Chapter Two:
The next morning Trudy was woken by bright sunlight streaming through the room's only window. Even though it was old and quite filthy, the morning sun still managed to shine through. She threw the blankets off of her and looked around curiously. She hadn't remembered falling asleep. She had been so exhausted last night that she hadn't even changed out of yesterday's clothes. Apprehensively, Trudy ventured into the hallway. The door across from hers appeared to be a bathroom, but where was Professor Snape's room? There didn't appear to be any other rooms in the house aside from the sitting room, kitchen and this hallway.
Trudy crept out to the kitchen and when there was no sign of him there, she wandered into the sitting room. She frowned slightly when she discovered that this room was also vacant. Did he leave?
Yesterday the sitting room was barely lit and Trudy had taken no notice of the shelves of bookcases lining the walls. She approached one of the shelves and squinted at the writing on one of the old leather bound books. They were... cook books? No...potions and spell books.
Trudy reached up to take one down but then paused, her fingers resting on the spine of black leather book with gold writing. What if I'm not allowed to look at these? I should ask first. It would be rude of me to go through the Professor's library. Trudy let her hand fall and contented herself with merely reading the titles along the spines. There was quite a collection here.
BANG! Feet away from Trudy, one of the bookcases burst open and a rather irate looking Snape emerged from a narrow staircase. Trudy backed up in surprise.
"Ah, So that is where you have been." She remarked. She tilted her head in attempt to get a glimpse of the upstairs.
"Are you reading my books?" Snape asked incredulously.
"No." Trudy replied, shaking her head. "Just looking at the titles. Am I not allowed?" She asked meekly.
"It's fine. But none on that top shelf over there." He said sharply. He pointed to the bookcase behind the sofa.
"Okay. Why not?" Trudy asked curiously.
"Why is everything a question with you!? Because I said so-That's why!"
"I was just wondering!" Trudy exclaimed. I didn't mean anything defiant by it! Sheesh.
"Dangerous. Okay? They're dangerous." Snape said giving in and throwing his head back in mild frustration.
"Okay." Trudy said. She really wanted to ask "how so?" but decided it was best not to ask Mr. Grumpy.
Snape shut the bookcase "door" and then looked around for a moment. Trudy thought it looked like he forgot what he came downstairs to do.
"Hungry?" Snape asked attempting to smile at her, but it looked more like a grimace.
Well that's just frightening. Is that supposed to be a smile? "Um...yes, a little." Trudy admitted.
"This way, then." He said leading her into the kitchen. He pulled his wand from his robes and flicked it at the cupboards. The doors flew open and they were now stuffed with food.
"Have anything you'd like." He said stomping off back to the sitting room.
"Wait, how did all that stuff get here?" She asked, following him like a shadow.
Snape stopped so abruptly that she crashed into him.
"Miss Quinn, You are driving me insane." Snape declared, balling his fists tightly and taking deep breaths.
"I bought it this morning." He conceded in hopes she would leave him alone.
"Trudy. Call me Trudy." Trudy said, seemingly ignoring his reply.
"No." Snape refused outright.
"Fine then. Thank you for breakfast." Trudy retorted, sounding completely unconcerned. She walked away back into the kitchen.
Snape put his hands to his face and pulled down on his cheeks slightly. She would drive him mad. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that he would be crazy by the end of the summer.
Several minutes later, Trudy re-emerged with a tray of biscuits and two teacups. She set it down beside him and he eyed it suspiciously.
"I didn't buy biscuits." He stated plainly.
"I made them. You had all the ingredients I needed...Was I not supposed to?"
"No,no. It's fine." Snape said. He was surprised. He had forgotten that he'd left some of the muggle appliances. He hated that kitchen, he hated this house.
The tea and biscuits were actually quite enjoyable. Snape found that perhaps it even rivaled that of the house elves of Hogwarts, but of course he would never tell her that. The fleeting thought to Hogwarts reminded Snape of his business with Dumbledore. Once he finished eating he set down his teacup and jumped up out of his chair.
"What's wrong?" Trudy asked, looking up at him.
"I'm going to Hogwarts." He turned toward her. " Don't get into any trouble."
"Wait-"
CRACK!
"...Take me with you..."
Trudy stared at the spot where he had instantly vacated. Now what was she going to do? Was he going to be gone all day? She resigned herself to cleaning up the tray and the small mess she made in the kitchen. After she finished cleaning up, she stood in the kitchen looking around. The kitchen was old and rather beat up. The wooden cupboards were broken, splintering and desperately needed to be cleaned. The tile floor was cracked and stained. Even the appliances and furniture were in haggard conditions. One of the legs on the table had split down the middle and threatened to snap with the slightest bit of weight. The chairs weren't in much better condition.
