Author's Note: I have this story more edited than the rest of my other stories where they are now. Guess it's time to play catch up, so enjoy these chapter dumps and I hope you enjoy them! They've been a long time coming. This is the second update today incase you're following the story so you don't get confused.
~Chapter 12 Start~
Max woke with a pounding in her head, and her body cold against the dungeon air. Sitting up she attempted to gather her bearings, finding herself slightly confused and dazed. She noticed the dark duvet covering her, as she looked around a large room devoid of bunkbeds. Slowly, the previous night rushed into her head, as the blood in her veins pumped hard. Her face blossomed in a blush as she brushed her sticky hair from her face. Speaking of last night, where WAS Severus? Slipping from the warmth of his bed, she moved towards the door leading to his sitting room, only to have it open causing her to jump.
"Ahh, you're awake. Here, take this." Severus spoke evenly, his tone betraying nothing as he handed her another vial.
She took the stopper off and drank it without complaint, finding her headache lifting away instantly.
"Thanks." She croaked.
"You're welcome. It's only six in the morning, so it's safe for you to make your way back to the Gryffindor tower." Severus moved into the room, keeping a wide berth from her.
"What about a shower? I look terrible, and probably smell even worse." Her hoarse voice cracked at the end and she winced.
Severus wrinkled his nose slightly as he got closer to her.
"Well, then I'd suggest you hurry to the bathrooms before others awaken." Was all he simply said as he moved back towards the sitting room.
She tripped as she followed him, her words coating her throat as she tried to let out a noise of disagreement. But, she felt foolish and stupid. Already embarrassed enough for throwing herself at him last night.
'Although, that kiss was something else...' Max mused to herself, lightly brushing her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right. I should keep up appearances. I'll see you, uh, around. Well, I guess technically in class so..." She cleared her throat to fill the silence as she slipped out the door, noting the raised eyebrow he was sending her.
"Goodbye Miss Suthers, I trust you will not be repeating last night again?"
"No sir, you have my word." She said obediently.
~Break~
"Potter, Weasley! Will you pay attention!" Professor McGonagall shouted, her voice echoing through the room startling Max.
It had been a little bit since her drunken incident. Something that the twins apologised profusely for. But, what really confused them was the fact Dumbledore was never notified, despite Snape's looming threat.
They were still stuck in detention almost every night, but a reason was never specifically given, and thus the twins et al's parents weren't notified either. It was suspicious, but the twins just figured Dumbledore was covering for them because Max was one of the champions.
Max had other ideas however.
"Sorry Professor McGonagall." Harry and Ron echoed back as their heads shot up at their Professor's shouting. They had been caught playing around with a pair of fake wands that Fred and George had given them. Brandishing them like swords and mucking about.
They were nearing the end of their lesson. They had spent the class learning to change a guinea fowl into a guinea pig. Something Max had little trouble with, so she had gone over to help Neville who had only managed to change the form into a guinea pig, but failed at turning the feathers into fur. They had finished their work and were cleaning up the small creatures, returning them to their cage on Professor McGonagall's desk when the disruption occurred.
"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," Professor McGonagall continued, "I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -"
Lavender Brown let out a sharp giggle and was nudged by Parvati Patil to quiet down. Lavender's face burned brightly as she let out a smaller giggle to cover up her outburst. Both though, turned their gazes onto Harry within an instant. Professor McGonagall ignored them, and in effect, Harry let out a small eye roll as Max covered her own giggle up with her hand.
"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then, the Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to - er - let our hair down. But, that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarasses the school in any way."
The bell suddenly rang and it was a flurry of hurried shuffles and feet. But Professor McGonagall wouldn't have it.
"Potter, Suthers - a word, if you please?" She spoke above the noise as Max let out a sigh.
Fantastic, just what Max needed right now, to be singled out.
"Ah yes, now," Professor McGonagall started as the pair of them moved towards her as the other students filed out of the classroom. "The champions and their partners -"
"What partners?" Harry asked, interrupting her.
Max gave him a sidelong glance with a raised eyebrow at his audacity. She had only ever seen Severus be this curt with Professor McGonagall before.
"Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter," Professor McGonagall continued, eyeing the boy suspiciously. "Your dance partners."
"Dance partners?" The boy spoke, completely dumbfounded. "I don't dance."
