A/N: Another late chappie. I'm sorry guys, I had such a bad writer's block, but I beat it. I'll update the next one faster, and that's a promise. Though I must warn you, I often break promises. Anyway, this chapter is mostly about Harry's and Siobhan relationship. Will they get together, or is Siobhan not ready? To find out read the chapter, and review to ask any questions that won't give the plot away.
Thanks goes to: Wyall Jared and hunni07 for constant reviewing. Their my favourite people. You must read their stories, they are absolute genius' in the works.
Chapter 8 – Midnight date
Siobhan untangled herself from a web of robes, and got to her feet, dusting off dust that had settled on her robes during the brief fall. She looked up expecting to see someone she didn't know, and apologise whilst blushing gently, but instead she found herself looking at Harry with a sheepish grin on his face.
"Hello, Siobhan. We missed you at dinner. Weren't you feeling hungry?" he asked dusting invisible dust of his shoulders.
"No, not really. I decided to go for a walk around the school and I sort of got lost," she answered blushing deeply at the fact that everything could have been avoided if she had not got lost.
"Walk? The way I felt it, it was more of a run than a walk. You can really knock the wind out of someone. Anyway, shall I escort you back safely to the Gryffindor tower?" He stepped back and showed the way.
"Why, yes thank you. That would be corking idea indeed, old chap." They laughed at the silliness of what she had just said, but before they could go back to the Gryffindor tower, Professor Lupin walked past.
"Siobhan. Harry. Good evening. Had a good day?" he said cheerfully pausing as if he had nothing better to do than to stop and have a conversation with them. Siobhan slowly slid her hair forward so that it covered the part of her face where she'd been cut. She was surprised that Harry hadn't said anything.
"Yeah, you're lesson had to be the best part. Can't say the about Potions though," Harry replied. "Snape, I mean Professor Snape, has really got it in for Siobhan here. Do you have the slightest clue why?" Siobhan would have stepped on Harry's foot if Lupin hadn't been looking at her. She couldn't believe how someone could be so nosey.
"No, not the faintest idea. But then we all know our beloved Professor Snape. He always has his reasons, however stupid they maybe. But I wouldn't worry if I were you Siobhan. Harry here has already had to bear it for five years. That's the price for your parents having been in Gryffindor."
"Gee, two years left of Professor Snape. How encouraging," Siobhan groaned, showing her displeasure. "Um, if you could excuse us now, we were just about to go back to the Gryffindor Tower. Good day to you Professor, Harry and I have a four feet essay we would like to get started on."
"Good evening then, see you in tomorrow's lesson. I think you deserve another fifty points for that performance, and to cheer you up a bit." He nodded and then continued his journey to wherever he was going in the first place.
Siobhan waited until they were halfway towards the Gryffindor corridor before giving him a clap round the head, forcing his glasses to move to the very end of his nose.
"Ouch! What was that for? Did I say or do something wrong?" he said rubbing the back of his head tenderly. "That is the second time today you've done that."
"Oh no, you were perfect. Except for embarrassing me in front of a teacher. What was the point asking him that for? Why on Earth couldn't you ask me?" Siobhan asked needing some explanation for his nosiness.
"I didn't think you'd tell me. Too secretive you are, and I was curious, so I thought I'd ask Prof. Lupin. He's safe."
"So what exactly did you gain from that rather strained conversation apart from the fact that if I am correct, that Professor Snape hates Gryffindors" She had calmed down and she didn't really mind. Siobhan felt she could trust him, but he was just too inquisitive about things that aren't meant to be pried into.
"You know, the way you speak really reminds me of someone but I don't know who. Anyway, I didn't learn anything except that your mother must have been enemies with Snape."
"Uh...yeah...sure. Butterbeer rocks." They had now reached the Fat Lady and she swung forward to let them through.
The common room was quiet. Harry remembered that it used to be the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan making the noise. Even though it was only the first day of lessons, Hermione had already read half of her text-books a second time, which was not a surprise. Ron was busy thrashing Neville at Wizard's Chess, so at the moment he didn't care whether his girlfriend was paying more attention to her books than him. Siobhan sunk down into an armchair and Harry drew up a chair next to her.
They swapped notes for History of Magic, not that there was much swapping to do as Harry had one sentence written down, which she could barely read. Before they could get started on their Potions essay about Sleeping Potions around the world, there came a tapping at the window. A third-year opened the window, and in flew an owl, which rested itself on Siobhan's shoulder.
"Hello, Sapphire. I haven't seen you in ages," Siobhan said stroking the birds sleek feathers. Anybody could see why Siobhan had called the owl Sapphire. Its feather's were mainly white but they had a blue tint to it making it look light-blue, a strange colour for an owl. Even its eyes had a hint of blue in them. People were craning their necks to get a closer look, so Siobhan let Sapphire go and she flew around the room before landing back on Siobhan's shoulder where she nuzzled into Siobhan's hair.
