Chapter 7:
Trudy hazily remembered something poking her head in her sleep and wasn't surprised to pull a stick complete with twigs and leaves out of her hair. Crickets chirped lazily outside her window. It wasn't quite morning and the room was still dark. She blinked several times, willing her eyes to focus. She hadn't slept well at all, her dreams had been turbulent. Despite the early hour, she decided she'd rather be awake.
Trudy got up and wandered into the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror she discovered a rather frightening appearance. Leaves entwined within her curly red hair and it stuck out randomly in all directions. Professor Snape had fixed her broken nose last night, but the blood was still caked on her thin face. She hastily washed the blood off in the sink, took a bath, got dressed and reevaluated her reflection.
Aside from the thin purplish circles under her eyes, she looked much better. She went into the kitchen and ate breakfast in silence with Professor Snape. He seemed like he was in a bad mood. Well, in a worse mood than usual. When they finally left for Hogwarts, Trudy was delighted to find Lenore skipping stones at the lake.
"I wondered what happened to you! I thought the evil bat locked you up in a cell or something." She joked. "Is that really all you got? Restriction from me? Snape's softer than I thought! I couldn't sit down for-"
Trudy laughed.
"Anyway, Trudy, I am sorry I got you into trouble." Lenore said sheepishly. She threw another stone out into the water and Trudy could see her face turning slightly pink.
"It's alright." She replied. "Please don't do something like that again though. I don't think Professor Snape would be as forgiving a second time."
"Fair enough," Lenore sighed.
"Oh, Lenore, listen I've got to tell you something." Trudy said. She told her about the abduction attempt that happened yesterday, careful to leave out key details of why these men were so interested in capturing her.
"Wow. That's insane. You're lucky Snape found you when he did! I wonder what they wanted with you anyway..." Lenore said in disbelief.
"Yeah, uh. No idea." Trudy lied. Lenore gave her a skeptical look, but let it pass. Evidently, Trudy was a terrible liar.
That afternoon they went into the Great Hall together for lunch. Even though she had eaten at Hogwarts many times now, Trudy was still amazed at how the food just appeared on the table when they sat down.
"How does this work?" She asked in amazement.
"How does what work?" Lenore asked, taking a huge bite out of a turkey leg.
"The food. It just appears here." Trudy said pointing to the plate in front of her.
"House elves." She explained, chewing contently. Trudy hadn't the slightest idea what a house elf might be, but before she could ask a large barn owl swooped over them and landed gracefully in front of Lenore. It stuck it's leg out at her and hooted impatiently. A small letter was tied to it.
"It's my family's owl, Hamilton." she said excitedly as she untied the note.
Lenore frowned as she read the letter.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, my parents won't be coming back like they planned. My Aunt will have to take me to Diagon Alley for my supplies." Lenore said dismissively. She acted as if she didn't care, but as Trudy watched her glance back at the letter, it was evident that she did.
"That's too bad. I'm sorry." Trudy said kindly.
"It's no big deal. They always do this. They don't care." She said indifferently. Yet somehow her eyes seemed to reflect less light than before.
"I'm sure they care, Lenore..."
"They don't." She said firmly, not wishing to discuss the subject further.
"Want to go to Diagon Alley with us? I'm sure my Aunt won't mind." Lenore asked, promptly changing the subject.
"Sure, I'll have to ask the Professor if I can go first."
"Oh, yes. That's right. You always do as you're told." Lenore scoffed. The letter had put her in a bad mood. Trudy shrugged, this was true. She wasn't daring like Lenore was, she'd admit that freely. Though now she suspected that Lenore acted out for attention. Perhaps her parents really were neglectful. On impulse, Trudy suddenly swung her arm around Lenore's shoulders. She looked startled for a moment and then smiled broadly. It was nice to have a friend.
That night upstairs in the study while Snape was teaching Trudy a potion, she suddenly remembered Lenore inviting her to Diagon Alley. She surveyed the professor and wondered if now would be a good time to ask.
"Professor? I was wondering..." Trudy began, gingerly pouring powder onto the measuring scales.
Frowning slightly, Snape looked up from the box of colored beetles he was sorting.
"You see, Lenore invited me to..uh.." Trudy stammered underneath his intent gaze.
"Go to Diagon Alley with her and her aunt." She finished in a hurry before she lost her nerve to ask.
Snape cocked an eyebrow at her. "and...you're asking for permission?" He asked smoothly. His face was unreadable.
"Well, yes..." She said trying to focus on her dry mixture of ingredients, determined not to look at Professor Snape.
He turned back to his beetle sorting without saying a word. Should he let her go? Was it safe after the attack yesterday? She will be with Minerva though...He thought Professor McGonagall would be adequate protection, but he wasn't sure how he felt about Lenore going along as well. She might cause trouble. However, Trudy would be needing school robes when the term started.
"Professor Snape, may I go?" Trudy asked timidly after Snape hadn't responded for several minutes.