"Oh yes, you do," Professor McGonagall snapped back, sounding incredibly irate. "That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."
Oh christ. Max's heart just about stopped. She only really wanted to dance with one person, the idea of being FORCED to take someone made her feel a touch ill.
"I'm not dancing." Harry argued, shaking Max from her inner thoughts.
"It is tradition," Professor McGonagall responded shortly, "You are a Hogwarts Champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get yourselves a partner, both of you."
It was a warning, a very clear one. All tied together with a neat little finger wag. She was such a mom.
"But - I don't -" Harry attempted to argue.
"You heard me Potter." Professor McGonagall spoke, her tone final.
Why did she never do this to Severus in school? Would have saved Max a headache, and heartache.
~Break~
It was funny, for all the times Max had stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas to keep Severus company, she had never known so many people opt to stay at the school for the holidays. Although, it did make complete sense. There had never been a Triwizard Tournament before during her stay at Hogwarts.
"Hey Max, you don't know me, being new and all, but I was wondering if I could take you to the Yule Ball?" The fifth third year Gryffindor boy, today, spoke as Max banged her head against the Library table that she was sitting at with Hermione.
"No, I'm sorry. I just don't know you well enough." She spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.
She had lost her kindness about ten confessions ago. This week had been complete and utter torture. Severus had been avoiding her, pretending their drunken kiss never happened, while every single below fourth year boy, and the odd girl, was asking her out so they could attend. What a total headache.
"Well, we could get to know each other now?" He tried again.
"She isn't interested, so please go away. We ARE trying to study you know." Hermione snapped as the boy withdrew with pink tinted cheeks.
"S-sorry." He spoke as he rushed out of the Library.
"Like vultures they are!" Hermione all but shouted.
"You're telling me. I wonder how Harry is fairing." Max said as she looked towards the entrance of the library.
"That's true, he's also the 'chosen one.'" And they both laughed under the breath with each other.
"Still doesn't solve my problem of actually HAVING to say yes eventually." Max breathed out as she gave Hermione a pleading look.
"I'm sorry Max, I'm not going with you." Hermione laughed causing Max to pout.
"Why not?!" She whined.
"Because I am kind of hoping to...go with...someone else." Hermione admitted, her cheeks turning red as she buried her nose into a book.
"Oh. Oh. OH!" Max almost shouted, "Oh, it's SO Ron isn't it?"
"Shh!" Hermione scolded, her hands coming out to grasp hers and pull Max further towards the table. "Do you want ALL of Hogwarts to know? Cause you're doing an awful good job of doing that."
"Sorry Herms, I'll be quiet. But I'm right, aren't I?" Max asked, peering around to ensure they were alone.
Hermione nodded silently, and cleared her throat.
"Regardless we still have homework to do, so come on." Hermione buckled down as she started scraping her quill against her parchment.
"Yeah, but this doesn't really help me figure out WHO to ask." She sighed, her chin resting on her hand.
"What about Fred? You two are awful close." Hermione responded, a small grin on her face.
"Ok, fine, message received. No more pestering about the young Weasley, so please stop badgering me about the twin Weasley."
Her response was a smug grin.
~Break~
As the days to the Yule Ball counted down, so did everyone's ability to concentrate on their studies. Most of their Professor's had taken to allowing them laxed classes, or in Professor Flitwick's case, allowed them to spend class playing games and chatting amongst themselves. Though, that didn't mean Professor Snape gave them any slack. If anything, he seemed to grow harsher and even more strict. Something that had Max frowning most days.
"Evil he is," Ron started complaining one evening. "Springing that test on us on the last day of classes. Ruining the last bit of term with a whole load of studying."
"Mmm...you're not exactly straining yourself, though, are you? Besides, we still have study hall" Hermione spoke, staring at him as she looked over her Potions notes.
Ron merely scoffed and continued building a house of cards from his exploding snap deck. Which, to be fair, was incredibly entertaining to watch. Max was kind of secretly hoping they would explode and topple over.
"It's Christmas, Hermione." Harry spoke as he lazed about rereading Flying with the Cauldrons, while seated comfortably in an armchair near the fireplace.
"I'd have thought you'd be doing something constructive, Harry, even if you don't want to learn your antidotes!" Hermione complained, her eyes staring daggers at the boys.
