Eyes of a Tiger

by LittleReporterGirl

Follow the story of young Abigail Abby Prewett through her days at Hogwarts. There is murder, loss, friendship, and, most importantly, love. If you liked my story "Dreams" you'll love this! Please Read and Review! I thrive off of reviews!

2. Year 2

Author's Note: Okay, so I had to do another one of these things because I realized, I forgot my disclaimer-statement thing the first time! *gasps* Please don't sue me! Lolz. Anywho, my statement- I don't own these characters, except in my mind. Lolz. Oh and thanks for the reviews (all two of them, lol) rebelgoddess19 and We-Are-Heroes, you guys are awesome. J

Thanks!

~TheVampyre13

YEAR 2

A few months later…

Chapter 20

(Stealing is Wrong)

I was in the kitchen the day my booklist from Hogwarts arrived. I was mixing eggs, flour, and water together, trying to make pancakes. Or I at least hoped I was making pancakes. I had never had to cook before and this was my first attempt. The cookbook from Jenny hadn't come yet, though she had promised to send it with her next letter. Snape was at Hogwarts, preparing his classes for the next term, so I figured this was a good chance to practice my cooking skills.

The tapping on the window distracted me and I set the bowl down on the stove top to open it for the owl.

"Hello there," I said to the owl. The owl hooted as I took the letter from it and blinked its eyes at me before taking flight back out the window. I unrolled the booklist and read it.

Second-Year Students Will Require:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk

Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart

Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Holiday with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart

Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart

Wandering with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart

Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

I was beginning to wonder just who this Lockhart bloke was when I smelled smoke. I looked up in time to shriek as the bowl on top of the stove caught fire.

"Augamenti!" said an amused voice from the doorway. The flames were immediately doused and Snape stepped into the room.

"Snape. What are you doing ho-?" I began, but he silenced me with a look.

"I had a feeling you would be burning my house down today," he said, smirking, "I see you got your Hogwarts booklist."

"Yeah," I replied as he walked into the kitchen and over to the stove, "Who is this Lockhart fellow that's written half the list? I've never even heard of him."

"He's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He's a book writer who steals the stories of others to make it seem as if he did them and he has a terribly egotistic personality," he replied distastefully. Snape waved his wand once and a few plates of food appeared on the table.

"Hey you can't make food appear! That goes against Gamp's Law-" I began.

"It doesn't go against Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration if I summon it from where I already know it is," he interrupted. That's when I noticed that the plates he had summoned looked suspiciously like Hogwarts plates. I sat down at the table and proceeded to eat.

We ate in silence and my mind wandered to where it often wandered during that summer- hearing the voice of the snake in my dormitory. It was something that nagged on the back of my mind most of the time.

"Snape- have you ever heard of a witch or wizard who could talk to snakes?" I asked casually. He looked surprised- it was a very random question.

"Yes. It's called Parseltongue. That language of snakes. Salazaar Slytherin himself was known as 'serpent tongue'. …it's a very rare gift. The last known Parselmouth was the Dark Lord…why do you ask?" he asked me.

"Oh, I just read about it in a book," I lied swiftly, "I just thought it seemed like an odd talent."

He nodded his head to show he accepted my answer. Inside my head, gears were churning- could I really be a Parselmouth?

"You've been wanting to go to your friend Jenny's house, haven't you?" Snape asked me as we continued eating.

"Yeah," I said, taking a bite of eggs.

"Well, I thought we could meet your friend in Diagon Alley and she could take you back to her house from there until September 1st…if you want to, that is," he added.

"I think that would work out good. I'll write Jenny tonight and ask her."

I sent the letter off that night with Arsenius and he was back the very next morning. Jenny said yes and suggested we meet up this Wednesday. She also said that she would send an owl to Brandy to get her to come to Diagon Alley Wednesday, too.

The next morning before Snape left for Hogwarts I snagged his wand. I knew he would be pissed if he found out, but I wanted to test my idea. Supposedly the Trace detected all magic used around me. So it must detect the magic Snape used. I figured, if I used his wand, the Trace would detect the magic as Snape's.

My first project was my room. Using Snape's wand, I transfigured all of the items in my room into what I wanted them to be. When I was finished, my room now contained a large canopy bed with a really soft mattress, green satin sheets and pillowcases, and a black satin comforter. My plain wood dresser was now an elaborate wardrobe made of the same kind of wood my wand was made of. Mind you, it wasn't actually Blackwood…it just looked like Blackwood and that was all that mattered to me.

I cleaned the hardwood floor and transfigured it to look like Blackwood as well. Then I used magic to clean the walls and paint them black. I spent a long time doing the ceiling to my room. I painted the ceiling dark blue and painted stars and the moon in bright yellow. This was the best I could do for now, but I planned on looking up the enchantment for Hogwart's ceiling in the Great Hall to do the same thing on my bedroom ceiling, only I wanted it to be night all the time.

I was using his wand to duplicate the Slytherin emblem on my robes so I could attach the duplicates to the backs of my gloves, when Snape walked in. His face was livid.

"You stole my wand, Abigail," he said angrily.

"I…uh…" I stammered, at a loss for words. It sometimes frightened me how angry Snape could get.

"Give it back," he commanded. I handed it to him sheepishly. He took it without saying anything and looked around my room. He was impressed, I could tell.

"That's impressive, Abigail," he said, then added sternly, "…but wrong. Very wrong. You should not have stolen my wand or done underage magic. What if the Ministry came?"

"They'd back trace any magic to your wand, so they have no proof that I did it," I replied smartly, "And you can't tell me stealing is wrong. You stole breakfast from Hogwarts."

"I almost always get breakfast from Hogwarts and it isn't stealing. There are house-elves working in the kitchen who are more than happy to make sure there is enough food for me to Summon some here every morning if I want to. They love their jobs, those house-elves."

"Fine. I'm sorry I stole your stupid wand. It doesn't work right for me anyway," I muttered, looking remorsefully at my own wand that was lying on top of my dresser.

"How did it not work right? Your room looks amazing."

"My magic doesn't flow as well through your wand. I did good work here…not great. I can only do great with my own wand."

Chapter 21

(Stay Out of Wild Crowds)

The following Wednesday Snape and I used Floo Powder to transport me and my things to Diagon Alley to meet up with my friends. We left my trunk and Arsenius at the Leaky Cauldron for me to get later. We went by Gringott's to fill my money sack before meeting up with my friends outside of Flourish and Blott's, which was crammed full of people.

"Abby!" They shrieked as we made our way over to them. They both hugged me, which I tolerated with my teeth clenched. I didn't like being touched, best friends or not.

"What's with the crowd?" I asked my friends.

"You haven't heard?" Brandy asked suddenly, "It's Gilderoy Lockhart."

"He's signing copies of his autobiography Magical Me today," Jenny added.

"Oh, that bloke. He's going to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," I said with a shrug. Both my friends gasped loudly and Snape stared at me.

"That, uh, wasn't exactly publicly released information, Abigail," he said to me.

"Oops," I said with a faint grin.

"Oh wow, Abby, that's so awesome!" Brandy exclaimed. Jenny nodded her head in agreement.

"Wait, why is that so awesome?" I asked confused.

"Because- Professor Lockhart is so amazingly hot!" Brandy squealed. Snape laughed loudly, startling me.

"Brilliant," he said, shaking his head. I stood on my tiptoes to peer over the heads in the crowded bookshop. Gilderoy Lockhart was easy to spot- he was sitting a table, surrounded by books with his face on it. He was smiling broadly and had on robes of a very vibrant blue.

"You two are insane," I declared, looking back at my friends. They both just shook their heads at me.

Snape and I waited outside while Jenny and Brandy pushed their way into the bookshop to find their books. They had agreed to get mine as well, since I had no desire to see Gilderoy Lockhart. I had agreed to go to the Apothecary and get all of our Potions ingredients and Snape decided to come with me, saying that there were things he needed for the supply cupboard at Hogwarts.

The Apothecary was my favorite shop in Diagon Alley. I was intrigued by all the creepy, slimy things in jars. It reminded me of Hogwarts, of all my time spent brewing potions in the dark dungeon classroom and in Snape's office. With Snape's help, I determined the different herbs and things that I would need at Hogwarts. I got Brandy and Jenny's herbs as well and then Snape and I made our way back to Flourish and Blott's. Jenny and Brandy were waiting for us, their arms loaded with Lockhart's books. They looked disheveled after braving the crowd, but pleased with themselves.

"Well, I suppose this is where we part ways, Abigail," Snape said to me.

"I suppose it is…and don't call me Abigail," I replied. He smiled his small twisted smile.

"See you on September 1st," he said, then nodded to me before Disapparating with a crack.

Jenny, Brandy, and I finished up our shopping and I got my stuff from the Leaky Cauldron. Then, Jenny led us to a small diner in Diagon Alley.

"What are we doing here?" I asked curiously.

"My sister Hailey owns this place. We can use the fireplace in the back to get back to my house," she replied simply. We made our way into the diner which wasn't empty, but wasn't crowded either. There were only about six people there, eating hamburgers, chicken, salads, or whatever.

An older girl with black hair and green eyes was standing behind the counter. She looked up when we entered and grinned broadly.

"Hey, Jenny!" she exclaimed, "Long time, no see, sis. Who are your friends?"

"This is Brandy Spyres and Abby Prewett. Guys, this is my older sister, Hailey. She graduated Hogwarts three years ago. She was a Slytherin, too," Jenny introduced us.

"Yeah, I had a habit of breaking the rules. I spent more time in detention than out," Hailey said with a smile, "So, I guess you guys are on your way back to your house?"

"Yep. We just got our school things. Is it okay if we use the fireplace?" Jenny asked in a voice that sounded as if she already knew the answer.

"Of course. Floo Powder's in the leather pouch. I might stop by later and see you guys," Hailey said with a grin, "Have fun."

"We will," Jenny said, leading the way to the back room.

The fireplace was a simple one and there was a small fire burning in it already. Jenny grabbed a pouch that was laying on the mantle piece and offered it to each of us. She went first, tossing her glittering Floo Powder into the fire and stepping into the emerald flames.

"Burke Manor," she said loudly. Then she disappeared. Brandy and I exchanged glances, then followed suit.

Jenny's house turned out not to be a house at all. It was a mansion! There were at least three floors not to mention a basement and an attic. The room we came out in was the living room. There was an expensive-looking rug, expensive-looking furniture, and a well-groomed house-elf standing beside the fireplace.

"Can I take your bags, Miss Jennifer?" the house-elf asked with a bow, "And those of your friends?"

"Yeah, Twinky, take them up to my room," Jenny said absently, as if she was used to the house-elf doing these things. I had never actually seen a house-elf before. This one had large bat-like ears and bright blue eyes. It had light silver fur and was wearing a small black skirt and a pink shirt. I had heard that house-elves weren't paid and were ugly creatures, but this one wasn't so bad.

"Your family must be rich," Brandy said in awe, looking around.

"Huh? Oh…yes. Mom works really high up in the Ministry, plus the Burkes are one of the old pureblood families, so we have money…" she said with a shrug. I watched as the house-elf took Arsenius's cage in one hand and Jenny's and my cauldrons full of our school things in her other hand, and disappear upstairs.

"Come on, Mom's in the kitchen," Jenny said, walking towards a door, but then she paused and whispered to us, "If Mom asks, Twinky the house-elf went to Diagon Alley with me."

We both nodded.

Jenny's mom was standing at the stove with a cookbook in one hand and her wand in the other. With a flick of her wand a spoon in a pot began to stir the pot by itself. Over on the cutting board, carrots, potatoes, and onions began to cut themselves. When they were cut, they levitated over to the sink and into a strainer. The water in the sink turned on and the vegetables began to wash themselves. Jenny's mom turned to face us. She had short brown hair and the same light green eyes that Jenny had.

"Hello. You must be Jenny's friends," she said to us.

"Yeah, mom. This is Abby and Brandy," Jenny said, pointing to us each in turn.

"I wish I could do that," I said, nodding to the vegetables, impressed, "The last time I tried to cook, I nearly burned the house down."

"Well I could teach you," Jenny's mom said, "I love cooking."

"Mom has tons of cookbooks," Jenny said with a grin.

Ms. Burke got out more vegetables and showed me how to cut them by hand. Jenny and Brandy helped cut up vegetables as well. We helped Ms. Burke cook up a wonderful vegetable stew and when we finished it was time to eat. We were about midway through our meal, which was delicious, when Twinky the house-elf came in.

"Madam Burke, your daughter is here," she said to Jenny's mom.

"Oh good, Hailey is here," Jenny said delightedly.

"Bring her in, Twinky," Ms. Burke said to the house-elf.

The house-elf disappeared and reappeared a minute later with Jenny's sister Hailey. She smiled at us.

"Hey guys. I closed the shop early so I could come back here for supper," she said as she sat down. Twinky went and got her a bowl of stew.

"After we eat, we can go out back and play Quidditch," Jenny suggested. I had never played Quidditch before, just watched it be played. I was rather excited at the prospect of playing myself.

Chapter 22

(Stick with Your Friends)

After we ate, Jenny led us out to her backyard, which was bigger than a football field. There was even a little broom shed, like on Hogwarts grounds.

"There are no neighbors for miles and miles around. We can fly as high as we want," Jenny informed us as we walked towards the broom shed. She opened the door to reveal rows and rows of broomsticks, like there was at Hogwarts. Only these were newer. Nimbus 2001s, Nimbus 2000s, and all sorts of broomsticks that I'd never heard of. Foreign, by the looks of it.

"Woah," Brandy said, eyes wide.

"Hailey and I like trying out new broomsticks. We've got an uncle who's in the business and he sends us new ones every time they come out. Sometimes before they are even released to the public," Jenny said with a shrug. I selected one of the new, sleek-looking Nimbus 2001s and followed my friends out onto the field.

We played Quidditch until it got too dark to see. It turned out I made a pretty good Beater. I could hit the Bludgers with surprising accuracy. When we finished playing, Jenny, Brandy, and I headed upstairs to Jenny's room. Her room was huge and she had a giant sliding glass door that led out onto a balcony. Everything in her room looked expensive. She even had a giant television set.

"I like to watch Muggle shows," she said sheepishly, "I think they're hilarious."

All our stuff was in Jenny's room. Twinky had let Arsenius out at some point and Brandy's owl, Chibi, as well. Jenny showed us two spare bedrooms right across the hall from hers, each looking like a 5-star hotel room. I took my stuff into one and Brandy went in the other.

September 1st came too soon for my liking. I had fun at Jenny's house with my friends and I wanted it to last longer. Unfortunately, we had to go back to Hogwarts. So we packed all of our things and Jenny's sister drove us to Kings Cross Station on the first while their mom was at work. We said goodbye to Hailey before she drove off, then we went through Platform 9 ¾ and boarded the train.

I had been given tons of cookbooks by Jenny's mom the night before and I browsed through them as the Hogwarts Express rolled through the countryside. A Witches Cookbook was more interesting than the cookbook Muggles had. It talked a lot about using your wand to do things like cut carrots or mix ingredients. There were alternate instructions, of course, for underage wizards, but I wasn't too concerned about those. The trolley came and we all bought snacks. Right as the trolley was leaving Hermione Granger came into our compartment.

"Have any of you seen Harry or Ron?" she asked, distressed. We shook our heads.

"No. I didn't see them anywhere on the Platform either," I said to her. I didn't particularly like Hermione Granger- she was Gryffindor and I was Slytherin, but on top of that, it seemed we were competing for smartest student. McGonagall and Snape were always comparing our grades.

"I don't know what could have happened to them. We all came together, but they are nowhere on the train. I don't think they even got onto the Platform. We were running so late," Hermione said, then she ducked back out of the compartment and continued her search.

When the Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop we all got off. I could see Hermione still looking around for Potter and Weasley. His year, instead of following Hagrid to the boats, we went with the older students to where a hundred stagecoaches awaited us. Harnessed to each of the stagecoaches were some of the ugliest creatures I had ever seen. They looked like reptilian horses. They had absolutely no fat on their bodies or flesh at all. Their black coats clung to their skeletons, of which I could see every bone. Their heads looked dragonish and they had large, pupil-less white eyes. They also had huge, leather wings, like those of bats. Brandy, Jenny, and I climbed into a coach together.

"What are those horse-" I began, but was interrupted.

"Brandy!" A voice shouted loudly. We all turned to see a boy running towards our carriage. He looked about fourteen. He had blue eyes and black hair and he was wearing Ravenclaw robes.

"Ian!" Brandy said loudly, and he leapt into our carriage and gave her a hug. Jenny and I looked at each other, bemused.

"Ian, these are my friends, Jenny and Abby. Guys this is my boyfriend, Ian," Brandy introduced us. She had mentioned him before, but we'd never met him until now.

"Nice to meet you," Ian said to us.

"What were you saying, Abby?" Jenny asked me as the horse-things started to pull the carriages.