"You have a beautiful owl. I've never seen one like that," Hermione said as she came over to get a closer look. "In fact, I've never read about a blue owl before."
"Thank you. Sapphire here is the only one of her kind so that's why they never wrote about her in books." Siobhan turned back to her essay where she had only written the title, ignoring the fact that she had an owl perched on her shoulder.
The common room was nearly empty, and Sapphire had retired to the Owlery, by the time Siobhan, Harry, Hermione and Ron decided to call it a night. Siobhan was slightly reluctant as she only had two more days to finish it and she had only written two feet even when she had made her handwriting as big and as spaced out as possible. They said goodnight and made their way up to their dormitories, and into their comfy beds.
Harry awoke in the middle of the night his scar searing with pain, and his heart pounding faster than normal. Beads of sweat fell down his face, and he wiped them away quickly before sitting up and having a drink of water. Those eyes, those red glinting evil eyes. That laughter, the laugh that belonged to no-one but Voldemort. He needed to get away from it all. He got up and slipped on a pair of jeans and a hoodie. He was going to go for a midnight snack and then have a wander around the school to clear his mind. Before going down he took The Maurauder's Map.
As he came down he wasn't really surprised to find Siobhan sitting in an armchair by the fire, also in jeans and a hoodie. She was staring into the fire, the reflection of the fire dancing in her eyes. He crept behind and he was just about to frighten her when-
"Don't even think about it or I will hit you round the head so hard you will suffer from severe concussion," Siobhan said still looking ahead into the heart of the fire. "I heard you coming down the stairs. If you want to scare someone do it when they least expect it."
"So what are you doing down here, at two in the morning?" Harry asked though he already knew the answer.
"You know why I'm here Harry. Same reason as you. Need to get away from the nightmares that haunt our sleep."
"Guess I did know that. Anyway, you missed dinner so do you want to get a bite to eat in the kitchen's and then have a wander around the school?" He shuffled a bit and looked down at his trainers. They were getting slightly scuffed, and the word 'slightly' was an understatement.
"I'm famished. Lead the way to food, and fill my empty grumbling stomach." Siobhan got up and followed Harry. When they were outside the portrait hall, Harry checked the map. Filch was in the dungeons, Professors Dumbledore, Lupin and Snape all in Dumbledore's office, but nobody else was about who could cause disturbance to their night raid of the kitchens.
Walking swiftly but quietly they reached the kitchens in no time. Siobhan was overwhelmed with the smell of food that entered her nostrils the minute she walked in the kitchen. Dobby walked- well mostly jumped- towards Harry, the bobble on his hat bouncing along with him, his trademark odd socks standing out brightly.
"Hello Harry Potter. Dobby is happy to see you again. Harry Potter is safe and sound here at Hogwarts so Dobby very happy," he said shaking Harry's hand. "Where is your two friends? Tall bright haired Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger who want to set all house elves free? Who is this friend of Harry Potter's?" He was referring to Siobhan, looking at her with his wide staring eyes.
"Dobby, this is Siobhan McKay. She's new here, and she's very hungry. She didn't have dinner. So can you get us some burgers and chips?" Harry asked pushing Siobhan in front of him, so that Dobby also shook her hand. "Oh, and some Butterbeer."
"Right away Harry Potter, and his lovely friend Ms. Siobhan McKay." He disappeared into behind stoves, probably to give the order to other elves. They settled on a table, sitting opposite each other.
"Ms. Granger who wants to set all house elves free? What was that all about?" Siobhan asked not fully understanding everything that Dobby had just said.
"S.P.E.W. Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare. Hermione believes that house elves should not serve humans and she tries all different ways of setting them free like knitting clothes for them," Harry explained amazed that he actually remembered the name. "Not that it ever works."
"Yeah. If elves are happy, then I'm happy. Maybe they should have rights about violent owners but otherwise let them be." They didn't say anymore as the food arrived and they wolfed it down quickly. Not as fast as Ron, but not slow either. When Harry had drunk the last of his Butterbeer ( Siobhan didn't want to risk being ill ), they thanked the elves, and left.
Once again, Harry consulted the Marauder's Map. The three Professors were still in Dumbledore's office but Filch was moving around too much to be able to wander comfortably.
"Siobhan, there has been a slight change of plan. We either go back to the Tower or we go out into the grounds. It's too dangerous to wander around the school. I'm really not in the mood of getting caught by Filch," Harry said turning to Siobhan.
