A/N: I hope you are all well. I hope you moms out there had a good Mother's Day. :D So here's the next chapter and I must say that, I am excited to finally be getting into the darker parts...it's only beginning, Olivia will change a lot in her third year.
Blissangle91494: Thank you for your reviews! I wanted to stay away from the majority of what's in the books and movies and stick with sort of filling in the other side of the story. After all, each side has their story. Enjoy!
"Expecto Patronum." Olivia had been practicing for over an hour. She was so happy at that moment that there was a way for the Ministry to detect whether she was using magic for practice and study versus using it just for the sake of doing so.
The whispy blue-white light left the tip of her wand. She sighed in disappointment. Perhaps the memory she was using just wasn't happy enough? She couldn't imagine any other time she'd been happier, but it was the only conclusion she could come to. Olivia had never had this much trouble learning a new spell. It was frustrating.
Deciding she needed to think more on the matter, she placed her wand on her desk. She started down the stairs as she heard the basement door open and close. As she came into the kitchen, her dad was already pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"Exactly how many cups of coffee have you had today, Daddy?" she laughed.
"Too many. Not enough," he replied, taking a drink. The tired look on his face was evident.
"Are you not sleeping well? Or did you just have brewing to do?"
"Both," he said simply. He was standing near the sink, bracing himself against the counter as he looked out the window. Olivia couldn't remember a time she'd seen him so tired. He opened the window just as Muninn landed on the sill. Taking the envelopes from him, he came over to the table, sitting down. Sliding one in her direction, he took another drink of coffee before opening his own letters.
She recognized the script and style of the letter and excitedly took it, opening to see what she could expect this year. Olivia noticed a couple of differences in text, but the most noticeable addition was something she certainly hadn't expected.
"Daddy? Why would I need a formal dress?" she asked, giving him an accusatory look.
"I have been silenced on the matter," he said, still reading his own letters.
"Oh, please, Daddy? Tell me?"
"I cannot," he said smirking slightly at her plea. "It's a surprise for everyone."
"So, if you won't tell me what it's for...does that mean you're taking me dress shopping? You'll be the only one to know what's appropriate for the event, whatever it is." She giggled at his sudden tenseness.
"Perhaps you could persuade Narcissa to accompany you."
"Only if you tell me what it's for."
"Then, I must say, your school robes will suffice."
"Daddy! That's not fair," she laughed.
"Do not attempt to bargain with me, Olivia," he said, a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth. "I am the older Slytherin here and your father. Dress in your robes if you like." He lifted his cup to his mouth. "I'd prefer it anyway," he muttered quietly.
Olivia narrowed her eyes at him and smiled. "You would 'prefer' my school robes when I am asked to have a formal dress?" She eyed him curiously. "So boys are involved, yes?" She thought a moment. "A dance perhaps?" she asked excitedly.
"School robes or convince Narcissa," he said, not giving a clue.
"So mean," she pouted jokingly. "Are we going to see them or should I write her?"
"I need to speak with Lucius. We will go tomorrow afternoon."
At Malfoy Manor, her uncle was waiting at the door as they came up the walkway. Olivia wrapped her arms around him. "Hello, Olivia," he said, wrapping one arm just across her back. "Severus," he greeted.
Olivia made her way towards the sitting room, which was where she was likely to find her aunt. Her dad and uncle went into his study, shutting the door behind them. They really were acting secretive...more so than usual. Putting it from her mind, she went to see her aunt who was exactly where she figured she would be.
"Aunt Cissa," she said, bouncing onto the couch next to her.
"Hello, sweetheart," she said, pulling her closer, her voice sounding as tired as her father looked.
"Would you be able to help be find a dress for school? Daddy said if I can't convince you, then my school robes will have to do."
The witch smiled brightly. "Of course, dear. I can't possible imagine why Severus would want to go himself." They both laughed. "I need to pick up Draco a set of new dress robes, anyways; the boy's grown 6 inches just this summer!" Olivia smiled tightly at the mention of his name. She supposed that Narcissa could sense it. "You know, he's out by the lake, if you'd like to see him. He's been very quiet since Christmas."