"What do you think those horse-things are that are pulling the carriages?" I asked, nodding to the creatures. My friends looked at me like I was insane.

"What are you talking about Abby?" Brandy asked, frowning.

"Those horse-things pulling the carriages," I repeated.

"Nothing's pulling the carriages, Abby," Jenny said to me.

"But I can see them! Plain as day," I said worriedly. My friends looked at each other and shrugged.

"Hey Abby- can I ask you a question?" Brandy asked, changing the subject. I shrugged indifferently, still staring at the horse-things.

"Where did you get that scar over your blue eye?" she inquired. This made me look away from the horse-things, no longer concerned with them. I ran my fingers over the scar on my left eye and frowned slightly.

"A childhood accident," I said lightly.

"Is that what makes your eye blue, or were they always different?"

"They were just always that weird," I replied with a shrug.

"I like your eyes," Jenny commented, "I think they're pretty."

I blushed. No one ever called me pretty before.

When we reached Hogwarts we followed everyone else into the Great Hall. Ian walked off to the Ravenclaw Table and Brandy reluctantly followed us to the Slytherin Table. My sister was sitting at the Ravenclaw Table and she waved to me. I waved back half-heartedly. Everyone sat around, waiting for the first years to come in. I could see an unhappy Snape sitting beside a cheerful-looking Lockhart, who wore robes of aquamarine. Snape's eyes swept across the Great Hall, then I saw him smile his twisted smile, looking at the Gryffindor Table. Potter and Weasley were still missing. He looked down at the newspaper in his hand. Snape whispered something to Dumbledore, showed him the newspaper, then left the Great Hall.

I slipped my wand out of my pocket and told Jenny and Brandy what I was going to do. They both agreed to cover for me. When no one was looking, I tapped myself with my wand and cast my Disillusionment Charm. Then I left the Great Hall as quickly as I could, without being seen.

Chapter 23

(Don't be Late)

I caught up with Snape just as he was leaving the castle. He turned his head, surprised, when I walked up behind him.

"What are you doing here, Abigail?" he hissed quietly.

"Uhm…following you?" I replied lightly.

"That," he said, "is obvious. …I meant, why?"

"Oh. I want to find Potter and Weasley and see you be mean to them."

"Why?"

"Because it will amuse me. I'm not interested in the Sorting."

His lip curled into a half-smile.

"Alright, you can follow me…but be quiet," he said to me.

"You impugn my skill of sneakiness, Snape."

We walked around Hogwarts grounds, looking for any sign of Potter and Weasley. We came across a large tree that was thrashing about wildly. Many of its branches were broken. Leaves were all over the ground.

We found Potter and Weasley kneeling outside of a window, peering in at the Great Hall.

"Hang on," Potter muttered to his friend, "There's an empty chair at the staff table…Where's Snape?"

"Maybe he's ill!" said Weasley, sounding hopefully.

"Maybe he's left," added Potter, "because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again!"

So everyone knew about Snape's desire to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Snape scowled at me.

"Or he might have been sacked!" said Weasley enthusiastically, "I mean everyone hates him-"

"Or maybe," said Snape coldly, "he's waiting to hear why you two didn't arrive on the school train."

They both spun around quickly. Snape smiled like a cat with a mouse.

"Follow me," Snape said to them.

Potter and Weasley didn't even look at each other as they followed Snape and I into the entrance hall. I could smell the start-of-term feast in the Great Hall and realized I was actually hungry. I shook it off and followed Snape, Potter, and Weasley down to his office.

"So," Snape said softly as he shut the door and turned to look at them, "the train isn't good enough for the famous Harry Potter and his faithful sidekick Weasley. Wanted to arrive with a bang, did we, boys?"

"No, sir, it was the barrier at King's Cross, it-" Potter began.

"Silence!" said Snape coldly, "What have you done with the car?"

Weasley gulped. Snape unrolled the newspaper he had been looking at in the Great Hall. The headline read: FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES.

"You were seen," Snape hissed, and read aloud, "Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower…at noon in Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss, while hanging out her washing…Mr. Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to police…Six or Seven Muggles in all. I believe your father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office? Dear, dear…his own son…"

Snape was talking to Ron Weasley, who turned pale.

"I noticed, in my search of the park, that considerable damage seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow," Snape continued.

"That tree did more damage to us than we-" Weasley blurted out.

"Silence!" Snape snapped, "Most unfortunately, you are not in my House and the decision to expel you does not rest with me. I shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power. You will wait here."

I sat at Snape's desk in his chair and watched over Potter and Weasley while Snape was gone. He returned ten minutes later with Professor McGonagall. She looked livid. She raised her wand as soon as she entered. Potter and Weasley both flinched, but she merely lit a fire in the fireplace.

"Sit," she said, and Potter and Weasley both sat in chairs by the fireplace.

"Explain," she said, her glasses glinting in the firelight.

"We were late getting to the station and when we tried to go through the barrier, it wouldn't let us. We didn't want to be late for school. So we had no choice, Professor, we couldn't get on the train," Weasley said quickly.

"Why didn't you send us a letter by owl? I believe you have an owl?" McGonagall said coldly to Potter.

"I- I didn't think-" he stammered.

"That," said McGonagall, "Is obvious."

There was a knock on the door and Snape, who looked happier than ever, opened it. There stood the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. His face looked very grave. His eyes flicked to me ever-so-briefly and I froze. Dumbledore could somehow see me!

I slipped out of Snape's chair and tiptoed over to Snape, hiding behind him. Dumbledore looked down at Potter and Weasley, ignoring me for the time being.

"Please explain why you did this," Dumbledore said to them. There was great disappointment in his voice and Potter looked guilty. They told their story once more. Dumbledore didn't ask any questions and when Potter finished talking he merely looked at them.

"We'll go and get our stuff," said Weasley in a hopeless voice.

"What are you talking about, Weasley?" barked McGonagall.

"Well, you're expelling us, aren't you?"

Potter looked quickly at Dumbledore.

"Not today, Mr. Weasley," said Dumbledore, "But I must impress upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to both of your families tonight. I must also warn you that if you do anything like this again, I will have no choice but to expel you."

Snape looked extremely disappointed.

"Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry, caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree- surely acts of this nature-" Snape said.

"It will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys' punishment, Severus. They are in her House and therefore her responsibility," Dumbledore said, then turned to McGonagall, "I must go back to the feast, Minerva, I've got to give out a few notices. Come, Severus, there's a delicious-looking custard tart I want to sample-"

Dumbledore looked meaningfully at me before exiting the room. Snape shot Potter and Weasley a look of pure venom as he followed Dumbledore out. I slipped out after him.

When the door shut behind us, Dumbledore looked at me, though I was invisible. To my surprise, he smiled.

"You must be Abigail Prewett. It's nice to finally meet you," Dumbledore said to me.

"It's just Abby, sir, if you don't mind," I said quietly.

"Not at all. I can't help but wonder, Abby- what were you doing here?"

"I followed Snape, sir. It seemed more…interesting than the Sorting. I was curious."

"Curiosity is not a sin, Abby. I see no harm done," Dumbledore said, smiling broadly. He walked off back towards the Great Hall, leaving Snape and I alone.

"I suppose Dumbledore likes you, Abigail," Snape said to me.

"I guess so. That was a close one. How can he see me?"

"Dumbledore is a very mysterious man. I have only one thing to say."

"What?"

"If you ever pull anything like that," Snape said, meaning Potter and Weasley's antics, "I wouldn't just expel you, I would hand feed you to the Giant Squid."

Chapter 24

(Don't Listen to Lockhart)

Snape and I returned to the Great Hall for the end of the feast and I quietly whispered what had happened to my friends. Before Dumbledore had finished his start-of-term speech, whispers were flying everywhere about Potter, Weasley, and the flying car. Then Dumbledore released us and students went hurrying off to the dormitories.

That night I had a dream that I was flying over the forest on the back of one of the winged horse-things. When I awoke, sweating and tangled in my bed sheets, I almost fell out of bed. I calmed myself down and convinced myself it was only a dream. Then I went back to sleep.

The next morning the sky was cloudy and grey. People were still talking about Potter and Weasley, especially when, shortly after the mail arrived, a voice from a Howler exploded at their table:

"-STEALING THE CAR I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE! WHEN WE GOT THAT LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD HAVE BOTH DIED! -ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED-YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINEWE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME!"

The following silence rang in my ears for a few seconds, then the Great Hall exploded with laughter. A short while later, Snape was sweeping down the table, handing out schedules. I looked down at mine and cursed softly.

"Anything wrong, Abigail?" Snape asked me, pausing.

"I've got Lockhart's class first thing," I grumbled. Snape smirked and continued walking.

Lockhart wasn't in his classroom when we arrived. Jenny and Brandy sat down in desks close to the front. I shook my head as another girl jumped into the chair right beside them, eager to sit close to Lockhart. I walked to the back of the room and sat down in the desk farthest away from Lockhart's desk.

He arrived very late to our first class, but when he walked in he smiled broadly at the class. He was wearing turquoise robes and a turquoise hat with gold trim.

"Good morning. Sorry I'm late, I was just showing Professor Sprout the proper way to doctor a Whomping Willow," he said, then he picked up Brandy's copy of Travels with Trolls and pointed to the picture of himself on the front, "Me. Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award."

A few people smiled weakly. Jenny, Brandy, and a few of the other girls giggled. Lockhart smiled and I had a strong desire to hex him.

"I see you've all bought a complete set of my books- well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about-just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in-"

Lockhart handed out the test papers and I read down the line of questions.

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?

2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

On and on, there were 54 of these questions, and I seriously doubted I had gotten any of them right. Half an hour later he took up the papers. I gratefully ignored him, surprised by the fact that my head was aching terribly. I pressed my face against the cool desk until I heard him say:

"Now, to business," He said. I lifted my head as he walked over to a large covered cage. Curious the entire class leaned forwards.

"Now- be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizard kind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm. I must ask you not to scream," He whispered, "It might provoke them."

Everyone held their breath in anticipation as Lockhart whipped the cover off the cage. Everyone breathed out at once and looked at Lockhart like he was nuts.

"Freshly caught Cornish pixies! Devilish tricky little things," He said. The pixie were small, blue, and had very shrill voices. They had started to rocket around the cage angrily.

"Right, then, let's see what you can make of them!" Lockhart said loudly. He opened the door to the cage and the pixies shot out.

I watched, amused, as they rocketed around the room, tearing books, spilling ink, and terrifying my classmates. People were running around, throwing random hexes that had no effect whatsoever. Lockhart was hiding under his desk. Jenny and Brandy were hiding under their desks as a pixie ripped up Jenny's book.

Finally I pulled out my wand and stood up. I aimed my wand at the nearest group of pixies.

"Stupefy!" I shouted loudly. A jet of red light flew from my wand, striking the pixies and knocking them out. I grabbed the pixies and tossed them back in the cage. The rest of the class tried to mimic my charm but their spell wasn't as powerful as mine because they hadn't learned the spell yet. It was one of the ones I'd taught myself last year.

"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"

I kept at it until all the pixies were knocked out and safely returned to their cage. Lockhart crawled out from under his desk, brushing off his robes.

"Amazing! Absolutely…stunning!" Lockhart cried. No one laughed at his crummy joke. They were all glaring at him reproachfully.

"For someone so young to have mastered the stunning spell! 10 points to Slytherin…though I do wish you'd let the rest of the class have a go," He remarked. It was all I could do to not hit him with a stunning spell. Luckily, the rest of the class didn't seem to share his opinion. They were looking at me with a mixture of wonder and gratitude. I grinned at them as I sat down.

We had Professor Sprout's class next with the Ravenclaws. She looked irritated, not her usual cheerful self, and I suspected it had something to do with Lockhart.

"We're in Greenhouse three today, everyone," Professor Sprout said when everyone arrived. There was a slight murmur of interest as Professor Sprout unlocked the door to Greenhouse three. We'd only ever worked in Greenhouse 1 before. There was the strong smell of damp earth and some sort of flower that hung from the ceiling. There were all sorts of other potted plants and I looked around curiously.

Professor Sprout was standing beside a trestle bench in the center of the greenhouse where lay several different colored earmuffs. I stood with Brandy and Jenny as Professor Sprout began to talk.

"We'll be repotting Mandrakes today. We didn't have any problems in my first class. They did half of the Mandrakes, you all will do the other half," Professor Sprout said. Her first class must have been the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff second-years.

"Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?" Professor Sprout asked. No one raised their hand. I knew the answer. I'd read it in a Potions book.

"The Mandrake is an essential ingredient used in most antidotes. It is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed, to their original state," I said when Professor Sprout called on me, "It's also very dangerous. The cry of the Mandrake can be fatal."

"Very good, Miss Prewett. Twenty points to Gryffindor," said Professor Sprout, "Now, the Mandrakes we have here are still very young, so their cries won't kill you yet, but they can knock you out for several hours. Now, everyone grab a pair of earmuffs."

Everyone scrambled to grab a pair of earmuffs that weren't completely hideous. Malfoy snatched a black pair from Crabbe. Brandy, who didn't seem to mind the hideousness, grabbed a pink and fluffy pair. Jenny grabbed two green pair and handed one to me. Crabbe and Goyle both ended up with pink, fluffy earmuffs and my friends and I chuckled at their misfortune.

"When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered. When it is safe to remove them, I will give you a thumbs-up. Right- earmuffs on," said Professor Sprout. I snapped the earmuffs over my ears, shutting out the sound completely.

Professor Sprout put on a pair of pink earmuffs, rolled up her sleeves, and grasped one of the tufty Mandrake plants firmly, and pulled hard. A small, muddy, and extremely ugly baby popped out of the Earth. The leaves were growing out of its head. It had pale green skin and was clearly bawling at the top of its lungs. Professor Sprout took a large pot from under the table and plunged the Mandrake in, then she covered it with dirt until only the leaves were visible. Then Professor Sprout gave us a thumbs-up and we removed our earmuffs.

"Get into groups of four to a tray. There is a large supply of pots here- compost in the sacks over there. Also, be careful of the Venomous Tentacula, it's teething," she said, pointing to a spiky, dark red plant. It was inching its long feelers towards Draco and Professor Sprout gave it a sharp slap, making it pull back its feelers.

At the end of the class everyone was tired and sweating. The Mandrakes didn't like being forced into pots, apparently. We all went up to the castle for a quick wash before lunch. Brandy, Jenny, and I wolfed down lunch hungrily, then went for a walk around the grounds. We sat down underneath a big tree by the lake.

"What class have we got next?" I asked Jenny. Brandy had pulled out her copy of Travels with Trolls and was reading it eagerly.

"Transfiguration," Jenny said enthusiastically, "My favorite class…besides Lockhart's, of course."

I didn't respond to this. I hated Lockhart with a passion now. I had failed his little quiz because I hadn't read his books, because they were crap. His class wasn't going to be Defense Against the Dark Arts at all- it was going to be Lockhart-ology!

Chapter 25

(How to Get People to do What You Want)

McGonagall's classes were never hard for me. She handed out live beetles that we were to transfigure into buttons. My beetle scuttled towards the edge of my desk and I stared at it. Stop, I willed with my mind. To my surprise, the beetle stopped and turned around to look at me. My heart pounding with excitement, I tried again. Come here, I commanded, placing my wand forward. The beetle walked to the tip of my wand and I transformed it into a small black button. Beside me, Jenny was having a hard time keeping her beetle on the desk long enough to transfigure it. It kept trying to fly away and she would grab it and force it back down.

"Stupid- effing- beetle," she muttered darkly as her beetle escaped her grasp and flew towards the window. Fly back over here, I commanded in my mind. The beetle changed directions suddenly and came back to land on Jenny's desk. She looked awed and she poked it with her wand and transformed it into a blue button.

This new power- the power to control beetles- thrilled me, but also frightened me. Why could I do all these things- sense emotions, control beetles, talk to snakes, and see those creepy horse-things? Maybe I couldn't really do any of these things. Maybe I was going insane.

I made my way down to Snape's classroom when I knew he wouldn't have a class. He was sitting there, looking over his lesson plan I think, when I walked in.

"Hello Abigail. What-" he began.

"I think I'm going insane," I said, louder than I had meant to. I startled myself. Snape frowned at me.

"Why do you think you're going insane, Abigail?" he inquired.

"Because, I can see creepy horse-things pulling the carriages and last night I dreamt I flew on one," I said, sinking into a chair. Snape looked at me bizarrely and a small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth.

"You're not going insane. The things pulling the carriages are called Thestrals. Hogwarts has a whole herd of them in the forest used solely for pulling the carriages, or if Dumbledore is taking a long journey and doesn't want to Apparate," Snape said to me.

"Why could I see them and my friends couldn't?" I asked.

"I was getting to that. Thestrals are often considered unlucky because the only people who can see them, are people who have seen death."

