~ Chapter V ~
Hallowe'en – Detention
(Part II)

As many students were enjoying their afternoon outside; deep below of Hogwarts was a dark office belonging to Professor Snape. His office was located next to the Potions classroom, in the dungeons.

A half-empty bottle of elf-made wine stood on Professor Snape's desk. He and the Headmaster were both sitting on armchairs and holding glasses in their hands.

The Black-banded owl, the same one who had delivered a note to Lillian earlier today, was sleeping on her tall, black walnut perch.

'It's a shame you and Lillian won't be at the Hallowe'en feast tonight, Severus,' said Professor Dumbledore, stroking his finger on the sleeping Black-banded. 'It's your first as a professor.'

A sour expression appeared on Professor Snape's pallid face. He loathed Hallowe'en ever since last-year. The day Lily died, along with Potter.

The feast will be just the same when I was a student, Headmaster.' He said softly. 'Live bats. Carved pumpkins. And that damn poltergeist. Planning to have a group of skeletons frolicking in the Great Hall?'

Professor Dumbledore chuckled. 'I've never thought of skeletons, Severus. Maybe I'll do that next-year. I'm letting Wilhelm arranging the Hallowe'en feast this year. He seems keen tonight.'

The Potions Master didn't care what the DADA professor was planning for tonight. He poured another blood-red wine into his glass and sipped it.

'You're not the only one grieving for your loss, Severus. Minerva is overwhelmed with the anniversary tonight. Lily and James Potter, two of her gifted Gryffindors, died to protect Harry from Voldemort –'

'Please don't say the Dark Lord's name!' hissed Professor Snape, clutching his left arm.

'Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself,' replied Professor Dumbledore calmly. 'And Lillian isn't afraid to say Voldemort as well. She and her parents attended Lily and James' funeral last-year, and she was heart-broken exactly as you were. She'd known them when she was nine years old. And she misses Harry.'

'I know of Miss Hale's connections with Lily and … Potter,' Professor Snape hated saying his nemesis' surname, but managed to spit-it-out, 'and his boy. They were her neighbours at Godric's Hollow –'

'Harry is not just James' son, Severus. Harry is Lily's son. He may looks like James, but there's a part of Lily in him more than the green and almond-shaped eyes.'

The Potions Master went quiet, turning away from the Headmaster's bright and sparkling blue eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.

'So you met Lillian and her father, Matthew, before, have you?'

Professor Snape didn't meet Lillian or her widowed father before. He was invisible when both they'd arrived unexpectedly at Godric's Hollow's graveyard.

'I haven't, Headmaster.'

'What do you know of Aurora, Lillian's late mother, Severus?'

Professor Snape remembered what he had overheard from Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout gossiping about Lillian's late mother. 'She came to Hogwarts in 1963, sorted into Slytherin, top of the class, and was named Head Girl in 1969. That's all, Headmaster.'

Professor Dumbledore sipped his glass of wine.

'Four points to Slytherin, if you were still a student.' He said with a sense of humour.

Professor Snape rolled his dark eyes.

'Here's more of the story before Aurora's sudden passing last Christmas,' said the Headmaster. 'Not only was she Lillian's mother and mentor. She was a Healer and a midwife. She aided mothers-to-be, rich and poor, delivering infants at the comfort of their own homes than St Mungo's. She delivered all seven of Molly and Arthur Weasley's children at the Burrow. That's including Lily's son at Godric's Hollow.'

That surprised Professor Snape. He didn't know Lillian's deceased mother was Lily's midwife.

'As for Lillian, she would spend most of her weekends staying with Lily, James and Harry – including they were hiding under the Fidelius Charm. They treated Lillian like a daughter of their own. Matthew had told me that James gave Lillian a new broomstick for her eleventh birthday last-year.'

Professor Snape sighed in annoyance, 'Merlin, Potter spoilt one of my Slytherins.'

'Not only James, Severus. Lillian received Lily's surprise gift … but, I was told from Matthew and Aurora, her gift didn't come –'

Then a knock on the door interrupted the Headmaster. 'Are you expecting a visitor before Lillian arrives, Severus?'

