Rachel looked around as soon as they'd apparated. They were out in the countryside, she could barely see any other houses in the distance, and there was a small cottage with an overgrown yard right in front of them. It was the Sunday before school started and Severus had finally agreed to let her come see Sirius.
Severus knocked on the door and they waited for a minute or two.
"Severus. Rachel. Good to see you," Professor Lupin said as he opened the door.
"Lupin," Severus said, nodding his head ever so slightly.
"It's nice to see you too, Professor Lupin," Rachel said.
"Just call me Remus, I'm not your professor anymore. Come on in," he said.
"I will depart here," Severus said. "However, I will be back for her in two hours. She is to remain here, in the house. There will be no trips or excursions of any kind."
"We'll be right here," Remus said patiently.
"Rachel, if they try to take you anywhere you are to send your Patronus to me immediately. If anything makes you uncomfortable, send your Patronus and I will come get you. Understood?" Severus asked.
"Yes, Severus. I'll be fine," Rachel said.
Severus did not look entirely convinced of that, but he stepped back and apparated away.
"Sorry about that," Rachel said. "He's a bit overprotective of me."
"Not at all, it's good that he's protecting you. It's unfortunately necessary. Come on in and I'll put the kettle on. Sirius has been excited to see you," Remus said. "Go right on into the sitting room and I'll be right there."
Rachel went through the hallway to the doorway Remus had pointed out, a little bemused by the old fashioned furniture. It wasn't at all what she'd expected from Sirius, but she supposed she didn't know him all that well.
"Rachel," Sirius said, getting to his feet. He immediately came over and gave Rachel a hug.
Rachel hunched her shoulders a bit and patted Sirius on the arm. She was really only used to Hermione and Millie hugging her and she wasn't quite comfortable with this yet. "It's good to see you again," she said when he let go of her.
"And you, I wasn't sure Snape was going to let you come. Remus and I might have had to stage a rescue mission," Sirius said, easing himself back down onto the couch.
"I think he just wanted you to recover some first," Rachel said, sitting down next to him.
Sirius let out a short laugh. "I very much doubt that."
Sirius looked much better than the last time she'd seen him. Although he was still painfully thin, it was clear he'd gained some weight. He was clean now, dressed in trousers and a loose shirt, and his hair was cut up above his shoulders.
"Was it okay, where they were keeping you at the Ministry? Were there Dementors there?" she asked. "Was your trial fair?"
"Well, it was a little bit of a kick in the teeth to be charged with escaping from Azkaban when I never should have been there in the first place, but it turned out alright. The Ministry was fine. No Dementors there except for the guards at the courtroom. Damned if I know how Pettigrew got out though. They had charms on our cells to keep us from turning into our animagus forms," Sirius explained.
"Oh, that reminds me, I forgot to ask you before, did my dad have an animagus form too?" Rachel asked.
"He did indeed," Remus said, coming in with a tray of tea and biscuits. "Prongs, we called him, and his form was that of a stag, the same as his Patronus."
"Did Professor McGonagall teach you how to become animagi?" she asked.
Sirius laughed. "Oh no, she would never have done that. We were well known mischief makers. She would have had a heart attack to learn that we were running around the school as animals, and then she would have assigned us a year's worth of detention."
"Sirius, James, and Peter learned to be animagi to help me. They'd found out that I was a werewolf and didn't want to leave me alone while I transformed. I was immeasurably grateful at the time, but I have to admit it was not the wisest thing we did while at Hogwarts," Remus explained.
"My study group has been thinking about trying to become animagi, but Severus says he wants Professor McGonagall to teach us, and not until we're in the NEWT classes," Rachel said.
"That's probably a good idea," Remus said.
"And if McGonagall won't help you, I will. You could probably start with some of the meditations now, since those take a while to master," Sirius said.
"We've already started, though we're still working on the first meditation. I can't seem to find my body below my chest," she said.
"Try tensing and relaxing your muscles while you do the mediation. I know the book says to stay still - you do have the books, right?" Sirius asked.
"We do," Rachel said quickly.
"Good. So to start with try making your hands into fists and then slowly releasing them, noticing how it feels when the pressure is released. Over time, you can just tighten the muscles in your hands, and be able to feel that, and then eventually, you don't need to do anything at all. Do that with each of the muscle groups that you're having trouble feeling," Sirius explained.
"Okay, I'll try that. Thanks," Rachel said, making a mental note to write about that in her two-way book since she knew some of her friends were having trouble with that part of the meditation as well.
"When are you back at Hogwarts?" Remus asked.
"Oh, Severus and I went back yesterday. Classes start again on Friday. Can you believe they're holding the Triwizard Tournament this year? I read a whole book about it and it's terrible," Rachel said.
"The Triwizard Tournament? But that hasn't been held in something like two hundred years," Remus said.
