A/N-I humbly apologise for all my readers who have been waiting for weeks and still no update. Sorry, but I had exams, then there were parties, and then I had my computer taken off me for getting brought home by the police drunk. You should have seen my father's face. He didn't look too happy. Anywayz, I finally give you the ninth chapter of my brilliant story.(cough, cough!) Oh, and remember to review, giving any opinions. Whether you hate or rate, review anyway!
Chapter 9- Oh, what a Wednesday!
That Wednesday, the teachers found it hard to get some of the Gryffindors to settle down. It was the day of the tryouts for the Gryffindor team, and everybody who was trying out, was desperately trying to get into Harry's good books. Siobhan, of course, was already in Harry's good books, and all she had to do was prove that she was good at Quidditch, even though batting her eyelids and acting really cute would have done the trick. People Harry had never talked to before were coming up to him, and having a nice chat.
Transfiguration was the first lesson of the day, and Professor McGonagall tried as much as she could to get them to settle down, but she also shared the same buzz of excitement. After all, the previous team had won the Quidditch cup two years in a row. Hopefully, this team would be able to continue the streak. She gave them an easy task, transfiguring water into rum, and allowed them to speak whilst she and Hermione discussed the possible outcomes for the Quidditch season.
It was much easier for Hagrid to keep the class' attention from wandering. They were going to be studying Hippogriffs, something that they were meant to cover in the third year, but thanks to Malfoy the possibility had never arisen again. Now it was Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, it was much easier for Hagrid to teach.
"Some of yer might remember what Hippogriffs are," Hagrid said whilst stroking one of them. They were two, and one Harry recognised as Buckbeak, and the other had light-grey fur, and deep amber eyes. "Beautiful creatures they are. Now does anyone who ain't ridden it before wanna ride one?"
The class was silent. Nobody seemed to want to ride a Hippogriff. After hearing what had happened to Malfoy, but not actually being there to see what happened, some of Hufflepuff looked quite frightened. Some even seemed to edge away. Siobhan looked at the one with the grey fur. As if it had picked up on her gaze it turned and looked at Siobhan, its amber eyes looking straight into Siobhan's dark ones. Siobhan felt intrigued and slowly she raised her hand.
"Come on then. They don' bite yer know," Hagrid reassured her as Siobhan stepped forward. "Now, all yer have to do is bow, and if they bow back yer can ride, but if they don', gently back away."
"Can I pick which one I ride?" Siobhan asked Hagrid. "Not that there's anything wrong with any of them."
"This one 'ere is Buckbeak," Hagrid said stroking the golden furred Hippogriff, then he moved one and stroked the light-grey furred Hippogriff, "an' this one 'ere is Shadow. If yer want her, I'd be careful if I were you. She can get violent, can't yer Shadow?" The Hippogriff stomped her foot in response.
"I want Shadow, she's so different in a beautiful way." Siobhan walked forward but before she could bow, Shadow had come forward and bowed to her. It was a mark of respect that Hippogriff's never showed to humans.
Hagrid watched carefully as Siobhan got on Shadow's back and flew around. He had only seen that happen once, and even Dumbledore wasn't respected by Hippogriffs and he was a powerful wizard. Was it possible that Siobhan possessed a trait that her ancestors had once had? Hagrid thought about it as Siobhan came back to the ground and all through the lesson whilst each member of the class in turn stroked or rode one of the Hippogriffs.
Lunch came and most of the 6th year Gryffindors took there time eating since they had the afternoon off. Hermione said goodbye and trudged of to her Arithmancy lesson. Siobhan sipped some tea whilst looking in the direction of the Slytherin table. Harry, who was sitting across from her, caught her gaze and followed it straight to Malfoy. Malfoy looked back and grinned. Harry turned back to Siobhan who had gone pale.
"What is it with you and Malfoy?" Harry asked Siobhan, wanting to find out exactly what was going on. Actually, he was sort of jealous that Malfoy was getting more attention than he was.
"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with," Siobhan answered giving a last meaningful look at Malfoy before giving Harry her full attention. "Tell me how much do you know about him and his family?"
"He's the heir of one of the countries richest pureblood family, the Malfoy's, his father being Lucius Malfoy, although he is now in Azkaban," Harry explained pausing to think of anything else to say.
"Lucius? And does he have long platinum blond hair with piercing grey eyes?" Siobhan asked, her eyes darkening as the day of her mother's death came back.
"Yep, that's him. Why have you met him before?"
"You could say that. Not a fan of red-head's. So you what were you saying about the Malfoy's before I so rudely interrupted you?"
"Uh.... All of them have been in Slytherin, and as you know not a witch or wizard in that was that House didn't go bad. Including Snape, who is a good friend of Lucius. I guess that's all I know really."
"Thanks for the info I got anyway." She drank the rest of her tea, peered into the cup and smiled a small smile as if she was remembering a happy moment. "And according to my tealeaves, I've got some homework I need to do before we head down to the Quidditch pitch to get warmed up. You coming?" She gathered her stuff and made her way out of the hall. Harry left after her, but not before scowling at Malfoy, who simply smirked back.
Around two hours later, Siobhan and Harry were making their way down to the Quidditch pitch, whilst talking about the 426th Quidditch World Cup, an event which both of them had been present at. Harry was wearing his Quidditch outfit, whereas Siobhan wore simple blue tracksuit bottoms, a hooded jumper and trainers. Having grown up around and with Muggles, she felt comfortable in their clothes. They both had top quality broomsticks which had cost quite a lot. Harry had his Firebolt, a present from Sirius after his Nimbus Two Thousand had been smashed up by the Whomping Willow, still the best broom at the moment, and Siobhan with a Nimbus Two Thousand- and-Five, an upgraded version in the Nimbus series, the fastest so far, but still not as fast as the Firebolt. They were still two hours to go until the actual tryouts, but it would be a great time to warm-up in, since Harry was a little rusty, the last time he had flown being around March.
They had collected the balls from Madam Hooch and now put the box in which they were held, in the middle of the pitch. It was a grey cloudless day with no wind, perfect for those who were trying out for the team. Siobhan jumped on her broom and flew around the pitch gathering speed on each lap until she was nothing but a blue blur.
"Wow," Harry though as he watched her. "She's gorgeous, and a good flier. She'd make a pretty mean Seeker she wanted to. Wonder if she'll make a good enough Chaser."
Siobhan came back to the ground with a 50-feet dive, pulling up less than five inches away from the ground, demonstrating the skills for a perfect Wronski Feint and proving Harry's thoughts right. He clapped, and she gave a small bow.
"I haven't flown in ages. That felt so good to be airborne again," Siobhan said twisting her ponytail into a bun, since it had been getting in her way. "Let's see you fly then. It takes a real good Quidditch player to be able to handle a Firebolt and I want to see for myself if you can really fly it."
"I'm not just a 'real good' Quidditch player, I happen to be one of the greatest Seekers this school has ever seen," Harry replied and flew about 90 feet in the air, diving down, and turning up about 10 cm from the ground (or so it seemed), before circling Siobhan so close that stray strands of hair, blew into her eyes. He smiled as the wind whipped into his face, and how the broom turned at the slightest touch. He came back to the ground, and in return Siobhan clapped.
"O.K. you proved your point you're an excellent flier, but only 'cause you've got a Firebolt," Siobhan said, sticking out her tongue at him. "If you were on a Cleansweeper, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"Ooh, do I detect a hint of jealousy? I thought you were more mature than that. Honestly, it's not my fault I'm handsome, tall, Captain of Gryffindor Quidditch team, and the Boy-Who-Lived." He stuck his nose up, and flicked his hair out of his eyes, doing an impression of Malfoy. "I mean, only the guys are jealous, most girls are too bowled over by my good looks to be jealous."
"Funny Harry, very funny. Are you going to do anything except show off and do impressions of Malfoy?" she asked. "Come on, let the Snitch out and see who can catch it first. Perhaps the team is in need of a new Seeker."
Harry took up the challenge and let the Snitch fly for a few minutes before he and Siobhan kicked off. Siobhan stayed low, whilst Harry flew up into the air. She circled the pitch a few times, whilst Harry stayed in one place and scanned the pitch. Then, glistening by a goalpost, the Snitch came into view for both of them. Harry was the first to see it and sped off, but Siobhan simply sat on her broom and watched. Harry was only a few feet from the Snitch and he was getting close, just as he was about to grab it triumphantly, it disappeared. He backed up and turned around to see Siobhan laughing at him, waving the Snitch in her hand. Harry flew down to meet her, slightly confused at what had happened.
"Obviously not fast enough Harry," Siobhan laughed putting the Snitch back in the trunk securely. "I thought a Seeker would have seen me creep up and catch it then fly back down."
"How did you-?" Harry asked still confused. "I mean, there's no way on Earth you could have been that fast. To be that fast you'd need to travel at the speed of light or something, and that's impossible."
"Everything's possible, Harry," Siobhan said, with the same look of wisdom that Dumbledore always wore. "But you are right, I wouldn't have been able to do that. I simply...um... sort of summoned it to me."
"You know I'd pretend to understand you if I knew what you were talking about. Make some sense please, it sometimes takes awhile for me to get things." He looked at her confused, his nose wrinkling slightly, and Siobhan couldn't help laughing.
"You know you are so similar...what's so confusing about my explanation? It's simple." She blinked and opened up her palm to reveal the Golden Snitch, it's tiny wings buzzing. "Now you see it..." Siobhan blinked again, and the Snitch disappeared; "Now you don't."
"Wicked!" Harry exclaimed in happiness. Think of the things they could get up to with her power. There was no way they were going to lose a Quidditch game now. He could practically smell the sweet smell of victory. He started doing a little dance, prancing around like a complete idiot. "We've won! We've won! We've won!"
"Sorry to interrupt your little parade Harry, but no we haven't. First, I'm not actually on the team. And second, if Snape is ever at the game, he'll know. He didn't hesitate to tell me last night that I let out an eerie blue glow." She was lying, but only a little bit. Snape had mentioned it. Kind of. Last month.
"You love getting my hopes up, don't you?" Harry groaned whilst still teasing her. "First you kiss me then say that I'm not the boy for you, and now you show me this amazing power of yours and it won't be useful crushing the Slytherins."
"Harry, we've already talked about this, and you kissed me, not the other way round," Siobhan replied still not sure whether her reaction last night had been the right one. Harry shrugged and turned to look at the castle. Siobhan looked in the same direction, and she didn't know what to say of what she saw.
It must have been nearly five o'clock because people could be seen making their way over here. The thing that Siobhan was speechless about were the girls walking in a group of about fifty carrying a huge banner which could have been seen for miles around. POTTER, OUR OUTSTANDING HERO stood out in bright green writing, surrounded by love hearts, and a blown-up picture of Harry at one end.
The girls finally reached the pitch and crowded around Harry. A tall girl who must have been about fourteen stepped forward, and squealed with happiness as Harry gave her an uneasy smile. She was quite pretty with bright blue eyes that stood out from her creamy complexion. She had a badge which read: P.O.O.H.
"Oh. My. God. I'm like so totally glad to like finally meet you," the girl squealed, talking so fast Harry barely understood what she was saying. "Hi, I'm like Debbie, and I'm like your Number 1 fan! I'm also like the leader of 'Potter, Our Outstanding Hero', your like No. 1 fan club!" She extended her hand, and Harry slowly shook it, secretly wondering whether he should be standing so close to her. Any minute she could start squealing or even screaming. She did, as she turned around to show her friends that she had actually shaken hands with the Harry Potter.
"And I'm like so totally glad that you find Harry like sooo attractive," Siobhan stepped in seeing that Harry was hopeless. Debbie turned Siobhan and gave her a look that obviously meant, 'and who the hell are you?' "Hi, I'm like Siobhan, and I'm like Harry's No. 1 girl! I'm also like the leader of the 'get of the pitch before I hex all of you' club!"
