A/N: Sorry I have been so crazy busy lately! I have hardly had time to write at all with work and the holidays and a kid plus getting everything else lol. Here's the next chapter! Also, sorry for no replies this time. I'm hoping that since I have a few days off for Christmas that I can get some writing done. HOPEFULLY!
September 1993 – October 1993 (Second Year)
Olivia was lucky enough to successfully avoid Draco when her dad saw her onto the train at King's Cross. She had almost asked to simply apparate alongside him to Hogwarts, but she didn't want to be seen as taking advantage of her father's position.
As she walked along the car, familiar brown curls caught her eye just as she heard her name. "Oh, Hello, Olivia." Hermione smiled at her broadly. It caught Olivia slightly by surprise. She was a Slytherin...why was a Gryffindor, especially Hermione Granger, best friend of the infamous Harry Potter, seeming to try and befriend her?
She could only smile in return as she notice the other two coming up behind her, Potter being one of them. He seemed tired, darkness having formed under his eyes. She studied him curiously.
"Oh, this is Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. Guys, this is Olivia Snape," Hermione introduced them. All three gave each other forced tight smiles in greeting. "Did you have a compartment to sit? We could make room."
"I'm sure I can find somewhere," she started. Though she was unsure if she would actually find a seat, she was sure that Weasley and Potter wouldn't approve of her presence for the trip. Plus, it would not look good upon her, daughter of Professor Snape and Slytherin, to be sitting with them. "Thank you for the offer, though. See you later," she said quietly so as to not be overheard by other students as she continued towards the end of the train.
Olivia did find a seat with Hayden and a couple other boys in their year. She spent much of the train ride reading her Defense Against the Dark Arts text, that is, until the train began to slow, coming to an abrupt stop. The lights began to flicker and Hayden got up to open the door.
"No," Olivia said, feeling the dreadful cold fall over the compartment, "sit back down. Leave the door shut."
"What? Why?" Hayden asked, beginning to shiver from the cold. A frost began to form over the glass of the door and windows.
"Dementors." Her breath fogged in the air as she whispered. She pulled her wand from her sleeve, remembering the charm her dad told her of. Though she had never attempted it, she'd rather try than do nothing. She thought of all the happy memories, trying to find one that might work for the spell.
Her mind blanked as she saw the black wispy figure outside the compartment, floating past their door, moving further down the train. When it passed, she let out a breath she'd been holding. She stood slowly, moving towards the door, hoping that only one had boarded the train. Pressing the handle, she moved the door to the side and looked out, glancing down the car.
She only saw the blackened cloak billowing in the darkness until a bright white light blasted from inside a compartment much further down. Olivia realized that it had come from somewhere close to where Hermione and her friends had been. The figure slammed into the opposite wall of the car, startled from the blast, before fleeing from the light. A man emerged from the compartment, wand raised to form a shield of light against the creature.
"Harry!" She heard Hermione's voice coming from the same compartment. Making sure the Dementor had fled, she left the compartment and moved quickly towards theirs. The man turned, spotting her. She assumed he was a new professor. He seemed to be about the same age as her dad, though he appeared to be rather worn, from what she wasn't sure.
"You should return to your compartment. It's gone, but...just to be sure," he said, his voice calm and kind.
"Is...is Potter alright?" she asked quietly.
The man smiled at her concern. "He'll be just fine."
Olivia nodded as she put her wand back into her sleeve before turning away. Composing herself before heading back into the compartment. Hayden seemed worried, as did the two other boys.
"What happened?!" Hayden asked her before she could sit back down. The lights flickered back on.
"Dementor got onto the train. It attacked Harry Potter." Olivia furrowed her brow. Dementors were only supposed to be after Sirius Black. The thing had completely ignored all the compartments except for his. Why had it attacked him of all people?
She was grateful that Hayden hadn't made some snide remark about Potter. In fact, she wasn't sure why she was concerned about him either. Perhaps it was simply because she knew that he'd done nothing wrong, not to warrant that at least. They all were disturbed by the attack and, once the train began on its journey again, they spent it in silence.
It was a fast circulating topic around the school, how the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had saved Potter from the Dementor attack and that the boy had passed out from the encounter. It seemed that Draco was getting the most from talking about it, teasing and joking.
Olivia tried to focus on getting back into the schedule of school. It was her first day for Defense and she was excited to see the newest professor's methods. The man had seemed kindly and well-spoken. Seeing him in full light was different. She saw just how worn he really was. There were many scars, all similar, but with varying depths and lengths. As he handed out a list of topics for the term, she observed the scars along his hands. She learned his name was Lupin.
