AN:
Sorry guys! Lost track of time! I know it's short, but I like to think it's powerful. There will be more substance in the next chapter. Swear it. Enjoy! And let me know if there are any mistakes, didn't really focus on editing, just wanted to get it posted for you all.
Side note: Reviews responses are at the bottom, as always.
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Severus Snape was a generally unpleasant wizard, an angry man with a wealth of hate inside him and a wealth of justification for the hate borne from the actions of an ignorant boy who thought himself a King; not completely unlike a boy who thought himself a Lord. Severus wasn't so dramatic as to seriously liken the deceased Potter man to the currently deceased Dark Lord, even Severus, loathe as he was to admit it, knew James Potter was and would forever be a greater wizard, and a greater man then Tom Riddle ever was or could be. That being noted, Severus truly despised the dead man, despised he and his favored clique with such a passion as to rival his love for Lily; so the fact that he was so fond of Sirius Black's spawn really revolted him, on a profound level.
Despite his revulsion for the fondness reluctantly earned by the third year Slytherin, she was his brightest student, despite what anyone else would say about muggleborn Granger. As such, he was more than pleased to be able to punish the truly stupid Marcus Flint for his part in arguing with the girl.
"It's a fool who thinks to attack Lillian Black." Snape announced coolly, eyes lingering distastefully on the casually relaxed state of the boy who would make nothing of himself should he make it past the exit exams.
Flint sneered, thinking he was safe from belittlement, figuring Snape was the last wizard to care about Sirius Black's kid, he was far too ignorant to detect the dangerous glint in Snape's black glare defying everything Flint thought he knew. "What's she going to do? A third year with a convict father and a disgraced name?" Admittedly, Flint had been shocked by the pretty third year's chaotic display of power, but he discarded the display as a one-off.
"Disgraced the name Black may be," Severus conceded easily enough, "But it is still a notoriously weighted name." Say the name Black in any Hogsmeade back alley and even the sketchiest of fellows disapparated elsewhere. "Aside from her patronage, however, she is the Ward of Lucius Malfoy, once favored by the Lord you childishly claim to worship," Severus was well aware of the Slytherins in his care that would align themselves with the Dark Lord should he rise again, it was his job to know, "You expect him to allow your behavior to pass without retribution?"
Flint rolled his eyes, "Ward by word, not by practice." He very much doubted Lucius would give two shits about how the girl was treated; Lillian Black was assigned to the Malfoys by decree of the Ministry, not by choice.
Snape quirked a brow at the teenager, he knew exactly what the boy thought – it was what most others thought; and it was a thought Lucius Malfoy encouraged wholeheartedly. Lillian Black may have started out as a Ward, but what many others weren't aware of, was that Andromeda Tonks had petitioned the ordinance not long after the toddler had been taken from the woman's custody. Had Lucius not wanted to keep Lillian after caring for her for eight months in the interim of Ministry paperwork, he could have transferred guardianship to that of his exiled sister-by-marriage…but he hadn't; not that any of this was what he would use against Marcus to discount his harebrained presumptions.
"You think the affection Draco has for Miss Black is a ploy?" Because though the Lord and Lady Malfoy were staunch with their affection, Draco had no such qualms, the duo growing up closer than most blood siblings. "That he won't very gleefully inform his father of what has transpired in a way that has you disgracing the respect the Malfoys have garnered amongst pureblood society?" Draco was smart, when the boy wasn't pretending to be a nitwitted swine, that is.
For the first time since he bore witness to Lillian's power, the Flint boy paled, realizing the strength of his mistake; for though he was Draco's senior by at least six years, the other boy had a wicked tongue and a sharp intelligence Marcus just didn't – and the other boy was cruelly ruthless when he set his mind to something, there was no doubt in Flint's mind that Draco couldn't spin a tale to his pleasure until Lucius Malfoy truly was convinced that Marcus had committed the most egregious of actions in action against he Malfoy title.
"Nonetheless, you have acted against a girl of your own class, a fellow Slytherin and my brightest student." Which was his way of claiming Lillian as his favorite student without having to outright say it, though Flint was at least smart enough to figure that out, before flinching when he realized Snape would very well punish him, unlike he initially thought.
"Three months cleaning up after the first year potions courses, as well as two weeks in the forbidden forest with Hagrid, and three weeks with Filch, doing whatever he asks of you to do; even if that means permitting the temperamental Norris to use your leg as a scratching post. If I hear anything less than your utmost obedience, I'll make your current sentence look like children's play. Am I clear?"