True, there were a group of nervous looking students sort of hovering around the stands, along with the rest of Gryffindor team who were patiently waiting for the group of girls to go away. Debbie gave Siobhan a look that could cut through metal, but led her group over to the stands for fear of being hexed by Siobhan, who looked pretty tough.
Harry mouthed a 'thanks' to Siobhan and began to call over those who were trying out over. The majority of the girls who were trying out were going for the two open Chaser spaces, and the boys for the Beater position. He was quite surprised to see some people in his year, especially Lavender Brown who had seemed too girly to Harry for Quidditch. Anybody who thought Professor Trelawney was a real Seer had to be too soft and naïve for a game like Quidditch.
"Right, I want five laps around the pitch, then get down here and I can begin assessing whether you are good enough to be on my team," Harry said to the group. Siobhan only had an hour before her detention, so he needed to assess Siobhan pretty soon. "Well, what are you waiting for? Kick off!"
Some of the younger ones jumped, but soon kicked off. Harry shook his head. This wasn't a sport for jumpy people. Siobhan was by far the fastest, but the others kept up. He couldn't have slow fliers on his team, and the last two that landed he apologised to and told them they simply weren't what he was looking for. The looks on their faces definitely weren't happy ones, but they thanked him anyway, and walked off. One of them couldn't be bothered to wait until they were out of earshot before he started mouthing off. 'Who does he fucking think he is? I had to be the best flier out of them lot. No wonder he wears glasses, he's blind as a bloody bat. And another thing...'
Harry shook his head and went back to concentrating on those who were trying out. Ginny was helping him judge the Chasers and Harry was judging the Beaters himself. He watched Siobhan score every single time despite Ron's improving saves. She was definitely Chaser material. And girlfriend material.
He turned his attention to the wanabee-Beaters, and gave them instructions. The ones who could hit the Bludger towards a certain place accurately would be considered for the team. He watched several of them miss the ball, hit themselves with their bat, or hit it in the opposite direction to where they were aiming. At least this way he wouldn't have a hard time picking which ones he wanted on the team. He had let the Bludgers loose and they were taking it in turns to hit the ball at the moment. Harry wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but he watched them carefully, and reminded the slow ones it was their turn. However, he had to turn his attention away when somebody jumped on his back. He put the person down, and turned around to find he was facing Siobhan, a bit flushed from flying around, but still pretty in his eyes.
"I've got to go meet my doom with Snape, the evil Potions Master," Siobhan said in a dramatic voice, grinning although she was going to a detention. With Snape.
"You'll meet your doom with me if you keep jumping on my back whenever you want to talk to me," Harry whined although he didn't really mean it. "Good luck, he seemed pissed yesterday. With which one of us, I don't know."
"Thanks, and maybe if I get out alive you'll cheer me up by telling me I've made the team, won't you Harry?" she asked putting on the sweetest face she could muster. "You know I deserve to be on this team."
"I'm not saying anything yet. Jumping on the Captain's back doesn't earn you any favours. Now off you go, before you're late. Snape isn't keen on late-comers. Actually, come to think of it, Snape isn't keen on anyone."
"See you later Harry. At least I only have to deal with Snape ; you have P.O.O.H. to deal with. You're the one that needs luck." At that she sprinted off towards the castle, and Harry turned to the group of girls intently staring at him now. This was a thing both Malfoy or Snape wouldn't fail to use as a sarcastic remark, and he was sure to be teased about it. He came back to Earth as a Bludger knocked the wind out of him. Whoever had missed that ball could forget being on the team.
Siobhan crashed through the dungeon door causing several jars of ingredients to fall from their places and smash, as she had been running as fast as she could to get there in time. Snape barely so much as flickered an eyelash but finished the sentence he had been writing and looked up. He waved his wand and the jars fixed themselves and returned to their places. Siobhan checked her watch, and wondered how she could be five minutes late. She had left the pitch at quarter to six, but it could have been that slight detour she took to her dormitory to get changed or maybe it was...
"Well? What are you waiting for? Close the door and sit down," Snape snapped at her, and Siobhan immediately sat down not wanting to annoy him. She had a few reasonably-sized requests and she needed him to be happy for that . "So, care to explain why you were late?"
"No, not really," Siobhan answered back, clearly not thinking about what she was saying and who she was talking to. He glared at her, and she quickly changed her answer. "I mean I was so busy adding the final touches to your most important essay, that I lost track of time and that's why I had to run."
"Oh, really? I must say, I never met anybody who could perfect their essay's whilst flying at 50 mph on a broom, have you Siobhan?" Snape raised an eyebrow, a slightly amused look on his face at having caught her out.
"You got me. Only 50 mph? I bet my broom can do a bit more than that," Siobhan said, correcting the piece of information she obviously thought was wrong. "Anyway, what is your reason for keeping me here whilst I could be...I don't know... somewhere else?"
"Because, we need to discuss a couple of things, and your language yesterday was unacceptable. Be warned that I will not hesitate to wash your mouth out with soap if needed," Snape informed Snape, pulling out his wand and placing it in front of him to show Siobhan that he wasn't kidding. Siobhan pouted and wondered what she thought about it. She was about to speak but Snape got in before her. "And, no Siobhan. The soap I will use does not come in different flavours, or by the brand of your choice."
"Fine. Can we start discussing? I've got places to be and people to see."
"Very well. There's still that unsettled issue of Potter. Do you want to argue that some more or did you wake up this morning and finally realise that I'm right and you're wrong?" Siobhan rolled her eyes. He was evidently wrong. Harry was such a cute, friendly and huggable person; Siobhan couldn't see what was wrong with him.
"I still think that you are mistaken. Harry is not bad news," Siobhan argued, anger flaring slightly at her father's big-headedness. "As I said before I have no intention in dating him at the moment but when I do, you'll be the last to know. How can you think that you have any control over my love life? And who would you prefer I date? Draco Malfoy?"
"Yes actually. Draco would be a perfect match for you. That way I don't have to worry that you'll be poor one day, or that you won't be high up in the social class. And once he dies, and I seriously think he'll die before you, you'll get everything under his name."
"Sure. I really want to date my family's killer son. I think not, Dad. Whilst Lucius Malfoy is still alive and killing, I'd prefer to stay away from Malfoy." Snape was taken aback by the fact that Siobhan knew that Lucius Malfoy was the Death Eater. But who was he kidding, she was bound to find out sooner or later, and better sooner than later.
"Not all sons are like their fathers," Snape answered saying the first reason why Siobhan could still date Draco that came out of his head. He was more or less trying to convince himself more than Siobhan. "Give him a chance and if it doesn't work out, I guess...I guess...Potter will have to do."
Siobhan couldn't be bothered to argue about that anymore. (And the author couldn't be bothered to write about it anymore.) She shrugged her shoulder. If to date Harry, she had to date Malfoy first, then she just had to find someone else. Dean Thomas was quite good looking...
"Secondly, I want to talk to you about something I saw yesterday during Occlumensy lessons," Snape said, snapping Siobhan out of her thoughts, most of them including different boys in Gryffindor. "Siobhan, who was that man, and what did those memories mean?"
An unexpected sigh came from Siobhan. She had hoped, prayed that she wouldn't have to talk to him about it. It was personal, and not even Remus knew. She always told Remus everything before anyone. But he did have a right to know. He was her father after all. A bad, annoying, and strangely overprotective one, but a father indeed. Maybe she could lie, but he always found out the truth anyway.
"Well, I don't want to talk to you about it," Siobhan answered running her hand through her hair. It was getting greasy. She needed to wash it soon or it was at risk of being like her father's. "And don't ask me to tell you when I'm ready, because that day will never come."
He had known she would be like this. He could tell she was hiding something, and he needed to know what. Snape had talked to Dumbledore, but when Dumbledore said he wasn't going to say anything, he certainly meant it. Lupin wouldn't spill either, but it had been a simple question, nothing detailed that would be too personal. Lupin simply advised to ask Siobhan herself because he didn't need her not talking to him over something that could have been avoided. Pathetic and pusillanimous. What was so wrong about Siobhan not talking to them?
"Alright, let's make a deal. Instead of telling me about those memories, you tell me about something that happened in your life up till the day I met you," Snape bargained, seeing whether she would just tell him. Siobhan glared, which obviously meant she wouldn't even consider it. "And I'll tell you something about my life."
Siobhan contemplated it. She had always wondered why he was so different with her than he was with the students. So he couldn't go round giving people hugs and telling them he loved them, but he could be more polite and less unfair. She realised that she knew as much about him as he knew about her, and that wasn't a lot. Then perhaps she might find out how he met her mother and why he became a Death Eater.
"If we must do this," she mumbled, acting as though she didn't care about the whole thing. Maybe if he told her something about himself, she would refuse to tell him about her memories. That way, she'd gain information, and not have to face him. Smart, wasn't it?
"Right, but you have to keep up your end of the bargain and there's nothing a simple memory charm wouldn't erase." He picked up the wand and examined it to check that there weren't any defaults that could make Siobhan into the next Gilderoy Lockhart – without the memory. "I guess I'll tell you a bit why I'm so bitter right now excluding the fact that my leaving your mum left a hole in my heart, and being a Death Eater and everything. Siobhan what I'm going to tell you must never on any circumstances leave this four walls, okay? When I was young, I was abused."
Siobhan didn't know how to react so she just nodded in understanding. So he too had been through something as horrible as abuse. Maybe she could tell him, but then again it was too early to see how he would react to her own story. She decided she would tell him bit by bit, until it was time for him to find out the complete truth.
"My father was a very proud man, and he made sure that he had an heir. Sure I had older sisters but they mysteriously died before they were old enough to even walk. When my mother finally gave birth to a boy, he was overjoyed, but I wasn't the boy he wanted. I was skinny, sort of a wimp, and instead of being out there with other boys, I was inside reading. I guess books in the end are the only things that kept me alive. The abuse probably started when I was five, and he could see that I'd never change. First it was the occasional smack around the head if I said something too smart, but then it went to kicking me for no reason at all, just when he felt like it. When my mother died giving birth to my younger brother, he blamed me for her death, but was too busy bringing him up to put much effort into hurting me."
"You had a younger brother?" Siobhan asked interrupting Snape before he could go on. She blushed as she realised she had just said her thought out loud. She hadn't meant to.
"Yes, I did. Alexander named after my mother, Alexandra. He was the kind of boy my father wanted. Good-looking, strongly built and popular. But when my father had had enough of looking after him, he began going out with his colleagues and leaving me and Alex alone. Sometimes for weeks on end. Alex was only five and me eight at the time, but we survived. However, when Alex poisoned himself with one of my father's potions, that was the last straw. I never knew whether it was an accident, or whether it was suicide. Alexander was always too smart for his age, so I just guessed it was suicide. Every morning I was greeted with a punch in the face, for lunch thrown down the stairs and at dinner used as a punch bag. At the week-end he practised the Cruciatus Curse on me. After three years, I didn't go out even to walk in the gardens, and became even more introverted."
"When he had to he took me to parties, he put me in a corner and told me to be quiet and not talk unless talked to. In one of the parties, that's where I also met your mother for the first time. Came up to me, her bright red hair bouncing with her every step. When she started talking to me, I was too shy to respond, but she kept talking and eventually I talked. The minute we got home after the party, my father started accusing me of giving away family secrets, and he began smashing plates and ornaments against me. That was one of the worst days of my life. He put the Cruciatus curse on me for so long I felt I was going to die. You know what saved me?"
"Uh...books?" Siobhan guessed slightly surprised by that question that had popped up just in the middle of his explanation. He laughed dryly, amused at how Siobhan hadn't thought about what she was saying. So much like her mother in many ways.
"No, it was a bit hard to read while in the hold of a grown-up man's Cruciatus. It was Dumbledore. My Hogwarts letter came through right when I thought I was going to die. My father had to stop with an owl pecking him to be able to deliver it. He told me that he was happy that I'd got into Hogwarts. Not because he was proud, but because he would be rid of me and wouldn't have to admit to visitor's that his son was a skinny, greasy- haired wimp. Yes, my hair has been greasy since I can remember, but that's a different story."