Outside, she did see him, standing at the edge of the lake, tossing rocks. She took a deep breath and made her way towards him. Olivia was still angry with him over the things he'd done, but she hated fighting and her aunt's words had made her think – hope – that maybe he was done fighting too. Standing next to him, she watched as he threw another.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey," he replied.
She thought of something to try and open up a conversation, even if it was unrelated, it was still important. "I am getting the impression that something is going on with our parents," she started. "Do you know anything?" She was genuinely concerned.
Draco stopped and looked at her. "They won't tell me anything." From the look in his eyes, he was worried, too. They stood in silence for a moment. "Sorry..." he forced out, "about Christmas."
Olivia nodded, looking down at the grass, "It's ok."
"I didn't know what to say to him. He...he started going on and on and...I just didn't know what to do," he said.
"I understand there are people like that. They're going to think less of me because I am not pureblood. I just...didn't want you to be one of them. I thought, maybe since you didn't argue, that it's what you thought, too."
"It makes it difficult, you know. Father has a reputation to hold in the public eye. He talks a lot about the distinction of our kind, how diluting our blood makes our magic less...powerful. I have a responsibility to make sure the Malfoy name stays right where it is. I know a part of him really does believe that, but you and your dad are an exception. I didn't know how to argue that fact to him."
Olivia did understand the amount of pressure that must come with a name like 'Malfoy.' She understood that just as she understood that she had to maintain a certain face in front of others not only for her father's sake, but because they were associated with the Malfoys as well. If she were to act any differently, that may reflect bad upon her aunt and uncle. She didn't want that.
"Could we maybe...call of whatever this is? The fighting? I hate it," she confessed.
"I hate it, too," he said. "Crabbe and McNair make extremely dim-witted company. And, unless your around, Pansy is up my arse all the time trying to get my attention."
"Oh, the horror," she laughed.
"Here you are, Lady Malfoy," said the witch, handing over a crystal goblet of wine. "What event are we fitting for, today?" The woman had a thin nose and grey-streaked auburn hair spun into a well affixed bun. Olivia thought she looked rather terse, a bit too much.
"Firstly, my son, Draco needs a new set of dress robes for school, black, crisp, white collar, the usual, but he's grown quite a bit so he'll need re-sized."
"Of course, madam," she said. "Lucilia," she called to a younger witch, "would you be so kind as to take Mr. Malfoy's measurements, please." Lucilia nodded and quickly grabbed her wand, leading Draco to a fitting area. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yes, Mrs. Twillfit. This is Olivia Snape. I usually buy her dresses here with my own measurements, but this is a special event for school and she'll need a formal dress."
"Oh, so this is the young lady I hear so much about," the lady twittered. "How do you do, Miss Snape? It's lovely to finally meet you."
"A pleasure, Mrs. Twillfit."
"Did you have something specific in mind?"
"I'm not sure. My father would much rather me be in school robes so I think it would be best to keep it modestly fit."
She giggled. "I'm sure. Did you have a color in mind? Perhaps we could start there."
"Black or dark green, I think. Dark purple would probably be fine, but it would have to lean towards the more wine colored purples and not violets or indigo...I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a different house."
"And no reds, correct?" she smirked. Olivia smiled, nodding her agreement.
"If you'd like to take a look around yourselves, feel free. I will just go grab a few I have in mind and return to you shortly."
"Thank you," Olivia said. As they looked around, she noticed many gowns of different styles. She supposed that sparkle was something to be had since over three quarters of the dresses contained quite a bit of it.
"Oh, Olivia, what about this one?" she heard her Aunt Cissa ask from behind. As she turned, she saw her holding a two piece, scarlet red, silk gown. She looked as if she were trying to hold in an extremely unladylike fit of laughter.
"Aunt Cissa, please put that abomination away before it is accidentally incinerated," she joked.
Olivia tried on three dresses and, so far, every one had been either too embellished or showed far too much skin. She didn't like the feeling of being exposed and knew that her dad would likely forbid her from wearing a couple dresses she'd seen.
"Are you done yet?" Draco whined. He'd been reclined on the chaise lounge for the past hour.