"Because people kept dying. Severus says it's because Professor Dumbledore wants to have international contacts in case there's another war," Rachel said.
Sirius and Remus both looked at each other.
"I wouldn't worry about that for now," Sirius said after a moment. "Dumbledore usually knows what he's doing. Plots within plots. He's probably just taking precautions."
"Yes, let Albus handle that sort of thing. You should stay focused on school and on your friends. How was your summer?" Remus asked.
Rachel thought that was a very unsubtle change of subject, but she let it happen. Talking about the war probably brought up bad memories for both of them, just like it did for Severus. "Well, I got to go shopping for a gown for the Yule Ball with my friends," she began, trying to remember all the things she'd done that summer.
"Take a seat, dear," Madam Pomfrey said as she set up a privacy ward.
Rachel sat down on the hospital bed, hoping that Madam Pomfrey wasn't going to make her change into a hospital gown.
"How have you been feeling?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her wand moving in the familiar motions of a diagnostic charm.
"Fine. Pretty much normal," Rachel said.
"You're eating regularly? Full meals?" she asked.
"Yes, three times a day. Sometimes I have a snack," Rachel answered.
"Good. How is your sleep?"
Rachel hesitated. "I wake up sometimes, around two or three in the morning, and then I can't get back to sleep."
"How often is that happening?" Madam Pomfrey asked, pausing her wand movements to look at Rachel.
"Maybe two or three nights a week," Rachel admitted.
"When did that start?"
"After I was exposed to the Dementors," Rachel said.
"It's very unusual for the effects of a Dementor to last more than twelve hours, except for in cases of long term exposure. Are you waking from nightmares?" she asked.
"Sometimes," Rachel said.
"Have you talked to your Mind Healer about them?"
"Yes, she knows, we're working on it," Rachel said.
"Alright. I'm not sure what we can do about it for now, though if it becomes more than twice a week I want you to let myself or Severus know and we'll start a regiment of Sleeping potions," Madam Pomfrey said. "Hold still for a moment."
Rachel held still as she could as Madam Pomfrey worked.
"Everything seems normal, I'm not detecting any lingering signs of malnourishment or any abnormalities in your endocrine system. Have you begun having menstrual cycles?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
Rachel felt herself blush. "Yes, last summer."
"Are they regular? Have you had any severe pain with them?" she asked.
"They're pretty regular, I've had some cramping but it's mostly just uncomfortable," Rachel said.
"If it becomes more than uncomfortable, please come see me. There's no need to suffer," Madam Pomfrey said. "I think you just haven't had a growth spurt yet. It's also possible that you will just have a naturally smaller stature."
"Even though my parents were both normal height?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, it's not quite as straightforward as inheriting traits directly from your parents. For example, you have a different hair color than either of your parents. It's possible one of your more distant relatives was quite short. I wouldn't worry about it too much for now. You have plenty of time to grow and there are potions that will help if you wish to grow taller as an adult," Madam Pomfrey said.
Why was everyone always telling her not to worry?
"Do you have any questions or concerns for me?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"No, thank you," Rachel said.
"Please come in if you need to," she said, dispelling the privacy ward.
"Everything is fine, Severus, she's in good health," Madam Pomfrey said as they went out to where Severus was waiting.
"I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for checking her over," Severus said.
"Of course, happy to help," Madam Pomfrey said.
Rachel and Severus left the hospital wing together.
"Is everything alright?" Severus asked after a moment.
"Yes. I'm just short apparently," Rachel said.
"I'm certain you will manage. What are you planning on doing today?" he asked.
"I was going to go out on the grounds for a while, and then up to the library later in the afternoon," Rachel said. "If that's alright? Do you need help with your classroom or anything?"
"No, that's fine. I'll be in the storage cupboard in my classroom to finish putting away supplies, and then I'll be in my private lab if you need me. Be in the Great Hall for lunch," Severus said.
"I will," Rachel said. Once they were in Severus' quarters, Rachel went to her room and put her Walkman in her bag along with her cassettes and grabbed her broom as well.
She made her way outside and then flew up and over into the Quidditch stands. She'd discovered that she could sit on the far side of the stands and her Walkman worked pretty well. She put in the Fleetwood Mac cassette and settled in to watch the clouds for a while. Hogwarts was peaceful and quiet for now, but it sure wouldn't be once everyone came back.
The room was dark, the only light was from a failing fire in the sooty stone fireplace. It was cold, so much so that it was hard to feel anything.
The wooden door slammed against the wall as it was roughly opened. A woman came through first with a vacant expression, a crying baby in her arms. A man followed her, his wand pointing at her head.
"I'm back, my Lord. I brought what you asked for," the man said, closing the door behind him.
"Yet your loyalty wavers," a voice said.
"No, my Lord. I swear. I am as faithful to you as when I first took your mark," the man said.
"That remains to be seen," the voice said.
