Chapter 3 - Disaster in Progress
Finally eight o'clock came and Katia went for breakfast with Draco Malfoy and his two bodyguards. At this time her stomach ached from hunger.
She took her seat between Crabbe and a rather well built girl, probably this Millicent she was compared to.
She arched an eyebrow seeing Weasley's humiliated face when he received a Howler.
Mrs. Weasley has quite the temper, she thought, smiling to herself.
Her stomach was doing flips by the time food appeared on the table.
She took a rather large portion of porridge and drank three glasses of pumpkin juice. After that she ate two slices of bread with tomato and cucumber.
She felt watched, but it was nothing unexpected. She was new and she was sure that half of the school was eyeing her. It didn't make her self - conscious, however. Pretending to be completely concentrated on her food, she looked at the Staff Table and noticed the black eyes of Snape. He wasn't staring at her openly, but his gaze was intense and she could feel it every time he laid his eyes on her.
She looked at the Headmaster and was amazed at seeing a striking resemblance to her father in his gestures. She wondered, who learned from whom.
They way he held his fork, raised his eyebrows or scratched his temple. It was as if Wulfrick was there, wrapped in a different body. It was a pleasant thought, because she loved her father with all her heart and missed him already.
She wondered if he had a similar addiction to sweets as Wulfrick.
When she was full and satisfied, she looked at the Gryffindor table to see Hermione smiling at her. She smiled back and Weasley's face frowned. Not a good sign at all.
Granger rose from her seat, and so did Katia, hoping that she would go with her to her first class today, Transfiguration.
She exited the Great Hall and almost caught Hermione when a silky voice spoke near her ear.
"Miss Ivanov, I want you to stop."
She turned around to see the tall, lean frame of Professor Snape no further than two feet from her.
"Yes, sir," she said politely.
"As your Head of House, I must warn you that using physical violence is strictly forbidden at Hogwarts and I would advise you to seek other solutions for your misunderstandings."
Quite polite for a "greasy git who makes life miserable." I wonder how he knows about it. Probably Pug Face told him.
"I sincerely apologize, sir, but-"
"Your efforts are touching, however you will serve a detention with me tonight. Be at my office at 8pm o'clock sharp."
"Of course, sir." She was about to go, when he spoke again.
"Know that being late will result in more detentions…"
She nodded and went after Harry Potter to her first class.
Having rather good sight she took a seat at the end of the large classroom and waited for the lesson to begin.
Professor Flitwick eyed his students as he entered the classroom and smiled a little seeing Katia among them. She smiled back and looked behind him to see a rather large table. Near, on the floor was a feather, a glass full of water, and a chair.
He climbed onto the large pile of books on a chair and stood, gaining attention.
"Good morning class. Today we will revive our knowledge from last year and add a little to it. A year ago we were learning wingardium leviosa and all of you performed the spell on a feather correctly."
Some students moaned disapprovingly.
"I thought we would learn something cool," remarked someone from Slytherin and Professor Flitwick clasped his hands, gaining attention again.
"Patience, children. You've learned how to lift a little object, but today we will try to learn precision. Your task is to lift the objects in order from the lightest to the heaviest and put them on the table. What counts is speed, precision and grace. In order determine grace, the glass is full of water. The one who performs it the best will earn ten points to their house."
Granger's hand flew in the air high and she wriggled on her seat. Some other student lifted their hands and Katia cowered a little, hoping that she won't be chosen. No such luck.
"Patience, patience, children. Maybe Miss Ivanov can show us how to do this properly?"
No, take someone else.
"At least you will not have an opportunity to show how gifted you are with a wand."
No.
No no no no no.
"Well Miss Ivanov? We are waiting."
She slowly rose from her seat and with her usual stiff movements she walked to the table.
"First the feather."
"Wingardium leviosa!" she spoke the incantation with a clear voice and perfect pronunciation, her wand movements precise and smooth.
The feather jumped few times and finally ascended, landing on the table. From the corner of her eye she saw Professor Flitwick furrowing his brows a little.
Seeing her hesitation he motioned his hand. "Please continue, Miss Ivanov."
She nodded and pointed at the glass. "Wingardium leviosa!"
The glass swayed a little from side to side, and some water spilled on the floor. Katia felt her insides trembled from concentration.
"Wingaridum leviosa!" she shouted, slight irritation quite clear in her voice.
The glass moved up half way to the table and fell, the sound of the shattering glass ringing loud on the stone floor.
Flitwick's frown deepened and a laugh was heard among the students.
"It was a mistake, Professor."