"I haven't really been on the grounds. Let's go there. At least we'll get some fresh air," Siobhan replied looking out of a nearby window. There was a half moon, and it's light was lighting up the grounds. It didn't look too cold. In fact it looked rather calm and peaceful, the Forbidden Forest blending in with the background.
Moving very fast and quietly it was only a matter of time before they were out into the grounds. There was no wind bit the air was chilly. They walked down to the lake and sat on the damp grass looking across the shimmering water, the half moon reflected beautifully on it. They sat there in silence, simply lost in their thoughts. It wasn't awkward; in fact it would have been uncomfortable to talk.
Harry snapped out of his thoughts as Siobhan shivered. He didn't know whether it was because she was cold or because of her dream. Harry watched her face, oddly pale in the moonlight, but he noticed that for the first time since he'd properly met her she wasn't hiding behind her long dark hair. Instead she had her hair pulled into a loose bun, leaving her face bare. He just happened to be sitting on the side where she had a cut, and there was also a cut on her lip, on the same side as her scratch. He hadn't noticed it before and thought that it had happened when they had bumped into each other.
Harry wasn't aware that Siobhan knew he was looking. She could feel his gaze on her skin, as if he was reading her like a book. She instantly regretted having put her hair into a bun, but there was nothing she could do now. There were too many things on her mind. The dream was one of them, Malfoy another but there were also other problems that had attached herself to her, swimming around her mind. Memories were the worst. Bitterness and coldness spread through her, and once again she shivered, but this time a tear also fell down her face.
A hand reached for her face and wiped the tear away. Siobhan turned and looked into his eyes, his face unsmiling but his eyes warm and concerned. They seemed to be asking her what was wrong, but felt she couldn't answer. She was now shaking from the cold on her skin but also on the inside.
"Siobhan? Are you O.K.?" Harry asked wondering whether it was time they started heading back up. Siobhan sniffed as she tried to stop an army of tears rolling don her face.
"Me? Yeah, I should be. I'm a bit cold though," she replied wrapping her arms around her knees in attempt to stay warm. Her eyes had turned back to the lake, although she seemed in a world of her own.
"I'll give you my jumper if you'd like. I'm really not that cold," Harry asked pulling at his thick hoodie. He had his long-sleeved pyjama top on underneath and he really didn't mind, but Siobhan shook her head. Instead she leaned on Harry who wrapped his arm around her. "Or this can work."
They sat like that for who knows how long, just watching the lake, and the occasional ripple as the giant squid came to the surface. From Harry's experience in the fourth year he knew that there were many more creatures in the lake, and could have sworn he saw a face. It was Siobhan who finally broke the silence.
"Just when you think life is great, with the person you care for the most their taken away from you. Why does life do this to you?" Siobhan asked, her voice impassive, her eyes dark. Harry thought of Sirius and how he had been taken away from him but wasn't sure what to say, but had a go anyway.
"Because that's maybe how things are meant to be. You grieve, but maybe it's best that there not there, no matter what you think," Harry answered, taken aback by his own answer. "Or maybe life is just not fair. Why?"
"I really miss my mum, you know she died this summer, and life was just beginning to get better," she said slightly choking at the end, trying to hold back tears. "My dad's not that bad, but he isn't there when I need him." The tears won, and Siobhan shoulders shook as she cried gently.
Harry remembered the previous year when Cho Chang had started crying over Cedric Diggory's death and he hadn't known what to do, making him feel like a total idiot. But this time he was ready, and he held her close to comfort her.
"There, there. I know what you're going through, and if there's anything I can do to help just tell me," Harry said softly, trying his hardest to calm her down. She eventually stopped and wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her jumper.
"I'm sorry. I'm being really selfish. You've lost both your parents and probably more people that you love," Siobhan apologised really ashamed of herself. She usually never cried in front of people but with Harry, it was different.
"It's alright. Everyone needs to let out some emotion once in awhile," Harry said now looking down at Siobhan, a strange look in his face. When he had been with Cho he had never felt like this. With Cho he had never felt comfortable talking about anything, but with Siobhan he was at ease.
"I'm glad I met somebody who understands me," Siobhan said still feeling slightly ashamed of herself. "Someone as kind as you."
"Yeah? And I'm glad to have met someone as beautiful as you." Siobhan moved her head to look at Harry, wondering if he was joking, but the strange look in his eyes told her he wasn't. She was aware of the small distance between Harry's lips and her own. Siobhan wasn't prepared as Harry moved forward, filling in the gap, and their lips met.
Memories that Siobhan had been trying to hold back all evening came rushing back, and she pulled away from Harry's lips, from Harry's warm hold. It was too soon for her. Her relationship with Fred Weasley had worked for awhile, but it hadn't been serious enough. Plus that had been a summer fling, way before everything had happened, and at the time she had been a different person.