Flint looked as though he wanted to object, but reluctantly conceded that he did not want to piss of his Head of House any more than the wizard already was; especially not when he now had to look over his shoulder in search of punishment from the Malfoy men. "Perfectly clear, Professor."
Snape's sneer sent chills down the seventh year's spine, "Good. You start tonight, Filch has already caught wind of the debacle and he's waiting outside for you." After all, it was no well kept secret that the Squib practically adored Lillian Black for the affection she bestowed upon Mrs. Norris, especially after Lillian's defense of the cat her first year.
Filch would be sure to have Marcus Flint wishing he were born a squib by the time the glorified janitor slash hall monitor was through with the boy.
Lillian and the Headmaster had just reached the statue guarding his office when Professor McGonagall appeared, a pinch to her mouth that had Lillian thinking the transfiguration professor was concerned about something.
Lillian stood a respectful distance away while the two wizened professors conversed quietly, but she could only stand so far away in the limited corridor and caught the gist of the concern – her friends weren't pleased to be separated from her, were refusing to settle until they could see her, and McGonagall needed Dumbledore to calm their nerves and send them to their dormitories. Lillian turned her head to hide her fond smile, she could just imagine it; Draco kicking up a storm, running his gob, Devon just as passionate in her ire but more respectful, and Blaise hanging behind the two, a silent but just as powerful presence as he stared the older Witch down with a look that dared her to go against his desires.
"Miss Black," Dumbledore addressed, calling her attention as she turned back to them. "I'm afraid there is something I must see to, please, go on ahead to my office, help yourself to the flavored beans, I'll return shortly."
Lillian ducked her head in acknowledgement, waiting until the Professors were gone before stepping up to the statue and muttering the password, Bert's flavored beans.
She stepped into the grand office, the space warm and welcoming, her attention being drawn to the magnificent Phoenix who squawked at her in hello. Disregarding the seats and the candy, Lillian treaded towards the bird expanding his plumage, intelligent eyes gleaming. Lillian gave a soft laugh, figuring the bird would be smiling if it could, as it preened in preparation of her soft scratches – clearly remembering her from her very first visit.
It was how Dumbledore found them fifteen minutes later, her petting Fawkes, much to the humming bird's obvious pleasure. "Miss Black, please take a seat so we can discuss what transpired during dinner."
Much to Fawkes' disgruntlement, Lillian heeded Dumbledore's request before stepping away from the huffing bird to claim a seat opposite Dumbledore's grand, but cluttered, desk.
"Would you like to tell me what happened?"
Lillian wasn't fooled, "I know what you know, Headmaster."
Dumbledore frowned, but then his expression cleared and he hummed enigmatically before beginning in a seemingly non sequitur. "Your parents were very bright, too much magic in their blood, it got them into frequent trouble." Lillian hadn't expected Dumbledore to mention her parents, maybe her father, sure, but not her mother; it had her heart pounding, though she made sure to keep her expression clear from anything but polite indifference. "They couldn't keep still… I think that's what made them so good for each other; Marlene could not only match your father's wit, but she could keep up with his wand as well."
"All due respect, Headmaster, completely out-of-his-mind, my father escaped a prison that has, thus far, been impossible to escape. You don't have to convince me of his intelligence." She appreciated learning things about her parents, her mother – the only woman ever to tame the untamable Sirius Black, and her father – young, virile, and pre-Azkaban. She didn't, however, appreciate Dumbledore's attempt to manipulate her to soften whatever topic he really wanted to address. "I would rather you just got to the point, if you could."
His mouth pursed, "You display some of the greatest potential for magic I have ever witnessed." Truly, he hadn't ever seen someone's magic react so volatilely to their emotions before; not even was Sirius' incredible skill embedded so deeply into his soul.
"Is that concerning, Headmaster? Considering my youth?" Lillian's eyes were shards of grey ice, and they pinned the elder wizard to his seat, unsettled him – for Lillian had a power to her gaze not even her wild father did.
"Mildly," He confirmed honestly, knowing the girl would be able to catch him in a lie. "If you have any more episodes similar to tonight, I would like for you to come to me. Such power, if not controlled, can be dangerous."
"It can be deadly, you mean." Lillian challenged, seeing right through Dumbledore's seemingly placating phrasing, "Should it be allowed to continuously grow, as I grow."
