Hello! Long time, huh? Summer man... Complicated time. But I'm back with an update! Yay! Hopefully I can start posting more regularly.
Anyway, hope you had a lovely summer or are having. Thanks for sticking with this.
Enjoy!
Year 1997, November
Middle Courtyard
It was unusually hot today. The sun was up, the clouds were gone and it looked nowhere near the first week of November, like it should be. It was almost as if the earth was mocking them, not caring about the impending doom that seemed to lurk anywhere in this castle, nowadays. Anywhere you went there was this cold, icy feeling that would chill you to the bone. The flowers were dying, the leaves were drying. The sky was always grey and the rain habitually made an appearance later in the days. Yes, winter was fast approaching and unlike other years at Hogwarts, students were dreading it. The weather only seemed to wear them down even more, as if the Carrows and the news of Voldemort's rising power weren't reason enough.
So, when a day like this made an appearance, Hermione couldn't help but feel a little spark of hope. When there was a day where the birds seemed to sing and the flowers refused to wither, it made her feel like the world was giving them a message. A message to not give up. The dark would not stay forever, as the sun would always find a way to shine.
"Glad to see you think that way. I have a hard time with it myself, considering I have detention later on with one of the Carrows."
Hermione scowled Seamus for his apparent negativity and for ruining the little spark of hope that rarely found her body. She didn't say anything and continued to read her book, under the tree they were currently sitting around.
Since it was such a good day, Luna had suggested that maybe they could use some kind of break from all the training and have a nice lay back on the grass. Hermione was reluctant at first, knowing pretty well that the harder they prepared, the better they would be protected against anything that may come their way. They were really going at it hard, every ounce of their spare time seemed to go to their training and research. And it was getting more difficult for all of them to gather, since the Carrows and Snape were on high alert about any 'illegal' activities that could tarnish their strict and abusive control over the school. Add the fact that more Slytherins were likely joining Voldemort's ranks and training with D.A. was pretty much a death-wish.
Still, they would not give up, even if it cost them their lives. And as Ginny had pointed out, if they were sacrificing so much of themselves, it would be only fair that they could enjoy the sun a couple of more times, before perishing one way or the other.
Hermione agreed then, but only if they would take out some books and continued their research. Enjoy themselves yes, but always on the lookout and never forgetting about their responsibilities.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with having a little hope, Seamus." Ginny chirped in, her book forgotten as she lay her head in Luna's lap. "Hope is what keeps us going."
"Tell that to my bruised face." He replied, pointing at a big bruise on his cheek.
"I didn't know your bruises could speak." Luna said calmly, interestingly looking at Seamus' face as she made a seemingly very complicated type of braid on Ginny's hair.
Hermione chuckled slightly, Neville grinning wildly at her side as they both started at Seamus, who was currently narrowing his eyes at Lovegood.
Oh, it felt so good to do this! To just sit here, with her friends, under this tree, the sun warm in the sky. Even though Seamus' bruises were not a good laughing matter, Hermione felt that little spark light itself up again.
She missed this.
She missed the time were they would just hang around and talk about a variety of subjects that did not include dark Curses or immediate death danger. She missed these moments, where she would look at the future and not see black. And even though she knew this would end soon, as they would have to eventually go back to their dreadful routine of trying to survive one more day, she couldn't help but smile at this picture. The five of them, here, together. All that was missing was Harry and Ron.
Her smile quickly vanished as her two boys popped into her head. She was hearing less and less from them, their letters becoming almost non-existent. She told herself that maybe it was a good sign, that maybe it meant they were on the right track and they were getting closer and closer to finding all the Horcruxes. But that part of her, where the spark would be drowned in cold water, feared something worse. That maybe they were lost somewhere, stranded. Or that they were hurt or caught. They were out there risking their lives and she was here, smiling? Unacceptable.
Neville noticed the change on her demeanour and warmly put a hand to her shoulder, smiling weakly at her.