"I dunno Herms, I'm kind of with them. It's Christmas, and Snape IS kind of being a prick." Max spoke lazily as she twirled her hair.
It had been weeks and she hadn't had detention with him. He had handed her off to Hagrid and Filch, or whatever other teacher was free that night. He had been avoiding her and started acting unusually harsh. It was really wearing on her if she was going to be honest. She realized she had spoken a bit too abruptly, as the three of them had turned to give her wide eyed stares.
"Took you long enough." Ron finally interrupted the awkward silence with a loud bark of laughter.
"Yes, well, at least Max KNOWS her antidotes already." Hermione recovered, staring towards the two boys pointedly.
"What on earth could we be doing with our time instead?" Harry continued, looking tired.
"Well, figuring out that egg you both got, for instance." Hermione grumbled, her nose buried deeper into her notes.
Max winced, knowing Hermione was right. She had been hoping to work on it with Severus, but with him avoiding her, it was hopeless. He had seemingly abandoned their lessons all together. The vague knowledge of a lake and trying to get something that she had been told months ago wasn't much to go on; she still didn't have a plan.
"Come on, Hermione, we've got till February twenty-fourth," Harry waved off, not at all concerned.
"But it might take weeks to figure it out!" Hermione spoke, her tone sharp and full of irritation.
Max winced, Hermione was right. Max had attempted one night to figure it out on her own, only to have it start wailing in the middle of her dorm room. Something Hermione ended up being privy to one evening.
"You're going to look like a right idiot if everyone else knows what the next task is and you don't!" Hermione continued to chastise.
"Leave him alone, Hermione, he's earned a bit of a break," Ron started, his tongue between his lips, curling slightly as he concentrated on his card placement.
As he placed the last two cards together at the top, they set off a chain-explosion leaving him soot covered and coughing.
"I'm being serious, Ron! I inspected Max's egg and I am baffled. At least she's been ATTEMPTING to figure it out -"
"Nice look, Ron...go well with your dress robes, that will." Fred laughed as him and George came around towards them.
"Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked.
"No, he's off delivering a letter," Ron answered, "Why?"
"Because George wants to invite him to the ball -" Fred mocked with a roll of his eyes.
"-Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat." George finished for Fred.
"Who'd you two keep writing to, eh?" Ron asked, placing his nose once again into his older brothers' business.
"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too." Fred narrowed his eyes as he waved his wand out threateningly.
"You guys can borrow Gylfie, I don't mind," Max smiled as she stood up. "I'll meet you guys in study hall in an hour?" She asked as her three companions nodded.
"Don't be late! Snape's supposed to be running this one." Ron warned as he rubbed his hands against his singed eyebrows, trying to smooth them down.
~Break~
They managed to get there with a few minutes to spare, taking up most of one of the long tables. Max was working on her Potions essay, Hermione seated to her left doing the same. Next to her was Ron, and then Harry. The room was full of scratching quills and low murmurs as Professor Snape stalked through the rows.
"This is mad..." Ron spoke sounding hopeless. "At this rate, we'll be the only ones here without dates -aww!" Ron grunted in pain and annoyance as Professor Snape skulked past them and pushed Ron's head towards the desk roughly.
Ron sat there a moment holding his fingers against his forehead. Max covered her silent laughter as Hermione exchanged a grin. Snape continued walking away looking none the kinder causing Max to frown.
"Well, us and Neville..." Ron laughed, as he searched around the room glancing at the poor boy.
"Then again, he can just take himself!" Harry laughed along as Max rolled her eyes.
"You guys are dicks." Max whispered quickly, ducking her head to avoid Snape.
"Oiy, come off it." Ron hissed, glaring at her.
"It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone!" Hermione spat out, stopping the boys' laughter in its tracks.
"Awww..." Ron sighed as Harry looked around dejectedly. "Now I'm really depressed..."
Fred tossed a paper towards Ron and everyone crowded together to read it.
'GET A MOVE ON
OR ALL THE GOOD ONES
WILL HAVE GONE'
"Who're you going with then?" Ron hissed back.
Fred gave Ron a gloating look, before quickly turning away and crumpling up a piece of paper, throwing it at Max.
"Owch!" She hissed as she looked away from her notebook to glower at Fred.