"I will prove it to you," the man said. "Is the woman not what you wanted? I brought her and her newborn babe, just as you asked."
"Please, not my baby. I'll do anything, just don't hurt my baby," the woman said, now down on her knees.
"Kill her. The baby will be a suitable vessel for the time being," the voice said.
"No, please," the woman begged.
"Avada Kedavra," the man said, a green flash coming out of his white wand.
Rachel sat up in her bed, gasping as she pressed her hand to her forehead.
That was not at all like her usual nightmares.
She felt for her wand on her bedside table. "Lumos." She used the light to check the time on her watch - it was just before three in the morning.
Shaking, just a little bit, Rachel got up and went into the bathroom. She leaned in and looked in the mirror. Was her scar a little bit red? Maybe she'd imagined it hurting?
Her nightgown was damp with sweat and she didn't feel like she was going to go back to sleep anyway. Rachel went back into her bedroom and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and then sat back down on her bed. She felt around for her stuffed bunny and finally found it wedged between the bed and the wall, tangled in the blankets. Apparently she'd been moving around while she dreamed.
She touched her scar again. She had felt a bright, burning pain, just as the man in her dream had cast the Killing Curse.
Usually the nightmares that woke her up were about things that had happened before she came to Hogwarts. They were fairly predictable. A dark yet familiar room. Being overwhelmed by fear, dread, and helplessness. A man showing up. And then pain. Then she'd wake and remind herself that she was safe. She'd tell herself she was at Hogwarts, and she never had to go back there again, and Severus was protecting her now. Then she usually stayed up for a while. Sometimes, on the worse nights, she read a book to distract herself. Sometimes she practiced the first animagus meditation. Sometimes she just laid there and thought about what the next day would bring.
This nightmare had been different though. She wasn't even in it, it had been like she'd been watching a television program, except she could feel it. She could remember the cold of the room, how it had felt filthy. And she recognized the man. Peter Pettigrew.
It was a little bit odd to be having a nightmare about him. She wasn't afraid of him. If anything, she hated him for betraying her parents and playing a role in their deaths.
But then, there was the lady with her baby. She didn't recognize the woman, but maybe this was her unconscious mind's interpretation of the night that her parents had been killed.
She had tried to picture it before. She had imagined her dad fighting desperately, using every spell he knew. And then her mom, holding her, not wanting to let go. She supposed that no one really knew how it had happened, other than the Dark Lord and Pettigrew, but she liked to think they'd done everything they could to stop the Dark Lord. They'd died protecting her, just like the woman in her nightmare had died trying to save her baby.
It certainly was a weird nightmare, but she wasn't sure why it had upset her enough to wake her or to make her sweat through her nightgown. It was also a little weird that she never saw the Dark Lord in the nightmare, though she was fairly certain it was his voice she'd been hearing. Maybe because he was still non-corporeal? Could beings that were non-corporeal talk?
She supposed she could ask Severus about it, but that kind of felt like a bad idea. He had a lot to worry about already. Besides asking him what the Dark Lord was like would probably bring up some pretty bad memories for him.
She'd wavered back and forth on asking him why he became a Death Eater in the first place. She wanted to know, because it seemed really important, and at the same time it seemed like a gross violation of his privacy to even ask. She wouldn't purposefully ask any of her friends about something that would upset them, so why would she ask Severus about something that was probably very painful for him?
Rachel didn't feel any less anxious than she had when she first woke up, if anything, thinking about the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters was making it worse. Torey had told her to try and figure out what she was thinking about when she was worrying by putting it down on paper. She was supposed to write out concrete statements and then write down what individual parts of them were worrying her, breaking down into small pieces. Then she could look at the small pieces and decide how much she really should be concerned about them.
After thinking about it for a moment, Rachel got up again and dug in her trunk for a quill and for the journal that Theo had given her for her birthday. Once she found them, she sat down at her desk and began to write.
'I'm worried about the Dark Lord.'
Platform 9 and ¾ was chaotic as usual when Rachel and Severus apparated there on Thursday morning. Rachel looked around for her friends and noticed that the thought of walking through the crowd on the platform was actually a little bit daunting. Usually she was alright here. She wasn't getting worse somehow, was she?
"I believe I see Miss Lovegood," Severus said after a few moments of surveying the platform.
"I'll take your word for it," Rachel said. She reminded herself that the crowd was just for a little bit and then they'd be on the train. No problem.
She followed Severus through the crowd of people and they stopped near the end of the train.
"Mr. Lovegood, it's good to see you again," Severus said politely.
"Ah! Professor Snape. What a surprise. I'm just making sure Luna gets off to school in one piece. I'm sure you'll have a busy year," Mr. Lovegood said.
"Undoubtedly," Severus said.
"Do you want help with your trunk?" Rachel asked Luna.
"No, thank you, not until we get to the compartment," Luna said. "Do you think we'll see the others soon?"
"I'm sure they're here somewhere," Rachel said.