"You are a mistake!" shouted Pug Face.
"Shut up, Pansy," she heard Draco say.
Professor Flitwick waved his wand and the glass repaired itself and filled with water.
"Maybe you should try with the chair, but be careful."
Katia felt frustration building inside her. Was he trying to condemn her completely?
But he ordered to do it and she obeyed. Taking a deep breath she trained her wand on the chair.
"Wingardium leviosa!"
Blasted piece of furniture didn't move even by inch. She concentrated on the spell, trying to accomplish the task with all her might. Her vision darkened a little and drops of sweat formed on her forehead.
The chair slid by two inches on the floor, and Katia lowered her wand, gasping for air. She felt exhausted as if she was trying to lift a hippogriff with the strength of her muscles.
But it was the humiliation which hurt her the most.
She told herself to ignore all the nasty comments but failed.
She was used to teachers humiliating her, one nasty witch in particular, but being the target of so many bothered her.
She made her way to her seat stiffly and proudly, not wanting to give anyone satisfaction.
Even "the Gryffindor pussy" Neville Longbottom managed to lift the chair.
The lesson ended and she followed Draco to the next, when a nasty voice spoke behind her.
"Good to know that you can't hurt a fly with your wand, you walking failure!"
She turned around and with one, quick move she grabbed Pansy by her throat and slammed her hard against the wall. Her voice was deadly low and barely audible
"Maybe I can't hex you, but if you ever try to threaten me, you ugly pug face, I will smash your face so hard that even your healer will be unable to fix it."
Katia let her go and Pansy grasped her throat, breathing heavily.
None of the Slytherins interfered and Katia quickened her pace to catch up with Hermione.
"Hey," she said uncertainly.
"Oh, hello Katia. I feel so sorry for you. They shouldn't laugh, you know."
Katia shook her head and smiled.
"I don't need pity, Hermione. I wanted to ask if you would come with me to the library after classes. I don't even know where is it. If you still want to talk with me, being in Slytherin and all that is."
"I would love to show you the library and remember what I said in the train. It doesn't matter that you're Slytherin until you plan to do something nasty to me."
"I don't," Katia smiled mischievously "and I think I don't even have the required ability to do so."
"You're talking with Snakes Hermione? Are you out of your mind?" interrupted Weasley.
Hermione's face darkened.
"Ronald I-"
Katia put her hand on the girl's shoulder "I'd better go. Meet me at the entrance of the Great Hall after dinner."
Without another word she left.
Katia was the first to enter the Transfiguration classroom and took a seat in the middle, at the edge of a bench. Goyle sat next to her and soon the lesson began.
Their task was to transfigure beetles into buttons.
There was a jar of beetles on her table and Professor McGonagall instructed them in what to do.
Katia looked behind her, then to the left. All of the students were trying to perform the task with better or worse result. Goyle's button, at her left, still had legs and it was running all over his table. The boy was trying to catch it and finally smashed it, unable to grab it with his sausage-like fingers.
She watched the Professor discreetly and swished her wand trying to perform the task, but the poor beetle was only running back and forth. Soon the tall figure of the Professor towered over her.
McGonagall spoke quietly, so only Katia could hear her.
"Miss Ivanov, I believe that being schooled by the teachers provided by such a wealthy family as yours should result in a perfect example of transfiguration. I'm disappointed to see that you only try to fool me by waving your wand without any visible result."
Katia took a deep breath and answered with a hushed voice.
"Please forgive me, Professor, but I'm doing my best. I can present my wide theoretical knowledge, but it won't change the result of this exercise. I'm really sorry but I just can't do it properly."
"If you say so, maybe I should ask you a question, let's say from a higher level. Do you think you can impress me with you answer?"
Katia smiled politely. "It may give me an opportunity to prove myself in a different way."
"What stands in opposition to Transfiguration and how does it work?"
"The opposite of Transfiguration is Untransfiguration, which would be returning something to its proper form, Professor," she replied, her face expressionless and answer short and precise, despite her horrendous accent.
"Would you be able to show how it works with this little insect?"
"No, Professor. But I can write a full theory and a description of practical exercise right now if you want."
"It won't be necessary, Miss Ivanov. For the rest of the lesson try do perform your earlier task and to learn from your class mates."
She went to dinner hoping that a full belly would ease her feeling of discomfort. She sat at the opposite site of the table, having a clear sight of the Gryffindor table. She noticed Snape's gaze once, but now she knew he was looking at her.
He knew what she did yesterday and he was probably the one she bumped into. Remembering what Hermione said about him, he won't let it go.