"No news?"
Hermione looked back at him as she bit her lip, apprehension now taking control of her features.
"No. The last I heard they were somewhere up north."
"I'm sure they are fine." Neville told her reassuringly.
Hermione gave him a small smile, barely nodding her head. Yes. They were fine. They had to be, or else all this sacrifice would have been for nothing.
"Cheer up, Hermione. Harry's a smart bloke and Ron, well, Ron is…" Seamus was struggling to find the words.
"Ron's a pig head, but he's got Harry's back." Ginny said, as she rose up with her new ginger braid.
A roll of soft laughter descended upon them, as Ginny's description of her own brother seemed to be somehow accurate.
Yes, they were fine. Hermione had to believe that. She knew her boys were special. Harry would always come through with it and Ron would be there to help him, one hundred percent of the way. They made a good team. Very few could knock them down, if there were such a few. Yes, they were fine.
"Are you going to patrol tonight, Hermione?" Luna asked suddenly with that vague expression she was so well-known for.
"Yes. One of the sacred duties of being Head Girl." Hermione answered resentfully. Not that she wasn't glad she was Head Girl. This made it easier for her to keep a look around and to manage to protect more students. But after so many incidents lately, she was beginning to dread these patrol hours.
"You should at least have another Prefect with you 'Mione. It is not safe for you to wander the halls at night alone." Ginny suggested.
"No. No Prefects. I can handle myself. The more students I know are safe, the better I feel. It's best if I by my self. I need you guys to protect the other students."
"I'm not saying to have a whole group of them, just have one and –"
"I said no, Ginny." Hermione said more strictly "I won't risk another student's life like that. Not when there are more Slytherins who seem to be joining Voldemort."
They all went quiet after that, the harsh reality of the situation coming back up again. The sun was still shinning, the temperature was still warm, but there was a freezing breeze surrounding them.
Hermione had told them what happened with Blaise Zabini, warning them to be more cautious around him and other Slytherins. If Voldemort was recruiting students, then Merlin knows how many more students-turned-Death-Eaters were there. They had to take every precaution. They needed to stay away from the Slytherins. All of them. Even those annoying first years.
Of course, she still upheld some information about that horrible encounter, as to how she managed to escape and who helped her. She still did not believe it herself. And to make them worry about Malfoy, was pointless. It would only weigh on them more. Malfoy she could handle. She could. And if she repeated it a thousand times in her head, she just might start to believe it.
"We need to know who they are. We can't just go around and go to classes with potential murderers!" Seamus stated, clearly getting agitated.
"They won't do anything. At least not yet."
"How could you be certain of that? Zabini tried to fucking kill you!"
"And he won't try it again. And if he does, I'll be prepared." Hermione replied sternly.
"You don't know that, Hermione." Neville seemed to agree with Seamus "For all you know, he could be plotting your death right now."
"As he can be plotting yours! He won't do it, Neville. Voldemort is too sadistic for that. He wants to kill me himself."
"At least someone is thinking about me, then."
They all turned to Luna questioningly, forgetting for a second with whom they were dealing with.
"Oh, you know. Almost no one thinks about me, apart from my Dad, so it is a nice thing to feel."
"You feel nice about someone thinking about murdering you?" Seamus asked confused. He then scoffed "No wonder you are mental."
"Seamus!" Ginny warned, as Neville punched him quickly in the arm, earning a groan from the Half-Blood wizard.
"Hey! I have bruises there as well."
"Tough." Was Neville's reply.
They were so wrapped up in their lecture of Seamus's tactless behaviour that they didn't notice a group of people approaching them.
Hermione was the first to lift her eyes when she heard a high pitched giggle.
Making its way over to them was the main reason they were having this pointless discussion anyway. Advancing as if they owned the whole castle, the four most obnoxious and vile Slytherins she knew, were marching towards their tree. She could count Pansy Parkinson, the source of the squeal like giggle, Theodore Nott, the hateful Blaise Zabini and –
"Malfoy."