Glancing over the list, she found that it was reasonable, but well-rounded. While the first class didn't cover much, topic-wise, but more of an introduction and getting to know him as well as him getting to know them. When it was her turn, she announced her name and house, noticing a look of surprise appear on his face.
As class was dismissed for lunch, Olivia waved Hayden along while she stayed behind. Walking up to the professor's desk, she waited until the last student was out the door. He was busy filtering through some papers until she drew his attention, "Professor Lupin?"
"Miss Snape," he smiled, "is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, Sir. I was wondering if you had a list of topics for the third years also? I'd like a copy if I may."
His smiled widened, "Studying ahead, are we?"
"When I can."
"Of course," he drew a copy from a stack of parchment and handed it to her. "Is this a subject that interests you so much?"
"It's a subject that is valuable and...relevant," she said, thinking about the Dementor attack. "Potions is more instinctual for me, but I dislike being unprepared."
He laughed. "Like father, like daughter, hm?"
"I suppose," she laughed softly.
"It certainly was instinctual to him when we were in school. Quite the natural, if I remember correctly," he mused.
"You knew my father in school?"
"Yes, we were in the same year, though I was in Gryffindor, he in Slytherin. I assume your mother was a Slytherin also?"
"I wouldn't know, sir," she said, looking down at the paper, pretending to focus on the list. "She died when I was a baby."
"Oh, I do apologize," he said, looking slightly pained.
"It's alright." She smiled slightly. "I should get to lunch. Thank you for the list, Professor."
"You're very welcome."
Olivia rolled her eyes as she overheard Draco telling the story of the Hippogriff for probably the thousandth time. It was only a scratch, really. He'd even had the gall to owl her Uncle about it, which, judging from the way things sounded, he'd probably told him that the thing had actually scraped bone and was viciously attacking him. Uncle Lucius was thoroughly upset with Dumbledore and Hagrid for letting such a thing happen.
Olivia had heard what really happened, though. Truthfully, if Draco hadn't been jealous and just plain stupid, he wouldn't have been hurt at all. He deserved what he got. Hagrid did not deserve to be treated as though it was his fault, however. She was about at her wit's end and on the verge of telling him to shut up when a Gryffindor boy ran into the Great Hall shouting.
"He's been sighted! He's been sighted!"
She spun round, seeing the mass of Gryffindors surrounding the Daily Prophet. "Who?!"
"Sirius Black!"
"Dufftown! That's not far from here," mused Hermione.
"Y-you don't think he'd come to Hogwarts, do you?"
"With Dementors at every entrance..."
"Dementors. He's already snipped passed them once. What's to say he won't do it again?"
"That's right...Black could be anywhere...Like smoke. It's like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands."
By the end of the week, Olivia was livid. She'd heard about the incident with the boggart in Professor Lupin's third year class. While the Slytherin students knew better than to gossip about it, it was the butt of every joke for Gryffindor. She could tell that it had pissed her dad off as well; he was thoroughly irritated at everyone and everything by the time the weekend arrived.
October 30th arrived quicker than usual it seemed. That morning, she'd received a few sweet from Hayden and Magnus and Theo, the usual things from Aunt Cissa and Uncle Lucius, socks (again) from the headmaster, and another charm for her bracelet from Professor McGonagall. There was no gift from Draco this year.
As she headed towards his quarters for dinner, as usual for her birthday, she avoided Draco's small gathering of "friends." He was likely telling some elaborate and highly decorated story of something he'd done, causing them all to laugh. She sneered at his smug face, basking in the attention.
She gave the password to the portrait leading to her dad, walking through and dropping onto the couch in the sitting room. Pulling out a random book from her bag, she tried to calm herself before she went into a spill over a bloody Malfoy prat over dinner.
Almost an hour later, the portrait opened again, black robes filled the space, then his familiar voice. "What happened?" he asked, curious rather than concerned. Olivia looked up from her book, wondering how he knew she was angry in just the span of fifteen seconds. "Your knuckles are white from clutching that book far too tightly, Olivia...and I know the way you purse your mouth when you're upset," he explained casually, understanding her silent question.
She sighed, shutting her book with a loud pop. "A bloody Malfoy prat and that new professor," she muttered.
The appearance of a small table with two places for dinner interrupted the tense air. "What's Lupin done to you?"
"Daddy, I'll not go into it because you know what he did," she said, leaving it at that.
"And Draco?" he asked, hanging his robed up by the door before moving towards the table.
