Hello all! I know it's been a while, and I apologize for it. Unfortunately I can't guarantee another long gap between updates like that won't happen again, school is a nightmare sometimes. I can promise that this story isn't dead though. I can also say that I think this chapter shows a side of Vanessa that I don't really explore very often. I make her out to be quite mature for her age, and really she is, but she's still just a teenager. She's still only fourteen years old, which means she still has that angsty teenage attitude buried deep inside her, no matter the kind of things she tries to take on. I could probably ramble on about my thoughts on what I'm doing with her as a character, but I think you would all rather read this chapter instead, so please, enjoy.
While my trip to the forest had blown off a lot of the immediate steam, it didn't change the fact that I was angry for a few different reasons. Reminders of them were brought up frequently, even if they were unintentional. Someone started talking about Charms in the common room and I accidentally set the fireplace off in a flare of magic. During dinner with my father before I had the chance to talk to him about what happened he asked me to help him with the wolfsbane potion and I accidentally shattered a teacup. It was a little embarrassing.
The worst of it, however, was in the fourth full week of school. We were covering the patronus charm in Defense because of the dementors, and quite a few students were able to perform a corporeal patronus already. I didn't expect to have a corporeal one, considering all the trouble I have with a lot of spellwork in the first place, but I couldn't even get a wisp out. It was frustrating, and upsetting, and completely embarrassing for me. Literally every other person in the class could at least create a shield from it, but not me. We'd already been covering it for two weeks, and Unc- Professor Lupin had even taken me aside at the end of the last class to tell me that he was aware of my condition and that I wouldn't lose points if I couldn't perform the spell. He didn't even try to help me. As if all of my problems could be explained away by my condition. He was the second teacher to disregard me as a lost cause.
I could hear one of the Gryffindor girls snicker at me with her friend when my patronus failed again, and my temper was starting to flare. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself not to let out any angry tears, but they were still coming. Adrian and Graham tried to encourage me, and Alexandra threw a scathing comment at the girls, but this wasn't something that they could fix. I knew why the patronus wasn't working. Even if I had a memory happy enough to make it happen, my current mental state was enough to hinder it. To make things worse, while I could still perform charms, they weren't consistent. It would take me forty tries just to get one successful attempt.
It was my eighteenth failed attempt in a row that day when Adrian managed a corporeal one. The bird flew freely throughout the room, chasing after the hare that someone else had conjured. I was happy for him, really. The grin on his face was something that I would pay to see every day. But for some reason, my heart just felt bitter at the sight. I'd never resented my friends for being able to perform spells that I couldn't before. I knew there was going to be a day when I couldn't use any kind of magic again. There was going to be a point where I would need them to do everything involving magic for me.
This time, however, it just felt heartbreaking to me. I couldn't even create a wisp, and here were my friends conjuring the strength for one of the hardest spells someone could ever perform. I was being left in the dust. This was the year the gap started to form. Sometime next year my magic would stutter and my wand would lose its connection to me. After that, I would die. I thought I'd accepted it, that I was ready. I thought I would be able to watch my friends soar past me in school, that I'd be able to continue encouraging them. Instead I found myself standing in Defense, watching Adrian's patronus fly about the room with some weird grudge growing in my heart. The end of the class had me hurrying to pack my things, wanting so desperately to hide away from my feelings. Maybe it was time to meditate and clear my head properly.
I was about to leave when Unc- Professor Lupin called me up to his desk. I approached him cautiously in response to his tone "Yes, Professor?"
He gave me a sad look as he sat down "How are your classes going this year?"
I frowned at him, annoyed at where this might be going "Relatively well, sir. Why?"
His eyes bore into mine, hesitance written all over his face "The Headmaster discussed some things with me, about your last meeting with him." Well that wasn't a good sign. He continued "He brought up some concern over your mental state, about how you're taking things now that you can see the results of your condition in action."
I needed to cut this line of thought off now "Professor-"
"I didn't want to believe that a student might become angry enough with her friends over circumstances out of her control, but I decided to keep a close eye on you just in case. You seem very angry, Ms. Snape."
My glare was pointed at his desk, but that didn't make it any less real "I'm fine, Professor."
"You're not." He shifted, making my eyes snap to his "You haven't been for a while. Today is the first I've seen any real anger towards your friends, and I can only foresee it growing worse now that it's there."
"Professor, if you kick me out of Defense-"
"What?" He raised an eyebrow at me "Do you think I enjoy the idea of excluding someone from my class? I don't. Not under any circumstances. But unless your temper can show improvement and you can perform the next spell we cover in this class I'm afraid I won't have much choice."
I hissed in frustration, pressing my palms to my eyes to hide them "I've already been kicked out of Charms, sir." Once they were under control, I pulled my hands away to glare at him "But I don't suppose you would have known that, considering the only interest you've taken in me is to make sure I know you've considered me a lost cause from day one."
"Ms. Snape-"
"No." I picked my bag up in a hurry, not wanting to look at him anymore "I get it, Professor, really. It seems everyone defers to the headmaster when it comes to my education, instead of just asking what I want. I'll remember that when I get kicked out of Transfiguration next."
My footsteps were heavy and my breathing shallow as I made to leave. His quiet words weren't very comforting to me "I expect to see you on time and ready to learn next class."
Thankfully, I had time to grab lunch after Defense, so I made my way to the Great Hall. I'm sure Adrian and Graham were confused when I made for the Hufflepuff table instead of Slytherin's, but I didn't want to face them until I calmed down. Cedric's friends greeted me with small smiles, choosing to try and distract me from whatever was bothering me. It did help, even if Cedric wasn't there at the moment. His friends just had a way of knowing what it took to cheer me up, and when he finally sat down beside me I was able to give him a genuine smile. Small, but genuine.