"Well, I went to Hogwarts, and immediately I became an outcast. Potter's father and his best friend Sirius Black and I disliked each other from the beginning. Sometimes, I'm actually glad they did play jokes on me. Plotting my revenge kept my mind off the upcoming holidays where I would have to face my father. I couldn't stay at school, it would be too suspicious."
"You could have told someone! You didn't deserve what you got. It wasn't your fault that you were who you were. He wanted a son he got one. Wouldn't Dumbledore have helped you?" Siobhan asked enraged that her father could have been so stupid as to not tell anyone.
"I didn't have to. Dumbledore called me to his office and asked me if anything was wrong. My grades were dropping due to my father having broken my wrist, and me not showing Madam Pomfrey. I guess I was vulnerable at that particular moment and I broke down and told him. From then on, I confided everything with Dumbledore from my problem with the Marauders, to my feelings for your mother. And till this day, I'm still confiding in him, as you should with Remus."
There was a silent moment as both of them reflected. Snape on what he had just told Siobhan, and Siobhan on what she had just heard. Her father was stronger than she thought he was. And at such a young age. Maybe she too could be like him, but that would be in a million years.
"So Siobhan, time for you too keep up your end of the bargain. I told you about something in my life now you," Snape said snapping out of his thoughts and breaking the silence. "Or I could just wipe your memory for the past hour, ad you won't remember most of it."
"Fine, if it must be done, then let it be instead of us wasting time here," Siobhan said slowly, thinking hard whilst she said each word. "Something about my life...let me see...I know. I was born a healthy baby girl with chestnut hair and blue eyes, but as I grew older my hair got darker, and my eyes switched from blue to purple, to brown to black, and then I developed a red rim around them. There we go. I told you something about my life. Bye. Nice talking to you. Let's never do this again." Siobhan got up from her chair, kissed her father on the forehead, was about an inch from walking through the door she had just opened, when it shut. Right in her face.
"Siobhan. Sit," her father instructed. She turned around and found that his wand was pointed straight at her.
"Why should I sit down I held up my end of the bargain. You told me something about your life, and I told you something about mine," Siobhan began arguing.
"That was nearly not enough. If I wanted to know how you looked like when you were born, I would have checked with the hospital. Now sit down and tell me a proper story about your life."
Siobhan sighed and complied to his request. There was no point in arguing since she would end up swearing, and then what would she gain? A mouth full of soap bubbles. Not a pretty thing. And not very tasty either. And if she didn't hold up her end of the bargain, she wouldn't remember what her father had said. Then she wouldn't feel any sympathy or anything towards him, though she doubted he wanted any. She scrunched up her face as she thought about what to tell without revealing too much of her past.
"Okay, you win. This time," Siobhan said, sticking out her tongue at Snape. He smiled at his triumph and put down his wand. Snape leant back in his chair, and looked at Siobhan carefully, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"I knew you'd see it my way. And I will not only win this time but any other times that may come," Snape muttered automatically, remarks like these being natural for him. "Well, didn't you say you had places to go and people to see? Get on with the story then."
"Right. And what I am going to tell you must never get anywhere near Ministry ears, because if they do, I could be facing some serious charges now that everybody knows Voldemort is back." Snape shifted slightly in his chair and wondered what could be bad enough to be kept secret from the Ministry. "See, a couple of months before my mother died, I destroyed quite a few files concerning myself. How? That's another story. Anyway, those files contained information enough to put me in Azkaban. Truth is, I used to be a JED."
"You used to be a JED? You must be joking. You of all people, a Junior Eater of Death?" Snape asked shocked that she too had been drawn into the Dark Side. But then, why did she hate Draco Malfoy so much and yet liked the Boy-Who-Lived? "What on Earth possessed you to something to do so dumb?"
"I could ask you the same thing Mr. Fully-fledged Death Eater. I was having a bit of trouble at home. Mum had just started dating again, and I felt neglected. That man you saw was her last boyfriend/fiancé, Peter McKenna. Me and him had our differences. One night, we had a big argument, and I ran away. There I met Adrian, who was going through the same rough patch as me, and he introduced me to the group."
"We didn't do anything serious. Not really. I was mainly an organiser, since the Ministry were slacking slightly and I could simply walk in there, look for confidential information, and walk out of there. The rest had their fun, torturing Muggles and Muggle–born's. Sometimes it was amusing to watch, but sometimes plain horrible. I was happy where I was. Not having to go home, where I didn't feel loved, but staying somewhere I was made feel welcome."
"I had more disciplinary hearings than an average person my age would have, more than ten I think. Each time, I was dragged home but I would always end up in another argument. Peter was running the household, and nothing I did abided by his way of living. And each time, I would go back to the JED headquarters until the next time I got caught. I was the only one who ever got caught and it needed to be like this. Aurors would show up, I'd put up a fight; they'd bring me down, bring me in, and give me a disciplinary hearing. The less people caught the better. Sure, I got put on probation for longer each time I broke my previous probation, but I didn't care. If I had a place where I felt loved, then I would do anything to keep it."
"Or so I thought. After two years, they said I had been loyal to the Dark side, and it was time I met the newly reborn Big Man a.k.a. Voldemort. I was scared to hell, and that's when things turned slightly sour. I backed down, and said no thank you. Of course no-one ever said no to Lord Voldemort. The pain I was put through for my impertinence, was unbearable but I dealt with it, and I was to meet Voldemort the next month. Thankfully, I didn't, but on a Muggle terrorising spree, I let myself get hurt badly, and actually participated in the act, I had to if I wanted my plan to work. When the Aurors arrived, as usual everyone ran for it whilst I fought them, but this time I really wanted to get myself in trouble. This way if I landed in Azkaban, there would be no reason to meet him. After nearly two years of being in and out of the Ministry of Magic, I was getting sick and tired. So, that night, I put two adult Aurors in St. Mungo's, and it took them quite awhile to take me down with some seriously powerful Stunning spells. I spent two nights in Azkaban before I was put on trial. Those days sucked the happiness out of me, and I struggled not to grow depressed."
"Put in front of the Wizemgamot, I was nervous but I didn't care. Not the whole of the Wizemgamot were there though. I think Dumbledore was unable to attend. Anyway, they debated for hours what to do with me. Some said I should be sentenced to half a year in Azkaban, others said I should be put on strict probation again, whilst others only wanted to know where the other JED's where hiding and didn't care what happened to me. Finally, I was sentenced to strict probation, with guards around our house not allowing me to go out."
"When I did escape the guards, with one of my many tricks, I went back to JED since it would have been suspicious if I hadn't. I told them that I was leaving JED, and that I didn't care that nobody said no to the Dark Lord when they had been requested. I fought them as well as I could, but out- numbered fifty to one it was sort of hard. Due to the noise we were making, Aurors showed up, and soon half the JED was arrested. Including me. Once again, I was at a disciplinary hearing this time, and they threatened to break my wand but they simply confiscated it. Wandless for two months unless with a trained supervisor. I don't know what happened to Adrian or the JED's now that I didn't speak to them. Well, that was my story."
Snape who hadn't said anything whilst she was telling the story continued to ponder. She must have been around thirteen when she joined and fifteen when she left. He had heard of the Junior Eater's of Death and their problem, but never did he think when he had met Siobhan that she would be involved in this type of thing.
"Interesting story Siobhan. Thank you for sharing it with me," Snape said when he had finished pondering. "You may now go, but make sure that anything I have told you doesn't leave this dungeon. Or there will be trouble."
"I'd share stories about my past anytime in a million years. And if you tell anyone what I have told you, especially Ministry officials who haven't yet noticed they have a number of files missing, I will come back to haunt you when I finished rotting in Azkaban."
"Interesting consequence. Okay, now go. I thought you'd want to get back to Potter and find out what position you got," Snape answered taking Siobhan by surprise. How had he known she was trying out for the Gryffindor team?
"Goodnight then. See you on.........Tuesday for a spot of Occlumensy and Legilimency. Oh, and thank you for not judging me about all the disciplinary hearings and the trial and what I've done. You're a semi-great father." She got up and started making her way to the door before turning back. "Can I get a hug please? I really need one, and I think you do too."
Snape stood up and Siobhan run up to him, giving him the biggest hug she could probably muster. It wasn't uncomfortable for Snape like Mrs. Weasley's bone crunching ones, but soft and warming. It felt as if Siobhan's happiness was going into him. He slowly hugged her back and kissed her on the forehead.
"You fly really well Siobhan. Potter would be a fool to not let you on the team. Even if this means you'll probably thrash my team, I'm still proud. You fly like your mother," Snape muttered. Siobhan pulled out of the hug slightly and mouthed a small 'thank you' before giving him one last hug. The moment was priceless.
Siobhan trudged up to the Gryffindor Tower feeling happy for some reason. She and her father had something. A bond, a connection. Something other than blood. So, she wasn't alone, but his case was slightly different, and deserved more sympathy. She wasn't feeling happy because her father had gone through a horrible childhood, but because he trusted her enough to tell her and that was a compliment. If only she could do the same and trust him. His reaction was the one she had always wanted. Not shock, and fear that you were going to kill them but understanding. Maybe he would react the same if she told him the rest but he would have to wait until she was ready.
She reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and told her the password ('butterbeer rocks') before climbing through the portrait hole. The minute the Fat Lady had swung open she could hear lots of shouting, singing and talking. The faint smell of Butterbeer and food drifted up her nose and she quickly scrambled out of the portrait hole.
There seemed to be a party, and it looked like everyone in Gryffindor was in the Common room eating and drinking. Harry who had been sitting on the couch stood up and came over to her. He had a sheepish grin on his face, and his emerald almond shaped eyes, sparkled brightly.
"I've got some good news for you Siobhan," Harry practically shouted trying to be heard over the noise of the common room. "You made the team, along with Lavender, Seamus and Dean. Congratulations, you're the new Gryffindor chaser."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Siobhan shouted jumping up and down. She flung her arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tightly. She let go, smiling widely, her smile brightened by the dimples on each cheek. Without warning, and to Harry's surprise, she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, but it didn't mean nothing. Not really. "You're a star, Harry! Thank you so much!"
"It's alright. You deserved it. You're a really talented flier, or at least you look it. So, do you want anything to drink? Try some Butterbeer, it's delicious." Harry handed her a bottle of Butterbeer, and Siobhan eyed it wearily. Was she sure she'd be able to drink this without being sick? With her lactose intolerance and everything?
She looked at the bottle and decided to drink it. Heck, it was a special occasion, and what's the worst that could happen? She opened it, and drank some of it. She had never tasted it before, and did it taste nice. She took another sip, and another, and another, and pretty soon she'd finished the whole bottle. Her stomach felt strange but she just thought it was a little bit of gas.
"Is there more?" she asked looking around the room. This stuff was delicious and she wanted more. Drinking too much wouldn't be wise so when Harry gave her the bottle, she sipped it slowly savouring every drop. Harry and Siobhan moved into a quieter corner where Harry asked how Siobhan's detention went.
"Oh, it was fine for a detention with Snape. I was late, came crashing in through the door at a 100 mph and knocked his potion's down, and then we had an interesting debate. It seemed to centre around you and Malfoy. I was arguing that you were miles better than Malfoy and he the complete opposite. He must be out of his mind. I had to be careful because he threatened to wash my mouth out with soap if I swore."
"Sounds alright. At least you didn't have to scrub cauldrons all gooey with burnt on potions, or disembowel a frog. And at least your detention was safer than the rest of the tryouts," Harry said, groaning slightly since some of his limbs still hurt. "The actual choosing of the players was easy, but telling the rest they didn't make was another thing. One boy made a swing at my head with a Beater's bat, and a girl slapped me across the face. And trying to get back up to the castle was another thing. Snape was right. I do have fans. A lot of them. They bombarded me with questions like 'Harry, what's your favourite colour' or 'Harry, in your year, which girl do you think is girlfriend material'. It took me ages to get up here."