"Rachel! Luna!" Hermione called as she hopped off the train. "Neville and I have a compartment near the back."
Rachel waved to Hermione and then turned to Severus. "I'll see you at the Welcoming Feast?"
"You will. And in the meantime use your Patronus to contact me in an emergency," Severus said.
"Okay," Rachel said.
"Bye daddy. I won't see you at Christmas because of the Yule Ball, but I'll write," Luna said, hugging her father.
"I'll be traveling for a bit, but the owls can always find me. Remember to keep your mind and your eyes open," Mr. Lovegood said.
"I will," Luna said.
Rachel and Luna went to join Hermione and she led them back to a compartment. Rachel helped Luna get her trunk up onto the overhead racks and they sat down.
"Hi Neville. How was the rest of your summer?" Rachel asked.
"Mostly alright. Stayed in the greenhouses, avoided my Gran when I could," Neville said.
"What's wrong with your Gran?" Luna asked.
Neville sighed.
"I see the Weasleys, I'll go let Ginny know where we are," Hermione said, jumping up again.
"Is it wrackspurts?" Luna asked Neville.
"Could be. I'll tell you all about it later. It's nothing to worry about for right now," Neville said.
Luna frowned. "Well, tell her to think positive thoughts, that should help with the wrackspurts at least. I'm not sure what to do about the rest."
"Positive thoughts can't hurt," Rachel said, moving around Crookshank's carrier so she could see out the window.
"I don't know, might give her more ideas," Neville said.
"I found Ginny and Millie," Hermione announced.
"Hi everyone," Millie called. "It's going to be a tight squeeze with all of us."
"My brothers were a disaster. We're lucky we made the train on time," Ginny said.
It took everyone a few minutes to get resituated and Rachel watched out the window for Theo. Finally she spotted him, and his father. She couldn't see Theo's face, his back was towards the train, but his father looked very cross as he spoke to Theo. Finally Theo started toward the train, his expression grim.
"I don't know what we do about that," Millie said quietly from where she'd been watching next to Rachel.
"I'll go let Theo know where we are, and I'll make sure his father doesn't see me either," Hermione said, getting back up again.
Rachel stuck her fingers through the front of Midnight's carrier and felt Midnight first sniff her and then rub her head against her fingers. "I'm glad we're going back to school."
"Me too," Neville said.
"Hey, it's good to see you all," Theo said from the compartment doorway, a tired smile on his face.
Rachel forced herself to smile. "It's good to see you too. We're all here now."
Neville got up to help Theo put his trunk in the rack and then they all settled down in the compartment with the door shut.
Rachel wondered why this was okay, but being out on the platform or in the crowd at the Quidditch World Cup had been uncomfortable. Was it just because she knew everyone here? Was it because people weren't moving around? Was it because they all had their own space, even though it was close together?
"Are things okay, Theo?" Millie asked.
Theo looked at the window. "I'm guessing you all saw that then. Basically, the bottom line is that I've got to do a better job of making friends with like-minded pure-bloods or I'm being shipped off to Durmstrang next year. I can still be in the study group, but I need to make some connections in the Slytherin House, starting with Draco and Pansy. I should also make friends with Jacob Turner and Avery Acker, and it probably wouldn't hurt to make inroads with the Carrow twins."
"Your father shouldn't be able to dictate who your friends are," Hermione said. The train lurched as it started.
"Well, he can, and if I want to stay at Hogwarts there's nothing I can do about it. Let's just be thankful that he cares enough about my grades that he didn't ban me from the study group," Theo said.
"Millie and I can help you with Pansy, at least. We're pretty good friends with her. And I can give you some ideas to talk with Draco about Quidditch," Rachel said. She was glad his father hadn't banned him from the study group, but it was going to be difficult for Theo to make friends with people like Hestia, Flora, Jacob, and Avery.
"It's going to be pretty transparent what I'm doing, but as long as I'm doing it and the others are reporting to their parents that I'm doing it, I think it will work," Theo said.
"We'll do whatever we can to help," Neville said.
"That's right, we will," Hermione said with a nod.
"And maybe you can figure out why Flora and Hestia are watching Rachel while you're making friends with them," Millie said.
"I can try," Theo said. "Thanks. Millie, did you bring that book about the Triwizard Tournament that Hermione sent around?"
"I did, I just finished it last night. I can't believe that they're reviving this thing," Millie said.
"Severus says it's because Professor Dumbledore wants to make international alliances in case there's another war coming. And because he wants students to make international connections because we're part of the global wizarding community," Rachel explained.
"Another war?" Ginny asked. "He thinks You-Know-Who is really coming back?"
"Severus thinks he's preparing, just in case he does," Rachel said.
"This is a rather extreme way of going about making preparations. I mean, it's one thing for governments to make alliances in times of war, but holding a student tournament to make those alliances seems a strange way to go about it," Hermione said.