"Oh," I said softly, looking away from him. The night of my parents murder flashed through my mind. Snape's entire mood changed, though his expression remained the same. Feelings of surprise, sympathy, and awkwardness swirled around him.

"You saw your parents…" he said, his voice full of realization. I shrugged my shoulders and turned my face away from him. We sat in silence for a few minutes. I could feel him looking at me. When I could take in no more I jumped to my feet.

"I wanted to go to the library before it gets too late," I said loudly, then headed for the door. He didn't say anything to stop me.

Saturday at noon I awoke to find the Slytherin Common Room abuzz with chatter. Draco Malfoy had been officially chosen as the Slytherin Seeker for Quidditch. Today had been their first training. Some of the Gryffindors had been there. Ron Weasley had tried to curse Draco, but his wand backfired and Weasley was now puking up slugs. I went down to the Great Hall to eat lunch then went out for a walk, where I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Ron Weasley vomiting slugs all over the ground around Hagrid's hut.

Later that night I was reading my Potions textbook. I had gotten it from the stack of old books in the store closet in the classroom. It was also identified as the property of the Half-Blood Prince, just like my book last year. I had picked it out specifically for that reason. My book last year had been full of helpful hints, as was this one. All of a sudden I heard something- a voice that chilled me to the bone.

"Come…come to me…Let me rip you…Let me tear you…Let me kill you…"

"What was that?" I yelped, slamming my book closed. Jenny was the only other person in the Common Room. She had been sitting in one of the chairs, doing homework. She looked startled.

"What was what, Abby?" she asked me.

"That voice!"

"What voice?"

"Don't tell me you didn't hear it," I groaned loudly.

"There wasn't a voice, Abby…are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said hollowly. Just another fit of insanity…

"Maybe you dozed off?" Jenny suggested hopefully.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's what it was. I need to go to bed," I said with a fake yawn. Jenny looked relieved and put down her quill.

"I'll come too," she said, putting away her homework, "I'm finished anyway."

October came and I soon forgot about hearing the creepy voice. I was kept busy- not only with homework, but with helping Snape. There was a sudden spate of colds among the students and teachers. Snape and I were kept busy brewing Pepperup potion, which worked instantly to relieve the symptoms of colds.

Filch, the caretaker, had a cold and was sweeping about the castle in a foul mood, giving students detention for the littlest things. I barely escaped him one evening on my way to help Snape. I told Snape about it as I measured out Salamander blood to put in the cauldron.

"I barely escaped Filch on my way here. He threatened to write me up for 'walking around suspiciously'," I said, rolling my eyes, "I told him I was coming down here and promised to tell you to give him some Pepperup potion later on."

I had actually promised to do it personally, but I didn't see any harm in making Snape do it. I certainly didn't want to do it.

I was adding Dittany to the cauldron when someone knocked on the door. Snape handed me the powdered Graphorn horn and went to the door to open it. It was a first year Gryffindor boy named Colin Creevey who was turning in his Potions homework…late.

"I want you to run an errand for me, Creevey," Snape said as he glanced over the boy's homework.

"Anything you want, sir," the boy said earnestly. Snape walked over to a shelf and got a bottle of Pepperup potion. He walked back over to the boy, who was peering curiously at me.

"Take this to Mr. Filch," Snape said, giving the potion to the boy. Colin Creevey nodded his head and hurried off. I smiled as Snape closed the door behind Colin Creevey.

"It must be nice to intimidate students into doing what you want," I said, smirking.

"It has its quirks," he replied simply.

Chapter 26

(Don't Let Your Friends Choose Your Nickname)

Halloween came and with it came my 13th birthday. Somehow I was more excited about Halloween this year. It held a mysterious allure, turning 13 on Halloween. Creepy in an exciting way. I was looking forward to the Halloween feast with its live bats fluttering around. I wanted to see if I could control them like I controlled the beetle in Transfiguration. I had tried it on Arsenius, my unruly owl, and it had worked. He had landed obediently on my shoulder without glaring at me or hooting loudly or trying to bite me.

On Halloween morning I awoke with a feeling of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. I had a dream during the night that I couldn't quite remember. Something about a snake. And blood. There had been blood. I pushed it to the back of my mind, however, when I saw the pile of presents at the foot of my bed. There were random gifts from people in my class, most of them sweets. My sister, Mary, gave me a bottle of color-changing ink. There was a gift from Brandy, who was currently snoring loudly asleep, which contained a new book, Herbs, Roots, and Berries; A guide to Growing Your Own Potion Ingredients by Xavien Hawthorne.

Jenny stirred and sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. She looked over at me amongst my presents and grinned.

"Happy Birthday, Abs," she said, and tossed me a present she had hidden under her bed. It was small and wrapped in silver paper. I opened it curiously. It was a silver, heart-shaped locket. It had the Slytherin emblem emblazoned on the front. Inside it had a picture of Brandy and a picture of Jenny, and the words 'Best Friends' in ornate letters.

"Wow, Jenny, this is amazing," I said quietly.

"I wanted to get you something special. I know you're excited about turning 13 on Halloween," she replied, smiling. I put the necklace on and looked at the last present, which had no name tag to say who it was from.

It was wrapped in plain black paper, as usual, and contained another new book: Cooking For the Average Witch. I flipped through it curiously, looking at the recipes for a lot of different things. As the morning went on, Brandy woke up and me and my friends went down for breakfast. Draco Malfoy appeared at the breakfast table as I was taking a bite of toast and jam.

"Happy Birthday, Abby," he said, and handed me something under the table. It appeared to be a Frisbee, but it had fangs on the bottom. I started put it out on the table to get a closer look at it, but Draco stopped me.

"I wouldn't let any of the teachers see that if I were you. It's a Fanged Frisbee. They're not exactly allowed at school. They're fun though. We could go out on the Hogwarts grounds and I can teach you how to play," he suggested, "Your friends could come, too. We could have a competition- me and my friends, versus you and your friends."

"Alright, Draco, you're on," I said with a grin.

"Definitely," Brandy said enthusiastically, "We'll kick your asses."

"Watch your language, Miss Spyres," said Snape as he walked up. I hid the Fanged Frisbee in my robes as he approached.

"Abigail, I'd like to see you in my office later on today," he said to me.

"Any particular time?" I asked coolly.

"No. Just before the feast."

"Yes, master," I said sarcastically, grinning. Snape raised an eyebrow at me before turning on his heel and walking away.

"You know, Abby, I think Snape actually likes you," Brandy said when he was out of earshot.

"Of course he likes her. I've never seen him take cheek like that from anyone before, Slytherin or not," Jenny commented, "She's his little Potions pet."

Draco laughed as though this was the funniest thing in the world. So did Crabbe and Goyle and a few other students around.

"Come on, Potions pet, let's go play Frisbee," Draco said, standing up. I stood up as well and I glared pointedly at Jenny.

"If that catches on, I swear I'll-" I began, but Brandy grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the door.

"Come on, Potions pet, don't make empty threats. Let's go play some Frisbee," Brandy said animatedly.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing Frisbee. It was Brandy, Jenny, and I against Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. We tossed the Fanged Frisbee back and forth. If you got bit by the Frisbee, you were out. We actually beat the boys and celebrated by sitting around the lakeshore eating my birthday candy. I had completely forgotten Snape's request when Brandy said something.

"Hey Potions pet, weren't you supposed to go see Professor Snape at some point in the day?" Brandy inquired. I swore loudly and got to my feet.

"I've gotta go. The feast starts soon. And don't call me that anymore," I said quickly, then hurried off towards the castle.

Snape was just about to leave his office to head to the Great Hall when I got there.

"You're late," he said coolly as he locked his office door.

"Actually, you just said before the feast. The feast hasn't started yet," I replied.

"Smart aleck," he retorted.

"Actually, I lost track of time. I was outside with my friends."

"Of course you were. Want to walk up to the feast with me?"

"I wouldn't have come down here if I hadn't."

Snape and I started to walk towards the Great Hall together.

"Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday," Snape said as we came up out of the dungeons.

"Wow, you remembered," I said dryly.

"Of course I did. So how's your birthday so far?"

"Well enough, I suppose. I beat Draco and his goons at a game of Frisbee, then hung out with my friends down by the lake. We ate my birthday candy and I read one of the new books I got for my birthday. It's all about growing your own Potions ingredients. I was thinking…would it be okay if I started an herb garden over the summer?" I asked timidly.

"I see no reason you could not. Especially since an herb garden would be so beneficial to us when we brew potions," he replied with a shrug. At that moment we entered the Great Hall and had to part ways. He went up to the teacher's table and I went to sit with my friends at the Slytherin Table.

Chapter 27

(Resist the Urge to Hex Teachers)

The feast was just as good as last year, if not better. I found out that I could control the bats with my mind and, towards the end of the feast, I got one to fly down to me and I left the Great Hall with it hidden in my sleeves. As soon as I was in the empty Entrance Hall, I took the bat out.

Fly up to the rafters, I commanded with my mind. The bat took off, flying unsteadily, and hung upside from one of the beams. I made the bat fly around the Entrance Hall, doing loops and flying in patterns. Suddenly, a voice penetrated my concentration, a voice that rang louder than the echoing of voices from the Great Hall.

"…rip…tear…kill…soo hungry…for so long…kill…time to kill…" It said coldly. Potter and his friends came running suddenly into the Entrance Hall and I ducked into the shadows where they couldn't see me. The bat flew off.

"This way," Potter shouted, running up the stairs. I quickly donned my Disillusionment Charm and followed them silently.

"Harry, what're we-" began Weasley.

"SHH!" Potter hissed.

"…I smell blood…I SMELL BLOOD!" said the voice.

"It's going to kill someone!" Potter shouted. He hurtled around the whole of the second floor until he came to the last, deserted passage.

"Harry, what was that all about?" asked Weasley, wiping sweat off his face, "I couldn't hear anything…"

"Look!" Hermione gasped loudly. There was something shining on the wall ahead. I approached curiously. Foot-high words had been painted on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN

OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

"What's that thing- hanging underneath?" asked Weasley, his voice quivering slightly. It was Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. She was hanging by her tail from a torch bracket, stiff as a board. There were a few seconds of silence.

"Let's get out of here," said Weasley, and I agreed that it seemed like a good idea. I was about to head back down the stairs when a rumble from below told me the feast had ended. Students came crashing through the corridor at both ends.

I pushed my back against the wall so I wouldn't be trampled and the noise died suddenly as the students saw the cat. Students pressed their ways forward, trying to see the gruesome sight. Then through the quiet someone shouted:

"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

It was Draco Malfoy, his face flushed and grinning at the sight of the immobile cat.

Undoubtedly attracted by Draco's shout Mr. Filch came running up the corridor.

"What's going on here? What's going on?" He demanded. When he got to the front of the crowd he saw Ms. Norris and fell back, clutching his face.

"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Ms. Norris?" He shrieked, then his eyes fell on Harry Potter, "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll-"

"Argus!"

He was broken off by a shout from Dumbledore who strode up the passageway, followed by a number of other teachers, one of which was Snape. Snape and Dumbledore both looked at me, standing off to the side, before looking at Potter and his friends.

Dumbledore commanded Potter and his friends to follow him. Lockhart, Snape, and McGonagall followed as well. Not knowing what to do, I followed Snape, standing close to him so I could slip in as Dumbledore led us into not his own office, but Lockhart's. Lockhart's office was full of pictures of himself, most of which scurried out of sight when we entered, their hair in rollers.

I realized at once I was in a very compromising position. It was extremely cramped in here, if someone were to trod upon me by mistake I'd be discovered. Snape's eyes flicked to me as the door was shut. He knew I was here. He moved into the shadows and I walked soundlessly over to him. Dumbledore lay Ms. Norris on the polished surface of the desk and examined her through his spectacles, prodding and poking her. Professor McGonagall stood beside him, eyes narrowed as she examined the cat. Lockhart was hovering around, making suggestions.

"It was definitely a curse that killed her- probably the Transmorgifian Torture- I've seen it used many time, so unlucky I wasn't there, I know the very counter course that would have saved her…" Lockhart murmured. I doubted there was even such a thing as the Transmorgifian Torture. If he doesn't shut up, I'm going to hex him, I thought to myself.

"…I remember something very similar happening in Ouagadogou, a series of attacks, the full story's in my autobiography, I was able to provide the townsfolk with various amulets, which cleared up the matter at once," Lockhart said. He began to count the number of deaths he'd prevented when I reached for my invisible wand. Snape grabbed my wrist with startling accuracy considering I was invisible.

"No, Abigail," He whispered from the corner of his mouth. The sound of his voice was hidden from the others by the sounds of Filch sobbing and Gilderoy still talking.

"Let me hex him, just a little bit," I begged quietly. He was trying very hard not to smile.

"No. He's a Hogwarts teacher and you'll be caught," Snape said.

"She's not dead, Argus," Dumbledore said softly. The entire room fell silent, but Snape continued to hold my wrist.

"Not dead? But why's she all - all stiff and frozen?" Filch choked.

"She has been petrified, but how I cannot say…" Dumbledore said.

"Ask him!" Shrieked Filch, turning to Potter.

"No second year could have done this," said Dumbledore firmly, "It would take dark magic of the most advanced-"

"He did it, he did it!" Filch spat, "You saw what he wrote on the wall! He found- in my office- he knows I'm a- I'm a- He knows I'm a squib!"

"I never touched Ms. Norris!" Potter said loudly, "And I don't even know what a Squib is!"

What an idiot, I thought to myself. A Squib was a person born to a magic family that had no magical ability themselves. The fact that Filch was one amused me.

"Rubbish!" Snarled Filch, "He saw my Kwikispell letter!"

"If I might speak, Headmaster," Snape said suddenly. He released my invisible wrist as everyone turned to look at him, but he did not leave the shadows.

"Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time," He said as if he did not believe this, "But we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here. Why was he in the upstairs corridor at all? Why wasn't he at the Halloween feast?"

Potter, Weasley, and Hermione immediately launched into an explanation. Something about a death day party and ghosts.

"But why not join the feast afterwards?" said Snape, "Why go up to that corridor?"

Snape's black eyes were glittering in the faint candlelight that reached us in the shadows and the look on his face told me he was enjoying this.

"Because- because- because we were tired and wanted to go to bed," Potter said quickly.

"Without any supper?" Snape asked with a triumphant smile, "I didn't think ghosts provided food fit for living people at their parties."

"We weren't hungry," Weasley said loudly, but his stomach chose that moment to growl loudly as if in protest to what he was saying. They're all miserable liars, I thought with a grin. Snape's smile widened.

"I suggest, Headmaster, that Potter is not being entirely truthful. It might be a good idea if he were deprived of certain privileges until he is ready to tell us the whole story. I personally feel he should be taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he is ready to be honest," Snape said.

"Really, Severus," said McGonagall sharply, "I see no reason to stop the boy from playing Quidditch. This cat wasn't hit over the head with a broomstick. There is no evidence at all that Potter has done anything wrong."

I suppressed a chuckle at McGonagall's reasoning.

"Innocent until proven guilty, Severus," Dumbledore said calmly. Snape and Filch both looked furious.

"My cat has been Petrified!" filch shrieked, "I want to see some punishment!"

"We will be able to cure her, Argus," Dumbledore said patiently, "Professor Sprout has recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Ms. Norris."

"I'll make it," Lockhart butted it, "I must have done it a hundred times. I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep-"

"Excuse me," said Snape icily, "but I believe I am the Potions master at this school."

I had to press my hand over my mouth to keep myself from laughing at the bewildered look on Lockhart's face in the eerie silence that followed. Dumbledore turned to Potter, Weasley, and Hermione.

"You may go," He said to them, and they practically fled the room.

Chapter 28

(Don't Tell Anyone Your Secrets)

"Severus, I'd like a word with you," Dumbledore said, nodding towards the door. Snape nodded his head. Their eyes both passed over me briefly and I took that to mean they wanted me out in the hallway, too.

"What were you doing in that corridor, Abby?" Dumbledore asked me after he had shut the door behind him.

"I was just curious. I…I had left the feast. One of the bats had escaped and was flying around the Entrance Hall and I was trying to catch it. Potter and his friends came up into the Entrance Hall. I was curious as to what they were up to and I followed them here," I replied. Lying came surprisingly easy to me. I knew I didn't want Dumbledore to know that I could hear the voice that Potter could, or that I could control animals with my mind. Hearing voices and controlling animals weren't exactly the best talents in the world. Dumbledore seemed to accept my answer.

"So you have no idea what the message on the wall means?" he asked me.

"No sir," I answered. He nodded his head to me.

"Very well then. Head back to your dormitory. I want to talk with Severus," Dumbledore said, "And Abby…I'll know if you stick around."

"Yes sir," I said, and headed back to the Common Room.