"So what is your favourite colour," Siobhan asked, curious about what he had answered. "And which girl in your year do you think is girlfriend material?"
"My favourite colour is red, and the girl in my year I think is girlfriend material is..." Harry started but mumbled the last word so quietly, Siobhan wasn't sure he even said anything. His lips moved but no sound came out. He blushed and his cheeks turned red. No wonder red was his favourite colour. "I think the girl in my year is most definitely girlfriend material is....you."
"Thanks Harry, that's so sweet. But to tell you the truth I am not that great of a person, you just don't know me that well. Wait till you see my other side. You'll be wishing you never met me." She took another sip of her Butterbeer and looked around the room. There wasn't much going on. She had to liven it up a bit. "Hey, Harry. Do you want to liven things up a bit?"
"How exactly are you going to liven things up?" He raised an eyebrow and waited for Siobhan to answer, but she just kept smiling, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Please tell me it does not involve alcohol or nudity."
"It might involve some nudity, some alcohol if I can get my hand on it, but apart from that it will be safe. How about a spot of Truth and Dare? Just what this party needs."
"Alright, but if we get into any type of trouble, it was your idea. We were just pawns in your stupid idea to liven things up, and you are to receive any consequences that will come if we get into trouble."
"Fine Harry. I don't really see how we can get into trouble. It's just a game," she said before standing up. She went to the middle of the room and stood on a chair, before calling out, "Who wants to play Truth or Dare? May involve some nudity and alcohol if I can get my hands on it." People stopped what they were doing and came over to Siobhan. They sat in a circle, and whilst everybody who was playing settled down, Siobhan went up to her dormitory and brought back a bottle half-full with Fire Whisky.
"Siobhan, where did you get Fire Whisky from? You can't seriously be thinking about giving alcohol to some fourth-years?" Hermione asked slightly apprehensive about the whole thing.
"Aw, come on Hermione. It's only a bit of fun. Plus, it's past their bed- time. Anybody under fifteen, clear the Common Room and get your hides up to bed!" None of them budged. Siobhan wondered what would scare them away or at least get them to move. "What are you waiting for a goodnight kiss? If you want one just ask, and we'll be able to arrange something. Otherwise...SCRAM!"
Finally they trudged up to the dormitories, looking disappointed that they weren't going to be there to witness nudity or get some alcohol. Hermione relaxed, and lent on Ron, who put his arm around her. Siobhan sat down on a pillow in front of Harry, somewhat in the middle of the deformed circle, and laid down the rules.
"Right, so if you are dared something you have to do it, or you will be transfigured into a chicken and won't be turned back until asked by a teacher. Each dare must be carried out straight away, no procrastinating. If you pick truth, you must tell the truth, and I will know that you are lying. If you fail to tell the truth, you will have the word 'LIAR' written clearly on your forehead for all to see. And please don't get in trouble, but if you do, everything was my idea. Everyone understood?" Nods came from around the room. "So, I think, I'll start on......Hermione. Truth or Dare?"
"I don't trust your dares. So Truth please," Hermione answered. Siobhan smiled and thought about what she could ask Hermione that would embarrass her.
"So Hermione, tell me, which teacher in this school would you most like to shag and why? And it doesn't have to be male either." Hermione blushed deep red, and everybody looked at her expectantly.
"Professor Lupin because he's obviously the fittest out of all the teachers, and I don't think he'll do too badly in bed." Giggles came from the girls, and Hermione looked like a lobster with how red she was going. Ron looked jealous, but said nothing.
"Your turn then. Pick a person and ask Truth or Dare. And stop blushing, it was a reasonable enough question. It's not like he'll find out. Hopefully."
"Right then Siobhan, your turn. Truth or Dare?" Hermione's face colour had turned to normal except for a few hints of pin in her cheeks. She wanted to get Siobhan back.
"I don't trust your truth's. So give me your best Dare? Something that you think I wouldn't do in my own free will, and there's not much choice."
"I know streaking isn't a problem for you, so that's out of the question." Groans erupted from the boys as they would have loved to see Siobhan streaking. "Oh, I know. I dare you to snog Harry for no shorter than a minute."
It was Siobhan's turn to blush, but she didn't look as red as Harry did at the moment. He had a lopsided grin on his face, and anybody could tell that he was looking forward to it. Siobhan stood up and sat on his lap. Well, they needed to be close didn't they? Siobhan lent forward, and soon enough they were snogging. Everyone counted the seconds, and after one minute they still hadn't come up for air. It was two minutes and thirty seconds before they separated.
"No fair!" Seamus Finnegan shouted out as they separated. "Everyone knows their dating, so what was the point in that?" Siobhan picked up the cushion she had previously been sitting on and flung it at Seamus. It hit him right in the face, and Siobhan cheered in triumph She didn't think she would be able to aim so perfectly. As for the cushion, she didn't need it anymore. Harry's lap was way more comfortable.
"For your information, we are not dating. We're just good friends. Now can we get on with the game please?" Harry looked slightly miffed that even after they had had a full on snog, she still didn't feel anything. But Harry knew it was there. There was something holding her back, but what?
They went round the circle, and there were a few more embarrassing moments. Ginny admitted she used to have a crush on Harry even though it had been obvious, Ron admitted he still had a stuffed toy called Wawa, that he took with him everywhere and Colin Creevey admitted that he thought Harry was cute. The dares weren't that bad. Certain fifth-year boys ended up having to wear their boxers on their heads, someone had to chug as much Fire Whisky as they could without throwing up, another had to do an impression of Professor Trelawney and wear clothes similar to her for the whole day if possible and it didn't help it was a boy. But when it was Siobhan's turn and she challenged Dean Thomas, he picked the wrong option. He picked Dare. "Right Dean. I dare you to run around the school naked, butt be fair, I'll let you have a hat to cover up your bits," Siobhan said, that mischievous glint back in her eyes. Dean blushed and also looked terrified. Running around the school naked with only a hat to cover his bits, did not seem appealing. "Or we could always turn you into a chicken."
"No thanks, I think I'll take the dare," Dean answered. He preferred being naked than being a chicken. "But what if I get caught? There's the Head Boy and Girl, then there's Filch, and the odd teacher having a midnight stroll."
"Then as I said, blame it onto me. Tell them I dared you, and put on a sorry face then let them drag back here. And I will know if you've done it or nt. I have eyes in most places." Dean went off to the boys dormitories to take his clothes off, and Harry asked how she would know that.
"Easy. Have you never heard of portraits? The habitants can jump from picture to picture, so if I ask them very nicely they'll follow Dean around, and tell me if he gets caught. Simple." It wasn't so simple to find a portrait that was willing to jump from picture frame to picture frame at this time of night, but eventually she found a boy around their age willing to have some fun.
Dean came down, and the girls hooted because even though his private bits were covered, his bum could still be seen. He disappeared through the portrait hole, and people talked between them as they waited for Dean's return. Siobhan was back on Harry's lap and they were discussing whether Harry was better than Malfoy. Five minutes later, Dean still hadn't come back, but the portrait of the boy came back.
"He's been caught! He was on his way back and he was caught! It was by that greasy-haired lanky teacher. Professor Snape, I think," the boy informed Siobhan. She immediately started telling people to go up to their dormitories whilst she and Harry cleared up the common room a bit. Chairs and cushions had been moved about, and they only had a few minutes to get it back the way it was. They heard the Fat Lady swing forward and they immediately dived into a chair, trying to look as relaxed as they could. As if they stayed up till one in the morning each day.
Professor Snape came through followed by a very embarrassed Dean Thomas. He quickly ran up to the boys dormitory to get dressed and go to sleep. He wasn't go to forget about that very soon. Professor Snape looked around the room, and his eyes fell on the nearly empty bottle of Fire Whisky on the sofa next to Siobhan. She casually leant over, and covered it up although it would be no use in trying to hide that it was never there.
"So, Miss McKay, Mr, Thomas tells me that you stole his clothes, chased him about the school before you came back here. Is that true, Potter?" Snape asked taking Harry by surprise. Why was he asking him? Why not Siobhan?
"Yes, Professor," Harry answered. He didn't know whether he had said the right thing but he just prayed it was.
"Miss McKay, do tell me, what would you needed the bottle of Fire Whiskey for? Or was it just for you and Potter to drink whilst you waited for him to return," Snape asked. He had seen the bottle then. "I'll be confiscating that thank you. And since you and Potter seem to enjoy Fire Whiskey even though alcohol Is clearly not allowed in this school, I shall be telling your Head of House and she will deal with you. Is that understood?"
Harry nodded, but Siobhan didn't nor could she have been able to. At that movement she heaved and was sick. Luckily she summoned a bucket in time and it didn't go all over the carpet. The Butterbeer and the Fire Whisky she had drunk had caught up with her. Harry looked concerned, whilst Snape looked simply disgusted.
"Potter, what did she drink ?" It was no use asking Siobhan as she still was retching, and rather loudly.
"Well she drank about a quarter of Fire Whisky, and quite a few bottles of Butterbeer. She seemed addicted to the stuff."
"Idiotic girl. Did she not tell you she was lactose intolerant? The Butterbeer alone would have done it, but with Fire Whisky as well, I'm surprised she hasn't passed out. I'm taking her to the Hospital Wing. You go to bed. Your bedtime was hours ago, Potter." Harry slowly go up and trudged towards the dormitories. If Siobhan hadn't been throwing up, he would have kissed her goodnight, just to see Snape's reaction. But at the moment, Siobhan didn't look to appealing. Snape watched him go up to the boys dormitories, and then he turned his attention to Siobhan.
"What on earth were you thinking? You know your lactose intolerant, and yet you still go ahead ad the drink the stuff. I have never net a person as irresponsible for their own health as you."
"Well, I know now that I shouldn't drink Butterbeer. No need to preach about the dangers of alcohol, I think I'm beginning to discover them," she answered, before throwing up again. Snape waited patiently, and eventually she stopped throwing up, and groaned, rolling over onto the floor.
"Come on, Siobhan. It's your own fault, and you need to get to the Hospital Wing." She groaned again, rolled over again, but refused to get up. "Why do you have to make my life so complicated? Come on, let's go." He swept her into his arms and carried her out of the portrait hole, towards the Hospital Wing.
When they got there Madam Pomfrey was half asleep and Snape laid Siobhan down before giving her a nudge. She sat up straight away, embarrassed that she had been caught off guard.
"What is it, Severus. Nothing wrong is there?" Madam Pomfrey asked Snape, looking at him carefully. "You do look a bit skinny. Have you been eating enough? Oh, and you look a bit pale, dear. Are you sure you're not coming don with something?"
"No, Poppy. I'm not here because of me. It's because of my imprudent daughter who decided to drink Butterbeer despite her being lactose intolerant and then also mixing it with alcohol," Snape explained, still annoyed at Siobhan. Siobhan groaned and rolled over. She felt as if her head was going to explode.
"Oh, don't you remember the first time you got drunk? You were out for hours. I can slowly hep her get over her lactose intolerance but I'm afraid I can't also give her a Hangover potion. She'll be a bit groggy in the morning but she'll be fine," Madam Pomfrey said, slightly smiling as she remembered the day Snape had first gotten drunk. She went to her cupboard and took out a vial full of green liquid, before handing it to Siobhan. She looked at it hesitantly, before drinking it in one go.
"Well, goodnight Siobhan. See you tomorrow, and I expect to have your essay in, this is not an excuse to miss school." He kissed Siobhan on the forehead before walking out of the Infirmary, his robes sweeping behind him.
Siobhan groaned, as her stomach did a 90 degree flip, and her head swirled. Man, was she going to regret this tomorrow. Her eyelids began to get heavy, and soon enough she fell asleep. Not even a volcano erupting could pull her out of the sleep she had just fallen in.