The kitchen wasn't a lost hope of course, just severely neglected. Trudy wondered why it had been so neglected, when a wizard could make an easy task of repairing it. I know...I will fix it for him and then perhaps he won't despise my presence so much. Trudy went purposefully over to the pantry and began searching for tools she would need. There was a broom and a mop. Now all she needed was some chalk...Trudy began searching through drawers until finally she came across a box of children's pavement chalk underneath a box of nails. Trudy was astonished that she had found everything she would need...she figured a wizard would have no use for so much non-magic supplies.
She took out the box of chalk and knelt by the cabinets on the left. When opening the box she noticed a name written in marker on the back. Lily Evans. It was small and disjointed writing, evidently a young child's. Trudy carefully drew a transmutation circle on the first cabinet door. She then touched it with both her was a flash of light and the ragged door was repaired. She continued on down the line until she had fixed all the doors, sides and counter top. She was pleased that even after going so long without using a transmutation circle that she still had the skills.
She spent the rest of the afternoon repairing the furniture and appliances. She worked tirelessly scrubbing and repairing chips in the tile floor. I really wish I had an apron, Trudy thought as she noticed the stains she was getting on her clothes. Rummaging through the linen closet she found a few old table cloths. She took the newest and nicest looking one and laid it out on the newly repaired table.
She took a ripped and frayed one and tied it around her thin waist the best she could. There, much better. Trudy found a wall clock in the living room and decided Professor Snape probably wouldn't mind too much if she made dinner. She was pleased to find the icebox stocked full and found a casserole dish in the drawer under the stove. After tallying the ingredients available, she decided to make a shepherd's pie. It was nearly 5 o'clock and she hoped he would be home soon. Trudy hastily peeled the potatoes and threw them in a pot. When 6 o'clock rolled around and dinner was ready, Trudy started to worry when the Professor still wasn't home.
Is he even coming home tonight? Not sure what to do now, Trudy set the table. The blue china looked stunning against the white lace tablecloth. Her mother had taught her all these house keeping skills. Although she had lived as a slave for nearly the past four years, she had not forgotten these seemingly worthless skills. Trudy actually even knew how to do some of these things with a wand, but her wand had been lost a long time ago.
Giving up on Snape, Trudy put the shepherd's pie back in the oven to keep it warm. She wandered aimlessly into the sitting room. Maybe she'd look at a book until he got home. Without looking at the title, she pulled one down from a shelf at random and settled herself on the sofa.
It was a rather boring book about the rare properties of some kind of nearly extinct newt. The author went on and on about a sighting of the elusive newt in North America. However, the prospect of making potions greatly interested her. Trudy's eyes felt heavy, she couldn't keep her eyes open much longer.
CRACK!
"Finally, you're home!" Trudy exclaimed.
"Why were you waiting for me anyway?" He asked more savagely than he would have liked. Professor Snape was evidently in a bad mood. He was glaring and seemed exhausted.
"There's dinner...If you want it." She said, hopefully.
"Not hungry." Snape muttered cruelly.
"Oh. Okay..." Trudy replied, her voice distinctly crestfallen. She got up slowly, leaving the book on the sofa and drifted toward the kitchen.
Professor Snape settled himself in his armchair and tried to relax. His meeting with Dumbledore hadn't gone well. It was mostly him shouting at the Headmaster, until Dumbledore unwavering, threw him out of his office. The argument put him in a fowl mood for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, Trudy in the kitchen, placed the meal on the table and served herself. She sat down and began to eat alone. Why did I bother waiting for him? I was starving an hour ago, she seethed. It was a bit sad actually. The kitchen, now restored to its glory days and the table set attractively for the meal, yet a lonely girl sat dejectedly at the end.
As Snape sat stewing in his dissatisfaction, a smell lingered into the room from the kitchen. It smelled absolutely delicious, whatever it was. The Professor's stomach was suddenly growling. He lied when had he said he wasn't hungry. In truth, He hadn't eaten since breakfast. He got up and decided it wouldn't hurt to investigate.
As he entered the kitchen, he nearly fell over in shock.
"What-What have you done!?" He bellowed, grasping the door frame for support.
Trudy looked up at him. She was stunned. She thought he would be happy. Okay, maybe not happy...but certainly not upset. Snape strode over to the cabinets and ran his hands over them.
"I thought you said you didn't know much magic." He said in confusion.
"I don't, I did this with alchemy. Was it wrong of me?" Trudy asked, suddenly very concerned.
Snape was silent for a moment. He looked around the room. It looked better. Hell, it looked a lot better. He had no idea alchemy could work like this. He was surprised how new it looked and hated to admit he was almost pleased now that the shock had worn off. Even in his childhood it never looked this nice...Of course his mother and father had never taken good care of their home.
"No... Why did you do this?" He said. He answered no, but why did he still look so angry?
Why? To please you? To win your favor? They all were good answers, but a little embarrassing to admit.
"I-I don't know." Trudy murmured.
"You don't know." He repeated coldly.