"He's just...," she sighed, "he's just bloody Draco!" Standing, she moved to sit opposite him, waiting for dinner to appear. "When I left the common room, he had this gaggle of idiots around him practically fawning over some elaborated story. He's acting like a Gryffindor with this, oh, I don't know! Like an attention whore," she said, having found the word. "Sorry," she apologized for the crude word she'd slipped. Their meals appeared: roast duck with creamed potatoes and gravy, roasted root vegetables with rosemary and thyme crusty bread.
"Are you, perhaps, a bit jealous, Olivia?"
She dropped her fork against the edge of her plate, looking shocked at the observation her dad made. Olivia thought for a moment. "I miss the old Draco," she mused, "but I am not jealous of the attention he's getting from just being stupid. I wish someone would punch some sense into him."
When they'd finished dinner, he magicked the wrapped gift from his desk over to them, settling it onto the table in front of her. She could tell it was another book and she hastily opened it, tearing the wrapping. "Fabian Bront's Extensive Guide to Defensive Spells and Charms," she read and opened it to thumb through the various chapter titles.
"There's a very good chapter on the Patronus Charm I told you about."
"Thanks, Daddy," she grinned.
It was a grey Sunday morning when Olivia was walking out towards the old bridge. The majority of the students were off to Hogsmead and she wanted some peace and quiet. She loved days like this, foggy and dim, an ever so slight mist that hung in the air. It was second to snowy weather in her eyes.
Coming up to the bridge, she saw Potter walking slowly and almost somberly. She gave him a slight smile as they passed. He didn't seem so bad. Draco made him out to be some narcissistic and arrogant Gryffindor, but she'd never seen that. Olivia only ever saw two things: a normal boy or, like today, a very sad and lonely kid. Something within her wanted to reach out to him, but she didn't.
She turned onto the bridge and looked up, seeing Professor Lupin standing near the middle, just looking out at the scenery. He also had this loneliness about him, like he was lost in the past. However, she couldn't forget what he had done and quickly spun to leave.
"Miss Snape," his voice called out, stopping her. She cringed internally. "Might I have a word?" he asked gently.
Olivia turned, seeing him stroll towards her. She wrenched her gaze from him and focused on the cover of the book in her arms. "Professor," she greeted him shortly.
"I wondered if, perhaps,...something was the matter? I've noticed you seem distant in class, now, very different than the first day."
"If you thought about it, I'm sure you could figure out why, Professor. It doesn't take a genius to realize that, when you insult and humiliate my father's name, you would, in turn, have a very offended daughter," she snapped. Taking a calming breath, she waited for house points to be deducted or detention, but it never came. She looked in his direction, seeing him glancing out, again with a pained expression.
"I had thought that was the reason," he whispered. "I do apologize; it was not purposefully done with ill-intent, I assure you."
"Professor, it isn't me who you should apologize to, but my father, no doubt, would not accept it either. It was inappropriate for a classroom and could have been avoided."
"You are right. I make no excuse for it." He appeared defeated. "I know that it is usually best to avoid all confrontation with Severus when he has taken offense. I am used to that. However, I find that I am not comfortable with having offended you, also. I would like to make amends, if that were possible."
Olivia was shocked to hear her dad's first name spoken by someone she hadn't know practically her whole life. Only the Malfoys and the other teachers called him that. While Professor Lupin was a fellow teacher now, hearing it was still unusual to her. He was right about him, too; her dad would never accept his apology or any attempt at such. She could see that he was sincere, though, and that is what made her relax a little.
"What was he like? In school, I mean..." she asked quietly.
He laughed a nervous laugh that made her smile a bit. "Much the same. Though, his brooding intensity had certainly been perfected over the years." She did smile at that. "I'm afraid that my group of friends were rather insistent on teasing him. I tried to stay out of it when I could, but my friends, well, one in particular, always felt threatened by him. He was very smart, a genius, even, in potions and defense, at least. Quiet. Always kept to himself."
She started to walk a little, the professor falling in step beside her as they talked. "Everyone says I'm just like him."
"I could see that. You certainly favor him. I don't know you well enough to say whether your personalities are alike. You seem a bit more open, however. You smile more," he joked a bit. "I would say that, from what I've seen of you so far, he's raised you to be a very smart and kind young lady and I think that speaks volumes of him, too. By the way, I heard it was your birthday yesterday. Happy birthday."
Olivia smiled as they moved their discussion towards other topics, classes and what she was learning from the third year text. While she was still a bit angry at the incident, she felt better having spoken with him. Professor Lupin seemed very kind, but also like he was impulsive...Gryffindor, she thought.
"Olivia, wait," came her father's voice from behind her. She was walking back to the dungeon's alone when he found her. He seemed hurried and concerned.
"What's wrong?" she asked, his concern had only brought about her own.