A/N- So that was it. Remember to review! And I need some suggestions for the plot. Do you want to know the truth earlier or later? Your choice. Oh, and a fight is coming up soon. But between who? Review to get more chapters!
Chapter 9- Oh, what a Wednesday!
That Wednesday, the teachers found it hard to get some of the Gryffindors to settle down. It was the day of the tryouts for the Gryffindor team, and everybody who was trying out, was desperately trying to get into Harry's good books. Siobhan, of course, was already in Harry's good books, and all she had to do was prove that she was good at Quidditch, even though batting her eyelids and acting really cute would have done the trick. People Harry had never talked to before were coming up to him, and having a nice chat.
Transfiguration was the first lesson of the day, and Professor McGonagall tried as much as she could to get them to settle down, but she also shared the same buzz of excitement. After all, the previous team had won the Quidditch cup two years in a row. Hopefully, this team would be able to continue the streak. She gave them an easy task, transfiguring water into rum, and allowed them to speak whilst she and Hermione discussed the possible outcomes for the Quidditch season.
It was much easier for Hagrid to keep the class' attention from wandering. They were going to be studying Hippogriffs, something that they were meant to cover in the third year, but thanks to Malfoy the possibility had never arisen again. Now it was Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, it was much easier for Hagrid to teach.
"Some of yer might remember what Hippogriffs are," Hagrid said whilst stroking one of them. They were two, and one Harry recognised as Buckbeak, and the other had light-grey fur, and deep amber eyes. "Beautiful creatures they are. Now does anyone who ain't ridden it before wanna ride one?"
The class was silent. Nobody seemed to want to ride a Hippogriff. After hearing what had happened to Malfoy, but not actually being there to see what happened, some of Hufflepuff looked quite frightened. Some even seemed to edge away. Siobhan looked at the one with the grey fur. As if it had picked up on her gaze it turned and looked at Siobhan, its amber eyes looking straight into Siobhan's dark ones. Siobhan felt intrigued and slowly she raised her hand.
"Come on then. They don' bite yer know," Hagrid reassured her as Siobhan stepped forward. "Now, all yer have to do is bow, and if they bow back yer can ride, but if they don', gently back away."
"Can I pick which one I ride?" Siobhan asked Hagrid. "Not that there's anything wrong with any of them."
"This one 'ere is Buckbeak," Hagrid said stroking the golden furred Hippogriff, then he moved one and stroked the light-grey furred Hippogriff, "an' this one 'ere is Shadow. If yer want her, I'd be careful if I were you. She can get violent, can't yer Shadow?" The Hippogriff stomped her foot in response.
"I want Shadow, she's so different in a beautiful way." Siobhan walked forward but before she could bow, Shadow had come forward and bowed to her. It was a mark of respect that Hippogriff's never showed to humans.
Hagrid watched carefully as Siobhan got on Shadow's back and flew around. He had only seen that happen once, and even Dumbledore wasn't respected by Hippogriffs and he was a powerful wizard. Was it possible that Siobhan possessed a trait that her ancestors had once had? Hagrid thought about it as Siobhan came back to the ground and all through the lesson whilst each member of the class in turn stroked or rode one of the Hippogriffs.
Lunch came and most of the 6th year Gryffindors took there time eating since they had the afternoon off. Hermione said goodbye and trudged of to her Arithmancy lesson. Siobhan sipped some tea whilst looking in the direction of the Slytherin table. Harry, who was sitting across from her, caught her gaze and followed it straight to Malfoy. Malfoy looked back and grinned. Harry turned back to Siobhan who had gone pale.
"What is it with you and Malfoy?" Harry asked Siobhan, wanting to find out exactly what was going on. Actually, he was sort of jealous that Malfoy was getting more attention than he was.
"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with," Siobhan answered giving a last meaningful look at Malfoy before giving Harry her full attention. "Tell me how much do you know about him and his family?"
"He's the heir of one of the countries richest pureblood family, the Malfoy's, his father being Lucius Malfoy, although he is now in Azkaban," Harry explained pausing to think of anything else to say.
"Lucius? And does he have long platinum blond hair with piercing grey eyes?" Siobhan asked, her eyes darkening as the day of her mother's death came back.
"Yep, that's him. Why have you met him before?"
"You could say that. Not a fan of red-head's. So you what were you saying about the Malfoy's before I so rudely interrupted you?"
"Uh.... All of them have been in Slytherin, and as you know not a witch or wizard in that was that House didn't go bad. Including Snape, who is a good friend of Lucius. I guess that's all I know really."
"Thanks for the info I got anyway." She drank the rest of her tea, peered into the cup and smiled a small smile as if she was remembering a happy moment. "And according to my tealeaves, I've got some homework I need to do before we head down to the Quidditch pitch to get warmed up. You coming?" She gathered her stuff and made her way out of the hall. Harry left after her, but not before scowling at Malfoy, who simply smirked back.
Around two hours later, Siobhan and Harry were making their way down to the Quidditch pitch, whilst talking about the 426th Quidditch World Cup, an event which both of them had been present at. Harry was wearing his Quidditch outfit, whereas Siobhan wore simple blue tracksuit bottoms, a hooded jumper and trainers. Having grown up around and with Muggles, she felt comfortable in their clothes. They both had top quality broomsticks which had cost quite a lot. Harry had his Firebolt, a present from Sirius after his Nimbus Two Thousand had been smashed up by the Whomping Willow, still the best broom at the moment, and Siobhan with a Nimbus Two Thousand- and-Five, an upgraded version in the Nimbus series, the fastest so far, but still not as fast as the Firebolt. They were still two hours to go until the actual tryouts, but it would be a great time to warm-up in, since Harry was a little rusty, the last time he had flown being around March.
They had collected the balls from Madam Hooch and now put the box in which they were held, in the middle of the pitch. It was a grey cloudless day with no wind, perfect for those who were trying out for the team. Siobhan jumped on her broom and flew around the pitch gathering speed on each lap until she was nothing but a blue blur.
"Wow," Harry though as he watched her. "She's gorgeous, and a good flier. She'd make a pretty mean Seeker she wanted to. Wonder if she'll make a good enough Chaser."
Siobhan came back to the ground with a 50-feet dive, pulling up less than five inches away from the ground, demonstrating the skills for a perfect Wronski Feint and proving Harry's thoughts right. He clapped, and she gave a small bow.
"I haven't flown in ages. That felt so good to be airborne again," Siobhan said twisting her ponytail into a bun, since it had been getting in her way. "Let's see you fly then. It takes a real good Quidditch player to be able to handle a Firebolt and I want to see for myself if you can really fly it."
"I'm not just a 'real good' Quidditch player, I happen to be one of the greatest Seekers this school has ever seen," Harry replied and flew about 90 feet in the air, diving down, and turning up about 10 cm from the ground (or so it seemed), before circling Siobhan so close that stray strands of hair, blew into her eyes. He smiled as the wind whipped into his face, and how the broom turned at the slightest touch. He came back to the ground, and in return Siobhan clapped.
"O.K. you proved your point you're an excellent flier, but only 'cause you've got a Firebolt," Siobhan said, sticking out her tongue at him. "If you were on a Cleansweeper, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"Ooh, do I detect a hint of jealousy? I thought you were more mature than that. Honestly, it's not my fault I'm handsome, tall, Captain of Gryffindor Quidditch team, and the Boy-Who-Lived." He stuck his nose up, and flicked his hair out of his eyes, doing an impression of Malfoy. "I mean, only the guys are jealous, most girls are too bowled over by my good looks to be jealous."
"Funny Harry, very funny. Are you going to do anything except show off and do impressions of Malfoy?" she asked. "Come on, let the Snitch out and see who can catch it first. Perhaps the team is in need of a new Seeker."
Harry took up the challenge and let the Snitch fly for a few minutes before he and Siobhan kicked off. Siobhan stayed low, whilst Harry flew up into the air. She circled the pitch a few times, whilst Harry stayed in one place and scanned the pitch. Then, glistening by a goalpost, the Snitch came into view for both of them. Harry was the first to see it and sped off, but Siobhan simply sat on her broom and watched. Harry was only a few feet from the Snitch and he was getting close, just as he was about to grab it triumphantly, it disappeared. He backed up and turned around to see Siobhan laughing at him, waving the Snitch in her hand. Harry flew down to meet her, slightly confused at what had happened.
"Obviously not fast enough Harry," Siobhan laughed putting the Snitch back in the trunk securely. "I thought a Seeker would have seen me creep up and catch it then fly back down."
"How did you-?" Harry asked still confused. "I mean, there's no way on Earth you could have been that fast. To be that fast you'd need to travel at the speed of light or something, and that's impossible."
"Everything's possible, Harry," Siobhan said, with the same look of wisdom that Dumbledore always wore. "But you are right, I wouldn't have been able to do that. I simply...um... sort of summoned it to me."
"You know I'd pretend to understand you if I knew what you were talking about. Make some sense please, it sometimes takes awhile for me to get things." He looked at her confused, his nose wrinkling slightly, and Siobhan couldn't help laughing.
"You know you are so similar...what's so confusing about my explanation? It's simple." She blinked and opened up her palm to reveal the Golden Snitch, it's tiny wings buzzing. "Now you see it..." Siobhan blinked again, and the Snitch disappeared; "Now you don't."
"Wicked!" Harry exclaimed in happiness. Think of the things they could get up to with her power. There was no way they were going to lose a Quidditch game now. He could practically smell the sweet smell of victory. He started doing a little dance, prancing around like a complete idiot. "We've won! We've won! We've won!"
"Sorry to interrupt your little parade Harry, but no we haven't. First, I'm not actually on the team. And second, if Snape is ever at the game, he'll know. He didn't hesitate to tell me last night that I let out an eerie blue glow." She was lying, but only a little bit. Snape had mentioned it. Kind of. Last month.
"You love getting my hopes up, don't you?" Harry groaned whilst still teasing her. "First you kiss me then say that I'm not the boy for you, and now you show me this amazing power of yours and it won't be useful crushing the Slytherins."
"Harry, we've already talked about this, and you kissed me, not the other way round," Siobhan replied still not sure whether her reaction last night had been the right one. Harry shrugged and turned to look at the castle. Siobhan looked in the same direction, and she didn't know what to say of what she saw.
It must have been nearly five o'clock because people could be seen making their way over here. The thing that Siobhan was speechless about were the girls walking in a group of about fifty carrying a huge banner which could have been seen for miles around. POTTER, OUR OUTSTANDING HERO stood out in bright green writing, surrounded by love hearts, and a blown-up picture of Harry at one end.
The girls finally reached the pitch and crowded around Harry. A tall girl who must have been about fourteen stepped forward, and squealed with happiness as Harry gave her an uneasy smile. She was quite pretty with bright blue eyes that stood out from her creamy complexion. She had a badge which read: P.O.O.H.
"Oh. My. God. I'm like so totally glad to like finally meet you," the girl squealed, talking so fast Harry barely understood what she was saying. "Hi, I'm like Debbie, and I'm like your Number 1 fan! I'm also like the leader of 'Potter, Our Outstanding Hero', your like No. 1 fan club!" She extended her hand, and Harry slowly shook it, secretly wondering whether he should be standing so close to her. Any minute she could start squealing or even screaming. She did, as she turned around to show her friends that she had actually shaken hands with the Harry Potter.
"And I'm like so totally glad that you find Harry like sooo attractive," Siobhan stepped in seeing that Harry was hopeless. Debbie turned Siobhan and gave her a look that obviously meant, 'and who the hell are you?' "Hi, I'm like Siobhan, and I'm like Harry's No. 1 girl! I'm also like the leader of the 'get of the pitch before I hex all of you' club!"
True, there were a group of nervous looking students sort of hovering around the stands, along with the rest of Gryffindor team who were patiently waiting for the group of girls to go away. Debbie gave Siobhan a look that could cut through metal, but led her group over to the stands for fear of being hexed by Siobhan, who looked pretty tough.