'No-one, Headmaster,' Professor Snape turned and looked at the clock on the wall, five minutes to three. 'It's probably Miss Hale. You may come in.'

But it wasn't Lillian, but that damn Hogwarts' poltergeist. Peeves was floating in mid-air, wearing an alpine hat with a large shaving-brush on its side. He was carrying a pillow case, on his back, loaded with something inside.

'Happy Hallowe'en, Snivellus!' cackled Peeves, blowing a loud raspberries. He spotted Professor Dumbledore sitting on an armchair. He curtsied. 'Happy Hallowe'en, Professorhead.'

'Same to you, Peeves,' replied Professor Dumbledore. 'I like your hat.'

'Thanks, Your Headship,' said Peeves proudly. 'I designed it myself for the special occasion. Do you just love my hat, Snivellus? But it wouldn't suit you with that slimy mop and that large beak of yours.'

'Go away!' snapped Professor Snape. 'Or I'll summon the Baron!'

That had hit Peeves' nerve, his wicked grin faded a little.

The Baron, or commonly known as the Bloody Baron, was a gaunt and staring Slytherin ghost covered with silver bloodstains on his robes. He was the only one who could control the poltergeist.

'I come in peace. You thought I was one of your ickle slippery serpents.' Peeves opened the pillow case containing colourful sweets. 'Trick or treat Snivellus?'

Professor Snape was on his feet, pointing his Ebony wand at the poltergeist. Not caring of Professor Dumbledore's present. 'Say that name one more time, Peeves, and I will make you dissolve into thin air! Get out of my office … now!'

'I'm not even in your office,' said Peeves, crossing his arms and legs in mid-air. He narrowed his wicked black eyes. 'I'm just floating. You are just as rotten as Professor Willy von Stein. He didn't even invite me, Peeves the carefree and innocent poltergeist, to his party tonight at the Great Hall.'

Professor Snape snorted. When had Peeves ever been so carefree and innocent before he became a poltergeist?

'Oh! Remember that doodle drawing of you sitting on the old boiler that looks like a potty throne, Snivellus? It's a crappy drawing! Got it all framed up, and it's –'

Professor Snape had enough with the poltergeist. With a flick of his Ebony wand, the door slammed right at Peeves' face. He and Professor Dumbledore could hear Peeves bellowing outside, 'I'LL GET YOU LATER SNIVELLUS!'

The Potions Master sat back down on his seat, rubbing at the bridge of his hooked nose. 'Does this night get any worse?' He spat as he looked at the clock – three minutes to three.

And soon enough, there was a knock on the door.

'I think there's someone at the door, Severus,' commented Professor Dumbledore.

'Enter,' said Professor Snape, praying it wasn't Peeves.

The door opened and Lillian walked in. She was pointing her unique, two woods wand at a vibrant bubble floating gracefully in mid-air. Inside the bubble was a single flower – a Belladonna-Lily, pinned on top on a large box of Chocolate Frogs.

She closed the door behind her. 'I'm not too early, am – Oh!' She spotted the Headmaster surprisingly. 'Hello, again, Professor Dumbledore.'

'Good afternoon, Lillian.'

'I didn't know you would be here … drinking with Professor Snape.'

'I've decided to spend some time with Severus before attending the Hallowe'en feast. And look at you. You have grown an inch taller since I last saw you. How does it feel to be twelve?'

'I don't feel anything different, Professor,' said Lillian honestly, seeing Professor Snape was here – in his office, listening. 'Being twelve is just the same as being eleven.'

Professor Dumbledore smiled. 'Don't fret, Lillian. After I turned hundred last year, I still feel like I'm eighty-one all over again. Are the Chocolate Frogs from a friend of yours?'

Lillian's cheeks turned as scarlet as the colour of Gryffindor.

