The Mistakes That Change Us
Part III
By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker
Author's Notes: After much wait, we give you the very belated birthday gift to Ferporcel. This was the best part, because of course, being the pranksters at heart, we had to include Kelsey and Fernanda in our antics...Read, review, and most of all enjoy!
Three Weeks Later…
Ravensdorm Potion's Academy. 7:15 am. The Girl's Dorm…
Fernanda looked at herself in the mirror in her graduating robes, smiling at herself. Trysta and Ashley were busy fighting over whose square hat was whose, though the size difference was quite evident, and Kelsey was trying her hardest to nap, having partied all the night before and looking the worst for wear despite the makeup.
This was it. They were finally graduating after their long lessons, frustrating experiences, and grueling exams. Well, Trysta had barely passed, but her 'tutoring' with Professor Byron saved her, of course. Fernanda braced herself for this milestone in her life. In the next week she would be starting as an errand girl in the Ministry's Alchemical Department. It was a low level job, but she figured that she could make some advancements soon enough. She had to start somewhere, and there wasn't too bad a place. Trysta was going from here to the Magical Education Academy, studying to be a Potions Mistress. Fernanda didn't think she'd be visiting her too often at her friend's job. Ashley was going to work with Kelsey in the Ministry's Magical Creatures Department, getting their jobs from a friend of Kelsey's.
Once all argument had been settled and all preparations done, they headed to the auditorium, a tense silence resting over the usually talkative group. The families had started pouring in and Fernanda got a chance to once again met Trysta and Ashley's huge family, all three of their brothers and two sisters. Fernanda's own family came as well, as did Kelsey's, and the three families sat together with expecting smiles, the younger ones squabbling for a better seat, as the students went to their own seats before they were to begin the ceremony. Fernanda swore she saw a familiar black shadow shimmering in the back as she took her seat, but soon forgot it as the ceremonies took place.
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Ravensdorm Potion's Academy. 8:14 am. The Auditorium…
"Severus, I can't believe you are actually here. What made you come?" Remus questioned with unconcealed surprise as Severus took a seat next to the cleaned up werewolf.
"Personal reasons. Is that a good enough answer for you? You've been bugging me since I told you that I was coming." Severus snorted, debating if it would be wise to switch seats. He had his reasons for being there and he didn't feel he needed to explain himself, and to Remus Lupin of all people.
"Personal reasons? Sure…" Remus snorted, looking around in confused amazement.
Severus looked up at the students, picking out his banes in an instant. Ashley had tackled her fraternal twin sister to the floor and Fernanda and Kelsey were trying to get her off.
Typical… He thought to himself as he watched a woman Professor, perhaps Ms. Smith, step forward and separate them.
Severus was glad that none of them knew he was there or else he would be the victim of yet another prank, no doubt more sinister. He doubted Fernanda even remembered his inquiries to them graduating. Severus checked his shirt pocket, making sure his wand and the papers were there. Assured, he relaxed a bit, as much as he could in this room.
Since Fernanda had left Hogwarts, he'd been checking up with her professors, making sure he wasn't making a mistake. Finding Fernanda was a now cautious and diligent worker assured him that he wasn't sticking his neck out for a screw-up.
And the best part is that she doesn't even know… Is it possible to be evilly kind?… He thought amusingly as the ceremony began.
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Ravensdorm Potion's Academy. 8:45 am. The Auditorium…
Fernanda listened to the closing speech, holding her diploma in her hand and grinning widely. She did it; she was finally ready for the ministry. She looked over at Ashley and instantly knew the small blonde was up to something by the familiar twinkle in her big brown eyes.
"Nanda, look behind us. Behind my parents, is that who I dare think it is?" Kelsey stated and Fernanda turned, looking where she was asked with squinted eyes. She didn't believe her eyes as she turned back around quickly, nudging an occupied Trysta, who had the familiar daydreaming look on her face.
"What?" She whispered as she shook her head and Fernanda snickered.
"Lupin and Snape are here!" She stated and Trysta's jaw dropped. Ashley, having heard Lupin's name, turned around, ears practically perked up, and instantly spotted him, eyes widening as her hands flew to her face.
"Oh my god. How's my hair? Do I have anything in my teeth? No? Good... ah man, how am I going to do that with him here… Wait… Snape…" She chuckled evilly to herself, rubbing her hands together.