Harry mouthed a 'thanks' to Siobhan and began to call over those who were trying out over. The majority of the girls who were trying out were going for the two open Chaser spaces, and the boys for the Beater position. He was quite surprised to see some people in his year, especially Lavender Brown who had seemed too girly to Harry for Quidditch. Anybody who thought Professor Trelawney was a real Seer had to be too soft and naïve for a game like Quidditch.
"Right, I want five laps around the pitch, then get down here and I can begin assessing whether you are good enough to be on my team," Harry said to the group. Siobhan only had an hour before her detention, so he needed to assess Siobhan pretty soon. "Well, what are you waiting for? Kick off!"
Some of the younger ones jumped, but soon kicked off. Harry shook his head. This wasn't a sport for jumpy people. Siobhan was by far the fastest, but the others kept up. He couldn't have slow fliers on his team, and the last two that landed he apologised to and told them they simply weren't what he was looking for. The looks on their faces definitely weren't happy ones, but they thanked him anyway, and walked off. One of them couldn't be bothered to wait until they were out of earshot before he started mouthing off. 'Who does he fucking think he is? I had to be the best flier out of them lot. No wonder he wears glasses, he's blind as a bloody bat. And another thing...'
Harry shook his head and went back to concentrating on those who were trying out. Ginny was helping him judge the Chasers and Harry was judging the Beaters himself. He watched Siobhan score every single time despite Ron's improving saves. She was definitely Chaser material. And girlfriend material.
He turned his attention to the wanabee-Beaters, and gave them instructions. The ones who could hit the Bludger towards a certain place accurately would be considered for the team. He watched several of them miss the ball, hit themselves with their bat, or hit it in the opposite direction to where they were aiming. At least this way he wouldn't have a hard time picking which ones he wanted on the team. He had let the Bludgers loose and they were taking it in turns to hit the ball at the moment. Harry wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but he watched them carefully, and reminded the slow ones it was their turn. However, he had to turn his attention away when somebody jumped on his back. He put the person down, and turned around to find he was facing Siobhan, a bit flushed from flying around, but still pretty in his eyes.
"I've got to go meet my doom with Snape, the evil Potions Master," Siobhan said in a dramatic voice, grinning although she was going to a detention. With Snape.
"You'll meet your doom with me if you keep jumping on my back whenever you want to talk to me," Harry whined although he didn't really mean it. "Good luck, he seemed pissed yesterday. With which one of us, I don't know."
"Thanks, and maybe if I get out alive you'll cheer me up by telling me I've made the team, won't you Harry?" she asked putting on the sweetest face she could muster. "You know I deserve to be on this team."
"I'm not saying anything yet. Jumping on the Captain's back doesn't earn you any favours. Now off you go, before you're late. Snape isn't keen on late-comers. Actually, come to think of it, Snape isn't keen on anyone."
"See you later Harry. At least I only have to deal with Snape ; you have P.O.O.H. to deal with. You're the one that needs luck." At that she sprinted off towards the castle, and Harry turned to the group of girls intently staring at him now. This was a thing both Malfoy or Snape wouldn't fail to use as a sarcastic remark, and he was sure to be teased about it. He came back to Earth as a Bludger knocked the wind out of him. Whoever had missed that ball could forget being on the team.
Siobhan crashed through the dungeon door causing several jars of ingredients to fall from their places and smash, as she had been running as fast as she could to get there in time. Snape barely so much as flickered an eyelash but finished the sentence he had been writing and looked up. He waved his wand and the jars fixed themselves and returned to their places. Siobhan checked her watch, and wondered how she could be five minutes late. She had left the pitch at quarter to six, but it could have been that slight detour she took to her dormitory to get changed or maybe it was...
"Well? What are you waiting for? Close the door and sit down," Snape snapped at her, and Siobhan immediately sat down not wanting to annoy him. She had a few reasonably-sized requests and she needed him to be happy for that . "So, care to explain why you were late?"
"No, not really," Siobhan answered back, clearly not thinking about what she was saying and who she was talking to. He glared at her, and she quickly changed her answer. "I mean I was so busy adding the final touches to your most important essay, that I lost track of time and that's why I had to run."
"Oh, really? I must say, I never met anybody who could perfect their essay's whilst flying at 50 mph on a broom, have you Siobhan?" Snape raised an eyebrow, a slightly amused look on his face at having caught her out.
"You got me. Only 50 mph? I bet my broom can do a bit more than that," Siobhan said, correcting the piece of information she obviously thought was wrong. "Anyway, what is your reason for keeping me here whilst I could be...I don't know... somewhere else?"
"Because, we need to discuss a couple of things, and your language yesterday was unacceptable. Be warned that I will not hesitate to wash your mouth out with soap if needed," Snape informed Snape, pulling out his wand and placing it in front of him to show Siobhan that he wasn't kidding. Siobhan pouted and wondered what she thought about it. She was about to speak but Snape got in before her. "And, no Siobhan. The soap I will use does not come in different flavours, or by the brand of your choice."
"Fine. Can we start discussing? I've got places to be and people to see."
"Very well. There's still that unsettled issue of Potter. Do you want to argue that some more or did you wake up this morning and finally realise that I'm right and you're wrong?" Siobhan rolled her eyes. He was evidently wrong. Harry was such a cute, friendly and huggable person; Siobhan couldn't see what was wrong with him.
"I still think that you are mistaken. Harry is not bad news," Siobhan argued, anger flaring slightly at her father's big-headedness. "As I said before I have no intention in dating him at the moment but when I do, you'll be the last to know. How can you think that you have any control over my love life? And who would you prefer I date? Draco Malfoy?"
"Yes actually. Draco would be a perfect match for you. That way I don't have to worry that you'll be poor one day, or that you won't be high up in the social class. And once he dies, and I seriously think he'll die before you, you'll get everything under his name."
"Sure. I really want to date my family's killer son. I think not, Dad. Whilst Lucius Malfoy is still alive and killing, I'd prefer to stay away from Malfoy." Snape was taken aback by the fact that Siobhan knew that Lucius Malfoy was the Death Eater. But who was he kidding, she was bound to find out sooner or later, and better sooner than later.
"Not all sons are like their fathers," Snape answered saying the first reason why Siobhan could still date Draco that came out of his head. He was more or less trying to convince himself more than Siobhan. "Give him a chance and if it doesn't work out, I guess...I guess...Potter will have to do."
Siobhan couldn't be bothered to argue about that anymore. (And the author couldn't be bothered to write about it anymore.) She shrugged her shoulder. If to date Harry, she had to date Malfoy first, then she just had to find someone else. Dean Thomas was quite good looking...
"Secondly, I want to talk to you about something I saw yesterday during Occlumensy lessons," Snape said, snapping Siobhan out of her thoughts, most of them including different boys in Gryffindor. "Siobhan, who was that man, and what did those memories mean?"
An unexpected sigh came from Siobhan. She had hoped, prayed that she wouldn't have to talk to him about it. It was personal, and not even Remus knew. She always told Remus everything before anyone. But he did have a right to know. He was her father after all. A bad, annoying, and strangely overprotective one, but a father indeed. Maybe she could lie, but he always found out the truth anyway.
"Well, I don't want to talk to you about it," Siobhan answered running her hand through her hair. It was getting greasy. She needed to wash it soon or it was at risk of being like her father's. "And don't ask me to tell you when I'm ready, because that day will never come."
He had known she would be like this. He could tell she was hiding something, and he needed to know what. Snape had talked to Dumbledore, but when Dumbledore said he wasn't going to say anything, he certainly meant it. Lupin wouldn't spill either, but it had been a simple question, nothing detailed that would be too personal. Lupin simply advised to ask Siobhan herself because he didn't need her not talking to him over something that could have been avoided. Pathetic and pusillanimous. What was so wrong about Siobhan not talking to them?
"Alright, let's make a deal. Instead of telling me about those memories, you tell me about something that happened in your life up till the day I met you," Snape bargained, seeing whether she would just tell him. Siobhan glared, which obviously meant she wouldn't even consider it. "And I'll tell you something about my life."
Siobhan contemplated it. She had always wondered why he was so different with her than he was with the students. So he couldn't go round giving people hugs and telling them he loved them, but he could be more polite and less unfair. She realised that she knew as much about him as he knew about her, and that wasn't a lot. Then perhaps she might find out how he met her mother and why he became a Death Eater.
"If we must do this," she mumbled, acting as though she didn't care about the whole thing. Maybe if he told her something about himself, she would refuse to tell him about her memories. That way, she'd gain information, and not have to face him. Smart, wasn't it?
"Right, but you have to keep up your end of the bargain and there's nothing a simple memory charm wouldn't erase." He picked up the wand and examined it to check that there weren't any defaults that could make Siobhan into the next Gilderoy Lockhart – without the memory. "I guess I'll tell you a bit why I'm so bitter right now excluding the fact that my leaving your mum left a hole in my heart, and being a Death Eater and everything. Siobhan what I'm going to tell you must never on any circumstances leave this four walls, okay? When I was young, I was abused."
Siobhan didn't know how to react so she just nodded in understanding. So he too had been through something as horrible as abuse. Maybe she could tell him, but then again it was too early to see how he would react to her own story. She decided she would tell him bit by bit, until it was time for him to find out the complete truth.
"My father was a very proud man, and he made sure that he had an heir. Sure I had older sisters but they mysteriously died before they were old enough to even walk. When my mother finally gave birth to a boy, he was overjoyed, but I wasn't the boy he wanted. I was skinny, sort of a wimp, and instead of being out there with other boys, I was inside reading. I guess books in the end are the only things that kept me alive. The abuse probably started when I was five, and he could see that I'd never change. First it was the occasional smack around the head if I said something too smart, but then it went to kicking me for no reason at all, just when he felt like it. When my mother died giving birth to my younger brother, he blamed me for her death, but was too busy bringing him up to put much effort into hurting me."
"You had a younger brother?" Siobhan asked interrupting Snape before he could go on. She blushed as she realised she had just said her thought out loud. She hadn't meant to.
"Yes, I did. Alexander named after my mother, Alexandra. He was the kind of boy my father wanted. Good-looking, strongly built and popular. But when my father had had enough of looking after him, he began going out with his colleagues and leaving me and Alex alone. Sometimes for weeks on end. Alex was only five and me eight at the time, but we survived. However, when Alex poisoned himself with one of my father's potions, that was the last straw. I never knew whether it was an accident, or whether it was suicide. Alexander was always too smart for his age, so I just guessed it was suicide. Every morning I was greeted with a punch in the face, for lunch thrown down the stairs and at dinner used as a punch bag. At the week-end he practised the Cruciatus Curse on me. After three years, I didn't go out even to walk in the gardens, and became even more introverted."
"When he had to he took me to parties, he put me in a corner and told me to be quiet and not talk unless talked to. In one of the parties, that's where I also met your mother for the first time. Came up to me, her bright red hair bouncing with her every step. When she started talking to me, I was too shy to respond, but she kept talking and eventually I talked. The minute we got home after the party, my father started accusing me of giving away family secrets, and he began smashing plates and ornaments against me. That was one of the worst days of my life. He put the Cruciatus curse on me for so long I felt I was going to die. You know what saved me?"
"Uh...books?" Siobhan guessed slightly surprised by that question that had popped up just in the middle of his explanation. He laughed dryly, amused at how Siobhan hadn't thought about what she was saying. So much like her mother in many ways.
"No, it was a bit hard to read while in the hold of a grown-up man's Cruciatus. It was Dumbledore. My Hogwarts letter came through right when I thought I was going to die. My father had to stop with an owl pecking him to be able to deliver it. He told me that he was happy that I'd got into Hogwarts. Not because he was proud, but because he would be rid of me and wouldn't have to admit to visitor's that his son was a skinny, greasy- haired wimp. Yes, my hair has been greasy since I can remember, but that's a different story."