"No," Olivia laughed. "You don't have to sit and wait, you know."
He groaned, "Alright. I'm going next door."
"Ok, dear," Narcissa said, shaking her head. Olivia gave her an amused look. They both knew which 'next door' he was going to, the only one that was all-manner of everything quidditch. She went back into the changing room to try on another.
"Oh, Olivia..." Narcissa gasped, sitting up straighter. "This one," she stated simply.
"It does feel better than the others. It's much more...me. I just worry about the fact that it's strapless."
"Mrs. Twillfit. Would it be possible to add lace detailing to the top and an off-the-shoulder sleeve in the same lace? Long sleeves, I think."
"Absolutely, madam," she swirled her wand down each arm, the lace forming and attaching itself to the dress. "It suits you, Miss Snape. With your hair, perhaps up? Your dark eyes, fair complexion...beautiful." They gazed at it a second more. "Oh! I know just the earrings to match this," she chirped before spinning towards the back room.
Narcissa stood behind her, pulling her hair back to get an idea. "You and Draco are just growing up so fast," she said, seeming a little solemn. "I am glad you two had a talk," she said softly. "I missed having you around this past year. I hope, whatever it was, has been resolved."
"Me too. I miss you and Uncle Lucius, too."
"The Quidditch World Cup?! Father, are you serious?" Draco beamed.
"Quite, Draco, no need to yell over dinner," Lucius muttered. Draco relaxed back into his chair, still excited, but trying to focus on his meal. "The Minister invited us to watch from his private box. I could acquire two more tickets if you and Olivia would like to come," he said, addressing Severus.
"Darling, I'm afraid that's the same weekend as the Lady Witches dinner. I cannot miss it; it's been booked for months," Narcissa said apologetically, knowing her husband would've wanted her to attend at his side.
"I'm afraid I have matters that need attending that night," Severus said. "Olivia could go if she'd like."
"Oh, Olivia, you must. It'll be exciting and we'll have the best seats!"
"You don't want to invite one of your other friends? I'm not the best quidditch conversationalist," she mused.
"Crabbe will just agree with everything I say. Magnus and Hayden are already going, but they'll be in a different area."
"So I shall argue with everything you say for the sake of such. Fine. Ireland will win. You'll see." Olivia grinned at Draco's look of shock.
"Rubbish. They can't win against the Bulgarians."
"You'll see," she said, taking another bite of her fish.
The arena was tramendously high. As they took the stairs, fireworks began, the trumpets sounded; the game was about to begin. Surprisingly, though Olivia had no inclination towards the sport, she felt excitement at seeing such a grand event.
She could tell that Draco was too, standing taller than usual. She continued to follow Draco and her uncle up a set of stairs towards their designated seats when she noticed familiar faces. Hermione in a sea of red hair and a few others were climbing higher than they were.
"Blimey, Dad, how far up are we?!" she heard one of them say. Olivia wasn't sure which one in particular had asked, but it caught her uncle's attention.
"Well, put it this way...if it rains, you'll be the first to know." Olivia sighed quietly at her uncle's comment. She knew very well that he would let no grudge go, especially when it came to the Weasley family.
"Father and I are in the Minister's box, by personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself!" Olivia shot a look at Draco, though he didn't notice. She was glad when her Uncle Lucius prodded him with the end of his walking cane.
"Don't boast, Draco. There's no need with these people." Just as they had sneered and were walking up another set of stairs, he caught Potter's shoe with the snake's head on his cane. "Do enjoy yourself...while you can."
Olivia didn't like the attitude that either Malfoy carried in the public eye, bountiful attempts at intimidation. However, she knew the reputation they had to uphold and she respected that by keeping silent, having to also uphold her reputation as a Snape. That didn't keep her from casting an apologetic glance at Hermione before Draco grabbed her hand, pulling her along.
"Lucius, good to see you," said the Minister as they came into the box, extending his hand.
"Minister," he drauled, shaking his hand. "Likewise."
"Ah, this must be Draco," he said, shaking hands. "Glad you could come."
"Thank you for the invitation, Minister," Draco said unable to keep his excitement completely subdued.