'Not that kind of a friend, Professor. I was having a peaceful day until Pretty-boy Lockhart showed up and bumped into me – on purpose, gave the Chocolate Frogs. And he told me to wish him good luck for Quidditch practice, I told him to break a leg.'

Professor Dumbledore chuckled. 'Breaking a leg doesn't works on Quidditch players, Lillian. And you know that.'

'I know, but I wish Pretty-boy does break a leg or any limb if he carries on flirting me like some arrogant peacock. And I prefer Dark Chocolate Frogs than this flavour.' Lillian turned to Professor Snape. 'Should I wait outside until you finish your –'

'Stay where you are, Miss Hale. The Headmaster and I are finished with the beverages,' said Professor Snape softly, 'Evanesco.'

A flick of the Ebony wand, the half-empty bottle of wine and the two glasses vanished out of sight. The Potions Master gestured his long pale finger at the large box of Chocolate Frogs inside the floating bubble. 'There's must be a good reason for those confections are concealing into a bubble, Miss Hale?'

'There is, Professor. I caught a scent of Amortentia on the Chocolate Frogs – I'm clean! I'm not over the moon with Pretty-boy by my side!'

'Can you stop calling Lockhart Pretty-boy, Miss Hale?' said Professor Snape in disgust. 'Continue.'

'Ok. Now where was I? I'm certain Prett – I mean Lockhart must have brought the potion and the Chocolate Frogs from Hogsmeade, and spiked them with the potion before giving them to me. '

Looking more closely, the Potions Master caught sight of the characteristic fumes swirling inside the bubble. The Chocolate Frogs had indeed been spiked with Amortentia – a very powerful Love Potion.

He crossed his arms and scowled. 'Doesn't Lockhart know Love Potions are prohibited at this school? Especially Amortentia.'

'Don't worry, Severus,' said Professor Dumbledore. 'I'll have a private word with Gilderoy when he gets back from Quidditch practice.'

'What am I going to do with the Chocolate Frogs?' answered Lillian. 'I would get the cards out and give them to my friend, Sammy, but I better not risk it.' She turned to her Head of House. 'You want a treat, Professor?'

Professor Snape raised an eyebrow. 'No thanks, Miss Hale. I'm no sweet tooth like the Headmaster here.'

'At least I asked,' she replied sheepish.

'Allow me, Lillian.'

Lillian turned around.

Professor Dumbledore had pulled out his wand out, and approached the floating bubble. The tip of his wand went through the bubble – without popping it, as the swirling fumes were travelling to the tip of the wand like it was sucking with a straw.

'You can pop the bubble now,' he said, putting his wand away.

Lillian poked the bubble with her wand like a needle, and it went off a silent pop. She caught the box of Chocolate Frogs quickly.

'Thanks, Professor.' She said.

Professor Dumbledore tucked his wand away. 'Can I have the Chocolate Frogs, Lillian? If you don't want them –'

Lillian didn't hesitate. 'You can have them, Professor, I don't want them. If you're lucky, you might find another you on one of the cards.'

She gave the box of Chocolate Frogs to the Headmaster. 'Thank you. Well … I must be off.' He said. Before leaving, he turned back to Professor Snape, 'And Severus.'

'Yes, Headmaster?' said Professor Snape.

'Make sure Lillian has a meal after detention. She didn't have any breakfast and I'm positively certain she's politely turned down Hagrid's famous rock cakes. See you both later.'

After Professor Dumbledore had left the office, Lillian turned to Professor Snape.

'So, where are the dirty cauldrons to be clean, Professor?' She asked.

There was no sight of any dirty cauldrons in the office.

'I only let the Gryffindors do the manual labour of scrubbing the cauldrons, Miss Hale.'

'Oh. So what am I doing for detention then, Professor?'

'You are going to clean all the shelves in my office, with no magic.'

Lillian had been in Professor Snape's shadowy office once before. She looked around.

Walls were lined with cobwebs and dusty shelves of glass jars, large and small, and colourful, containing countless potions' ingredients in alphabetical order. Some had some floating animal parts and plants inside. Lillian took notice of a door behind Professor Snape's desk. It was shut and sealed.