I was almost to the Common Room when I changed my mind. I remembered the snake I heard talking in the portrait in my dormitory. It had said something about the Heir of Slytherin. Maybe it was linked somehow. I hadn't mentioned it in front of Dumbledore, but I felt as if I could tell Snape. So I headed off towards his office to wait for him instead.

When Snape came into his office twenty minutes later he didn't look surprised to see me sitting behind his desk.

"What are you doing here, Abigail? Dumbledore told you to go back to your dormitory," he said to me.

"I have something to tell you…well, it may be connected or maybe…" I muttered uncertainly, "I don't know. It's difficult."

"Maybe you should start at the beginning," he suggested. Instead of telling me to get up out of his seat, he sat in the chair I usually occupied.

"Well…Last year, I was packing up my things to get ready to leave for the summer when I heard this voice," I began uncertainly.

"A voice?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. A voice that no one else could hear…coming from a painting of a snake in my dormitory. It said 'Only the Heir of Slytherin can find the Hidden Chamber' or something like that."

He was silent for the longest time, absorbing this new information. His face betrayed nothing and he was blocking his emotions from me, which irritated me slightly. Finally he opened his mouth and spoke.

"So you're a Parselmouth. That's why you asked me about people who could talk to snakes," he said to me.

"Yes," I said nodding my head.

"And you don't know anything about the writing on the wall? How it got there? Who put it there? Anything at all?" he asked me.

"Nothing," I said truthfully. There was more silence in which Snape merely looked at me. I felt like he was reading me, searching for the slightest hint of a lie.

"I believe you," he said finally, "Listen to me, Abigail- don't tell anyone else anything about being a Parselmouth. Especially Dumbledore."

"Why?"

"Do you remember me telling you who the last two well-known Parselmouths were?"

"Salazaar Slytherin…and the Dark Lord," I recalled.

"So you can see why it wouldn't be such a popular talent to have."

"People might think I am the Heir of Slytherin. …but what if I am?" I asked curiously.

"You didn't hang the cat or write the words, did you?"

"No, of course not."

"Then you aren't the Heir of Slytherin. Now don't worry any more about it. Go to your dormitory and get some sleep."

"Fine," I said sulkily, getting up out of his chair.

"Oh, and Abigail?" he said and I paused at the door.

"Yeah?"

"Happy Birthday," he replied simply. I smiled my half-smile and left his office.

Saturday morning I awoke early. It was the first Quidditch match of the year, Slytherin versus Gryffindor. I made my way down to the Great Hall and ate breakfast quickly. Jenny was upstairs asleep and Brandy was nowhere to be found. Draco sat with me at breakfast, already dressed in is Quidditch robes. This was his first game. He was talking animatedly about some popular Quidditch Team, driving me insane. I was almost to the point of walking down to the Quidditch Pitch with Draco, when Snape arrived.

"Abigail, will you walk with me? I'd like to talk to you," Snape said to me.

"Of course," I said getting to my feet. Draco looked disappointed, but turned to Pansy Parkinson and began talking to her instead.

Snape and I left the Great Hall without actually saying anything. When we were on our way down to the Quidditch Pitch I looked at him curiously.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked him.

"Oh, nothing. You looked like you wanted to get away from Draco Malfoy, so I rescued you," he replied, smiling his twisted smile.

"My hero," I said sarcastically, but I halfway smiled, too.

When we reached the stands, we could see Gilderoy Lockhart, in robes of jade green, sitting in the teacher's stands. Snape stared at him with an expression of disgust.

"You could always sit with me," I suggested, "You saved me from Draco, I'll save you from Lockhart."

He considered this for a moment, then nodded his head.

"Anything is better than sitting with that idiot," he said as we made our way to the Slytherin stands.

Chapter 29

(Pay Attention to Your Surroundings)

The players walked out onto the field, Slytherins first, drawing cheers from the students around us. I cheered too, and Snape clapped loudly. When the Gryffindors came out, the Slytherins booed, which almost couldn't be heard over the cheers from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. The two team captains, Marcus Flint and Oliver Wood, shook hands aggressively.

"On my whistle," called out Madam Hooch, the referee, "Three…two…one…"

The fourteen players rose into the air and the crowd roared. Potter flew higher and higher, looking for the Snitch. Malfoy, who should have also been looking for the Snitch, was showing off the speed of his new broom.

"Idiot," I muttered darkly, "He's going to cost us the game."

Potter narrowly avoided being decapitated by a Bludger. One of the older Weasley boys knocked it towards Malfoy, but the Bludger changed directions in midair and zoomed back towards Potter. He dropped quickly to avoid it and Weasley hit it hard towards Draco again. Again it changed directions and came back towards Potter.

"Something's not right," I heard Snape murmur beside me. I agreed. This was abnormal behavior for a Bludger. Someone had to have tampered with it.

We watched the rest of the match on the edge of our seats, our eyes on Potter, unable to do anything to help. Finally the Bludger hit Potter. It smashed into his elbow.

"He's broken his arm, judging by the way he's holding it," Snape said quietly. Potter dove at Malfoy, who careened out of his way. Potter took his remaining hand off his broom and closed his fingers around the Golden Snitch. Then he went pelting towards the ground and hit the mud with a splat.

People poured out onto the field. Snape and I started to go down, but we saw Lockhart standing over Potter and thought better of it. Marcus Flint, the captain of the Slytherin team, was yelling at Draco.

"You need to get your head in the game, or you're off the team. The Snitch was right on top of your head and you didn't even see it!" Flint was yelling. Draco's face was flushed bright red. Luckily almost everyone was surrounding Potter, not paying any attention to Draco's humiliation.

Potter, Weasley, and Granger made their way out of the crowd and up towards the castle. Potter's arm was hanging limply from his sleeve. From the chatter in the crowd, it seemed Lockhart had accidentally removed Potter's bones in his arm.

"I hate Lockhart," I said as Snape and I walked back up to the castle, "If I'm ever injured, make sure he stays far away from me."

"How are his classes?" Snape asked curiously.

"Shit. His classes are shit."

"Abigail, watch your language," he said warningly.

"Well they are!" I protested, "He brought pixies to class one day and they went wild. I ended up Stunning them all. Now all he does is read passages from his books and gets people in the class to help him act out scenes."

"I see. …you know, I could teach you Defense Against the Dark Arts, like I did last year," he suggested casually. I observed him curiously.

"I guess you could do that. When can we start?"

"Tomorrow night. I also want to go out into the Forbidden Forest tomorrow, during the day, to gather Potions ingredients."

"Ooh, sounds like fun! Can I come?"

"That's why I was telling you."

The next morning when I met Snape at the edge of the Forbidden Forest he looked unusually stony.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I walked up.

"A student was attacked last night. That Colin Creevey boy. They found him Petrified on the stairs. He had been trying to sneak up to Potter's hospital room with some grapes," he said heavily, "Dumbledore found him on his way down for a cup of hot chocolate."

"That's strange," I commented.

"If there are more attacks, there may be talk of closing the school."

"Oh, I was talking about Dumbledore drinking hot chocolate…but yeah, I don't want them to close the school."

"You aren't concerned about the attack?" he asked, surprised.

"Well, I didn't know that kid. If someone I know gets Petrified, then I'll be concerned about it. Until then, well, I'd like to go do what we're supposed to do," I said, nodding towards the forest.

"Alright," he said, "Let's go."

I followed Snape into the darkness of the forest. Since it was a Sunday and we didn't have classes, I was dressed in Muggle clothing. I found them warmer than my Hogwarts robes. Blue jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt covered with a black wool sweater. I had on thick winter gloves instead of my usual half-gloves.

We found a number of useful herbs as we got deeper into the forest. We were even lucky enough to find two unicorn horns.

"Before the last day of school, I want to come back here and get herbs to plant in my garden over the summer," I said as I gathered some Dittany and put it in the pouch of herbs I was carrying.

"Alright. What's that?" Snape asked, nodding to the Dittany. He was testing me. I loved being able to answer his questions.

"Dittany. An aromatic plant, related to oregano and marjoram and cultivated for decoration and for its medicinal properties. It has pink flowers that bloom between the months of March and June. It's used most commonly in Healing Potions," I responded immediately.

"Good one, Encyclopedia," he teased.

"Oh no, not another nickname," I groaned.

"I think I prefer calling you Abigail. What's your other nickname?"

"You will never ever in a million years know my other nickname, Snape. Why can't everyone just call me Abby?" I asked hotly, "Dumbledore calls me Abby."

"Dumbledore is a very unusual man."

"That's true," I agreed admittedly. I shivered as a gust of wind chilled me.

"We can go back to the castle now. We have enough herbs," Snape said.

We were almost back to the castle when I stepped on something. I looked down, disgusted.

"Eew! Snape, I stepped on a big spider!" I exclaimed. I lowered my wand to get a better look, grossed-out and intrigued at the same time. In the blueish light of my wand I was a line of spiders, all hurrying in the same direction. Goosebumps broke out on my arms that had nothing to do with the cold, and the hairs on the back of my neck raised. I had a sick feeling in my stomach that I was picking up on the spider's fear…but what could possibly have spiders so frightened?

"I've never seen spiders act like this before," Snape murmured, also looking at the spiders.

"Nor have I," I said faintly, "…but they're scared. Really scared."

Snape observed me silently for a few seconds. After a minute under his intense gaze I shivered again and shook my head to clear it.

"Come, Abigail. I think its time we leave the forest," Snape said and he swept me along the path, away from the spiders.

We stepped out of the trees and into the sunlight. I squinted in the brightness. Nothing on the grounds seemed out of the ordinary. Just the usual childish feelings- worry about exams, happiness, love…none of the terror that the spiders had felt- that I had felt. Thankfully, there were no spiders here.

"Strange how things don't seem as frightening in the sunlight," I murmured shakily.

"Let's go inside," he said quietly.

Chapter 30

(You Can't Be Good at Everything)

We went back to the Potions classroom and put the herbs in the store cupboard. I was still a little shaken up by the spiders, but I tried not to let Snape see. I didn't want him to think I was weak or scared. It was just…unnerving.

"So…what are we going to work on in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class tonight?" I asked, trying to take my mind off the spiders.

"Have you ever used the Body-Bind curse?" he inquired. I shook my head no and he smiled.

"How are we going to practice it? You're going to let me curse you?" I asked, smirking.

"We'll see," he replied.

I went back to the Common Room shortly after that to try and convince Brandy and Jenny to come to Snape's classroom with me that night.

"Lockhart's a good enough teacher," Jenny said with a shrug, "And frankly, Snape sorta scares me."

"Are you kidding?" Brandy asked, "No way. Lockhart is the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher ever."

So after it got dark out I donned my Disillusionment Charm and went back to Snape's classroom alone.

"None of your friends wanted to come?" he asked as I slipped inside and locked the door behind me.

"No. They love Lockhart," I said, disgusted, "…and apparently you're scary."

He smiled his twisted smile.

The desks had been pushed against the wall to make more room in the classroom. Snape stood in front of his desk and faced me. After removing my Disillusionment Charm I raised my wand and faced him.

"Now, the incantation for the Body-Bind Curse is Petrificus Totalus. It can be countered using Finite Incantatem," he informed me, "It places the victim in a full body-bind-"

"Yeah, I sort of already figured that part out, Snape," I said coolly.

"So you think you can do it? Alright. Go ahead and try," he replied unworriedly. Frowning, I raised my wand.

"Petrificus Totalus," I said, waving my wand. Before the jet of light had a chance to hit him, Snape cast a nonverbal Shield Charm. I hadn't been expecting it, of course, and when the spell rebounded it struck me dead in the chest. I felt myself fly backwards and land hard on the floor. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I was completely paralyzed.

Snape came and stood over me, smirking. I glared at him, telling him with my eyes to release the curse.

"What's that Abigail? I can't quite hear you," he teased. All I could do was shoot him a death glare.

"You know, I think I like you better this way," Snape said lightly, "Maybe I should leave you like this? …no? Very well. Finite Incantatem."

As soon as I was able to move I grabbed my wand and aimed it at him.

"Petrificus Totalus!" I shouted. He barely had time to dodge it. He shot the same spell back at me and I used a Shield Charm to deflect it, as he had, only mine was verbal. He dodged the rebound and cast a nonverbal Body-Bind Curse.

"I'm not a mind-reader ya know?" I said, dodging behind his desk to avoid being struck.

"I think that's the point. Maybe you should try nonverbally?" he suggested. He sounded as if he was enjoying himself. I glared at him and thought Petrificus Totalus. Nothing happened.

"I hate nonverbal spells!" I grumbled, "Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus!"

Snape kept blocking my spells with his nonverbal Shield Charm, chuckling the whole time.

By the end of the lesson I was drenched in sweat, despite the coldness of the dungeon classroom. I hadn't once managed to hit Snape and I was feeling frustrated. He wasn't bothering to block his feelings of amusement, which only further irritated me.

"Don't be so sour, Abigail. It was your first time. You can't be great at everything," he said to me.

"Oh go jump in the lake, Snape," I grumbled, "I can be great at everything. Just you wait. I'll master the Body-Bind Curse. You'll see."

Then I left the dungeon classroom, letting the door slam shut behind me. I wasn't really angry at Snape- I was angry at myself. I hadn't once managed to hit him! I had resolved to practice as much as physically possible to learn the Body-Bind Curse…and not only was I going to master it, I was going to master it nonverbally as well.

Chapter 31

(If At First You Don't Succeed, Try Again)

The second week in December the Heads of the Houses took up the names of those staying at Hogwarts over the holidays. I couldn't help but notice the list was extremely short. I supposed everyone was afraid of getting attacked. Draco was staying, which was unusual, and so were Crabbe and Goyle, who did whatever Draco told them. Jenny was going home to spend time with her mother and sister. Brandy had somehow convinced her mother to let her go to Ian's house over the Holidays. Both offered to let me come with them, but I declined. Hogwarts at Christmastime was always something to look forward to…plus it was a Holiday I didn't want to spend with anyone in particular.

Nothing particularly interesting happened in December until one Thursday afternoon when we were having double Potions with the Gryffindors. We were brewing up Swelling Solutions and while mine was stewing I watched Draco flick puffer-fish eyes at Potter and his friends. I turned to add some more fluxweed to my potion when I heard something begin to fizz and sputter. I turned just in time to see something go flying into Goyle's cauldron. I grabbed my wand as the cauldron exploded and before I had time to think I shouted "Protego!" and formed a shield with my wand to keep myself from being splashed by his potion. It worked wonderfully. More than half of the class was splashed with Swelling Solution. Draco's nose had begun to swell like a balloon and some others had arms the size of hams. Brandy and Jenny were both up on their stools, trying to avoid the potion. Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what happened.

"Silence! SILENCE! Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draft- when I find out who did this-" He growled.

I didn't know who had done it, but I knew that if he ever found out who was responsible their fate would be a terrible one. Causing chaos in Snape's class was a very dangerous thing- probably someone's idea of a clever joke.

A lot of cauldrons were knocked over as people headed towards Snape's desk, including my own, and I sat up on top of my desk to avoid having my feet splashed. I was highly annoyed because I'd had a perfect Swelling Solution and I didn't want it to go to waste. When everyone was properly deflated Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and scooped out something black and twisted that at one point might have been a firework.

"If I ever find out who threw this I shall make sure that person is expelled," Snape whispered, looking straight at Harry Potter. I highly doubt that. If he ever finds out who threw that there won't be enough left of that person to expel, I thought with a hidden smile. The bell rang a moment later and everyone else practically flew out of the classroom. Snape turned to face me where I was still sitting on top of my desk.

"Why haven't you cleaned that up? You know the spell," He said, still sounding annoyed.

"Because I had a perfect Swelling Solution before some idiot knocked it over and I wanted you to see it before I cleared it away," I replied sulkily.

"Ah. I saw it beforehand. I know you had it correct. You can clear it away," He said to me. I waved my wand and said Evanesco and the potion cleared away immediately.

"I can help you clear up the rest of this mess if you'd like," I said quietly. A lot of people had spilled their cauldrons and almost everyone had left potion ingredients on the tables.

"Thank you, Abigail. Did you see who shot the firework, by any chance?" He asked as he started to clear away potion ingredients.

"No. All I saw was something fly into Goyle's cauldron," I said, clearing away the rest of the potions that had spilled.

"Yes. I saw your Shield Charm, by the way, nice work," He said approvingly, "Your reaction time was incredible."

I blushed faintly and didn't say anything.

"Okay, that's definitely not a Swelling Solution," I said, pointing to a puddle of something on the floor that resembled dog vomit. It was eating a hole in the stone floor. Snape walked over curiously and wrinkled his nose.

"That is Longbottom's potion," He said with a sneer. I laughed faintly before clearing it away.

I spent almost all of my time practicing nonverbal spells. I would sit in the Common Room for hours with my face screwed up in concentration and my wand in my hand. When I finally managed the Body-Bind Curse I was proud of myself. A part of me wanted to run and tell Snape. The other part wanted to keep on practicing, learn more nonverbal spells, and surprise him in one of our lessons. This was the part I listened to.