"No, it fits," Theo said. "Professor Dumbledore can't do anything about it in his position as Chief Warlock for the Wizengamot. He doesn't have the votes and the Ministry would never agree that preparations need to be made. As far as they're concerned, the Dark Lord is gone. The only place Professor Dumbledore has full control is at Hogwarts. If he can influence the Headmasters of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to believe that war is coming, they can prepare their students. Then the students influence their parents, and the parents form the community demanding protection from their government."
"Do you really think France and Russia would come to Britain's aid if there was another war?" Millie asked.
"There's historical precedent. Both during the Grindelwald's war and the war with You-Know-Who, the French sent people to help, and the British sent people to help the French during Grindelwald's war too. But those were actions of the government. I'm not sure what Professor Dumbledore thinks he can do by acting alone," Hermione said.
"He could be looking to recruit people for the Order of the Phoenix. That was his secret organization in the first war. My parents and Neville's parents were part of it," Rachel said.
"My uncles were too. They died fighting the Death Eaters," Ginny said.
"Is it even ethical to recruit from students?" Hermione asked.
"Ethical or not, it's a powerful recruitment tool. Professor Dumbledore sees firsthand who can fight," Theo said.
"I think we're skipping a few steps," Neville said.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked.
"We're not at war yet. Rachel, has Professor Snape said that there's been any sign of You-Know-Who?" Neville asked.
"No, he's said they haven't seen any signs that he's around. He said that the attack at the World Cup was the last thing he'd want the Death Eaters to do, so I think it's pretty clear wherever the Dark Lord is, he's separated from the Death Eaters," Rachel said.
"Good. We're not at war. The Dark Lord is not back. Yet. Maybe he won't ever be able to get back in a body, I don't know. I don't think Professor Dumbledore is recruiting, I think he's just trying to make plans just in case something does happen," Neville said.
"You're right, nothing has happened yet. But this tournament is a death match," Millie said.
"I was thinking of asking my father if I could write an article for The Quibbler about the Triwizard Tournament. I think people should know about how it really is," Luna said.
"Well, I can understand why Professor Dumbledore would want a contingency plan, but I really think this tournament is the wrong way to go about it. I suppose we'll have to see just how safe they've made the tasks," Hermione said.
Hearing about The Quibbler reminded Rachel of something. "I was supposed to ask Sirius if he was willing to do an interview with your father for the article about being sent to Azkaban without a trial. I'm sorry, I forgot. He did say he wanted to see me during the first Hogsmeade weekend. Maybe we can ask him then?"
"That's okay, my father's still doing research for that article. The Ministry is being very difficult about giving him access to records about who is in Azkaban and why," Luna said.
"Big surprise there," Theo said.
"I have a lot of questions about how the Ministry functions. It seems like there is a lot of corruption and poor decision making happening there. No offense to your dad, Ginny," Hermione said.
"None taken, dad has a lot of concerns about it, though Percy seems pretty happy working there," Ginny said.
"We should put together a list for when the trolley comes by with treats so we don't all have to get up," Millie said.
"I've got some parchment," Rachel said, picking up her bag from in between her feet.
"I'm looking forward to our classes, but I think it's going to be a busy year," Hermione said.
"We won't be bored, at least," Neville said.
Neville was right. Hogwarts was never boring.
"How was your summer, Severus?" Minerva asked as Severus walked up to the staff table.
"Quiet for the most part, thankfully. And yours?" Severus asked.
"Summers with my brother and his wife are never quiet, my grand niece Estra is three now. But it was good to spend time with them," Minerva said.
As much as he would do anything to have saved Rachel from the childhood she had, he was grateful he hadn't had to raise her from a baby himself. He couldn't imagine himself taking care of such a young child.
"How is Rachel?" Minerva asked.
"Good. Quidditch and book obsessed as usual. She was quite eager to spend some time with her friends this summer," Severus said.
"As it should be for a girl her age. Before long she'll want to start dating," Minerva said.
"Not yet, fortunately for me," Severus said.
"It happens sooner than you want to believe. Would you like me to speak with her about it? She should be prepared and be allowed to ask questions," Minerva offered.
Severus considered it. It might be helpful for Rachel to get this sort of advice from a woman, rather than from him, particularly considering he had very little practical experience in dating. "I intend to discuss it with her when she's ready, but I could offer you as another resource to her, if she should have questions I can't answer," he said.
"I'd be glad to answer any questions she has. But, if you want my advice, start the conversation with her before she's ready to date. That way she's not blindsided by someone asking her out," Minerva said, glancing over to where students had started to enter the Great Hall. "I need to go get the first years."
Severus continued up to the staff table, contemplating what exactly he was supposed to tell Rachel about dating other than how to defend herself if the situation became uncomfortable. Maybe he needed Minerva's help after all.
"Snape," Moody said.