"Harry, I'm sorry. It's not you but I'd rather we were just friends," Siobhan explained looking apologetically at Harry who looked slightly upset. "For now."
"Yeah...sure...friends," Harry said, his confidence slightly crushed. He felt stupid to think that she wanted to go out with him at this time. They barely knew each other, but that didn't stop his feelings towards her. "Yeah, I'd like that. But you'll still keep me company at night, won't you?"
"That's what friends are for. It's getting really cold. Do you mind if we go back up now?" she answered, now also feeling guilty for turning him down. She hadn't minded the kiss. It was just the memories that came with it.
Going back much slower than they had come, the silence was really awkward, for both of them. There was a time when Harry held onto Siobhan's wrist to lead her quickly into the right direction. Siobhan flinched, and Harry immediately let go thinking that she was flinching because of his touch. She wanted to tell him that it wasn't because of him but that would mean she'd have to tell him why she flinched, so she just followed in silence.
It was a relief for both of them when they finally made their way to their dormitories, and scream into their pillows, because they were embarrassed or just really frustrated. It was awhile before either of them fell asleep, and when they did, they slept peacefully compared to what they were used to.
The next morning Harry and Siobhan acted as nothing had changed between them. They were discussing Quidditch since Harry had put up a notice for Quidditch tryouts. They would be held tomorrow at five in the afternoon so that they were three hours before the Oclummensy lessons at eight. He remembered the strength it took out of him each time and wondered whether he would be able to survive them. At least this time he had a reason to put his full effort into it. He would do it for Sirius, to make sure no people were hurt because of his stupidity.
Potions was the first lesson for Gryffindor sixth years , and so they made sure they left a full five minutes before the bell went to avoid any chance of being late. Siobhan's face went pale as she saw Malfoy, a grin on his face. She glared at him before turning her back and continuing a conversation with Hermione about the essay. Siobhan was complaining how it wasn't fair to give them an essay on the first day, whilst Hermione said it was good.
They were still focusing on sleeping potions but this one was the Dreamless Sleep potion, one that Harry, and Siobhan had seen many times, though they weren't really sure how to make it. Whilst Siobhan made her potion, she could feel Malfoy staring at her, making the hairs at the back of her neck stand up.
Transfiguration wasn't any better, and all she wanted to do was to turn around and tell him to stop staring, but found it would be a bit weird. Siobhan wasn't able to transfigure a pillow into a pig as she was so unnerved by his stare. Even Harry could see that Malfoy was making her uncomfortable, even when he turned and gave Malfoy a look that could kill it was no use. All Siobhan had to show for a double lessons work was a pig that coughed out feathers, which wasn't too bad, as some people's pig could be squashed.
All through lunch Siobhan sat in silence nodding every now and then when someone said something to show that she was listening. Even when Harry questioned her about her silence, her replies weren't very full.
"Malfoy and his staring problem is getting to me," she said and then continued to eat.
"Why?" Harry asked finding that her answer didn't really explain anything. He could tell that it was Malfoy getting to Siobhan without her telling him anything. "I agree he gets annoying after awhile but I wouldn't think it'd get to you."
"But it does. I'll just have to get used to it." She turned back to her food and listened as Hermione began explaining what S.P.E.W was about in full details, hoping that she could persuade Siobhan in joining. Harry took that as a sign that she didn't want to talk about it.
Defence Against the Dark Arts was interesting and fun as it had been the previous lesson. This time they were studying counter-curses and spells, to most curses and spells. You, of course, needed to remember which counter- curse went with which curse or it wouldn't have an effect at all. In fact, there wasn't a single member of the class who hadn't made a slip-up, even Hermione, who wasn't pent up on being perfect all the time.
Charms followed which meant more practical work. Wrists and arms were getting tired from being used, but even so, they were very interested in what Professor Flitwick was saying.
"Charms doesn't end at being able to say a few words and performing magic, but also about learning arts. For example, today we shall be looking at the art of writing," Professor Flitwick said, his voice filling the classroom. People were muttering to their neighbours, and Professor Flitwick pressed on. "Everyone knows how to write using quills onto paper but how many of you know how to write in the air with your wand? That is what I shall be aiming to teach you over the course of our next few lessons. This doesn't come like that, but with a lot of practise."
Flitwick showed them what they were aiming for. He flicked his wand and in the air appeared his name in bold white letters which stood out. Harry had seen it done before in his second year when Tom Marvolo Riddle had showed Harry how he had rearranged his name, by writing it in the air. He got them started by getting them to write out a letter by letter, and spelling out the alphabet.