We had another class four days after I actually managed to produce a nonverbal Body-Bind Curse. I didn't even wait until it was dark to show up at the Potions classroom. He looked up from grading papers when I entered.

"You're early," he commented. I locked the door behind me and sat on the edge of one of the desks.

"I'm not early. I arrived precisely when I meant to," I said lightly, "Maybe you're the one who's early."

He looked at me puzzled for a moment and I grinned. He shook his head and put down his quill. He picked up his wand and I slid down off the desk, pulling my wand out of my pocket.

"Alright then, Abigail," he said as he walked to the front of his desk, "Let's see what you've got."

Petrificus Totalus, I thought, flicking my wand. He looked mildly surprised when a jet of light shot out the end of my wand. He deflected it nonverbally. I shot off another few curses, along with a couple of hexes I'd practiced. My nonverbal Shield Charm was absolutely perfect. My timing was magnificent.

We were locked in a completely silent battle for about ten minutes. I was having to try and guess what he was going to do next while simultaneously thinking of spells to fire. It was difficult, but I was getting better. Sometimes I could read what he was going to do in his feelings. He wasn't even bothering to block them in the battle. It had taken me a while to figure out which spell would come next based on his emotions. A certain series of certain fleeting feelings would put forth a certain spell. For instance, before he shot a Tickling Charm at me, his emotions would be- excitement, amusement, eagerness. It was the easiest one for me to learn. He only had to cast it once before I could tell when he would cast it. It was the only spell he fired where he didn't feel the smallest amount of guilt.

Finally I got him. His emotions betrayed to me that he planned to use a Stunning Spell- impatience, guilt, then some sort of reassurance that I didn't quite understand. Instead of dodging or blocking the spell, I did the last thing he expected- I jumped towards it. I fired a nonverbal Body-Bind Curse in midair. Then the Stunning Spell hit me and I went flying backwards.

Chapter 32

(Never Turn Your Back on Your Opponent)

I landed with a thud that reverberated through my skull. I was dazed for all of five seconds. Then I scrambled to my feet and looked around. Snape had been hit by my spell as well and was lying immobile on the floor. His eyes were watching me, unreadable. His emotions betrayed him- worry, shame, guilt, grief. He was more worried about me than he was himself. As touched as I was, I couldn't help but whoop loudly at the fact that I had beat him.

"I beat you, I beat you," I chanted, walking over to stand over him and gloat, "Ha ha ha ha ha ha."

His eyes showed only his annoyance, but again I read his emotions- relief that I wasn't hurt, faint amusement, and, of course, actual annoyance.

"Finite Incantatem," I said with a wave of my wand, releasing him from his immobility. He sat up. The sound of wood popping in the fireplace caught my attention and I turned to see what had made the noise. I had barely sensed Snape's feelings of mischievousness before he caught me with a Trip Jinx and I fell flat on my face.

"Never turn your back on your opponent," Snape said smartly.

"Ow. Shit," I said as I picked myself up off the floor.

"You aren't hurt are you?" he asked, trying to sound unconcerned.

"No. I'm fine. I just need a break so, you win or whatever," I groaned, collapsing into one of the chairs.

"I think I'll let you claim this match," Snape said as he went and sat in his desk, "You earned it."

"Yay," I said as I brushed dirt off the front of my robes. I was freezing so I drug my chair as close to the fire as I could. Snape conjured up two goblets of hot chocolate, presumably from down in the kitchens. We sat in silence for a little while, recovering. His emotions were shut off to me now.

"Abigail, it seemed like you anticipated a lot of my spells. May I ask how you were doing that?" Snape asked curiously.

"It's complicated," I said, frowning slightly as I stared into the goblet in my hand.

"Try me."

"…Alright. I was reading your emotions. About two minutes into our battle I realized that a certain path of your emotions led to different spells. So by reading your emotions I was able to predict what spells you were going to fire next," I explained, but he still looked perplexed, "I'll give you an example. Before you would fire a Stunning Spell your emotions would range fleetingly from impatience, to guilt, to reassurance of some sort. I don't really get the reassurance thing. When you were about to fire your Trip Jinx I felt the mischievousness in the air, but I didn't know what it meant and didn't have enough time to react."

He gazed at me, his expression completely unreadable. He didn't seem angry, but his emotions were still blocked to me.

"That's mind-boggling. I don't think I've ever heard of anything like that before. I'm not entirely sure I like it, all things considered…and it wouldn't work right in a real battle. You wouldn't know your opponents emotions right off the bat and you might not last long enough to learn them."

"But it makes me good at nonverbal fighting," I protested.

"…I'll teach you another way. A better way. Perhaps. I'll have to think on it," he said musingly.

A short while later I was about to leave. I had helped him put the desks back in their proper place and was about to walk out the door when I paused.

"Can you answer one question for me, Snape?" I asked carefully.

"Perhaps," he said, guarded. I hesitated a moment before continuing.

"Before you fired Stunning Spells- what was the reassurance after the guilt?"

"Oh. That. Well…it was me reassuring myself that you wouldn't get hurt. That you were fast enough to block my Stunning Spells."

"Hah. I jumped in front of your Stunning Spell," I said with a grin, "and you were worried about me."

"I was not worried," he retorted.

"Liar, liar," I chanted, "Don't lie to someone who can read your emotions…well most of the time."

"Fine. If I was worried, it's only because it would make tedious paperwork and an inquiry if anything happened to you," he said coolly.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, Snape," I said, still grinning. He scowled at me. I laughed as I opened the door and slipped out into the hallway.

About a week later I was heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast when I noticed a knot of people surrounding a piece of paper that had been tacked to the notice board. Jenny and Brandy fought their way out of the crowd and over to me.

"A Dueling Club. 1st meeting is tonight at 8," Brandy said as we made our way into the Great Hall.

"We should go," Jenny said.

"Why? I already know more magic than most 5th years," I said indifferently.

"Of course you do. Well I'm going."

When the mail arrived I noticed Arsenius circling, glaring at me reproachfully. Come down, I commanded with my mind, Bring me what you have.

Arsenius flew down and alighted on my shoulder. He extended his leg where a note was tied, as if he were a tame bird. I untied the note curiously. Arsenius took off immediately, digging his talons into my shoulder as he did. I made a mental note not to relinquish control over him until he wasn't anywhere near me next time. Curious, I read the note.

Abigail,

Go to the Dueling Club tonight. It will definitely be worth your time.

There was no signature but I had a feeling I knew who sent it to me. I looked up at the teacher's table. Snape was sitting there talking to Lockhart, rather reluctantly by the looks of it. Arsenius circled the Great Hall, then went and landed on Snape's shoulder. He paused, looked at the bird, then smiled his half-smile. Arsenius nibbled his finger affectionately and Snape fed him a piece of toast. It seemed like Arsenius liked Snape.

I watched, fascinated, as Lockhart reached out to my bird to make friends with him. Arsenius took one look at Lockhart and took a bite out of his finger. Lockhart yelped loudly and Arsenius took off. Snape's black eyes met my mismatched ones for a second and we both smiled.

"I think I will go to the Dueling Club," I said to my friends who had missed the whole altercation.

"What happened to 'I know more magic than most fifth years'?" Brandy asked, smirking.

"Call it a change of heart," I replied lightly, "I'll see you there."

I got to my feet.

"Where are you off to?" Jenny asked me curiously.

"To rescue Snape. Later," I said casually to my friends.

Chapter 33

(Tickling Charms)

I approached the teacher's table where Lockhart was talking animatedly about one of his stories.

"There I was, cornered by the most fearsome vampire in-" Lockhart was saying.

"Excuse me?" I said, making my voice sound as sweet as possible.

"Hello there, Miss Prewett. How can I help you? I was just telling Professor Snape here about my slaying of the vampire in-"

"Yes that's wonderful, Professor Lockhart. You're so brave," I complimented, "But I was actually wondering if Professor Snape could come help me with my Potions essay? I have a couple of questions."

"Of course, Miss Prewett. I'm afraid I have to go, Gilderoy," Snape said to Lockhart.

"Of course. Students first," Lockhart said airily, "You know, I do know a good deal about Potions, I could-"

But Snape was already sweeping me away towards the dungeons as fast as we could go without being noticed…not that I needed the encouragement to get away from Lockhart.

Snape looked at me as soon as we were out of the Great Hall and smirked.

"'You're so wonderful and brave, Professor Lockhart'," he imitated badly.

"Ugh. I may vomit," I said, rolling my eyes, "Just be grateful that I saved you from that nut job."

"What do you want in return, eternal servitude?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes. Do my bidding, minion," I commanded jokingly.

"You wish," he said with a smirk.

"So anyway, Why is it I should go to this Dueling Club tonight?"

"How did you know it was me?"

"Because I'm not a bloody idiot, that's why. Anyone with half a brain could have figured it out. My owl, Arsenius, adores you."

"Ah. Well I guess I can tell you- Lockhart's going to be teaching it."

"Why the hell would I want to go to it, then?" I asked, disgusted.

"Because," he said with a twisted smile, "I am going to be his assistant."

"You…and Lockhart? Dueling? This is going to be awesome!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"Shh…calm down, Abigail. You can't tell anyone else," he said to me.

We reached his office and went in. I tried to go and sit in his chair, but he grabbed me by the back of my sweater and forced my into my usual seat. He went and sat in his chair with a smirk on his face. I scowled at him.

"Maybe you should practice before you duel with Lockhart," I said to him.

"Practice?" he sneered, "As if that buffoon could beat me!"

"I dunno, Snape, when's the last time you actually engaged in a wizard's duel? I think he might could beat you. I beat you when I was learning the Body-Bind Curse."

I was lying, of course. Taunting him. There was no way Lockhart could beat him.

"You think you could beat me in a duel? Don't flatter yourself, Abigail."

"Come on, Snape. Duel with me."

"Fine. But I am not to blame if you get hurt."

"Fine," I repeated, "What say we up the stakes?"

"Gambling with students is against the rules."

"So is dueling. Besides, my bet is a simple one- if I win, you stop calling me Abigail and call me Abby, like everyone else."

"And, in the more likely scenario, I win?"

"Then I'll stop telling you to call me Abby," I replied.

"Alright then. Let me lock the door," he said, walking over to the door.

I had read enough about dueling to do it myself. Snape and I stood a little ways apart. We walked towards each other, raised our wands, bowed, then walked back to our original spots. There was about a minute where neither of us attacked. I decided to strike first.

"Expelliarm-" I began.

"Stupefy!"

A jet of red light shot towards me.

"Protego!" I shouted a split-second before it would have struck me. His emotions were blocked to me- he was doing it on purpose so I couldn't predict his spells.

"Nice reflexes, Abigail," Snape said.

"Thanks. Relashio!"

"Rictumsempra," he retorted, flicking his wand. A jet of light hit me in the stomach before I could retaliate.

Within minutes I was on the floor, doubled up in uncontrollable laughter.

"Okay, stop it," I gasped between giggles. Snape was standing over me, smirking, his wand in his hand.

"You win, Snape," I choked, "Lemme up!"

He grinned and released me from the spell. I lay there, gasping, trying to catch my breath.

"Tickle Charm. Works every time…Abigail," he said triumphantly. I inclined my head in defeat. I got to my feet with a groan, massaging my ribs.

"I think I cracked a rib," I said weakly.

"Oh quit whining. It was just a Tickle Charm."

At 8:00 I followed Snape into the Great Hall. The House Tables had been removed and there was a golden stage against one wall. Snape and I made our way through the crowd to beside the stage.

Lockhart walked onto the stage in robes of dark plum. He removed his cape and tossed it into the crowd where a group of girls fought over it. Snape looked at Lockhart, disgusted, before handing me his black cape.

"Hey! What am I, your minion?" I grumbled.

"What is that your word of the day?" he muttered and half-smiled at me before going up on the stage with Lockhart. I didn't actually mind holding his cape for him. Brandy and Jenny pushed their way through the crowd to me.

"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions- for full details see my published works.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry- you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!" Lockhart said, flashing us all a smile.

"What? He's got to be kidding," I said with a short, derisive laugh, "Snape is going to tear this idiot to shreds."

"What, you think Snape can beat him?" Brandy inquired.

"Of course."

"But Lockhart's beaten werewolves, vampires…all the things he's done, Abby-"

"He says he's done," I corrected.

We both fell silent as Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other. Lockhart bowed, twirling his hands gaily, whereas Snape merely jerked his head.

"If Snape was glaring at me like that with a wand in his hand, I'd be running away not smiling," Jenny commented. Brandy and I both 'shh'd' her as they raised their wands like swords.

"As you see," said Lockhart to the silent crowd, "We are holding our wands in the accepted combative position. On the count of three we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."

"Doubtful," Jenny murmured quietly. I was nearly breathless with anticipation.

"I want to see Snape blast that idiot to smithereens," I said in a low voice.

"One--two--three--"

They both swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at each other.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape cried. There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet. He flew backwards off the stage, smashed into the wall, slid down, and landed sprawled on the floor like something from a cartoon.

Chapter 34

(You Can't Have Snake Minions)

I cheered loudly, along with a few other Slytherins including Draco. Jenny clapped admiringly. Brandy stood on her tip-toes trying to see if Lockhart was alright. She glanced at me as I cheered and she muttered something that sounded like 'Potions Pet'.

We all watched as Lockhart got unsteadily to his feet and tottered back towards the stage. His hat had fallen off and his hair was standing up like he'd received an electric shock.

"Well, there you have it!" Lockhart said, "That was a Disarming Charm- as you see, I've lost my wand- ah, thank you, Miss Brown- yes, and excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy- however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see…"

Snape looked as murderous as I felt. Lockhart was such a liar! There was no way Lockhart could have stopped Snape's spell. I had only done it a few times and I had strongly suspected that Snape let me block those spells. Probably Lockhart noticed Snape's venomous look because he turned quickly to the crowd.

"Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape if you'd like to help me-" Lockhart said as he hurried off the stage.

Snape and Lockhart started to move through the crowd, dividing the students into pairs. As soon as Snape got off the stage I was at his side.

"That was wicked awesome," I said to him, "You could pair me with Potter. I would make quick work of him."

"No, I have someone special in mind for Potter. You can duel with…Jennifer," he said.

I looked at Jenny, who immediately shook her head.

"No way! I'm sorry Professor, but I can't duel my best friend," Jenny said, face red.

"There may come a time when you have to face your best friend or die, Miss Burke. What if Abigail were under the Imperius Curse?"

Jenny paled and Snape moved off through the crowd. I didn't particularly want to hex her either. Maybe, I thought to myself, I could hit her with a Ticking Charm…

When Lockhart gave the order to face our partners, I faced Jenny with a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. We bowed to each other. Her emotions overwhelmed her- anxiety, fear, nervousness…

"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart, "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents- only to disarm them- we don't want any accidents- one…two…three-"

"Expelliarmus," Jenny said nervously. I let her spell hit me- I could have easily blocked it, but I didn't wand it to rebound on her. I braced myself for the impact of the spell and held tight to my wand. Miraculously, my wand didn't go flying out of my hand. I felt the impact like a punch to the gut, but I held tight to my wand.

"Hey! I hit you!" Jenny exclaimed.

"I know," I groaned, massaging my stomach, "I expect I'll have a bruise."

"I'm sorry!"

"Don't be. It was a good spell."

"But I didn't even disarm you!"

She was torn between guilt and disappointment. I didn't know what to say to make her feel better.

"It just wasn't strong enough," I said gently, "I think you can to better. Just be more confident. Don't be worried about hurting me."

Looking around the hall I saw that chaos had ensued. People were dueling for real- there was no disarming. There were hexes and curses being fired everywhere.

"Stop! Stop!" Lockhart cried anxiously.

"Finite Incantatem!" Snape shouted. Everywhere the effects of spells ceased.

Lockhart was sweeping through the crowd, looking at the aftermath of the duels.

"I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells," Lockhart said, sounding flustered,"Let's have a volunteer pair- Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you-"

"A bad idea, Professor Lockhart," said Snape, walking over to the middle of the room, "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wind in a matchbox. How about Malfoy and Potter?"

"Excellent idea!" said Lockhart, urging Harry and Draco to the middle of the room. The crowd backed away to give them more room.

"Now Harry," said Lockhart, "When Draco points his wand at you, you do this."

Lockhart raised his wand, attempted some sort of complicated wiggle, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart swooped it up saying "Whoops- my wand is a little overexcited-"

Snape moved closer to Draco and whispered something in his ear and Draco smirked, too. I could sense a dark mischievousness from them both. Potter looked nervous.

"Just do what I did, Harry!" Lockhart said, clapping Harry merrily on the shoulder.

"What, drop my wand?" Potter asked sarcastically, but Lockhart wasn't listening.

"Three-two-one- go!" Lockhart shouted.