The group also turned and lifted their eyes to see the source of Hermione's whispered statement. Evidently there they were, coming towards them.
Seamus quickly stepped up to his feet, so as Neville and Ginny. Hermione seemed too distracted about the loathsome picture they all seemed to make, especially with the blonde haired Slytherin. He was laughing at something Nott had said, along with Parkinson. How could he do that? One night there he was, crying, saving her, making her forget who she was dealing with and now here he was, snickering about as if nothing happened.
She noticed he seemed even paler in the direct sunlight, his hair almost white. And as he strolled happily beside his friends, she wondered if he was in fact toying with her, with all that crap about crying and saving her life. In fact, there he was, side by side with Zabini, as if none of what had happened last week had taken place.
He had Crucio'd Zabini. Twice. And now there they were, best mates as ever. It baffled her. It revolted her.
They came to stand directly in front of them, smirks and evil grins on their faces.
Hermione noticed how Parkinson pushed herself to be between Draco and Blaise, balancing herself on both their arms, still giggling. Hermione wasn't one to let herself be affected by these kinds of self-deprecation displays, but Pansy took it to a whole new level when it came to being a disgrace to the female gender. She couldn't help but feel ashamed for her fellow female for making women look like some bantering, dumb, slutty humans. She knew Pansy was not the only girl in the world and that you shouldn't make generalizations, but she definitely gave a whole new meaning to the word discredit.
That girl was foul.
And she wasn't even that pretty, with her pointy nose and cruel snare. Her hair was a tiny black, bob that framed her long, narrow face. The only thing she really got going for her were her boobs and she always went out of her way to show it, by using some unnecessary cleavage, untying her tie and unbuttoning her shirt. And that was exactly the look she was sporting right now, the warm weather being the perfect excuse.
"Why so serious, Granger? I thought Mudbloods liked the sun, the wild being your natural habitat and all." Parkinson lamely snickered, trying to provoke her.
Blaise and Theo laughed mockingly. Malfoy just kept smirking.
"Watch your mouth Parkinson! You are addressing the Head Girl." Seamus said, as Hermione got to her feet as well.
"Oh please, as if! Her being Head Girl is the fucking joke of the century. If only that decrepit, senile, old woman would kick it fast, so that this whole charade could finally come to an end."
"One more word Parkinson and I fucking swear that you are the one to be kicking it soon!" Seamus warned, his hands twitching by his sides, eager to pull out his wand and hex her.
"Don't overstep your bonds Finnigan. That is no way to talk to a girl." Theo joined, smirking wickedly.
"Didn't notice I was talking to a girl. It is easy to overlook that, when all I can see is fucking scum."
"Are you honestly considering us scum?" Blaise asked, coming to stand face to face with Seamus.
Hermione was not liking this. She was not liking this at all.
"Have you looked at your reflection, lately? I don't know how you haven't gone bloody blind by now."
"Back off, Zabini." Neville warned, coming to stand behind Seamus, his wand already drawn.
"Or what, Longbottom? You'll hurt me? I would fucking love to see you try." Blaised simpered, a dark aura starting to radiate from him.
"Ok, that is enough."
Hermione stepped in next to Seamus, wand ready, Head Girl badge shining brightly. Ginny was right behind her and Luna was still seated against the tree, watching the exchange.
The Slytherins returned their attention to Hermione, as she once again, faced off Blaise Zabini. She could see Malfoy looking at her from the corner of her eye, his expression unreadable. What would he do now, if Zabini suddenly attacked her again? Would he do the same thing? Would he save her again? And since when did she needed saving from Malfoy? She was Hermione Granger, Head Girl. She didn't need rescue. And she certainly didn't need it from him.
"Granger, we meet again." Blaise grinned cruelly "Tell me, how's your neck?"