So, her humiliation will not end at dinner.
She looked at the plates full of meat, potatoes, covered with some sauce and salad with mayonnaise. Not even a shadow of red beet. She sighed and sipped her tea, her stomach growling.
Draco looked at her across the table.
"Why don't you eat?"
She smiled but it was a bitter smile. Should she tell him? No.
"I'm on a diet. As your friend said yesterday, I'm a big cow, so why bother to eat now?"
"Yeah, will do better to be less…" he swallowed a forkful of meat, "to be thinner maybe."
She imagined what it would be like to eat this food as he did and felt nauseous.
Granger must be ecstatic to show her the library, because she saw that her plate was almost empty now. She rose from her seat and exited the Great Hall. She leaned against the wall and looked at the entrance. She didn't have to wait long.
"Ready to go Katia?" Surely she would be disappointed.
"I must change my planes unfortunately. I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Headmaster. Would you be so kind as to show me his office? I will wait for him there."
"All right."
"Don't be angry Hermione. I will go with you tomorrow, I really will. I'm very fond of books."
Dinner was almost over when she met the Headmaster near the Gargoyle. He smiled seeing her and spoke a greeting.
"Good day Miss Ivanov. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes Headmaster. Can we talk for a while?"
"Of course, of course. Follow me."
The statue moved as if by its own accord and she stepped after Dumbledore onto the spiral staircase. She was impressed seeing his office, but made no comment. The Headmaster took a seat behind the massive desk and motioned for her to take a seat.
"Lemon drop?" A plate full of sweats appeared in front of her. She inspected them and sniffled the one she took with her fingers.
"Does it contain gelatin?" She seemed serious.
"No child, only sugar and lemon juice."
She popped the sweet into her mouth and moved it with her tongue to speak clearly.
"There is a small thing concerning me, sir, and I believe that my father failed to discuss it with you."
Dumbledore stroked his beard.
"We had a rather long conversation about you. Can you enlighten me?"
Katia smiled at him and put her hands at her lap, straightening her back at the same time.
"He told you about the meals sir?"
Dumbledore seemed a little surprised.
"No, he didn't. Does Hogwarts menu not satisfy you appetite, Miss Ivanov?" before she could answer he continued.
"Forgive me, but would it be all right with you if I called you by your given name? Your surname brings associations with certain person for me and it's a bit strange for me to call a young lady like you Ivanov."
"I would be honored if the Headmaster of Hogwarts would call me by my given name. Besides I would it like it very much. It would also make me feel more at home, because you would be the only adult calling me Katia."
He seemed satisfied when she agreed and Katia could guess that the sound of her surname would bring all the memories he shared with Wulfrick.
Her father must have been very important in the Headmaster's life, she saw the official letter from was signed: Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
She wondered if Percival or Brian were given names or remnants of his past.
Dumbledore's grandfatherly, warm voice interrupted her musings.
"Could you tell me, Katia, what problem do you have with our food?"
"I was born with a rare malfunction of my digest system, inherited genetically from my mother. I don't have the enzymes required to digest any animal products. In other words, I cannot eat anything containing meat, eggs, milk, fish or their products."
"Oh dear child, so what do you eat? Grass?"
Katia chuckled. She heard similar reactions when she attended to family dinners with Ivanovs.
"I drink soya milk instead of cow milk and I eat avocado or plant butter instead of traditional butter. That's an example and I can write a complete list of meals you can provide with plants. I also beg you to not reveal this information, because I'm afraid that I would become a victim of cruel pranks. If it's possible, I would like to eat in the kitchen if there will be nothing for me during lunch or dinner. I can go there in the evening."
"It can be arranged. I'll show you the way to the kitchens and you will come there just before the curfew with your list."
"Thank you very much sir."
"I have a delicious cheese cake here, but I'm afraid that you won't try a piece."
"I'm afraid not."
The rest of the day passed without incident and around 7:30 pm she took the complete list, put it in her pocket and went to find the Potions classroom. According to Draco, who explained to her the way, Snape's office was adjacent to the dungeon classroom.
She sat, cross-legged near the door and took the list out of her pocket, re-reading it and occasionally adding something. Two minutes to eight she knocked on the door.
"Enter," she heard the cold, uninviting voice of Professor Snape. She checked if the golden chain on her neck was hidden and stepped inside.
His office was cold and dark, the atmosphere unwelcoming, an impression which could be easily extended to its owner. Snape was sitting behind the desk, obviously waiting for her to do something.