Draco raised his wand quickly and shouted "Serpensortia!"

A long, black snake shot out of his wand. A few people screamed, but I merely watched. I wasn't afraid of snakes.

"Don't move, Potter," Snape said lazily, enjoying the sight of Potter standing motionless, face-to-face with a serpent, "I'll get rid of it…"

"Allow me!" shouted Lockhart. He waved his wand at snake. There was a loud bang and the snake flew ten feet in the air and landed near me and that Finch-Fletchley kid.

"I will bite! Bite and kill!" The snake said in a weird, hissing language that I could hear distinctly. Parseltongue…I thought to myself. The snake made a move towards me.

"You will not bite me," I whispered quietly so that no one else could hear. The snake nodded as if it understood, and turned on Finch-Fletchley. Potter walked across the room and in Parseltongue said "Leave him alone!"

The snake slumped to the floor, docile as a garden hose. I relaxed slightly, knowing the snake wouldn't harm anyone now. Potter looked up at Finch-Fletchley, grinning, but Finch-Fletchley looked angry and scared.

"What do you think you're playing at?" he shouted and then ran from the hall. Potter looked puzzled. Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake disappeared in a puff of black smoke. He was also looking at Potter in an unexpected way. It was a sharp and calculating look. There was an ominous muttering around the hall.

Potter and his friends left the hall. People in the crowd drew away, frightened. Brandy was holding Ian's hand tightly, standing on her tiptoes to watch Potter as he fled. Even Jenny looked nervous.

"I…I think we'll wrap this up for tonight," Lockhart said, "You should all make your way back to your dormitories."

Brandy and Jenny left with the crowd but I waited for Snape. He walked over to me, a puzzled look on his face.

"I can see why you told me not to tell anyone," I murmured to him as Lockhart reassured a group of nervous-looking first years.

"What I can't figure out is how Potter-…It's Potter after all," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

"Maybe Potter is Slytherin's heir," I suggested jokingly.

"No," Snape said brashly, "He's not."

He started to walk away, his emotions blocked.

"Lighten up, Snape. I was only joking!" I said, running after him. He didn't say anything.

"So, changing the subject- Why couldn't I duel with Potter? I could have used that snake spell better than Draco," I said.

"I don't think you should use the snake spell. You saw what happened to Potter and he didn't even cast the snake."

"Everyone would think I had evil little snake minions," I said, grinning.

"That really is your word of the day, isn't it?" he asked, chuckling.

"Yep. I read it in a book somewhere and its my new favorite word."

"I didn't pair you with Potter because he and Draco have a pre-existing hatred. They are practically enemies."

"I don't have any enemies," I said disappointedly after a moment's thought.

"I can think of one," Snape said, smiling his twisted smile, "Lockhart."

"Oh yeah. Given the chance, I would completely obliterate him."

Chapter 35

(Do Your Homework)

The next morning the snow had turned into a blizzard. My classes seemed to drone on and on. I was freezing my butt off no matter where I went, but the Common Room and dormitories were the absolute worst. That afternoon I gave up trying to do my Transfiguration homework in the freezing Common Room and made my way to Snape's office.

Much to my surprise, Snape wasn't alone when I entered the room. Dumbledore was sitting in my usual chair. For a moment I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Er…I could come back?" I offered.

"Don't worry, Abby. I was just on my way out," Dumbledore said, getting to his feet, "I will talk to you later, Severus."

I moved out of the way so Dumbledore could leave. When the door was shut behind him, I went and sat in my seat.

"What was that about?" I asked curiously.

"There's been another attack," Snape said heavily, "A double attack. Justin Finch-Fletchley, of Hufflepuff, and Nearly-Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost."

"A ghost was Petrified?" I inquired, eyebrows raised, "What could possibly do that to a ghost?"

Snape shrugged.

"Dumbledore doesn't understand it either. …what did you come here for anyway, Abigail?"

"Oh. I was freezing to death in the Common Room so I thought I could come here and work on my Transfiguration Essay."

"You may work on your essay here. I have papers to grade. If you need my help with anything, let me know."

"Thanks," I said, taking my paper out of my bag.

About five minutes into my essay, our comfortable silence was broken by a loud knock on the door. Snape looked up from where he was grading papers and frowned.

"Enter," he said coolly.

It was a Slytherin third-year girl. She had brown hair and eyes.

"Professor Snape- I just heard about the attack. I want to put my name down to book a seat on the Hogwarts Express for the holidays," she said quickly.

"Very well, Miss Stuart," Snape said to her. She nodded and left, shutting the door behind herself. Snape looked around his desk, found the list, and wrote her name down.

After that, there was an onslaught of students to sign up to go home for Christmas. For the next few days Snape was bombarded by students wanting to put their names down. It irritated the crap out of him.

I was glad when the term finally ended and a gloomy silence filled the castle. I enjoyed the gloom and spent a lot of time walking around the grounds or the castle, alone. I would have liked to sit by the fire in the Common Room and read, but Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle had stayed for the holidays and the liked to make a lot of noise. I spent a lot of time in the library when I wanted to read. I would have sat in Snape's office but his silence sometimes made me nervous.

One morning, I had just found a book in the library called Amazing Animagi and was about to sit down to read it when a group of older Slytherin boys walked in. I recognized them as a group that liked to make trouble, so I slipped away before they noticed me.

Snow covered the grounds and it was cold, but I had nowhere else to go, so I took my book and walked down towards the lake. The grounds were completely deserted. Only I was crazy enough to go out when it was this cold, apparently. I sat down beneath a large tree and began to read my book.

I spent the rest of the day reading about Animagi. I got to thinking I would really like to be an animagus and thinking about what kind of animal I would like to be. I went back to the library and checked out more detailed books on becoming an animagus.

It was just getting dark and the grounds were deserted when I first started trying to transform; It was past midnight when I finally succeeded. My hands morphed into big white paws, my fingernails morphed into sharp, curved claws, and thick, white and black fur sprouted up all over my skin. My bone structure contorted. I felt like I was being stretched and compressed at the same time. It was unpleasant, but not unbearable. When the feeling stop I looked down at myself, my heart beating fast in excitement. I was a white tiger!

Chapter 36

(Registering is Preferable to Prison)

One of the first things I noticed was how much warmer I was- probably from all the fur. I tried to walk towards the lake and fell over- I had tried to walk on my hind legs.

"Right. Gotta think tiger," I murmured to myself. On all fours, I padded over to the lake and peered at my reflection. My blue and green eyes had transferred to my tiger form and shone brightly in my reflection.

I couldn't tell if the scar over my blue eye was still there. Too much fur and I couldn't get close enough to see. I looked down at my paws. From they top they looked fine- thick white fur with small black stripes. I lifted my left paw to look at the bottom. The pad was rough and scarred, like I had walked a long way. Both my forepaws were like this. Somehow, the scars seemed more acceptable in this form.

I spent the next hour exploring my tiger form and walking around the grounds. I could run fast, climb trees, and swim in the lake without getting cold, which is what I was doing with a bewildered looking Snape came walking out towards the lake.

There was no point in trying to hide- he had already seen me. I tried to act casual…which was hard, because white tigers aren't something you see everyday.

"Abigail? What are you doing?" Snape asked, his voice filled with awe. He walked up to the edge of the lake, getting as close as he could without touching the water. I swam to shore, climbed out of the water, and shook my fur dry. I sat down on my haunches.

"How'd you know it was me?" I inquired curiously.

"I'd know you anywhere. How-?"

"I spent all day reading about Animagi and I thought I'd try it myself," I said simply.

"Are you insane? Do you have any idea what could have happened? Becoming an Animagus is complicated magic. It could have gone horribly wrong and backfired. What were you thinking?" he said coldly.

"Well it didn't backfire…and I thought it would be beneficial."

"Beneficial how?"

"…well no one could…could hurt me if I can transform into something powerful," I replied hesitantly. There were a few minutes of silence as Snape took in my new form and became accustomed to it. He sighed.

"…It's your own choice, I suppose. We'll have to go to the Ministry of Magic to get you registered, as soon as possible," he said finally.

"Why?"

"Because the alternative is an extended sentence in Azkaban."

"Yeah, registering sounds preferable," I said with a grin. Snape looked curiously at my sharp, pointed teeth, without getting too close.

"Can you roar?" Snape asked me curiously.

"I dunno," I muttered, my tail twitching.

"Well give it a try."

"I'll feel like an idiot," I murmured. I was beginning to wonder if maybe my emotions were different in this form. I didn't usually feel shy- I usually liked to show off.

"Come on, Abigail, roar for me," Snape said with a small, twisted smile.

I sighed and drew myself up. I lifted my head high and roared…but it didn't come out a roar. It came out a dry, hacking sound. Snape burst out laughing. I sat there, my tail twitching irritably.

"Shut up, Snape," I said, annoyed.

"You call that a roar?" he said between laughs. I let out a low, menacing growl- at least I could do that. I hoped to get Snape's attention, but he was still laughing.

"I said shut up!" I growled and ran at him, knocking him over with my head. He went sprawling to the ground. He looked up at me, bemused. My ears were laid back and my tail was still twitching.

"Temper, temper," he said to me.

"My emotions are less complex in this form. Deal with it," I said, still annoyed, "And don't laugh at me. I don't like it."

"I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with a tiger. Can you change back into your human form?" he inquired.

"Hopefully," I replied. I concentrated on reshaping my bones. I felt the tingly stretching and compressing feeling again. Then I was human.

"You should be sleeping," Snape said to me, "It's Christmas Eve."

"It's not like I still believe in St. Nicholas, Snape," I muttered, "Besides, I don't really care for Christmas."

"Why not?"

"I just don't, okay?" I muttered and turned my back on him, looking out at the lake. I could feel his gaze on me.

"It's just…Christmas is one of those family holidays, you know?" I said heavily. There was a brief moment of silence.

"I don't particularly like Christmas either…or Halloween," he said finally.

"Why don't you like Halloween?" I asked, surprised, "It's my favorite holiday."

"Of course you like it, your birthday is on Halloween. …I have my own reasons for not liking Halloween."

He didn't say anything more on the subject and I decided not to pry…even though he had pried with me when I didn't want to talk.

"Guess I'll go to bed," I said, looking towards the castle.

"I'll walk you back to the Common Room," he said to me.

When we got to the entrance to the Common Room we parted ways. I gave the password and the secret passageway opened.

"Merry Christmas, Abigail," Snape said as the stone slab slid shut behind me.

I awoke late the next morning- almost noon. I almost considered going back to sleep, but there was a pile of presents at the foot of my bed that needed to be opened. I had the dormitory all to myself. I sat on the edge of my bed and started to open my presents half-heartedly.

My sister, who had gone back to her house for the holidays, had given me a soft, black cashmere sweated. I marveled at how soft it was. The dormitory was cold, so I immediately slid the sweater of my head. I felt warmer instantly. Brandy had given me a huge box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Jenny had given me a glass Wizard's Chess set. There was also an anonymous present, as usual, that contained a new book that I had never read, Animagi throughout History by William Lamb. I half-smiled. Only one person could have sent that to me.

After I finished opening presents, I flopped back down onto my bed with my new book. I didn't feel like going down to the feast. I stayed in my dormitory, reading. On a whim, I locked the door and transformed into my Animagi form. I curled up on the bed. I couldn't turn the pages of my book like this, but I didn't really care. I hadn't felt like reading anyway.

Chapter 37

(You Must Listen to the Headmaster)

A few hours after the feast would have ended, there was a knock on the door. I froze, my whiskers tingling.

"Abigail, are you in there?" Snape's voice asked.

"Oh," I said, relieved, "It's you. Come on in."

Snape tried the door, then unlocked it with his wand and walked in. When he saw I was a tiger, he quickly shut the door behind him.

"What are you doing, Abigail?" he asked me, sitting down on the edge of one of the other beds.

"Reading," I replied coolly, "What's it look like?"

"You aren't reading, Abigail. You can't possibly turn the pages like that. Why weren't you at the feast?"

"I didn't want to go," I shot back, "Is that a crime?"

"No need to be so defensive, Abigail," Snape said, "You're much more irritable in this form, aren't you?"

I started to make a retort but stopped. I sighed- I knew I was being unfair. It wasn't Snape's fault I was miserable on Christmas.

"Sorry, Snape. It's just not a good day for me," I muttered, "I don't really want to be around anyone…I think I can make an allowance for you, though."

"Well you'll have to make another allowance- the Headmaster wants to talk to you."

"Dumbledore? No way!" I exclaimed, leaping to my paws, "I don't want to talk to Dumbledore."

"It's not open for discussion, Abigail," Snape replied, "He's the Headmaster. Leniency is not an option this time. I'm sorry."

I let out an annoyed, frustrated growl that sounded ferocious, and transformed back into human form.

"Alright," I said moodily, "Lead the way."

I followed Snape out of the dungeons and up the Grand Staircase. We walked up various flights of stairs until we came to a large stone griffin. Snape gave the password, which was lemon drop, and led me inside.

Dumbledore's office was a large, circular room, full of a variety of objects and various noises. The walls were covered with various portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses. There was an enormous, claw-footed desk where Dumbledore himself was sitting. He observed me through his half-moon spectacles.

"Merry Christmas, Abby," Dumbledore said to me.

"Merry Christmas," I muttered.

"I'll wait outside, headmaster," Snape said respectfully. I looked at him desperately. 'Don't leave me,' I mouthed. His face didn't betray anything, but he opened his emotions to me to let me know he was sympathetic.

The door shut behind Snape quietly. Dumbledore continued to observe me, slowly making me more and more irritated.

"I couldn't help but notice were not at the feast today, Abby," he said finally.

"Yeah, I didn't feel like going," I muttered.

"You don't like Christmas much, do you?" Dumbledore asked me.

"…no…" I replied reluctantly.

"Is it because of your family?"

I looked away and didn't respond. He was the last person I wanted to talk to about that. Dumbledore stood up and turned to look out the window.

"To lose ones family is a terrible thing, Abby. Especially at your age, when you need them the most. You still have a sister, am I correct? How do the two of you get along?"

"Well enough, I suppose," I muttered.

"She went back to her own home for the holidays, correct? Why didn't you go with her?"

"Well she did offer, but …well Christmas isn't a good holiday for me. I'd rather spend it alone…"

"I see."

There was an extended silence and then Dumbledore turned to face me.

"Tell me, Abby- what do you think of Severus? Is he a good guardian?" he asked me curiously.

"He does the best he can," I replied simply.

"I know he's not the warmest of people, but-"

"He does things his own way," I interrupted, "I didn't like him much at first, but now- well, he's not so bad. We're sort-of friends."

"It takes a very understanding person to be friends with Severus," Dumbledore said.

"I've had to make allowances," I said, nodding my head in agreement.

"Like what?"

"Well, most people feel sorry for me. Snape sympathizes with me, but he tries not to let me know it. He doesn't treat me like a helpless child, like everyone else does. He doesn't act like I'm some fragile thing that will break. He treats me like I'm me. He's also weird about a lot of things," I said, "Like Christmas and my birthday. He sends presents, but leaves them anonymous. I know it's really him, though."

Dumbledore smile and nodded thoughtfully.

"I think he's a good guardian for you. You may leave now, Abby," he said.

"Didn't you want something?"

"Just to say Merry Christmas and to talk to you. It's something I've been meaning to do."

"Alright, then," I said, and left his office, feeling a bit bewildered.

Snape was waiting for me outside. We walked together back towards the dungeons.

"So what did Dumbledore want?" Snape asked me as we walked.

"Just to say Merry Christmas, apparently," I replied with a shrug, "Do you mind if I just go back to my dorm? I don't feel like being around anyone today."

"Of course not. I'll walk you back," he said, and turned to walk towards the Common Room with me instead of towards his office.

"See you tomorrow, Snape," I said when we reached the entrance.

"See you tomorrow," he repeated, half-smiling, then turned to walk towards his office.

Chapter 38

(Legilimency and Occlumency)

The day after Christmas, Hermione Granger was admitted into the hospital wing. There were rumors that she had been attacked, but Snape assured me they were false. No one knew for sure what happened to her.

The last day of the holidays, Snape walked over to me at breakfast. I was sitting by myself.

"I've gotten Dumbledore's permission to take you to get registered today," he said to me.

"Aw man. Dumbledore knows?"

"Of course. He hasn't told anyone else but McGonagall."

"Fine. How are we getting to the Ministry of Magic?"

"We'll fly of course. We'll borrow some of the schools brooms. I've already scheduled you an appointment with the Head of the Department of Animagi, Brandon Collins."

"What time is the appointment?" I inquired curiously.

"Three o'clock. We could leave from here at 12 and get a late lunch in London- that's where the visitor's entrance to the Ministry is," he replied.

"Sounds good to me."

"Good. Meet me on the grounds at noon and be ready to leave," Snape said, then walked away.

Draco, who had walked up just before Snape left, sat down beside me. He had probably caught the tail end of our conversation.