Hermione took a deep breath, not letting her emotions get the best of her. She needed to stay calm and collected. She couldn't let it transpire that he frightened her, that she still had nightmares about his hands around her throat. She couldn't let it show. Not when all her friends were counting on her; when all the students were counting on the Head Girl.
She suddenly remembered that her friends did not know the full, detailed events of that night. She glimpsed rapidly at Malfoy who was sending her some weird, silent looks. Was he trying to say something? Maybe to just shut up and not take the bait?
"You should leave, Blaise. I won't be responsible for what will happen to you, if you don't."
He scoffed, his grin only seeming to get wider "I think we've established that I don't take orders from you Mudblood and that I certainly am not scared of you."
"We are not scared of you either, Zabini. You try something against Hermione and you will have to deal with all of us." Ginny said, warning him as well.
"Oh please, not fucking likely. You are so stupid! You really take after your fucking dumb brother." Parkinson giggled almost hysterically, her hands on her hips.
"I wasn't talking to you, bitch." Ginny replied hotly, her gaze still direct towards Blaise.
"What did you call me, you fucking slut?" Parkinson was suddenly dead serious, walking straight towards Ginny, her hand ready for the kill.
Hermione quickly drew out her wand, only to be stopped by Seamus' arm, but apparently Pansy had also been stopped and not by either of them.
Her arm was stuck, mid-air, as her entire body had stiffen. Her eyes had widen and looked twice their size and her mouth hung open. She was frozen in her spot, maintaining her threatening pose, but not being able to finish the job.
"What the…" Theo inquired, eyebrows burrowed in confusion, as Pansy stood paralysed, not even uttering a breath.
Everyone seemed confused as to what had happened until they noticed another person approaching the scene. His dark robes contrasted severely with the green grass, swishing with the light breeze. His hair was just as dark, and looked even greasier in the sunlight, as it came up to his shoulders. His eyes were piercing, his lips in a very thin line. He looked menacing, his wand in his right hand.
"Oh, look! It's Headmaster Snape." Luna acknowledged, a small smile encountering her lips.
Hermione was perplexed, again. Had Severus Snape just paralysed Pansy, preventing her from striking Ginny? The more she tried to understand these things, the more confused she would get.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Snape had finally arrived at the scene, his tone intimidating.
"Professor we…" Blaise tried to explain "We were just trying to –"
"It is Headmaster now, Mister Zabini. You would do well to remember that."
Blaise lowered his head. If in shame or fear, Hermione didn't know. She kept looking at Snape, her wand still drawn and Seamus' arm still preventing her movements. Snape looked right back at her, his eyes full of what seemed like hatred. He quickly scanned the scene and notice her wand in her hand.
"Miss Granger, drawing a wand on another student, except when in duel, is strictly forbidden. The Head Girl should know that."
Yeah right.
"She wasn't doing anything. They were the one's threatening us!" Seamus intervened, lowering his arm and pointing at the Slytherin lot.
"Us? You were going to hit Pansy!" Theo accused back.
"Why you little –" Seamus almost lost his temper, if it weren't for Neville securing him in place.
"ENOUGH!"
Snape's screamed seemed to echo throughout the courtyard, other students now looking over at the spectacle. Seamus stopped fidgeting and they all stood very quiet, awaiting for the Headmaster to speak again. Pansy was still stiff as a rock, the only thing she was able to move being her eyes, which were still wide and frantic, like she was in pain.
Hermione took a peak at Malfoy, who was also quiet and had backed away further from the scene. He was looking straight at her, their eyes meeting for a brief second. She noticed that he still hadn't said one word or even done anything remotely despicable, apart from laughing here and there. She wondered why that was.
"Fifteen points from Gryffindor. Each."
Hermione gasped, outraged "Excuse me? What about them? They started all of this."
"What I do with students of my own house is of no concern to you, Miss Granger. I will decide Miss Parkinson's proper punishment later." Snape explained, safely putting his wand back in his robes.