"Remember class, imagine the words in your head and then flick your wand with that nice swish and flick motion," Flitwick called over the scraping of chairs, and ruffle of bags as people began working.
Most people in the class managed to conjure a letter, but only Siobhan and Hermione actually managed to get the whole alphabet. Siobhan only managed it because she was trying so hard to ignore Malfoy's stare so she actually worked harder.
She amused herself in the last minutes of the lesson by writing out short words. Hermione was already stringing together five or six words into a sentence. Siobhan couldn't take it anymore staring so she turned around and did what she should have done in Potions. Tell Malfoy to quit staring, and fuck off. But instead of saying it she decided to 'write' it. Concentrating really hard she went for it.
MALFOY QUIT FUCKING STARING AT ME COZ IT'S ANNOYING
appeared in the air and Malfoy's mouth dropped not only at the fact that Siobhan knew had dared to say that to him but at the fact that she could write out sentences whilst the rest of the class couldn't write the alphabet. Before he could respond the bell went, and everybody packed up their things making their way to their dormitories to deposit things off before making their way down to dinner. This time Siobhan made sure she went down with somebody, which meant Malfoy couldn't get what he wanted.
With only a few hours to do as much homework after dinner, Siobhan and Harry were working at Hermione's pace. Harry managed to finish his Potions essay which was an inch or two off but hoped Snape wouldn't notice and his DADA which only took ten minutes to do. However, Siobhan was finding it really hard to write the essay as she couldn't copy from the textbook or it would be a bit obvious, so she moved on to other homework.
At five to eight, they left the common room, and made their way down to the dungeons. Siobhan was nervous, not sure what to expect, and Harry dreading it. He hated the Occlumensy lessons, especially since Snape used it as an excuse to insult him and his father.
They reached his office at exactly eight o'clock, and knocked on the door of his office. The sound of footsteps were heard and the door was opened showing a pallid Professor Snape, a sneer on his face.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Get in," he snapped, ushering them in before anybody saw them. He shut the door behind him and pointed to two chairs. They sat down and looked as ready as they could possibly could.
"I want to set a few simple rules for you to follow, and you Potter, might be familiar with some of them," Snape said pacing backwards and forwards in front of them. "First of all, this may be a special lesson, but I am still your teacher, and you will ever call me sir or Professor. Secondly, this is my office I am letting you use, and there is no way on earth you are to touch anything without my consent. Thirdly, even though you will not lose points in these lessons, I will gladly give detentions, if any of you dare be rude to me. And finally, you are to put your full effort in. And I will know if you are not. Any stupid questions before we make a start?"
"Would you please mind explaining what on earth Leg-thingy and Occlu-thingy are because I have no idea, sir," Siobhan asked lying lazily in her chair, not really bothered about the lesson. If she didn't know what it was, she didn't care.
"So Potter couldn't be bothered to tell you what they are, or you just didn't ask?" he asked raising an eyebrow. Siobhan shrugged her shoulders and Snape decided to carry on. "Legilimency is the ability to extract feelings and memories from another's mind, where those who have mastered Legilimency are able under certain circumstances to delve into minds of their victims and interpret their findings correctly. Are you with me so far, or is the air in your head simply too loud for you to understand what I am saying?"
"I can understand you perfectly, Professor," Siobhan said through gritted teeth. Who did her father think he was? She admitted she wasn't as intelligent as Hermione but she still had a brain.
"Good, I only wondered. Occlumensy is the ability to shut down those feeling and memories so that they cannot be penetrated. This is what I shall be teaching both of you. Ask no questions, simply do as you are told," he glared at them in turn first at Harry, then at Siobhan, but decided to start with Harry. "Now, Potter, we shall see if you have gotten any better, or just worse. How you can get worse I have no idea."
Snape motioned Harry to stand up, which he did taking his wand out ready for the same blow that he had felt earlier on that year.
'Clear your mind Harry,' he told himself, 'Don't let him see your memories. Don't let Siobhan see that you can't do it.'
"Ready, Potter?" Snape asked. Harry nodded, not wanting to lose his concentration by speaking. "On the count of three. One - two – three – Legilimens!"
The office swam in front of Harry's eyes and became less visible, faint images flickering through his mind , getting fainter then bolder. It was less vivid than the first time he had been here, but found he could hold on no more. He was too busy wondering what Siobhan was thinking whilst she watched him.
He was at Grimmauld Place looking at a picture of Sirius taken at Christmas and he was feeling very angry with himself for his idiocy... he was watching Siobhan in Diagon Alley, her body seeming to radiate... he was sitting at the lake with Siobhan... she was looking at him and their lips were only a few centimetres apart... he was leaning forward...