His hair was black and greasy looking, his skin pale even in the warm light of candles. His shoulders were quite wide and it made him look thinner. His long fingers were intertwined together. She dared to look at his face only once, intending to show respect by averting his eyes.
"Good evening, Professor. You wanted to see me," she clasped her hands behind her back, her posture composed and eyes at the height of his chest.
"You are mistaken, Miss Ivanov, if you imagined in your vicious little mind that I would want to spend my evening with you."
Snape smirked seeing that the girl gave no sign of nervousness. Every dunderhead he had the displeasure to teach tried to brave with better or worse results, but in the end most of them ran away in tears. She thought that she was better than them, because she was rich and passed one year in Durmstrang? He would wait for her to show something, any hint of what she felt and then he would strike knowing where to hit.
"You will not serve the usual detention, so don't ever think that you will scrub a cauldron and go away. Sit down."
Katia took her seat on the only available chair, which turned out to be uncomfortable, the wood digging into her butt.
She fought the urge to stand up and say what she really thinks of his treating her like that, and kept her face expressionless. She could tell that he was counting on that reaction to condemn her.
No way.
Her previous lessons were a complete disaster and she had a strange desire to win his appreciation. She failed with Aine Delorge but here she still had the chance. She waited patiently for him to speak, watching his hands.
She always had a thing for hands. His hands were elegant, long fingered, and slender, without visible veins.
"Miss Ivanov what was your final grade in Potions?"
"I received the highest possible grade, an equivalent of Hogwarts Outstanding."
"Well, well you think you are a genius then?"
Snape leaned towards her a little, waiting for a reaction.
"I have a love for the field of Potions and I hold the view that making them is an art. It's not just putting ingredients in a cauldron, it's a process of creation, passion and precision."
"We will see what kind of artist are you, Miss Ivanov. My standards can be quite different from those you are used to. Now I want to try your knowledge if you love the subject as much as you claim to. Tell me what are the ingredients of Polyjuice potion, how should they be prepared and what is its purpose."
Katia barely stopped herself from grinning like an idiot. She brewed this potion quite often since she was ten. It would be three years now.
"The ingredients," she began, trying to copy his accent, "are lacewing flies, which need to be stewed for 21 days, whole leeches, powdered bicorn horn, knotgrass, fluxweed which should be picked only at full moon and shredded boomslang skin. If the potion is brewed correctly it can be identified by its color and consistency. It looks like thick dark mud and bubbles sluggishly. One would add the last ingredient at this stage, which should be a small piece of the person to be transform into, like hair or a nail. The purpose of this potion is to turn into the source of the last ingredient, but it only changes physical appearances without altering the voice of the drinker."
She lifted her gaze to see that Professor Snape arched one, black eyebrow, looking amused by her response.
"You obviously forgot to tell how long the effect lasts, the final color and consistency, but I can accept your answer. Can you brew it correctly?"
"Yes, sir."
"And if I asked you to do it now?"
"I would do it if I had the required ingredients. Without them it will take a month to collect and prepare everything for brewing."
"You will do it now, I have everything you would require."
He stood up and with a few large strides he was at the door. Katia followed him to the Potions classroom where he accio-ed a clean cauldron.
"See that cabinet on left. You will collect everything you need from there. Begin now."
She went towards the cabinet and just before she reached it, he spoke again. "Don't even think about summoning anything by magic. I will not tolerate foolish wand-waving in my classroom."
"Of course, sir," she answered rather absent-mindedly. The man had an incredible voice. Like a steel wrapped in silk and its timbre was music to her ears.
She was sure that she would like to listen to it even if he insulted her. But maybe that last part could be blamed on the blasted curse she was born with.
Maybe the curse was restraining her magical abilities from developing.
She put everything she needed on the table and started making the potion. She really liked the subject. She felt Snape's intense gaze while she was cutting, crushing and putting things into the cauldron. Her movements were smooth and precise. She had exact timing and kept her workspace as clean as possible.
It wasn't strange because she knew this potion by heart and she truly meant what she said about her love of the field.
She could improve here and wasn't limited by poor magic or teachers who hated her with a passion for her stupid, childish mistake.
She heard knocking to the door and Professor Snape went past her to answer it.
"Continue," he said and opened the door a little.
"Severus," she heard McGonagall's voice.
"Minerva, Filius. To what do I owe this late visit? Do you wish to invite me for a tea party?"
"We came here because Miss Ivanov is your responsibility."
Katia felt the skin on her back crept.
A/N: BIG THANKS to my beta reader.
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