"Max, you -" Fred started whispering as he pointed at her "-at the ball -" he began pantomiming dancing "-with me?" He finished the questioning by pointing at himself.
Max starred on stunned, her mouth hanging agape. She barely missed George tossing his eraser at Angelina, asking her much the same way with a laugh. She didn't know how to respond. She didn't know what to think. So she just went with it. Afterall she had to say yes eventually, so why not go with a friend?
"Sure." She mouthed back, glancing around trying to avoid Hermione's smug gaze, and Ron's furious one.
Fred sent a wink at Ron causing him to swallow hard and begin to look around nervously. Max quickly shifted her gaze towards her notebook, feeling her cheeks heat up.
"Well, Hermione, you're a girl." Ron began awkwardly. Harry started to grasp at Ron's arm, pulling on it, and then slamming his fist on it repeatedly, in an attempt to stop the boy.
"You're well spotted." Hermione spoke, her outrage coming to the surface.
"Jesus christ Ron." Max spoke at the same time, almost face palming.
"Can't we go a -" But as Ron started to speak, all four of them were smacked upside the head with a book in succession.
Max bit her tongue and let out a pained grunt, as Hermione squeaked. Snape rounded once more to smack Harry a second time and the boy let out a long grunt/hum of pain. Snape glowered down at them all for a brief moment, his book held light in his hand, then turned away moving to check on the other students.
"Come on, it's one thing for a bloke to show up alone, but for a girl it's just sad." Ron shrugged, attempting to look sympathetic and kind.
Harry let out another strangled snort as he attempted to save his best friend from the following moment.
"I won't be going alone, because believe it or not, someone's asked me!" Hermione spat through clenched teeth, throwing her quill down onto the table.
She swiveled in her seat, pulling her things into her book and standing up in one fluid motion. Her gaze remained hot on Ron, her anger seething from her as she stood up to leave. Hermione stamped up towards Snape, handing him her notebook, then turned on her heel and walking out. She stopped for a moment to gather her books, eyes set on him in a blaze of fury.
"And I said yes!" She stomped off and left the study hall, Max glaring at Ron the whole time.
"Bloody hell..." Ron sighed, exchanging a look with Harry.
"Oh shove it you insensitive snot!" Max hissed, turning to follow in Hermione's footsteps. She stalked towards Snape, just about tossing her notebook at him, and stalked out, glowering at Ron the entire time.
As Max left the room, she heard another grunt of pain from the pair as Snape shoved their heads into the desk in an attempt to get them to work. His glowering expression followed her as she left.
~Break~
Max had finally caught up with Hermione and reached out for her. Grasping Hermione's arm, she slowed down and turned to look at Max.
"Are you ok?" Max asked, grasping her friend's bicep.
"Fine, you didn't have to come with me y-" Hermione began.
"Oh come off it, we're basically best friends so come on. Spill, who're you going with?" Max asked with a grin.
"Promise you won't laugh?" Hermione asked, biting her nip nervously.
"I promise." Max nodded with a smile as she stepped closer.
"Krum." Hermione whispered, her cheeks reddening slightly.
"Seriously?" Max asked, bewildered and stunned.
"Yes I'm serious! I got tired of waiting for Ron. He kept appraising different girls around me as if it didn't even matter that I might want to go with him, then what he said today just further proves my decision," She hissed out, looking embarrassed. "Then I kind of ran into Krum and got to talking to him. He's actually really nice, and smart too. He was in the library so often because he wanted to talk to me, and to research for his tasks."
Hermione was blushing now, which caused Max to smile. She knew in the future Hermione ended up with Ron, but this adorable moment just made her a little part of her push for a Hermione Krum ending.
"He sounds nice, Hermione, I'm happy for you." Smiling she walked with Hermione towards the Gryffindor Tower. They had been given work for the holidays, and Max wanted to get it out of the way so she could focus on her task, and find a dress.
~Break~
Max was reading a book, trying to find some sort of peace and quiet in the corner of the common room. It was busier than usual, having so many people at Hogwarts for Christmas. It didn't help that Fred and George had such a huge success with their Canary Creams. For days people would be bursting out in feathers all over the place. Thankfully, things had calmed down slightly as everyone became suspicious of gifted food. Fred was sitting with her, bouncing ideas off her for his newest idea, 'Ton-Tongue Toffee'. Max smiled as he rambled on about what flavour would be best for his creation.