"Fine! You may go!" Snape hissed, waving his hand at her. He hunched his shoulders and glared as he continued to sort beetles a bit more forcefully than before.
"T-thank you!" Trudy exclaimed, spilling some powder in her excitement.
Later that evening when Trudy sat at the kitchen table scratching out yet another essay, Snape walked into the room and tossed a small bag onto the table.
"For your school robes." He explained before she could open her mouth to ask.
"Have Professor McGonagall take you to Madam Malkin's." He instructed, throwing himself into a chair.
"This is money? I can't take this. You've done enough for me already." Trudy said, pushing the bag toward him.
"Nonsense. Take it. You have to have robes. Besides, the school will reimburse me. There's a fund for vagabonds such as yourself." Snape said, not having any of it.
Trudy felt bad, but couldn't argue with this logic. She'd look a little silly being the only one not in uniform. Though he was insulting her, the gesture was mildly endearing.
"Thank you very much," she said, inclining her head slightly. Snape nodded and reached across the table and grabbed her essay.
"Wait-I'm not finished," she protested, catching the corner of it.
Snape glared and wrenched it out of her hand. He skimmed it quickly.
"Well, judging by this and your work so far...I think it's fair to say that you'll be at second year level by the time school starts." He said, pushing the essay back across the table.
"Oh," Trudy frowned. She'd have to get another set of textbooks. Would she be able to borrow them for a whole school year?
"Stop with that face," He sneered. "You'll be able to borrow the books."
Trudy gave him a confused look. Was she that easy to read?
"Are you sure I'll be ready?" Trudy asked, feeling uneasy. "Potions, Charms, and History of Magic are alright, but my Transfiguration..." She added hesitantly.
"You're forgetting Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Astronomy." He listed, smirking at the look of horror on her face.
"W-what? There's more?"
"Oh yes, I guess I can bring you those books as well..." He rolled his eyes as if it were a taxing chore.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts? How come you haven't been teaching me that!? I get attacked and all I know how to do is repair things!" She accused and then clapped her hands over her mouth. She hadn't meant to sound ungrateful. She couldn't help but think that knowing a few defensive spells would have saved her a great deal of trouble.
"I-I mean...ah, um. Sorry. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful..." She stuttered truthfully, hoping he wouldn't be mad.
"So...You want to learn some defensive spells?"He asked, his voice as smooth as silk. Trudy said nothing and silently berated herself for being so rude.
"I'll teach you," he said darkly and stood up abruptly. "Come with me." Something about his voice told her it was an order not a request. Trudy followed him at his heels to the sitting room. He pulled his wand from his robes and the furniture flew against the walls.
"Stand over there," He instructed, "and get your wand out!" he snapped impatiently. Trudy hastily pulled her wand from her pocket and held it tightly in her hand. Why did she get the feeling that he was going to hex her?
"Listen carefully. This is a very difficult spell. It's going to take some practice. Students don't normally learn this one for a few years, but in your case I believe it is necessary. It takes a great deal of concentration, so you need to focus." He explained.
"You are attempting to create a energy barrier against my attacks. The incantation is 'protego.' Try it a few times on your own first." Snape instructed, pacing the floor. Against his attacks!? Trudy didn't like the sound of that. She attempted the spell several times with failed results. This is what I get for complaining! She thought, feeling more and more discouraged.
"Keep trying." Snape snarled noticing her attitude.
Trudy desperately wanted to complain and give up, but she decided it wouldn't hurt to try a few more times. When she finally was capable of conjuring the shield, Snape abruptly changed tack.
"Now, defend yourself." Before Trudy had even registered his words a jet of light streaked across the room and struck her in the hand.
"Ouch!" Trudy yelped, rubbing her hand. It had stung like a bee.
"Concentrate." Snape growled at her, throwing another jinx in her direction.
"Ow! I wasn't ready!" She whined, feeling considerably vexed.
After several tries with Trudy failing to produce a shield charm and getting jinxed every time, she let out an aggravated groan. He's doing this on purpose! I'll never be able to create the shield at this rate!
Trudy fixed him with the most intense glare she could muster and focused on his wand hand for the slightest movement. Snape's wrist flicked lightly and she shouted "protego!" Trudy succeeded in producing the shield, but was so surprised by doing so that she promptly lost control and it pushed her back into a bookcase. She fell to the floor and banged her knee on the sofa leaning against the shelf.
"I can't do it!" She whined in frustration.
"Get up! Don't give up." Snape scolded, striding to the fallen girl.
"I can't do it!" She said determinately. "It's too hard! You aren't giving me time to react!"
Snape reached down and grasped her elbow tightly. "Are dark wizards going to give you time to react?! Now get up! You can do this, just keep trying." He hissed through clenched teeth, and forcefully hoisted her up by the elbow.
Trudy had to admit he had a point. He was harsh, maybe even a little cruel, but he was right. Dark wizards wouldn't give her a fair chance. She nodded and steadied herself for another attack.
