Chapter Four – A Confrontation Overheard
I had been in a horrible mood all afternoon because of the slimly git I have to call Professor Snape. For no reason he gives me a detention tonight at eight and I know that it will be very physical labor that will practically bore me to death. I think that his hatred for Ron, Harry, and Hermione has started to spread to me and, well everyone else. Except Slytherins of course. So after belittling everything about my professor all day I finally have to confront the anti-hygienic guy to see what it is I will be forced to do all night.
Seeing that I have twenty minutes to get to the dungeons by eight I grabbed my wand and tell the Golden Trio that I will be back in a few hours. Ron tells me to ignore Snape's snide remarks about our family, knowing that this sensitive subject usually is the reason for my back talk. Hermione gave me the 'I feel so bad for you' look, while Harry watched me silently, then blushed when I noticed his stare. Glancing at Hermione I saw her trying to hide a smile before saying bye.
On my way to Snape's office I came across Peeves who I had the displeasure of meeting. As usual he tried to block my way down the hall but with one sound threat he zoomed off singing in his sickly sweet voice:
Little Ginny thinks she scary
But she's really the contrary
Empty threats, nothing moreGinny's really quite the bore
His annoying cackle of a laugh halted when I lifted my wand arm and with deadly precisions hit the poltergeist in the back of his head. As he tumbled downward to the ground, a triumphant smile overtook me and I let out a titer of laughter. "Bulls eye."
In no time I was opening the dungeon door and attack by the nauseating smell of my detention. It seemed that Snape had allowed some of his cauldrons to remain unclean for some time. Knowing how grumpy Snape was about being loud, I carefully closed the large wooden door without making a sound. I faced the front of the room and began to walk towards my desk to sit and wait for his arrival but found he was already there, with a student nonetheless.
Malfoy's back was to me, but the distinctive blonde hair gelled back in its normal custom was hard to miss. Trying to be polite I didn't listen in, but then I though, 'Why do I care if I'm polite?' Letting my dark side have a little fun I craned my neck and strained my ears to hear what was being said between pupil and teacher.
"Tell me what it is, then I can help you!"
Malfoy just shook his head in a disgusted manner. Snape opened his mouth to argue more when Malfoy said, "He wants me to do His work and I am not going to let you have any of my glory. When He asked me to do this by myself, I obeyed. So for the last time lay off!"
Dropping his voice to a dangerous whisper Snape jeered, "You want to kill yourself and me don't you?" I leaned in farther to hear better. "I preformed the Unbreakable curse boy. I cannot take it back. If you fail…which you will without my help, we will both die!"
Not caring about the level of his tone, Malfoy shouted, "Then perhaps you should stop giving me 'detentions' and talking to me and let me work! I have come across some complications…"
"You better fix them quick."
"And I will! Have you not been listening?"
"Mr. Malfoy if you wish for this to work…"
It was at that moment that Snape's eyes found me sitting at my desk. Seeing my potions master glaring at me I sat back in my chair pretending like I hadn't been spying on them. Malfoy turned around to see what was distracting Snape and noticed me too and immediately freaked out.
"What did you hear?"
Afraid to tell the truth I said nothing, but avoided eye contact. Harry had told me that Snape knew both Legilimens and Occlumens and I wasn't about to take the chance of him reading my mind.
"You can tell what your detention is, so begin to scrub. And as you know," he gave me a fake smile, "no magic." I felt my wand slip through my fingertips and gently float over to Professor Snape. Deciding to get over with the work I went to the sink and began with the first cauldron, which had obviously had some Boil-Cure potion in it due to its stickiness and glossy pink color. Grabbing some gloves I filled the cauldron to the top with hot water and began to meticulously clean out every corner. Meanwhile Snape was telling Malfoy to leave.
"You better hope that she hadn't heard a thing Mr. Malfoy since she cannot be trusted, due to the," grimacing, "friends she acquaints herself with."
Not even acknowledging his mentor, Malfoy pivoted and walked towards the door leading out of the dungeon. On the way he made a detour to the sink where I was starting to clean out the second cauldron of the day. The Forgetfulness potion was making it difficult to complete my task due to its persuasive effects of letting my mind wander.
I felt his cold grip on my shoulder and let out a startled yelp as he squeezed a bit too tight.
"Don't think I don't know Weasley."
I pushed my chin up in a confident way and looked him straight in the eye. "About what?" Inside I was screaming in fear. Did he know I had been listening to the conversation…or did he know it was me in Knockturn Alley?
He said nothing else as he walked away and with one last look he slammed the door harshly. I heard Snape curse about no good students who take advantage and never are thankful and blah blah blah blah blah. Blocking his painful voice out of my head I went on to the third, then the four, fifth…and finally finished the 28th cauldron of the evening. I was pleasantly surprised to find the remains of the love potion, Amortentia. Taking in a deep breath I smiled as the smell of broom polish, strawberries, and what could have been a men's hair gel. 'So this is what the man I love smells like.'
Surprisingly the smell wasn't new to me. It wasn't something I ran into everyday, but on occasions my nostrils were filled with this manly aroma. ' I suppose this means I love a Quidditch player. Dear god,' I felt a ball of fear growing in the pit of my stomach. A lump started to settle in my throat and I thought, "I cant. No, I don't love Harry Potter!'
But then reality slammed into me and I remembered that I was around Harry way to often, and never had he smelt like this. 'There are a lot of players, it could be any one of them.' Letting it rest I dried the counter and went to retrieve my wand from Professor Snape who was busy laboring through first years essays.
"Sir, may I have my wand back?" Snape's eyes scanned the sink area and found that my task was finished. Holding out my wand he opened his mouth to speak. Afraid that he was about to insult my family I tried to grab my wand, but his hand pulled back and firmly closed around it.
"Now Mrs. Weasley, I hope that you wont mention anything you heard in here tonight for it would be unwise."
"I heard nothing."
"But of course, now go."
Biting my tongue at his rude behavior I quickly left the potions room and saw that it was pitch black outside. 'Twenty minutes till midnight! Shit.' I picked up my pace and dodged between the shadows as I weaved my way back towards the Gryffindor tower. I saw the fat lady sleeping cozily in her frame and said the password in a slow voice. Without waking her she opened the door and let me in, mumbling something indistinguishable to herself.
Stepping on each stair in the correct spots to ensure no loud creaks were heard, I pushed back the canopy to my bed and crawled in. Magically transforming my clothing into pajamas, I nestled in under the warm covers and fell asleep.