"Oh course, it can't just be PLAIN toffee, I was thinking of a nice chocolate coating, but we could flavour it as chocolate toffee. What do ya think?" Fred asked as he tapped his quill against his notebook.
"I think you're putting an awful lot of work into the taste of a prank candy." Max smiled, her eyes twinkling in laughter.
"Hey, I put pride in my work. Nothing is done pointlessly. Everything has to come together in just the right way to make a prank fun and not mean. I like toeing that line, but no one wants to be a bully." Fred shrugged as he wagged his quill in the air.
"True." Max laughed, rereading the same page in her book again.
"So chocolate coated or chocolate toffee flavoured?" Fred asked once again.
"I'd go with chocolate covered. Works better with the name." Max answered with a small grin; book once more forgotten
"Good idea my dear, now...we just need to figure out how to suspend it in the toffee without adding a terrible taste..." Fred's tongue poked out of the side of his mouth ever so slightly, as he scrunched his forehead in thought.
"Ahh yes, the taste is so you can hide the prank." Max laughed with a shake of her head.
"Exactly." Fred smiled as he dog-eared a page in a potions text and placed it on the table before them.
"So this is where you've been." Harry spoke, moving to take a seat next to Max.
"Best place to avoid the constant third years and Rita Skeeter." Max shrugged as she played with a piece of her hair.
"And Ron's constant whining about the Yule Bale." Fred rolled his eyes as he gave Harry his full attention.
"Technically, the reason we are here is you promised to help me research how to open my bloody egg, and yet instead I've been duped into researching for your toffees." Max retorted as she found herself shoved back against the couch, Fred's hand against her mouth.
"Shhh! It's still in development." Fred chastised, hand shoving against her mouth as Max opened wide and licked the length of his hand. "Ick! Eww! Who raised you?" Fred complained as he pulled back a now very wet hand.
"Wolves, obviously. So what's up Harry?" Max asked with a big smile, using the back of her hand to wipe her mouth.
"I was looking for a date for Ron and I but..." He shrugged trailing off, all but admitting even his patience was wearing thin with the red-headed boy.
"Only a mother could love him, that's for sure." Fred snorted as Max smacked his arm.
"Shush, be nice, he's your brother."
"I kind of got annoyed and lost him in the halls when a group of Hufflepuffs wandered by following Cedric, he managed to change his tune long enough from Hermione's date to Cedric Diggory so I could slip away." Harry admitted with a small blush. "He won't be gone for long, we were both headed here."
"Any idea who you are going to ask? May as well try to get it out of the way now while Ronykins can't chase em off." Fred laughed.
"As crude as Fred is being, he is right, if you have someone you want to ask, this would be the easiest time." Max shrugged.
"Ask one of the Gryffindor girls, plenty your age still looking for dates, or you could take a third year, I recon none of them will say no even if they don't fancy you." Fred added.
"I don't know...I don't really feel comfortable with a stranger." Harry sighed, fidgeting awkwardly in his seat.
"Ask a friend then? I mean I know Hermione and I are already spoken for, but what about Luna? or maybe Fay? or Parvati? I don't think she has a date yet, neither does Fay I'm pretty sure." Max answered, attempting to be helpful.
"Isn't she the girl who obsessively wants to try out for Beater next year?" Fred asked.
"Probably, she likes the sport and position well enough. Why, worried she'll give you a run for your money next year?" Max explained with a cat-like look.
"Gryffindor can't do any better than the Weasley twins and you know it. You'll miss us when we're gone, mark my words." Fred huffed.
"Ok we're getting off track here..." Harry sighed as he saw Ron enter the common rooms.
"Just go ask Parvati, she at least has a twin who might be available." Max laughed as Harry dashed away.
"Ahh to be young again." Fred mused.
"You're literally only a few years older." Max deadpanned.
"A few, but still older." He winked, tapping her on her nose.
'A few years, sure, but definitely not older.' Max thought to herself with a snort.
~Break~
Harry did indeed ask out Parvati, and in turn she asked her sister who agreed to go with Ron. It was a funny thing how one tiny yes changed the redhead's tune in the last week of winter break. Now he was happy, nothing seemed to be able to damper his mood. Now his annoying complaints were annoying gloats. Max was spending time studying with Hermione again, sick of Ron peacocking.