This time she'd be ready, Trudy told herself. A split second later a flash of light was coming straight at her.
"Protego!" Trudy managed to shout just in time. The spell bounced off of the shield and ricocheted into a bookcase, sending several books flying.
"Very good," Snape remarked, but Trudy hadn't heard him. She had rushed over to the bookcase and was hurriedly shoving the fallen books back onto the shelf.
"Sorry, I'm sorry." She apologized, kneeling and picking up handfuls of books.
"It's fine. Miss Quinn, Do you realize that you performed the shield charm?" He asked incredulously.
Trudy froze. She had done it? She was stunned. Just a moment ago she had tried to give up.
"Thanks to you. I would have given up." Trudy replied, not facing him.
"It's a difficult spell." He said mildly. "I didn't expect you to get it the first time." What was she getting so discouraged about? I told her it was a hard spell. Snape sighed heavily. He felt too invested in this girl's success for his liking.
"Well, that's enough practice for tonight." Snape decided, restoring the furniture to their proper places and stowing his wand safely in his robes.
"You know, I have a sneaking suspicion that you just enjoy jinxing me. The minute I get the hang of it, we stop." Trudy commented playfully, collapsing onto the sofa.
"Perhaps I do," he said softly, smirking evilly at her. Trudy returned his smirk with a feigned look of outrage.
"We can practice again tomorrow night." He said seriously. "If you had any sense you'd try to get that worthless Miss McGonagall to practice with you."
"Oh, alright." Trudy agreed. She wondered if Lenore already knew the shield charm.
Trudy didn't know much about defense, but this was certainly a start. The lesson hadn't been quite what she'd expected, but she was glad Professor Snape had agreed to teach her the subject. She secretly worried about the trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Surely she'd be safe with the McGonagalls? Trudy sighed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she shouldn't go after all?
"What? Do you hate defense lessons already?" Snape scoffed, crossing his arms.
"No! Not at all! I-I was just worried." Trudy replied, flailing her arms wildly.
"It is okay that I go tomorrow, right?" She asked, biting her lip nervously.
"I told you that you could go already." Snape snapped in irritation. He settled into his armchair and frowned at the floor.
"No, I mean...um, what if the Conclave finds out I'm there?" Trudy whispered, pulling her knees to her chest. What a scary thought!
"It's fine, as long as you stay with Professor McGonagall." He replied with his face turned from her. He had tried his damnedest to avoid that subject. He was secretly wary of it as well.
"Oh, okay." She replied, but wasn't entirely convinced. He hadn't seemed all that sure...
The next morning Trudy bid Snape goodbye in the usual spot outside the stone gargoyle and was startled when he grabbed her sleeve.
"Miss Quinn," Snape said, his stony expression faltering slightly.
"Yes, Sir?" She was confused, normally he stalked off without a word.
He opened his mouth to say something, but paused. He released her sleeve and his hand fell to his side.
"Be careful." He said and turned away hastily.
"I will," She called after him as he disappeared around the corridor.
Trudy stood there for a moment staring after him. Had he sounded concerned? How odd! Trudy had been under the impression that he would be pleased to be rid of her. A small cough made Trudy jump and she whirled around to see Professor Dumbledore standing behind her.
"Oh! You scared me!" She exclaimed, clutching her chest. He chuckled good naturedly.
"It seems Professor Snape is more fond of you than he'd like to admit." Dumbledore remarked staring down the hall and smiling.
"I suppose...Are you going somewhere, Sir?" Trudy asked noticing his traveling cloak.
"Oh, yes. I'll be out most of the day, I'm afraid. Good day, Trudy." He replied.
"Good bye! Please return safely!" She called after him as he strolled down the corridor. He was a rather mysterious man.
Trudy nearly skipped down the hall in her excitement to see Lenore.
"Oh, Trudy. There you are!" Lenore exclaimed happily when she entered McGonagall's office.
"Guess what!?" She chatted excitedly. "My friend Letty and her family are meeting us in Diagon Alley!" She was nearly bouncing around the room in her excitement.
"Lenore, sit down!" Professor McGonagall scolded impatiently.
"Miss Quinn, Professor Snape sent me a note," Professor McGonagall said glancing down at the letter in her hand. Trudy could see writing through the back and small cramped writing filled the entire page.
"I understand that we'll only have to get you school robes?" She inquired.
"Yes, ma'am." Trudy replied, wondering what Professor Snape had wrote to her. Surely it didn't take a whole page to explain the need of a school uniform.
"Well, girls. Let's be on our way. The Greene's are going to meet us at the Leaky Cauldron." Professor McGonagall said stowing the letter inside a drawer in her desk. She smiled, but looked a little distracted by something as she lead them out of the office and down the corridor.
End of Chapter 7!
Hope everyone is enjoying their 4th of July weekend!
CindersNSmoke