Making Peace Or War With Snape
"I'm not looking forward to this," Harry said gloomily as they made their way to the dungeon.
"Just remember what I told you last night and you'll be all right." Hermione reassured her friends.
Ron looked unconvinced. "I can't recall half of what you recited last night, Hermione. Besides, if Professor Snape speaks to me later, I'm sure I'll forget the other half in a flash."
"But you can't forget! We've gone through that twice!" Hermione said, alarmed.
"How can anyone remember all the names and ingredients of healing potions? There're thousands of them!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "There are only slightly over two hundred types of healing potions that have been tested and approved by the Ministry, Ron."
Harry sighed. They had made extra efforts to prepare for this Potions class, in the hope that they would not get into trouble with Snape. More importantly, they did not want to give Snape and April a reason to get into an argument over them again. However, like Ron, Harry was tired out from Quidditch practice and was already half-asleep when Hermione went through the chapter on healing potions with them the night before.
*
April beamed at the three teenagers when they stepped into the dungeon.
Good, Harry thought. At least one of them is in a good mood today.
"Hi, April!" Hermione greeted the dark-haired girl.
"I did what you asked last night," she smiled happily at Hermione. "And I'm glad I did!"
"Is he okay?"
April looked lost for a second but recovered quickly. "Remus? Oh, He's fine,' she said, keeping a lookout for the Potions Master.
*
"G'morning, Professor!" April greeted Snape cheerfully as soon as he entered the classroom.
Snape stopped in his tracks, and stared at April for several seconds before deciding to ignore her.
His lessons went on as usual…no, almost as usual. Something was definitely different and it bothered Snape. It was as if a thorn was stuck in his flesh and he could not get it out.
April Flamel was beaming at him throughout the lesson, and that was not something he was accustomed to. I'll wipe that smile off her face, Snape thought to himself.
"Potter," he gave Harry his usual sneer. "I hope you know what you are brewing today?"
"Yes, Sir. It's a healing potion."
"And what does it do?"
Harry tried to remember what Hermione had told him. "This potion mends broken bones and repair burned or tattered flesh."
Snape growled. He did not expect Harry to answer correctly.
"How many levels of healing potions are there?" he tried again.
Harry did not know the answer this time, and decided that he would venture a guess. "Ten?"
Snape folded his arms in triumph. Just then, Hermione raised her hands, "Please, Professor Snape, I know the answer!"
Snape looked sharply at Hermione but did not respond.
Hermione took that as permission to continue, "There are over two hundred types of healing potions, but they are largely categorised under seven levels, according to their use and level of potency."
April noticed that Snape was about to pounce on the girl and quickly said, "Miss Granger, you've answered correctly. But in future, it's best to wait for proper permission from Professor Snape before proceeding." She winked at Hermione behind Snape's back.
Snape was annoyed that he was now forced not to pursue the matter.
*
"Miss Flamel, I want to have a word with you," Snape said quietly when April was about to leave the class together with the fifth-year Gryffindors.
"Certainly, Professor!" she replied cheerfully.
Snape watched the last student leave before hissing at April, "I don't know what mischief you're up to this time. But whatever it is, I would advise you to stop it immediately."
"Mischief?" she repeated innocently. "What mischief can I be up to?"
"I'm not a foolish young wizard, Miss Flamel. I will not fall for your tricks."
"Professor Snape, surely I do not think you're foolish!"
"I said to stop this act, and I mean at once!"
"What act?" April was getting impatient. "You're speaking in riddles!"
Snape growled. "What purpose are you trying to achieve?"
April tried her best to answer his question. "As Albus told you, Professor Snape, I'm here to learn from you."
"Oh yes, I remember. You are here to learn what NOT to do."
April coloured slightly. "I still do not agree with some of the things I've seen in your class, Professor. But I don't blame you now."
"Don't blame me?" Snape raised his voice in his mounting frustration.
"That's right. I know what happened in our past can shape us. Our personality and the way we regard and treat the world."
"Miss Flamel, get straight to the point," Snape told her in a threatening voice. His tolerance was fast running out.
April kept her dark brown eyes to the ground. "I know they were not very pleasant to you back in school. That's probably why you're so bitter and not giving your students have a good time either."
"What do you know?" he spat.
"Sirius and…the Marauders, that's what they were called, right? Anyway, I know the Marauders were not very nice…" her voice trailed off.
Snape had not expected April's answer. It made him more unsettled than ever. It was a past of humiliation that he did not want anyone to know about. And Severus Snape would always choose confrontation and even hatred over sympathy. To him, it was even more insulting to be pitied than to be bullied. "What did that ex-convict tell you?" his voice was cold.
"Stop calling Sirius an ex-convict! You know he's innocent!" April said hotly, before she took a breath to calm herself down. Be nice, she reminded herself. "Sirius did not tell me anything," she added.
"So it must be your other little boyfriend," Snape mused.
"And stop calling Remus my boyfriend! He's not my boyfriend!" Cool it¸ she told herself furiously.
"I must really hand it to you, Miss Flamel. You have two of the most notorious students in Hogwarts' history twirled around your little finger."
April lost her leash over her rising temper. "You're talking about my friends, Severus Snape! I love my friends and I care about them. I respect them!" she shouted at him, and then lowered her voice and spat, "I no longer doubt you're the most unpleasant man I've ever come across. I do not envy you one bit, Snape. And I don't blame the guys for not liking you. You probably had no friends all your life and if you don't change your mindset soon, you'll continue to be a loner for what's left of it. I would very much like to pity you, but now I don't think you even deserve that. I'd rather die than to live like you!"
