The train ride to Hogwarts was unusually silent. Luna, Neville, Ginny, and I stared out the window. We all new what we were about to face going there. Fred hadn't been very keen on letting me go once he heard that Snape and a couple of death eaters would be controlling the school, but he also knew I was too stubborn to do otherwise.
"Will you three help me?" Neville suddenly asked.
"Yes," Luna and Ginny said together.
I nodded. "Don't ever forget I'm on your side ok?"
They nodded confused, only Ginny seemed to understand the hidden meaning behind it, even if she only understood it partway I would need to play the part of a suck up.
The Carrow, aka the new teacher that is a Death Eater, glared down at me, his wand raised. I stared defiantly back at him.
"You're a brave soul to offer to be the first to be used as a guinea pig for the crucius curse."
"I'll be the guinea pig every time." I told him bluntly.
"Oh, stupid to huh?" he cackled.
I braced myself mentally making sure to think it would be worse than it actually would be.
"Crucio!" he shouted.
It wasn't as bad as when the fake Mad Eye had cast it on her. I also had a stronger control on my mind than the first time. I had had it directed at me. I no longer needed to stab my nails into my palms to keep from yelling, I only needed to gently bite my tongue. I was easily able to glare straight back at his shocked expression.
Neville could tell what I was doing and was trying very hard not to laugh. The Carrow lowered his wand. I shook out my hair and smiled a fake smile at him. "That it?" I asked him.
"How?" He roared.
I shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. Then I went to sit in my spot next to Neville. He stuck out his hand out toward me and I gave him a silent hi-five under the table.
After class the Carrow, Amycus, grabbed my wrist and jerked me back into the classroom. I stood perfectly still as he circled around me and looked me up and down.
"I know that spell worked." He told me.
"Is there a question in that I'm supposed to answer?" I tilted my head to the side and gave him the cockiest look I could muster.
"You'd make an excellent Death Eater, you know that."
"I'm sure I would. But I don't see how that would be any of your business." I didn't turn my head as he made another round around me.
"It is all my business." He played with the back of my hair.
"Excuse me, Amycus, why are you playing with my pet's hair?" Snape was leaning on the doorframe of the door to the classroom.
"Your pet?" He asked mockingly. "I don't see any names on her."
I turned to glare at him. "That includes yours." I said stepping away from him.
"Why you little!" Amycus raised his wand and pointed it at me. I just stared back.
"Professor Snape, was there something you wanted from me?" I said without taking my eyes off the Carrow.
"A word." Snape said. "I would appreciate it if you lowered your wand." there was utter coldness in his voice "I have a use for that one and it wouldn't due to harm her."
Amycus lowered his wand and looked at Snape with an expression that could only be described as fright.
"Well then, lets go." I walked past him out into the hallway.
"Don't touch her." I heard Snape growl from the classroom.
"But you do plan to give her to the Dark Lord." Amycus had apparently gotten the ability to speak back. "She would make a most wonderful Death Eater.""What do you think Amycus?" Snape spun and followed me out of the room. I smiled, he had never actually answered Amycus's question, how clever.
"So..." I started sitting down. "How's the new position?" I tossed my feet up on the footrest.
"Not funny." he said sitting down with a sigh. He rubbed his temples and leaned his elbows on the desk.
"I know... Sorry."
He opened his eyes and glared at me. "Well... I guess this is the first time I've talked to you since...."
'Yeah. Don't worry about explaining it to me. I knew about it before it happened."
"I'll take a guess and say you have the same job as I do only..."
"Yes, only not..."
"Well...yeah." Snape seemed so much older now.
"Fred bought me some books on healing. I should be able to at least semi keep students in a...well non dead state. Those Carrows are out of control though."
"I know, but there is nothing I can do about them unless I wanted it repeated to the Dark Lord. You I can just call my protégée or something like that and nothing will be thought of it but if I try to make them back off of EVERYONE...Well they are here under the Dark Lords direct order so it wouldn't be a good thing."
"I know that. I will do the best I can as well. I'd better go or everyone will start getting suspicious. Later Snape." I got up and headed for the door.
"Be careful Sammay, I can only protect you to an extent." He said, closing his eyes again.
I paused at the door. "I know."