"She must be bonkers," Hermione sighed as she closed her textbook, "Sometimes I wonder if all that divination drivel hasn't rotted her brain."
"Hermione, come on now, she's going to the Yule Ball with Ron, not running off to join some cult where she's renamed starshine." Max laughed as they started to head out of the library and towards the Great Hall.
Hermione didn't respond, although Max swore she heard her mutter under her breath 'What's the difference?'. They entered the Great Hall just after the majority of people had taken their seats. Taking their own at the Gryffindor table, they quickly entered into the table's diverse conversation as they all ate a hearty dinner of rich stews and warming puddings to match the weather.
~Break~
Dinner had ended not long ago, despite the amount of people still loitering around and chatting. Slowly, students had begun to make their way from their tables, milling about the hall. The snow had begun to fall steadily harder as the evening progressed, and had become so heavy the windows of the Beauxbatons carriage were coated white, adding to the ridiculous frozen pumpkin look it had going on. Despite all the snow, the frigid cold air, and the increasingly looming presence of the second task, Fleur Delacour still managed to find something new to complain about.
"It is too 'eavy, all zis 'Ogwarts food," the four of them overheard Fluer say as she was leaving the Great Hall. "I will not fit into my dress robes!"
"Oh there's a tragedy," Hermione scoffed, arms crossed and face irritated. "She really thinks a lot of herself, that one, doesn't she?"
"Hermione - who are you going to the ball with?" Ron asked, changing the subject.
This had probably been the seventh time he had asked.
"I'm not telling you, you'll just make fun of me." She frowned, her lips pursing into a thin line, books clenched tightly in her arms.
"You're joking, Weasley!" Malfoy laughed from behind them. "You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?"
At the slur Harry, Ron, and Max all spun around ready to confront the shit-headed blond. But Hermione just calmly looked over Malfoy's shoulder and spoke with a smile.
"Hello, Professor Moody!" She chirped.
Malfoy went pale and wide eyed, before jumping back and twisting around to find Moody causing Max to laugh. But, soon Malfoy realized WHY Max was laughing so hard. Moody was still at the staff table eating his stew.
"Twitchy little ferret aren't you, Malfoy?" Hermione asked scathingly, before the four of them headed up the stairs laughing up a storm.
"Hermione?" Ron asked, "your teeth..."
"What about them?" She said.
"Well, they're different...I've just noticed..." Ron said, trailing off.
"Of course they are - did you expect me to keep those fangs Malfoy gave me?" Hermione scoffed.
'Oh this was going to go well' Max thought with an eye roll.
"No I mean, they're different to how they were before he put that hex on you...they're all...straight and - and normal-sized." Ron explained, staring straight at the girl's teeth.
Hermione smiled mischievously before replying to them.
"Well...when I went up to Madam Pomfrey to get them shrunk, she held up a mirror and told me to stop her when they were back to how they normally were," she said with a shrug. "And I just...let her carry on a bit. Mum and dad won't be too pleased. I've been trying to persuade them to let me shrink them for ages, but they wanted me to carry on with my braces. You know, they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should - look! Pigwigeon's back!"
And back the tiny nattering owl was. He was shivering and twitching up on the top of the icicle-laden bannisters. People who were passing by kept pointing and whispering to each other.
"Oh, look at the weeny owl! Isn't he cute?"
"Stupid feathery git!" Ron hissed, rushing up the stairs and snatching Pigwigeon. "You bring letters to the addressee! You don't hang around showing off!"
Pigwigeon hooted happily as if he were getting praise and snuggled into Ron's fist, where he was held clenched. The third-year girls were staring up at the pair bewildered.
"Clear off!" Ron snapped at them, waving the happily hooting bird at the pair. They skittered off looking horrified as Ron handed the letter to Harry. "Here - take it Harry."
"Classy." Max whistled as Ron glowered at her.
Harry pocketed the letter and they all hurried off towards the common rooms for some privacy. It was becoming more normal for Max to act so secretive, and strangely it felt nice to belong and be trusted by someone.
~Break~
The common room was loud and busy, filled with life and a great many other things for everyone to be occupied with. It gave the four the perfect time to read Harry's letter from Sirius. Seated in front of a darkened snow-laden window, Harry began to read the letter, everyone else reading over his shoulder.