'At least cleaning the shelves is better than de-gnoming my godparents' garden.'

'Mr Filch has brought a bucket of water, some cleaning rags, and a stepladder for you to use. Better make a start now, time is wasted. And don't drop any jars.'

'Yes, yes,' said Lillian, taking off her pale-green hoodie, as she wrapped the sleeves around her waist and knotted them.

One wall at a time, Lillian climbed up on the stepladder, grabbed (three or four) glass jars of potions' ingredients with an armful, climbed down carefully and placed all the jars onto a large oak table at the middle of Professor Snape's office.

Once the first wall was cleared, Lillian placed the bucket of water on top of the stepladder, climbed a step and started scrubbing, without getting her jeans wet. After scrubbing and drying the shelf with rags, she returned the jars back on the spotless shelves in alphabetical order.

Professor Snape was sitting on an armchair and reading an interesting article on the Sunday Prophet. His Black-banded was still sleeping on her perch.

Then Lillian noticed something missing. She didn't notice it before until now. There was no glass jar of Boomslang skin.

'Where is it? Where is it?'

'Is there a problem, Miss Hale?' answered Professor Snape, lowering the Sunday Prophet.

'One of the ingredients appears to be missing, Professor – Boomslang skin. I must've replaced it –'

'You didn't replace the Boomslang skin, Miss Hale, and it's not missing. It's in my private store cupboard, along with others ingredients that are expensive or difficult to come across.'

Lillian's vivid emerald-green eyes darted at the sealed door and then back to her Head of House. 'You should have warned me about that … I didn't see any Acromantula venom. What else is hiding inside that secret cupboard of yours, Professor?'

One of Professor Snape's brows rose higher. 'There's a reason why the ingredients, and potions, are locked inside my secret cupboard, Miss Hale. From disobedient students like I'm looking at one now.'

'Disobedient! I'm not that disobedient! All I did was walked out of the Common Room and –'

'That was very foolish of you strutting around the school early in the morning, especially these days, it's dangerous. Fortunate the Headmaster was there before I arrived. You should've had waited in the Common Room or in your room like an obedient student. Now least talking, more cleaning.'

Lillian went back cleaning the shelves and putting the jars back in alphabetical. Both she and the Potions Master kept quiet to themselves.

Time went on.

Quarter to five … half-past five … twenty-past seven …

The sun had disappeared behind the Scottish hills and night came. Lillian was placing the last three jars. Professor Snape didn't move from his armchair as he reading the last page of the Sunday Prophet.

Lillian secretly narrowed down a dozen potions' ingredients (that weren't on the shelves but sealed away inside that secret cupboard) in her head.

Acromantula venom … Ashwinder eggs … Boomslang skin … Gillyweed … Mandrake leaves … Murtlap Tentacles … Occamy eggshells … and so on.

Lillian looked at the clock on the wall. It timed quarter to eight.

Professor Snape folded the Sunday Prophet and got up from the armchair. 'Finished?'

'I have, Professor,' said Lillian.

'You were taking your time – nearly six hours.'

Lillian took a step back, untying the sleeves of her pale-green hoodie and put it on as Professor Snape inspected the clean and organize shelves.

The Black-banded opened her dark eyes and saw Lillian. She tooted, flew and landed on Lillian's shoulder.

'Well hello again,' said Lillian to the Black-banded. 'You didn't tell me your name before you left.'

The Black-banded hooted merrily.

'Return to your perch, Styx,' said Professor Snape, not even looking at the Black-banded.

Styx the Black-banded gave a very loud and angry hoot, as she flew back to her perch.

'Everything appears to be exactly in order, Miss Hale. And the shelves,' Professor Snape was running his long finger on one of the clean shelves. 'You did an exceptional job. Hopefully all the cleaning has taught you a lesson?'

'Yes, Professor, I'll remain in the Slytherin Common Room like an obedient student during curfew hours.'

'Precisely Miss Hale,' said Professor Snape.