The director ended his actually pretty boring speech and the ceremony was officially over, but not for the Pranksters of course. Fernanda suddenly found herself, without a moment to think, smashed with a water balloon and turned to see Ashley pulling some more out of the many folds of her robes, which Fernanda had noticed earlier were a bit too large on her to begin with. Fernanda, knowing to never be around Ashley unarmed, pulled out her own small water gun and began fighting back with Ashley, spritzing her in the face and laughing at her surprised look.
Ashley laughed maniacally then, ducking behind a chair and stripping off her gown, revealing jeans and a tank top as she pelted another water balloon at the nearest student, who screamed in surprise. Not to be left out, Trysta pulled out her own gun, of course, squirting Kelsey, who had been too dazed to duck. Fernanda laughed, dodging as another water balloon flew past her, instead pegging the director who was yelling right behind her. Several of the more goodie two-shoes-students were squealing, running like lunatics in an attempt not to get caught up in the water fight. Fernanda quickly moved away from the furious director, hiding behind the podium and snickering as Ashley chucked two more water balloons at the director. Fernanda took the opportunity in the midst of the chaos to soak Trysta, who yelped at the cold water. She knew it wouldn't last much longer as more teachers approached to try and calm the war, so she aimed at Ashley one last time. She froze though as the short woman smirked and yelled to her. "Duck!"
Fernanda did immediately as Ashley threw a water balloon past her, hearing a garbled yell, then seeing Ashley tackled to the ground by Kelsey and Trysta. Wondering whom she had hit, Fernanda turned to see as sopping wet Severus Snape, who had touched her shoulder. Lowering her gun she looked at him and snickered.
"Surprise, Surprise." She stated and he huffed as Ashley squealed from under Kelsey and Trysta, squirming against their superior size. Remus was standing there as well and he headed toward the squealing Ashley with laughter.
Fernanda could tell Severus wanted to say something, but she didn't know what.
"Hey Kels, let's get Ash to the dorm and get some towels to dry off." She stated, wanting to avoid the teachers, and Trysta laughed as Kelsey threw Ashley over her shoulder, the small woman squirming frantically.
"Ms. Porcel, a word?" Severus asked and she nodded, gesturing for him to follow her as they headed to the dorms.
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Ravensdorm Potion's Academy. 9:21 am. Hallway…
Severus Snape was half tempted to say forget it after he had been slammed with a green water balloon by Ashley, which he should have expected, but he had resolved himself and all the paperwork was already done. He wasn't going to let all that work go to waste. He followed the girls, not entirely sure where he was following them too. They moved down the stairs and Severus found himself in the girl's wing of the dormitories. As a student at Ravensdorm he had never seen this part of the school, and as an adult he still felt he shouldn't be there.
"Perhaps I should wait in the-" He began, but was cut off by Trysta.
"Snape, don't panic. There are rarely any half-naked or drunken girls running down the hallways. Rarely. You're safe... for now..." She chided with a mischievous smirk as she opened the door for the Ashley-toting Kelsey, the blonde now scowling from her perch on Kelsey's shoulder.
Glaring at her, he followed into a medium sized room, with two sets of bunk beds, desks and random paint splattering. It was much like his old dorm room minus the paint that had to have been none other than Ashley's doing.
Yep… This is their room… He thought as peered around the kitchenette, noting the scattered remains of chips, candy wrappers, and soda cans.
"You guys are all set here. Chips dip and junk food, looks all like college necessities to me." Remus mused and Severus snorted as Fernanda turned after chewing Ashley out for causing trouble, the girl sitting with her head bowed on one of the beds, though Severus could still see the smirk on her slightly hidden features.
"You had something you wanted to say to me, Professor?" She questioned and his brain froze. He could not think of the words to tell her without sounding nice... or… proud.
"Professor?" She asked him worriedly and he shook his head, coming to a conclusion.
"I recall, Ms. Porcel, of you mentioning going into the ministry, correct?" He began and she nodded.
"I have an internship beginning in two weeks. I'm starting in the Alchemical Department." Fernanda told him and he smirked, mostly to himself.
"Ah, long grueling hours being someone's 'go-for' girl. Can't seem to picture you there." He continued and she looked at him oddly. Trysta, Ashley and Kelsey were all looking at him intently as well. A bit unnerving actually...
"Huh?" Ashley stated, rubbing her ears vigorously and Trysta nudged her to be quiet.