"Stay with me. We have to get all of Slytherin to the Great Hall. Black has been sighted in the castle," he whispered, giving her a look to keep the information to herself.
Pulling out her wand, they went to the dormitories and all the students were gathered. He lead the group, her directly next to him and first years behind, followed by second and onwards, leaving the seventh years at the back.
The Great Hall was in uproar, but was quickly quieted by the headmaster. Sleeping bags were laid out and everyone was to lay down for the night soon after. She couldn't sleep, couldn't understand how anyone could with nearly everyone knowing that a mass murderer had been in the castle. However, quiet snores and slow breathing was heard all around her. She could see Draco's tousled hair against the pillow, one arm slung overhead, nearby. Voices drew her attention and she laid still, trying to listen.
"I've searched the Astronomy Tower and the Owlery, Sir, but there's nothing there."
"Third floor is clear, too, Sir."
"Very good," the headmaster said.
"I've done the dungeons, Headmaster. No sign of Black nor anywhere else in the castle," her father said.
"I wouldn't really expect him to linger."
"Remarkable feat, don't you think? To enter Hogwarts on one's own, completely undetected." She could hear that her dad was hinting at something. It was as if he was making an accusation, but Olivia had no idea what it could mean.
"Quite remarkable, yes."
"Any theories on how he might've managed it?"
"Many. Each as unlikely as the next," the headmaster answered, seeming to attempt to counter her dad's thoughts.
"You may recall, prior to start of term, I had expressed concerns about your appointment of Professor-"
"Not a single Professor inside this castle would help Sirius Black to enter it. No, I'm quite convinced the castle is safe and am more than willing to send the students back to their houses."
"What about Potter? Should he be warned?"
"Perhaps, but, for now, let him sleep. For, in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud."
Olivia's head was swimming with information rather than dreams. All night she thought on it. The only two new professors were Lupin and Hagrid, but Hagrid had been at Hogwarts for years so he wasn't entirely new. She could only guess that her dad had reservations about Professor Lupin and his trustworthiness, but why?
The library was nearly empty that afternoon as it usually was on Fridays, especially days before Quidditch. She had an essay to finish for Potions that week and was needing to find a specific reference on further usage of the root of the Crimson variety of Bastian Weed.
Turning into the section she needed, she found Hermione seated at the table alone with many books open around her. She was writing intently, unaware of Olivia's presence. She saw some of the topics and couldn't imagine why she would be researching werewolves at this point in the term.
"I thought Professor Lupin was saving Nocturnal Creatures for the end of term," she said, catching the girl's attention.
"Oh, Olivia, hi," she smiled. "Unfortunately our schedule got a bit out of order this week. Professor Lupin wasn't able to teach so Professor Snape assigned the essay."
This made Olivia wonder. She stepped closer to the table and Hermione's work. "And he was aware that it wasn't on the schedule anytime soon." It was more of an observation than a question, but she phrased it as such.
"Yes, two rolls due on Monday morning, emphasis on recognition," she said as she continued to write.
"May I?" Olivia asked, motioning to her notes that were set to the side.
"Of course, go ahead," she said.
Olivia picked up the parchment, glancing over the listed signs of werewolves: irritated or bloodshot eyes, enhanced night vision, iris hue icy blue or bright amber, small pupils, tripled hearing range, enhanced sense of smell, increase in body and/or facial hair, bone growth causes bruising more noticeable during the days after the full moon, skin color lightens although may be darkened around the eyes, sweat glands increase in production, increase in body heat and almost feverish near full moon, may appear to slouch or have a humped back due to backbone regrowth, voice may be rough and grating, solitary, must move around often to avoid others recognizing monthly habits, complain of a monthly illness or simply disappear for a couple of days to a week every full moon.
In her mind, things began to fall into place and she dropped the notes back onto the table, frantic in her search for the book she had originally came for. Revolutionary Potions of the 20th Century. She quickly indexed Damocles. Finding the page, she scanned. She read silently, 'Wolfsbane Potion. While unable to cure lycanthropy, it eases symptoms, allowing victims of the disease to hold onto their mental faculties during the full moon and transformation. It renders the dangerous beast into a sleepy wolf...Aconite, a very poisonous substance...in combination with the Crimson variety of Bastian Weed.'
"Damn," she whispered. Looking up, she noticed Hermione staring at her worriedly. Turning the book around, she pushed it towards the other girl. "Second Year Potions assignment this week. Bastian Weed. As subtle as my father is, I think he is trying to get someone found out. If you would, keep this quiet, please," she quietly plead. Hermione, eyes wide with what she'd read, simply nodded. Olivia turned and headed back to her essay.