I sneaked through one of the halls and managed to catch up to them. Snape was scanning the coaches. He shined his wand at one of the windows. Then, he opened the carriage door.
"Ten points from Hufflepuff, Fawcett. The same goes for Ravenclaw, Stevens." he scolded as the couple hurried away.
"It's a sign, Severus. You know it is!" a voice insisted.
I couldn't tell who it was. I had never seen the man before. He had his sleeve rolled up and the dark mark was there.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Snape said, walking past him.
"Really?" the man sneered in disbelief. "Perhaps you won't mind rolling up your sleeve?"
He reached out to grab Snape's arm, but he drew it back, above his head.
"You don't fool me, Severus. I know you're scared. Admit it!"
"I have nothing to be scared of. Can you say the same?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow.
I grimaced at that and watched the man head back to the party. Snape turned and also headed back. I raced through the hall and entered the tent. Snape walked in and spotted me.
"You'll forgive me." he said.
His cloak was covered in bits of snow. I brushed some off his shoulders.
"It's no trouble." I said.
He looked past me and quickly left me standing in the middle of the party. I turned and saw him go behind the hanging.
I followed, wondering what was wrong. He caught Harry and Cormac go behind the hanging. I rolled my eyes. He always had something to accuse Harry of.
"What's going on back here?" Snape asked.
Cormac suddenly vomited right onto Snape's shoes. I put both hands to my mouth in shock. Snape looked down at his shoes. Then, he looked back up at Cormac darkly.
"You've just bought yourself a month's detention, McLaggen." he said, coldly.
Cormac dashed back to the party. Harry tried to follow, but Snape stopped him.
"Not so quick, Potter."
"I think I should rejoin the party, sir. My date-"
"Can surely survive your absence for another minute or two."
I glanced up at Snape, ready for him to throw Harry a lecture.
"Besides, I only wish to convey a message."
Harry grimaced. "A message?"
"From Professor Dumbledore. He asked that I give you his best and that he hopes you enjoy your holiday. You see, he's traveling and won't return until term resumes." Snape explained.
"Traveling? Where?" Harry asked.
Snape stared at Harry for a brief moment, and then asked me to follow him back into the tent. I turned to Harry before following Snape.
"I'm sure Dumbledore has some private matters to deal with, Harry. Let's hope it's nothing too serious." I said.
He nodded, contently.
I turned to head back inside, when Malfoy's voice was heard.
"Take your filthy hands off me, you filthy squib!"
Filch brought him in, and Slughorn frowned at the disruption.
"I've just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party." Filch explained.
"Okay, okay. I was gate-crashing. Happy?" Malfoy said.
Snape spoke up. "I'll escort him out."
Malfoy shrugged out of Filch's grasp and glanced at Snape.
"Certainly...professor." he spat.
They both exited without another word. My mouth twisted and I decided to follow them. They had been acting so suspicious, and it was time someone found out what they were up to. I followed quietly, but quickly lost them. Rubbing my temples, I sighed and decided to just head back to my room and change.
"Professor Strauss?" a voice asks.
I turned and saw Harry. "Oh, Harry. I was just heading back to my room."
"I was heading to my dormitory as well. Mind if I join you until we reach the Gryffindor dorms? I hate walking around here alone." he said.
I nodded. "That's alright. Thank you, Harry."
We walked through the castle, and I held myself to keep warm. Suddenly, we heard voices.
"Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" Draco asked.
Harry and I glanced at each other and silently listened.
"I swore to protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow-"
Snape…?
"I don't need protection. I was chosen for this! Out of all others. Me! And I won't fail him!" Draco insisted.
"You're afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious. Let me assist you-"
"No! I was chosen. This is my moment!"
We heard footsteps as they walked away. Harry's face was pale and my heart was pounding against my chest.
What is going on?
"Professor? Do have any idea of what they might be talking about?" Harry asked, quietly.
I shook my head. "No, Harry. But, it doesn't sound good. It sounds like Voldemort has Draco on some kind of mission."
He nodded in agreement. "I know. I'm starting to feel uneasy about going on holiday after hearing this."
"I know. Perhaps we should tell the Order."
"You know about the Order?"
"I'm well-acquainted with Mrs. Weasley. She helped me when my family died. But, we must visit them during the holiday." I said.
"Right. Brilliant. So, tomorrow then." Harry said.
That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Cup of tea in hand, I was exhausted from the whole day. Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming from outside my room. I ignored it but then I heard someone fall.
Quickly, I got off my bed and rushed to the door. I opened the door and saw Snape brushing off his cloak. He noticed the light coming from my room and glanced up at me.
"If you want to talk to me, you can just ask." I said.
"I merely took a fall."