'Dear Harry,
Congratulations on getting past the Horntail. Whoever put your name in that goblet shouldn't be feeling too happy right now! I was going to suggest a Conjunctivitis Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point -
"That's what Krum did!" Hermione whispered as Max elbowed her side.
- but your way was better, I'm impressed. That Max girl you wrote about was pretty impressive too, wonder where she learned the disillusionment spell. In any case, I hope she continues to help you out, give her my thanks for that pepper-up potion she gave you.
Don't get complacent though, Harry. You've only done one task, and eventually Max and you will have to compete against one another. Whoever put you both in for the tournament's got plenty more opportunity if they're trying to hurt you. Keep your eyes open - particularly when the person we discussed is around - and concentrate on keeping yourself out of trouble.
Keep in touch, I still want to hear about anything unusual.
-Sirius.'
Max's face was blazing when she realized Harry had written about her. It seemed like Harry didn't expect Sirius to write about her back and was tomato-flushed as well.
"He sounds exactly like Moody." Harry said quietly, putting the letter away in his robes. " 'Constant vigilance!' You'd think I walk around with my eyes shut, banging off the walls..."
"Well..." Max began, about to mention the time Harry had tripped on his way to Quidditch practice over his broom because he wasn't paying proper attention, but Hermione interrupted her.
"But he's right, Harry, you have still got two tasks to do. You really ought to have a look at that egg, you know, and start working out what that means..."
"Hermione he's got ages!" Ron snapped before turning to Harry. "Want a game of chess, Harry?"
"Yeah, okay," Harry agreed. Then, after noticing Hermione's scathing look, he added "Come on, how'm I supposed to concentrate with all this noise going on? I won't even be able to hear the egg over this lot."
"Oh I suppose not," she sighed as her and Max watched the two boys play.
~Break~
Christmas eve was a particularly miserable time for Max. She didn't have her family, her and Severus were fighting, and she still needed to figure out her damn egg. The only thing she knew is she had to go to the bottom of some lake to retrieve something important. Tossing back and forth in her bed she eventually gave up with a soft sigh. She missed her bed, she missed her friends, and she missed her mother. Christmas always used to be a special holiday, a special time. She had traditions with her mother and she had started new ones with Severus. Speaking of which, he still hadn't said two words to her, avoiding her even in class now. He was brooding, that much she knew. It was a small breath of relief to know she still knew him in small ways, and being able to read his predictable actions and emotions was reassuring.
Not that that was really the problem anymore. After throwing yourself at your best friend to only be rebuked completely flattened your self-esteem for a bit and made you feel like a complete and utter idiot. She was worried for her future, worried about that damn egg and it's task, worried about Severus, and now worried about Harry and her new friends. It felt like all she did lately was worry. Another sigh, another toss, and eventually she gave up realizing she was probably disturbing her dorm mates; if any were awake anyways.
So she grabbed a sweatshirt to throw overtop of her gingham jammies, shoved her feet into her boots, and went stalking off into the common room. The room was mostly empty, the crackling of the fire overshadowing the odd person asleep in a chair, or reading droopy-eyed. Max smiled to herself, a small shake of her head, before she wandered out of the portrait and down the steps, the fat lady closing with a small click and huff of annoyance.
"Oiy! Better come back before I fall asleep!" She hissed behind Max as she reached the landing of the stairs.
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say." Max huffed as she stuffed her hands into her pockets.
Walking through the halls was decently cathartic. It was quiet and peaceful, something Hogwarts rarely ever was. Before she knew it she found herself at the steps leading to the astronomy tower and began to climb. She wanted to see the stars.
~Break~
She was seated on the floor, her legs hanging over the edge and kicking back and forth, arms wrapped around the metal railing. Her cheek was pressed against the cool metal where she had laid it, back hunched over. She wondered about her mother. She missed her, and wondered if she even knew she was gone. She had been spending so much time at Severus' she was hardly ever home. She used portkeys and apparating as she needed; something her muggle mother never begruged her for. The amazing woman who used to tell Max whenever she felt lonely to just look at the stars, and know that somewhere, out there, she was looking at the same stars too.