'No,' said that voice in Harry's head, 'That's personal. You will not see that. In fact you won't see anything more, you nosey greaseball."
The images began to stop and slowly fade. Soon enough Harry could see the classroom, and he could see Snape looking furious. Whether it was the fact that he had managed to succeed or something else, Harry had no idea why Snape looked so livid. Siobhan looked on in awe and wondered what Snape had seen. What memories had been read, and how had they had been interpreted.
"You have obviously improved, though you still let me in deep enough to be able to use that information to manipulate you," he said his voice cold his eyes fixed on Harry's. Snape's dark eyes were very cold, as he continued to talk. Harry was used to Snape's evil glares, but this one was the coldest of all. "Since I am feeling in a kind mood right now, I will allow you to rest awhile, and we shall discover what Ms. McKay here can do."
Snape looked in everything but a kind mood as he motioned for Siobhan to stand up, but unlike Harry, she didn't take out her wand. She simply looked at him, her face blank, and her eyes showing no sign of emotion whatsoever.
"I want you to close your eyes and let go off every little emotion that you can," Snape said softly. Siobhan relanctently did as she was told, and tried to rid herself of every emotion. She felt numb as she cleared her head, and felt as she wasn't really there. She opened her eyes, and Snape took that as a sign to continue talking. "Now, take out your wand and you may use it in an attempt to disarm me or stop me in anyway you can. Brace yourself, I'll start, now. Legilimens!"
Despite clearing her head, Siobhan felt as she was being knocked back. Images flashed across her mind, and the office started to become less visible as the images took over.
She was thirteen, her mother was wrapped around Peter McKenna's arms and Siobhan watched jealous of the attention he was getting... Siobhan sat in a dark room reading a book by candlelight... she was flying through a thick forest, her body bruised and cut, feeling very fearful... the door opening as she sat on a bed shaking her legs in her arms... the door opened wider... and wider... and...
BANG! The memories disappeared and the classroom came into view. Snape was on the floor, rubbing his head tenderly where he had hit it as he impacted the wall. He stood up and dusted his robes down. He didn't notice that he had dust in his hair, and Siobhan and Harry didn't have the courage to point it out.
"That was good considering this is the first time you've had someone in your mind with your knowledge. That was not expected. We'll do it again, and don't let me in too deep. The whole point of learning Occlumensy is to be able to block all memories and feelings," he said, still rubbing his head. "On the count of three. One-two-three-Legilimens!"
Once again, Siobhan felt as if she was being knocked of her feet. She struggled to keep images out of her head and instead focused on Snape who was frowning in concentration. Faint flashes of images came into her mind, but none that she could decipher. If she couldn't, she was sure that Snape couldn't. However, the flashes were getting more vivid and slower. Siobhan could no longer fight it and-
BANG! Once again Snape was on the floor, looking shocked. Whether from the shock of hitting the wall, or from the shock that Siobhan could do it, it was hard to tell. He struggled to his feet, and staggered slightly as if he was drunk.
"I think, we shall have a break there. Ms. McKay seems to have her ways of stopping those trying to delve into her mind. Potter, get ready and in a few minutes we shall do that again. Ms. McKay, it seems that we can start working on your Legilimency now," said, his face still bearing a shocked look. He staggered out of the office, probably to get some air, and Siobhan sank to the floor.
"Well, that was fun. Is it always this tiring?" Siobhan asked running her hand through her hair and breathing in deeply.
"Yep. And once you're on, you can't quit. Only he can throw you out. Threw me out last year," Harry explained, trying to clear his head of Siobhan or any other personal thoughts or feelings but failing miserably.
"Why for? I didn't take you as the bad type, but then again, he hates you and doesn't need a reason." Siobhan got up and sat on the chair she was meant to be sitting on, not the floor.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you, because if I do he'll skin me alive, hang me inside-out by my toes and leave me in the Forbidden Forest," Harry explained, imitating Snape's voice, whilst showing the movements. Siobhan was about to start laughing when she saw Professor Snape come back looking vexed. Harry followed Siobhan's gaze, and instantly tried to look as innocent as he could. Snape glared at them as he walked towards desk. There he took a bit of parchment and scribbled something down. He turned back to Harry and looked at him before starting to speak in a slow drawn out voice.
"I hope Potter, that you understand that you are very, how can I say, imperceptive. If our Air-headed friend here can do it, I don't see why you cannot," Snape whispered, though his voice loud enough to be heard. "After all, you are our returning celebrity, am I not correct and therefore, you wouldn't want to disappoint your endearing fans. Would you?"
"No, although I wasn't aware of any fans," Harry said coolly trying to stop the pink slowly creeping up his face. Then he remembered one of 'The Rules' and quickly added, "Sir."
