Chapter 3
(With introductions, questions and rules)
Severus Snape had only so much time to step aside quite quickly and watch with rising irritation how some small and black haired girl rushed past him with dog on the leash and disappeared in the factory complex across the street.
Really kids these days have no manners. He thought to himself and remembered again the ordeal he'd have to go through starting from September. Hordes of ungrateful children spoiled by their parents with nothing better in their empty brains than to wreck havoc all around them. If only he was granted with one student who would actually like to learn about potions, with bit of talent and large portion of humility.
Severus waited a good minute before pressing the doorbell again and in answer heard a loud thudding noise of heavy feet coming from the hallway towards him and the door.
„We don't want any of your stuff and if you're here to talk about Jesus just get the hell off." A raspy and angry voice fell to his ears and right after that a small and old woman appeared in the doorframe with crane in one hand and daggers shooting from her eyes.
Severus had to really test his patience and not roll his eyes. So not only this part of town is complete hole, and he had to make sure not to be trampled by some running imbecile. No he was doomed to deal with woman who judging from the first sight started her day with bottle in the hand and ended it in the same manner.
„Excuse me…madam." Yes it was a test of his patience and good manners as well. But Severus knew better than anyone that if you want to deal with difficult people from lets say lower reaches of the society it is always better to throw them off balance by sounding as much official and polite as possible.
„I am here to discuss the possibility of student stipendium for your…daughter?"
The woman eyed him for quite a time with suspicious eyes. And while waiting for some kind of response Snape had plenty of time to notice small red veins running on her cheeks and plump red nose. Apparently this muggle was deeper in alcohol than he thought.
„She's in jail…what the hell are you talking about anyway?" his personification of doomed morning asked with raising voice.
„Pardon me but are you mother of miss Carter Misti?" Severus asked with as little irritation in his voice as he could muster.
„'course not. I'm her grandmother and who the hell did you say you are?" The grandmother asked now with probably curiousity equaling the irritation.
„My name is Severus Snape and I am here to discuss with you a possibility that your grand-daughter was accepted to one of the most prestigeous boarding schools in the country."
„Humpf come in then." She said with all the welcoming warmness of iceberg and dissapeared into the dark interiors of the house.
Dumbledore will pay for this. Severus wasn't yet sure how precisely but he knew that there has to be some way in which he could give the headmaster same as he got now. And with that kind of reassuring thought he entered the home of his probable new student.
The woman led him to the shabby kitchen with kitchen sink bravely struggling with horde of unwashed dishes and one small dusty window barely letting in any daylight.
„Just sit down erm….what was that name you said again?"
„You can call me proffesor madam."
„Fine then. So you said that Misti's been accepted to some fancy school? How's that possible? I'm sure that we never signed her anywhere. She is supposed to go to the local school same as all the other kids." His hostess asked while preparing cup of coffee and Severus thought it was her daily morning essence of life.
„The matter at hand stands that your grand-daughter was signed right after the birth. You see our school is looking for specialy talented children…."
„Specialy talented?" the woman laughed loud „don't take me wrong she's a good girl…well most of the time but you should see her school grades. I know that maybe you posh up towners are talking all the goody about your relatives but that girl is absolute idiot."
Severus frowned his eyebrows. He was too reminded of his own father's opinion of him. Somehow this whole situation brought him more of those bitter memories than he ever allowed himself before.
„To assure you not I nor the school is really interested in her studying results. Mrs…Carter you surely sometimes noticed that your grand-daughter is capable of doing things no one else can."
He studied her a little paler face and was sure that he had hit the right spot.
„So what if she can do somethings?" She asked defesively.
„You might find it hard to belive Mrs. Carter but those things she can do are called magic."
„What?"
Severus knew that there are two kinds of people in this world. Some of them are open minded and will belive almost anything without strong evidence and others are narrow minded with strong refusal to anything resembling something unusual. Same as Tuny and her husband. He'd thought bitterly and drew out his wand.
„For easier understanding I will demonstrate you what I am talking about." Snape said with finality in his voice and pointed his wand at the mountain laying in the kitchen sink and suddenly all of the dishes were clean, plates neatly piled in high columns and cups rowed on the cupboard.