He only needed to glance at me before he grew concerned "What happened?"
Patrick groaned, running a hand down his face "We just got her feeling better, Ced."
My eyes rolled as I leaned my head on Cedric's shoulder "Lupin's considering kicking me out of Defense. He held me after class, told me that unless I could perform the next spell and control my temper he'd have no choice."
Cedric tensed as he filled his plate, Patrick and Wayne frowning along "That's the second teacher who's done that to you. It doesn't make sense, you can still use magic."
"I haven't even gotten a wisp out of the patronus."
Wayne clicked his teeth in anger "Yeah, but that's one of the hardest spells for anyone to perform. Plus, it's not one of those spells that you can get just by practicing."
"I'm the only one in four weeks who hasn't managed it."
Cedric nudged me with his shoulder, giving me a sad look "I know it's hard, Vanessa, but one spell doesn't mean anything. He can't make a judgement of your capabilities when he's only seen you try a spell that wouldn't be easy for you in the best of circumstances, let alone when you've been so upset lately."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair and staring dejectedly at my plate "I just don't get why the professors are willing to do this without my input. Flitwick didn't even try talking to me first!" A heavy huff escaped me as I tried to calm down, but the frustration was still there "First Flitwick, now Lupin. I might lose my mind if McGonagall does it too."
The rest of lunch I was still tense, and it was Charms for fifth year Slytherin's next so I had a free period to myself. If I hadn't been avoiding him I would have gone and sat in on my father's sixth year N.E.W.T. class, but I was, so I had to find some other way to kill time. It was hard to develop a routine when I didn't know what to build around. I used to spend free time of my own buried in a book centered around whatever I was obsessing over, or brewing potions, but neither of those were options for me right now. I'd almost screwed up my pain potion when I brewed a cauldron the other day and I wasn't willing to risk it again.
I managed to distract myself with homework for the rest of the day, turning in early after reassuring Adrian and Graham that I would be fine, I just needed a little space. The next morning I made it to breakfast just in time for the post to arrive, and one very large eagle owl coming to land in front of me. I was thoroughly confused, until Malfoy got a little excited at the sight of it.
"Odin! My father's written you a letter."
My eyebrows raised, as I wasn't expecting anything from him so soon "Wonderful. Er, how do I thank your owl, Malfoy? Does he prefer food or something else?"
The blonde snickered, leaning over to scratch the bird's head "He's my parents' owl, really. He's usually content with a little petting but if he's feeling particularly greedy he'll go for a bit of bacon."
I smiled at the preening owl, scratching his head briefly before looking to the letter he brought for me "I'm surprised your father got back to me so soon."
Of course, I barely had the chance to open the letter before I discovered why. Whispers broke out across the hall, when Granger dropped down next to Harry and exclaimed "Dumbledore's facing a hearing in front of the Wizengamot! At the very least he's getting an injunction, but according to the Prophet he's probably getting kicked off."
Adrian, Graham, and Harry all looked at me to see my reaction, but I tried not to reveal anything just yet "Sorry, I need to see what Mr. Malfoy has to say." I pulled the letter from the envelope, smoothing my hand over it before beginning to read.
Ms. Vanessa Snape,
The goblins at Gringotts have not finished gathering their evidence, but they have submitted what they have to me. As of the time I am writing this letter I have received evidence of Albus Dumbledore's fraudulent use of twenty-seven accounts. Further investigation shows they belong to muggleborn students, all of whom are wards of the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry until the day they come of age. The inquiry itself will not be submitted until all evidence can be presented, however, I have already called a meeting of the Wizengamot to present this information. What Gringotts has uncovered is substantial enough for this to move forward to a trial, and an immediate dismissal from his position as Chief Warlock. I will send you more news as this proceeds, and may ask that you come forth during the trial. For now, I bid you well.
Lucius Malfoy
I bit back a grin, glancing up at the head table to see no sign of Dumbledore. With that, I let out a relieved breath "Sometimes, it's really nice to see karma in action. Granger, does the paper say anything about why?"
She nodded frantically "He's apparently been using accounts made in the names of muggleborn students for fraudulent purposes. Something about-"
"Using their names to fund legislation? My guess is the kind of legislation that's questionably moral?"
I raised an eyebrow at Harry, rolling my eyes when he shrugged at me "Oh sure, ruin the fun why don't you. Really, Harry, can I trust any secret with you?"
He laughed at me "Probably not."
"You're the person who's doing this?"
Malfoy scoffed "Please, Granger, she's not doing anything. She's just the one who caught him, my father's the one presenting it to the Wizengamot."
Graham whistled as he skimmed over the paper "The whole court is meeting for it. Normally accusations against a Chief Warlock aren't considered."
"Mr. Malfoy is well respected at the Ministry and a school governor of Hogwarts. It's in his interest to make sure the headmaster is an honest man."
The outrage was quick to spread. Within two days there were muggleborn students all over the school who had parents threatening to remove them from Hogwarts if the headmaster was going to do something like this. Suddenly Dumbledore's entire reputation was put on the line, and every time I was in the same room as him I could feel him giving me a pointed look. As if glaring at me was going to make me feel guilty for catching him. Still, the entire fiasco gave me a small sense of accomplishment. I'd gotten the chance to knock him down a peg, and it felt good. Unfortunately, it was the best I would feel for a while.