"Yes, Alastor?" Severus asked, coming to a stop a few paces away, his hand falling to the pocket where he kept his wand with Moody's magical eye following it.
"I've got both of my eyes on you this year," Moody said, his own hand angled slightly, suggesting he was wearing a wand holster.
"I assure you, with the Triwizard Tournament you'll have plenty of things to watch other than me," Severus said, reminding himself to be civil, even when he half wanted to snap at the man that he'd fought in the Order and had risked his life time and time again to bring Albus information.
"Which is why I'm watching you," Moody said.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Severus said, walking past Moody and taking his usual seat at the staff table in between Filius and an open seat for Minerva.
He watched as the students arrived, many of them wet from the rain, though most of the upper years had used drying charms on their robes. Finally he saw Rachel, walking with Millie and Theo, and he sat back in his chair. He hadn't been worried about the train exactly, but it set his mind somewhat at ease to know she was back under the protection of the Hogwarts wards.
Before long all the students were seated and Minerva entered with the new first years - all of the children soaked and shivering. Everyone was quiet while the Sorting Hat sang its song and applauded politely when it was finished.
The first student went to Filius, but Severus felt a slight chill when he heard Minerva call for "Baddock, Malcolm."
A small boy with black hair came forward and sat on the stool.
Severus watched him closely. He was certain this was Bertrand Baddock's son. That man was a nightmare in human form. He didn't bother to use the Cruciatus Curse, he had a much more inventive repertoire of spells to use to slowly and painfully drive people mad, if they lived through it. Few did.
"Slytherin!" the hat shouted.
Severus clapped and resolved to keep a close eye on the boy. He needed to know as soon as possible if the boy either kept his father's inclinations or was subject to them.
The rest of the Sorting proceeded apace without any additional surprises and then the feast started. Severus primarily kept to himself and listened. Old habits die hard, as it was said, and his natural inclination at any dinner functions was to listen and gather information. He had long accepted that he would never be able to separate himself from the man he'd become as a spy, just as he couldn't separate himself from the angry child who had become a Death Eater. He was a product of his past selves.
Finally Albus stood, and Severus prepared himself to watch his Slytherins closely. He wanted to know how they responded to the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament, though he suspected many of them already knew.
"Welcome. Welcome to all of you. Another year has begun and I have some announcements to make before you are sent to bed. Please see Mr. Filch for the full and expanded list of objects forbidden inside the castle if you have any questions or concerns. This list now includes Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. I am also reminding you that the Forbidden Forest is, as ever, forbidden," Albus said.
Severus discreetly rolled his eyes. Albus was practically tempting them to go into the Forbidden Forest when he said it like that.
"Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Professor Alastor Moody. Please welcome him," Albus said, receiving scattered applause.
"I regret to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year," Albus continued.
That got reactions from across the Great Hall, including Rachel giving him a look that he could only describe as alarmed. Severus supposed he should have told her that before they'd returned to Hogwarts, though by the time he had finished the staff meeting where it had been announced he'd had other things on his mind.
"However, there will be another event happening here at Hogwarts this year, and it is my great pleasure to announce that Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament," Albus said.
"You're joking!" one of the Weasley twins shouted loudly.
The Great Hall broke into laughter, including Albus. Severus shook his head. He could only hope his threats to remove the Weasley twins from his class entirely would keep them in line this year.
"I am not joking," Albus said when the laughter had died down. He went on to describe the Tournament to the students.
Severus noticed many of his upper years leaning in to whisper as news and commentary traveled quietly up and down the Slytherin table. Most of them seemed wary, though a few clearly had it in their mind to enter the Tournament. It was yet another thing for him to keep his eye on.
Part of him hoped that the champion from Hogwarts was not a Slytherin student. He didn't want any of them risking their lives over Galleons and glory, though he knew the prospect would appeal to some of them.
Albus dismissed the students and Severus stood. It was time to give his own welcome speech to his students.
"I can't believe they cancelled Quidditch for a death Tournament that only three people can take part of," Rachel said as soon as they were back in their dorm. Severus had given the usual welcoming speech to the House and then had been surrounded by upper years wishing to speak with him about their schedules.
"I think it's going to be exciting, I wonder what sort of tasks they have planned," Pansy said.
"Do you have any idea how many people have died from the Triwizard Tournament? It's a lot, not just champions either," Millie said, letting Midnight out of her carrier.
Rachel crouched down on the floor and stretched her hand out to Midnight, who immediately trotted over to sniff her and then rub her head against her hand. Rachel smiled, she'd missed Midnight over the summer too.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have brought it back if he thought anyone was going to die. He doesn't even allow corporal punishment and Professor Dippet did. My grandfather was caned when he attended Hogwarts," Daphne said.
"For what?" Rachel asked, standing up with Midnight cradled in her arms. She'd never heard of any punishments at Hogwarts being worse than point loss or detention.