Trudy's hands trembled a little as she put down her utensils. Snape stared at the table. It looked nice. There were two place settings at the table that was for four. The aroma from the shepherd's pie was tempting and his stomach growled again with insistence.
Trudy laughed and looked away from him shyly. He frowned deeply and could feel red creeping up his neck from embarrassment.
"Please, sit down and eat?" Trudy said, stifling a laugh.
"Very well..." Snape replied as if it were a great burden.
The shepherd's pie was as delicious as it looked and smelled. When Professor Snape was in the middle his second helping, Trudy looked at him.
"Hungry, then?" She said, feeling considerably braver.
He glowered at her.
"So, what did you do all day? Since you left me here all alone." Trudy asked accusingly.
"That is none of your concern, Miss Quinn." He replied venomously. "You apparently were very busy." Snape added.
"You left me with nothing to do!" She nearly screeched at him.
"Calm yourself." Snape said coldly. She sighed and went back to eating. It was pointless to try to talk to him.
Snape noticed she'd given up talking. Normally he would appreciate his victory, but he found it amusing to banter back and forth with her.
"This...is very good." Professor Snape practically whispered. He wasn't very good at complimenting someone.
Trudy looked at him in astonishment. Did he really just say that? "Thank you..."
"I looked at one of your potions books today. It seems like fun, like cooking." Trudy mentioned shyly.
"Hm. I'll admit if you are as good at potions as you are at cooking, then you'll make a fine student." Professor Snape stated honestly, thoroughly enjoying his meal. Trudy cocked an eyebrow at him. Two compliments in the same day? Was he ill?
"Maybe you could teach me a little about them?" Trudy asked. She knew was probably pressing her luck, but tried anyway.
"Yeah, I'd have to write a letter for permission from the Department of Ministries first." He replied seriously.
"Permission letter?"
"Underage witches and wizards aren't permitted to practice magic outside of school. I'll send an owl tomorrow." He said casually, as if this was no big deal.
"Like tutoring." Trudy replied, gleeful inside. He was going to teach her! All this time she thought she'd have a job trying to convince him...but all she had to do was make him shepherd's pie! How ridiculous!
"Exactly."said Snape helping himself to thirds.
"Thank you."
"Welcome." He said, not meeting her gaze.
The rest of the meal went along pleasantly and when Professor Snape excused himself, he paused and stared at something on the counter. He strode over to it and picked up the old box of chalk.
"Where did you get this?!" Snape demanded angrily.
"I-I found it in a drawer." Trudy explained, suddenly horrified by his change in attitude.
His face contorted with rage as he stared at her. "Why did you take this out?!"
"I used it with my a-alchemy. For the t-transmutation circle." She explained shakily. What was he getting so worked up about?
Snape threw the box across the room and the chalk flew out and broke into several pieces. He stormed out of the room and flung open the secret passage. It closed with a crash.
Trudy rushed over to the chalk and began to pick up the broken pieces. Trembling, she drew a transmutation circle on the floor and laid the pieces inside. She touched the circle and in a burst of light the pieces were whole once again. Trudy put them back in the box and slipped it into her dress pocket.
She ran into the living room and pounded on the bookcase.
"Come back!" She shouted, blinking back tears.
"I didn't know! I didn't know I wasn't supposed to use them! Please come back!" Trudy yelled rapping hard on the bookcase.
"You haven't told me the rules! How could I have known!? Please come back..." Trudy begged. She slid down onto the floor and leaned against the shelf. What an aggravating man. Things were just getting a little easier and of course he has to go insane again. At this rate, he'll never teach me anything.
Snape stood at the top of the staircase, trying to calm down. Why did he freak out like that? Why was seeing her name powerful enough to throw himself into a fit of rage. You're a fool, Snape told himself squeezing the bridge of his nose and listening to the girl's pleas. But it wasn't just her name...Those were Lily's. She had given them to him to play with when her family went on vacation for a week. How he treasured that stupid box of chalk when he was a child!
"I don't want you to go on vacation, Lily. I'm gonna be bored."
"Here." She said, handing him the box of chalk they were playing with on the bit of pavement in the park. "You can have these. Now you won't be bored. I'll be back on Sunday."
"T-Thanks."
Trudy clambered to her feet, deciding it was useless and a little silly looking to beg outside a seemingly solid wall. Discouraged, she walked back into the kitchen and began to clean up. Once she finished her chores she went down the hall and into her bedroom. She pulled some clean clothes out of her white duffel bag and went to the bathroom. She locked the door and assumed it'd be alright to take a bath.
She turned on the faucet in the old ceramic bathtub and undressed. The warm water felt good on her aching body. Once she got out she dried herself off with a towel, she turned her back to the mirror and looked over her shoulder. Long and deep white scars lined her back. One might think she'd been mauled by a giant cat...but this was the work of a whip. How many years had she been in that hell hole? Four? Only four? Had it really only been four years? It had felt like an eternity.