Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the invention of Ms. J.K. Rowling. I do not own the characters in any way, shape, or form. I do, however, claim Armina Wilkins, her family, random students, and the plot.
A/N: So, yeah, more late night writings of the insomniac that is Chevious. Aren't you all thrilled? Not so much? Okay then. Anyway, hope you like chapter six. There is a bit more Snape/Armina bonding, in that odd Snape-ish way. Enjoy!
Dismal Photographs of Yesterday
Chapter 6: An Attack on the Wall
Armina sat on the cold stone of the classroom floor, finishing the filing from the night before. She had been at it for nearly an hour and was several folders away from finishing. Snape lounged in his armchair, History of the Dark Arts propped against the edge of his desk. He glanced up casually here and there to check on her progress.
"Professor Snape?" she piped up, continuing to stare at her work.
"What is it, Wilkins?" he replied monotony, turning to the next page in his book.
She gazed up at him inquisitively. "Why are you so into the Dark Arts?"
Snape glanced up emotionlessly. "As my life seems to fascinate you, it fascinates me."
"What is so fascinating about evil magic?"
"Why do you ask so many questions? Aren't you supposed to be sorting?"
"Yes, sir." Armina looked back down at the papers before her, but her inquisition did not cease. "You just seem like the type that would use that kind of magic on a daily basis. That's all."
Snape's eyebrow raised. "How is that?" he spat, wondering exactly what information she had gotten on him.
"You know, you're the dark, sinister type. You kind of have the vampire look going on. You're always grumpy and spiteful. Add that to a nasty little childhood, and I'd say that you'd even be Death Eater material." Armina laughed, but Snape tried his best to remain emotionless. Did she actually know, or was she making a joke? "Yeah! I could see you following You-Know-Who around."
"Why are you so annoying?" Snape's eyebrows furrowed. "Get to work. You should have been finished by now."
"Sorry, Professor," she apologized, silencing her laughter immediately. Her face grew very serious and concentration flooded her eyes. "I'll finish in no time."
Snape looked down at his book once again, but never really read a word upon the page. His curiosity had been struck and he wished to investigate further, but he was attempting to teach a lesson about such curiosity. It would be extremely hypocritical of him to ask his own questions. He tried to think of ways to extract such information without seeming interested.
"Do you have any family, Professor?"
"Will you shut up if I answer you?"
"Yes, sir."
"My parents are dead now and I have no siblings. So, the answer would be no."
"That's sad, Professor. I couldn't imagine life without my family. My real dad left my mom when I was seven. I live with her and my step-dad, Gavin, just outside London. My sister Acacia still lives with us too; she goes to a University in Wales during the school year though. I have half sisters too! Belisma is four and Sophie is eight."
"Did I ask for a detailed family tree?" A vein above his eye was beginning to throb painfully.
"But their all muggles," she continued, seemingly unfazed by his question. "My little sisters can be such a handful too! They are so energetic that they wear me out within an hour. My mom and step-dad are always working during the summer, so I have to watch them. Mom works at home during the school year though so she doesn't have to leave Belisma and Sophie with a sitter."
"Honestly, girl! Do you ever stop talking?" he spat, the throbbing in his forehead intensifying with every word that came out of her mouth. Snape's anger swelled in his chest, causing every word to reek of anger and hatred.
"I'm sorry, sir. Am I annoying you?"
"What do you think?"
"I'm sorry, sir. I won't say another word."
"Thank you!"
An awkward silence fell between the two. Armina glanced up at her fuming instructor here and there, biting her lip nervously. Snape was staring at his book, angrily flipping the page to look as if he were reading. She took a deep breath, hoping that she would not provoke him any further.
"Professor?" Armina exclaimed after another twenty minutes of sorting.
"What is it now?"
"I can't remember how you wanted me to stack the folders."
"Damn it! Can't you remember anything?"
Snape rose and stalked toward her. He pushed her aside, and picked up a set of folders. Armina chewed nervously on her fingernail as Snape arranged them for her. When he finished, he shoved the holder into her arms.
"Class and year! I even made you a model so that you wouldn't forget!"
"Thank you, Professor," she said sheepishly.
She went to set it back on the table, but tripped clumsily over the box in which she had placed the organized folders. She stumbled slightly before colliding with the table beside her. The newly organized folders flew high into the air, papers completely covering the horrified Armina. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she watched the remaining papers fall into place around her, once again completely disorganized.
"Oh no!" she sighed, stunned and terrified. "Oh no!"
Snape spun around, his expressions changing from irritation to shock to rage. Grabbing Armina by the robes, he lifted her to his eye level. His hooked nose was inches from her own, his black eyes boring into her like hot coals. Armina closed her eyes, ready for the impact of her impeding scolding.
"There can be no one on this Earth more incompetent than you! You are lucky that I had recorded the grades on these before hand because I anticipated it! This detention is over! Get out of my site before I put a hex on you!"
Snape practically threw her across the room. She landed, sprawling several rows away, fear clouding her eyes with tears. She scrambled to her feet, slowly backing out of the room. He was staring at her with what seemed like all that hate he had within him.
"Get out!" he growled, beginning to advance on her again. "Get out!"
Armina screamed and sprinted out of the dungeons. Snape flew to the door and slammed it shut. He stalked downward into the depths of his classroom again, his anger swelling. That clumsy oaf! How could anyone be so stupid!
He set his sights on the vials of old potions on a nearby shelf. He raised one of the racks to his eye level and catapulted it toward a seemingly offensive, yet innocent, wall. He stared at the splash of blue liquid that now adorned his wall, anger going into remission. His breathing came in heavy wheezes as his self-control returned.
Snape sighed loudly in defeat and disgust. He ran his hands through his greasy hair and stared at the ceiling. His thoughts were a jumble of emotions and confusion. He glanced back at the potion on the wall, then turned his sights to the ceiling a second time.
"What's wrong with me?" he pleaded with the stones above him. "I've never been so angry with anyone before, not even that worthless Black. What is it about that child that infuriates me?"
A/N: Weeeeeeeeeee! spins around in chair it is now officially 12:39am and I have completed the revisions of another chapter. Some random anime on Adult Swim is playing some awesome music that just makes me want to spin around in my chair. Weeeeeeeeee! spins in chair Anywoo, to make sure you're still with me here, its only about a week into Armina's Seventh Year (Harry's 6th for those who didn't quite pay attention to the author's note in the first chapter). Snape seems a bit disturbed, doesn't he? I would want to throw things at this chick too. She is slightly annoying, isn't she? Hope you like the new chapter. Please remember to review. They brighten my day and make me write faster. Please review!