"Well, I went to Hogwarts, and immediately I became an outcast. Potter's father and his best friend Sirius Black and I disliked each other from the beginning. Sometimes, I'm actually glad they did play jokes on me. Plotting my revenge kept my mind off the upcoming holidays where I would have to face my father. I couldn't stay at school, it would be too suspicious."
"You could have told someone! You didn't deserve what you got. It wasn't your fault that you were who you were. He wanted a son he got one. Wouldn't Dumbledore have helped you?" Siobhan asked enraged that her father could have been so stupid as to not tell anyone.
"I didn't have to. Dumbledore called me to his office and asked me if anything was wrong. My grades were dropping due to my father having broken my wrist, and me not showing Madam Pomfrey. I guess I was vulnerable at that particular moment and I broke down and told him. From then on, I confided everything with Dumbledore from my problem with the Marauders, to my feelings for your mother. And till this day, I'm still confiding in him, as you should with Remus."
There was a silent moment as both of them reflected. Snape on what he had just told Siobhan, and Siobhan on what she had just heard. Her father was stronger than she thought he was. And at such a young age. Maybe she too could be like him, but that would be in a million years.
"So Siobhan, time for you too keep up your end of the bargain. I told you about something in my life now you," Snape said snapping out of his thoughts and breaking the silence. "Or I could just wipe your memory for the past hour, ad you won't remember most of it."
"Fine, if it must be done, then let it be instead of us wasting time here," Siobhan said slowly, thinking hard whilst she said each word. "Something about my life...let me see...I know. I was born a healthy baby girl with chestnut hair and blue eyes, but as I grew older my hair got darker, and my eyes switched from blue to purple, to brown to black, and then I developed a red rim around them. There we go. I told you something about my life. Bye. Nice talking to you. Let's never do this again." Siobhan got up from her chair, kissed her father on the forehead, was about an inch from walking through the door she had just opened, when it shut. Right in her face.
"Siobhan. Sit," her father instructed. She turned around and found that his wand was pointed straight at her.
"Why should I sit down I held up my end of the bargain. You told me something about your life, and I told you something about mine," Siobhan began arguing.
"That was nearly not enough. If I wanted to know how you looked like when you were born, I would have checked with the hospital. Now sit down and tell me a proper story about your life."
Siobhan sighed and complied to his request. There was no point in arguing since she would end up swearing, and then what would she gain? A mouth full of soap bubbles. Not a pretty thing. And not very tasty either. And if she didn't hold up her end of the bargain, she wouldn't remember what her father had said. Then she wouldn't feel any sympathy or anything towards him, though she doubted he wanted any. She scrunched up her face as she thought about what to tell without revealing too much of her past.
"Okay, you win. This time," Siobhan said, sticking out her tongue at Snape. He smiled at his triumph and put down his wand. Snape leant back in his chair, and looked at Siobhan carefully, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"I knew you'd see it my way. And I will not only win this time but any other times that may come," Snape muttered automatically, remarks like these being natural for him. "Well, didn't you say you had places to go and people to see? Get on with the story then."
"Right. And what I am going to tell you must never get anywhere near Ministry ears, because if they do, I could be facing some serious charges now that everybody knows Voldemort is back." Snape shifted slightly in his chair and wondered what could be bad enough to be kept secret from the Ministry. "See, a couple of months before my mother died, I destroyed quite a few files concerning myself. How? That's another story. Anyway, those files contained information enough to put me in Azkaban. Truth is, I used to be a JED."
"You used to be a JED? You must be joking. You of all people, a Junior Eater of Death?" Snape asked shocked that she too had been drawn into the Dark Side. But then, why did she hate Draco Malfoy so much and yet liked the Boy-Who-Lived? "What on Earth possessed you to something to do so dumb?"
"I could ask you the same thing Mr. Fully-fledged Death Eater. I was having a bit of trouble at home. Mum had just started dating again, and I felt neglected. That man you saw was her last boyfriend/fiancé, Peter McKenna. Me and him had our differences. One night, we had a big argument, and I ran away. There I met Adrian, who was going through the same rough patch as me, and he introduced me to the group."
"We didn't do anything serious. Not really. I was mainly an organiser, since the Ministry were slacking slightly and I could simply walk in there, look for confidential information, and walk out of there. The rest had their fun, torturing Muggles and Muggle–born's. Sometimes it was amusing to watch, but sometimes plain horrible. I was happy where I was. Not having to go home, where I didn't feel loved, but staying somewhere I was made feel welcome."
"I had more disciplinary hearings than an average person my age would have, more than ten I think. Each time, I was dragged home but I would always end up in another argument. Peter was running the household, and nothing I did abided by his way of living. And each time, I would go back to the JED headquarters until the next time I got caught. I was the only one who ever got caught and it needed to be like this. Aurors would show up, I'd put up a fight; they'd bring me down, bring me in, and give me a disciplinary hearing. The less people caught the better. Sure, I got put on probation for longer each time I broke my previous probation, but I didn't care. If I had a place where I felt loved, then I would do anything to keep it."
"Or so I thought. After two years, they said I had been loyal to the Dark side, and it was time I met the newly reborn Big Man a.k.a. Voldemort. I was scared to hell, and that's when things turned slightly sour. I backed down, and said no thank you. Of course no-one ever said no to Lord Voldemort. The pain I was put through for my impertinence, was unbearable but I dealt with it, and I was to meet Voldemort the next month. Thankfully, I didn't, but on a Muggle terrorising spree, I let myself get hurt badly, and actually participated in the act, I had to if I wanted my plan to work. When the Aurors arrived, as usual everyone ran for it whilst I fought them, but this time I really wanted to get myself in trouble. This way if I landed in Azkaban, there would be no reason to meet him. After nearly two years of being in and out of the Ministry of Magic, I was getting sick and tired. So, that night, I put two adult Aurors in St. Mungo's, and it took them quite awhile to take me down with some seriously powerful Stunning spells. I spent two nights in Azkaban before I was put on trial. Those days sucked the happiness out of me, and I struggled not to grow depressed."
"Put in front of the Wizemgamot, I was nervous but I didn't care. Not the whole of the Wizemgamot were there though. I think Dumbledore was unable to attend. Anyway, they debated for hours what to do with me. Some said I should be sentenced to half a year in Azkaban, others said I should be put on strict probation again, whilst others only wanted to know where the other JED's where hiding and didn't care what happened to me. Finally, I was sentenced to strict probation, with guards around our house not allowing me to go out."
"When I did escape the guards, with one of my many tricks, I went back to JED since it would have been suspicious if I hadn't. I told them that I was leaving JED, and that I didn't care that nobody said no to the Dark Lord when they had been requested. I fought them as well as I could, but out- numbered fifty to one it was sort of hard. Due to the noise we were making, Aurors showed up, and soon half the JED was arrested. Including me. Once again, I was at a disciplinary hearing this time, and they threatened to break my wand but they simply confiscated it. Wandless for two months unless with a trained supervisor. I don't know what happened to Adrian or the JED's now that I didn't speak to them. Well, that was my story."
Snape who hadn't said anything whilst she was telling the story continued to ponder. She must have been around thirteen when she joined and fifteen when she left. He had heard of the Junior Eater's of Death and their problem, but never did he think when he had met Siobhan that she would be involved in this type of thing.
"Interesting story Siobhan. Thank you for sharing it with me," Snape said when he had finished pondering. "You may now go, but make sure that anything I have told you doesn't leave this dungeon. Or there will be trouble."
"I'd share stories about my past anytime in a million years. And if you tell anyone what I have told you, especially Ministry officials who haven't yet noticed they have a number of files missing, I will come back to haunt you when I finished rotting in Azkaban."
"Interesting consequence. Okay, now go. I thought you'd want to get back to Potter and find out what position you got," Snape answered taking Siobhan by surprise. How had he known she was trying out for the Gryffindor team?
"Goodnight then. See you on.........Tuesday for a spot of Occlumensy and Legilimency. Oh, and thank you for not judging me about all the disciplinary hearings and the trial and what I've done. You're a semi-great father." She got up and started making her way to the door before turning back. "Can I get a hug please? I really need one, and I think you do too."
Snape stood up and Siobhan run up to him, giving him the biggest hug she could probably muster. It wasn't uncomfortable for Snape like Mrs. Weasley's bone crunching ones, but soft and warming. It felt as if Siobhan's happiness was going into him. He slowly hugged her back and kissed her on the forehead.
"You fly really well Siobhan. Potter would be a fool to not let you on the team. Even if this means you'll probably thrash my team, I'm still proud. You fly like your mother," Snape muttered. Siobhan pulled out of the hug slightly and mouthed a small 'thank you' before giving him one last hug. The moment was priceless.
Siobhan trudged up to the Gryffindor Tower feeling happy for some reason. She and her father had something. A bond, a connection. Something other than blood. So, she wasn't alone, but his case was slightly different, and deserved more sympathy. She wasn't feeling happy because her father had gone through a horrible childhood, but because he trusted her enough to tell her and that was a compliment. If only she could do the same and trust him. His reaction was the one she had always wanted. Not shock, and fear that you were going to kill them but understanding. Maybe he would react the same if she told him the rest but he would have to wait until she was ready.
She reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and told her the password ('butterbeer rocks') before climbing through the portrait hole. The minute the Fat Lady had swung open she could hear lots of shouting, singing and talking. The faint smell of Butterbeer and food drifted up her nose and she quickly scrambled out of the portrait hole.
There seemed to be a party, and it looked like everyone in Gryffindor was in the Common room eating and drinking. Harry who had been sitting on the couch stood up and came over to her. He had a sheepish grin on his face, and his emerald almond shaped eyes, sparkled brightly.
"I've got some good news for you Siobhan," Harry practically shouted trying to be heard over the noise of the common room. "You made the team, along with Lavender, Seamus and Dean. Congratulations, you're the new Gryffindor chaser."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Siobhan shouted jumping up and down. She flung her arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tightly. She let go, smiling widely, her smile brightened by the dimples on each cheek. Without warning, and to Harry's surprise, she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, but it didn't mean nothing. Not really. "You're a star, Harry! Thank you so much!"
"It's alright. You deserved it. You're a really talented flier, or at least you look it. So, do you want anything to drink? Try some Butterbeer, it's delicious." Harry handed her a bottle of Butterbeer, and Siobhan eyed it wearily. Was she sure she'd be able to drink this without being sick? With her lactose intolerance and everything?
She looked at the bottle and decided to drink it. Heck, it was a special occasion, and what's the worst that could happen? She opened it, and drank some of it. She had never tasted it before, and did it taste nice. She took another sip, and another, and another, and pretty soon she'd finished the whole bottle. Her stomach felt strange but she just thought it was a little bit of gas.
"Is there more?" she asked looking around the room. This stuff was delicious and she wanted more. Drinking too much wouldn't be wise so when Harry gave her the bottle, she sipped it slowly savouring every drop. Harry and Siobhan moved into a quieter corner where Harry asked how Siobhan's detention went.
"Oh, it was fine for a detention with Snape. I was late, came crashing in through the door at a 100 mph and knocked his potion's down, and then we had an interesting debate. It seemed to centre around you and Malfoy. I was arguing that you were miles better than Malfoy and he the complete opposite. He must be out of his mind. I had to be careful because he threatened to wash my mouth out with soap if I swore."
"Sounds alright. At least you didn't have to scrub cauldrons all gooey with burnt on potions, or disembowel a frog. And at least your detention was safer than the rest of the tryouts," Harry said, groaning slightly since some of his limbs still hurt. "The actual choosing of the players was easy, but telling the rest they didn't make was another thing. One boy made a swing at my head with a Beater's bat, and a girl slapped me across the face. And trying to get back up to the castle was another thing. Snape was right. I do have fans. A lot of them. They bombarded me with questions like 'Harry, what's your favourite colour' or 'Harry, in your year, which girl do you think is girlfriend material'. It took me ages to get up here."