"You're very welcome," he smiled. "And who is this?" he asked, glancing in her direction.
"Minister, this is my good friend, Severus's, daughter, Olivia."
"Severus's daughter, you say?" he repeated, surprised. The Minister looked her over, recognition dawning. "Yes, I see it, now. Well, Miss Snape, I do hope you're ready for an exciting game of quidditch. It's sure to be the best game we've had in many years!" he laughed.
Olivia simply smiled. "Thank you, Minister."
"Right. Let's get you seated and, Lucius, perhaps you'd like a drink? My treat!"
As they were seated, Olivia elbowed Draco. "So what do I get if I win?"
Draco would barely speak to her between the time the game ended until her dad had come to get her from the Manor. Ireland had won after all. In fact, Draco hadn't believed it in the beginning, swore that it was some mistake.
"He's the best seeker in the world!" he'd demanded.
"Best seeker he may be, Draco, but the bloke's skull is an empty chasm for lacewing flies. If he'd only kept Ireland from getting the snitch until Bulgaria scored twice more, then he would've been fine. He should've been able to calculate that 150 points could not have put them ahead." Olivia shook her head and Draco skulked off to brood. "I'll be expecting my first supply of pepper imps come term's start!" she called after him.
She was in a strange place, coughing as the smoke choked her out. There was so much smoke; she could hardly see. Wreckage. Olivia could see that much beneath her feet. Screams. Heat. Fires. She tried her hardest to see through the thick smoke.
Pulling her wand from her sleeve, she pointed it high, swirling it around her. "Ventus," she gasped through the air. The air pushed around her, clearing. She felt a crackle in the air around her, dark magic was close. The sky twisted and molted into a shape she hoped she'd never see. The Mark.
Olivia gasped deeply, sitting up in her bed. A cold sweat was plastered onto her forehead. Her stomach was tied into knots. She'd never felt something like that before. Shoving back her covers, she scrambled from her bed. She opened her door to a dark hallway, but she noticed a flickering light coming from her dad's room.
"Daddy!" she gasped, walking towards his room. The knots in her stomach turned to terror and she could hardly catch her breath. Her eyes watered with it.
His door opened just as she was about to knock. She held herself up against the frame. "Olivia?" he asked, startled at her appearance. She noticed he was still dressed, except for his left sleeve, which was unbuttoned.
"Something's wrong. I don't know...I had a dream," her voice cracked, strained, unsure of how to explain the feeling coursing through her. "I saw smoke and fire. I heard screaming. I saw..." Olivia covered her mouth, not wanting to say it. "The Mark in the sky."
Severus couldn't hide the fear in his eyes, seeing his daughter in such a state. How had she seen? She couldn't have... It wasn't possible. He turned and pulled a calming draught from his bureau, handing it to her. She drained it quickly and he pulled his desk chair over to her.
"Tell me exactly what you saw," he said slowly.
Olivia sat down, taking a deep breath, feeling the effects of the potion. "I was somewhere, I don't know where. There was so much smoke. I heard screams and it was so hot. I couldn't breathe. I cast 'ventus' to get some air and clear some of the smoke out around me. That's when I felt something dark being cast nearby and I saw it form in the sky...the skull and snake," she explained, whispering the final part. Purposefully glancing towards his arm, she forced the question from her lips, "Is it back? Is he back?!"
He buttoned his sleeve. He was quiet for a moment, thinking about how best to answer. Severus knew that his daughter was no fool. She knew, at least in part, what he was. "The Mark is burning again, yes. However, I would've been summoned immediately if he were back, Olivia," he said, kneeling to her level. "I believe that some Death Eaters are rising up again, but I do not think he is back." He attempted to reassure her.
There was a light streaming in from behind her. It caught his eye and she turned. The white-blue ethereal light in the form of a phoenix had flown through the wall and into the room. "Severus," came Dumbledore's voice from the bird, "there's been an attack. Come to the castle. Hurry." The light disappeared and she turned to him.
"Get your coat," he said simply. Olivia rushed back towards her room, grabbing her coat from the chair in the corner. Throwing it on, she grabbed her wand from her bedside table and rushed downstairs after her father who was already waiting by the door.