"Enough chit-chat. On your feet Potter, and at the count of three, you'd better be ready or face the consequences for your lack of effort. One-two-three-Legilimens!"
Images after images flicked across Harry's eyes, the office getting less visible as the images increased. Harry struggled to stop the images, but they simply got faster. He needed away of tricking Snape, and he knew a perfect way. Gathering all his energy Harry looked for the memory that wasn't his but Snape's.
A fifteen-year-old Snape doing his OWL's...reading over his exam papers...trying to get his wand out...being thrown onto the ground by nobody else but Harry's father... being hung upside down...
"ENOUGH!" Snape's voice boomed through the office and Harry's mind cleared, an amusing image of Snape's pale skinny legs up in the air, worn-out grey boxer shorts in full view. A grin couldn't help spreading on Harry's face at his triumph. Snape's face was white in anger and his yellow teeth were bared. "That was certainly a huge improvement. I didn't think you would try that. Your father is still in our memories. His humongous head fills up our mind it's too hard too get rid off it." The grin was immediately wiped off of Harry's face and he clenched his fist trying hard to control his anger.
"Don't talk about my father like that, sir. If his head was big, I have absolutely no idea what size yours is, because it certainly isn't smaller than his was," Harry sneered deciding to play Snape's game instead of trying to oppose it.
"Don't talk about what you don't know, Potter. And this is certainly not the time or place to discuss this," Snape scoffed, his eyes dark. He changed the topic so he wouldn't aggravate himself. "Since you have both got the hang off Occlumensy, Potter you may go as I go through the steps of Legilimency with Ms. McKay." Siobhan gulped. Alone with a father who was peeved off was not a good thing.
"That's alright, Professor. I think I'll stay here and wait for Siobhan, if you don't mind that is. I don't want her to get lost, because her memory isn't as good as it should be," Harry insisted, putting on his angelic face that worked with most people.
"Potter, when I said you may go, I meant leave this instance. Legilimency requires a lot of concentration. You may, however, wait outside and if anybody asks you what you are doing, explain how Ms. McKay needs remedial Potions." Harry had no choice but to get up and wait outside the door. When he had his back turned to Snape, he winked at Siobhan before leaving.
The minute the door was closed behind Harry, Snape conjured up a chair and sat right in front of Siobhan so she had to look at him. Siobhan felt uncomfortable. She didn't know whether at the moment he was being a father, or immoral Professor Snape, but she soon found out.
"Siobhan, I'm going to say a few things and you'd better not interrupt me until the end, understood?" Snape asked as politely and kindly as he could. Siobhan guessed he was in father mood, and not wanting to disrupt the flow, she simply nodded. "Good. I want to explain a few things to you. Firstly, I chose to teach you Occlumensy and Legilimency alongside Mr. Potter because I thought you might benefit from it. I will start Legilimency on Thursday because it's perhaps better if it isn't so frequent.."
Inside Siobhan's head the Halleluiah chorus was going on. The less she saw of Snape the better. Not that she didn't like him or anything, but these lessons were tiring. Not to mention, time-consuming.
"Secondly, you must arrange to see Remus every Saturday. Don't ask why, simply do it. Impatience is a wizard's greatest flaw. Be patient and you'll find out soon enough."
Saturday with Professor Lupin. This was going to be a great year for Siobhan. As if. Why? She had no idea. And since Snape as saying she had to be patient, that's what she would do. She would wait and see.
"Finally, I am your father, and even though people don't know about it, and there is a time in a father's life when they feel they have to guide their children in the right direction. So, as your father, I forbid you to date Harry Potter. He is bad news I tell you. What I am saying is simply for your own safety."
Siobhan looked at her father with great disbelief. Not that she desired to go out with Harry, but he could not control who she dated. Her mother hadn't done that, so he couldn't start now. No way. And plus, Siobhan couldn't see anything wrong with Harry. Sure he was curious, irritating, dumb and sometimes plain idiotic, but he was perfect apart from that.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Siobhan asked, pissed that her father would even suggest it. "Sure, you helped create me, but does not give you the right to think that you can fucking waltz into my life, and decide who I date."
"You will not use that tone with me young lady. If you really can't be bothered to give me some respect, then maybe I'm the wrong guy for the job," Snape said coolly, although it was obvious he was getting cross.
"Well, maybe you are. If you were a good parent you would ask me whether I was dating Harry before blowing up in my face! Stop being such a fucking CONTROL FREAK!!"
"Don't even try denying it. I know that you were out on the grounds last night, and you kissed him. If that doesn't mean anything, then proceed in kissing the boys in the entire SCHOOL!" Snape and Siobhan stood there fuming at each other.