"Got caught sneaking into the girls dorms. With his pants down," Daphne said.
"Gross," Millie said, straightening from where she'd been taking things out of her trunk. "I'm glad Professor Snape has the dorms charmed so that no boys can get in."
"Well, it has its uses," Pansy said, her eyes darting briefly to Rachel. "But it's more of a drawback once you have a boyfriend."
"Oh, did you get to go on holiday with Draco?" Rachel asked. She set Midnight down on her bed and began unpacking her own trunk.
"No, his mother wouldn't let him," Pansy said, briefly scowling.
"Isn't it a bit awkward to go on holiday with someone if you haven't even been on a date?" Millie asked.
"No, we would have sunbathed together at my grandmother's villa in France and had plenty of alone time to talk, and maybe even kiss. However, I expect the first date problem should resolve itself soon enough," Pansy said. "Rachel, did Professor Snape tell you when the first Hogsmeade weekend is?"
"No, I can ask though," Rachel offered.
"That would be good. I'm going to have Draco take me to Madam Puddifoot's and then on a walk," Pansy said.
"Does Draco know this?" Millie asked.
"He'll figure it out," Pansy said. "Oh, come see my gown for the Yule Ball."
Rachel put down her stack of books and went to see Pansy's dress. It was pale pink with poofy sleeves and silk flowers sewn around the shoulders and the hem.
"Pretty!" Daphne said. "That will look great on you. Come see mine!"
Daphne's dress was in deep blue and had long sleeves that were woven with ribbons.
"Oh, you'll look beautiful in that, it will bring out your eyes," Pansy said. "Rachel, Millie, did you get gowns?"
"We did," Millie said. She pulled out hers and put it on her bed for them to see.
"That's so nice, where did you get it?" Daphne asked.
"Twilfitt and Tattings. Rachel and I went there with the girls from our study group. Rachel, show them yours," Millie said.
Rachel picked up her dress and held it out.
"You're going to look so cute, like a little fairy," Pansy said. "You both have to let us do your hair and make-up for you. Promise?"
Rachel exchanged glances with Millie and decided it couldn't hurt. "Okay, just for the ball though."
"Yeah, just for the ball," Millie agreed.
"We're all going to look fabulous, the boys will swoon over us," Daphne said happily.
"Who do you want to ask you?" Pansy asked.
"Maybe Anthony Goldstein or maybe Terry Boot. I haven't picked yet. There's still time," Daphne said.
"Wait, how will you get them to ask you?" Rachel asked.
Daphne smiled. "You have to drop hints. Who do you want to ask you?"
Rachel blinked. "No one, really."
"Well that won't do. First you have to pick someone. Preferably a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw, someone mature and who takes care of himself. Then introduce yourself to him. Ask for his opinion about a class topic, or about a spell. And then you can start dropping hints that you want him to ask you out," Pansy explained.
That sounded overly complicated. "I think I can just go by myself. We don't have to have dates, do we?" Rachel asked.
"You do. I mean, they'll let you go without one, I think, but you need to have a date to the ball. Don't worry, we'll get you sorted out. You too, Millie, just leave it to us," Daphne said.
Rachel glanced at Millie. What had she just started?
Millie looked equally alarmed at the prospect.
Rachel had just finished unpacking her trunk when Millie came over and sat on Rachel's bed, petting Midnight where she'd curled up and was washing herself.
"I have an idea, but I don't know if it's a very good one," Millie said.
"About dates for the ball?" Rachel asked, a little surprised.
"No. No, not that. About Quidditch," Millie said.
"Okay," Rachel said, sitting down next to Millie. She was a little relieved they were done talking about the ball.
"What if you got some people together for informal Quidditch games? They wouldn't be worth any House points, but I bet almost everyone on the Quidditch teams will want to play anyway," Millie suggested.
Rachel grinned. "That is a great idea. I love it! I bet we can get enough people together for four teams and have our games like usual. I'll have to ask Professor Snape if we can still use the Quidditch pitch, otherwise we'll have some problems."
Millie smiled back. "I hope it works."
"Me too," Rachel said. She'd just have to see what she could do about it.
It felt good to be back in her school uniform and robes and to be heading to breakfast at eight in the morning with Millie and Theo. And they'd have their study group again soon enough too.
"Draco," Rachel said as soon as they got to the Slytherin table. "What do you think of us trying to have informal Quidditch matches this year? I'm not sure we'll be allowed to use the pitch, but we can at least ask."
"And if we can't use the pitch, we'll get a seventh year to transfigure some goal hoops out on the grounds. It won't be perfect, but we can do it," Draco said, his expression brightening. "Adrian! Lucian! Miles! Quidditch this year! What do you think?"
The boys on the Quidditch team got up from their spots further down the table with the other upper years.
"Did you say Quidditch?" Adrian asked.