Snape's control also snapped. He whipped out his wand. "ADFLICTATIO!" he cried and there was a dazzling flash of silver light.
April doubled up on the floor in pain, clenching her chest. She felt as though someone had given her heart a tight squeeze, and she could hardly breathe.
"INDOLENTIA!" a third voice boomed into the dungeon.
April looked at the intruder in relief, before passing out.
*
Sirius let out a small breath of resignation as he entered the classroom. He was not looking forward to an hour with the fifth-year Hufflepuffs. They might be hardworking but they lacked the wits of their counterparts from the other Houses and Sirius was seriously starting to worry if they could get past their O.W.Ls.
Just as he was getting started, Mad-eyed Moody appeared at the doorway, looking particularly agitated. His magical eye was zooming around the socket at such high speed that it made many of the students nauseous.
"What is it, Moody?" Sirius asked. Something was wrong.
"I have to speak to you alone. You'd better come out." Moody commanded.
Sirius exited the classroom immediately, and stood outside the doorway. "Another attack by the Death Eaters?" he asked his predecessor.
Moody shook his head gravely. "It's a former Death Eater. I'll take over this class. You'd better head to Dumbledore's office right away."
Sirius was totally confused. "What's happened? What former Death Eater?"
Moody regarded him with both eyes. "Dumbledore sent me to get you. The two of you are probably more than friends," he said critically before adding, "April was wounded by old Snape. She's…"
Sirius grabbed Moody by both shoulders. "What happened? How's she?"
"It's a good thing I found her before more damage could be done. I've been telling them for years that Adflictatio should be regarded as an Unforgivable."
Blood was fast draining away from Sirius' face. "That b**tard used that on her?" He did not wait for Moody's reply and had dashed off in the direction of the headmaster's office.
*
Sirius burst into Dumbledore's office.
"Take a seat, Sirius." The elderly man told him calmly.
"Where is she?"
Dumbledore gestured toward an inner room. "She has taken a dose of the Dreamless Potion. What she needs now is a good rest." He stood up from his chair. "I'll leave the two of you here. I'll have a word with Severus."
"He did that to her, didn't he?" Sirius said bitterly. "He knew that she could not defend herself and he used Adflictatio on her."
"I'm afraid he did," Dumbeldore replied gravely, looking older and wearier than ever.
"I'll kill that freak!" Sirius growled.
"Stay here with April. I'm sure she would want to see you when she awakens. We'll speak on this matter later," the older man said as he departed.
Sirius went into the inner room. April was lying on the couch, with a blanket pulled up to her shoulders. He felt a sharp ache in his chest as he took in how pale she looked.
He placed a hand lightly on her forehead and stroked her hair gently. "Hey, Baby," he said in a hushed whisper.
She did not stir from her sleep.
"I'll get him for you. I promise." He whispered again, in a much harsher voice this time.
* * *
Senshichan14 : No, I've not gone mad. LOL
Ms. Padfoot : I agree that Snape is deep…but I guess he's just not ready to come out of his shell.
Era Yachi : Oh, you have to review again okay? Please?
sweeTpI : Thanks for reading and reviewing both my fics!
Star06 : Huh? Hee…
an-angel36 : I don't think he's right for the role. Sirius is only 35/36! And he doesn't look as though he was "great-looking" in the past. Johnny Depp may be a better choice – there's a dangerous/rebellious streak in him too.
BBOO : Is this more like Snape now? ;)
Lil Lupin : Hermione may be just plain stubborn… You mentioned in an earlier review that I'm neglecting Harry, so I added the opening of this chapter just for you. Will try to have more of him in future chapters, but the adults are so much more fun to write! Oops…
black-cat-on-the-wall : Remus is always the voice of reason, yah?
star-prancer : Quidditch? I dread writing about it. But eventually, I'll have to cuz what's Hogwarts without it?! But it will probably be in my other fic instead.
LILRKCHK : Did I get your name right in my other fic?
Bookworm127 : Thanks so much! I'm glad you like this story. How about giving my other fic a chance? *hint hint*
Someone Reading : C'mon, please don't get upset. I think the Marauders are partly responsible for what Snape is today (the key word is partly!). Remus and Sirius admitted that they were not proud of what they had done too…My guess is that Snape tried to ask Lily out and got James really mad, and also, James got tamed by Lily and became a nicer guy in his later years – that's probably why he was eventually made a Head Boy even though (according to Sirius) he was never a prefect.
SjabRox : More points to Gryffindor! LOL
Kendra Meadows : Welcome back! *gives Mathilda a hug* What's Pot-C dreamland by the way?
Summerkins : You're most welcome! And thanks for reading my stories too!
nunnya buisnes : I'll try to write the next one soon.
jenaleyn : You're a first time reviewer, right? Yay!
peachgirl1608 : April was understanding. But now…
Lily Skylo : There'll be more of April, Snape, Sirius and Remus in the next few chapters.
Katani Petitedra : And you say you're not threatening me?! Arghh!!!!! *runs for cover*
OutofAzkaban : Hey, you have not told me what you think about my chapter! LOL
Fire'N'Ice : What balance are you referring to? I'm glad your theraphy is working ;)
phoebe666 : I'm updating within an hour of your review! :)
