I know Draco's a bit out of character...but well...we know nothing about him. I really like fanon Draco better than canon...so well...I hope you enjoyed this and I hope it wasn't too sappy for you all.
Thank you for reading.