If Severus expected any reaction at all what came surely did not cross his mind.
„Misti can do this? And she never layed even a finger to help in the kitchen." Mrs. Carter yelled angrily.
„She can't do that yet but with proper training she'll be able to do more than this." He tried reassuring tone of voice.
„I will not pay anything for her just to make it clear. We don't have so much money to go around and spend it on some magic crap."
„The school has funds to provide necessary payments for students in such needs." Severus raised his hand to cut off another tyrade from his hostess and continued. „Mrs. Carter where is your grand-daughter? I'd like to meet her and explain the situation to her."
The woman looked out of the window with layer of dust and dirt from kitchen making it kind of empty gesture.
„David…..DAVID!" she yelled suddenly out of the door and soon a boy about thirteen years old appeared in the door frame.
„What?" he asked still yawning.
„Go and find your sister."
„But graaaaan there's a car race in teli."
„GO AND FIND YOUR SISTER!" Yes that was definitely the kind of voice which could bring smaller kids to tears. Severus highly approved of that attitude. He watched as the boy dissappeard into the house and thought about all the things he has to go through to get the girl into the school.
He had explained what magic is…well at least showed her. The detailed informations about Hogwarts will be delivered by the owl after they'd agree that the girl will go to the school so no worries about that.
The school funds will cover expenses.
Ah yes the list of required books and other things. He has to give it to them.
But wait! Severus' mind just slowly came to one dreadful realization. If he gave them the list they'll surely ask where to get them and he will have to tell them it's in Diagon Alley and because they're muggles they will need escort to get there and…
Dumbledore will pay for this.
XX
The Fate watched the inner battle of Severus Snape with great interest in mind. It will make sure to get him to the Alley with the girl no matter what and because the family might bring some obstacles into his plan to change the life of Severus Snape and off course to entertain itself in the long eons of time continuum the Fate slowly and carefully pushed a little devious thought into the mind of old Mrs. Carter. This thought might prove crucial in how Severus Snape might spend his summer holiday and even more how the school year will start.
The next thing remained was to get David to the right direction and to find his morning goal. The Fate, right now in very good mood, touched the boy's mind and carefully not to be realized inserted a very nagging thought that Carter Misti is currently in the old factory right across the street.
It didn't take long for Fate to see fruition of his work. Because we all know that no-one can widstand such obnoxious thoughts for long and sooner rather than later the boy had ran in full speed towards the old factory complex.
XX
Something soft and cold brought her from sleep and Misti yawned and stretched. Ah yes she fell asleep under the tree in the factory yard. Snacks had been sitting there guarding her as always. She wondered what was happening home right now. Does gran knows about what she'd done to her brother? Probably.
She'll be grounded that was for sure, the prospect of that did not cheer her up and when she added that she might spent next few days cleaning the house or the kitchen as part of the punishment it lowered her mood even more.
„Misti!" a voice resonated from old walls and carried by the wind reached her ears. Snacks immediately jumped up and with ears pointed upwards sniffed the air near the entrance.
„MISTI ARE YOU THERE SOMEWHERE?"
It's David for sure. The girl thought. So they all probably know about her morning fight and he was sent here to find her and bring her back.
Not a chance.
„MISTI YOU HEAR ME? THERE'S SOMEONE AT THE HOUSE LOOKING FOR YOU. JUST COME OUT ALREADY!"
David's voice sounded quite urgent and Misti remembered some tv show he wanted to watch today. Well if she hid a little better he will definitely miss it and what could be better than torturing that teli addicted pest. But then again someone was looking for her? She did not remember doing anything so bad at school to grant herself a personal visit during summer.
But wait. That dark clothed man at the door this morning. Maybe he wasn't salesman. But what could he want with her?
The curiousity finaly won over worries and desire to torture her older brother and she slowly rose up and tightly gripped Snacks leash. If they want her to come out then they'll get her but not without her friend.
„Coming!" she shouted towards the exit and walked throught short dark hallway and squeezed through hole in the fence.
„What's up?" Misti asked her brother who was eyeing her with disgust.
„Have no idea. Some man came by and gran send me to fetch you. Thought you might be here and proves I was right."
So she was right about that man from earlier. Misti thought silently and followed David across the street.