"Dad, I am going to try and be very mature about this," Siobhan said lowering her voice, still aware that Harry was outside. "That was a one- off. I ain't dating Harry until I sort a few things out. But when I do go out with Harry you ain't stopping me. I'm sixteen for fuck sake. I'm not a little girl. It's not my fault you didn't get to see me grow up and boss me about then, and you're not about to start now."
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. If it does ever become serious, don't expect me to come to your wedding. No daughter of mine will marry a Gryffindor half-blood, especially Harry Potter."
"I didn't say I was going to get married to him, did I? You're a prejudice bastard, if you don't mind me saying. If you think I'll marry some fucking Slytherin pure-blood, then you have another thing coming." The thought of marrying someone like Draco sent shivers up her spine, as did the thought of having Harry as a son-in-law send shivers up Snape's spine.
"Let's discuss this small matter tomorrow at eight o'clock, when you come for a detention. You will not talk to me like that, and if I have to, I will wash your mouth out with soap. is that clear?" Snape asked, tired of this topic. In fact, just plain tired.
"Very well, O Prejudiced One," Siobhan answered, sighing inwardly. She knew that the conversation had to end so there was no use continuing it.
"Good, now go to bed, it's almost ten o'clock. And tell Potter that I've decided that the lessons will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays," Snape was back to his usual teacher self. "And remember. Eight o'clock tomorrow. I wouldn't eat too much if I were you."
"I hate you," Siobhan said as she began making her way to the door.
"I love you too, Siobhan. Now off to bed before Filch starts patrolling the corridors. And don't look so damn petulant. I told that tongue of yours would get you into trouble someday," Snape replied taking Siobhan's words as merely a joke.
Siobhan left, but not without giving him a cold look. Harry was busy tracing the cracks in the dungeon floor with his feet, he didn't notice when Siobhan came and whacked him hard on the back of his head. This was becoming a usual habit of Siobhan to do when Harry had done something wrong, so she instantly began telling him off.
"I cannot believe you let Snape see that memory. He saw us kiss, for fuck sake. Couldn't you have thought about something else?" Siobhan ranted, waving her arms about in frustration.
"So that's what I've done wrong. Technically he didn't see us kiss, he just saw our lips like 2 millimetres apart," Harry replied, rubbing his head. "What's the problem with Snape with Snape seeing us kiss anyway?"
"What's the problem? WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? Harry, most Slytherins know each other and their families. Snape and my father are really, really close. Anything that Snape sees, he reports to my father. Get why I'm annoyed?"
"Yeah, but what's wrong with you kissing me. It's not like I'm filth or anything. I'm probably worth more than ten Slytherin put together."
"Not in their eyes. In their eyes you are filth. You are not a pure-blood, and you are an irritation to the Dark Lord, so they practically hate you. My father would rather have me date Malfoy than you." Seeing Harry's facial expression turn from curious to shocked, Siobhan quickly added, "not that there's a chance of that happening."
The common room was empty when Harry and Siobhan got there. They were both tired out. Harry felt like someone had just hit him round the ball with a Beater's bat, and Siobhan had hit him round the head. Siobhan was doing some serious thinking as she chewed her lip, a frown appearing on her face. Harry turned to go up to bed, but Siobhan held onto his arm, and continued to chew her lip for awhile before telling Harry what exactly was on her mind.
"What I'm going to say is going to sound weird but, Harry there are pretty of girls out there who would simply die to be your girlfriend," Siobhan began, looking at him intensely, her dark eyes showing off tenderness. "And I'm just not one of those girls. I'm really sorry if this sounds rude, but I had to get it off my chest."
"Yeah, I knew it might have been a bit too fast. I mean, twenty four hours or so isn't enough to really get to know a person," Harry said, trying as hard as he could not to wear a thwarted look on his face. "But twenty-four hours is enough to make a life-long friend. Even if you won't be my girlfriend, I'd definitely like you as a friend."
"Yeah, I'd truly like that," Siobhan said smiling her brilliant smile, made even better by dimples on each cheek. "I hope that doesn't mean I can't get a hug anymore. Come here you soft twat." Siobhan pulled Harry into a big hug, not a bone-cracking one, but a cuddly warm one.
To anybody who would have been watching them, it would have seemed a little more than friendly. And there was someone. Someone who always watched from the shadows, but only once in awhile. Only when that someone wasn't watching a certain individual like a hawk, did they have time to watch as Siobhan changed. Only once in awhile, were they able to watch on and shed a small, silent tear at not being able to speak to Siobhan one more time. Only once in awhile, did that someone smile.
A/N- Ooh, another mystery. Review to get more chapters and get more answers. But if you just can't wait, you can always email and askDo at your own risk, though.