"Again? You seem rather clumsy in this part of the castle." I said, giving him a grin.
He rolled his eyes.
"Well, take care."
I began to close the door, but then a thought came to my head. What was Snape doing in this part of the castle at this hour? He seemed to read my mind and chuckled.
"You're probably wondering what I'm doing here." he said, slowly.
"Well, yes, if you must know."
"Professor Snape?"
We both turned and saw Filch standing a few feet from us. He was holding a lantern and Mrs. Norris was right behind his leg.
"Yes, Filch?"
"Headmaster has asked for you. Says it's urgent." he replied.
"In a moment."
I was shocked to hear that. Perhaps he wanted to grab something before heading up. But, as Filch left, he leaned in and placed a small kiss on my forehead. I felt my body temperature quickly rise and my stomach turned.
"Stay up a bit longer, will you? I have something I've been meaning to give you." he said, quietly.
I stood filled with shock. "Y-Yes, that's...I will."
He walked away without another word. I touched my cheek and felt them burning up. I mentally slapped myself at how excited I was getting. He vanished from my sight, and I yearned for him to return and hold me in his arms.
"Professor?"
I turned and saw Ron Weasley. "Oh, Mr. Weasley. Why are you out roaming the halls at this hour?"
"I-I'm sorry, ma'am. I was just looking for Harry. Or Professor Snape. Seen any of 'em?" he asked.
"I haven't seen Harry, but Professor Snape has gone up to see Dumbledore."
"Okay, if you see Harry, can you let him know that Dumbledore wants to see him?"
I smiled. "Yes, Mr. Weasley. Now to bed with you."
He nodded and walked back to his dorm.
I heard distant footsteps and hurried to see if it was Harry. Thankfully, it was.
"Oh, Mr. Potter!" I called out.
He turned. "Oh, good evening, Professor Strauss. I wasn't roaming I was merely-"
"You're not in trouble, Mr. Potter. I assume you know that the headmaster's been asking for you."
He nodded. "Yes, but I just...got sidetracked."
"I see. Well, come along. Allow me to escort you."
He followed me to Dumbledore's office, talking about how Ron had won the last Quidditch game.
"He thought I put something in his drink to help him win. Hermione and I got a big laugh out of it!" he laughed.
"Well, at least Mr. Weasley had his moment of glory." I smiled.
We climbed a flight of spiraling stairs and stopped when we heard voices above. It was Dumbledore and Snape.
"Have you ever considered that you ask too much? That you take too much for granted? Has it ever crossed your brilliant mind that I don't want to do this anymore?" Snape asked.
He sounded angry.
Harry and I shared a glance and listened closely.
"Whether it has or hasn't is irrelevant. I will not negotiate this with you, Severus. You agreed. There's nothing more to discuss." Dumbledore said.
We held our breaths when someone was coming down the steps. Snape spotted us and stared at Harry for a moment. Then, he glanced at me and motioned for me to follow him.
I obeyed and left Harry alone on the stairs. Snape said nothing on our way back to the Slytherin dorms. I looked up at him and noticed that he had been crying. His eyes looked watery and red.
"Are you alright?" I couldn't help but asking.
"Never better." he replied.
He led me towards the classroom and opened the door. When we walked inside, I gasped at what was on my desk. It was a phoenix, in a cage. I looked at Snape with my jaw hanging loose. He couldn't help but smile a bit.
"Go on. He's yours." he said.
I walked towards the bird and it stared at me. It stretched out its neck and I reached out to touch its beak. It was rough but its feathers were very soft. The colors caught my attention first, of course.
"What's his name?" I asked.
"I don't know. He's yours."
Excitement bubbled inside of me. I thought about it, but no names came to mind. He stared at me, but said nothing. I felt his stare burning my face, but I pretended I didn't notice.
"Johannes." I said, finally. "After my father."
"Johannes?"
I nodded. "He had fiery red hair and green eyes. Very handsome. He was the youngest of 12 brothers, so he didn't get much of an inheritance."
Snape only nodded as I spoke. I couldn't help but realize I was blabbering.
"I'm sorry. I'm just rambling on about me and I haven't even thanked you." I said, smiling nervously. "Thank you, Severus, but how did you know I wanted a phoenix?"
"You have a terrible habit of leaving your sketchbooks and notebooks lying around." he replied.
I gave him a look and quickly laughed. "Well, I'll be sure not to do that."
I was afraid I would wake up from this dream. Without thinking, I reached out and touched the side of his face. He pulled away, but quickly leaned forward again. We stayed that way, for hours it seemed, and then pulled away.
"I should go." he said, quietly.
"Okay…" I said.
He stepped back and exited the classroom. I looked back at my phoenix and smiled. It truly was beautiful. Better than I could've ever imagined.