All three of them entered the house and before she could ask anymore questions David ran off to watch that stupid show of his. Gripping the leash tighter she slowly dragged herself towards the kitchen doors. After all it was the only room where Gran let strangers.
And she was right. Her Grandmother was there with some darkly clothed coldly looking man with dark hair and dark eyes. And they were both looking at her with piercing eyes.
Alright was it so bad that she cut off her brother's hair? Maybe that man is from that house for naughty children her Gran told her about everytime she'd done something bad.
„I am not going in there." She said loudly and stood beside Snacks protectively.
The man gave her one cold look with faintly raised eyebrow and then turned to her Grandmother as if she was not even there.
„Sit down." Gran said not even bothering comenting on the presence of an animal in her kitchen. „Proffesor here wants to talk with us about your new school."
New school? She was supposed to go to local like her brothers before and mom aswell. But out of curiousity Misti obeyed the order and slowly sat down oposite the strange man.
„This is proffesor…?" her Gran started and looked towards the man with pleading eyes.
„Snape." The man added in low, cold voice at the verge of whisper.
„Right…so proffesor Snape came to tell us that in his school there is a possibility of a stipendium."
„Mrs. Carter would you mind if I talked with your grand-daughter alone?" Snape man said and looked with sharp eyes at the woman.
„Hmpf might be better I suppose. Will be in the living-room if you need me." Mrs. Carter left the kitchen leaving the two of them alone.
XX
Even thought the Fate is in itself brilliant in all of its aspects. Right now it wondered if there might have been some second Fate taking into its hands the situation right now. For how else to explain that without its own interfierence Severus Snape was left alone with Misti Carter to talk through all those important questions and answers?
The Fate looked and listened closely to this twist of events. Maybe its experiment will go more smoothly than it thought before.
XX
He looked at the girl and immidiately thought about himself at her age. Thin, with pale skin and what looked like faint dark rings under her eyes. The eyes themselves were dark. Almost looking black, but when he looked carefully he found out that it was only a really very deep shade of brown. With long, black, strait hair and badly fitting clothes. The T-shirt judging by some metal band inherited from one of her older brothers and light-blue jeans cut above scraped knees. Overall this girl looked as poorly as he felt when he was eleven years old and something very deep inside Severus Snape moved, telling him to take the shopping afternoon in Diagon Alley as an oportunity to find her maybe some good looking clothes as well.
Snape had to shook his head at this thought and pushed it back down from where it came and sternly looked at the girl.
„You will speak only when asked and let me explain everything to you. After that you will be given time to ask whatever you need and decide for yourself if the future in our school is what you want." Severus said in his teacher's voice but making sure that the sarcasm and danger is not present. After all he wasn't sure how this girl will react. Well he supposed that as any other child she will cut into his speach and ask silly questions but he was prepared for that.
The girl only silently nodded and sat a little bit straighter and what was most surprising watched him with quite bright and fearless eyes. In fact she was looking right into his and that was what non of his students ever done. Well apart from Potter but him being arrogant as his father…that was another story.
„The school I am talking about is called Hogwarts. It is located in the North and has four houses, each one accepting students because of certain values present in them. The school year starts on September 1st without any exceptions and ends on June 30th. The students attending our schools will spend seven years in Hogwarts with each year ending with final exams."
So far he had to give her credit. She sat there in absolute silence and without even moving, still intently looking into his eyes and if he had to be honest sucking in every word he had said.
„In your fifth grade you will take special exams which will then reflect in what will be your studying subjects for final two years and after that you will complete the school leaving exam.
Our school provides accomodation during the whole year with possibility of home visits on Christmass and Easter Holidays and off course Summer Holidays.
Now to the question why we want you to study in our school. We do seek individuals with unique potencial. I am sure you have noticed over the years that you are capable of doing some things other people cannot."
He saw her move a little bit nervously but still not saying a word and looking at him. Well at least someone listened to what he said.
„This ability of yours is called magic and anyone who is gifted in the same way is accepted to Hogwarts to study there and develop their talents further. But I have to warn you. If you'd agree to join our school the laws of Magical society will be placed upon you and you will have to obey them.
Now is there something you'd like to ask?"
She waited for a moment. Probably going through everything she just learned and then slowly nodded.