"No, I see you more in Substance Regulations and Creations…" He stated and Fernanda cut him off.
"Perhaps that's because I told you that's where I wanted to be…" She replied and he silenced her.
"Or perhaps, Ms. Porcel, it is because in two and a half weeks you start as an associate Potion's Mistress in the Substance Regulation and Creation Department." He stated as he pulled out the paperwork. She looked at him shocked, as did the other four people in the room. He handed her the papers and she looked over them, amazed. Severus only now had to brace for her reaction.
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Ravensdorm Potion's Academy. 9:47 am. The Girl's Dorm…
Fernanda looked at the paperwork in amazement. This was her dream job, and it had just been handed to her, free of charge. Her breathing stopped as she looked at Snape.
"How?" Was all she was able to mouth, seeing her shocked friends standing behind him. Remus was looking at Severus like he was insane.
"Its not often that Severus Snape makes a recommendation. Nor is it often that he recommends a Gryffindor to the Head of Staffing in that Department. You boss happens to be an old lab partner of mine… Well, your new boss…" Severus explained to her as nonchalantly as possible and she couldn't believe her ears.
"You recommended me? Why? After the accident... why?" She questioned and Severus seemed to ponder on that.
"You redeemed your stupidity. I recommended you because I saw you fit for the job. Besides, that idiot they had there couldn't even brew wolfsbane." Severus stated and Fernanda wanted to cry she was so shocked.
"Oh thank you." She stated and without warning she leapt at Severus, giving him a tight hug. Feeling brave, she kissed him on the cheek briefly, which made him pull back with a jerk. The floor was wet from a broken water balloon Alexis had just 'happened' to drop on the way in, and they both slipped on the wet stone floor. Falling on the floor, Fernanda landed on Severus, knocking the breath out of both of them.
She quickly scrambled off him and then realized that he was laughing. Severus Snape was laughing, the world had just ended. Trysta gaped like a fish, Kelsey pinching herself, and Ashley squeaked, falling back in a mock heart attack gesture.
"You're welcome Ms.Porcel. I should be used to falling around you four…" Severus stated as he stood up from the floor. Fernanda set the paperwork on the counter as Remus looked between the two of them.
'Ashley, pinch me. I have got to be dreaming." He stated and then yelped as Ashley pinched his arm immediately, smiling dreamily at him as she sat up on the bed.
Trysta and Kelsey both had their jaws on the floor in amazement. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Severus spoke again.
"Well, I guess I should allow you your celebrations. Mr. Porcel, report to Alexander Amadeus in the Department. He'll show you the ropes. Goodbye." He stated with finality as he headed toward the door. Fernanda smirked evilly as she picked up a water balloon.
"Hey Snape, catch." She told him as she threw it and he caught it, it miraculously not bursting. Looking at it, he raised an eyebrow at her.
"What was that for?" He questioned and she smirked.
"Revenge. Don't you owe Ashley a parting gift?" She smirked and Severus smirked as well as Ashley looked at him, swallowing.
"Don't you da-" She began to hiss as Severus slammed her the balloon, it splashing her with water.
"Oh no, you just did not! This means war!" She stated as she pulled out a bucket of waterballons from under the bed. A huge waterballon fight ensued and once all the balloons had been used and the room was soaked, they stopped, all out of breath from laughing.
"Now I really am leaving." Severus stated, wiping the wet hair from his eyes and Remus shook his head as he peeked out the door.
"Yeah, ok. Maybe you can get through that crowd." He stated and Severus groaned as he saw that the entire girls dorm was partying in the hallway.
"I'll manage, I know a few passageways out." He stated shaking his head.
"Hey Severus, thank you." Fernanda stated and he turned around.
"You are welcome, Fernanda." He stated as he walked out the door. She smiled to herself as she headed to the bathroom to get a towel to dry off. As she exited the room, she heard Remus say.
"Ashley, wanna go with me to dinner? I'll take everyone in fact, my treat."
Nothing could be heard over Ashley's squealing of joy, except maybe the thud when she tackled him to the floor with a hug and kiss on the cheek of his own, the werewolf turning red in the face.
'Severus will be meeting us there though." He stammered and Fernanda smirked, knowing Snape had trusted her. Maybe people can change… She thought as she began to dry her hair.
Finis!
This is dedicated to one of the most dedicated writers i have met in the Fanfiction realm. Thanks Fernanda for all that you do...
Deep Shadows
and
EckoStalker