"So what is your favourite colour," Siobhan asked, curious about what he had answered. "And which girl in your year do you think is girlfriend material?"
"My favourite colour is red, and the girl in my year I think is girlfriend material is..." Harry started but mumbled the last word so quietly, Siobhan wasn't sure he even said anything. His lips moved but no sound came out. He blushed and his cheeks turned red. No wonder red was his favourite colour. "I think the girl in my year is most definitely girlfriend material is....you."
"Thanks Harry, that's so sweet. But to tell you the truth I am not that great of a person, you just don't know me that well. Wait till you see my other side. You'll be wishing you never met me." She took another sip of her Butterbeer and looked around the room. There wasn't much going on. She had to liven it up a bit. "Hey, Harry. Do you want to liven things up a bit?"
"How exactly are you going to liven things up?" He raised an eyebrow and waited for Siobhan to answer, but she just kept smiling, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Please tell me it does not involve alcohol or nudity."
"It might involve some nudity, some alcohol if I can get my hand on it, but apart from that it will be safe. How about a spot of Truth and Dare? Just what this party needs."
"Alright, but if we get into any type of trouble, it was your idea. We were just pawns in your stupid idea to liven things up, and you are to receive any consequences that will come if we get into trouble."
"Fine Harry. I don't really see how we can get into trouble. It's just a game," she said before standing up. She went to the middle of the room and stood on a chair, before calling out, "Who wants to play Truth or Dare? May involve some nudity and alcohol if I can get my hands on it." People stopped what they were doing and came over to Siobhan. They sat in a circle, and whilst everybody who was playing settled down, Siobhan went up to her dormitory and brought back a bottle half-full with Fire Whisky.
"Siobhan, where did you get Fire Whisky from? You can't seriously be thinking about giving alcohol to some fourth-years?" Hermione asked slightly apprehensive about the whole thing.
"Aw, come on Hermione. It's only a bit of fun. Plus, it's past their bed- time. Anybody under fifteen, clear the Common Room and get your hides up to bed!" None of them budged. Siobhan wondered what would scare them away or at least get them to move. "What are you waiting for a goodnight kiss? If you want one just ask, and we'll be able to arrange something. Otherwise...SCRAM!"
Finally they trudged up to the dormitories, looking disappointed that they weren't going to be there to witness nudity or get some alcohol. Hermione relaxed, and lent on Ron, who put his arm around her. Siobhan sat down on a pillow in front of Harry, somewhat in the middle of the deformed circle, and laid down the rules.
"Right, so if you are dared something you have to do it, or you will be transfigured into a chicken and won't be turned back until asked by a teacher. Each dare must be carried out straight away, no procrastinating. If you pick truth, you must tell the truth, and I will know that you are lying. If you fail to tell the truth, you will have the word 'LIAR' written clearly on your forehead for all to see. And please don't get in trouble, but if you do, everything was my idea. Everyone understood?" Nods came from around the room. "So, I think, I'll start on......Hermione. Truth or Dare?"
"I don't trust your dares. So Truth please," Hermione answered. Siobhan smiled and thought about what she could ask Hermione that would embarrass her.
"So Hermione, tell me, which teacher in this school would you most like to shag and why? And it doesn't have to be male either." Hermione blushed deep red, and everybody looked at her expectantly.
"Professor Lupin because he's obviously the fittest out of all the teachers, and I don't think he'll do too badly in bed." Giggles came from the girls, and Hermione looked like a lobster with how red she was going. Ron looked jealous, but said nothing.
"Your turn then. Pick a person and ask Truth or Dare. And stop blushing, it was a reasonable enough question. It's not like he'll find out. Hopefully."
"Right then Siobhan, your turn. Truth or Dare?" Hermione's face colour had turned to normal except for a few hints of pin in her cheeks. She wanted to get Siobhan back.
"I don't trust your truth's. So give me your best Dare? Something that you think I wouldn't do in my own free will, and there's not much choice."
"I know streaking isn't a problem for you, so that's out of the question." Groans erupted from the boys as they would have loved to see Siobhan streaking. "Oh, I know. I dare you to snog Harry for no shorter than a minute."
It was Siobhan's turn to blush, but she didn't look as red as Harry did at the moment. He had a lopsided grin on his face, and anybody could tell that he was looking forward to it. Siobhan stood up and sat on his lap. Well, they needed to be close didn't they? Siobhan lent forward, and soon enough they were snogging. Everyone counted the seconds, and after one minute they still hadn't come up for air. It was two minutes and thirty seconds before they separated.
"No fair!" Seamus Finnegan shouted out as they separated. "Everyone knows their dating, so what was the point in that?" Siobhan picked up the cushion she had previously been sitting on and flung it at Seamus. It hit him right in the face, and Siobhan cheered in triumph She didn't think she would be able to aim so perfectly. As for the cushion, she didn't need it anymore. Harry's lap was way more comfortable.
"For your information, we are not dating. We're just good friends. Now can we get on with the game please?" Harry looked slightly miffed that even after they had had a full on snog, she still didn't feel anything. But Harry knew it was there. There was something holding her back, but what?
They went round the circle, and there were a few more embarrassing moments. Ginny admitted she used to have a crush on Harry even though it had been obvious, Ron admitted he still had a stuffed toy called Wawa, that he took with him everywhere and Colin Creevey admitted that he thought Harry was cute. The dares weren't that bad. Certain fifth-year boys ended up having to wear their boxers on their heads, someone had to chug as much Fire Whisky as they could without throwing up, another had to do an impression of Professor Trelawney and wear clothes similar to her for the whole day if possible and it didn't help it was a boy. But when it was Siobhan's turn and she challenged Dean Thomas, he picked the wrong option. He picked Dare. "Right Dean. I dare you to run around the school naked, butt be fair, I'll let you have a hat to cover up your bits," Siobhan said, that mischievous glint back in her eyes. Dean blushed and also looked terrified. Running around the school naked with only a hat to cover his bits, did not seem appealing. "Or we could always turn you into a chicken."
"No thanks, I think I'll take the dare," Dean answered. He preferred being naked than being a chicken. "But what if I get caught? There's the Head Boy and Girl, then there's Filch, and the odd teacher having a midnight stroll."
"Then as I said, blame it onto me. Tell them I dared you, and put on a sorry face then let them drag back here. And I will know if you've done it or nt. I have eyes in most places." Dean went off to the boys dormitories to take his clothes off, and Harry asked how she would know that.
"Easy. Have you never heard of portraits? The habitants can jump from picture to picture, so if I ask them very nicely they'll follow Dean around, and tell me if he gets caught. Simple." It wasn't so simple to find a portrait that was willing to jump from picture frame to picture frame at this time of night, but eventually she found a boy around their age willing to have some fun.
Dean came down, and the girls hooted because even though his private bits were covered, his bum could still be seen. He disappeared through the portrait hole, and people talked between them as they waited for Dean's return. Siobhan was back on Harry's lap and they were discussing whether Harry was better than Malfoy. Five minutes later, Dean still hadn't come back, but the portrait of the boy came back.
"He's been caught! He was on his way back and he was caught! It was by that greasy-haired lanky teacher. Professor Snape, I think," the boy informed Siobhan. She immediately started telling people to go up to their dormitories whilst she and Harry cleared up the common room a bit. Chairs and cushions had been moved about, and they only had a few minutes to get it back the way it was. They heard the Fat Lady swing forward and they immediately dived into a chair, trying to look as relaxed as they could. As if they stayed up till one in the morning each day.
Professor Snape came through followed by a very embarrassed Dean Thomas. He quickly ran up to the boys dormitory to get dressed and go to sleep. He wasn't go to forget about that very soon. Professor Snape looked around the room, and his eyes fell on the nearly empty bottle of Fire Whisky on the sofa next to Siobhan. She casually leant over, and covered it up although it would be no use in trying to hide that it was never there.
"So, Miss McKay, Mr, Thomas tells me that you stole his clothes, chased him about the school before you came back here. Is that true, Potter?" Snape asked taking Harry by surprise. Why was he asking him? Why not Siobhan?
"Yes, Professor," Harry answered. He didn't know whether he had said the right thing but he just prayed it was.
"Miss McKay, do tell me, what would you needed the bottle of Fire Whiskey for? Or was it just for you and Potter to drink whilst you waited for him to return," Snape asked. He had seen the bottle then. "I'll be confiscating that thank you. And since you and Potter seem to enjoy Fire Whiskey even though alcohol Is clearly not allowed in this school, I shall be telling your Head of House and she will deal with you. Is that understood?"
Harry nodded, but Siobhan didn't nor could she have been able to. At that movement she heaved and was sick. Luckily she summoned a bucket in time and it didn't go all over the carpet. The Butterbeer and the Fire Whisky she had drunk had caught up with her. Harry looked concerned, whilst Snape looked simply disgusted.
"Potter, what did she drink ?" It was no use asking Siobhan as she still was retching, and rather loudly.
"Well she drank about a quarter of Fire Whisky, and quite a few bottles of Butterbeer. She seemed addicted to the stuff."
"Idiotic girl. Did she not tell you she was lactose intolerant? The Butterbeer alone would have done it, but with Fire Whisky as well, I'm surprised she hasn't passed out. I'm taking her to the Hospital Wing. You go to bed. Your bedtime was hours ago, Potter." Harry slowly go up and trudged towards the dormitories. If Siobhan hadn't been throwing up, he would have kissed her goodnight, just to see Snape's reaction. But at the moment, Siobhan didn't look to appealing. Snape watched him go up to the boys dormitories, and then he turned his attention to Siobhan.
"What on earth were you thinking? You know your lactose intolerant, and yet you still go ahead ad the drink the stuff. I have never net a person as irresponsible for their own health as you."
"Well, I know now that I shouldn't drink Butterbeer. No need to preach about the dangers of alcohol, I think I'm beginning to discover them," she answered, before throwing up again. Snape waited patiently, and eventually she stopped throwing up, and groaned, rolling over onto the floor.
"Come on, Siobhan. It's your own fault, and you need to get to the Hospital Wing." She groaned again, rolled over again, but refused to get up. "Why do you have to make my life so complicated? Come on, let's go." He swept her into his arms and carried her out of the portrait hole, towards the Hospital Wing.
When they got there Madam Pomfrey was half asleep and Snape laid Siobhan down before giving her a nudge. She sat up straight away, embarrassed that she had been caught off guard.
"What is it, Severus. Nothing wrong is there?" Madam Pomfrey asked Snape, looking at him carefully. "You do look a bit skinny. Have you been eating enough? Oh, and you look a bit pale, dear. Are you sure you're not coming don with something?"
"No, Poppy. I'm not here because of me. It's because of my imprudent daughter who decided to drink Butterbeer despite her being lactose intolerant and then also mixing it with alcohol," Snape explained, still annoyed at Siobhan. Siobhan groaned and rolled over. She felt as if her head was going to explode.
"Oh, don't you remember the first time you got drunk? You were out for hours. I can slowly hep her get over her lactose intolerance but I'm afraid I can't also give her a Hangover potion. She'll be a bit groggy in the morning but she'll be fine," Madam Pomfrey said, slightly smiling as she remembered the day Snape had first gotten drunk. She went to her cupboard and took out a vial full of green liquid, before handing it to Siobhan. She looked at it hesitantly, before drinking it in one go.
"Well, goodnight Siobhan. See you tomorrow, and I expect to have your essay in, this is not an excuse to miss school." He kissed Siobhan on the forehead before walking out of the Infirmary, his robes sweeping behind him.
Siobhan groaned, as her stomach did a 90 degree flip, and her head swirled. Man, was she going to regret this tomorrow. Her eyelids began to get heavy, and soon enough she fell asleep. Not even a volcano erupting could pull her out of the sleep she had just fallen in.
A/N- So that was it. Remember to review! And I need some suggestions for the plot. Do you want to know the truth earlier or later? Your choice. Oh, and a fight is coming up soon. But between who? Review to get more chapters!