„Yes sir. Will I be able to take my dog with me?"
He was a little bit stunned. Of all the questions she asks about this? He looked at the dog for the first time and had to admit that it was quite interesting animal with clever look in its eyes.
„The school rules says specificaly that students are allowed to bring a cat, toad or owl with them…" he saw her eyes darken and without knowing why he slowly added. „but there can be exceptions to this if the respective animal is good behaving and trained. Any other questions?"
„Yes sir. What are the subjects taughed in Hogwarts and can you explain a little bit more about the magic?" Misti asked in clear voice.
Severus straitened his back and looked at the girl. Judging from her sitting at the very edge of the chair and fingers playing with the leash she was nervous. But was able to hide it quite well for eleven year old.
„For the first two years there is Transfiguration, History of Magic, Charms, Potions and Defense against Dark Arts." He added the last one with obvious distaste in his voice and continued. „Then in your Third year you will have the option to choose from Care for Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Muggle studies, Ancient runes and…..Divination. You will be doing Owl exam in your fifth year from all the subjects attended so far and from the results and depending on the teachers you will be allowed to take Newts exams in the seventh year."
He studied her for a moment letting his previous words sink in and then continued.
„As for magic itself. Some individuals as us are gifted with natural affinity for life and elemental energies all around us. By studiying and amplifying this affinity through wands and spell words it is possible to use these energies for our own purposes such as changing the shape of the objects, brew potions with all kinds of effects, charm objects to for example fly and even jinx or hex someone or something."
She smiled a bit. Only faintly visible smile but not one that is happy more like cunning.
„Thank you proffesor. Then I think I can agree to attend your school." She added in lower voice.
„Very well. We need your legal guardin which I suppose is your grandmother to sing off few documents and then there is a matter of getting all your school supplies and books. The full list is here together with welcoming letter." He pulled out of his pocket a thick yellowish envelope with brightly green ink and ruby red Hogwarts seal with the crest of the school and handed it to her.
She took it with slight nod and placed it infront of herself on the desk and returned with her gaze back to him. This took him a little aback. He was sure that she'd rip it to shreds and read the content. At least he'd do it in her place.
„Is something wrong Miss Carter?" He asked without even knowing why. It wasn't as if he was that much interested about what is going on in the girl's head.
„It's just I am not sure if I may open it. You said before that I am to listen to you then ask questions but nothing after that sir."
Was she mocking him or was it meant in fully serious manner? Severus asked himself before furrowing his brows and tapping one finger on the table desk.
„Off course you can open it." He said impatiently. „But before you do it, get your Grandmother here."
The girl silently rose up from her seat and walked out of the kitchen. Leaving Snape to his own musings.
So after the documents are signed there is only a matter of shopping in the Alley and he is free for the rest of the summer. Well not entirely. Severus thought with sly smile. He has to think of some kind of revenge on the headmaster for putting him through this ordeal.
„So is everything done?" the voice of older woman interupted his thoughts and he looked up from the table to find her standing across the table and the girl two steps behind her reading curiously the thick Hogwart's letter.
„I just need you to sing off these documents." He waved his wand and small pile of papers appeared on the table along with black pen.
„It is your agreement that Miss Carter can attend Hogwarts. Also that you and your family have been informed about her talent and lastly that not you nor anyone from her relatives will openly speak about this matter in public and you are sworn to secrecy. This you have to obey as agreement between your Prime Minister and Ministry of Magic." He pushed the papers towards the woman and looked at her.
Unlike her grand-daughter she had quite plane look in her eyes and Severus could tell that it took her every ounce of intelect to go through what he just said. His gaze then fell to the girl who'd neatly folded the letter and put it back into the envelope now switching her look between him and her grandmother.
„Basicaly it means that you will not tell anyone about our worl about magic or where is Miss Carter studying during the school year. As for you Miss Carter. It is forbidden to practice magic among muggles and out of the school at all until you are seventeen by which time you will be recognized by our laws as adult."
That should explain everything. Severus thought and whatched the woman to slowly sing out every paper he presented before her.
„Good. Now the last thing to go throuh is shopping. I gave Miss Carter a list of what she will need for her first year in Hogwats and as explained before you don't need to worry about the expenses."