"It wasn't just Pansy. They are all to blame." Ginny said, looking viciously at Blaise.
"And one more bickering accusation from you lot and we'll make it twenty. Understood?"
They remained quiet, Hermione feeling quite angry. Maybe what Blaise had said was the simple truth: they couldn't be touched, they couldn't be condemned. The Slytherins were exempt of the law, all because of Snape, the Carrows, Voldemort. It was so unfair. They were the ones who should get points taken away from them, they were the ones who deserved a painful detention with one of the Carrows. Not them. Not her, Ginny, Neville or Seamus. Not when they were just trying to do the right thing. Not when they were just trying to enjoy a little bit of sun, a little bit of hope. It wasn't fair. None of it was.
Merlin, when would this end?
"Miss Granger, please put your wand away. If I see you acting this inexcusably again, I will see fit that your title of Head Girl gets stripped away. Are we clear?" Snape warned, looking at her fiercely.
Hermione could do nothing but comply, putting her wand back in her robes. She couldn't lose her title, for her own personal integrity but also for those around her and the students that needed her. Losing Head Girl could mean so much, so many bad things. No. She wouldn't let that happen.
"Now, it seems that mister Finnigan has detention with Professor Amycus Carrow, is that correct?"
"Uhm, yes, but it isn't for another hour." Seamus replied.
"Well then, it is your lucky day. You get to go in earlier. You'll have more time to do your homework later on and we both know you need that."
Seamus felt his blood run dry and his throat constrict painfully. Hermione cursed inwardly, aghast on how Snape could be so horrible. She had once trusted this man. She never liked him, but she had trusted him. And had so dreadfully killed the best man she had ever known, the greatest wizard that had lived, so he could take his place in this horrific castle and reign based on terror and fear, to feed the horrendous visions of a sadistic son of a bitch. If looks could kill, Snape would be dead by now.
"Run along now, mister Finnigan. Professor Carrow is expecting you."
Seamus half-heartedly started to make his way towards the castle, his face red with anger. He didn't even bid them goodbye as he walked back inside. Hermione knew he would later sport some fresh bruises and her heart cried out in pain. How was it that things got so messed up?
"The rest of you lot, scram. And take miss Parkinson with you, the effects will begin to wear off soon enough. I need to speak to the Head Girl, alone."
What could he possibly want with her? Hermione narrowed her eyes in confusion. The rest of them silently obliged. Ginny squeezed her shoulder reassuringly as she left alongside Luna and Neville gave her an encouraging nod. She knew they didn't want to create any more trouble for her side, so they left without a word.
Blaise and Theo also left without saying anything, both of them grabbing Pansy by her petrified arms, her eyes still full of panic and hate. Hermione had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time her and Pansy would have this kind of encounter, or with any other Slytherins for that matter. They were out to get her. Her and everyone she affiliated herself with. Every Muggleborn, every Half-Blood. They wouldn't stop until every one of them were caught, dead and buried. She now knew this.
Malfoy was the last to leave, still looking at her, his expression full of animosity. Still, he didn't do anything. He could have easily joined Blaise and Pansy, but he didn't. He just stood there, watching everything unfold. And now he was just leaving, following his colleagues back into the castle. Would he ever stop being this freakishly hard puzzle to solve? Merlin…
A loud cough from Snape woke her up from her thoughts, not realizing she had been staring at Malfoy's retreating form.
She looks up at her former Potion's Professor, her new Headmaster. She looks at him defiantly, her Gryffindor courage not one to back down, ever. He wasn't going to hurt her, he wouldn't. Snape may be everything and anything, but Hermione would never believe he would hurt a student on purpose, just to get him off. He can give her detention, make her do something humiliating, but he would never really hurt her…
At least, that is what she kept repeating in her head, all the time he looked back down at her and she waited for him to do something, say something.
Until finally, he did.
