Chapter 5
The rest of the Gryffindors all stayed and came up to her. They all wanted to show their support to Ashley and tell her that she was still their friends. They were all outraged at the statements and treatment she had gotten from the Slytherins.
"I take it you all don't have a class," Snape asked.
"We're just going to go for lunch now, sir," Ron said and they all left, except for Ashley.
"May I speak with you, sir?" Ashley asked.
"Fine, let's go to my rooms, Ashley."
They left the classroom and walked a few yards to Snape's rooms. He opened his door and ushered her in. He needed to speak with her, anyway, regarding the attack on Halloween and the reason he was going to be gone for the Christmas holidays.
"I'm going to have some lunch delivered h ere, Ashley. This way we can talk freely," he said as a house elf suddenly popped into the room.
"I have an idea of why I pass out, Uncle Severus," Ashley spoke up.
"What? Tell me," he urged.
"Could it be my menstrual cycle? I mean, I'm usually just starting my cycle or I'm in the middle of it when it is time for my transformation," she explained.
"You may be on to something, Ashley. How did you come up with this theory?"
"Well, one of the ingredients I was researching is the human blood used is menstrual blood. The hormones in it would clash with my hormones, which are usually very mixed up," she said.
"I think you hit it on the nail, Ashley. Why didn't I think of this?" he said. "I'll look into it and see what I can do. Now, on to a different subject."
"What, uncle?"
"Well, it is about the Christmas holidays," he said. "I can't be here. I'm working on a project for the headmaster. I'm so sorry that I won't be able to spend our first Christmas together."
"But, uncle, can't someone else do it," Ashley asked. "I really wanted to spend them with you."
"I know, but it can't be helped. I talked with Molly Weasley, and she is willing to have you come and stay with them for the holidays," he said. "Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will be there also. It would put my mind at ease if you would spend it with some close friends. I'll try to come and see you."
"Well, if you really want me to, I'll go, but I'll miss you terribly."
"I know, but this is for the fight against the Dark Lord," he said. "I'm working hard to bring him down, but I need to be completely focused."
"Does this have anything to do with where you were on Halloween?" she asked.
"Yes, it does."
"I'll go, but just try to visit. I have a special gift for you," she said. "I always make my gifts instead of buying them."
"Okay, let's eat."
They spent the next thirty minutes eating and talking. He was telling her that he was proud of how well she was doing in all of her classes. He was kept informed by all the teachers of her progress in all of her classes. He was aware that she was working her hardest even though she had missed quite a few classes.
They were both finished and Ashley excused herself. She needed to go to her room to get her books for her afternoon classes. She never carried around more than two classes worth of books with her.