"Yeah, Rachel and I were just talking and thought maybe we can put some informal games together. Obviously we'll have to recruit another Beater and a Chaser, but that shouldn't be too hard," Draco said.
"Will that work?" Miles asked.
"We can at least try. The worst the professors can do is say no," Rachel said.
"I'm willing to give it a shot. We can use the time to train this year anyway. I need to train a Beater so that they can train the next Beater," Lucian said.
"I take it that no one was made Captain?" Draco asked.
The boys all shook their heads.
"I guess Professor Snape knew we weren't playing this year," Miles said.
"Well, I want to play, if we can. And maybe we can train, even if we're not playing," Adrian said.
"We'll ask around and see what we can do," Rachel said, standing up. "I'll be right back."
She approached the Hufflepuff table a little bit hesitantly. She hadn't forgotten how they had thought she was the Heir of Slytherin in her second year, but Cedric seemed nice enough and he was the one she wanted to talk to anyway.
"Cedric?" she asked, hating how uncertain she felt.
"Rachel? Is something wrong?" Cedric asked, turning to see her.
"No, not at all. I was just trying to see if we could get the Quidditch teams together to play some informal games this year, and I wanted to see if your team might be interested," Rachel said, aware that many of the Hufflepuff upper years were watching her.
"I'd like that," Cedric said, his expression relaxing into a smile. "I'll check with my team and I'll ask Roger and Cho. Can you figure out who is leading the Gryffindors now that Oliver's not here?"
"Sure. I'm also going to ask Professor Snape if we can use the Quidditch pitch, and I'll let you know what I find out," Rachel said.
"Sounds great, thanks for telling us," Cedric said.
Approaching the Gryffindor table was a lot less scary.
"Ginny," Rachel said.
Ginny turned. "Hi Rachel. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Rachel said. Why did people assume that something was wrong? "We're trying to put together some informal Quidditch matches this year and were wondering if the Gryffindor team would be interested."
"Would we?" one of the Weasley twins said from a few seats over.
"Of course we would. Oy, Angelina!" the other Weasley twin called.
"What?" Angelina called back.
"Quidditch matches! We're playing, yeah?" the first Weasley twin called.
"We're in!" Angelina called, sitting back down.
"I think that covers it," Ginny said, shaking her head.
"Thanks. I'll let you know about the other teams as soon as I know, and about whether or not we can use the pitch," Rachel said before heading back to the Slytherin table.
"Gryffindors are in, Cedric is checking with the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws," Rachel told Draco as she sat back down and put some scrambled eggs and toast on her plate.
"I think we have ourselves a Quidditch season," Draco said with a smile.
"All thanks to Millie, she was the one who suggested it," Rachel said.
Draco looked at Millie and gave her a small nod of acknowledgement.
"Miss Bulstrode, your schedule," Severus said from behind them.
"Thank you, sir," Millie said, accepting the piece of parchment. "Ugh. Potions in the morning after Astronomy at midnight the night before. That's a disaster waiting to happen. And we're not with the Gryffindors at all on Fridays."
"That's too bad," Rachel said. She had been hoping to see more of her friends today, but they'd all meet in their study room after classes at least.
She listened while Severus continued handing out fourth year schedules.
"Miss Snow," Severus said. "Is everything alright?"
Rachel turned and accepted her schedule. "Everything's fine, sir. Thank you."
Severus nodded and continued on his way.
Rachel looked over her schedule quickly.
Fourth Year Slytherin Time Table - Rachel Snow
1st period: 8:45 - 10:15
2nd period: 10:30 - 12:00
Lunch
3rd period: 1:00 - 2:30
4th period: 2:45 - 4:15
Herbology: Monday and Wednesday 1st period (with Hufflepuffs) - Greenhouse
Charms: Monday and Wednesday, 2nd period (with Ravenclaws) - 2nd floor, classroom 2B
Care of Magical Creatures: Monday, 3rd and 4th period - Grounds, Care-Takers House
Defense: Wednesday 3rd and 4th period (with Gryffindors) - 3rd floor, classroom 3C
Astronomy: Wednesday at Midnight - Astronomy Tower
Potions: Tuesday and Thursday, 1st and 2nd period (with Gryffindors) - 1st level dungeons classroom
Arithmancy: Tuesday and Thursday, 3rd period - 7th floor, classroom 7A
Study of Ancient Runes: Tuesday and Thursday, 4th period - 6th floor, classroom 6A
Transfiguration: Friday, 1st and 2nd period (with Ravenclaws) - 1st floor, classroom 1B
History of Magic: Friday, 3rd and 4th period (with Hufflepuffs) 4th floor, classroom 4F
Having Potions the morning after Astronomy was not going to be fun, and History of Magic after Transfiguration was going to make for a long day on Fridays. At least they only had to climb up the top of the castle on Tuesdays and Thursdays since both Arithmancy and Ancient Runes were up there.
It looked like it was going to be a busy year.