"I've been noticing that you and your little friends have been around, doing something. What that something is, well, that is what I expect to find out. Whatever it is, it stops now or else –"
"Or else what? You'll punish us? Expel us?" she countered, her anger not once dissipating "Don't worry, the Carrows have already covered the earlier and the latter is just ridiculous. Where else can Voldemort get his goodies? He has a full supply of filth to kill, why mess with that?"
"I would strongly suggest you would keep such opinions to yourself, Granger. And learn some respect for you superiors, while you are at it."
"You will never be my superior. Nor you, nor Voldemort. I'll personally make sure you'll both burn into the ground."
Snaped eyed her "Are you threatening your Headmaster?"
"You'll never be Headmaster. You may have the title, but you will never be it. Dumbledore is the only true Headmaster and will ever be. It must pain you to know, that even in death, he is so much better than you." She said heatedly, her hands turning into fists, her anger bubbling on the surface.
She was mad. She was so, so mad. This man repulsed her so much.
For years they had been tormented by Snape. For years she watched as he, time and time again, tried so hard to get his DADA teacher position. For years and years, she had loathed him, loathed his teaching methods, his appearance, his injustices. But for years she had also respected him, even with all his faults, she had respected him, because Dumbledore did. Dumbledore trusted him and she had trusted him as well. And now? Now Dumbledore was dead and her respect for Snape was gone. It was fucking gone. So damn her respect and damn him! She would never bow down to him, never.
"How can you? How can you even walk around with pride? How can you live with yourself after what you have done? After killing a man who trusted you with all his heart? After seeing your students being beaten up and cursed into a bloody pulp? How can you even look up to a man who kills Muggles just for sport? Just for fun? How can you sleep at night? How can you?"
"That is enough, Miss Granger!" Snape snapped, forcedly grabbing her upper arm.
Hermione fell quiet, her rage still evident from the way she was breathing, as she looked at him, daring.
She would always dare, she would never falter. She promised herself that, after all those dangerous encounters. She must be brave. For her, for Ginny, Neville, everyone. She had enough of fear.
"Now, you will go back to your common room and you will stay there until it is time to do your rounds, understand? And you will keep that mouth shut or I will turn YOU into a goody bag for the Dark Lord. Are we clear?" he growled.
She didn't reply as she stared back at him, almost too furious and repelled to even form words. To hear him talk like that made it clear that he was truly this abominable, hateful persona. He had them all fooled. Fucking bastard.
They stood like that for a few seconds, until Snape finally released her rapidly bruising arm. He swept some invisible dust from his robes, as if touching her made him dirty.
Hermione rolled her eyes at that.
"And make sure to stay away from the students of my house. Episodes like this one are not to happen again."
"Don't worry. I wouldn't want to mess with your precious recruits. Voldemort needs all the Death Eaters he can get."
An unreadable expression seemed to pass by Snape's features, but he quickly disregarded it.
"It is after all a great honour to join the Dark Lord's cause, Granger. Keep out of our way, I'm warning you. Now do as I say and go back to your common room."
Snape turned around to leave, but Hermione wasn't about to let this one go. She needed some answers and this seemed like a good time as any.
"If it is such a great honour, why cry about it?"
The Headmaster stopped suddenly and turned around to face her again, unable to hide his confusion.
So he didn't knew about it, did he? It seemed Malfoy hadn't told anyone either. Why would he? He'd probably already forgotten about the whole ordeal. Or maybe he was just ashamed. It was like Snape had just said. These Slytherins were proud to be serving Voldemort. They looked at it as this great honour, this great prestige. Malfoy took the mark probably more than a year ago. He was no novice to how things worked in Voldemort's ranks. So if all of this was true, why would he go back to the place where he had meant to kill Dumbledore? And why would he cry about it?
"What?" Snape questioned, confusion still written all over his face.