Dumbledore tactfully ignored the silent accusation. "I am merely concerned for your health, should your magic prove to be too much for you, Miss Black."
"Of course, Headmaster, I'll be sure to inform you should I suffer another episode." A subtle intonation on the word, telling him just what she thought of his classifying her temper as an 'episode'.
"With that promise, I release you to return to your dormitory, I'm sure you're friends are awaiting you."
With the dismissal, Lillian took her leave, wondering if the wizard was brave enough to write to Lucius about what it was the Headmaster intended to do. For there was no doubt in Lillian's mind, Dumbledore wanted to bind her magic, and not just until she came of age. From the way he spoke, Albus Dumbledore wanted to constrict her magic forever, because her potential to practice magic had no limitations and should her skill grow to transcend previously unmet levels, should she choose a path of dark destruction, she would prove impossible to stop.
What the Headmaster didn't realize, however, was that if the old wizard dared approach Lucius Malfoy with his thoughts concerning Lillian, then Lucius would see Dumbledore removed from position or dead before he ever allowed the revered wizard to snap Lillian's wand. For Lucius knew that Lillian would only be as dangerous as their world made her, and Dumbledore could take her wand, but the grey fool wouldn't be able to counter the fury of her guardians, of herself should he attempt to do so especially since, before long, the wand would be nothing more than a useless decoration anyways.
Reviews:
Juliedoo: So glad you thought so! Thank you! Her first day wasn't over yet! haha. It's over now, though. ;) He is a troll, and it is not the last we'll be seeing of him, either. Yes, he's going to have enemies for life. I feel for the first years too, haha, no worries. But it won't be all bad for all of them, so there's that optimistic outlook. So glad you appreciated the Blaise x Lillian snippets. :) I do love working them in there. Hey, feel free to gush about their momentum, I love hearing it. :D
Iblamegreenberg: First, freaking love your name. I am a huge Teen Wolf fan, so, yes! haah. And thank you so much! I really love knowing that people love this story! Sorry this update took so long, but hopefully it's enjoyable!
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Yes! You're such a devoted Theo shipper, so I feel successful knowing that you could at least get on board with Lillian x Blaise. :D
jafcbutterfly: YAY! I'm so glad it was, hope this wasn't a disappointment after the wait either! Haha. In the original scene, before all my characters took off and did their own thing, I totally had it in that she threw a plate at him and it split his nose. ;) Hope you enjoy this update!
randomgeekygirl: Thank you! Hope Flint's initial punishment was satisfying. :) Yes! I love hearing that readers support Blaise and Lillian. You and I both are excited about the progression of their relationship. haha. believe you me.
Owlix: Thank you! So glad you thought so! haha. I have something really nice planned for the whole Buckbeak thing, and it's just worked out after this chapter that things have fallen together really nicely. Thank you so much for your support! It really makes posting my writing all the more satisfying. :)
Dare queen: There will be interactions between Lillian and Remus, promise. They'll be a big part of this story.
artandmusicdubs: Aw! Thank you! I'm so glad you like the story. There will be more Remus and Blaise action. Promise. :)
Guest: Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked the thestrals! And I'm glad you liked the reveal.
Live4dancing: I'm so glad you like it so much! Her reuniting with Sirius will definitely be interesting. I can't even begin to think about how I'm going to construct Half Blood Prince haha.
Lillian1Fan4Ever: haha. Sorry it has been taking so long. :( Ugh. Sorry it took so long for everything to get squared away for you! But glad everything's back in working order. If you thought Snape had fondness for her last chapter, how'd you feel about this chapter? Yes, Flint is a few marbles loose. Eh, Snape was pissed, Dumbledore? Well, you saw how that panned out. Hope this chapter didn't disappoint.
KittyCake: So glad you think so! Thank you!
Long live marshmallows: haha. So glad you liked it! I don't want everything to be just a perfect reiteration of the books. It would sort of make my change to the cannon redundant. He was! They didn't blatantly yell their drama for the whole of Hogwarts to hear; he's stupid, but he's got some common sense. haha
leahmontierth: Will do! haha. Thank you!
arla logan: Thank you! I'm happy to know you liked her temper. :)
guest (2): I know, but intentions mean crap when life happens. I'm sorry though! Here's the update, hope it doesn't disappoint. :)
Have a great weekend!
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