"Good morning, Abby. What are you and Professor Snape up to?" Draco inquired.

"I have an important meeting in London. Dumbledore gave me permission to go. Snape's accompanying me…he is my guardian after all."

"Ha. Rather you than me," he said, clapping me on the back good-naturedly, "I'll see you around, Abby."

Then he walked off towards Crabbe and Goyle who were pigging out further down the table.

I went back to my dormitory and got dressed in Muggle clothes- blue jeans, black cashmere sweater, and black boots that I could easily trek through snow in. After that, I still had two hours to kill so I went down to the grounds. I transformed into my Animagus form and walked around the snow-covered grounds. I was extra-careful not to let anyone see me, not that there were many people out in this cold weather.

As a tiger, I couldn't feel the cold. In fact, nothing gave me greater joy than rolling in the snow, which is where I was when Snape found me at noon.

"Enjoying yourself, Abigail?" he asked with a smirk, looking down at me, covered in snow. I bared my teeth and growled, but he only laughed. He wasn't afraid of me. Who would be? I was a tiger who couldn't roar. It wasn't for lack of trying- I'd spent an entire hour trying to roar. My throat was still sore from it.

There was something about not being able to roar that made me feel less like a tiger. Snape must've guessed what I was thinking about because he half-smiled at me.

"Don't worry, Abigail. You just lack the confidence to do it now. Or perhaps you aren't old enough. You're still in that awkward cub-phase."

He was right. I wasn't a full-grown tigress. I was maybe half-grown.

"We should get going," I said heavily, "I don't want to be late."

I transformed back into a human. I shivered and brushed the snow out of my long black hair. Snow wasn't as fun in this form.

We went and got two broomsticks out of the broom shed. Before we took off, Snape pulled out his wand.

"Obviously, we don't want to be seen, so I think it pertinent to wear Disillusionment Charms until we get to London," he said to me.

"I want to do my own," I said quickly, pulling out my Blackwood wand.

"Of course. Do the broomstick as well. I don't want to take any chances."

When Snape cast his own charm I saw for the first time just how good at it I was as compared to other people- I was completely invisible, whereas Snape was more of a human chameleon. He had simply blended in with his surroundings.

"It won't be so bad when we're in the sky. Everything there is blue or white," Snape said.

He was right. When we were above the clouds, I couldn't see him at all. Flying invisible was unusual. I kept my invisible hands on my invisible broomstick at all times. I followed Snape by concentrating on his emotions. After we got used to flying, we started to talk.

"Have you ever heard of Legilimency or Occlumency?" Snape asked me.

"No, I don't think so."

"Well, Legilimency is a skill used to delve into the minds of other witches or wizards at will. Occlumency is the ability to protect your mind from outside forces."

"Sounds interesting…but why are you telling me this?"

"Do you remember when I told you I may teach you an alternative way to help you duel nonverbally? Well that's it. If you're interested."

"Yeah I'm interested!"

"There is something you must understand- if I teach you Legilimency, your mind will be open to me a great deal. I can try to ignore the more private memories, but almost all of your thoughts will be open to me. Do you think you can handle that?"

My mind was racing, teeming with memories I didn't want to share with anyone- My parents being killed, speaking Parseltongue, hearing strange voices, controlling animals with my mind…not to mention all my childhood memories. I thought long and hard before giving my answer.

"I want to learn Legilimency. If it means I have to open my mind to someone, then I'm glad it's you and not some stranger," I said quietly. It was probably the nicest thing I had ever said to him. His emotions flared- gratitude, affection- then he cut them off from me in a desire to keep his brash image.

"Heh. At least its not Lockhart," I said with a grin.

"Indeed. You know, Legilimency isn't a skill taught to younger children. Weak minds can easily be turned to mush with the effort…but I think you have a strong mind. Also, Legilimency is not something to be used lightly."

"Of course. I have a question- is Legilimency how you know so much about people? …a lot of the students are under the impression you can read minds. In fact, I've been given the impression myself."

"Yes. I am very skilled at Legilimency and Occlumency. You could say its my specialty."

"Like Disillusioning is mine. …is Occlumency how you block your emotions from me sometimes?"

"Yes."

"Is there any basic way to keep my mind safe? …I'd like to be able to think private thoughts."

"I won't enter your mind without telling you, if that's what you're worried about. I try to stay out of your mind, out of respect. It's why you are a constant enigma to me. I never know what you are going to do. The only time I'm in your mind is when you're doing something stupid and dangerous and I have to save you."

"Well how do you know when I'm doing something stupid or dangerous?"

"Call it a gut feeling," he replied wryly, "…look, we're approaching London."

Chapter 39

(The Ministry of Magic)

We touched down in a back alley and lifted our Disillusionment Charms. We hid our broomsticks carefully and left them. We ate lunch at a small Muggle pub. We sat at a booth in the corner where no one could hear us talking.

"So where is the visitors entrance to the Ministry of Magic?" I asked curiously after the waitress brought our food.

"An old telephone booth just down the street," he replied.

"Random," I commented, sipping on my soda.

"Has to be. It couldn't be somewhere Muggles could easily stumble across it," he said, "You dial certain numbers and it lets you enter."

"Cool."

When we finished eating, Snape led me down the street to the old telephone booth. It was missing several panes of glass and the wall behind it had been covered in graffiti by Muggle teenagers.

Inside the telephone booth, Snape reached past me for the receiver and dialed 6242. As the dial whirred back into place, a cool voice magically filled the booth.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business," said the voice.

"Severus Snape, accompanying Abigail Prewett to a meeting in the Department of Animagi," Snape said clearly.

"Thank you," said the voice, "Please take the badges and attach them to the front of you clothes."

There was a rattle and something fell out of the coin chute on the telephone. Curious, I picked them up- two small silver badges. One said Abigail Prewett, Animagi Meeting. I pinned it carefully to the front of my cashmere sweater. The other badge said Severus Snape, Guardian. Snape scowled as he pinned it to the front of his shirt. I grinned and said nothing.

"All visitors are required to submit to a search and present your wands for registration at the security desk, which Is located at the far end of the Artrium," said the voice.

The floor of the telephone box shuddered and began to sink slowly into the ground. It startled me at first and I let out a quiet yelp. Snape chuckled quietly at me. I watched apprehensively as the pavement rose up past the windows of the telephone box, until it was completely dark. I shifted my feet anxiously. A minute later, a chink of golden light illuminated our feet and grew larger until it was so bright I had to blink.

"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day," said the woman's voice.

The door of the telephone box sprang open and Snape walked out. I followed him, looking around curiously.

We were standing at one end of a very large, splendid hall with a shiny wood floor. The walls on each side of us were paneled with polished dark wood and had several gilded fireplaces set into them. Every few seconds a witch or wizard would appear with a soft whoosh, on the right side. On the left side there was a line of people waiting to leave.

Snape led me through the crowd of people, past an ornate fountain, and to a desk where a sign saying SECURITY was hung. Two men in peacock-blue robes looked up as we approached.

They went over Snape and I with a long golden rod, which Snape told me was called a Secrecy Sensor. Then they asked us for our wands. The wizard who took my wand dropped it onto a strange instrument. It began to vibrate and a piece of parchment came speeding out of the base.

"Ten inches, basilisk heartstring core, been in use two years, correct?" the wizard asked me.

"Yes," I replied, eyeing my wand.

"Basilisk heartstring core, huh? That's a new one," he commented as he handed my wand back to me.

"It's one of a kind," I said, smiling.

"Alright. You two have a nice day," said the wizard. Snape had already gotten his wand back as well.

I followed Snape through the golden gates and onto a lift that took us to the Improper Use of Magic Office. Snape led the way through a long hall with enchanted windows and to a door with the name Brandon Collins on a nameplate. Snape knocked and we were told to enter.

It was a simple office with a large wooden desk taking up most of it. Sitting at the wooden desk was a man with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes. In front of his desk, sitting in a chair, there was a portly little man in a long pinstriped cloak. The man sitting at the desk smiled at us when we entered.

"You must be Miss Prewett," he said to me, "My name is Brandon Collins. This is-"

"Cornelius Fudge. Minister of Magic," said the other man, standing up to shake our hands. I was a bit baffled- I never thought I would be meeting the Minister himself. Apparently Snape didn't either. He opened his emotions to let me know that he was just as surprised as me.

"I know you weren't expecting me," said Fudge, "But I had to come, you see. A twelve-year-old Animagus! It's never been done before, at least not legally. It's very complex magic."

I didn't say anything…I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say. Thankfully, Snape took over.

"Abigail reads a lot. She read every book on Animagi that the library has to offer. No one knew what she was doing until she had already done it," Snape said to Fudge.

"Ah, yes. Children do have minds of their own," Fudge said, "What did Dumbledore have to say?"

"He was just as amazed as you or I, sir. He suggested I get her registered- I'm her legal guardian, you see," Snape explained.

"Come on, Miss Prewett, have a seat," Collins said to me, "We can get you registered and you can be back at school before you know it."

I sat down in a chair a little ways away from Fudge, feeling nervous. Snape came and stood beside me.

Collins asked me a number of questions- my age, date of birth, current residence- and wrote down my answers on a form.

"What distinguishing marks do you have in your Animagus form?" Collins asked me.

"Distinguishing marks?" I inquired.

"Her eyes," Snape provided, "Her blue and green eyes are the same in her tiger form."

"Alright," Collins said, writing it down, "Now- Can we see you in your Animagus form?"

I was a little reluctant, but I liked to show off. I stood up and morphed. The Minister and Collins both clapped their hands, amazed.

"Beautiful," Collins remarked and my ears twitched in embarrassment. I couldn't help but notice Snape's brief irritated look. I nudged him playfully, but he ignored me. I let out a low growl and morphed back into a human.

"Very good. You're free to go, Miss Prewett," Collins said to me, flashing me another smile. I smiled back.

"It was nice meeting you, Minister," I said to Fudge.

Chapter 40

(Thestrals aren't Dangerous)

Snape and I flew back to Hogwarts without saying much else. The sun was just starting to go down as we landed on the grounds. We put our brooms up and started to walk back up towards the castle. I wasn't ready to go in yet, however, and I morphed into a tiger. Snape watched, amused, as I bounded into the nearest heap of snow, spraying snow everywhere.

"What are you doing, Abigail?" he asked me.

"I don't feel like going inside. I want to stay out here and play," I replied, rolling in the snow. He chuckled quietly.

"Alright. Have fun. I'm going inside where its warm," he said to me.

"Huh. I might just have to go walking into the Forbidden Forest," I said tauntingly, walking towards the trees.

"Fine by me. You're a tiger, I think you'll be okay," he replied stonily.

"I sure hope there aren't any werewolves in there," I said in a sing-songy voice. Snape paused.

"Abigail, don't go in the forest," he said to me. I ignored him and bounded towards the trees. He ran after me.

"Catch me if you can, Snape," I said, looking behind me and laughing as he ran.

"Don't make me hex you, Abigail!"

"You wish," I retorted, bounding through the snow. He waved his wand once. Whatever it was hit me mid-stride and forced me to revert to my human form. Now human, I tumbled into the snow and sank in a snow drift. I let out a cat-like yowl at the sudden coldness. Snape ran carefully over to me and pulled me out of the snow.

"Sorry," he said, "Unfortunate timing."

I stood there shivering. Guilt radiated from him as he ushered me towards the castle. We went down to his office and he gave me a potion that immediately made me feel warmer.

"I really didn't mean for that to happen, Abigail," Snape said after I drained the potion. The pin on the front of my shirt was uncomfortable and I removed it. I put it in my pocket. Snape looked down and removed the pin on his shirt from the Ministry that said 'Severus Snape, guardian' and tossed it in the trashcan. When turned his back to start a fire in the fireplace, I reached into the trashcan, pulled out the pin, and pocketed it.

"I know. It was an accident," I said, "Good news- I have no desire to go back outside. I think I'll head back to the dormitory."

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

Classes started up again but Hermione Granger didn't return until the beginning of February. The sun had started to shine weakly again and the snow was melting. On the morning of February 14th I walked down to the Great Hall with my Jenny and Brandy. We all stopped upon entering and looked around in awe.

The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling. Up at the staff table, Lockhart was waving for silence. He wore robes of lurid pink, to match the decorations. McGonagall was sitting stony-faced, a muscle twitching in her cheek. Snape looked as though he had just eaten something horrible.

"Happy Valentine's Day!" Lockhart shouted as my friends and I made our way to the Slytherin Table, "And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all- and it doesn't end here!"

Lockhart clapped his hands and through the doors to the entrance hall marched a doze dwarfs with fake golden wings, carrying harps. They looked pissed.

"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" beamed Lockhart, "They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion? And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantment than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!"

I was overcome with a fit of giggles as Snape glared around the hall, looking as if the first person to ask him about Love Potions would be force-fed poison.

As soon as I finished breakfast I saw Snape trying to slip out of the Great Hall and I ran after him. I caught up with him in the Entrance Hall.

"Off to whip up a Love Potion?" I asked, grinning broadly.

"Oh shut it," he retorted, "…do you want to come into the forest with me this afternoon to collect Potions ingredients?"

"Erumpent horns and Ashwinder eggs?" I said with a grin, naming two ingredients used in Love Potions.

"I said shut it," he said, annoyed, "Do you want to go or not, before I change my mind?"

"Of course," I replied, "I'll see you after Herbology."

All throughout the day, Lockhart's dwarves popped into classes to deliver people's Valentine's, much to the annoyance of the teachers. Snape looked murderous when I met up with him later that afternoon.

"If I see one more dwarf-" Snape began.

"Oi! Are you Abigail Prewett?" said a voice. We turned to see a winged dwarf, puffing its way towards us.

"It's Abby," I said forcefully, "What do you want?"

"I'm here to deliver your poetic Valentine," said the dwarf.

"What?" I demanded.

"You're eyes hold me captive

Every time you look my way

My heart waits impatiently

To see you every day.

You're beautiful and brilliant

Your voice makes me grin

I just can't wait

Until I see you again."

Snape burst out laughing and I growled. The dwarf tried to walk away, but I grabbed him by his fake wings.

"Who sent that?" I demanded.

"Sorry, but I cannot divulge that information at this time. Thank you," said the dwarf, slapping my hand away. Then he made his way out of the corridor. Snape was still laughing.

"If I ever find out who sent that…" I muttered darkly.

Snape taunted me by repeating the poem all the way out to the Forbidden Forest. In the safety of the trees, I morphed into my Animagus form. I bared my fangs at Snape, who immediately ceased repeating the poem.

"It had to have been a prank," I said as we walked, "No one likes me. They think I'm weird. And my eyes could never hold anyone captive…unless they were held captive by how freakishly weird they are."

"I like your eyes," Snape said quietly. So quietly I almost didn't hear him- probably wouldn't have heard him if I had been human. I looked back at him and blinked curiously. He looked away and closed his emotions off from me.

I started to open my mouth to ask him something, but was cut off by the sound of rustling in the bushes. Snape raised his wand defensively and I prepared to pounce, growling.

It came out of the bushes slowly, its scaly head with its white eyes came first, following by its leathery wings and skeletal body.

"A threstal," I murmured, relieved.

"Thank God," he breathed.

"Can you see them?" I asked curiously. He looked at me and nodded wordlessly, his face expressionless.

The threstal walked closer to me and the fur on my back stood on end. My whiskers twitched and I growled menacingly. The threstal ran off.

"Why did you do that?" Snape asked, "They aren't dangerous."

"Because they're creepy. They make my fur prickle."

A small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth.

We walked through the forest, collecting roots and herbs. After a while, I figured out I could find almost any herb with my sense of smell. My tiger nose was brilliant.

"Anything in particular you need?" I asked Snape.

"Hmm…we're all out of Ginger root."

"Psh. Easy," I replied, inhaling, searching for the familiar scent, "…over there."

I darted through the trees to where the Ginger root was buried. I dug it up, getting dirt under my claws as I did so. Then I picked the root up in my mouth and ran back to where Snape was waiting for me. He extended his hand and I spit the root out into his hand. He looked partially impressed, partially grossed-out.

"It's covered in tiger spit," he said.

"Well what'd you expect, dog spit?" I retorted, "It's not like I have opposable thumbs."

Chapter 41

(Mastering Occlumency)

Over the Easter Holidays, the second years had to decide which classes we wanted to take next year. After careful consideration I picked Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Arithmancy. Brandy and Jenny picked the same classes as I did, so that at least if they sucked we wouldn't be alone.

On the last day of the Easter Holidays, Arsenius brought me a note. I had skipped breakfast and was prowling around the gardens in tiger form when Arsenius landed on the fence. I morphed back into human form and took the note from him carefully.

Abigail,

Your first lesson in Legilimency starts tonight. Meet me in my office when it gets dark out. Don't be late.

He hadn't sighed, but of course I knew who it was from. I had almost forgotten him promise to teach me Legilimency and Occlumency.