"You said it yourself, how great of an honour it is to get the Dark Mark and serve that ridiculous lunatic. If that is the case, why would one of your precious kin break down crying about it?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Granger?"
"I always knew he was a coward, but to have a meltdown right in front of me must be a new low."
Hermione did not care how cruel that sounded, too crossed to even think about it. She wanted some answers and she wanted them now. Draco Malfoy was not acting like himself, if she ever could figure out what that himself would be, and she wanted to know why. Ever since he got back, his actions did not make any sense. And if anyone knew what was going on, that someone had to be Snape.
And she knew he had to know something, as soon as realization hit his face and his confusion turned into a serious death-glare. Oh yes, Snape was getting very angry now. It appeared that talking trash about his favourite student was the way to go.
"So, please enlighten me. If being a Death Eater is so good for you, how come Draco Malfoy was sobbing like a little boy the other night?"
"You stay away from Mister Malfoy, you hear me?"
The way he said it, slow and menacing, could give anyone the chills. And those eyes. They were piercing, deadly.
But Hermione did not back down, once again.
"He regrets it, doesn't he? He wishes he could take it all back, doesn't he? And he has nowhere to turn, no one to –"
Hermione gasped in surprise as her former Professor grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, a low growl making its way to his throat. Unfortunately, no one was around to witness him losing his composure like that, Hermione once again thrown in the snake pit all by herself.
Snape held her shoulders tightly, shaking her with the force of his grasp. A hiss of pain left her lips as one of Snape's hands came to grip her chin, forcing her to look up at him, straight into his eyes. He was fuming, his yellow teeth showing and his greasy hair right in her face due to his proximity.
"Now you listen to me Granger and you listen well. Whatever it is you claim to have witnessed, you will keep your mouth shut about it and you will stay the fuck away from Draco Malfoy. If it ever comes to my knowledge that you have been less than twenty feet from him or that you have been spreading these preposterous rumours about him, I will personally end Mister Zabini's work and rip your fucking throat out. Are we fucking clear?"
Alright, now Hermione was afraid. How did he know about Blaise? Had Malfoy told him? And if so, had he told him he saved her? No, he couldn't have. Snape must have learn that from Zabini himself. If Malfoy had a close relation to Snape he surely told him about that night in the Astronomy Tower. Or maybe, not. It wasn't something to be particularly proud of, to break down in front of one your nemeses. And if Draco Malfoy truly was sorry for everything he had done, he obviously shouldn't be talking to Snape about it. He would already be dead, by now, Voldemort not too keen about those who abandon the cause.
But the way Snape was looking at her, the way he had said all of this, the way he had threatened her just now, made her believe that he was hiding something about Malfoy. Or that Malfoy was hiding something as well. They were both hiding something, she was sure of it. And she needed to find out what.
This could be bad. This could be dangerous. First students turning Death Eaters and now some guarded secret between Snape and Malfoy. Not even the sun could lit up any spark of hope now.
His grip tighten and she gave him a simple nod, while wincing. He let her go then, still looking at her menacingly, defying her to say more but she kept her mouth shut, his threat still ringing in her ears. She had to play along for now, if she wanted to find out more about this.
Snape finally turned around, leaving her there, in that damn courtyard, where she had only wanted to find some kind of normality and peace. But those were things that didn't belong to Hogwarts anymore.
And as she headed for her Common Room and grimaced at the thought of Seamus walking in later on with new, horrible bruises on his face, she just wished that it could all be over soon. She wished for Harry and Ron's safety and their rapid return and she wished she could be strong enough to protect everyone. She also wished she would learn how take intimidations more seriously, but her years of experience battling for a better Wizarding World had completely made her lose that ability.
She wouldn't stay away from Malfoy. If he was planning something, if he knew something or if he was hiding something, she had to know what it was. No matter the consequences.
Thanks for reading! Any comments, critiques or simple chatting are welcome!
Hope you are having a fantastic day/night, wherever you are!