Lillian stretched her arms up in the air and yawned. 'I'm tried, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed and –'

'Not so fast, Miss Hale. You won't be going to bed just yet. You'll go straight up to the Great Hall for the feast, like the Headmaster's told. I'm going to escort you there, if you like it or not.'

'Do I have to go?' whispered Lillian, staring down at the toe-caps of Professor Snape's black shoes.

'Look at me, Miss Hale.'

She looked up and stared into the black eyes. 'I understand you want to be alone tonight. But you're not alone. The staff – except for Stein, knew … the Potters as students. The Headmaster has told me your relationship with them. They were your neighbours.'

He caught the sight of the pupils in Lillian's emerald-green eyes expanded. But he continued on, 'You were tremendously close to them … and their boy –'

Lillian interrupted. 'Harry. His name is Harry, Professor. What else has Professor Dumbledore told you about me, Harry, Lily and James?'

Professor Snape was about to open his mouth – and a sound, not from him or Lillian, of two women screamed from outside the office.

'What the –'

Before doing anything, Lillian had reacted quicker than him. She ran towards the door, and out the office she went, with wand in hand.

Professor Snape followed, he too, gripping his wand tightly. He had caught up with Lillian while climbing up the last steps nearby the Entrance Hall.

At the Entrance Hall, he saw Lillian wasn't alone.

Two seventh-year Ravenclaw girls were crouching in the middle of the Entrance Hall and looking very distraught.

'Wh-What happened?' panted Lillian to the distraught Ravenclaws.

The first Ravenclaw was crying hysterical. 'He's d-dead! G-Gilderoy is dead!'

Both Lillian and Professor Snape stared at the two Ravenclaws.

'Wait what?'

'You fucking heard her!' barked the second the Ravenclaw, hugging her hysterical friend.

'Watch your language!' snapped Professor Snape. 'Now, what do you mean Mr Lockhart is dead? This is not one of the poltergeist's stunts, is it?'

The second Ravenclaw pointed her shaking finger towards the magnificent marble staircase. 'No it's not! He's o-over here!'

Both Lillian and Professor Snape turned to the staircase and, Lillian gasped almost dropping her wand, what they saw was something gruesome.

'Remain here!' said Professor Snape sharply to Lillian and the two Ravenclaws.

Professor Snape strode up the marble staircase and bent down.

Gilderoy Lockhart was wearing the Ravenclaw's Quidditch uniform. He was on his back uncomfortably on the steps. His wavy blonde hair was in an utter mess, and his bright blue eyes and his mouth were wide opened. Unusually strange was his skin. Lockhart was very pale - paler than Professor Snape's pallid skin or Professor von Stein's pearly-white skin.

Professor Snape reached his hands and tilted Lockhart's head to one-side. That when his dark eyes grew. On Lockhart's pale neck, there were two puncture wounds, small traces of blood trickling out like tears. Instantly, he knew who attacked Lockhart.

'Vampire,' he whispered.

'What!'

Lillian had climbed up the marble steps, holding a broomstick with one hand. She was still holding her wand.

'Are you seriously, Professor? A vampire got Pretty-boy?!'

'I told you to stay put with – Where have those two disappeared to now?'

The two seventh-year Ravenclaw girls had slipped away from their spot.

'I told them to go to the Great Hall,' said Lillian, 'and bring the professors here. And I found this Cleansweep Six lying on the floor – in the shadow.'

She passed the broomstick to Professor Snape.

Its handle had been scratched and twigs bent. Professor Snape thought, looking down at Lockhart. He must of had fought or defended himself from the vampire.

After examining the broomstick, he turned to Lillian. She was staring down at Lockhart's pale figure, not looking away.

'There is something I don't … understand, Professor.'

'What's that, Miss Hale?' asked Professor Snape.

Lillian looked up at Professor Snape. He stared down at those emerald-green eyes of hers looking fairly concern.

'How come we heard those two Ravenclaws screaming from your office? While everybody else in the Great Hall didn't? I mean … your office is further away from the Great Hall.'