"This is going to be interesting," I said aloud, putting the note into my pocket.

When I went down to Snape's office that night he was sitting at his desk, waiting for me. Just because he told me not to, I had shown up half an hour late. He looked mildly irritated.

"You're always going to disobey me, aren't you?" he asked, exasperated.

"Forever and for always…at least in small irritating ways," I replied with a grin. He stood up from his desk.

"I think we should start with Occlumency, the ability to protect your mind from intruders. I will infiltrate your mind and you will try and stop me. Eye contact is often essential in Legilimency, but if you're good enough you don't even need a wand," he said to me.

"What do I have to do?" I asked curiously.

"Clear your emotions. Focus on ejecting me from your mind. Understand?"

"Not really, but maybe it'll make more sense once we start."

"Okay, are you ready?" he asked, picking up his wand from his desk and facing me.

"Yeah," I replied and braced myself.

"Legilimens!"

Everything went dark, but only for a moment. Then images started to slash through my mind. Memories.

My sister and I, when I was seven, sitting out back behind my parent's bookstore. We were eating watermelon and talking about Hogwarts.

"There are four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin," she was saying to me.

"And you're in Ravenclaw, right Mary?" I asked, eyes wide.

"That's right. Ravenclaw… 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure'," she said in a sing-songy voice. I knew the words well. They were sewn into a Ravenclaw banner that hung above my sister's bed.

"I hope I'm in Ravenclaw," I said brightly…

Myself, age six, hanging upside down off the top of a bookshelf. I sneezed and started to fall. I could feel the air whooshing around me…then all of a sudden I was safe on my feet. My mother and father looked so proud.

"Looks like you do have magic, Abigail," Mother said fondly.

Age seven, hiding underneath my bed. Mary was holding my hand tight, dabbing at my lip which was busted. My step-father's drunken voice rang through the apartment.

"You stupid whore! How could you do this to me, you slut! What do you think's going to happen when she gets older?" he yelled at my mother, "Now I have this…this bastard child living underneath my own roof!"

"Stop it!" I shouted. Everything jolted forward. Snape's office whirled around me and I collapsed onto the floor, my head pounding.

A few minutes passed as I regained my composure and the throbbing in my head subsided. Snape watched me, a curious expression on his face, but he said nothing about what he'd seen. His emotions were open to me. He felt some deep-rooted understanding that made no sense to me.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Snape said quietly.

"No," I said, eyes flashing determinedly, "I have to learn it now. I'll be ready the next time. I was just unprepared. Go ahead and give it your best shot."

"If you're sure…Legilimens!"

I was eleven years old, making my way up the stairs to the roof to await my Hogwarts owl for what felt like the millionth time. It has to come today…

I let go of everything I was feeling. I took a deep breath and focused on Snape's presence in my mind. I shoved it with my mind and almost booted him from my mind…but then the presence shoved back.

Running at my drunken step-father as he raised his wand to strike at my mother. Getting knocked to the ground. My mother crying for him to please stop, begging him…

I grit my teeth and shoved the presence in my head so hard that Snape actually staggered backwards.

"Impressive," he remarked. I rubbed my head absently. It was throbbing like mad now.

"I think that's enough for tonight. You did very well, Abigail," Snape said to me. I made a noncommittal noise and went to sit in his chair. He didn't even try to stop me from stealing his seat.

"Are you mad at me? You can't be mad at me," he said, sitting down in my usual seat.

"No, I'm not mad at you," I said, shaking my head, "It's just…nothing. Nevermind."

He seemed to know it was better not to press the matter, for which I was grateful.

We worked on Occlumency three times a week for the next few weeks, until I had completely mastered it. I could stop him from entering my mind easily. Sometimes he would break into my mind while I was in the middle of a class and he was nowhere around, just to test me. By the time we finished Occlumency I had lightning-fast reflexes when it came to my mental ability.

Chapter 42

(Mastering Legilimency)

It was the morning of a Quidditch match. Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff to determine who would move on to the finals. I had gone out to the pitch with my friends, but my mind was elsewhere. Snape had told me the night before that he thought I had successfully mastered Occlumency and he wanted me to start using Legilimency in our next lesson.

The match was about to start when McGonagall came running onto the field with a megaphone in her hand.

"This match has been cancelled," McGonagall called, addressing the stadium. There were boos and shouts. The captain of the Gryffindor team landed beside McGonagall and started to yell at her. She ignored him.

"All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!" she continued. A lot of the students were grumbling about the match being cancelled, others were looking worried.

"This is something serious," Jenny said worriedly as she and I made our way back towards the castle. Brandy was walking with Ian.

When we got to the Common Room, Snape was standing in the middle of the room. A lot of the students, including Malfoy, were still complaining about the match being cancelled. I could sense Snape's feeling of graveness.

"Silence!" Snape said and the Common Room immediately fell silent, "There has been another attack. Miss Penelope Clearwater, of Ravenclaw, and Miss Hermione Granger, of Gryffindor, were both found Petrified this afternoon. Due to this misfortune, a new set of rules have been put forth."

Snape unrolled a piece of parchment and read it aloud.

"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities," he read aloud, then rolled up the parchment, "I must impress upon you all the seriousness of this situation. If the culprit behind these attacks is not caught, it is likely that Hogwarts will be closed. If you know anything at all, I urge you to come forward."

Snape turned to leave the Common Room and I scrambled after him as the other students began to talk quietly amongst themselves.

"Will they really close the school down?" I asked.

"If the attacks don't stop, yes," he replied. I thought about this for a long time, just walking with Snape.

"…what about these new rules? Will they influence our Legilimency lessons at all?" I asked after a minute or two.

"No. You should be okay…it seems Slytherins aren't being attacked. Just be careful. Security in the corridors will be increased, no doubt. Filch will be lurking around."

I met Snape in his office later that night. He was sitting at his desk, looking tired. He stood when I entered the room.

"You look tired," I commented, "We could wait until tomorrow."

"No, I'm fine. You're already here, after all," he replied.

"Alright then," I said, taking out my wand. Snape picked up his wand and faced me.

"Ready?" I asked and he nodded, "Legilimens!"

Everything went dark for the longest time. Then images started to flash through my mind, memories that weren't my own.

A greasy-haired teenage boy approached a tree with flailing branches. A loud howling could be heard in the distance…

…The same boy walked through Diagon Alley with a red-haired girl. They were laughing and talking excitedly, carrying cauldrons filled with books…

…A small boy sat huddled in a dark corner, crying silently, too scared to do anything as a dark-haired man beat a woman…

I was jolted back into reality. My headache had returned, but I fought past the faint feeling that followed, studying Snape curiously. I now understand the deep-rooted feeling of understanding he had felt when he had glimpsed similar images in my mind. It was hard to believe that the scared little boy or the happy teenager was the same person as the thin-lipped adult standing before me. He turned his back on my, a white-knuckled grip on his wand.

A jar filled with worms and slime exploded on one of the shelves above his head. He radiated anger and hatred, but it wasn't directed at me. Out of the same courtesy he had shown me when I was learning Occlumency, I said nothing about what I had seen.

"Just give me a minute, Abigail," he said, sitting down at his desk, rubbing his temples. I nodded and walked over to the shelf where the broken jar was. I stood on my tip-toes and repaired the jar nonverbally.

A few minutes later, Snape got to his feet, his emotions significantly cooled.

"Alright, obviously that wasn't very well thought out…but I have a plan now. I want you to focus on trying to extract only a certain memory from my mind. When you master Legilimency, you'll be able to infiltrate other people's minds without them noticing and learn whatever it is you want from the, including what they are thinking at that very moment. Now, I want you to try again. This time, try and find my memory of when you and I first went to Diagon Alley to get your school things, okay?"

"Okay."

Chapter 43

(Werewolves)

When summer came, both Dumbledore and Hagrid left the school. There had been some suspicions that Hagrid had something to do with the attacks and he had been sentenced to Azkaban. Dumbledore on the other hand, had been suspended by the school governors. Draco was strutting about the castle like he owned it, saying his father was responsible for getting rid of Dumbledore.

Everyone was worried that the school was going to close. When McGonagall announced at breakfast one morning that the Mandrakes were almost ready, nearly everyone cheered. I cheered, too, because it meant I would get to help brew a Mandrake Restorative Draught.

Exams were still on. My friends were busy studying, reading over the notes from the entire year. I wasn't worried about the exams, however. I spent most of my time practicing Legilimency on my fellow students without them knowing.

I could no longer sneak out of the castle at night. Not being free to wander around the grounds was driving me insane. I wanted to be able to morph into my animagus form. Not being able to transform made me feel trapped and stressed.

One Friday after my Potions class, Snape was walking the class to our next class. I walked in the front alongside him.

"Tonight is the full moon and I want to go and harvest some Fluxweed in the Forbidden Forest. If you want to come along, I would have no objections, as long as you stay in your tiger form," he said to me in a low voice that no one else could hear.

"What about the monster?" I inquired.

"Well the way I see it, the attacks have all been within Hogwarts. Right now the forest is probably safer," he said with a shrug, "Besides, I'll be there."

"Alright. I can't wait- I'm so tired of being stuck in this form."

Snape was waiting for me outside of the Common Room entrance when I snuck out later that night. I was invisible and stayed so until we had left the castle and were safely in the forest. I reveled in being a tiger again. I ran circles around Snape excitedly and would run ahead, never getting too far, before sitting down to wait for him, my tail lashing in excitement.

It was dark in the forest. Every now and then I could glimpse the full moon through the tree tops. We should have been more concerned with how creepy it was, but somehow neither of us minded. I was having too much fun being a tiger to worry about being scared…besides, I liked scary.

Snape seemed to know where we were going- he had probably harvested Fluxweed before, no doubt. It could only be harvested at the full moon. As we walked, we practiced Legilimency, fighting each others minds in a not-so-violent way. All of a sudden we both pushed outwards with our minds at each other and everything went quiet. I could no longer hear the noise of the forest and everything in my head was dark. I could feel a presence…Snape's presence. We both felt the same feelings of confusion and curiosity about what had happened.

"Abigail? Is that you?" said his voice in my mind.

Who else would it be, the Easter bunny? I replied sardonically. We shared a feeling of amusement and slight irritation. My first response had been a sarcastic one- I hadn't been able to think about it before he heard it, which was unnerving.

"It is unnerving," Snape said, obviously able to hear whatever I thought, "…I have no idea what happened. This seems to be an alternate plane."

Can we get out? I asked worriedly.

"I don't know… give it a try."

I pulled back mentally and found myself standing in mid-stride in tiger form. Snape had an expression on his face of clear confusion. We explored this new found thing for a while, learning our limitations and what it meant to be in this alternate plane. When we were there, we could share thoughts and even memories. I wasn't sure I liked it, however. It felt…strange. Too close. Too connected. After a while I asked Snape if we could stop, saying that it was giving me a headache.

We continued through the forest, each thinking our own private thoughts about what had occurred. We came to a round clearing in the trees where the full moon was shining down on a plant. Snape and I both broke off a few leaves and put them in a bag. All of a sudden a howl rang out through the clearing. I quickly morphed into tiger form- I had become human to study the plant.

Something rushed out of the trees, coming straight towards me. Snape stood between me and whatever it was, his wand raised. He fired off a number of spells that the creature dodged. Upon reaching Snape, it raised its claws and slashed at him. The smell of blood reached my nostrils almost immediately.

I didn't even have time to think- I launched myself at the beast, tearing at it with my own claws and teeth. It started to fight back, but seemed to know it was a lost clause. As I bit and slashed it occurred to me that this was a real werewolf! I was fighting a real, live werewolf…and I was winning! I slashed it one good time across the muzzle and it went running with its tail between its legs, yelping. Instinct made me start to run after it but the smell of blood was sobering. I turned back into a human and hurried over to where Snape was sitting on the ground, pressing a wound on his arm, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Did it bite you?" I asked fearfully.

"No. No, it just slashed me. Abigail that was amazing! …stupid and reckless…but amazing nonetheless."

If I had been in tiger form my tail would have twitched in embarrassment.

"Come on," I said, helping him up, "Let's get you back to the castle."

When we got close to Hogwarts, Snape made me don my Disillusionment Charm. He didn't object to me walking with him to the Hospital Wing, as long as I stayed invisible. Madam Pomfrey examined his wounds carefully, making sure he hadn't been bitten, before healing them with her wand.

Chapter 44

(The Chamber of Secrets)

A few days later I was sitting in Charms class when the magically amplified voice of McGonagall came echoing through the corridors.

"All Students are to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers to the staff room. Immediately, please."

Talk broke out amongst the students as everyone made their way to the door. Amidst the scramble I donned my Disillusionment Charm and followed Professor Flitwick to the staff room. It was a large, paneled room full of dark, wooden chairs. Snape was standing beside one of the chairs and I made my way to stand beside him. A few other teachers were there as well, most of them looking frightened or puzzled. Then Professor McGonagall arrived.

"It has happened," she said to the silent room, "A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."

Professor Flitwick let out a squeal. Professor Sprout clapped a hand over her mouth. Snape gripped the back of one of the chairs very hard.

"How can you be sure?" he asked McGonagall.

"The Heir of Slytherin," said McGonagall, very pale, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.'"

Professor Flitwick burst into tears. A slight chill passed over me. Madam Hooch sank, weak-kneed into a chair.

"Who is it?" Madam Hooch asked, "Which student?"

"Ginny Weasley," said McGonagall, "…We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow. This is the end of Hogwarts. Dumbledore always said…"

The staffroom door banged open suddenly. It was Lockhart and he was beaming.

"So sorry- dozed off- what have I missed?"

Lockhart didn't seem to notice that all the other teachers were staring at him with pure hatred. Snape stepped forward.

"Just the man," Snape said, "The very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last."

Lockhart went pale.

"That's right, Gilderoy," added Professor Sprout, "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

"I- well, I-" stammered Lockhart.

"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" asked Professor Flitwick.

"D-did I? I don't recall-"

"I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested," said Snape, "Didn't you say that the whole affair had been bungled, and that you should have been given a free reign from the first?"

"I- I really never- you may have misunderstood-"

"We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy," said McGonagall, "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rein at last."

Lockhart gazed desperately around him, but nobody came to his rescue. He didn't look at all handsome anymore. His lip was trembling and he looked feeble. I almost felt bad for him…almost. But he had set himself up for this.

"V-very well," he said, "I'll- I'll be in my office, getting- getting ready."

Then he left the room.

"Right," said McGonagall, nostrils flared, "that's got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing tomorrow. Will the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories."

The teachers rose and left one by one. I walked out with Snape. Snape looked paler than usual and had a very tight-lipped expression on his face.

"I don't want them to close Hogwarts," I said quietly once we were alone in the Entrance Hall, on the way to the dungeons.

"There's nothing we can do," he replied heavily, "I've got to go and tell the other students. They'll have to pack their things and be ready to leave first thing in the morning."

I dreaded going to bed that night, as did everyone in my dormitory. All of our trunks were packed, ready to leave the next morning. Even Arsenius was in his cage, looking resentfully at me. I covered my head with my blanket, feeling miserable, and went to sleep.

I awoke a little past midnight to hear a loud commotion coming from the Common Room. My dormitory was empty. Curious, I got up and went into the Common Room. All the students were up, in their pajamas, talking excitedly. Some were heading out of the Entrance.

"What's going on?" I asked Jenny, "Not another attack?"

"No, far from it. Potter and Weasley and Lockhart went into the Chamber of Secrets and defeated the monster and rescued the girl that had been taken. Dumbledore's back and he called an immediate celebratory feast."

"So we aren't going home?"

"Nope."

I had never been to a Hogwarts feast quite like this one. Everyone was in their pajamas and the celebration lasted all night. All the Petrified people had been restored to their original state and came into the hall to join the celebration. Hagrid returned at a little past three o'clock, to the cheering of many students. McGonagall stood up to announce that exams had been cancelled as a school treat. Dumbledore stood to announce that Lockhart would be unable to return next year. Apparently a Memory Charm had backfired on him. Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news.

The rest of the term passed in a haze of blinding sunshine. Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few differences- Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school governor. Draco now looked resentful and sulky most of the time and no longer walked around as if he owned the place.

Before long it was time for everyone to go home. There weren't so many sullen faces now that it was actually time to go home. We had the knowledge we'd be back in a few months so no one was too sad. Before the last day of term, Snape and I went out into the forest to collect herbs for the garden I wanted to plant. My friends and I made the best of the last few hours on the train ride back to King's Cross Station. Jenny and I played Wizard's Chess while Brandy and Ian sat together, talking quietly.

When the train slowed to a stop we all got off. We walked through the magical gateway back into the Muggle world together where Jenny's sister was waiting for her and Brandy's mom was waiting for her. A Muggle taxi was waiting on me. After promising to write each other all summer, we parted ways.