Her skin began to chill, and she knew her moment's reprieve had come to an end; she was hardly in the clothing for this weather, and despite it all the sky was exactly as she had remembered it. Pulling herself to a stand, she stretched out her lower back and legs, not noticing the looming presence behind her. Turning around she almost ran right into a broad chest and jumped back looking up to notice it was Professor Moody. Startled for a moment Max panicked, realizing she had let her guard down just a little too much, she hadn't even heard him.
"Shit..." Max gasped as she startled at his abrupt appearance.
His mouth curled into a feral grin and she stepped back.
"Language, Miss Suthers." He tutted as he slowly stalked towards her, his slight limping intimidating.
"Sorry Professor, you just startled me is all." Max breathed as she gave him a nervous smile.
"I think we can drop the pretenses Maxine." He laughed as he cornered her against the far end of the tower.
"Look, it's late Professor, I really shou-" Max attempted to say as she inched towards the stairs.
"Enough!" Mad-eye Moody shouted as he thrust his arm out, his cane smacking against the railing, echoing all around them. "We both know you know who I am. I'm sure our little Severus has told you all about me."
Max swallowed as she watched Moody's tongue dart out, much like a snake, before his lips closed again and he smiled. The best thing she could do right now was say nothing, let Moody talk himself out. If she let anything slip that she was working with Severus, he would surely be killed.
"Always knew he was a right traitor that one. Only a bastard blood-traitor would ever love a mudblood." He laughed and Max flinched.
Severus loved a muggle-born? Mad-eye Moody couldn't mean her...could he?
"After all...old habits do die hard, you're proof of that." He laughed cruelly this time and grabbed her shoulder pulling her close.
"Let me go." Max managed to hiss out under her breath, eyes locked with the poly-juiced eyes of Mad-eye Moody.
"Funny girl, I almost believed you meant it." Moody laughed, throwing his head back.
"Everyone will find out if you do anything now!" Max whispered in defiance.
"Oh of that I have no doubt, but that means you can't do anything either," His eyes locked with Max's again as his larger hand wound tightly around her neck. "And I can send a message to dear old Snape."
Max gasped and clawed at his hand as he pulled his face so close she felt his breath on her cheek.
"He promised you to me once he's done with ya, you know, the Dark Lord. You're muh reward for a job well done," He pulled away suddenly leaving Max gasping in a heap on the ground. "Maybe I'll even get ta break ya in fronta Snape."
Moody smiled wickedly, his eyes boring into her form in a way that made her feel ill.
"I'd kill you first." Max hissed, her bravery finally returning.
"I'm looking forward to it." His smile was all teeth and Max wanted to cry.
~Break~
He hadn't done anything more with her, beyond dragging her by her arm screaming down the stairs. His eyes gleamed wickedly in his wand's light. He pulled her through the halls, before stopping at Professor McGonagall's doors. He rapped on them in a frenzied manner, and pulled her in front of him.
"Professor Moody?" McGonagall questioned, straightening her spectacles as she pulled her robes tighter together.
"I caught this one wandering around past curfew, figured I'd bring her to her head of house." Professor Moody spoke as he pushed Max forward.
Max remained standing there, fists clenched to her sides as she bit her tongue; if she reacted or made a fuss everything was for nothing.
"Miss Suthers!" Professor McGonagall chastised as she grabbed Max's upper arm and pulled her down the halls and towards her office. It only took a few moments before Professor McGonagall led them in and shut her door.
"This isn't what it looks like, I was just getting some a-" Max said, panicking.
"Miss Suthers, do not mistake my calm demeanour as me being soft. You are currently representing our school in front of the entire magical community in Europe. You are in a mountain of trouble, you won't be attending the next Hogsmeade trip, and you'll have detention with Professor Moody so perhaps you can learn to respect him as your professor." Professor McGonagall chastised as she pushed her glasses atop the bridge of her nose.
Max wilted where she stood as Professor McGonagall wrote her a note so no other Professors would stop her from returning to her dorm, and sent her on her way. As Max reached the landing towards the portrait of the Fat Lady, she heaved out a small shuddering sigh; she had come dangerously close to a death eater who wanted nothing more than to hurt her in the most unimaginable ways. Another shudder wracked her form and she quickly rapt the portrait waking up with Fat Lady and muttered the password.
She could still hear her complaints as she whisked up into her dorm room.
~Chapter 12 End~
